Adventures in the Heart of Children's Book Authors Podcast

The narrative centers on the poignant tale of "The Mouse Who Couldn't Eat Cheese," a children's book authored by MB Mooney, whose real name is Matthew Britton, as featured in Episode 41. This episode delves into the profound inspiration behind the book, which is rooted in the life of a young girl named Alexandra, who battled Crohn's disease. The discussion illuminates the essential theme of friend...

Alison Thompson's debut children's book, "Sunny Steps Loves to Dance," serves as a vibrant exploration of creativity and movement, encouraging children, particularly boys, to embrace the joy of dance without reservation. Through her engaging conversation, we delve into Alison's personal journey, which intertwines her lifelong passion for dance with her experiences as a mother and educator, ultimat...

This podcast episode explores how the inspiration of a real event serves as the foundation for a children's book, and how the process of launching a children's book can bring the event back to life through a children's book, episode 39. Using the Canmore Folk Music Festival in the Canadian Rocky Mountains was the particular focus of the upcoming Children's book title, "High Jinks From The Big Head...

"Attack of the Monster Pickles," Episode 38 The main point of our discussion centers on the collaborative journey of authoring a children's book, specifically “Attack of the Monster Pickles," co-created by Sarah Graves and my son Parker.  We explore the creative genesis of their book, stemming from a simple yet whimsical idea that emerged during a bedtime conversation between Parker and Sarah...

Deirdre Palm Adams, the distinguished author of the children's book series featuring Rocky, engages in an enlightening dialogue regarding the profound themes encapsulated within her works, particularly the latest installment, "Don't Worry, Rocky", episode 37. Central to our discussion is the pivotal message that children are not alone in their fears and anxieties, as exemplified through Rocky's ad...

Children's book authorship constitutes not merely a pastime but a profound commitment that permeates one's existence, episode 36. In this episode, I endeavour to illuminate the intricacies and realities of being an indie book author, contrasting it with the self-publishing route. Through my experiences and insights gained from nearly forty interviews with fellow authors, I aim to elucidate the fin...

Kodey Bogart, the distinguished author of the Helo Girls series, highlights the profound significance of representation in children's literature, particularly within the realms of aviation and public service, episode 35. The episode delves into her background as a Black Hawk helicopter aviator and her transition into writing, driven by a desire to share the exhilarating world of helicopters and th...

The focus of this discussion centers on the notion that many aspiring children's book authors maintain a tacit secrecy regarding their literary creations; Episode 34. I discuss the issue that the journey toward becoming a published children's book author is often fueled by an intrinsic passion rather than the pursuit of monetary gain or acclaim. Furthermore, I emphasize the prevalent lack of forma...

The focal point of our discussion centers on the enchanting children's book, "Charlie and Sophie's Great Escape," authored by Farial; Epsiode 33. This literary work is inspired by the true story of two border collie puppies, Charlie and Sophie, who were adopted from a rescue and brought immense joy and vitality into the author's life. Throughout our conversation, Farial articulates her motivations...

This podcast episode's primary focus is on establishing a structured revenue model for children's book authors during school visits and reading events. As we reflect on our experiences, as the host, I recall a recent engagement at my grandson's school, where I discovered that the older audience, comprising students aged 11 and 12, showed a greater interest in the mechanics of writing children's li...

Amber B. Mitchell joins us to discuss her enchanting children's book, The Chickadee Who Knew. The book embodies the themes of discovering home's true meaning and perspective's transformative power. In our conversation, she elucidates her unique creative process, which is deeply rooted in personal experiences and her desire to inspire positivity in children. Amber also shares insights into the chal...

The podcast engages in a profound dialogue with David Cervi, the proprietor of DJC Graphic Designs, emphasizing the critical role a website plays for children's book authors. David elucidates the distinction between a book-specific website and one dedicated to the author themselves, highlighting that a personal domain grants more control and ownership. The podcast underscores the concept of a digi...

