Kidlit Love: Conversations with Picture Book and Middle Grade Authors

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Rashin Kheiriyeh about her newest picture book: The Seasons of Parastoo. Rashin has published over 90 books in over 12 countries and has received 50 national and international awards recognizing her work.  Today, she’s here to talk about the inspiration behind her newest picture book. We’ll get to know her and her books, explore her pers...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Kao Kalia Yang about her debut middle grade novel: The Diamond Explorer.  Kao has been on the podcast before to talked about Caged, her powerful picture book illustrated by Khou Vue, and I still carry pieces of our conversation in my reader's heart. Today, she’s here to talk about the inspiration behind her newest middle grade novel....

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Emmy-award winning animation-veteran-turned-middle-grade-author Rob Renzetti.  You might know him from the popular shows he worked on, such as My Life as a Teenage Robot and Gravity Falls, and today, he’s here to talk about his middle grade horror novels. We talk about how he shifted from animator to author, how he created an incredibly...

In this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Alan Katz, the hilarious author of more than 50 books for kids, including Take Me Out of the Bathtub and Other Silly Dilly Stories, the Lieography and Society of Substitutes series and Really Stupid Stories for Really Smart Kids. Listen as we talk about his newest book, Zooloween, and chat about his background as a writer, how and where...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, we’re celebrating a special occasion: The 10th Anniversary of The Princess in Black series! Shannon and Dean Hale are here to talk about how The Princess in Black got started, where they get their inspiration from and why this series is so important in the reading lives of so many children.  You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of...

In this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Robin Newman. Robin is the author of the middle grade Wilcox and Griswold series, Hildie Bitterpickles Needs Her Sleep, Don’t Call Me Fuzzybutt and Who’s Writing This Story? Today, we talk about the unexpected inspiration for her first book, how she continues to explore the craft of writing and what’s coming next. You’ll find the show no...

In this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Violet Duncan. Violet is the author of multiple picture books, including I am Native,  When We Dance and Let’s Hoop Dance. Today, she’s talking with us about her newest middle grade novel: Buffalo Dreamer.  This book is all the things: powerful and emotional, eye-opening and heart-opening, unsettling yet hopeful. It’s a story that begs t...

In this episode, I’m talking with New York Times best-selling author James Ponti. James is the author of four incredibly popular middle grade book series: City Spies, Framed and his newest: The Sherlock Society. Come listen as we talk about his journey to writing for middle grade readers, how he plots, envisions and writes his books and what his newest book is all about.  You’ll find the show note...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Hena Khan about her newest middle grade graphic novel: We Are Big Time. Hena is the author of multiple books that center on Pakistani American and Muslim characters for over 2 decades. Books like Amina’s Voice, Amina’s Song, More to the Story and Behind My Doors have captivated readers’ hearts. Today, we talk about the single encounter t...

In this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Naseem Hrab, author of my favorite Otis & Peanut graphic novel series and other beautiful picture books. Listen as we talk about the one thing that finally gave her the confidence to write, the pieces of her that live inside her books and take a closer look inside the Otis & Peanut series. You’ll find the show notes for the episo...

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Ritu Hemnani about her debut middle novel in verse: Lion of the Sky. It’s an incredible historical novel about the British Partition of India.  This book was such an experience. It often stopped me in my tracks and took my breath away as I savored the beauty of the words and the emotion on the page. Come listen as we talk about the book...

In this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Polly Holyoke. Polly is the author of the award-winning Neptune Trilogy and acclaimed Skyriders series. She’s here today to talk about the inspiration behind her work, how she creates vivid, believable new worlds for her novels and how important it is to respect young readers. You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all...

Today on this bonus episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Victoria J. Coe and Cheryl Lawton Malone, children’s literature authors with books we know and love.  Together, they have written two books designed to launch your writing dreams and fast-track your progress…and I can say from experience that their method WORKS. I’ve already written my first draft of a picture book and am hap...

In this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Kao Kalia Yang and Khou Vue, the author and illustrator team behind Caged, a stunning, powerful picture book. Listen as we talk about Caged, the cool connection both of their daughters have in contributing to their careers and how they get to meet for the first time live on KidLit Love. =) You’ll find the show notes for the episode with...

In this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Matt Landis, a middle grade author whose books aim to make history “not boring”. His books certainly accomplish that mission, especially his newest series-starter National Archive Hunters: Capitol Chase. Listen as we talk about his work as a history teacher, his middle grade books and his incredibly cool National RV Tour in 2025. You’ll...

In this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Lynne Kelly, an award-winning author of three middle grade novels that will steal your heart. Listen as we talk about and take a deeper dive into The Secret Language of Birds, a novel that gave me all the feels that I cannot stop thinking about.  You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources ment...

In this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Ashley Iman about her debut picture book Ruby Rene Had So Much To Say. Listen as we talk about why she wrote this book, the important message woven inside the pages and her favorite notebook, too. =) You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2024...

In this episode, I’m talking with Stephen Briseño, author of one of my FAVORITE picture books: The Notebook Keeper: A Story of Kindness from the Border. Listen as we talk about The Notebook Keeper, along with Stephen’s newest picture book, Queen of Leaves: The Story of Ynes Mexia. We talk about why he started writing, where his book ideas come from and why picture books matter so much.  You’ll fin...

In this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Benson Shum. Benson is the author and illustrator of multiple picture books I love and has worked as an animator on some Disney movies you know and love, too….Big Hero 6 and Frozen are two of them. =) Listen as we talk about his newest book, Mooncakes Mean Family, a book that gave me all the warm fuzzy feels of family, food and tradition...

In this episode, I’m talking with Maria Marianayagam. She’s the author of The Amazing Power of Girls, an absolutely brilliant, lyrical and inspiring book. Come listen as we talk about the fact that we are all made up of multitudes…and the intersection of them all is where she writes. Maria will share her journey to writing, the philosophy she embodies and we’ll take a deep dive into her newest pic...

Today’s conversation was such a treat! In this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Julie Falatko. Julie is the author of several picture book and middle grade novels, including my favorite epistolary novels in picture book form: Yours in Books.  Come listen as we talk about her lifelong dream of writing and the moment she realized it was a possibility, talk about a few of our favo...

In this episode, I’m talking with Tim Kleyn, author of Set Sail for Pancakes! and Grilled Cheese? Yes, Please! These delightful picture books are full of family, friendship and food, which makes them feel-good picture books for me.  Come listen as we talk about Tim’s journey to his new picture books, take a deep dive into Grilled Cheese? Yes, Please! and talk about the best way to make a grilled c...

In this bonus summer episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Lizzy O’Donnell. Lizzy is the author of The Day Bell Found Her Sound. It’s a gorgeous book set in a bustling, melodious town where everyone has found their special sound….expect Bell. The message of staying true to yourself and finding your voice rings loud and clear.  Come listen as we talk about Lizzy’s journey of illustra...

In this episode, I’m talking with Laura Gehl, an award-winning author of over 50 board books, picture books and early readers. Her books are full of wonder and delight and today, we are talking about her newest: Saving Delicia.  Come listen as we talk about her writing, her hopes for readers, Saving Delicia and her next books releasing in 2025, too! You’ll find the show notes for the episode with...

In this bonus summer episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Caroline Palmer.  Caroline is the author of Camp Prodigy, a middle grade graphic novel that follows two non-binary kids who navigate anxiety and identity while having fun and forming friendships at their summer orchestra camp. Come listen as we talk about Caroline's journey to writing, their comic book career, and what t...