Episode 4 | Aug 11, 2021
Embrace who you are.
Laurent Linn
Laurent Linn is an author, illustrator, art director, and former puppet designer (he designed and built puppets in the legendary Muppets Workshop!). He has been inventing worlds of wonder and magic for children for decades. In this episode, his conversation with David leads to a clear message for children today: Don’t worry what other people think of you. In fact, it’s none of your business! Embrace who you are, regardless of others’ opinions.
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Laurent Linn worked for over a decade with the Sesame Street Muppets. Specifically, he served as Creative Director and won an Emmy Award for his puppet designs. He is currently the art director for Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. Today, as an art director of picture books, middle grade novels, and teen novels,...
More About the Guest:
Laurent Linn worked for over a decade with the Sesame Street Muppets. Specifically, he served as Creative Director and won an Emmy Award for his puppet designs. He is currently the art director for Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. Today, as an art director of picture books, middle grade novels, and teen novels, he meshes visuals and literature to open up the minds and worlds of children through books. In addition, he is a member of the Board of Advisors for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. In this role, he speaks at conferences and conducts workshops around the country. Laurent is also an author and illustrator. In his book Draw the Line, Laurent creates a story teaching teens to fight brutality and cruelty through art rather than violence. The main character wrestles with an issue common to all: finding your identity.
More About The Conversation:
In this conversation, Laurent discusses his experience inventing worlds that bring people together. His love of puppetry stemmed from his mother, a professional puppeteer in the 1950’s who hosted a live TV show that ran in Dallas–Fort Worth. Later, Laurent took the Linn Family’s love of puppetry from local Texas programming all the way to Sesame Street.
About the Story:
When David asks, “What do you think children need to hear right now?” Laurent responds with lessons from his book — but this time geared toward younger ones. Instead of telling children not to worry what others think, Laurent takes this notion a step further. He suggests that other people’s perceptions of you are not your business to worry about. Embrace who you are — no matter what others say.
Through the conversation, we are introduced to the character Nella, a young monkey who struggles as the smallest of her family. We also meet the strong, self-confident, Unbothered Tree that guides her on a journey of remembering that it’s not her business what others think of her. Nella begins to learn just how liberating that can be!
Explore more from the episode:
Check out more of the books Laurent has worked on.
Learn more about the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
This episode was recorded on March 11, 2021.
Learn more about Laurent, his past work, and what he is currently up to on his website.
Episode 4 | Aug 11, 2021
Embrace who you are.
Laurent Linn
Laurent Linn is an author, illustrator, art director, and former puppet designer (he designed and built puppets in the legendary Muppets Workshop!). He has been inventing worlds of wonder and magic for children for decades. In this episode, his conversation with David leads to a clear message for children today: Don’t worry what other people think of you. In fact, it’s none of your business! Embrace who you are, regardless of others’ opinions.
Stream Now:
Share:
Transcript:
Learn more about Laurent, his past work, and what he is currently up to on his website.
- Read More
- Read Less
Laurent Linn worked for over a decade with the Sesame Street Muppets. Specifically, he served as Creative Director and won an Emmy Award for his puppet designs. He is currently...
More About the Guest:
Laurent Linn worked for over a decade with the Sesame Street Muppets. Specifically, he served as Creative Director and won an Emmy Award for his puppet designs. He is currently the art director for Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. Today, as an art director of picture books, middle grade novels, and teen novels, he meshes visuals and literature to open up the minds and worlds of children through books. In addition, he is a member of the Board of Advisors for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. In this role, he speaks at conferences and conducts workshops around the country. Laurent is also an author and illustrator. In his book Draw the Line, Laurent creates a story teaching teens to fight brutality and cruelty through art rather than violence. The main character wrestles with an issue common to all: finding your identity.
More About The Conversation:
In this conversation, Laurent discusses his experience inventing worlds that bring people together. His love of puppetry stemmed from his mother, a professional puppeteer in the 1950’s who hosted a live TV show that ran in Dallas–Fort Worth. Later, Laurent took the Linn Family’s love of puppetry from local Texas programming all the way to Sesame Street.
About the Story:
When David asks, “What do you think children need to hear right now?” Laurent responds with lessons from his book — but this time geared toward younger ones. Instead of telling children not to worry what others think, Laurent takes this notion a step further. He suggests that other people’s perceptions of you are not your business to worry about. Embrace who you are — no matter what others say.
Through the conversation, we are introduced to the character Nella, a young monkey who struggles as the smallest of her family. We also meet the strong, self-confident, Unbothered Tree that guides her on a journey of remembering that it’s not her business what others think of her. Nella begins to learn just how liberating that can be!
Explore more from the episode:
Check out more of the books Laurent has worked on.
Learn more about the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
This episode was recorded on March 11, 2021.