Kidlit Love: Conversations with Picture Book and Middle Grade Authors

In this episode, I’m talking with Monica Mancillas, author of Sing It Like Celia, a middle grade novel that hijacked my heart. There is an entry point for everyone to be seen and/or see a new perspective in this book and it gave me all the feels. Listen as we talk about her love of stories, take a deep dive into her book and talk about the power of books to change lives and make the world a better...

In this episode, I’m talking with Jeanne Walker Harvey. Her love and joy for writing picture book biographies shines through loud and clear in this episode and you’ll catch the energy, I know it.  She’s written multiple picture books that have captured my heart and I’ve used them as personal coaching tools for trying to find my own passion and purpose. Listen as we talk about how and where she fin...

Today, I am grateful and honored to talk with Kate DiCamillo, the award-winning novelist who shares her love of story far and wide to both children and adults alike. We talk about the timeless nature of her books, her newest book, Ferris, and the moments where we found ourselves in the pages, Kate’s writing routines and even her favorite notebooks. I was completely inspired and love her reading an...

In this episode, I’m talking with New York Times best-selling author Dan Gutman. He’s the author of over 185 books and this month, he is celebrating the 20th anniversary and his 100th book in The Weird School series.  Come listen as Dan I talk all about his Weird School series, the importance of writing funny books that kids will want to read and his newest book coming out soon, too. You’ll find t...

In this episode, I’m chatting with Caldecott Honor winner Lauren Castillo. She’s authored and/or illustrated a long list of books we love including What Happens on Wednesday, This is a Story, Nana in the City, Our Friend Hedgehog and many, many more.  Today, we’re taking a closer look at her newest book: Just Like Millie. This book is an ode to introverts and their four-legged friends that help sh...

In this episode, I’m talking with Suma Subramaniam and Tara Anand, the author and illustrator team that came together to create My Name is as Long as a River. It’s a stunning picture book celebrating the power of names, the history behind them and why they matter to who we are.  Come listen as we talk about Suma’s inspiration for the book, how Tara brought the story to life in the most stunning wa...

For the first time in KidLit Love history, I’m talking to both the author and illustrator of the same book at the same time! Omar Abed and Hatem Aly are here to discuss their new picture book: The Book That Almost Rhymed. This is a delightful picture book filled with imagination and wonder, sibling relationships and the reminder that things might not always be as they seem…they could be even bette...

Today, I’m talking with Jessica Stremer, an award-winning children’s author who combines her love of science and writing to create books that inspire kids to explore and think critically about the world around them. She’s written multiple picture books and has a middle grade novel coming out soon, too.  We talk about her picture books, her hope for readers and where she gets her ideas, too. You’ll...

Today, I’m talking with Becca Wierwille, the author of the loveable, huggable middle grade novel: Road Trip Rescue. It’s packed with so many middle grade themes: dogs, family, friendship, road trips and love mixed in with a healthy dose of accepting yourself for who you are.  Come listen as Becca and I talk about her purpose for writing, what she hopes readers will get out of her books and her jou...

In this episode, I’m talking with Audrey Perrott about her debut picture book: Moo Hoo. Moo Hoo is a delightful story about a very sweet bull with BIG feelings and it is sure to be loved by both children and adults. Audrey believes it is her highest responsibility and honor to write for children and writes with both heart and humor, two themes that are quite evident in her books.  Come listen to u...

In this episode, I am talking with Janet Costa Bates about her new chapter book series following Rica Baptista, a delightful young girl, along with her best friend and extended family.  The books celebrate family and friendship and offer important life lessons that empower readers to embrace who they are. I added both books to my ‘Books I’ve Hugged’ list and cannot wait for the next book in the se...

Today, I’m talking with Rachel Vail, author of over 40 books for children spanning delightful picture books, middle grade series and young adult novels, too. Come listen as we talk about her books, make the hard decision to narrow it down to just one book to take a deeper dive into If We Kiss, a book heading to the theater soon. You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the b...

