The Children's Book Review: Growing Readers Podcast

In this insightful interview, acclaimed middle-grade author Dan Gemeinhart discusses his highly anticipated standalone companion novel Coyote Lost and Found , the follow-up to his beloved bestseller The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise . Gemeinhart reflects on the evolution of the complex relationship between his resilient protagonist Coyote and her grief-stricken father Rodeo while also explo...

In this episode, we welcome special guest Alysson Foti Borque, author of the beloved Alycat series. Alysson shares insights into the creation of her heartwarming children's books and the inspiration behind her characters. Join Bianca and Alysson as they delve into the latest addition to the series,  Alycat and the Sunday Scaries , exploring themes of friendship, bravery, and overcoming fears....

In this engaging conversation, Andrea Wang shares insights into her latest book, Summer at Squee , where she explores themes of community, identity, and inclusivity. Delve into the heart of Squee Camp, a vibrant setting where Phoenny Fang navigates friendships, cultural experiences, and her own biases. Discover the inspirations behind Andrea's storytelling, from her personal experiences at a C...

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, host Bianca Schulze welcomes the legendary author, poet, and children's book writer Jane Yolen. From discussing Yolen's daily routine of writing poetry to exploring her deep connection to literature and storytelling, this conversation is a journey into the heart and soul of a prolific writer. Yolen shares insights into her creative process, t...

Join us for a captivating exploration of Kate DiCamillo's latest literary masterpiece, Ferris . Prepare to be swept away by a heartwarming love story between a granddaughter and her grandmother, where love in all its forms intertwines with the search for light in the darkest of times. Discover how music serves as a beacon of hope in this evocative tale, where characters come to life on the pag...

In this episode, sit down with critically acclaimed author Barbara Dee to delve into her latest middle-grade novel, Unstuck . Listeners are treated to a sneak peek into this novel that follows protagonist Lyla as she grapples with anxiety, writer's block, and the pressures of meeting a writing contest deadline while trying to rescue her older sister, Dahlia, both on and off the page. Barbara D...

In this engaging podcast episode, Emma Pearl delves into the influence of children's literature and environmentalism in her work while sharing her personal journey inspired by her great uncle Roald Dahl. Highlighting the importance of children's books in fostering imagination and empathy, Emma discusses her picture books Mending the Moon and Saving the Sun , which weave themes of intergene...

Join us as we delve into the enchanting world of Magic Tree House with bestselling children's author Mary Pope Osborne and her husband, playwright Will Osborne. In this episode, we explore the journey of transforming the beloved book series into captivating stage musicals, igniting a passion for literacy and fostering growth in children. Transcription: ⁠You can read the transcription on ⁠The C...

Dive into topics of anticipation and family traditions with Jamie Lee Curtis as she discusses her latest picture book for kids, Just One More Sleep: Good Things Come to Those Who Wait ... and Wait ... and Wait. In this interview, Curtis shares the delightful inspiration behind the story, revealing the magic that happens when a chance encounter with a young neighbor sparks the creation of a charmin...

Dive into the uproarious world of Jeff Kinney, the creative force behind the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, in this upbeat podcast episode! Kinney spills the beans on how his bestselling idea sprouted from a simple journal meant to keep him on the work grind. With a staggering 275 million copies sold worldwide, the series has become a literary sensation, garnishing Kinney with a slew of well-deserve...

This episode is presented in partnership with Richard Wagner, and we embark on a delightful journey behind the scenes of a heartwarming picture book, Needles, the Forgotten Christmas Tree . Richard, the creative mind who brought this enchanting story to life, unravels the process of crafting this magical narrative, exploring the themes of perseverance and discovering beauty in the most unexpected...

This episode is presented in partnership with The Smart Aleck Press. Bianca is joined by the talented mystery writer Chris Wieland, the creative force behind the Kat Dylan Mysteries; including The Body on the Beach . Chris is known for crafting narratives that revolve around a strong girl protagonist, Kat Dylan. In this discussion, he delves into the intricacies of his storytelling process and how...

