The Children's Book Review: Growing Readers Podcast

Squirlish: The Girl in the Tree on Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Hither and Nigh on Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

The Golden Imaginarium on ⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Resources:

For more information about Ellen and her books, visit EllenPotter.com.

Discussion Topics:

Ellen Potter talks about:

• How she writes to delight kids and wants to transport them to another world through her stories.
• That writing for kids is more fun than writing for adults.
• Doing school visits to ignite a love of writing in children.
• How writing is challenging, but she has developed strategies to get past those rough spots and move through the writing process.
• The importance of revision and how her best writing has always come out in revision.
• Methods for overcoming writer's block.
• The inspiration behind Squirlish and how it came from a friend raising a baby squirrel.
• How her own life experiences, such as her son going off to college, influenced the story.
• Themes of fitting in and finding one's strengths in the first book and how they continue in the second book, which also touches on New York City history
• Appreciating the value of finding one's own strengths.

Dogtown on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Resources:

You can find out more about Katherine Applegate at https://katherineapplegate.com/.

You can find out more about Gennifer Choldenko at https://www.choldenko.com/.

Discussion Topics:

Katherine and Gennifer talk about:

• Their love of dogs, writing, and, of course, Dogtown
• Katherine's struggles with sitting down to write and how she uses the Pomodoro method to help her get started
• How they connected over their love for middle grade readers and collaborated on writing Dogtown
• Research for Dogtown, including volunteering at a pet shelter and training dogs for therapy work
• How the idea of robot dogs versus real dogs came about for the story
• The main characters Metalhead and Chance and what they represent
• Wallace West's illustrations in the book and how he brought it to life with his quirky and original style
• The importance of fiction in developing empathy and compassion, and how stories about animals (like Dogtown) can inspire kids to cherish and appreciate their furry companions

You can read the transcription on ⁠The Children's Book Review.

Order a Copy:

Dear Unicorn on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠.

Resources:

You can find out more about Josh Funk at https://www.joshfunkbooks.com/.

Discussion Topics:

Josh Funk talks about:

• The inspiration behind his previous book, Dear Dragon, and how it unintentionally became a hit with teachers for its themes of friendship and challenging assumptions.
• How he came up with the idea for Dear Unicorn while waiting in line for a roller coaster at Disney World and wrote the entire first draft on his phone with his child's help.
• The difference between Dear Dragon and Dear Unicorn
• Using art to communicate and express emotions.
• Takeaways for kids reading Dear Unicorn.
• Balance between positivity and negativity in relationships and how it can lead to growth.
• How getting to know someone allows for more authenticity
• The characters of Connie and Nic, the unicorn, express themselves differently.
• Josh and Bianca read a page from Dear Unicorn.
• Using his platform to share the work of other authors and push for inclusivity and representation

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Order a Copy:

Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Hedlund on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠.

Resources:

You can find out more about Julie at https://juliehedlund.com/.

Follow her on Twitter @juliefhedlund.

12x12 Challenge: https://www.12x12challenge.com/.

Picture Book Summit: https://picturebooksummit.com/.

Home: A Memoir of My Early Years by Julie Andrews: https://amzn.to/3PrNAkx.

Discussion Topics:

Julie Hedlund talks about:

• Her writing process and the importance of being a reader before becoming a writer.
• Her involvement in writing communities like 12 x 12 and Picture Book Summit, where Julie Andrews is a keynote speaker this year.
• How a comment from Julie Andrews' daughter led to writing a picture book biography about Julie Andrews
• Extensive research for the book, including reading Julie's memoir, doing onsite research in London, and listening to interviews.
• The book's emotional climax and how readers can take away the message that they can use their gifts to improve the world.
• The benefits of reading from biographies of people who work hard and achieve great things, just like Julie Andrews.
• Embracing individual paths and not comparing oneself to others.

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Order a Copy:

Ally Baby Can Be Antiracist on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠.

Keep Dreaming Black Child on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠.

Black Tarot on Amazon and Bookshop.org.

Resources:

For more information, visit https://www.nyashawilliams.online/⁠.

Discussion Topics:

Nyasha talks about:

• Her mission to decolonize literature and how she got into writing children's books driven by her love for water and eco-activism.
• The writing process through ancestral connection.
• Challenges of funding and editing in the publishing world, especially regarding getting sample illustrations and pushing into higher realms.
• Creating the "Ally Baby Can" series and incorporating rhyming in the books.
• How the illustrations in the books are designed to convey messages even if the child cannot access the words.
• The inclusion of a glossary for formal terminology.
• How she hopes the books will resonate with readers.
• Taking action and being an ally and needing humility, hard conversations, and acknowledging diversity to create a more equitable world.

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Order a Copy:

Ghost Book on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org.

Resources:

For more information, visit https://remylai.com.

Discussion Topics:

• What drives Remy Lai to create books for children
• From the images in her head to finishing revisions on a manuscript
• Ghost Book, and how the idea came to her
• Origin of the characters in Ghost Book
• The concept of hungry ghosts and their significance in Chinese culture and how they fit into the story
• Themes of death and grief and the importance of exploring these themes in a hopeful way
• The importance of quality friendships over quantity
• Finding the right ending to the story

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Sponsor:

This episode was made possible in part by author Virginia Shaw Genthner, the author of Jellybean Finds a Family. Listen to the book spotlight about this true story that follows Jellybean the horse as he leaves Europe to come to the United States looking for a family.

