New Books in Children's Literature

Chana Stiefel Chana and I talked about her new book Let Liberty Rise!: How America’s Schoolchildren Helped Save the Statue of Liberty (Scholastic Press, 2021).  On America's 100th birthday, the people of France built a giant gift! It was one of the largest statues the world had ever seen -- and she weighed as much as 40 elephants! And when she arrived on our shores in 250 pieces, she needed a pede...

Atara Ofek is a leading editor and translator of children's books in Israel. We talked about "what makes a good children's book good?" Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Ourboox, a web platform that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks....

Elaine Kiely Kearns writes picture book and middle grade stories. A former elementary school teacher, she now writes books for children and co-runs the website for writers, KidLit411.com. We discussed her journey as an author, and celebrated her recent book Noah Noasaurus (Albert Whitman and Company, 2019). Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in lo...

Alayne Kay Christian is the content and developmental editor for Blue Whale Press and an award-winning children's book author. We talked about her recent book, The Weed That Woke Christmas: The Mostly True Tale of the Toledo Christmas Weed and discussed the trials and tribulations of running a publishing house. Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell i...

Today I talked to Miri Leshem-Pelly about her book Penny And The Plain Piece Of Paper (Philomel Books, 2020). Penny lives on a plain piece of paper, with just one problem--she's bored. There's nothing to do, no one to talk to, not a single way to keep herself entertained Not one to wallow, Penny makes a decision: it's high time she ventured out into the world and explored other types of paper. But...

Today I talked to Vivian Kirkfield about her book Making Their Voices Heard: The Inspiring Friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe (Little Bee Books, 2020). Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe. On the outside, you couldn't find two girls who looked more different. But on the inside, they were alike--full of hopes and dreams and plans of what might be. Ella Fitzgerald's velvety tones and sh...

Today I talked to Mike Malbrough about his book Marigold Bakes a Cake (Philomel Books, 2017). Marigold the cat loves Mondays, for that is when he bakes cakes With his favorite recipe in front of him, he rolls up his sleeves and gets down to it. He whips up egg whites . . . Easy. He adds a cup of milk . . . Peasy. Then he sprinkles in just a pinch of . . . of finch? That's not right at all Neither...

Today I talked to Melissa Stoller about her book Sadie’s Shabbat Stories (Spork, 2020). Sadie loves listening to Nana's tales, especially about the traveling candlesticks, kiddush cup, and challah cover they use every Friday night. Will Sadie ever be able to tell her own special Shabbat stories, just like Nana? Based on true stories in the Author Melissa Stoller's family, this book celebrates fami...

Today I talked to Lydia Lukidis about her book No Bears Allowed (Blue Whale Press, 2019). Rabbit is afraid of many things, but most of all he's afraid of gigantic, monstery, BEARS! The very nervous Rabbit is soon confronted by his worst fear who appears to be far more interested in making new friends than causing Rabbit any real harm. Despite his apprehension, Rabbit agrees to join his jovial new...

Today I talked to Julie Hedlund. Julie is an award-winning children’s book author, founder of the 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge, co-founder of Picture Book Summit, co-creator with Emma Walton Hamilton of the Complete Picture Book Submissions System, and a frequent speaker at industry events such as SCBWI conferences. Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeri...

A wonderful conversation with renowned editor Harold Underdown who founded and runs The Purple Crayon, a respected website with information about the children's publishing world talks about his favorite children's books growing up, his original plan of becoming a school teacher which morphed into an unexpected role as assistant editor. He discusses the importance of reader response (including thos...

The night the river jumped its banks, everything changed." So begins A Flood of Kindness (Worthy Kids, 2021) , a poignant picture book that addresses grief and loss and demonstrates how kindness can bring hope. Written in spare prose and told from an intimate first-person point of view, the story follows Charlotte, a young girl who watches floodwaters rise in her home and is forced to evacuate to...

Today I talked to Annette Whipple about her book Whooo Knew? The Truth About Owls (Reycraft Books, 2020) How do owls see in the dark? Can owls spin their heads all the way around? Why do owls puke? These and other questions are answered by an owl expert, along with some extra information provided by the owls themselves! Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) w...

Our current podcast features the nonfiction picture book The Little Spacecraft That Could by Joyce Lapin, illustrated by Simona Ceccarelli, and the recipient of a *starred* review from Kirkus Book Reviews (Sterling, 2021). "The exploration of Pluto was a landmark event. This fascinating book tells the whole amazing story!" - Dr. Alan Stern, leader, NASA's New Horizons mission. Mel Rosenberg is a p...

Our current podcast features a six-book series called the Becca Epps Series about Bending Your Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors (Shawnee Scientific Press, 2017-2021). The author of the series, Amy R. Murrell, Ph. D., is a licensed psychologist. Prior to writing this series, Dr. Murrell had co-authored a research-based self-help book (The Joy of Parenting; New Harbinger, 2009) and approximately 50...

Our current podcast features Freaky, Funky Fish: Odd Facts about Fascinating Fish (Running Press Kids, 2021), written by Debra Kempf Shumaker, illustrated by Claire Powell, and published with Running Press Kids in 2021. Debra writes children's books from her home in northern Virginia. She is active on Twitter discussing anything kidlit and also reviews picture books on Instagram. As you likely kno...

This podcast features the historical picture book, ‘Smelly Kelly’ and His Super Senses, illustrated by Jenn Harney (Calkins Creek, 2020). A former educator, Beth Anderson is an award-winning author whose titles include “An Inconvenient Alphabet” and “Lizzie Demands a Seat!”, with more on the way. James “Smelly” Kelly was a man with a powerful nose whose talents proved heroic in the early days of t...

Our current podcast features the picture book Kayla and Kugel's Happy Hanhukkah (Apples and Honey Press, 2020). The author, Ann Koffsky is the author and illustrator of more than thirty books, including Creation Colors, Sarah Builds a School, the Kayla & Kugel series, Judah Maccabee Goes to the Doctor and Shabbat Shalom, Hey. Several of her books have been PJ library selections, and her book Noah’...

Nicholas (Nick) Solis is a prolific, award-winning author who writes picture books, middle grade novels, and poetry. We talk about his hilarious debut author/illustrator book, The Staring Contest! , published with Peter Pauper Press in September 2020 (nominated as a Redbud Read Aloud Award finalist for 2022). Nick also an award-winning elementary educator, as well as a writing teacher at The Writi...