The Children's Book Podcast

Yesenia Moises shares STELLA’s STELLAR HAIR, her debut picture book as both author and illustrator. There has been a surge of wonderful picture books featuring Black girls and boys and centering on hair thanks, in part, to the natural hair movement. Yesenia takes the topic interplanetary with, in her words, “big hair and bright colors”. The story is inspired by Yesenia’s own hair journey and centers on Stella, a young girl preparing for the Big Star Little Gala who visits her aunts on each of the different planets in order to try out their suggestions for how she should style her hair. This book is absolutely a delight for the eyes and one that had me smiling page after page. I know your readers are going to love it up a whole lot as well! You can access even more information about this book and its author by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/blog. Get a copy of this book and support independent bookstores (and this podcast) by visiting our BookShop Store. Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/matthewcwinner or

Lamar Giles shares the LEGENDARY ALSTON BOYS ADVENTURES and THE LAST MIRROR ON THE LEFT, the most recent book in the series. I connected hard with the Alston Boys and am all-in for every page turn with Otto and Sheed and the memorable cast of characters that seem to threaten the very existence of time itself at every turn. Each book passes at breakneck speed and the stories, akin to what would happen if The Hardy Boys series crashed into The Phantom Tollbooth, remind readers that the small things you do can have a big affect on your future. You can access even more information about this book and its author by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/blog. Get a copy of this book and support independent bookstores (and this podcast) by visiting our BookShop Store. Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/matthewcwinner or on Paypal at paypal.me/childrensbkpod --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Michelle Meadows and Ebony Glenn share FLYING HIGH: THE STORY OF GYMNASTICS CHAMPION SIMONE BILES. Michelle’s skill at crafting detailed and engaging biographies for the very young in rhythmic, rhyming text is perfectly paired with Ebony’s caring touch in bringing important individuals and their lives to life on the page. Michelle talks in our conversation about the music of language and how Simone Biles was, as Michelle puts it, an individual whom you could not help but look at as she took to the mats. Simone’s is a story of family love, facing obstacles, and facing hardships. There’s much for young readers to draw inspiration from and FLYING HIGH makes that information readily accessible and inviting to return to over and over. You can access even more information about this book and its author by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/blog. Get a copy of this book and support independent bookstores (and this podcast) by visiting our BookShop Store. Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/matthewcwinner or on Paypal

Cathy Camper shares TEN WAYS TO HEAR SNOW, her debut picture book illustrated by Kenard Pak. A child named Lina heads out across a newly snow-laden neighborhood to visit her grandmother at an assisted living home and notes the sounds of snow along the way. Lina prepares grape leaves with her grandmother, as is a tradition and bond in their relationship, but her grandmother is also losing her eyesight, and so the child wants to make sure she collects as much of the snow through memory or experience as she can. Cathy’s best known for her LOWRIDERS graphic novel series. In her debut picture book, she attempts to capture the feeling that perhaps you have experienced too, of waking up in the morning and seeing that the whole world has changed. Cathy also wanted to tie her Arab-American and midwest roots into this story, centering Arab-American kids just doing regular stuff, but also in a very deliberate setting of a midwest neighborhood as a means of breaking stereotypes for readers who may have a different idea i

Victoria Bond shares ZORA & ME: THE SUMMONER, the 3rd and final book in the ZORA & ME trilogy, co-authored by T.R. Simon and winner of the Coretta Scott King Award. Victoria shares about starting with children at their beginnings because, as she puts it, there’s “no better time to meet a reader than at the very beginning.” The books in the ZORA & ME series center on the imagined childhood of Harlem Renaissance luminary Zora Neal Hurston, author of THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD. Each of the novels takes place in Eatonville, FL, one of the first all-black incorporated towns in the nation. And in this story, Victoria asks herself how the town could get someone elected to a position that seems so unbelievable and, ultimately, leads to Zora leaving town. I was so grateful for this connection with Victoria. She feels like a kindred soul and I very much hope our paths cross again. For now, we have this truly exceptional book series to keep us good company. You can access even more information about this b