Order a Copy:

Jellybean Finds a Family on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠.

Speer is the award-winning author of BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? A Girls Guide to Happy Friendships and Middle School – Safety Goggles Advised. Her interactive books for preteens and teens entertain readers while exploring important topics. Blending humor, a dash of science, stories, and insights, her writing unpacks challenges that surface during adolescence. She has a master’s degree in social sciences and explores topics in ways that connect with kids. Jessica is regularly featured in and contributes to media outlets on topics related to kids, teens, parenting, and social-emotional development.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Order a Copy:

The Phone Book: Stay Safe, Be Smart, and Make the World Better with the Powerful Device in Your Hand: ⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠.

Resources:

For more information, visit www.JessicaSpeer.com.

Discussion Topics:

• The Phone Book balances knowledge and empowerment for kids and families regarding smartphone use
• Working with kids to gather information and stories
• How watching "The Social Dilemma" highlighted the need for guardrails around technology use for kids and inspired The Phone Book
• Helping kids understand technology and its impact
• The design elements and interactive features of The Phone Book
• Modeling healthy tech habits, creating a tech agreement, having regular conversations about the dark side of tech, and teaching digital literacy and citizenship for parents to help their kids form healthy digital habits
• Creating more informed young users of tech through her book
• Encouraging families to have guidebooks on hand for when kids hit a bump in the road

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Order a Copy:

Stuff Kids Should Know: ⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠.

Resources:

You can listen to the Stuff You Should Know podcast on iHeart Radio.

Discussion Topics:

Chuck and Josh discuss:

•  How they adapted their podcast content for their kids' book
• Their love of nonfiction and how they became interested in learning
• Choosing topics for their podcast and how they selected topics for their book
• Researching and writing and relying on a body of research to have a conversation
• Tricks for fact-checking over the years, such as investigating red flags and finding multiple sources to back up claims
• Infusing humor into the show and finding humor in most things
• That everything is interconnected in some way
• Finding a story in whatever they're talking about
• Their approach to researching and writing nonfiction emphasizes the importance of following questions and not taking things for granted
• A glimpse at each of the chapters of the book

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review .

Order a Copy:

The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn: ⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org.

Resources:

You can visit Sally J. Pla online at www.sallyjpla.com.

Visit anovelmind.com, a site about mental health and neurodiversity in children’s literature.

Discussion Topics:

• The premise of The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn and how it fits with Sally's mission
• Sally discusses the struggle of sustaining focus and shares her secret weapon, a particular software, to block distractions.
• She explains how her mission to populate children's literature with neurodivergent characters came about through her own experiences with her neurodivergent children and a health emergency that refocused her priorities.
• The importance of reading about characters who are different from oneself to broaden empathy and understanding.
• Sally describes the character of Maudie as a girl who cares about others and wants to be accepted and loved and learns to surf as a metaphor for learning resiliency in the face of life's challenges.
• Inherited traumas that parents bring into their parenting and the resources included in the book.
• How the combination of prose and verse in the book was a natural evolution based on Maudie's thought processes
• The message of empowerment and resilience in The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn.

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Order a Copy:

In the Night Garden: ⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org.

Resources:

You can visit Carin Berger at http://www.carinberger.com/.

Discussion Topics:

• Carin's motivations for creating books for children
• Exploring the natural world at night and overcoming fears
• The process of creating collages, which involves drawing intricate dummies, making vellums, cutting stencils, and using found ephemera
• The hidden messages or secrets in the artwork—Carin sometimes incorporates words or numbers with personal significance
• Getting the physical artwork to editors and art designers and the back-and-forth process of scanning and color correction
• Challenges of printing on uncoated paper
• The impact Carin hopes her book In the Night Garden will have on readers
• Encouragement to look deeply at books and the world around you

You can read the transcription on ⁠The Children's Book Review⁠.

Order copies:

The Monster Mac and Cheese Party: Amazon⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠.

Resources:

You can visit Todd Parr at https://www.toddparr.com/.

Discussion Topics:

• Becoming an author and illustrator
• Being discovered by an editor at a licensing show in New York City
• Creating children's books based on inclusivity and kindness
• How struggling in school with dyslexia and family issues has led to writing books that help kids feel better about themselves
• Creating self-help books for kids with clear messages rather than character-driven stories
• Addressing social-emotional issues with kids is more important now than ever
• Staying true to the idea of empowering kids leads to endless possibilities for future books
• The inspiration behind the picture book, The Monster Mac and Cheese Party, and how it fits into the overall approach of creating inclusive books
• The importance of kindness, self-confidence, and being who you are

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Order copies:

Bitsy Bat, School Star: ⁠Amazon⁠ and ⁠Bookshop.org⁠.

Resources:

You can visit Kaz Windness at www.windnessbooks.com.

Discussion Topics:

• The things that guide and drive Kaz Windness in creating books for kids.
• Struggling with learning while being a lover of books and reading.
• Being a neurodivergent author writing a book about a neurodivergent character.
• A look into the creative process of the picture book.
• Playing with the artistic perspective or an autistic bat.
• Inclusivity in the classroom.

