The Children's Book Podcast

Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson, and Jeanette Bradley share No World Too Big: Young People Fighting Global Climate Change (Charlesbridge Publishing), celebrating twelve young activists and three activist groups on front lines of the climate crisis who have planted trees in Uganda, protected water in Canada, reduced school-bus climate footprint in Indonesia, invented alternate power sources in...

Aaron Becker shares The Last Zookeeper (Candlewick Press), a wordless picture book imaging a futuristic Noah's Ark in a luminous sci-fi parable for our changing world. Visit Aaron online at https://www.storybreathing.com You can pick up your own copy of The Last Zookeper wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.org or by downloading the audi...

Britt Gondolfi and Amanda Romanick share Look Up!: Fontaine the Pigeon Starts a Revolution (Paw Prints Publishing), the story of Fontaine, a small pigeon who is fed up with the world's addiction to technology.  Visit Jarrett online at https://www.fontainethepigeon.com You can pick up your own copy of  Look Up!: Fontaine the Pigeon Starts a Revolution wherever books are found. Consider supporting i...

Jarrett Lerner shares A Work in Progress (Aladdin Paperbacks), a poignant and "perceptive" journey to self-acceptance told through prose, verse, and illustration about a young boy who struggles with body image. Visit Jarrett online at https://jarrettlerner.com You can pick up your own copy of A Work in Progress wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping throug...

Dave Roman shares Unicorn Boy (First Second), a magical journey about a boy who sprouts a unicorn horn and uses his newfound powers to help those in need! Visit Dave online at http://yaytime.com/ You can pick up your own copy of Unicorn Boy wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.org or by downloading the audiobook through Libro.fm. You can...

Emma Otheguy shares Martina Has Too Many Tías (Atheneum Books for Young Readers), a lively and magical bilingual picture book that reimagines the beloved Caribbean folktale "La Cucaracha Martina." Visit Emma online at https://emmaotheguy.com You can pick up your own copy of Martina Has Too Many Tías wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.o...

Kate DiCamillo shares Ferris (Candlewick), a hilarious and achingly real love story about a girl, a ghost, a grandmother, and growing up. Visit Kate online at https://www.katedicamillo.com/ You can pick up your own copy of Ferris wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.org or by downloading the audiobook through Libro.fm. You can also use m...

Lid'ya Rivera shares I Absolutely, Positively Love My Spots (HarperCollins), a lyrical celebration of self-esteem, perseverance, and loving the skin you're in that will inspire all children to appreciate their spots or what makes them different. Illustrated by Niña Mata. Visit Lid'ya online at https://www.lidyacrivera.com/ You can pick up your own copy of I Absolutely, Positively Love My Spots whe...

Maple Lam shares Dim Sum, Here We Come! (Harper), a celebration of the traditional Chinese customs passed on from generation to generation: togetherness, love, family--and FOOD! Visit Maple online at https://www.maplelam.com/ You can pick up your own copy of Dim Sum, Here We Come! wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.org. You can also us...

John Schu shares Louder Than Hunger (Candlewick Press), a wrenching and transformative novel-in-verse that explores anorexia--and self-expression as an act of survival. Visit John online at  https://www.johnschu.com/ You can pick up your own copy of Louder Than Hunger wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.org or by downloading the audiobo...

Rajani LaRocca shares Mirror to Mirror (Quill Tree Books), an evocative novel in verse  about identical twin sisters who do everything together--until external pressures threaten to break them apart. Visit Rajani online at https://www.rajanilarocca.com You can pick up your own copy of Mirror to Mirror wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop...

Victoria J. Coe shares the Make Way for Fenway books. The little dog with a GIANT personality from Fenway and Hattie is starring in his own chapter book series! AND Fenway and the Loudmouth Bird ( Make Way for Fenway  #3) is a 2024 Sid Fleischman Honor Award for Humor! Visit Victoria online at  https://www.victoriajcoe.com/ You can pick up your own copy of the Fenway and Hattie or Make Way for Fen...