This podcast episode delves into the intricacies of supporting aspiring children's book authors in their journey towards self-publishing. The discussion centers on the essential elements that transform written narratives and illustrations into a polished final product. We engage with Konn, an award-winning author and graphic designer, who elucidates the various aspects of book cover design, format...

This podcast episode is dedicated to the pivotal concept of assembling a Dream Team to facilitate the journey of self-publishing a children's book. As we reflect on insights garnered from our previous episodes, it becomes evident that the collective support of various professionals is indispensable in transforming an author's vision into a tangible reality. We shall explore the essential roles wit...

This podcast episode reflects the invaluable lessons gleaned from our first 25 episodes, wherein we delve into the profound insights shared by numerous children's book authors. It is imperative to acknowledge that the essence of our endeavour lies in fostering a community that resonates with the heartfelt aspirations of these authors, who are not merely creators but also doers, enriching the liter...

This podcast episode features an in-depth conversation with Sarah Doran, a distinguished author known for her works, "The Peppered Sky" and "Sleeping Giants." Central to our discussion is the inspiration drawn from her experiences as a military child, which significantly informs her writing. We delve into the unique aspects of her stories, which aim to represent military families and bridge the ga...

The essence of this podcast episode centers around a profound exploration of hope as articulated by author Andrea Coyne in her children's book, *Hope is a Blanket*. Through a candid dialogue, we delve into the inspiration behind the book, which emerged from personal experiences of grief and loss, notably a miscarriage that profoundly impacted her family. Coyne articulates the importance of inclusi...

This podcast episode features a profound discussion with Charlotte Glaze, the author and illustrator of Storm Trucks, a children's book. The primary focus of our conversation revolves around the inspiration that led to the creation of this book, which emerged from her personal experiences with her son's fear of thunderstorms. Charlotte reveals her unique approach to self-publishing, emphasizing th...

Joan Epp, the author of the children's book "Ice Cap," shares her inspiring journey of writing and publishing this delightful work. The book's genesis arose during a snowy day spent reading with her granddaughter, Audrey, sparking a collaborative creation that combines the magic of childhood imagination with the essence of Canadian culture. Joan's extensive experience as an elementary teacher has...

Monica Voicu Denniston joins us to discuss her engaging children's book, "Maggie the Military Rat," which explores the unique experiences of military children. Central to our conversation is the inspiration behind Maggie, a character that resonates with the challenges and resilience of those navigating military life. Monica shares her journey, from her early love of storytelling to the trials of p...

This podcast episode elucidates the intricacies of launching a children's book, specifically focusing on the forthcoming release titled "Some Angels Have Rotor Blades" by Children's Book author Darcy Guyant. I have had the privilege of being invited to join the book launch team. This role encompasses providing an honest review and purchasing the book on its official launch date, March 8, 2025. The...

Aaron Measer, the author of seven children's books, shares his journey into writing and the heartfelt inspiration behind his first book, "My Day with Grandma." He discusses the profound impact of his grandparents on his life and how their memories sparked his desire to create stories that resonate with both children and adults. As he reflects on the writing process, Aaron emphasizes the importance...

Lacy Moore shares her inspiring journey of becoming a children's book author, highlighting her debut work, "Scaly Feet in a Sound so Sweet," which presents a unique rhyming alphabet adventure. With over 15 years of teaching experience, Lacy emphasizes the importance of making learning fun and engaging for children, using her own sons as inspiration for her writing. She discusses the techniques she...

Darcy Guyant, the author of the Coast Guard Adventures of Dolphin Gwen series, shares his journey of inspiration and writing in this engaging podcast. Drawing from his military background as a Coast Guard helicopter pilot, Darcy discusses how his personal experiences shaped his storytelling, particularly in creating relatable characters for children. His books emphasize the importance of courage,...

Lisa Ascolese, known as the Inventress, takes listeners on a heartfelt journey into her life as a creative force behind children's lullabies. With a rich background in music and invention, her passion shines through as she recounts how her love for piano, which she was denied as a child, ultimately led her to write original lullabies for her children over 20 years ago. As a grandmother, Lisa is in...