In this episode of Picture This, host Adam is joined by celebrated children's author and 4th-grade teacher Nick Solis. Discover how Nick's manuscript for his book, The Staring Contest, was born in Adam's class and went on to become a published work!
Nick, a 25-year teaching veteran, reveals how he uses picture books to create an engaging, inclusive classroom environment and why he considers them the ultimate tool for teaching everything from history to social-emotional learning. We delve into:

• The power of saying "yes, and..." and how it applies to both improv and teaching.
• Why picture books are the perfect "sparks" for quick, high-impact lessons.
• Actionable, teacher-tested activities you can use in your own classroom tomorrow.

Hey educators and librarians! Nick and I want to know: *Do you prefer one picture book example per activity, or would you like to see multiple examples for different learning styles?* Let us know in the comments below! 👇
*Chapters*
00:00 Intro: The Power of Yes, and...
01:06 From Student to Published Author: The Story Behind "The Staring Contest"
03:55 Improvisation and the "Yes, And" Mindset
05:27 Using Picture Books for All Ages (Even High School!)
06:50 The Power of Picture Books for Social-Emotional Learning
12:33 The Importance of Narrative and Ambiguity in Storytelling
13:22 Why Picture Books are Better Than Curriculum Books
18:35 Teacher-Approved Classroom Activities (Like the Bio Box!)
24:18 Go-To Picture Book Recommendations for Growth Mindset
27:28 Sparking Creativity with "Memoir Heart" and "Interest Journals"
32:05 Pairing Picture Books with History Lessons
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