You can read the transcription on ⁠The Children's Book Review.

Order copies:

No Is All I Know: Amazon and Bookshop.org

Smartest Kid in the Universe: Evil Genius: Amazon⁠ and ⁠Bookshop.org⁠

Resources:

You can visit Chris Grabenstein at ChrisGrabenstein.com.

No More Naps, by Chris Grabenstein and Leo Espinosa.

Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library: The Graphic Novel, by Chris Grabenstein and Douglas Holgate.

The Jackie Ha-Ha series by Chris Grabenstein and James Patterson.

Welcome to Wonderland series, by Chris Grabenstein.

Discussion Topics:

• Chris Grabenstein's time in a top New York City improvisational comedy troupe performing with Bruce Willis and Robin Williams.
• Writing for Jim Henson's Muppets, co-writing the movie The Christmas Gift (starring John Denver), and working in advertising with James Patterson.
• The art of never being boring when writing for kids.
• Chris's tip for creativity and finding ideas.
• The picture book No Is All I Know.
• The latest book on the Smartest Kid in the Universe series: Evil Genius.
• The graphic novel edition of Mr. Lemoncello's Library.

• https://thebrightagency.com
• https://www.rocketahead.org/

Discussion Topics:

• Nurturing a publishing agency into a thriving creative management agency.
• Insight into what agents and publishers seek in new author and illustrator talent.
• Do's and don'ts for new talent seeking an agent.
• Vicki talks about her new non-profit organization Rocket Ahead.

You can read the transcription on ⁠The Children's Book Review⁠.

Order copies:

Vivienne in Paris on ⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠.

Resources:

For more information, visit https://mariacastelluccimooreauthor.com/.

Discussion Topics:

• Running a luxury wine label and real estate brand while being a mom of four children.
• Becoming an author and adding this title to her repertoire.
• The joys of reading and getting lost in a good book.
• Vivienne in Paris and its message of mindfulness and the impact it has on readers.

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Order copies:

Footprints Across the Planet on Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠.

Lego: Amazing Earth on Bookshop.org and Amazon.

Spacecare: The Kids Guide to Surviving Space on Bookshop.org⁠ and Amazon.

Resources:

For more information, visit https://jenniferswansonbooks.com/.

The Solve It For Kids Podcast: https://solveitforkids.com/

KidLiteracy is Jennifer Swanson's nonprofit organization: https://kidliteracy.org/.

NASA Social Events: https://www.nasa.gov/connect/social/index.html.

Discussion Topics:

• Visiting NASA and meeting The Artemis II lunar flyby mission crew members.
• Jennifer Swanson's childhood love of STEM.
• Becoming an author of over 45 published nonfiction books for kids.
• The Solve it For Kids podcast and school visits.
• The idea, writing, and what to expect from Footprints Across the Planet.
• Taking steps in the right direction to make a difference on our planet.

You can read the transcription on ⁠⁠The Children's Book Review.

Order copies:

Once Upon a Book on ⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠.

Resources:

Grace Lin invites you to visit her at www.gracelin.com.

Kate Messner invites you to visit her at ⁠www.katemessner.com⁠.

Discussion Topics:

• The things that motivate Grace Lin and Kate Messner to write books for children.
• School visits and fitting in time to write.
• Thoughts on growing up readers and the importance of story in our lives.
• Beverly Cleary and the Ramona books.
• How a poster led to the creation of Once Upon a Book.
• When to ask for help and the artistic process of collaboration.
• Creating and dissecting the stunning artwork of Once Upon a Book.
• Highlights from Once Upon a Book and the impact they hope it has on readers.

You can read the transcription on ⁠⁠The Children's Book Review.

Order copies:

The 13-Story Treehouse (Special Collector's Edition): Monkey Mayhem! on ⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Amazon.

Resources:

Learn more about Andy Griffiths here: https://www.andygriffiths.com.au/.

Discussion Topics:

• Getting to know Andy Griffiths and the things he likes to collect.
• How being a high school teacher, lead singer in a rock band, and a stand-up comedian have helped Andy with his writing.
• Pushing the boundaries of good taste when writing for kids.
• How to write about farts without saying the word fart.
• Working with the Indigenous Literacy Project.
• The 13-Story Treehouse, what it's all about, and the inspiration behind it.
• Themes that get kids excited about reading the Treehouse series.
• When kids love to read the same book again and again.
• Tips for raising readers and regulating screen time.

You can read the transcription on ⁠The Children's Book Review.

Order copies:

The Tree and the River on ⁠Bookshop.org⁠ and ⁠Amazon.

Resources:

Learn more about Aaron Becker here: https://www.storybreathing.com.

Discussion Topics:

• What guides and drives Aaron Becker in creating books for children.
• Thoughts on staying true to his vision.
• Aaron's seed of inspiration for The Tree and the River.
• Finding a thread of storyline in this wordless picture book.
• Creating the picture book illustrations.
• Something surprising that readers may notice.
• The underlying theme of climate change angst.
• Hope

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Order copies:

Twenty Questions on Bookshop.org and Amazon.

Resources:

Learn more about Mac Barnett here: https://www.macbarnett.com/.

Learn more about Christian Robinson here: https://www.theartoffun.com/.

