The Book Faire: Children's Literature for Grownups

In this episode of the Book Faire Podcast, host Anthony Soto interviews his wife, Madison Soto, an aspiring author. They discuss the challenges of finding time to write, sources of inspiration, and the importance of representation in literature. Madison shares her thoughts on how art reflects political climates and the significance of diverse stories. The conversation also touches on the evolving...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews author Tiffany D. Jackson about her latest book, 'Blood in the Water.' They discuss the themes of class dynamics, the challenges of writing for middle grade audiences, and the importance of representation in literature. Tiffany shares her journey as a writer, her inspirations, and her vision for the future of children's literature,...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews renowned author Gordon Korman, discussing his latest book 'Snoop' and the themes of privacy, technology, and character development in middle grade literature. Korman shares insights into his writing process, the importance of relatable characters, and the balance of humor and serious topics in his stories. The conversation also touc...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews Joanna Ho, author of 'Becoming Boba.' They discuss the cultural significance of milk tea, the evolution of identity through food, and the importance of self-discovery in writing. Joanna shares her journey as an Asian American writer and emphasizes the power of young voices in shaping culture and community. The conversation highlight...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews Kyle Casey Chu, a writer and drag queen, about his debut middle grade novel, 'The Queen Bees of Tybee County.' The conversation explores themes of identity, the writing process, and the importance of representation in literature. Kyle shares insights from his journey as a first-time author, the role of drag in his life, and how his...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews Grace Russo, managing editor of Pennyworth Publishing. They discuss the importance of children's literature, the journey of self-publishing, and the creative process behind making books that resonate with young readers. Grace shares her passion for reading to children, the challenges of self-publishing, and her vision for creating s...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony discusses the importance of Pride Month and introduces author Beth Ferry, who shares insights about her new middle grade novel, Growing Home. The conversation explores the unique character dynamics between personified plants and animals, the challenges of transitioning from picture books to middle grade novels, and the role of publishing in de...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews writer Chad Quandt, who shares his journey from a hobbyist writer to a professional in the animation industry. They discuss the importance of writing for young audiences, the challenges of navigating standards and practices in children's media, and the need for nuanced storytelling that respects children's intelligence. Chad emphasi...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews Stan Yan, a graphic novelist and illustrator, about his upcoming book, 'The Many Misadventures of Eugenia Wang.' They discuss the character's journey of self-discovery, the cultural expectations faced by Asian American children, and the challenges of the editorial process. Stan shares insights into the importance of representation i...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews Erin Intrada Kelly about her new nonfiction book, 'At Last She Stood,' which tells the remarkable story of Joey Guerrero, a Filipino spy during World War II. The conversation explores themes of heroism, discrimination, and the challenges of researching and writing about lesser-known historical figures. Erin shares insights into Hans...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews Varian Johnson, author of 'Little Big Man.' They discuss the themes of family dynamics, the challenges of writing for children, and the importance of empathy in storytelling. Johnson shares insights into his writing process, the business side of publishing, and how he crafts relatable characters that resonate with young readers. The...

In this episode of the Book Faire, an interview with the author and illustrator of the Emmie & Friends series Terri Libenson. We discuss the latest book in the series, character development, themes of insecurity and growth, and the importance of diversity in children's literature. Terri shares insights into her writing process, the challenges of creating relatable characters, and the role of h...

In this episode of the Book Fair podcast, I interview author and illustrator Angela Hsieh about her new book, 'Lu and Ren's Guide to Geozoology.' We discuss the creative process behind writing and illustrating a graphic novel, and the themes of expectations and growing up that resonate throughout Hsieh's work. Angela shares her inspirations from the natural world and reflects on the importance of...

In this episode Anthony interviews author Sharon G. Flake about her latest book, 'The Family I'm In,' which continues the story of John John, a character from her earlier work, 'The Skin I'm In.' The conversation explores themes of character development, father-son dynamics, the role of community, and the importance of adult figures in young people's lives. Flake discusses the challenges of writin...

In this episode, Anthony interviews Kali Wallace, author of 'The Secrets of Underhill.' They discuss the book's themes, including environmental stewardship, the importance of community, and the interconnection between humans and nature. Callie shares her creative process in writing middle-grade fantasy, emphasizing the significance of wonder and excitement in children's literature. The conversatio...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews author Shelby Mahurin about her latest book, The Shadow Bride, which concludes the Serpent & Dove universe. They discuss character development, the exploration of tropes in fantasy literature, and the complexities of good and evil in a gothic fantasy setting. Shelby shares insights into her writing process, the challenges of por...

Host Anthony interviews author Kyle Lukoff in honor of the Trans Day of Visibility. They discuss Lukoff's latest book, the importance of teaching pride to young readers, and the intersectionality in LGBTQ+ literature. Lukoff shares insights on sincerity in writing, the role of a trans adult as a role model, and the current state of reading and libraries in America. He also offers advice for aspiri...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast; we discuss recent children's literature releases and the implications of a new executive order affecting library funding. The episode highlights several new books aimed at young readers, emphasizing themes of adventure, self-discovery, and resilience. Additionally, we address library services, stressing the importance of libraries in communities. New Relea...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews Tanisha "Tee" Moore about her new children's book, 'Wash Day Love.' The conversation explores the cultural significance of wash day in the Black community, the importance of multi-generational connections in preserving cultural heritage, and the role of representation in literature. Tanisha shares her personal experiences with hair...

In this episode of the Book Faire Podcast, host Anthony Soto interviews Paul Ritchey and Nick Murphy, the creators of the Audible original 'Mickey & Friends: Escape from Noskape.' They discuss their journey from filmmakers to writers, the challenges of transitioning to audio production, and the importance of collaboration in scriptwriting. The conversation also delves into the nuances of writi...

For anyone at risk of self-harm, call or text 988 for the suicide and crisis hotline. In this episode of the Book Fair podcast, host Anthony interviews Tony Keith Jr., a poet and educator, about his latest poetry collection 'Knucklehead.' They discuss the themes of joy, identity, and the power of language in affirming the experiences of young black men and boys. Tony shares insights on the therape...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, an interview with children's author Lana Button about her new book, 'Brianna Banana, Helper of the Day.' We discuss the character of Brianna, who is perceived as the 'bad kid' in class but is actually misunderstood and dealing with various challenges. The conversation explores themes of empathy, social-emotional learning, and the importance of children's l...

This week: an interview with author Roseanne Parry about her latest book, A Wolf Called Fire. The conversation explores the importance of wilderness in children's stories, and the power of writing to empower young readers. Recent headlines about the impact of recent book bans and educational policies. New Releases:Brianna Banana: Helper of the Day by Lana ButtonJojo vs. Middle School (Team Awkward...

In this episode of the Book Faire Podcast, an interview with Sasha Payton Smith, author of The Rose Bargain, discussing themes of historical fiction, societal norms, and the impact of purity culture. The conversation explores the role of women in Victorian society, the accessibility of fantasy literature, and the importance of young adult literature in addressing complex topics. The episode also h...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, Anthony discusses the ongoing battle against book bans in 2025, highlighting the implications of recent policies and actions taken by school districts and legislative bodies. The conversation delves into the impact of censorship on education, the importance of diverse voices in literature, and the legislative efforts being made to protect the freedom to re...