Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson

Can early reader children's chapter books do more than entertain? In this episode, Children's Book Author and preschool director Danielle Simone discusses how her Adventures of Sid series combines adventure, literacy, STEAM (STREAM) learning, environmental awareness, and real-world exploration to create meaningful reading experiences for young readers. Danielle shares the inspiration behin...

How do you teach the five senses to children? In this episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson, children's author and former kindergarten teacher Stacy Taylor shares how storytelling can help young readers learn sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch through her Moose Tracks Tales series. As a former kindergarten teacher, Stacy understands how young learners discover the world through si...

How can children's books strengthen family connections while helping kids learn and grow? Children's book author, educator, and founder of Bright Little Pages, Bria Freitas, shares how she creates family-friendly, faith-based children's books that encourage reading, learning, creativity, and meaningful time together. Bria discusses her popular children's books, including Rosie Mae and Mama B's Ban...

What happens when a child’s imagination becomes the heart of a published children’s book? In this episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson , I sit down with author Darya Gunay to talk about the inspiring story behind Dani the First Kid in Space — a fun and imaginative STEM adventure about a young boy who travels through a portal and explores the planets in our solar system. Darya shares how...

Writing a book is only the beginning. Author coach, and publisher Brenda Cortez shares the biggest mistakes new authors make and the most important lessons she teaches writers before they publish their first book. Brenda works with authors from the earliest idea stage all the way through editing, layout, publishing, and bringing books to market. Through BC Books, she and her team of editors, illus...

In this episode children’s author Leigh Ann Hughes shares her inspiring journey back to writing after years away. Leigh Ann opens up about how motherhood reignited her creativity and how she builds engaging elementary chapter book series like Cob & the Kingdom and the Hart Girls Adventure Series. This conversation dives deep into chapter book writing for young readers, pacing, character develo...

How does a children’s book character grow beyond the page and into a bigger brand? In this episode, I sit down with award-winning Elizabeth Retter, creator of the beloved Easton series, to talk about brand expansion, animation, stuffed toys, school visits, and the heart behind her mission. Elizabeth shares how Easton’s children's books grew into a plush toy, how she used AI to create animation, wh...

How do faith, farming, and science come together in a children’s book? Award-winning author Sarah Philpott, PhD, talks about how life on her family’s cattle farm inspired her new lift-the-flap board book Wake Up, Little Seed. Sarah is an ECPA award nominee and Selah Book of the Year winner, and she shares how her experiences as a farm mom, author, and PhD graduate in education shape the way she wr...

Not every child learns to read the same way, and some children need stories written with their unique learning challenges in mind. Children’s book author and speech-language pathologist Carole G. Barton shares how her books are designed to help children build confidence, communication skills, and emotional intelligence. With over 25 years of experience as a speech therapist, Carole uses storytelli...

Can something as simple as five basic colors help children understand complex emotions? Award-winning children's author-illustrator and teacher Katie Gigliotti shares the inspiration behind her Colors of Emotions 5-book series and how she intentionally uses color, mood, and visual storytelling to help children recognize and express their feelings. Katie also discusses her creative process as b...

How does an author turn lifelong friendships into a children’s book series about diversity and inclusion? Author, professor, and researcher Dr. Kimberly A. Matthews shares how her first children’s book was inspired by her real-life friends, reimagined as kindergarten classmates on their first day of school. What began as one story grew into a series celebrating cultural representation, diverse bac...

What starts as grief doesn’t always end the way you expect. Author-illustrator Heather Boschke shares how returning to drawing during the pandemic, after nearly 30 years away, unexpectedly became a source of healing. What began as simple bird sketches led her back into nature, into birding, and ultimately into writing Little Birdie Buddies of Love, a children's and parents' book that has b...

Are you writing too many words in your children’s book? Children’s book author and former elementary school teacher Ashlee Yates shares one of the most common children’s book storytelling mistakes new authors make: forgetting that illustrations do the heavy lifting. If you’re learning how to write a children’s book, this conversation breaks down why kids connect more deeply with images than text,...