Discussion Topics:

• Things that guide and drive Mac Barnett and Christian Robinson to write books for kids.
• Childhood books that inspire[d] them and influences their work.
• Their day-to-day practices that may surprise you.
• The seed of inspiration for Twenty Questions.
• The illustrations of Christian Robinson and creating the artwork.
• Taking straightforward concepts and turning them into something profound—the secret sauce of creating picture books.
• Collaborating between author and illustrator.
• Mac and Christian share their favorite parts of the book.
• The impact they hope Twenty Questions will have on readers.

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Order copies:

Good Night, Sister on Bookshop.org and Amazon.

Resources:

Learn more about Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt here: https://www.katherineschwarzenegger.com.

Discussion Topics:

• About Good Night, Sister.
• Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt's favorite things.
• Why Katherine enjoys writing for kids.
• Sisterhood.
• Bedtime stories and routines.
• The artwork of Lucy Flemming.

In this episode, bestselling author and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat talks about his graphic novel memoir A First Time for Everything

This funny and moving memoir encourages readers not to be afraid to engage with the world and to try new things, and that when you do, maybe you'll be surprised to discover that the big wide world out there is friendlier than you might first assume.

Dan Santat is the Caldecott Medal–winning and New York Times–bestselling author and illustrator of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend and the road trip/time travel adventure Are We There Yet? His artwork is also featured in numerous picture books, chapter books, and middle-grade novels, including Dav Pilkey's Ricky Ricotta series. Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and many, many pets.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Order copies:

A First Time for Everything on Bookshop.org and Amazon.

Resources:

Learn more about Dan Santat's work at https://dansantat.tumblr.com/.

Discussion Topics:

• Creating 120+ children's books and finding time to create more while also being Mr. Mom.
• The job Dan Santat would 'probably' have if he weren't a children's book author-illustrator.
• A love of reading, writing, and storytelling and becoming a children's book creator.
• The books that have made an impact on Dan.
• A discussion on becoming and sticking with creating books for kids.
• The seed of the idea for the graphic novel memoir A First Time for Everything.
• A.A. Milne and making memories.
• The mischievous and fantastic events from a European school trip.
• The impact Dan hopes that A First Time for Everything will have on readers.

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Order copies:

The Last Cherry Blossom on Bookshop.org and Amazon.

Resources:

Learn more about Kathleen Burkinshaw's work at https://kathleenburkinshaw.com/.

Discussion Topics:

• The driving force behind sharing this story of the Hiroshima atomic bomb with children and teens.
• Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy and how Kathleen's diagnosis led to hearing about her mother's experience living through the bombing.
• The writing process and an excerpt from The Last Cherry Blossom.
• Using The Last Cherry Blossom as a United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs Resource for Teachers and Students.
• School visits with Kathleen Burkinshaw.
• The promise of a sequel.
• Kathleen Burkinshaw's hopes for the impact The Last Cherry Blossom will have on readers.

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review .

Order copies:

August or Forever on Bookshop.org and Amazon.

Resources:

Learn more about Ona Gritz'z work at onagritz.com.

Discussion Topics:

• About Ona Gritz and what motivates her to write for children
• How books and writers like Judy Blume have influenced Ona's work
• The importance of literary friendships and community
• Being a good literary citizen
• The inspirations and writing process for August or Forever
• Exploring characters and sisterhood and non-traditional families

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review here.

Order copies:

I Don't Care on Bookshop.org and Amazon.

Resources:

Visit Jule Fogliano at juliefogliano.com.

Visit Molly Idle at idleillustration.com.

Visit Juana Martinez-Neal  at juanamartinezneal.com.

Discussion Topics:

• Things that motivate Julie Fogliano to write for children
• The intersectionality of working and motherhood
• Inspirations and the writing and editing process for I Don't Care
• When two illustrators collaborate on one picture book
• The illustration process behind I Don't Care
• Author and Illustrator highlights from I Don't Care
• Thoughts on friendship, individuality, and togetherness

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

Watch the trailer for Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical here: https://youtu.be/mEEMbNS6fzY.

Discussion Topics:

• Screenwriter Dennis Kelly on the draw of Roald Dahl's Matilda.
• Turning a book into a musical and then a screenplay.
• The Roald Dahl books that Director Matthew Warchus and Musician-Comedian Tim Minchin grew up on.
• Casting the characters of Matilda.
• The highlights of Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical.
• Tim Minchin discusses creating lyrics and music for a musical and screenplay.
• The songs Revolting Children, Naughty, and Quiet.
• How stories are a way of unpacking the universe.
• Alish Weir talks about getting and playing the role of Matilda.
• The book that Alisha Weir is reading in her spare time.
• Working with actress Emma Thompson as Ms. Trunchbull.

