Kidlit Love: Conversations with Picture Book and Middle Grade Authors

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Lea Anne Borders, the founder and CEO of Bookelicious. Bookelicious is a platform that uses cutting-edge technology to match kids with the books they’ll love, helping them build strong reading identities and inspire them to read more, a mission that I also share here on the podcast. Come listen as we talk about the importance of summer r...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Hope Larson about her newest middle grade graphic novel: Very Bad at Math. In this semi-autobiographical graphic novel, readers meet Verity, an 8th grader who is seemingly perfect at everything….except math, something Verity tries to keep a secret. Come listen as we talk about the important role that comics and graphic novels play in a r...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Rosanne Parry about her newest middle grade novel: A Wolf Called Fire. This book is an immersive, wilderness survival story of a wolf pup known as Warm. In it, you’ll experience all of the expected ups and downs of surviving in the wild and gain an in-depth understanding of what it means to be part of a wolf pack. I was completely hooked...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Rainie Oet about her debut middle grade novel: Glitch GIrl.  This is a lyrical novel-in-verse that places transness and neurodiversity front and center in the most raw, real and beautiful way. It will go straight to your heart. Come listen as we talk about Rainie’s love of poetry and how it connects to her published books, the role that...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Lisa Tolin about her newest picture book: Can You Imagine? The Life & Art of Yoko Ono. This biography explores the art, music and creativity of Yoko Ono’s extraordinary life with breathtaking beauty and illustrations.  Come listen as we talk about Lisa’s real-life connection to Yoko Ono that sparked the idea for this book, the themes...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Jacqueline Davies about her new graphic novel adaptation of The Lemonade War.  The original book was published back in 2007 told the story of two siblings literally caught in a lemonade war. This new graphic novel version captures the original story in a new, fresh, visual way.  Come listen as we talk about the real-life inspiration behi...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Marie Benedict and Courtney Sheinmel about their newest middle grade historical fiction novel: The Secrets of Lovelace Academy. This middle grade novel is about Lainey, an almost teenager who lived most of her life at the Sycamore Home for Orphaned Children, until a chance encounter at an open house changed her life forever. Come listen...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Sean David Hutchinson about the first book in his debut middle grade series: A Home for Unusual Monsters. In this book, 12-year-old Sam and her friends search for clues that lead them to the secret hiding places of strange and unusual monsters. It’s captivating and riveting from the outset and goes into deeper themes like prejudice, grie...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Rebecca Walker about her debut picture book: Time for Us.  This beautifully written and illustrated picture book celebrates the precious times between a mother and her son and is perfect for all caregivers to read with the children in their care.  Come listen as we talk about the incredible power of telling our stories, the beauty in bei...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Saadia Faruqi about her newest middle grade novel: The Strongest Heart. This book is a poignant exploration of mental illness, the impact it has on families and the love and hope it takes to begin telling a different tale. Come listen as we talk about Saadia’s spark for writing children’s literature, the pieces of herself on the pages an...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Jamie Michalak about her newest picture book: Hazel the Handful. In this delightful picture book, readers follow the adorable puppy, Hazel, through a typical day at home as a very important dog, until the baby arrives, that is, and everything changes. It’s for dog-lovers, expanding families and everyone in between.  Come listen as we tal...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Gloria Huang about her newest middle grade novel: Kaya of the Ocean.  This is an exciting, fresh, beautiful middle grade fantasy about embracing who you really are and is for every reader, everywhere, young and old. It’s sure to leave a mark on your heart as it did mine.  Come listen as we talk about the beautiful parallel entry points f...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Meera Trehan about her newest middle grade novel: Snow.  The book is both a beautiful and haunting fantasy where an imprisoned princess needs the help of a girl from the modern world to undo a wish gone wrong and save her snowy kingdom.  Come listen as we talk about Meera’s shift from law to writing, the way she needs her worlds to make...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Vicky Fang about her newest releases in her Ava Lin series: Ava Lin Best Friend and Ava Lin One of a Kind. The Av Lin series is a delightful collection of books about a first grader who is good at making things, eating snacks and writing lists. These books have a mix of humor and heart, laughter and learning.  Come listen as we talk abou...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Kate Foster about her newest middle grade novel: The Unlikely Heroes Club. This heart-warming book is about five dog-loving kids who have a mission to accomplish and a mystery to solve and it will hold space in my heart forever.  Come listen as we talk about the real-life inspiration behind the book, the incredible feeling of safety that...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Bernard Mensah about his newest picture books: Esi the Brave and Jollof Day. Both of these books are filled with stunning beauty and capture the beauty and tradition of family culture.  Come listen as we talk about Bernard’s important mission in children’s literature, the many stories he is hoping to tell and where they come from and how...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Mike Boldt about his new picture book: CANtaloupe and HoneyDO Bake a Cake. This is his newest picture book in the Can Do series, a series filled with funny firsts that focus on a universal childhood experience and features two melons with hilariously—and helpfully—opposite attitudes. In this book, Cantaloupe and HoneyDo want some cake, s...

On this bonus episode of the KidLit Love podcast, we’re honoring the right to read with Sabrina Baeta and Tasslyn Magnusson of Pen America.  PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression and champions the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world, something we wholeheartedly believe and embrace on this podcast. Com...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Kathy MacMillan and Manuela Bernardi about their books: She Spoke: 14 Women Who Raised Their Voices and Changed the World and She Spoke Too: 14 More Women Who Raised Their Voices and Changed the World. These multi-modal books are both a celebration and a call to action and feature 28 actual, literal voices of women making change in addit...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Lindsay Currie about her newest middle grade mystery: It’s Watching.  This book is set in a real-life graveyard in Illinois and follows Josie and her friends as they try to land the perfect story for their school newspaper, but get so much more they didn't expect.  Come listen as we talk about the real life connections to the fiction...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Nancy Castaldo about her newest releases: Whales in the City and Riverkeeper: Protecting an American River.  Both of these books explore the state of our rivers, particularly the Hudson River in New York, the history behind them and how readers can help protect them.  Come listen as we dive deep into Nancy’s research process for writing...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Martin Stewart and David Habben about the first two titles in their middle grade series: Bridget Vanderpuff and The Baked Escape and Bridget Vanderpuff and The Ghost Train.  These middle grade novels are filled with mystery, mischief and melt-in-your-mouth delights. It’s the series I wish was written many years ago for my own childhood s...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Sabrina and Eunice Moyle about the newest release in their graphic novel chapter book: The Cosmic Adventures of Astrid and Stella: Comet Together.  This book is fun, adventurous, humorous, bright, colorful and the ultimate enjoyable reading experience. Astrid and Stella are best friends who go on fun adventures together, learning about t...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Bobbie Pyron about her newest middle grade book: Octopus Moon.  This novel-in-verse tells the story of a young girl navigating depression at the start of fifth grade. It’s deeply moving and powerful and one many readers are going to keep close to their hearts. Come listen as we talk about Bobbie’s late bloom into children’s literature, t...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Ben Khan about their newest middle grade comic: Mr. Muffins Defender of the Stars. According to Publishers Weekly’s starred review, this book is an enchanting space opera in which aliens and humans find common ground despite differing cultures, foods, and worlds and learn the true meaning of home. I agree.  Come listen as we discuss the...