Before you self-publish a children's book, there are three questions every author needs to answer, and skipping them can lead to confusion, wasted money, and stalled progress. Kim Eley, CEO, writing coach, and publisher at KWE Publishing, shares how she helps new and seasoned authors create a clear publishing “GPS” before moving forward. This episode is especially helpful for children’s book a...

Heidi Brooks, award-winning children’s book author and creative entrepreneur, shares many marketing tips on how she intentionally turns her books into brands. We discuss Heidi’s new affirmation book, her Missy Moo children's book series, the coloring book, and how she expanded her characters into pajamas, hats, stickers, plushies, and more, plus why owning illustration copyrights is key to sca...

Burnout doesn’t happen because authors lack passion; it happens when there’s no creative system to support growth. Children’s book illustrator and author Kaelen Felix shares how she manages a growing series, a companion coloring book, and future projects without burning out. She breaks down the creative systems, intentional workflows, and mindset shifts that help her stay grounded, focused, and co...

Do your characters solve problems, or do they just talk about them? If you write children’s books, this question changes everything. Award-winning children’s book author and literacy educator Dr. Karen Nespoli will explore how strong characters, problem-solving, and show-don’t-tell storytelling help turn meaningful lessons into stories kids actually enjoy. This conversation is packed with insight...

Developmental editing, line editing, and copy editing all play a crucial role in shaping children’s books, but how do you know which your manuscript needs? In this episode, I sat down with a professional editor who helped develop my first chapter book, Secrets of Hawthorne Manor, to break down each editing stage and how it supports children’s book authors. We explore how editors approach new and s...

What does it take to turn inspiration into a children’s book series? Children’s book author John Doriot shares the story behind his Oreo children’s book series, his creative process, and what inspired him to bring these stories to life. John offers insight and encouragement for aspiring and seasoned authors navigating their own writing journeys. https://linktr.ee/joannmdickinsonauthor

Thinking about writing a children’s book or unsure what to do with a story you’ve already written? In this episode, I sat down with Miriam Laundry of Miriam Laundry Publishing, and we discussed guiding authors through writing, editing, illustration, and launching children’s books. A valuable listen for aspiring and seasoned authors looking to streamline the publishing process. Let's Stay Conne...

Are you a new or seasoned author making children’s book publishing mistakes without realizing it? In this episode of Beyond the Book, editor and author Stacey Gittens shares her experience from working with authors, highlights common pitfalls she often sees, and explains why hiring experienced professionals can make all the difference before publishing. ____________________________________________...

From his Madison Avenue creative career to his work with Autism Speaks, Bill Shea shares how creativity, kindness, and a cherished childhood memory inspired his debut children’s book A Grandpa Joe Day . Learn how Bill turned a rainy day with his grandfather into a timeless story of hope, love, and the magic of family. https://www.agrandpajoeday.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/agrandpajoeday/ Bo...

Discover how Dr. Peter B. Cotton went from pioneering medical breakthroughs to creating the award-winning Fred the Snake children’s book series. His newest book explores the Chinese Zodiac through fun, rhyming adventures that teach and inspire young readers. Website and Blog: https://petercottontales.com/books/ IG: @Fredthesnakebooks_ MENTIONS Illustrator: Bonnie Lemaire Marketing Manager: Bublis...

Join me as I chat with Mary A. Markham, author of the children's book Seed of Life and Certified Spiritual Director. Mary shares how kindness, acceptance, and spiritual listening can transform our lives, and how her book plants seeds of hope in young readers. Subscribe for more inspiring interviews with authors who bring light and meaning to the world. If you’re an author, creative, or someone...

Want to become a bestselling children’s author? In this episode, we talk about writing picture books and middle grade, succeeding with Amazon marketing, and building a thriving indie publishing career. Perfect for new authors, seasoned writers, and anyone dreaming of publishing a children’s book! Books: https://www.amazon.com/The-Witchs-Cat-4-book-series/dp/B09DGM4TYY https://www.kirstiewatsonauth...