Nigel and the Moon on Bookshop.org and Amazon

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

Learn more about Jumpstart's Read for the Record Day: https://www.jstart.org/jumpstarts-read-for-the-record/

For more about Antwan Eady, visit: https://www.antwaneady.com/

Discussion Topics:

• Learn about Jumpstart's Read for the Record Day
• Get to know Antwan Eady
• About Nigel and the Moon
• A discussion on the character of Nigel
• Gracey Zhang's picture book illustrations
• Children, their dreams, and future careers
• The importance of essential workers
• Antwan Eady's upcoming books
• Reading and under-resourced communities

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This episode is sponsored by

· Bianca Schulze: Don't Wake the Dragon. https://www.biancaschulze.com/portfolio/dont-wake-the-dragon/

Odder on Bookshop.org and Amazon

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

Learn more about her work at https://katherineapplegate.com/

Go Green with Willodeen kit: https://read.macmillan.com/mcpg/willodeen-landing-page/

Sehldrick Wildlife Trust: https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

Monterey Bay Aquarium Sea Otter Cam: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams/sea-otter-cam

Elkhorn Slough Otter Cam: https://www.elkhornslough.org/ottercam/

Discussion Topics:

• Learn about Odder
• A brief moment on The One and Only Ruby
• Channeling anger into stories for kids and finding hope
• The book cover and interior artwork of Charles Santoso
• Monterey Bay Aquarium and the role it plays in Odder
• Environmental and conservation efforts around sea otters
• Writing in free verse
• Katherine Applegate reads an excerpt of Odder
• Being a slow reader, reluctant reader, and thoughts on dyslexia
• The book that made Katherine Applegate a reader

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This episode is sponsored by

· Jennifer Swanson: Footprints Across the Planet.  https://jenniferswansonbooks.com/footprints-across-the-planet/

In this episode, I talk with super talented and award-winning picture book creator Molly Idle about her new and poignant story Witch Hazel.

Molly Idle is the award-winning creator of many books, including the mermaid tales Pearl and Coral. Molly’s work as an author-illustrator also includes the Tea Rex series and the Caldecott Honor Book Flora and the Flamingo. Molly lives in Arizona with her family.

Order copies:

Witch Hazel on Bookshop.org and Amazon

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

Molly Idle invites you to visit her at idleillustration.com.

Discussion Topics:

• About Witch Hazel
• Molly Idle's journey of an animator to picture book creator
• How Molly's relationship with her grandmother led to the creation of Witch Hazel
• The power of sharing stories and intergenerational stories
• The process of creating a picture book
• The celebration of memories while processing grief
• The healing properties and symbols of botanicals
• I Don't Care by Julie Fogliano, Juana Martinez Neal, and Molly Idle

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This episode is sponsored by

· Jennifer Swanson: Footprints Across the Planet.  https://jenniferswansonbooks.com/footprints-across-the-planet/

Calling the Wind on Bookshop.org or Amazon

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

This American Life Podcast: One More Thing Before I Go: Really Long Distance

The Coalition to Support Grieving Students

Dougy Center

The National Alliance for Children’s Grief

Discussion Topics:

• About Calling the Wind: A Story of Healing and Hope.
• Get to know author Trudy Ludgwig and illustrator Kathryn Otoshi.
• How a podcast episode and true story inspired Calling the Wind: A Story of Healing and Hope.
• About Itaru Sasaki's Wind Telephone.
• A discussion on grief and emotional resilience.
• The healing of creating a picture book and making art.

Cara Mentzel's debut memoir, Voice Lessons: A Sisters Story,  about her relationship with her superstar sister, Idina Menzel (yes,  they spell their last names differently), was a Good Reads Choice Award nominee in 2017. Cara lives in Boulder, Colorado, where she and her husband raised their Brady Bunch of boys against the beauty of the Rocky  Mountains. She has a master's degree in elementary education with an emphasis on children's literacy, and though she currently spends most of her time writing, she enjoyed teaching elementary school for well over a  decade and can occasionally be found back in the classroom talking about books she loves. Loud Mouse is her first picture book.

Idina  Menzel is a powerhouse: actor, singer-songwriter, philanthropist,  entrepreneur, and now a writer. She was Tony-nominated for her Broadway performances in Rent and If/Then, winning the prize for Wicked's green girl. People around the world know her as Elsa in Disney's Oscar-winning  Frozen and Frozen 2. She has performed at the Oscars and the Super Bowl, and is the co-founder of A Broader Way Foundation, whose mission is leadership development to amplify young women's voices through the arts. Loud Mouse is Idina's latest endeavor to build on the message of empowerment and finding our voices. Idina's greatest gift is her son,  Walker.

Order copies:

Loud Mouse on https://bookshop.org/a/2078/9781368078061 or Amazon: https://amzn.to/3xQrnDh.

You can check out the lyric video created using Jaclyn Sinquett’s gorgeous illustrations at Books.Disney.com/LoudMouse and download the song from your favorite platform today.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

Voice Lessons by Cara Mentzel and a foreword by Idina Menzel

A Broader Way Foundation

Discussion Topics:

• About Loud Mouse
• Idina Menzel's inspiration for Loud Mouse
• Cara Mentzel's drive for co-authoring Loud Mouse
• Finding one's voice and celebrating it
• Sisterhood—in the story and through collaboration
• The illustrations of Jaclyn Sinquett and finding humor in the little details
• The spectacular use of vocabulary—the juicy words
• And then the part when Idina Menzel reads (sings) for us.

Dr. Ibram X. Kendi is the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University and the founding director of the BU Center for  Antiracist Research. He is a contributing writer at The Atlantic and a  CBS News racial justice contributor. Dr. Kendi is the author of many highly acclaimed books including, Stamped from the Beginning: The  Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, which won the National  Book Award for Nonfiction, making him the youngest-ever winner of that award. He has also produced five straight #1 New York Times bestsellers,  including How to Be an Antiracist, Antiracist Baby, and Stamped:  Racism, Antiracism, and You, co-authored by Jason Reynolds. In 2020,  Time magazine named Dr. Kendi one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He was awarded a 2021 MacArthur Fellowship, popularly known as the Genius Grant.

