The Children's Book Review: Growing Readers Podcast

In this episode, I talk with the debut author of The Wolf's Curse , Jessica Vitalis. Narrated in a voice reminiscent of The Book Thief , this fast-paced adventure is perfect for fans of fantasy such as  The Girl Who Drank the Moon  and A Wish in the Dark . We discuss The Wolf's Curse , an adventure that tackles heavy themes like death, grief, tradition, and community while ultimately pro...

In this episode, I talk with Beth Ferry, the author of several picture books, including the NYT -bestselling picture book Stick and Stone (2015), illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. She lives with her husband and three children by the beach in New Jersey, where she loves to wander, explore and mainly laze on the shore, but only in the summer. She says: Words, to me, are like bees and butterflies, buzz...

In this episode, I talk with Sophie Blackall, the two-time Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator of over forty books, including The Baby Tree , Hello Lighthouse , Finding Winnie (by Lindsay Mattick), A Voyage in the Clouds (by Matthew Olshan), Pecan Pie Baby (by Jacqueline Woodson), Big Red Lollipop (by Rukhsana Khan), and the Ivy and Bean series (by Annie Barrows). Her many honors include a BCCB Bl...

In this episode, I talk with Bianca Schulze about her latest picture book, Just Be Yourself, Dragon , the third book in a delightfully fun series, Dragon is nervous about her first day of school! Bianca is the author of Don’t Wake the Dragon and Who Loves the Dragon? and the founder and editor of The Children’s Books Review—a resource devoted to children’s literature and literacy. She is also...

In this episode of the Growing Readers Podcast, I talk with author and children's librarian Lydia M. Sigwarth about her debut picture book Dear Librarian , a "thank you" to anyone who has offered a child love and support during a difficult time. Wisconsin librarian Lydia is working her dream job of talking books with budding bookworms. Dear Librarian is her debut picture book that covers her perso...

In this episode of the Growing Readers Podcast, I talk with Sharice Davids, one of the first Native American women elected to Congress, and the first LGBTQ congressperson to represent Kansas. We discuss her picture book autobiography Sharice's Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman. When Sharice Davids was young, she never thought she’d be in Congress. And she never thought she’d be one o...

Edición especial en español En este episodio del Growing Readers podcast, hablo con la increíble y galardonada autora e ilustradora Juana Martinez-Neal. Hablamos sobre La selva de Zonia, un libro ilustrado que es visualmente impresionante y que ilumina el día de juegos y aventuras de una niña en la exuberante selva tropical de Perú. Solicite una copia de La selva de Zonia a través de Bookshop.org...

In this episode of the Growing Readers Podcast, I talk with the absolutely incredible, award-winning author-illustrator Juana Martinez-Neal. We discuss the heartfelt, visually stunning picture book Zonia’s Rain Forest, which illuminates a young girl’s day of play and adventure in the lush rain forest of Peru. Juana Martinez-Neal is one of my all-time favorite illustrators. We talk  about the...

Inspired by a story their daughter wrote,  Hudson and Tallulah Take Sides was written in 2016-2017 when the US suddenly felt very divided and  polarized—even among neighbors, friends, and within families. The pair  have created a book for children that addresses this animosity.  Not  only is it a delightful story, but it will help initiate conversations  with our kidd...

In this episode of the Growing Readers Podcast , I talk with author Rajani LaRocca about Bracelets for Bina's Brothers , a picture book that celebrates diversity, math, and the power of storytelling! Rajani LaRocca has burst into the world of children's books with a bunch  of incredible titles and there are many more on the way. Born in India,  raised in Kentucky, she now lives in Boston...

In this episode of the Growing Readers Podcast , I talk with debut author Jasmine A. Stirling about A Most Clever Girl: How Jane Austen Discovered Her Voice , a picture book biography about the beloved and enduring writer and how she found her unique voice. This conversation with Jasmine is equally as inspiring as it is empowering. You'll very quickly realize that her knowledge of Jane Austen is e...

In this episode of the Growing Readers Podcast , I talk with bestselling superstar duo Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham about Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn , a delightful kitty and unicorn story that celebrates the magic of friendship—and being exactly who you want to be! Is there anything that this pair of incredible women cannot do? Besides the multitude of books they have created individually, they have co...

In this episode, Peter Sís and I talk about 'Nicky & Vera,' an incredibly poignant story of a quiet hero and the resilience of a young child of the Holocaust. We never intended to turn this over-the-phone chat about  Nicky & Vera  into a podcast, but it begged to be shared. We talk about what it means to be a hero, the research and history behind his new book, creating art during...