Kidlit Love: Conversations with Picture Book, Middle Grade and YA Authors
This podcast celebrates all things children's literature for the adult reading to their inner child AND connecting the young readers in their lives with books. Each week, I host bookish conversations with children's literature authors to learn about their backstory, their journey to writing, their books and their hopes for readers. This podcast is for you if you love reading children's literature, are an educator or librarian looking for books to share with students or are a caregiver finding new titles to share with loved ones.
Episodes
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Alison Green Myers about her newest middle grade novel: THIS WAY TO HAPPY.
This is a heartwarming novel about loss, friendship and the many paths we take to create happiness set at a family amusement park. I hugged the book when I was finished and I did not want to let it go.
Come listen as we talk about the inspiration for the book (that could be seen as 47 years in the m...
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Holly Goldberg Sloan about her newest middle grade novel: FINDING LOST.
In this book, readers meet Cordy, a girl who is grieving the loss of her father when a scrappy dog wanders into her life, a dog she names Lost.
Come listen as we talk about Holly’s background in film and television, the character-driven way she starts her stories, her personal connections to the book a...
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Kristen Remenar about her newest picture book release: OWL’S FALL FEAST FIASCO.
This is a delightful book about planning a Fall Feast and learning about our friends in the process. It’s for both young readers and old and is perfect to read at this seasonal time of the year.
Come listen as we talk about how Kristen’s birthday sparked the idea for the first book in her pictur...
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Sarah Scheerger about her newest picture book: DUDE, BE NICE.
This book was inspired by the real-life Dude. Be Nice. project and follows an adorable bear named Dude who thinks he is the nicest bear in town, but quickly learns that sometimes, the nicest thing a person can do is ask if and how a person wants to be helped.
Come listen as we talk about Sarah’s love of story tha...
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Rachel Rene Russell and Nikki Russell, the mother-daughter, author-illustrator team behind the newest full-color release in their DORK DIARIES series: TALES FROM A NOT SO FABULOUS LIFE.
This series follows Nikki Maxwell as she chronicles her life through text and art: her move to a new school, her battles with Queen Bee Makenzie and her zany adventures with her two BFF’s.
...
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Megan Litwin about her newest picture book: GATHER GRATEFUL.
This is a stunning picture book that welcomes the arrival of Fall in a season of community and Thanksgiving. The rhymes will captivate you and the incredible illustrations will have you feeling grateful, warm and cozy.
Come listen as we talk about the pivotal moments in Megan’s writing career, the one word that pl...
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt about her newest picture book: KAT & BRANDY.
This is a delightfully inspiring, empowering and heartwarming tale about the powerful connection between animals and humans and the enduring friendships that can change a child’s life.
Come listen as we talk about the personal connections from Katherine’s childhood found in the pages, the incre...
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Tara J. Hannon about her newest illustrated chapter book releases: THE ONLY GHOST IN SCHOOL & THE ONLY GHOST AT SUMMER CAMP.
These titles are the first two books in Tara’s new illustrated chapter book series that highlight themes of friendship, belonging, communication and overcoming differences. They are full of delightful illustrations and color and are sure to captu...
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Aaron Reynolds about the first book in his new middle grade series: JASPER RABBIT’S CREEPY TALES: TROUBLING TONSILS.
In this illustrated chapter book series, readers are reunited with Jasper Rabbit as he narrates a new set of creepy tales. In TROUBLING TONSILS, Charlie Marmot needs to have his infected tonsils removed, but creepiness sets in on the day of the surgery when ...
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Rebecca Danzenbaker about her debut young adult novel: SOULMATCH.
In this book, readers enter a world where past lives determine their future and meet Sivon, a sharp-witted girl who confronts a major twist of destiny. This young adult speculative romance will have you enthralled on every single page, I promise.
Come listen as we talk about how Rebecca’s varied career led h...
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Laura Murray about her newest early reader graphic novel: THE GINGERBREAD MAN: NEW FRIEND ON THE LOOSE.
In this delightful early graphic novel, the Gingerbread Man bakes a new cookie friend who takes a class on a bit of an adventure. This book, along with all of the other books in the series, are inviting, packed with action and learning and are completely full of fun.
Com...
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Ana Siqueira about her newest picture book: STICKY HERMANA.
This picture book is a fun read aloud that features the ups and downs of sibling love that’s full of humor, heart and Spanish, too.
Come listen as we talk about Ana’s journey through children’s literature, the real-life inspiration behind her new picture book and the inspiring advice she has for others who want to...
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Cristina Oxtra about her debut picture book: WHAT LOLO WANTS.
In this heartwarming story, a girl and her grandfather share a love beyond words. It’s sweet, it’s moving and it’s a wonderful conversation starter about how to navigate through family changes by continuing to care and connect.
Come listen as we talk about how Cristina found her reading and writing roots in Sesa...
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Shannon Hale and Marcela Cespedes about their middle grade collaboration: DREAM ON.
This middle grade graphic novel explores family dynamics and financial pressures along with high sensitivity and big emotions.
Come listen as we talk about how this collaboration came to be, the pieces of both of them that are on the page (and me…and likely you, too!), the reason why Marcel...
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Jeanne Birdsall about her newest middle grade rom-com: THE LIBRARY OF UNRULY TREASURES.
This book is a love letter to libraries, magic, family, friendship and adventure wrapped around the love of a particular library. It’s simply delightful.
Come listen as we talk about Jeanne’s journey into children’s literature, her love of research into the real and imaginary, the respit...
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Emma Otheguy about her middle grade fantasy novel: COUSINS IN THE TIME OF MAGIC.
In this book, three cousins get transported back to 1862 to play an important role in The Battle of Puebla, the reason we celebrate Cinco de Mayo today. This enchanting middle grade fantasy adventure will teach you a thing or two and give you a new family to root for, too.
Come listen as we tal...
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with show designer Kat Maconie about her debut picture book: WHAT KIND OF SHOES DOES A HIPPOPOTAMUS CHOOSE?
This whimsical picture book celebrates different kinds of animals and the different kinds of shoes they wear. It’s fun, a delight to read and will likely spark creativity and conversation around our own shoe choices.
Come listen as we talk about Kat’s brightly colored jour...
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Brian Selznick about his newest young adult novel: RUN AWAY WITH ME.
This is a profoundly romantic novel set in Rome that blends words with pictures for an immersive and emotional experience. It has a strong sense of place and you’ll be whisked off to Rome without ever leaving your living room.
Come listen as we talk about his unique storytelling format that beautifully bl...
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Gaia Cornwall about her newest picture book: FAIRY WALK.
In this beautiful picture book, readers meet a trio of kids and their loyal doggy compassion as they head off into the wild woods in search of fairies.
Come listen as we talk about the meandering path Gaia took to writing, the game-changing marshmallow analogy that could change the game for aspiring authors, the impo...
On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Bill Wood about his debut young adult novel: LET’S SPLIT UP.
This electrifying tale of four friends determined to hunt the killer ravaging their idyllic small town will have you on the edge of your seat. And if that is not your cup of team, don’t worry, there’s something for everyone here including a deep story of friendship and even a bit of romance, too.
Come listen as we...
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