Order copies:

How to Raise an Antiracist on Bookshop.org or Amazon.

Goodnight Racism on Bookshop.org or Amazon.

Magnolia Flower on Bookshop.org or Amazon.

Antiracist Baby on Bookshop.org or Amazon.

Stamped:  Racism, Antiracism, and You on Bookshop.org or Amazon.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

You can visit Dr. Ibram X. Kendi at www.ibramxkendi.com.

Discussion Topics:

• About How to Raise an Antiracist
• Establishing an understanding of the term antiracist
• Why we shouldn't shield children from the difficult conversation of racism
• Thoughts on colorblindness
• The importance of reading books about people of color created by people of color
• Banned books and why banning books is a significant problem
• How children motivate and inspire Dr. Kendi to write books

My Pet Feet on Bookshop.org or Amazon.

The Great Caper Caper on Bookshop.org or Amazon.

It's Not the Three Little Pigs on Bookshop.org or Amazon.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

You can visit Josh Funk at https://www.joshfunkbooks.com/.

Order the word nerd game Boggle.

Order a copy of To Change a Planet by Christina Soontornvat and Rahele Jomepour Bell.

Order a copy of Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun's Thanksgiving Story by Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry, Alexis Bunten, and Gary Meeches Sr.

Order a copy of The Boy Who Loved Maps by Kari Allen and G. Brian Karas.

Order a copy of Kick Push by Frank Morrison.

Discussion Topics:

• About My Pet Feet.
• Writing for the laughs and enjoyment of parents and kids.
• Tips on raising readers.
• On reading as a child.
• The inspiration for My Pet Feet.
• Writing a story with only 25 letters.
• The illustration artwork of Billy Yong.
• A peek into Dear Unicorn, The Great Caper Caper, and It's Not the Three Little Pigs.
• The books Josh is reading now.

Order copies of The Midnight Children on Bookshop.org or Amazon.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

You can visit Dan Gemeinhart at https://dangemeinhart.com.

How to Write Stunning Sentences by Nina Schuyler.

Discussion Topics:

• About The Midnight Children.
• The seed of the idea for the town of Slaughterville.
• The characters of The Midnight Children.
• Planting child-friendly nuggets of wisdom within a story.
• Writing, rewriting, and getting sentences and paragraphs just right.
• From teacher-librarian to an author and possibly back again someday.
• Being a reader and the big books of Dan's childhood.
• Dan Gemeinhart's hopes for readers of The Midnight Children.

Order copies of Patchwork on Bookshop.org or Amazon.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

You can visit Matt at mattdelapena.com or follow him on Twitter and Instagram  @mattdelapena.

You can visit Corinna at corinnaluyken.com or follow her on Twitter and Instagram @corinnaluyken.

Discussion Topics:

• About Patchwork
• Matt de la Peña and Corinna Luyken discuss what motivates them to create books for kids.
• The inspiration for Patchwork.
• Celebrating the uniqueness of ourselves and others.
• Matt de la Peña reads an excerpt from Patchwork.
• The expressive illustration artwork of Corinna Luyken.
• Learning to manage self-doubt and appreciate failures.

Order copies of City of Dragons: The Awakening Storm on Bookshop.org or Amazon.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

Follow Jaimal Yogis on https://www.instagram.com/jaimalyogis/.

Visit Vivan Truong on https://www.viviantruong.com/.

Discussion Topics:

• About City of Dragons: The Awakening Storm.
• The seeds of inspiration for the story.
• What do dragons mean to Vivian Truong?
• The diverse characters and how they came to be.
• The female hero, Grace.
• The book's setting, Hong Kong, and future locations in upcoming books.
• An exploration of grief in children's books.
• The graphic novel medium and the artwork.
• Jaimal Yogis' biggest life influence.
• Vivian Truong's art background and the artists who inspire her.
• A discussion on courage and empathy.
• Jaimal Yogis and Vivian Truong's hopes for City of Dragons.

Order copies of Jimmy Chartron and the Lost Keystone on Amazon and Bookshop.org.

Transcription: You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources: For more information on the series, visit https://www.jtmichaels.ca/.

Discussion Topics:

• About Jimmy Chartron and the Lost Keystone
• Get to know the two main characters, Jimmy and Tess
• Developing the relationship of the characters
• Advice from books for young and old
• Understanding bad guys and villains
• The editing process for Jimmy Chartron and the Lost Keystone
• Tips for self-published authors
• What teens can learn about friendship from story
• J.T. Michaels hopes for readers of Jimmy Chartron and the Lost Keystone

Order copies of Brave Every Day on Bookshop.org or Amazon.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

Visit Trudy Ludwig at trudyludwig.com

Follow her on Twitter at @TrudyLudwig

International Bullying Prevention Association

Committee for Children

https://www.connectsafely.org/

Dawn Huebner’s Ted Talk: Rethinking anxiety: Learning to face fear

What to Do When You Worry Too Much: A Kid’s Guide to Overcoming Anxiety

Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors by Rudine Sims Bishop

Why American Teens Are So Sad by Derek Thompson, for The Atlantic

Discussion Topics:

