{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"The Power of Picture Books and Finding the Funny","description":" Michael Gerard Bauer &amp;nbsp;  On today\u2019s show,  we chat about how one of Australia\u2019s favourite picture book authors gets his stories, how they often develop from something small \u2013 a thought in his head, or a picture that sparked an idea or a thought, followed by a series of questions to determine what sort of story it would become.  Plus, Liv drops in to review a fun and chaotic picture book by one of this country\u2019s fav picture book authors.&amp;nbsp;  Today\u2019s special guest  is an award-winning Australian author best known for his hilarious and heartfelt books for children and young adults. Originally a high school English teacher, he burst onto the scene with his debut novel  The Running Man, which won the CBCA Book of the Year. Since then, he\u2019s made readers laugh out loud with picture books like  Rodney Loses It! (which nabbed the CBCA Early Childhood Book of the Year) and warmed hearts with stories like  Eric the Viking. With a knack for blending humour and emotion, he continues to delight readers of all ages. Everybody please welcome the ever-talented Michael Gerard Bauer. ","author_name":"Reading with a chance of tacos","author_url":"http:\/\/www.readingwithachanceoftacos.com","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/37174260\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/190098730"}