The Book Faire Podcast

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews Stan Yan, a graphic novelist and illustrator, about his upcoming book, 'The Many Misadventures of Eugenia Wang.' They discuss the character's journey of self-discovery, the cultural expectations faced by Asian American children, and the challenges of the editorial process. Stan shares insights into the importance of representation in literature, the intersection of a...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews Erin Intrada Kelly about her new nonfiction book, 'At Last She Stood,' which tells the remarkable story of Joey Guerrero, a Filipino spy during World War II. The conversation explores themes of heroism, discrimination, and the challenges of researching and writing about lesser-known historical figures. Erin shares insights into Hansen's disease, the complexities of b...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews Varian Johnson, author of 'Little Big Man.' They discuss the themes of family dynamics, the challenges of writing for children, and the importance of empathy in storytelling. Johnson shares insights into his writing process, the business side of publishing, and how he crafts relatable characters that resonate with young readers. The conversation highlights the signif...

In this episode of the Book Faire, an interview with the author and illustrator of the Emmie & Friends series Terri Libenson. We discuss the latest book in the series, character development, themes of insecurity and growth, and the importance of diversity in children's literature. Terri shares insights into her writing process, the challenges of creating relatable characters, and the role of humor in storytelling. The conversat...

In this episode of the Book Fair podcast, I interview author and illustrator Angela Hsieh about her new book, 'Lu and Ren's Guide to Geozoology.' We discuss the creative process behind writing and illustrating a graphic novel, and the themes of expectations and growing up that resonate throughout Hsieh's work. Angela shares her inspirations from the natural world and reflects on the importance of storytelling in connecting with rea...

In this episode Anthony interviews author Sharon G. Flake about her latest book, 'The Family I'm In,' which continues the story of John John, a character from her earlier work, 'The Skin I'm In.' The conversation explores themes of character development, father-son dynamics, the role of community, and the importance of adult figures in young people's lives. Flake discusses the challenges of writing relat...

In this episode, Anthony interviews Kali Wallace, author of 'The Secrets of Underhill.' They discuss the book's themes, including environmental stewardship, the importance of community, and the interconnection between humans and nature. Callie shares her creative process in writing middle-grade fantasy, emphasizing the significance of wonder and excitement in children's literature. The conversation also touches on the complexities ...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews author Shelby Mahurin about her latest book, The Shadow Bride, which concludes the Serpent & Dove universe. They discuss character development, the exploration of tropes in fantasy literature, and the complexities of good and evil in a gothic fantasy setting. Shelby shares insights into her writing process, the challenges of portraying vampires, and the themes of...

Host Anthony interviews author Kyle Lukoff in honor of the Trans Day of Visibility. They discuss Lukoff's latest book, the importance of teaching pride to young readers, and the intersectionality in LGBTQ+ literature. Lukoff shares insights on sincerity in writing, the role of a trans adult as a role model, and the current state of reading and libraries in America. He also offers advice for aspiring writers and emphasizes the s...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast; we discuss recent children's literature releases and the implications of a new executive order affecting library funding. The episode highlights several new books aimed at young readers, emphasizing themes of adventure, self-discovery, and resilience. Additionally, we address library services, stressing the importance of libraries in communities.

New Releases:

• The House at the Edge of Mag...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews Tanisha "Tee" Moore about her new children's book, 'Wash Day Love.' The conversation explores the cultural significance of wash day in the Black community, the importance of multi-generational connections in preserving cultural heritage, and the role of representation in literature. Tanisha shares her personal experiences with hair care and how ...

For anyone at risk of self-harm, call or text 988 for the suicide and crisis hotline.

In this episode of the Book Fair podcast, host Anthony interviews Tony Keith Jr., a poet and educator, about his latest poetry collection 'Knucklehead.' They discuss the themes of joy, identity, and the power of language in affirming the experiences of young black men and boys. Tony shares insights on the therapeutic nature of poetry, the importanc...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, an interview with children's author Lana Button about her new book, 'Brianna Banana, Helper of the Day.' We discuss the character of Brianna, who is perceived as the 'bad kid' in class but is actually misunderstood and dealing with various challenges. The conversation explores themes of empathy, social-emotional learning, and the importance of children's literature i...

In this episode of the Book Faire Podcast, an interview with Sasha Payton Smith, author of The Rose Bargain, discussing themes of historical fiction, societal norms, and the impact of purity culture. The conversation explores the role of women in Victorian society, the accessibility of fantasy literature, and the importance of young adult literature in addressing complex topics. The episode also highlights recent releases in childr...

In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, Anthony discusses the ongoing battle against book bans in 2025, highlighting the implications of recent policies and actions taken by school districts and legislative bodies. The conversation delves into the impact of censorship on education, the importance of diverse voices in literature, and the legislative efforts being made to protect the freedom to read. Additionally, the episode featu...

An interview with Lauren Senner, the illustrator of 'The ABCs of Women's History.' We discuss the collaborative process behind the book, the importance of representation in children's literature, and the challenges faced by women in the publishing industry. Idaho sees the consequences of its book-banning law HB 740. Oklahoma Governor scrambles to cover the PR nightmare that is his comments on his proposed Classrooms...

A look at recent legislative threats to libraries, including bills that could lead to censorship and criminal charges for librarians. He highlights specific bills from Alabama and Ohio that target LGBTQ+ materials and restrict library content. An editorial piece on Project 2025, a conservative agenda for the Department of Education that proposes significant cuts and changes to federal education programs, raising concerns about the ...