The Book Faire: Children's Literature for Grownups

In this episode of the Book Faire Podcast, we explore the world of kidlit with author Shannon Messenger as she discusses her journey writing the beloved Keeper of the Lost Cities series and its graphic novel adaptation. Shannon shares valuable insights into her creative process, the challenges debut authors face in the children’s literature publishing industry, and the vital role of reader engagem...

In this episode of The Book Faire Podcast, Anthony Soto interviews Alex Gino, author of 'Chris Makes a Friend,' diving deep into the powerful themes of loneliness, friendship, and the vital role of diverse voices in children's and YA literature. Alex reveals autobiographical influences in their writing and discusses the vulnerability involved in character development. The conversation explores the...

In this insightful episode of the Book Fair Podcast, Anthony interviews Kate Frick, a digital content librarian, to discuss the critical role of digital content in schools and its impact on children's literature. They delve into the importance of representation and diversity in children's and YA literature, addressing the challenges posed by censorship and book banning. The conversation highlights...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony Soto interviews author and illustrator Steph Littlebird, exploring her contributions to children's literature and Indigenous art. Steph discusses her new children's book 'You Are the Land,' highlighting the importance of cultural representation in children's and YA literature. She shares insights into her Indigenous background, her journey as...

In this episode of the Book Fair podcast, host Anthony Soto engages in an insightful conversation with author Kathleen Troy and her contributions to children's literature and young adult (YA) literature. Kathleen discusses her series 'Dylan's Dog Squad' and 'Never Believe', diving into themes of hope, redemption, and the essential role of character development in YA fiction. Kathleen also shares h...

In this episode of the Book Faire Podcast, focused on children's literature and YA literature, Anthony interviews author and illustrator Kam Redlawsk about her book 'Yumi and Monster.' The conversation explores themes of acceptance and the emotional journey of living with a disability. Kam shares insights into her creative process, challenges in publishing, and the impact of book bans, particularl...

In this episode of The Book Faire, Anthony interviews Scott Hoying from Pentatonix and his husband Mark Hoying about their new children's book, Fa La La Family, which beautifully celebrates diverse family structures during the holidays. The conversation dives into the creative process behind writing children's literature and the importance of inclusivity in books aimed at young readers. They also...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, Anthony interviews author and illustrator Sandra Magsamen, sharing her extensive experience in children's literature and art therapy. The conversation delves into the importance of connecting with children through literature, including elements of YA literature and sensory experiences crucial for early development. Magsamen discusses how her background in...

In this enlightening episode of the Book Faire Podcast, we dive into the world of children's literature with author and illustrator Christy Mandin. Host Anthony explores the creation of 'Millie Fleur Saves the Night,' a unique YA literature work that embraces themes of darkness and ecological awareness, particularly addressing the issue of light pollution. Christy discusses the challenges of illus...

In this episode of the Book Fair podcast, we delve into 'YA literature' with an engaging interview featuring Alan Gratz, the author of 'War Games.' Gratz discusses his extensive body of work and provides insight into the vital role of historical fiction in children's literature. We explore the powerful themes within his books, including political implications and the challenges of censorship in ed...

In this episode of the Book Faire Podcast, Anthony discusses the alarming rise of book bans in the United States, highlighting a recent report by PEN America that reveals thousands of instances of censorship in schools. The conversation delves into the implications of banning books, particularly focusing on the controversial novel 'A Clockwork Orange' by Anthony Burgess, exploring its themes of vi...

In this special episode of the Book Fair Podcast Anthony delves into the complexities of Toni Morrison's "The Bluest Eye" during Banned Books Week. This episode explores the poignant narrative of Pecola Breedlove, an 11-year-old girl navigating societal racism and internalized beauty standards. Discover why this powerful novel, often misunderstood and banned, remains essential for mature audiences...

In this episode of The Book Faire, Anthony interviews Phil Proctor and Samuel Joseph about the Magic Maze trilogy, a significant contribution to children's literature and YA literature. They discuss the creative process behind the books, exploring themes of adventure and empowerment, and the vital role humor plays in storytelling. The conversation highlights notable new releases in children's lite...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, Anthony discusses the book 'Melissa' by Alex Gino, which follows the journey of a young trans girl navigating her identity and the challenges she faces. The book explores themes of acceptance, representation, and the controversy surrounding the banning of such inclusive literature. Anthony emphasizes the importance of empathy and understanding in fostering...

In this special episode of the Book Fair Podcast, Anthony discusses 'The Devil's Arithmetic' by Jane Yolen, a poignant historical fiction novel that explores the Holocaust through the eyes of a young Jewish girl named Hannah. The conversation delves into the themes of memory, tradition, and the importance of remembering history to prevent its repetition. Anthony also addresses the controversy surr...

In this special episode of the Book Fair Podcast, Anthony discusses the significance of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee, particularly in the context of Banned Books Week. They explore the themes of racism, childhood innocence, and the complexities of the narrative, which has faced criticism for its portrayal of race and the white savior trope. Anthony argues for the book's continued relevanc...

In this week's episode of the Book Fair Podcast Anthony delves into the intersection of children's literature and conservation with a captivating interview featuring Leocadia George, author of the "Trumpet the Miracle Wolf Pup" series. Discover how stories in literature can raise awareness of endangered species through the heartwarming tale of Trumpet, a Mexican gray wolf, and the unique challenge...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, we explore the rich themes of 'children's literature' with Claribel A. Ortega, the acclaimed author of the Witchlings series. Join Anthony as they discuss the vital themes of identity, belonging, and the power of community within the enchanting world of Witchlings. Claribel shares her personal inspirations, the journey of writing for a middle-grade audienc...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, Anthony interviews author Ryan La Sala about his latest YA horror novel, The Dead of Summer. They delve into the book's themes, character dynamics, and the significance of queer culture within the narrative. LaSala discusses the challenges of writing horror for a young adult audience, the impact of community and crisis, and his mission to create a new myth...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, Anthony delves into the critical themes of representation in media, the implications of Florida's decision to end vaccine mandates, the ongoing issue of book bans and censorship in education, and the positive impact of cell phone bans on library usage. The conversation emphasizes the importance of authentic representation in children's literature and highl...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony Soto interviews author and activist Ruchira Gupta about her work in ending sex trafficking and her new book, The Freedom Seeker. The conversation explores themes of Title IX, gender issues, child migration, intersectionality, and the importance of kindness and community in the face of adversity. Ruchira shares her insights on storytelling as a...

In this conversation, Jennifer Swanson discusses her work as a children's author focusing on science and technology. She explores the themes of invention, discovery, and the importance of research in writing nonfiction for young audiences. The conversation delves into the role of technology in education, the impact of AI on research, and how to engage young readers with science. Swanson emphasizes...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, Anthony interviews author, illustrator, and educator Steve Giddings about his children's book , Mikey's Place. The conversation delves into themes of belonging, friendship, and the importance of finding one's place in the musical landscape. Giddings discusses the interactive edition of his book, how he incorporates it into education, and the creative proce...

Joan Reardon: writingreardon.com https://www.ralaw.com/people/joan-stebelton   jstebelton@ralaw.com In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, Anthony interviews author Joan Reardon about her middle grade novel, Dad Rock Dragon Quest. The conversation delves into the book's themes of family dynamics, the importance of agency for young characters, and the inspiration behind the characters and rock m...

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