Today, I am talking with award-winning Natalia Sylvester about her picture book: A Maleta Full of Treasures. While this may be her first picture book, she has written multiple adult and young adult novels that I have loved and I am thrilled to talk with her today about the threads between them.  Come listen as we talk about her writing journey, the connections among and between them and why she wr...

Today, I am talking with Sahtinay Abaza in this bonus episode to celebrate Ramadan and the Eid Moon.  Come listen as we talk about her two picture books: The Ramadan Drummer and The Eid Moon. These books tell the story of the beautiful traditions of Ramadan to learn from and enjoy. You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here.  Join m...

As a book podcaster, one of my favorite things is to help launch new books into the world and celebrate as many book birthdays as I can. Today, I’m talking with debut author Andrew Hacket. Andrew is an educator who dreamed of writing picture books for a long while and now has THREE coming out in 2024. We talk about his writing journey, his three delightful books and his hopes for readers. These bo...

Book people are the best people and today, I’m talking to one of my favorites: John Schu.  Affectionately known as Mr. Schu online, John is the fiercest, most passionate book advocate I know. He’s been sharing the book love for years as an educator, librarian, Scholastic Book Ambassador and now, as a writer himself.  Come join me as we talk about the power of books and story and celebrate the laun...

Today, I’m talking with Amy Parks about her newest middle grade novel: Averil Offline.  Amy is a teacher educator who believes we need to embrace all of the beautiful, complicated sides ourselves and this belief is evident inside her books, especially the one we are discussing today. Come listen as we talk about her hopes for writing, the important conversations we need to have around digital priv...

Today, I’m talking with Nic Yulo, author / illustrator of Patch of Sky and Out of the Blue. Both picture books are delightful, colorful, quench our curiosity and teach us big life-affirming lessons, too. We talk about Nic’s journey to becoming a picture book author through a series of ‘fortunate detours’, the why behind her writing and the messages she hopes readers walk away with after reading. I...

Happy Middle Grade March! Today, I’m celebrating Middle Grade March with a special guest: Afoma Umesi. Afoma embraces all things middle grade reading and hosts my FAVORITE middile grade blog of all time: Reading Middle Grade. Today, she joins us to share her story: how middle grade reading became her passion, favorite books she thinks we need to add to our TBR stacks and opportunities to connect w...

Today, I am talking with Michelle Knudsen. Michelle is the author of 50 children’s books: from early readers, board books and picture books to middle grade, young adult and even short stories, too.  While we don’t have enough time to talk about all of her books, we do highlight a few books she’s known best for and take a deeper dive into her middle grade novel trilogy. We talk about where the idea...

Today, I’m chatting with Cynthia Harmony, author of multiple picture books that celebrate the beauty of multiple languages, the world around us, family and home.  Come listen as we talk about her journey to writing, the threads that ties her books together and take a deep dive into her upcoming release: A Flicker of Hope: A Book of Migration.  You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links...

Today, I am talking with Marisa Quinn about her debut picture book: Happy Hands.  It’s a delightfully loveable story about a young boy who is eager to make friends on his first day of Kindergarten, only to find out that his ‘happy hands’ make that more challenging than he thought It’s a book that reminds us to stay true to who we are, celebrates the power of friendship and even shows us how to lea...

I have a long list of children’s literature authors that I love because their books are amazing. But since starting this podcast, I’ve created another list: authors I love because of their philosophy toward children, toward life and toward writing.  Lizzy Rockwell is at the top of this new list. She has authored and/or illustrated over 35 picture books that are delightful for so many reasons, one...

I love when books can take me down rabbit holes: delightful journeys driven by curiosity.  Today, I’m talking with Taryn Souders, an author that brought me great delight and knowledge in her most recent book The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle. It’s a book filled with family, friendship, mystery and mischief, too. I learned about historical samplers, the War of Jenkins’ Ear and a whole list of fam...

Today is a day of firsts on the KidLit Love podcast. I’m here with Claire Lordon to talk about the first young adult book to be featured on the podcast AND the first graphic novel, too.  Claire is here to talk about her incredibly powerful graphic memoir: One in a Million.  This book was everything I needed as a teenager battling a chronic illness and Claire and I spent some time talking about the...