• About Brave Every Day
• Find out what motivates Trudy Ludwig to write books for children
• The social-emotional impact that children’s books can have on kids and adults
• Addressing anxiety, fears, and worries in children
• The experience of bravery
• Accommodative parenting
• The picture book illustrations created by Patrice Barton
• The affirmation that can help children cope with anxious feelings
• Calling the Wind: A Story of Healing and Hope, Trudy’s upcoming book with illustrator Kathryn Otoshi
• How reading transformed Trudy Ludwig’s life and the story that opened her world
• Raising changemakers and kindness warriors

Order copies of The Crabtree Monsters on Amazon.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

For more information on the series, visit https://www.thesmartaleckpress.com.

Discussion Topics:

• About The Crabtree Monsters
• A look at the character development of siblings Kat and Alec Dylan
• A talk through the funny moments in the book from pre-baby to parent
• The importance of having strong female characters for kids to identify with
• Rewriting a screenplay to become a middle-grade novel
• Inspiration from the family-adventure movies of the 80s
• Kat's resemblance to Ruth Langmore from Ozark
• How reading inspires and influences Chris Wieland's writing
• Great mystery writers
• Why kids love reading mystery books
• What's next for the Kat Dylan Mysteries

Order copies of I Am a Baby on Bookshop.org or Amazon.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

Visit Bob Shea at https://www.bobshea.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/bobsheabooks/.

Chez Bob

Who Wet My Pants

Adurable: Little Pups in Big Trucks

Ballet Cat

Procreate

Adobe Fresco

Article from the Pew Research Center: Among many U.S. children, reading for fun has become less common, federal data shows.

Discussion Topics:

• About I Want a Baby
• Bob Shea's reflections on being the parent of a baby
• A talk through the funny moments in the book from pre-baby to parent
• Can dads really sleep through anything?
• Behind the scenes on making art with Bob Shea
• Using Procreate to create children's book illustrations
• Tapping into the true essence of childhood
• What is Bob Shea working on now?
• Statistics on how many kids read for pleasure
• How to encourage kids to read
• A big secret is accidentally revealed
• Bob Shea's hopes for I Am a Baby.

Order copies of I Want to Be a Vase on Bookshop.org or Amazon.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

Visit Julio Torres on Instagram @SpacePrinceJulio.

Visit Julian Glander at Glander.co.

HBO special My Favorite Shapes.

Discussion Topics:

• About I Want to Be a Vase and how it came to be a book.
• Julio Torres talks about being who you want to be and bringing kids into this conversation.
• A discussion on Julian Glander's uncanny 3D artwork.
• Celebrating the uniqueness of others.
• Breaking the typical book character mold.
• Julio's path to becoming a comedian.
• Julian's path to becoming an animator.
• Guidance counselor humor.
• The difference between writing a Saturday Night Live sketch versus a children's book.
• Julio Torres and Julian Glander's hopes for I Want to Be a Vase.

Order copies of There Are Moms Way Worse Than You: Irrefutable Proof That You Are Indeed a Fantastic Parent on Bookshop.org or Amazon.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

Visit Glenn Boozan here: https://www.instagram.com/glennboozan

Sh*tty Mom by Laurie Kilmartin

Discussion Topics:

• About There Are Moms Way Worse Than You: Irrefutable Proof That You Are Indeed a Fantastic Parent.
• How to become a comedy writer (Does a letter arrive at your door announcing you're a comedian?).
• How Glenn Boozan's sister inspired the original poem.
• The nasty little things that animal moms do to their offspring.
• Some things that some really famous comedians had to say about this book.
• Overcoming negative selftalk.
• Glenn Boozan's hopes for There Are Moms Way Worse Than You: Irrefutable Proof That You Are Indeed a Fantastic Parent.

Visit The Welcoming Library website: https://imyourneighborbooks.org/welcoming-library/

The Welcoming Library audiobooks list: https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/lists/welcoming-audiobooks/

AudioFile Magazine on the audiobooks in the project: https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/articles/listen-to-welcome-listen-to-belong/

Visit the In Her Presence website: https://inherpresence.org/

Discussion Topics:

• About The Welcoming Library and the importance of sharing stories of immigration
• AudioFile Magazine's partnership with The Welcoming Library
• The Wonder audiobook format
• Survey statistics on reading stories of immigration
• The items you'll find in The Welcoming Library kit
• A discussion on the picture books featuring the experience of immigrants
• How to obtain a Welcoming Library kit
• How to donate to I'm Your Neighbor Books

Order copies of The Bad Guys on Bookshop.org or Amazon.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

The Bad Guys official movie website.

Watch The Bad Guys movie trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpDuBXB_glk&t=2s.

Aaron Blabey's website.

Order copies of Pig the Pug and Thelma the Unicorn

Discussion Topics:

• About The Bad Guys movie and books.
• From the idea to the rise of The Bad Guys series.
• Adapting The Bad Guys books into a movie.
• Converting reluctant readers.
• The Bad Guys characters.
• Aaron Blabey's hopes for The Bad Guys movie and books.