Are you ready to be inspired? Listen to Kate DiCamillo's enlightening interview on the Growing Readers Podcast. She takes us on a journey into the magical world of The Puppets of Spelhorst and shares the power of storytelling. Her childhood memories of playing with puppets are a reminder of the beauty and simplicity that can be found in our everyday lives. Her emphasis on perseverance and dedi...

In this episode of  The Growing Reader's Podcast , Abby Hanlon talks about how she infuses authentic challenges into her Dory Fantasmagory chapter books, giving little ones a taste of real life through the pages of her books. Abby Hanlon has taught creative writing and first grade in the New York City public school system. Inspired by her students' storytelling and drawings, Abby began to...

Matthew Cordell discusses the Cornbread and Poppy series. Cordell draws from his personal experiences to create playful and adventurous stories that kids will love. With Cornbread and Poppy, he focuses on building a cozy and entertaining world for beginning readers to explore. We hope you enjoy listening to this interview about his creative process! Matthew Cordell is the author and illustrator of...

Award-winning author Ellen Potter chats about her wonderful chapter book,  Squirlish: The Girl in the Tree . Get ready to laugh out loud as the story unfolds on how a girl raised by squirrels in Central Park attempts to make new human friends. Inspired by a friend raising a baby squirrel and her own life experiences, Ellen hopes readers will appreciate the value of finding one's own strengths...

Award-winning authors Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko's co-authored book  Dogtown  showcases how fiction can help instill empathy and compassion, especially in fun stories that involve animals. They discuss the immeasurable and inspiring power of literature. Their work is a testament to the fact that stories can have a meaningful impact on the human experience.  Dogtown  encourages...

Join the conversation with author Josh Funk as he discusses the unique nuances between  Dear Dragon  and  Dear Unicorn . In this lively discussion, Funk taps into the concept of duality in relationships—how a balance between positivity and negativity can facilitate growth. Discover the intricate details in the book's illustrations, and learn how asking questions and staying curious can bring c...

Get ready to be inspired by Julie Hedlund and her outstanding involvement in writing communities! In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast , she shares her research process behind her masterpiece Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Andrews . Hedlund hopes to inspire readers to learn from Andrews' hard work and celebrate their unique paths. Julie Hedlund is the award-winning childr...

Nyasha Williams discusses her mission to decolonize literature by creating books that share important information accessible for all ages. Her books, including  Ally Baby: Can Be Antiracist  and  Keep Dreaming Black Child,  emphasize the importance of taking action and being an ally while acknowledging the need for humility—the conversations her books spark can help create a more equitable world....

Get ready to be inspired as you learn about Remy Lai's creative process and the inspiration behind her latest graphic novel,  Ghost Book,  which beautifully deals with the difficult themes of death and grief in a moving and hopeful way. Remy Lai studied fine arts with a major in painting and drawing. She was born in Indonesia, grew up in Singapore, and currently lives in Brisbane, Australia, w...

Jessica Speer wrote  The Phone Book  to provide knowledge and empowerment for kids and families regarding smartphone use. The book includes quizzes, real stories, techie tidbits, and secret codes to engage readers. In this informative chat, she suggests modeling healthy tech habits, creating a tech agreement, having regular conversations about the dark side of tech, and teaching digital literacy a...

Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark are the duo behind the award-winning tri-weekly podcast  Stuff You Should Know.  They talk about how they adapted their content for their kids' book  Stuff Kids Should Know , using kid-friendly topics. They have a background in researching and writing and find a story in whatever they're talking about. The pair have been working together on the show since it beg...

Sally J. Pla discusses her novel  The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn  and describes the character of Maudie as a girl who learns resiliency in the face of life's challenges. Sally also talks about the importance of reading about characters different from oneself to broaden empathy and understanding. The themes of the book include divorce, neurodivergence, and abuse. Sally's website, No...

Carin Berger shares her love for books, childhood memories, and inspiration for her latest book, In The Night Garden . She discusses her creative process for creating collages and the impact she hopes her book will have on readers. Carin Berger is the award-winning author and illustrator of almost a dozen picture books for children, including The Little Yellow Leaf , a New York Times Best Illustra...