An Interview with Terri Libenson | The Book Faire: May 1, 2025

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 conversation highlights the significance of navigating friendships and the complexities of middle school life, all while making readers laugh and feel connected. News includes LGBTQ+ books being heard by the Supreme Court, a local book shop launches a campaign against book bans, and an Alabama library decides

New Releases:

• Are You a Friend of Dorothy? The True Story of an Imaginary Woman and the Real People She Helped by Kyle Lukoff and illustrated by Levi Hastings
• Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown by Candace Fleming
• Dreamslinger (Slinger #1) by Graci Kim
• The Girl Who Was Too Big for the Page written and illustrated by Geena Davis
• What Comes After by Katie Bayerl

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest

01:11 Exploring the Emmy and Friends Series

03:06 Character Development: Emmie and Joe

05:09 Navigating Middle School Challenges

07:03 Themes of Growth and Self-Discovery

09:13 Understanding Characters Beyond the Surface

11:30 Creating Diverse Characters

13:27 The Role of Setting in Storytelling

15:45 Writing Humor in a Modern Context

18:43 Joe's Journey to Self-Expression

20:40 Visual Storytelling and Humor

24:59 New Releases

34:13 Headlines