Hello from your new National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature! I believe wholeheartedly in the boundless possibilities of children’s books—and the brilliance of the kids who read them. Many thanks to the Library of Congress and Every Child a Reader for appointing me to this role. I’m proud to follow previous ambassadors Jon Scieszka, Katherine Paterson, Walter Dean Myers, Kate DiCamillo, Gene Luen Yang, Jacqueline Woodson, Jason Reynolds, and Meg Medina. And I’m especially grateful to all the kids who have read my books, and the librarians, teachers, booksellers, parents, caregivers, and camp counselors who’ve shared them. I’m excited to get to work, especially because now I have diplomatic immunity and can’t get parking tickets, or at least that’s what @jon_scieszka told me.
photo: @donetodeathprojects
red-white-and-blue design: my oldest friend and racquetball enemy @shawnharri5@librarycongress@everychildareader@childrensbookcouncil@candlewickpress
MAKE BELIEVE is a book for adults about books for children. It’s a celebration, an argument, and an exhortation to make great art for kids. My friend Carson Ellis (@carsonellis ) illustrated the cover, which I’m very excited to share with you today.
MAKE BELIEVE: ON TELLING STORIES TO CHILDREN is out May 5th, 2026. You can preorder at the link in my bio.
Make Believe: On Telling Stories for Children, a book for adults about books for kids, is out today.
@carsonellis made the beautiful cover.
@jonklassen drew the beautiful Venn diagram.
The Make Believe Book Tour (it’s a real book tour—the book is called Make Believe). A series of grown-up conversations about children’s literature, marking the publication of my first book for adults (which is about books for kids). Get your tickets! And please note: these events are geared toward adults. Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children comes out on May 5.
Thursday, May 14
Mac Barnett & Jon Klassen
Co-presented with @826valencia@macbarnett has written award-winning picture books and was selected to be the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature (2025-2026). @jonklassen was an illustrator and animator, working on films like “Kung Fu Panda” and “Coraline,” before creating his best-selling “hat” trilogy.
They’ve worked together on an animated series “Shape Island,” and newsletter “Looking at Picture Books.”
Join us for a conversation on their collaborations and Barnett’s new book, “Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children.”
✨With whimsical storytelling, the Peabody-nominated animated series #ShapeIsland explores complex emotions and questions, inspiring children and adults alike to connect, empathize, and cherish the beauty of everyday moments.
#PeabodyNominee #StoriesThatMatter
Wow!! Shape Island is one of the coolest projects I’ve worked on and our season 3 just got nominated for a @peabodyawards ..: I love playing ⬛️
Tnx @macbarnett@jonklassen
Watch now on @appletv
Available now, the NOW I SEE collection is a unique quartet of board books that playfully shows the changing seasons from a child’s point of view.
Today's the last day to join the NOW I SEE mail club, submit via the link in bio to be a member!
San Francisco!
@macbarnett and I are coming to give a special talk. More info and a link to tickets are in our respective bios. We hope to see you there ❤️
@jonklassen and I will present an evening for adults about children's literature at @cityartssf on May 14. This is, I think, the first time picture book authors have talked about picture books on the City Arts & Lectures stage since Maurice Sendak in 1993. We're excited. Grab your tickets! Link in bio.
