Join PBS Books for a joyful, laugh-out-loud, and insightful conversation with Mac Barnett, the 2025–2026 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, as we celebrate the power of storytelling to spark curiosity, build empathy, and nurture lifelong readers.
In this delightful interview, Mac chats with Heather-Marie Montilla about the magic of picture books and why they deserve a spot on every bookshelf—child and adult alike. With humor, heart, and imagination, Mac reflects on his journey as a beloved children’s book author and shares how young readers often bring the deepest insights to the stories he creates. From Sam and Dave Dig a Hole to President Taft Is Stuck in the Bath, Mac’s work is filled with wonder, surprising turns, and an open invitation to think, laugh, and connect.
This ambassadorial appointment is made possible through a collaboration between the Library of Congress, the Children’s Book Council, and Every Child a Reader. As the 9th National Ambassador, Mac brings his signature wit and creativity to the role—championing picture books as one of the great, and often underappreciated, literary forms.
Don’t miss this engaging conversation that celebrates reading together, building community through books, and the storytelling that shapes thoughtful, imaginative young minds.