Shannon Hale is the author of over thirty children's and young adult novels, including graphic novel memoirs Real Friends and Best Friends, and multiple award winners The Goose Girl, Book of a Thousand Days, and Newbery Honor recipient Princess Academy. She also penned three books for adults, beginning with Austenland,  which is now a major motion picture starring Keri Russell. With her husband, Dean Hale, she co-wrote over a dozen books, such as the Eisner-nominated graphic novel Rapunzel's Revenge and illustrated chapter book series The Princess in Black. They live with their four children near Salt Lake City, Utah.

Order a copy of This Book Is Not For You on Bookshop.org, Amazon, or Audible.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

https://shannonhale.com/

Real Friends

Best Friends

The Goose Girl

Book of a Thousand Days

Austenland

Rapunzel's Revenge

Marvel Unlimited

Discussion Topics:

• About Shannon Hale
• About This Book Is Not For You
• The implications of applying genders to books
• How Shannon and Dean Hale foster a love of reading with their kids
• Writing the picture book This Book Is Not For You

Order a copy of Cress Watercress on Bookshop.org, Amazon, or Audible.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

https://gregorymaguire.com/

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

What-the-Dickens: The Story of a Rogue Tooth Fairy

Egg & Spoon

https://www.davidlitchfieldillustration.com/

The Once and Future King

The Sword in the Stone

The Diamond in the Window

The Wizard of Oz

Wind in the Willows

Harriet the Spy

Discussion Topics:

• About Gregory Maguire
• About Cress Watercress
• The feelings and success of the Wicked Years series
• Writing for children versus adults
• The seed of the idea for Cress Watercress
• Exploring emotions in children's books with forest and woodland animals
• The character development of Cress Watercress: Lady Agatha Cabbage, Mama, and Cress Watercress
• Working with illustrator David Litchfield
• The books Gregory Maguire read as a child and the moment he identified as a reader
• Writing rituals and exercising the writing brain
• The literary parents Gregory Maguire would pick for himself—hint, it's not Virginia Woolf
• Gregory Maguire's hopes for Cress Watercress
• Chapter One: Cress Watercress (Audiobook sample used with permission from Recorded Books)

David Litchfield started to draw when he was very young, creating comics for his older brother and sister. Since then his work has appeared in magazines, newspapers, and books and on T-shirts. His first picture book, The Bear and the Piano won the Waterstones Children's Book Prize. He is also the illustrator of Rain Before Rainbows by Smriti Prasadam-Halls and War Is Over by David Almond. David lives with his family in Bedford, England.

Order a copy of Cress Watercress on Bookshop.org, Amazon, or Audible.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

https://www.davidlitchfieldillustration.com/

https://gregorymaguire.com/

When the Sky Glows

Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder

Cosgrove Hall

The Bright Agency

Camberwell College of Art

Easy Riders, Raging Bull by Peter Biskind

Discussion Topics:

• About David Litchfield
• About Cress Watercress
• The influence of classic books, such as Wind in the WIllows
• The significance of using both dark and light artwork
• David Litchfield's creative process and character development
• The characters of Cress Watercress
• Staying motivated creating books for children
• Advice on becoming a children's book illustrator
• The art teacher and life moments that have inspired David Litchfield
• Writing for the middle middle-grade audience
• Identifying as a reader
• David Litchfield's hopes for Cress Watercress

Order a copy of This Is a School on Bookshop.org or Amazon.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

https://www.johnschu.com/

http://mrschureads.blogspot.com/

The Gift of Story

Scholastic Book Fairs

Discussion Topics:

• About John Schu
• About This Is a School
• How school visits inspire John Schu
• Writing This Is a School
• The artwork of Veronica Miller Jamison
• The focus on community in This Is a School
• John Schu discusses his upcoming books and The Gift of Story
• The art of joy walking
• Does John Schu prefer being a teacher, librarian, or author?
• The books that John Schu read as a kid

Order a copy of Wave on Bookshop.org or Amazon.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

Visit Diana Farid at https://dianafarid.com/.

When You Breathe, by Diana Farid

The Essential Rumi, Translated by Coleman Barks

Surfer Magazine: https://www.surfer.com/

Discussion Topics:

• About Diana Farid
• About Wave
• Diana Farid discusses the characters and writing Wave
• Diana Farid talks about writing poetry
• A brief chat about The Essential Rumi and Coleman Barks
• Diana Farid talks about surfing as a child
• Diana Farid talks about how writing and being a physician go hand-in-hand for her
• Diana Farid's hopes for Wave

Order a copy of What Will I Do with My Love Today? on Bookshop.org or Amazon.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

Visit Kristin Chenoweth at https://officialkristinchenoweth.com

Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center Foundation

Kirstin Chenoweth's Broadway Bootcamp

My Moment: 106 Women on Fighting for Themselves

Discussion Topics:

• About Kristin Chenoweth
• About What Will I Do with My Love Today?
• Get to know Kristin Chenoweth
• Kristin Chenoweth talks about writing the book What Will I Do with My Love Today?
• The illustrations of Maine Diaz
• Things we have for which to be grateful
• Thoughts on creating books for kids
• Kristin talks about upcoming books, including My Moment: 106 Women on Fighting for Themselves
• Kristin Chenoweth's hopes for What Will I Do with My Love Today?