The Children's Book Podcast

Aron Nels Steinke, cartoonist of Speechless (Graphix) and the Mr. Wolf's Class series (Graphix), shares what is giving him hope today: every morning is a chance for something new.   This is an ongoing miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.    Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming progra...

George Brown, executive director of the Highlights Foundation, joins Matthew to talk about the rebranding of the Highlights Foundation as Boyds Mills.   Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by visiting www.boydsmills.org .    Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins ( https://stebs.design/ ).    Our music is by Podington Bear.    Podcast hosting by Libsyn.    You can suppo...

Nikki Grimes, author of A Cup of Quiet (Bloomsbury Children's Books), shares what is giving her hope today: the bravery, resilience, and determination of young people.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.    Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting ww...

Alexandra Villasante, author of Fireblooms (Nancy Paulsen Books), joins Matthew to talk about paying for our words.   Visit Alexandra Villasante online at alexandravillasante.com     Other helpful links: Alexandra Villasante at the Highlights Foundation LGBTQIA2S+ Voices at the Highlights Foundation - Craft and education, community-building, and resources and support for LGBTQIA2S+ creatives and p...

Yuyi Morales, author illustrator of  Little Rebels (Neal Porter Books), shares what is giving her hope today: taking care of something important to her.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.    Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfou...

Alison Green Myers, author of This Way to Happy (Dutton Books for Young Readers), joins Matthew to talk about the inconsistent upbringings and emotional rollercoasters.   Visit Alison Green Myers online at alisongreenmyers.com     Other helpful links: Alison Green Myers at the Highlights Foundation Summer Camp for Writers and Illustrators: Session One! - Our Summer Camp is a not-to-be-missed exper...

Alexandra Villasante, author of Fireblooms (Nancy Paulsen Books), shares what is giving her hope today: stopping and looking in community.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.    Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org . ...

Stacy Wells, co-author of Stronger Than (Heartdrum), co-authored by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by E.B. Lewis, joins Matthew to talk about never giving up because those that came before us never gave up.   Visit Stacy Wells online at stacywellswrites.com     Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org .    Our podcast logo was cr...

Torrey Maldonado, author of Just Right (Nancy Paulsen Books), illustrated by Teresa Martínez, shares what is giving him hope today: teaching kids how to find a just right book for them.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.    Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming progr...

Nikki Grimes, author of A Cup of Quiet (Bloomsbury Children's Books), joins Matthew to talk about creating an entryway to discussion.   Visit Nikki Grimes online at nikkigrimes.com     Other helpful links: Nikki Grimes at the Highlights Foundation Nikki Grimes Scholarship - Honoring the contributions of Nikki Grimes to the field of children's literature through her advocacy and writing. This schol...

Stacy Wells, co-author of Stronger Than (Heartdrum), with co-author Nikki Grimes and illustrated by E.B. Lewis, shares what is giving her hope today: people out in the world who are doing good things.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.    Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their...

Yuyi Morales, author illustrator of Little Rebels (Neal Porter Books), joins Matthew to talk about the voices of people fighting to protect our world, our rights, and our people.   Visit Yuyi Morales online at yuyimorales.com     Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org .    Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins ( https...

Jessie Sima, author illustrator of Snow Kid (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers), joins Matthew to talk about the constant journey each of us takes to become ourselves.   Visit Jessie Sima online at www.jessiesima.com   Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org .    Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins ( https://s...

*This episode is a rebroadcast. The original episode aired March 22, 2025.   Padma Venkatraman ( Safe Harbor ) shares what is giving her hope today: the nature of hope itself. Even when we're in dire circumstances, it's something that keeps us going.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.      ...

Laurel Snyder, author of The Book of Candles: Eight Poems for Hanukkah (Clarion Books), illustrated by Leanne Hatch, joins Matthew to talk about lowering all the barriers and modeling yourself on something you love.   Visit Laurel Snyder online at laurelsnyder.com   Other helpful links: Laurel Snyder at the Highlights Foundation   Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming progr...

*This episode is a rebroadcast. The original episode aired March 15, 2025.   Lesléa Newman ( Joyful Song: A Naming Story ) shares what is giving her hope today: being in community with like-minded people who want to make the world a better place.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.    Learn...

Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie and Aaron Becker, author and illustrator of We Go Slow (Atheneum Books for Young Readers), join Matthew to talk about the wise ones who know to take time.   Visit Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie online at ekeretallie.com   Visit Aaron Becker online at storybreathing.com   Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation...

*This episode is a rebroadcast. The original episode aired May 3 2025.   Rachel Michelle Wilson ( To Catch a Ghost ) shares what is giving her hope today: the small moments in our every day.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.    Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming...

Valerie Bolling, author of A Flea for Justice: Marian Wright Edelman Stands Up for Change (Charlesbridge), illustrated by TeMika Grooms, joins Matthew to talk about a person worth writing about.   Visit Valerie Bolling online at valeriebolling.com   Other helpful links: Valerie Bolling at the Highlights Foundation Marketing Opportunities for Storytellers: A Two-Night Mini - The story is at the hea...

*This episode is a rebroadcast. The original episode aired March 29, 2025. Zetta Elliott ( The Oracle's Door ) shares what is giving her hope today: art. Art has always been not just an expression of hope, but an act of resistance.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.    Learn more about the...

Corinna Luyken, author illustrator of The Arguers (Rocky Pond Books), joins Matthew to talk about the silly, the absurd, and seeing yourself in every single character.   Visit Corinna Luyken online at corinnaluyken.com   Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org .    Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins ( https://stebs....

Matthew pops into the feed to share a couple of important updates: accepting messages of hope from all listeners, seeking an intern or friend to help with social media, and I love you.   If you have a message of hope that you'd like to share, I have good news: the Hopeline is now open. Go to www.speakpipe.com/childrensbkpod on your computer or phone to record a 90 second message of hope. Include y...

Heidi EY Stemple, author of The Poetry of Car Mechanics (Wordsong), joins Matthew to talk about becoming curious and making every bit of your writing intentional.   Visit Heidi EY Stemple online at heidieystemple.com   Other helpful links: Heidi EY Stemple at the Highlights Foundation Jane Yolen & Heidi EY Stemple Scholarship - Authors Jane Yolen and her daughter Heidi EY Stemple have established...

Erin Entrada Kelly, author of At Last She Stood (Greenwillow Books) and The Last Resort (Scholastic Press), joins Matthew to talk about crafting stories as meaningful as possible to the reader.   Visit Erin Entrada Kelly online at erinentradakelly.com   Other helpful links: Erin Entrada Kelly at the Highlights Foundation Erin Entrada Kelly Scholarship - Established by Erin Entrada Kelly, this scho...

Mary Reaves Uhle, author illustrator of The Flock We Found (Magination Press), shares what is giving her hope today:  all the parents and kids posting pictures of bright faces and shiny new outfits to start the year.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.       For a full transcript, episode ta...