The Children's Book Podcast

Recorded live on the PopTop Stage at the American Library Association's annual conference, three Newbery Honorees and powerful female voices in the children's literature share the stories behind their successful and upcoming middle grade novels. Cece Bell introduces readers to SMELL MY FOOT!, the first book in her CHICK AND BRAIN series featuring a small cast of characters whose ensuing and hilarious mishaps are the result of miscommunication and misunderstanding. Kate DiCamillo shares BEVERLY, RIGHT HERE, a companion novel to RAYMIE NIGHTINGALE and LOUISIANA'S WAY HOME. In this new novel Beverly Tapinski runs away from home, but this time for good, in hopes of finding herself and a place to belong. Shannon Hale brings the newest installment of THE PRINCESS IN BLACK, a series cowritten with Dean Hale and illustrated by LeUyen Pham. The PRINCESS IN BLACK books host a diverse cast of multidimensional characters, including monsters seen beyond the binary of good or bad. You can access even more information about

Padma Venkatraman (@padmatv) shares THE BRIDGE HOME, a 2019 Global Read Aloud choice. The story centers on two sisters, Viji and Rukku, who are orphaned at the hands of an abusive father and a mother who is too afraid to leave him. Viji is the caretaker of her sister, and in no small way these girls are survivors. Padma writes from a place of experience, strength, and survival herself and she shares a sentiment on recording that I want you to listen for because I think it’s such an important and powerful phrase. About being a survivor she says, “You are not going to shape who I am.” This conversation is just for you, dear listeners. You can access even more information about this book and its author and illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. Thank you to this week's sponsors: Storyteller Academy  Bharat Babies And to the generous support from our Patrons. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Kyo Maclear and Byron Eggenschwiler (@byronegg) share OPERATIC, a graphic novel they made together. Actually, it’s more accurate to say that, as with making picture books, Kyo wrote OPERATIC’s story in words and dialogue and left space for Byron to tell the story through paneled illustrations. The story in OPERATIC centers on a girl named Charlie and her teacher’s assignment to identify a song to include in the “soundtrack of our lives”. Emile, Charlie’s classmate and, consequently, Charlie’s crush, is also searching, but not for a song. Luka has been missing from school, and no one’s quite sure why, but not many are searching on his account. And then there’s Maria Callas, renowned opera singer, who has her own story to tell. Where Kyo ties narratives together with thread, Byron maps colors to transition in and out of different stories for an effect that I felt showed great care for both the characters and the reader. You can access even more information about this book and its author and illustrator by visit

Rowboat Watkins shares MOST MARSHMALLOWS, a story about things that most marshmallows do, like celebrating birthdays and going to school. Things that most marshmallows do not do, like dreaming. And the rarely discussed things that some few marshmallows secretly know. I love how Rowboat created the art for this story and I cannot wait to try it with my students. But I also love how he makes room for his readers to dream of all the things they might accomplish, no matter who might tell them otherwise. You can access even more information about this book and its author and illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. Thank you to this week's sponsors: Storyteller Academy  Bharat Babies And to the generous support from our Patrons. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Meera Sriram (@Meeratsriram) shares her debut picture book, THE YELLOW SUITCASE. In Meera’s debut we meet Asha, who is traveling to India as she does with her family each year to visit her grandmother. But this year, they travel to mourn. Asha always brings a yellow suitcase which her grandmother fills with treats and trinkets to bring home. The suitcase in this way becomes a character in the story as well, waiting to be filled, expectant, but empty. This story is about processing loss, and I think that readers will leave grateful to have walked alongside Asha through her grieving. You can access even more information about this book and its author and illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. Thank you to this week's sponsors: Storyteller Academy  Bharat Babies And to the generous support from our Patrons. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Vincent X. Kirsch (@VincenzoXKirsch) shares HOW I LEARNED TO FALL OUT OF TREES. In Vincent’s story we meet Roger and Adelia, two best friends since forever. Adelia is helping Roger learn to climb and to fall from trees. But she’s also helping Roger learn how to let go and how to trust that you’ll be able to pick yourself up after the fall. Adelia is moving away. It’s going to be a pretty big fall in Roger’s life Vincent’s care for his characters and his approach to telling this story from two separate timelines that meet in the middle culminates in some profound moments of truth and understanding. His respect for the readers and for all it means to let go is something that I think goes right to the core, both in this story and in his upcoming FROM A TO Z. You can access even more information about this book and its author and illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. Thank you to this week's sponsors: Storyteller Academy  Bharat Babies And to the generous support from our Patrons. --- Send in a

