Kidlit Love: Conversations with Picture Book and Middle Grade Authors

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Shifa Saltagi Safadi about her new middle grade novel: Kareem Between. It’s a coming-of-age novel-in-verse about a Syrian American boy and his struggles, big and small, as he navigates middle school. It’s powerful, it’s emotional, it’s lyrical,  it’s quintessential middle school, it’s football, it’s transformative. It’s literally all the...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with author and illustrator Devin Elle Kurtz about her debut picture book: The Bakery Dragon. This book will take you on a magical journey with Ember, a tiny dragon with a heart of gold and a taste for treats on a mission to belong. Inspired by her viral Instagram post , Devin has brought her illustrations to life in the most beautiful way. C...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Liz Garton Scanlon about her newest Bibsy Cross book series. This is a delightful series around a regular-pegular third grader, her family and her friends. There are currently 2 books in the series, soon to be four, and it's already getting starred reviews for its relatable stories and charming characters. Come listen as Liz and I talk a...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Laura Carter and Anna Doherty about their picture book: A STEMinist Force. This beautiful book is full of possibilities. Inside is a reminder that we can be whoever we want to be, especially if we want to find ourselves in STEM careers. It’s filled with rhyming verses and gorgeous illustrations along with backmatter that showcases specif...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with author Andrea Cruz Floren about her debut picture book: In the Groves. This book is a whirlwind adventure about cultural belonging and is inspired by Andrea’s own grandfather and his orange groves. In it, Clara finds magic, fun and excitement in her cultural heritage while visiting her grandparents.  Come listen as we talk about Andrea’s...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with author Kyla Zhao about her newest middle grade novel: May the Best Player Win. This book is about a Bay Area chess player who makes a bet with her sexist rival that girls are as good as guys at the game. That brings all sorts of emotional ups and downs and changes within her friendships and within herself too. Come listen as we talk abou...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with author Seina Wedlick about her newest picture book: The Night Market. The Night Market is a STUNNING book that made me add an item to my ‘Bucket List From Books’ list: visit a Nigerian night market.  Come listen as we talk about the moment she took action on her dream, the beautiful themes that are evident across all of her books and the...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Ciera Burch about her new middle grade novel: Camp Twisted Pine. This spooky middle grade novel invites readers into Camp Twisted Pine, a summer camp in New Jersey with a spooky secret. It has so much to offer readers, from the spooky and mysterious to the challenges of family and friendship. Come listen as we talk about Ciera’s path to...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Molly Harris about her debut picture book: The Big Squeeze. The Big Squeeze is about a little sponge with a big job: she washes and mops and scrubs away all the messes in the kitchen. But what happens when the mess gets too big and she just can’t clean any more? This delightful book sends a powerful message that every reader needs. Come...

Today is a special day on the KidLit Love podcast because I’m talking to Pernille Ripp, creator of the Global Read Aloud. The Global Read Aloud is a powerful experience that unites classrooms together with a single goal: to read the same book as a global collective. I’ve been a part of this bookish experience for many years and invite as many educators to join me as I can.  Come listen as we talk...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Sarah Tolcser about her new middle grade novel: Majestica.  This middle grade novel is about two girls, a magical hotel and an expedition gone wrong and has received rave reviews, including a starred review from Kirkus.  Come listen as we talk about the inspiration behind her writing, get inside information into how some of the magic cam...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with author Coco Fox about her debut middle grade graphic novel: Let’s Go, Coco! This powerful graphic novel is about an eleven year old girl who will stop at nothing to make new friends on her basketball team…but shouldn’t true friends like you just the way you are?  Created with a stunning color palette, Let’s Go, Coco! is filled with so ma...

It’s the PERFECT day to talk about Christine Virnig’s new middle grade novel debut: A Bite Above the Rest. Why? It’s Halloween! This Halloween-themed book is sure to delight readers at this time of the year AND at any other time, too. It’s about a boy who moves to a Halloween-themed town only to realize there may be more to the tourist trap that meets the eye. You’ll find the show notes for the ep...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Brian Anderson about his new graphic novels series for middle grade readers: Sophie. What started as a nationally syndicated comic strip called Dog Eat Doug has continued into a delightfully funny and imaginative middle grade graphic novel series sure to delight readers. Come listen as we discuss how Brian was called to comics, the evolu...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Jessica Vitalis about her newest historical fiction novel-in-verse: Unsinkable Cayenne.  This book follows Cayenne as her unconventional family settles down and attempts to make roots in a single place. It’s filled with themes of family, friendship, belonging and social class while also connecting the fascinating topic of the Titanic. Co...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with author and illustrator team Wade Hudson and Don Tate. They’re here to talk about their powerful book: The Day Madear Voted. In it, they provide a moving look at a Black family’s journey to exercise their right to vote and imagine a better future. It’s the perfect book for the election season we are in.  You’ll find the show notes for the...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m living out another readerly dream and talking with Ruth Behar, an author who has made such an impact on my reading life and my actual one, too. Today, we’re talking about her newest book: Across So Many Seas. It’s a powerful novel about four girls in four different times and places united by their desire to belong and matter. We talk about the book,...

In this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Anika Aldamuy Denise, author of multiple award-winning fiction and non-fiction picture books.  Come listen as we talk about the power of non-fiction, the sparks that launched each of her books, the draft behind and writing and take a deep dive into Phenomenal AOC: The Roots and Rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. You’ll find the show notes...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Erin Becker about her debut novel: Crushing It. Crushing It introduces readers to Mel and Tory, two 13-year-old girls navigating their way through the soccer championships now that their friend group has fallen apart. When they connect anonymously online, their lives become increasingly complex as their feelings deepen and they realize t...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with D.K. Ryland about her newest picture book: Have You Seen My Acorn? This is a delightful book about a squirrel who buried his precious acorn for safekeeping, only to find it mysteriously missing. Readers will join the hunt to help Squirrel find it, likely laughing along the way, too. Come listen as we talk about D.K.’s journey to children...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Chris and J.J. Grabenstein about their new chapter book series: Stinky’s Stories. The books in the Stinky’s Stories series are hilarious, smelly spins on classic fairy tales. In each, the stuffed animals in the library come to life after the story of the day has been read….and then rewrite the ending to be much more satisfying and FUN. C...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with author Gayle Forman about her newest middle grade graphic novel: Not Nothing.  Gayle is the award-winning author of multiple young adult and middle novels, including my favorites: I Have Lost My Way and Frankie and Bug. Come listen as we talk about the importance of stories, intergenerational relationships and rising to the occasion in o...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Seema Yasmin about her powerful picture book: The ABC’s of Queer History.  This book invites readers into an alphabet journey of diversity, equity and inclusivity in both lyrical words and gorgeous illustrations.  Come listen as we talk about the power of a book to change lives, how book banning is actually empathy banning and why everyo...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Malia Maunakea about her newest middle grade novel Lei and the Invisible Island.  It’s the second book in the Lai and the Legends series and will both transport your mind with the immersive and suspenseful plot and connect to your heart with important themes around friendship, family and forgiveness.  You’ll find the show notes for the e...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Michael P. Spradlin, the NY Times Bestselling author of The Spy Goddess series, The Youngest Templer series and several other works of historical fiction.  Here’s here today to talk about his newest book, The Rise of the Spider. It’s the first of 6 books in the Web of the Spider series about the lead up to World War II. You’ll find the s...