The Children's Book Podcast

Susan Verde (@susanverde) shares I AM HUMAN: A BOOK OF EMPATHY, which is illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds. I AM HUMAN carries with it an important yet all-too-overlooked truth: that you are flawed, but that does not make you bad. Susan reminds us all in this conversation that being seen is so important. I AM HUMAN is the third book in a series that includes I AM YOGA and I AM PEACE. If you have no...

Pat Zietlow Miller (@PatZMiller) shares REMARKABLY YOU and WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE, two recent picture book releases that see kids from all sides and complexities. REMARKABLY YOU was inspired by the Seven Ways of Being Smart, also known as the Seven Intelligences, and celebrates everything that makes every kid different. WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE calls the reader to look deep inside themselves for the strengt...

Christian Robinson makes his author-illustrator debut with ANOTHER, a wordless picture book exploring the literal experience of seeing yourself in a book and of others seeing themselves in the same book. Christian talks about relying on his strengths and owning that we all have blind spots. He also shares how his art is driven by his thoughts on helping as many kids as possible see themselves in h...

Anika Aldamuy Denise (@AnikaDenise) is the author of PLANTING STORIES: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Bepré, an exceptional picture book biography about one of perhaps the best know librarians of our time or any. Anika also shares her CARMEN series, including STARRING CARMEN and LIGHTS, CAMERA, CARMEN!, featuring a tenacious, vibrant, creative force of a kid and the dynamics she brings...

Amanda Moeckel (@AmandaMoeckel) is the author and illustrator of KHALIDA AND THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SONG, a picture book published last September that centers on a child who is visited in the night by a song and is compelled thereafter to find the song's melody and play it herself. The book plays with the ephemeral quality of inspiration and pursuing creative or inspired ideas. Joining also is Kristen...

Mac Barnett (@macbarnett) and Jon Klassen (@burstofbeaden) are the award-winning team of many beloved books including EXTRA YARN and SAM AND DAVE DIG A HOLE. Today we're focusing our attention of three books that are part-trilogy and part perspective. TRIANGLE, SQUARE, and now CIRCLE are each stories following story structures informed by their titular shapes. But there is no room here for unearne...

QUINCE is a 15-issue comic book series created by Sebastian Kadlecik (@smkaddy), authored by Kit Steinkellner (@BooksAreMyBFs) and illustrated by  Emma Steinkellner (@emsteinkellner) that was collected into a print trade paperback in 2017. The story follows Lupe, just your average, insecure, well-meaning, occasionally cranky teenage girl whose life is completely turned upside down when she discove...

Cathy Camper (@cfastwolf) and Raul the Third (@raulthe3rd) are the creative team behind the LOWRIDERS graphic novel series, including LOWRIDERS IN SPACE, LOWRIDERS TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, and the newest title, LOWRIDERS BLAST FROM THE PAST. The latest book in the series introduces the pivotal characters in the prime of their youth. Lupe Impala, El Chavo Flapjack, and Elirio Malaria discover th...

Noodlephant is an elephant who loves pasta. The kangaroos do not like pasta. In fact, they make a law so that no one can enjoy pasta. But Noodlephant will not stand for this and sets out to protest the unfairness of the law and gathers others to demand change. NOODLEPHANT author Jacob Kramer (@jknotjk), illustrator K-Fai Steele (@kfaisteele), and publisher Claudia Zoe Bedrick of Enchanted Lion Boo...

Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen (@SudiptaBQ) is the author of CHICKS RULE!, a book about confronting "no", having enough, and taking action. Nerdy Chick wants to join the rocket club, but when confronted with a sign reading "No Chicks Allowed" she decides to gather friends and neighborhood chicks to lend each of their unique interests and talents for the greater good of creating together. Sudipta talks ab...

Susan Kusel and Rebecca Levitan join today on behalf of the SYDNEY TAYLOR BOOK AWARD, presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience. The two joined me to talk about the award, what's it's like to serve on a Youth Media Awards committee, and trying to change conversations around Jewish literature through the work done during committe...

Francie Latour (@francielatour) is the author of AUNTIE LUCE'S TALKING PAINTINGS, a vibrant and beautiful picture book about a young girl's visit to Haiti to see her Autie Luce and to sit for one of her paintings. The story not only unites family, but it instills a sense of belonging or origin that speaks to the strength of the Haitian people throughout history. Francie reminds us that Haiti is th...

The 2019 Youth Media Awards were announced and a number of this year's award-winners were guests on the Children's Book Podcast this year! I've gathered them all together in one convenient place so you can hear the stories behind the books, including Veera Hiranandani for THE NIGHT DIARY, Juana Martinez-Neal for ALMA AND HOW SHE GOT HER NAME, Brian Lies for THE ROUGH PATCH, Oge Mora for THANK YOU,...

