A Heartful of History

How do we help children understand the American Revolution—not just as history, but as a human story? As America prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, A Heartful of History turns to the books that bring the Revolutionary era to life for a new generation. In this special episode, award-winning authors Selene Castrovilla and Beth Anderson explore how children's literature can deepen our u...

What does it take to transform a complicated chapter of American history into a children's book that informs, engages, and inspires? In this episode of A Heartful of History , Selene Castrovilla welcomes award-winning author Alice Faye Duncan for a rich conversation about Juneteenth, historical storytelling, and the responsibility of bringing difficult truths to young readers with both accurac...

This episode introduces listeners to Henrietta Wood, a woman who was enslaved twice and later secured the largest reparations award in U.S. history. Essential for Black History Month and Juneteenth, this conversation affirms that middle school readers deserve the full truth about American history. In this powerful conversation, author Selene Castrovilla and illustrator Erin Robinson discuss the ma...

In this conversation, Selene Castrovilla and E.B. Lewis discuss their collaborative book 'Seeking Freedom,' which explores the untold story of Fortress Monroe and the ending of slavery in America. Seeking Freedom chronicles a pivotal, little-known Civil War event . It details how George Scott, an enslaved man, and General Benjamin Butler at Fortress Monroe in 1861 created the "contraba...

Today I go solo, discussing the two selfless men in my nonfiction history picture book Revolutionary Friends: General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. What can we learn about humanity and ourselves from these men without whom America wouldn't exist? How can we use history to effectively shape our youngest citizens to be empathetic and helps others?

We're celebrating President's Day with a look at two unexpected looks at George Washington in nonfiction picture books: The Painter and the President: Gilbert Stuart's Brush with George Washington by Sarah Albee and George Washington's Spectacular Spectacles: The Glasses That Saved America by Selene Castrovilla. In this lively and inspiring episode, Selene chats with her guest, the...

In this episode of A Heartful of History, host Selene Castrovilla sits down with author Gary Golio and visual storyteller E.B. Lewis to discuss their collaborative work on "The Soldier's Friend: Walt Whitman's Extraordinary Service in the American Civil War". The conversation delves into the themes of compassion, the emotional impact of storytelling, and the importance of art in co...

Selene chats with author and journalist Lindsay H. Metcalfe about her inspiration, writing process and path to publication for two of her books: Farmers Unite! In the late 1970s, grain prices had tanked, farm auction notices filled newspapers, and people had forgotten that food didn’t grow in grocery stores. So, on February 5, 1979, thousands of tractors from all parts of the US flooded Washington...

Selene Castrovilla discusses writing and life with author Vivian Kirkfield, whose latest book is One Girl's Voice: How Lucy Stone Helped Change the Law of the Land. Vivian shares her journey toward living her writing dream, including how skydiving was involced. She talks inspiration and process, and about how she helps other writers in their journeys. This conversation is for anyone interested...

This weekly podcast invites you inside the minds and processes of kidlit history book creators, from idea to publication. Join the conversation each Wednesday! In Episode 4, Selene chats with author Sarah Aronson, whose latest book is Abzuglutely!: Battling, Bellowing Bella Abzug Illustrated by Andrea D’Aquino Sarah shares how, at age 11, she discovered Bella Abzug and her life was transformed. Sh...

This weekly podcast invites you inside the minds and processes of kidlit history book creators, from idea to publication. Join the conversation each Wednesday! This week, host Selene Castrovilla chats with author Beth Anderson about her book "Thomas Jefferson's Battle for Science: Bias, Truth, and a Mighty Moose," a picture book about Thomas Jefferson's use of scientific methods to...

In episode two, Selene chats with the awesome illustrator Jenn Harney about her process illustrating nonfiction as opposed to fiction, working within historical constraints, and how unnerving it was to draw George Washington--a man everyone sees every day. Things hit a technical snag when Jenn's video somehow did not appear in the finished product. Still, thankfully, her audio was crystal clea...

Our inaugural episode! Carolyn Yoder discusses her 20-year journey heading Calkins Creek Books, her American History imprint with Astra Books For Young Readers. Thanks for tuning in! Please follow us wherever you watch/listen, and please spread the word. We appreciate you!