The Children's Book Podcast

Natasha Khan Kazi, author illustrator of Bela and Lily (Kokila), joins Matthew to talk about bravery through being a multi-language learner.   Visit Natasha Khan Kazi online at natashakhankazi.com   Other helpful links: Natasha Khan Kazi at the Highlights Foundation Muslim Storytellers Fellows - The Highlights Foundation is proud to announce the cohort of storytellers selected for a two-year fello...

Tami Charles, author of Remember Her Name!: Debbie Allen's Rise to Fame (Charlesbridge), illustrated by Meredith Lucius, shares what is giving her hope today: the resilience of children's dreams.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.       For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and...

Hannah V. Sawyerr, author of Truth Is: A Novel in Verse (Amulet Books), joins Matthew to talk about making a decision that belongs to you.   Visit Hannah V. Sawyerr online at hannahsawyerr.com   Other helpful links: Hannah V. Sawyerr at the Highlights Foundation     For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on th...

Heidi E.Y. Stemple, author of The Avian Adventurers #1: Snowy Owl Rescue; Raptor Recovery (Charlesbridge Moves), illustrated by Natasha Donovan, shares what is giving her hope today:  the curious, hope-filled readers with wide open minds who are building a foundation of compassion and service.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to...

Katie Yamasaki, author illustrator of Mural Island (Norton Young Readers), joins Matthew to talk about building upon the tradition of making public art through relentless expression.   Visit Katie Yamasaki online at www.katieyamasaki.com   For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.  ...

Jane Yolen and Peter Tacy, co-authors of Gracie Feeds the Birds (Magination Press), illustrated by Frances Ives, share what is giving them hope today: the readiness to hope and to be grateful.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.       For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and mor...

Crystal Allen, author of Between Two Brothers (Storytide), joins Matthew to talk about figuring out your truth while not knowing how to feel.   Visit Crystal Allen online at crystalallenbooks.com   Other helpful links: Crystal Allen at the Highlights Foundation   Crystal Allen: Do Something With It - When Crystal Allen received a scholarship and attended her first workshop with the Highlights Foun...

Ann Hazzard, PhD, Marianne Celano, PhD, and Marietta Collins, PhD, co-authors of Something Happened to Our Mom:  A Story about Parental Addiction (Magination Press), illustrated by Rita Tan, share what is giving them hope today: finding hope and inspiration in those moments of connection with one another, especially with kids.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my fr...

Diana Rodriguez Wallach, author of The Silenced (Delacorte Press), joins Matthew to talk about reading through a different cultural lens.   Visit Diana Rodriguez Wallach online at dianarodriguezwallach.com   Other helpful links: Diana Rodriguez Wallach at the Highlights Foundation   Whole Novel Genre: An Online Course for Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror, & Beyond - This online program in particular is for...

Jen Barton, author of Forest Bath (Magination Press), illustrated by Felishia Henditirto, shares what is giving her hope today: the resilience of nature.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.       For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Ch...

Pam Muñoz Ryan, author of El Niño (Scholastic Press), joins Matthew to talk about story ideas as a confluence of rivers leading its author to a narrative.   Visit Pam Muñoz Ryan online at www.pammunozryan.com   For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.   Learn more about the Highlig...

Tami Charles, author of Together, United (Orchard Books), illustrated by Bryan Collier, shares what is giving her hope today: that children are already leading the way. And that if we follow their lead, there's so much light ahead.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.       For a full transcr...

Daniel Nayeri, author of The Teacher of Nomad Land (Levine Querido), joins Matthew to talk about the utility of beauty in our lives.   Visit Daniel Nayeri online at www.danielnayeri.com   For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.   Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and thei...

Ruth Spiro, author of How to Explain Climate Science to a Grown-Up (Charlesbridge), illustrated by Teresa Martinez, shares what is giving her hope today: looking around her community, finding a project that's meaningful, and getting to work.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.       For a fu...

George Jreije, author of Bashir Boutros and the Jewel of the Nile (HarperCollins) , joins Matthew to talk about trying to inhabit the voice of someone to whom he wouldn't have otherwise related.   Visit George Jreije online at www.georgejreije.com   Other helpful links: George Jreije at the Highlights Foundation   Successful School Visits for Authors and Illustrators: An Online Course - Develop yo...

Claire A. B. Freeland, co-author of Making Sense of Your Senses: How Your Brain Perceives the World (Magination Press), with Jacqueline B. Toner and illustrated by Katarina Gasko, shares what is giving her hope today: communities working together to make a difference.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them...

Cordelia Jensen, author of Lilac and the Switchback (Holiday House), joins Matthew to talk about belonging, change, and always keeping in mind that you're writing a story.   Visit Cordelia Jensen online at www.cordeliajensen.com   Other helpful links: Cordelia Jensen at the Highlights Foundation   Revising Your Novel in Verse: An Online Course - Ready to refine your verse novel? Join award-winning...

Kara Mitchell, author illustrator of Catching Kindness (Magination Press), shares what is giving her hope today: so many things. A new week with a new sketchbook. Libraries and new friends. Community and singing. Hugs that get us through the week.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.       Fo...

Daria Peoples, author illustrator of Be the Light: How She Became Angela Davis (Greenwillow Books), joins Matthew to talk about the hurt and pain of not being accepted.   Visit Daria Peoples online at www.dariapeoples.com   Other helpful links: Daria Peoples at the Highlights Foundation   Just Do It!: Your Collaborative Support Group for Finishing Your Draft (Fall) - This supportive program takes...

Merriam Sarcia Saunders, author of You Can Say Hi with Only a Smile (Magination Press), illustrated by Tracy Nishimura Bishop, shares what is giving her hope today: children are paying attention to each other. Not to the noise or the division, but each other.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope tod...

Tiffany D. Jackson, author of Blood in the Water (Scholastic Press), joins Matthew to talk about maturing a little faster when the environment calls for it.   Visit Tiffany D. Jackson online at www.writeinbk.com   For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.   Learn more about the High...

Shana Keller, author of CeeCee: Underground Railroad Cinderella (Charlesbridge), illustrated by Laura Freeman, shares what is giving her hope today: dreaming. When our dreams speak to us in our darkest hour, they are louder than our fears.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.       For a full...

Jas Hammonds, author of Thirsty (Roaring Brook Press), joins Matthew to talk about coming to terms with dependence and their experience of everything being fine until it wasn't.   Visit Jas Hammonds online at jashammonds.com   Other helpful links: Jas Hammonds at the Highlights Foundation   Black Voices: An In-Community Retreat for Storytellers - In-Person | Essential Conversations, In-Community R...

Michael Genhart, author of Edie for Equality: Edie Windsor Stands Up for Love  (Lee & Low Books), illustrated by Cheryl Thuesday, shares what is giving him hope today: curious kids. They want to know more. They want to understand. And they want to help correct what feels so wrong.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what i...

Grace Lin, author and illustrator of The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers), joins Matthew to talk about a storyteller's responsibility to use whatever the story asks for.   Visit Grace Lin online at gracelin.com   Other helpful links: Grace Lin at the Highlights Foundation   Asian American Voices at the Highlights Foundation (homepage)   For a full transcript,...