Sarah Hoffman (@sarahhoffman101) and Ian Hoffman share JACOB'S ROOM TO CHOOSE, the follow-up to the 2014 release JACOB'S NEW DRESS. In this newest story Jacob and his friend Sophie encounter a confrontation from classmates when Jacob enters the boys restroom wearing a dress. Sophie experiences a similar issue in the girl's room and the later their teacher leads the class in a discussion over gendered spaces. Which leads me to ask... Have you met Jacob yet? Have you been invited into Ms. Reeves’ classroom? Have you experienced teachers and schools at their greatest and also at their most vulnerable? It’s a place we each encounter throughout our days, that space where we ask ourselves if we’re going to allow someone else in. Someone who maybe doesn’t look just like us or dress just like us or act just like us. But as Sarah and Ian share in our conversation, the kids are often already showing the way for us. We adults just need to watch and to listen. You can access even more information about this book and its

Kathy MacMillan (@kathys_quill), Manuela Bernardi (@the_mahnoo), and Kathrin Honesta share SHE SPOKE: 14 Women Who Raised Their Voices and Changed the World. SHE SPOKE incorporates historical recordings from women throughout history, making history through their words, ideas, and actions. And the collaboration all started 15 years ago over some Harry Potter fan fiction. A critical point my guests return to over and over is that their subjects each had someone who believed in them. When designing a book to inspire and empower young people, this is something that was kept in mind: the ability to see and to name that person in your life who believes in you. This is sometimes easier said than done, but it’s something we as adults in the lives the these young people can work to secure in and throughout their lives. I think this conversation is really going to stick with you. You can access even more information about this book and its author and illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. Thank you to

Colleen AF Venable (@colleenaf) and Ellen T. Crenshaw (@etcillustration) are the author and cartoonist, respectively, of KISS NUMBER 8, a "layered, funny, sharp-edged story of teen sexuality and family secrets". Identity, self-discovery, and safe places. This conversation and today’s book take these three themes and weave them together to create something important, something timely, something needed. You can access even more information about this book and its author and illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. Thank you to this week's sponsors: Artwalks Bharat Babies Highlights Foundation Storyteller Academy  And to the generous support from our Patrons. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

LeUyen Pham is the illustrator of over one hundred books for children. You have no doubt encountered Uyen’s work, whether through the bestselling PRINCESS IN BLACK series written by Shannon and Dean Hale, Anne Marie Pace’s VAMPIRINA BALLERINA series (which was adapted into a hit show on Disney), THE ITCHY BOOK (an Elephant & PIggie Presents title), STOP THAT YAWN! by Caron Levis, GRACE FOR PRESIDENT by Kelly DiPucchio, or any number of countless others. Uyen is constantly challenging and exploring her voice as an illustrator, giving each book its own unique look and feel in service of the story. We also talk at length about BEAR CAME ALONG, Uyen’s upcoming picture book with Richard T. Morris. The conversation will leave you with a clear sense of how Uyen’s approaches visually storytelling and how she continues to learn and grow as an artist. You can access even more information about this book and its author and illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. Thank you to this week's sponsors: Art

Nic Stone (@getnicced) shares ODD ONE OUT, a young adult novel whose story centers on the dynamic between three friends: Courtney “Coop” Cooper, Jupiter “Jupe” Charity Sanchez, and Rae Chin. Their friendships to one another are complex, at times fragile, at times exciting, and always growing and expanding outward. ODD ONE OUT breaks the love triangle archetype to offer something more real, more vulnerable. And I latched so closely onto one of the character’s experiences in the story that I ended up learning a bit about myself as well. And aren’t those the best kinds of reading experiences? You can access even more information about this book and its author and illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. Thank you to this week's sponsors: Artwalks Bharat Babies Highlights Foundation Storyteller Academy  And to the generous support from our Patrons. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Happy Teacher Appreciation week! I hope you’re sharing a whole lot of love for those individuals who work with our young minds each and every day. Schools are magical places and for many they are the source of countless formative memories in our journey of growing up and into the world. So… I recently started a new podcast with Karina Yan Glaser, New York Times bestselling author of the VANDERBEEKERS series. It’s called KIDLIT THESE DAYS, it’s produced by Book Riot, and on the show Karina and I examine the intersection between current events and children’s literature. We’re sort of your kidlit connoisseurs, shining a light on what’s going on in the world and the books that can help us navigate through it. On our most recent episode we celebrated teachers both in the classroom and in our favorite books. The episode also features an interview with Corrina Allen, host of the Books Between Podcast and a 5th grade classroom teacher in New York. I’d love for you all to go check that episode out and you can find a l

Andrea Tsurumi (@AndreaTsurumi) shares CRAB CAKE, a picture book about a cake-baking crab who does its thing among the ocean fauna, baking confections for all of the neighborhood animals. But crab's world is turned upside down when a garbage barge spills some of its load into the ocean. There’s something Andrea said in our conversation that I’m still thinking about today, weeks after we spoke and that is, “In moments of extreme calamity it is a human thing to help.” Andrea’s blend of animal facts with humor and a beckoning for her readers to look close is something that I think makes CRAB CAKE absolutely irresistible. I love her line work and especially love her handle of story, pacing, and visual storytelling. You can access even more information about this book and its author and illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. Thank you to this week's sponsors: Artwalks Bharat Babies Highlights Foundation Storyteller Academy  And to the generous support from our Patrons. --- Send in a voice message:

Victoria Jamieson (@JamiesonV), Newbery honor-winning cartoonist of ROLLER GIRL is joined by audio producers Kelly Gildea (@gildeak) and Julianna Wilson (@JuliannaNWilson) to share the process of adapting a graphic novel for the audiobook format. ROLLER GIRL tells the story of Astrid, who decides that this summer she’s going to forego the camp she’s attended year after year with her best friend in order to try out roller derby camp. The book has a ton of heart and a fair share of bangs and bruises around the derby court. The ROLLER GIRL audiobook was produced by Kelly Gildea and Julie Wilson and they each join us to share a peek behind the scenes of casting and accomplishing a graphic novel adaptation for listeners. But wait?! Doesn’t removing the visual element go against  what a graphic novel is at its core? Oh believe me, dear listener, what we discuss in terms of serving the listeners and expanding access in this conversation is just awesome! You can access even more information about this book and its au

Linda Sue Park (@LindaSuePark), Newbery Medal-winning author of A SINGLE SHARD shares her new picture book, GONDRA’S TREASURE. The story centers on a dragon whose mom’s family comes from the West and while dad’s family comes from the East. Gondra, like many children, is curious and open to her world and everything in it. She finds strength in all facets of her mixed race family and what I found reading the story was a strength in the definition of family, itself. Which is to say that this story has everything to do with belonging, ancestry, asking big questions, and discovering how you tell the story of your family. You can access even more information about this book and its author and illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. Thank you to this week's sponsors: Artwalks Bharat Babies Highlights Foundation Storyteller Academy  And to the generous support from our Patrons. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Breanna J. McDaniel (@readwellbewell) shares HANDS UP!, new picture book reframes the emotionally charged phrase by following a child throughout her morning, her family time, and her time in the community. There is intergenerational support illustrated throughout HANDS UP! and as I’ve been reading it aloud to children I am so in awe of how their eyes light up with each page turn, basking in the beautiful illustrations created by Shane W. Evans. Today I am feeling so, so grateful not only because I get to share this book and this conversation with you, but also because this book is out in the world, perhaps already being loved in your home or your classroom or library. You can access even more information about this book and its author and illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. Thank you to this week's sponsors: Artwalks Bharat Babies Highlights Foundation Storyteller Academy  And to the generous support from our Patrons. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/me

Melanie Gillman shares AS THE CROW FLIES, a graphic novel following a group of queer teens who meet while stuck on a week-long Christian youth camp backpacking trip. AS THE CROW FLIES is a full-color, hand drawn webcomic that was published as a print volume in 2017 from generous Kickstarter backing. Melanie is an American queer non-binary cartoonist, illustrator, and lecturer, specializing in LGBTQ comics for Young Adult readers. Their award-winning comic has been recognized widely, receiving an Ignatz, an Eisner, the Society of Illustrators gold medal, and was named a Stonewall Honor by the American Library Association. You can access even more information about this book and its author and illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. Thank you to this week's sponsors: Artwalks Bharat Babies Little Feminist Book Club Storyteller Academy  And to the generous support from our Patrons. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Nidhi Chanani (@nidhiart) shares SHUBH RAATRI DOST/GOOD NIGHT FRIEND, a new board book in which two children say goodnight in both Hindi and Engilsh to all of the animals in their Indian farm home. There’s an intimacy to sharing this moment with the characters in the book, as the sun goes down and as each goodnight offered is accompanied by thankfulness to what gift the object has given the children. Nidhi shares at one moment in our conversation the sentiment that caring for one another can look like sharing with someone or something and noticing when they are sharing with you. You can access even more information about this book and its author and illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. Thank you to this week's sponsors: Artwalks Bharat Babies Little Feminist Book Club Storyteller Academy  And to the generous support from our Patrons. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Hayley Barrett (@hayleybwrites) and Juana Martinez-Neal (@juanamartinez) are the author and the illustrator of BABYMOON, a new picture book about that period just after a baby is born, when time is intentionally set aside for a new family to rest and to fall in love together. The experience of motherhood is complex and our guests talk about their memories of wanting to do it all just right or perfect for their children. You can access even more information about this book and its author and illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

A number of you have asked about plans to celebrate the 500th episode and, the truth is, you’re all part of the plan. I end every episode of the show by asking guests, “I’ll see a library full of children tomorrow morning. Is there a message I can bring to them from you?” And as most of you know, I really do see a library full of children each day. Actually, it’s a school of about 600. Located just west of Baltimore. These students are on my mind with every single interview I record, and so I thought I’d use this milestone to center them a little more. I would love to give each of our students a book and a message. Maybe you’re an author or illustrator and you have a book of your own you want to share. Maybe you’re a teacher or a librarian or a parent and you have a favorite book you think a child would love. In celebration of 500 episodes of The Children’s Book Podcast, I’m asking you to consider sending a message in a book to my students. My hope is that over the course of a month we’ll gather 500 books or