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NPR's ambassador to children's literature, Daniel Pinkwater, brings in the latest book by one of his favorite author/illustrator, D.B. Johnson. Henry Climbs a Mountain is the third in a series of books featuring a bear based on naturalist Henry David Thoreau. Pinkwater says it might be the best picture book he's ever read.

Most Cajuns, whose ancestors settled in southern Louisiana in the 17th century, spoke French up until World War II. But as Cajun culture is celebrated in music, film and food, only a fraction of the local population calls French its first language. NPR's Renee Montagne speaks with historian Shane Bernard about the Americanization of the Cajuns.

Movie makeup artist Ve Neill is up for her fourth Oscar for her work on Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. For Intersections, a Morning Edition series on artists and their inspirations, Neill discusses how an early love of horror flicks helped fuel her career transforming Hollywood's faces.

Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson has spent more than 20 years writing a cycle of plays that chronicle black life in 20th-century America, decade by decade. For Intersections, a Morning Edition series on artists and their inspirations, the playwright discusses how he first found the language of the black experience in blues legend Bessie Smith.

In 1831, Nat Turner led a slave rebellion in Southampton County, Va., that killed more than 50 white people. An independent film debuting on PBS examines The Confessions of Nat Turner, William Styron's controversial 1967 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, Turner's alleged jailhouse statements and other versions of Turner's story. Pat Dowell reports.

NPR's coverage of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences 2003 Oscar awards: Film music critic Andy Trudeau talks about the Oscar-nominated film scores, and dissects how music can make a good film great.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken will meet with key allies in Australia, Japan and India.

News that Eastman Kodak will put more emphasis on the sale of digital cameras and accessories underscores a fundamental shift in technology. But what about the art of photo development? Hear NPR's Steve Inskeep, J. Ross Baughman, a photojournalist with The Washington Times and Lois Greenfield, a photographer known for breathtaking shots of dancers in motion.

Researcher Dan Starer provides bestselling authors with all manner of background information for their novels. Starer has dug up historical and scientific tidbits to give the ring of truth to more than 100 bestsellers. He speaks with NPR's Steve Inskeep.

Viktor Krauss, a bassist of choice in Nashville, has issued his first album as a group leader. The new recording, Far From Enough, doesn't showcase Krauss's bass. Instead, it places him in the more traditional role of bringing out the best in his colleagues. Critic Jim Fusilli has a review.