Hilary Leung (@hilary_leung) is the author/illustrator of WILL GIRAFFE LAUGH?, the fourth in a series about a friend group of animals and their interactions with one another, including WILL BEAR SHARE?, WILL LADYBUG HUG?, and WILL SHEEP SLEEP?. The series explores kindness, consent, respect, and friendship. Hilary is also the co-creator of THE LEGEND OF NINJA, COWBOY, BEAR, a cornerstone picture b...

Cheryl Willis Hudson (@diversitymom_ch) and Wade Hudson (@hudsonwade) are the founders of Just Us Books and the editors of WE RISE, WE RESIST, WE RAISE OUR VOICES. In this anthology of stories, poems, art, and photographs, fifty of the foremost diverse children's authors and illustrators--including Jason Reynolds, Jacqueline Woodson, and Kwame Alexander-- share answers to the question, "In this di...

Rob Broder (@RGrovePress) is the co-founder of Ripple Grove Press, an independent, family-run children's book publisher. Ripple Grove's passion for well-told and beautifully illustrated stories for children comes out in its titles and their mission is to bring together great writers and talented illustrators to make the most wonderful books possible is something I think you'l see evidenced in our...

Brian Lies (@BrianLiesbooks) is the author/illustrator of the best-selling BATS IN THE LIBRARY series. He shares in our conversation that he's always had an interest in drawing animals and that, for him, casting animals as main characters in his books helps to make the story more universal to the readers. Brian joins me today to share his latest picture books. In GOT TO GET TO BEAR'S!, chipmunk re...

Keith Negley (@keithnegley) is the author/illustrator of MARY WEARS WHAT SHE WANTS. The story follows a young Mary Edwards Walker, determined to swap the confining, uncomfortable dress expected of her and other girls and women for a more sensible pair of pants. Keith shares that the idea grew from media coverage of transgender individuals being restricted access to bathrooms, as well as a podcast...

Sharee Miller (@coilyandcute) is the author/illustrator of DON'T TOUCH MY HAIR! The story follows Aria, a young African American girl who loves her hair but cannot stand when people touch her hair without permission. Sharee talks in our conversation about consent, and how most people would never touch a complete stranger's hand, and yet don't hesitate to touch a stranger's hair, even though your h...

Grace Lin (@pacylin), award-winning author and podcast host, joins to share the origin of Kidlitwomen* and the Kidlit Women* podcast. There are a small handful of kidlit podcasts I listen to regularly and that continue to contribute to my professional growth and, quite frankly, I think help make me a better human being. LIFELINES: BOOKS THAT BRIDGE THE DIVIDE is one of those podcasts. Hosts Saadia...

Alex Gino (@lxgino) and Dr. Laura Jimenez (@booktoss) join to share books centering on LGBTQ experiences, issues, and identities. Alex Gino is the author of GEORGE and, most recently, YOU DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING, JILLY P! They are joined by Dr. Laura Jimenez, author of the BookToss blog, a site "where the serious business of reading in schools meets the absurd notion that research-based literacy pra...

Dr. Debbie Reese (@debreese) and Traci Sorell (@tracisorell) join on behalf of AMERICAN INDIANS IN CHILDREN'S LITERATURE and CYNSATIONS. Dr. Reese writes regularly at AMERICAN INDIANS IN CHILDREN'S LITERATURE (AICL), which provides critical perspectives and analysis of indigenous peoples in children's and young adult books, the school curriculum, popular culture, and society. Traci Sorell is the a...

Paula Chase Hyman (@PaulaChase) and Kelly Starling Lyons (@kelstarly) join on behalf of THE BROWN BOOKSHELF to share a collection of "don't miss" books from 2018. THE BROWN BOOKSHELF is a website and collective designed to push awareness of the myriad Black voices writing for young readers. Their flagship initiative is 28 Days Later, a month-long showcase of the best in Picture Books, Middle Grade...

Heidi Stemple (@heidieys) is the author of COUNTING BIRDS: THE IDEA THAT HELPED SAVE OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS. This true story of Frank Chapman, the man who founded the first annual bird count, pays homage to a simple act of shaking up habits and traditions that resulted in a lasting conservation initiative that continues today thanks to the help of hundreds of citizen scientists. Heidi is also the c...

Martha Brockenbrough (@mbrockenbrough) is the author of UNPRESIDENTED: A BIOGRAPHY OF DONALD TRUMP, the first biography of our 45th president written for teens. Martha approached her research with a mindset of presenting information fairly and with a lens of looking for patterns in actions and what those patterns tell us about the subject matter. It won't surprise you that what the patterns pointe...