Newsicle: Smart News for Curious Kids

Voters head to polls across America, scientists uncover secrets of cartwheeling snakes, and possible chambers detected near King Tut!

Protests spread across European countries, hackers steal billions in digital money, and ancient treasures discovered in Pompeii closet!

Welcome back to Interviewsicle, Newsicle's interview series! Lily sits down with inspiring guests to explore big ideas, remarkable stories, and the questions kids are most curious about.

This episode features LeUyen Pham, a New York Times bestselling children's book illustrator and author who has worked on more than 140 books, including The Princess in Black, Freckleface Strawberry, Alvin Ho, and Real Friends. She is also a recipient of a Caldecott Honor for her illustrations in Bear Came Along.

LeUyen tells Lily about arriving in the United States from Vietnam as a young child, how reading and drawing helped her make friends, and how a college professor helped her discover that she could turn her love of art into a career.

She takes listeners behind the scenes of children's book illustration, from designing characters and creating early sketches to collaborating with authors. She also discusses the newest book in The Princess in Black series, The Princess in Black and the Trick-or-Treating Trouble, and what made illustrating a Halloween adventure so much fun. Plus, she reveals how real children sometimes appear in her illustrations and how one of her favorite princesses was inspired by her own childhood!

LeUyen explains why young artists shouldn't worry about making perfect drawings and offers an unusual piece of advice: throw away your erasers!

She also shares an inspiring message about believing in yourself, working hard, and pursuing your dreams, no matter where you start.

Scientists discover possible dwarf planet, Halloween candy prices give families fright, and shark fossils reveal ancient freshwater secrets!

Dinosaur skeleton sells for $47 million, scientists investigate strange whale scars, and teenage scientist shines light on moths!