Are picture books undervalued? Our new 'ambassador' of children's books thinks so

By Andrew Limbong

Published February 6, 2025 at 2:43 PM PST

Picture book author Mac Barnett (who often works with illustrator Jon Klassen) has been named the Library of Congress' new ambassador for young people's literature. We talk with Barnett about what it means to be named to this role in this moment, when engaging kids in reading can be a struggle, and when there are more challenges to what kids are free to read.

Andrew Limbong

Andrew Limbong is a reporter for NPR's Arts Desk, where he does pieces on anything remotely related to arts or culture, from streamers looking for mental health on Twitch to Britney Spears' fight over her conservatorship. He's also covered the near collapse of the live music industry during the coronavirus pandemic. He's the host of NPR's Book of the Day podcast and a frequent host on Life Kit.