Kidlit Love: Conversations with Picture Book and Middle Grade Authors

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Rebecca Gardyn Levington about THREE of her newest picturebooks: FINDING FORGIVENESS, SOME DAYS I’M THE WIND and I WILL ALWAYS BE. These beautiful picture books invite readers to find themselves inside the pages. But not only find themselves, accept themselves, their varied feelings and all their multitudes, too.   Come listen as we talk...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Julia DeVillers about her newest upper middle grade rom-com: MEET ME AT WONDERLAND. This is the perfect rom-com for readers who have grown out of the friendship-driven middle grade reads and are ready to explore romance at an age-appropriate level. Come listen as we talk about the real-life costume inspiration behind this ‘moose-cute’, t...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Gordon Korman about his newest middle grade novel: SNOOP. SNOOP is the story of a screen-obsessed boy who finds himself stuck at home with two broken legs and discovers that life gets harder when screens are all you have.  Come listen as we talk about the important question Gordon asks that often launches a new book idea, the old-time mo...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Alyssa Colman about her newest middle grade historical fiction novel: WHERE ONLY STORMS GROW. This gripping middle grade historical fiction novel is set during one of the most dangerous storms in American history and has some of the most heartfelt characters you’ll ever meet on the page. Come listen as we talk about why Alyssa shifted fr...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Pablo Cartaya about his newest middle grade novel: A HERO’S GUIDE TO SUMMER VACATION. This middle grade novel is about a reluctant young hero, his best-selling fantasy author grandfather and a family road trip that spans multiple states and three generations. It’s what I like to call a 5-heart book and one that readers will truly feel se...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Barbara McClintock about her newest picture book collaboration with the late Tomie DePaola: WHERE ARE YOU BRONTE? In this moving tribute to Tomie, readers see firsthand his emotional and deeply personal story about overcoming his grief at the loss of his beloved dog, Bronte. Come listen as we talk about Tomie’s beautiful message of love...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Erin Entrada Kelly about her non-fiction middle grade debut: AT LAST SHE STOOD: HOW JOEY GUERRERO SPIED, SURVIVED, AND FOUGHT FOR FREEDOM.  This middle grade nonfiction text explores the intertwined narratives of war, spy stories, immigration, disease, religious devotion and most of all, hope and change. I’m so grateful I now have a new...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Regina Linke about her newest picture book: BIG ENOUGH. This beautifully illustrated picture book embraces traditional Chinese philosophy and introduces readers to a little boy who learns he is big enough to do big things.  Come listen as we talk about the origin story of the book, the layers of messages and cultures inside the pages and...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Lynda Mullaly Hunt about her new picture book: WISH IN A TREE. This beautiful picture book is the companion story to her New York Times best-selling book FISH IN A TREE and celebrates neurodiversity and out-of-the-box thinking. In Lynda’s words, it’s an anti-shame book that she hopes sees all students and helps them take stock in who the...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Tiffany D. Jackson about her middle grade debut novel: BLOOD IN THE WATER. This book is a can’t-put-it-down middle grade murder mystery set on Martha’s Vineyard that blends the beautiful location with rich Black history and the compelling subject matter that Tiffany is known for.  Come listen as we talk about Tiffany’s journey through ch...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Antwan Eady about his newest picture book release: THE GATHERING TABLE. This absolutely stunning picture book conveys the love that an extended family has for one another as they gather around the familial table to celebrate holidays,  weddings and just being together.  Come listen as we talk about the real-life gathering table that insp...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with G.F. Miller about her newest upper middle grade novel: WHAT IF YOU FALL FOR ME FIRST? This relatable middle grade rom-com for tweens follows a girl determined to ditch her goody-two-shoes image as she enlists the cool guy classmate to snag her crush’s attention.  Come listen as we talk about filling the gap of the middle grade rom-com ge...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Michael Wang about his debut picture book: LEIF’S GIFT. This gorgeous picture book is about a boy named Leif who’s green thumb has turned his bedroom into a jungle. When important things go missing in the overgrowth, Leif must find a way to make his plants a little less and maybe share a little more .  Come listen as we talk about the pe...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with DK Ryland about her newest picture book: Giraffe’s Book is Missing a Story. It’s the sequel to her debut picture book, Giraffe is Too Tall for This Book and it invites readers into an interactive experience along with 6 furry friends to face the blank page together.   Come listen as we talk about DK’s journey to illustrating and writing,...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Sharon Flake about the third book in the I’m In series: THE FAMILY I’M IN. This book explores the complex relationships between black boys and their fathers, highlighting the challenges they face while growing up and defining what it means to be a man amidst societal pressures.  Come listen as we preview the entire I’m In series, take a...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Korena DiRoma Howley about her debut picture book: Sarang Saves the School. This book was inspired by true events in South Korea and shows readers it’s never too late to fulfil a dream. Come listen as we talk about Korena’s journey to her first picture book, the beautiful themes of intergenerational relationships and community inside and...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Ann Braden about her newest middle grade novel: Into the Rapids. Ann writes beautiful books about kids learning to stand up for themselves when things are hard and in this book, readers also learn that even the most self-reliant of us need to be brave enough to ask for help sometimes. This is her third time on the podcast and each conver...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Kyle Lukoff about his newest middle grade and picture book releases: A World Worth Saving & Are You a Friend of Dorothy. A World Worth Saving Is a middle grade novel that intertwines elements of Jewish mythology with an unflinching examination of the impact of transphobia. Are You a Friend of Dorothy Is a story about a famed phrase o...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Megan E. Freeman about her companion novels-in-verse: Alone & Away. The first book, ALONE, tells the story of a young girl who wakes up one day to find herself utterly alone in her small Colorado town. The companion novel, AWAY, follows a group of children after a sudden evacuation from their homes as they come together at a relocati...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Shifa Saltagi Safadi about the first two books in her new Amina Banana Series: Amina Banana and the Formula for Friendship and Amina Banana and the Formula for Winning. This new series is about a determined and clever third grader with a STEM twist and includes lists, science experiments and recipes, too.  Come listen as we talk about th...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Tony Keith Jr. about his newest young adult poetry collection: Knucklehead. Knucklehead is a brilliant and electric poetry collection that subverts a narrow way of thinking and empathizes with young people who are misunderstood and unheard.  Come listen as we talk about the power of words on the page and on the stage, the all-encompassin...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Maryrose Wood about her newest middle grade novel: Bad Badger: A Love Story. In this illustrated chapter book, readers meet Septimus, a badger who fears he may not be a badger at all. When a gull lands on his windowsill, Septimus thinks he may have finally met a true friend, until he goes missing and Septimus must decide what to do next....

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Joanna Ho about her newest picture book: BECOMING BOBA. This charming picture book celebrates self-love and identity and reminds readers that there is always room for unique flavors in our communities. It’s cute and charming, yet has deeply important messages, too.  Come listen as we talk about Joanna’s original intent for this picture b...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Brittany Pomales about her debut picture book: It Started with a P. This is a hilarious, alliterative read aloud where a young king decides on the morning of his birthday that everything with the letter P must go.  Come listen as we talk about Brittany’s journey to her debut picture book, the art of writing funny books for kids, her KidL...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Sarah Kurpiel about her newest picture book: A Little Like Magic.  This charming book highlights the rewards of stepping outside of your comfort zone and finding inspiration in art and the natural beauty of the world.  Come listen as we talk about how Sarah taught herself to draw, the magic and themes inside of her book and her beautiful...