Qing Zhuang shares Rainbow Shopping (Holiday House), a heartfelt tribute to Chinatown and spending days-off together in which sharing a delicious meal helps a child feel loved. Visit Qing online at qingthings.com You can pick up your own copy of Rainbow Shopping wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.org. You can also use my affiliate link...

Laura Numeroff shares If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (HarperCollins) and Raising a Hero , a story of about a puppy with a lot to learn on his adventure of becoming someone's life-changing friend and helper.  Visit Laura online at https://lauranumeroff.com/ Canine Companions website You can pick up your own copy of If You Give a Mouse a Cookie wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent...

Introducing the winners and honors of the Sydney Taylor Book Award (2024), presented annually by the Association of Jewish Libraries to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience. Sydney Taylor Book Award Website - link 2024 Sydney Taylor Book Award Blog Tour - link Purchase any of the Books - link This podcast episode of The Children's Book Podcast w...

Hanna Mousabeck shares Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine (Chronicle Books), a story of a father and his daughters, who may not be able to return home . . . but they can celebrate stories of their homeland! Visit Hannah online at https://hannahmoushabeck.com/ You can pick up your own copy of Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent book...

Kirsten W. Larson shares The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made of (Chronicle Books), a poetic picture book celebrating the life and scientific discoveries of the groundbreaking astronomer Cecilia Payne. Visit Kirsten online at  https://kirsten-w-larson.com/ You can pick up your own copy of The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman...

Eugenia Yoh and Vivienne Chang share This Is Not My Home (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers), a humorous and heartfelt reverse immigration story that will resonate across cultures and show us how a place can become home. Visit Eugenia and Vivienne online at https://www.vivienneandeugenia.com/ You can pick up your own copy of This Is Not My Home wherever books are found. Consider supporting ind...

Jason Chin shares The Universe in You: A Microscopic Journey , a dive into the microscopic building blocks of life. BOOK DESCRIPTION: The Universe in You: A Microscopic Journey by Jason Chin   Jason Chin, winner of the Caldecott Medal for Watercress, dives into the microscopic building blocks of life in this companion to the award-winning Your Place in the Universe.   In Your Place in the Universe...

Nonieqa Ramos shares Beauty Woke , a powerful story of pride and community, told with bold lyricism and the heart of a fairy tale, and readers looking for a next-generation Sleeping Beauty will fall in love with the vivid art and lyrical text. This is a rebroadcast of an episode that originally aired on March 7, 2023.

John Schu and Lauren Castillo share This Is a Story , inviting us to imagine the myriad ways that books can foster connection and understanding--and how they can empower children, through their own passions, to transform the world. This is a rebroadcast of an episode that originally aired on March 14, 2023.

Torrey Maldonado shares HANDS, a story about Trevor, a twelve-year-old who is a gifted comic-book artist, a good student, and would do anything to protect his mom and sisters. This is a rebroadcast of an episode that originally aired on February 14, 2023.

Kaitlin McGaw and Tommy Shepherd share You Are Not Alone , a story reminding us that when we step up to support one another, we can make a world where everyone knows they belong. This is a rebroadcast of an episode that originally aired on February 14, 2023.

Andrea Wang shares Luli and the Language of Tea , a story that reminds us that when you're looking to communicate with people, you look for a common bond.  BOOK DESCRIPTION: Luli and the Language of Tea by Andrea Wang; illustrated by Hyewon Yum   Though they may speak different languages, kids from all over the world come together to enjoy the shared pastime of tea in this delicious book for young...

Tiffany Jewell shares The Antiracist Kid , a book that teaches young children the words, language, and methods to recognize racism and injustice--and what to do when they encounter it at home, at school, and in the media they watch, play, and read. BOOK DESCRIPTION: The Antiracist Kid: A Book about Identity, Justice, and Activism by Tiffany Jewell; illustrations by Nicole Miles   From the #1 New Y...