Meg Medina shares EVELYN DEL REY IS MOVING AWAY, illustrated by Sonia Sanchez. Meg has written many, many beautiful books, but this latest picture book is one that really moved me in a way I wasn’t prepared for. In EVELYN DEL REY IS MOVING AWAY we meet two friends making the very most of their last playdate together. It’s every bit as wonderful as you could imagine, beautifully rendered in illustrations by Sonia Sanchez. The pang of falling in best friend love only to have to say goodbye is a feeling I hope not many of you have had to suffer, but it is one told with poetic honesty in the pages of this story. Meg also takes a moment to share a preview of MERCI SUAREZ CAN’T DANCE, the sequel to the Newbery award-winning MERCI SUAREZ CHANGES GEARS. All of these stories of moments and experiences that become part of who we become. Oh, I’m so excited for you to hear this conversation! You can access even more information about this book and its author by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/blog. Get a copy of this boo

KA Holt shares BENBEE AND THE TEACHER GRIEFER. KA’s first book in the KIDS UNDER THE STAIRS series introduces readers to Ben B., Ben Y., Javier, and Jordan, four children forced to take a summer school class in order to improve their scores on the state assessment. It’s a story about learning how to exist together and also one about learning how not to censor yourself. KA pours a lot of heart into this story in order to bring us close to a group of kids who, in my opinion, don’t get seen often enough in schools. As you might guess, I saw a lot of my students in this book, their interests, their friendships, and the way they fight to be seen day after day, even when they might not feel like they’re seen. As for Ben B., Ben Y., Javier, and Jordan, they have a lot more story to tell and I’m so glad that KA is working to help them tell it. You can access even more information about this book and its author by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/blog. Get a copy of this book and support independent bookstores (and thi

Marilyn Singer shares WAYS TO SAY I LOVE YOU, illustrated by Alette Straathof. WAYS TO SAY I LOVE YOU is a beautiful, inclusive story about animals courting and finding their mate. And it's about humans doing the same. Do you know that experience of picking up a book unsure of what to expect, only to end up talking and talking and talking to your friend about it? And all the while your friend says “I know, right? I KNOW, right?!” Well, WAYS TO SAY I LOVE YOU happens to be one of those books to me, and my good pal Mel Schuit happens to be one of those friends. Marilyn and I talk as if two long-separated friends with a lifetime of stories with which to catch up. I have known and loved her reverso poems including MIRROR, MIRROR since my very first year in the library. It’s quite possible that this invented poetic form gave rise to me writing poetry myself. All told, this conversation around this particular book feels like one that was a long time in the making and I’m so glad that it all happened just when it di

Wendell Minor shares SOUTHWEST SUNRISE, a new picture book written by Nikki Grimes. Wendell has worked on many widely recognized books and is a longtime collaborator with several prolific authors, including Jean Craighead George, author of JULIE AND THE WOLVES, Robert Burleigh, author of TINY BIRD: A HUMMINGBIRD’S AMAZING JOURNEY, and Brenda Peterson, author of WILD ORCA. What Wendell brings to SOUTHWEST SUNRISE is a lifetime of experience as an artist and as a resident of the world and of nature. We talked about the land of enchantment and of the feeling of vibration or energy whenever Wendell is there. I felt my heart sway at his mention of feeling small under such a big sky. I hope this conversation, listener, transports you as well. You can access even more information about this book and its author by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/blog. Get a copy of this book and support independent bookstores (and this podcast) by visiting our BookShop Store. Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/matthewcwinner   Than

Christopher Paul Curtis shares THE WATSON GO TO BIRMINGHAM - 1963, celebrating its 25th anniversary. Christopher Paul Curtis is the author of many widely-loved and critically-acclaimed books including BUD, NOT BUDDY (Newbery winner and the Coretta Scott King winner), THE WATSONS GO TO BIRMINGHAM - 1963 (Newbery honor and Coretta Scott King honor), and ELIJAH OF BUXTON (Newbery honor and Coretta Scott King winner). THE WATSON GO TO BIRMINGHAM - 1963 was Christopher’s debut middle grade novel. Christopher and I hopped on the phone to talk about his time working at the automobile factory in Flint, MI, his choice to write an adult story narrated by a 10-year-old, and the real life experiences that made their way into the book. Plus, if you have not yet had the pleasure of meeting Christopher Paul Curtis, I think you’re going to feel immediately at home and in good company with Christopher. I personally didn’t want this conversation to end.   You can access even more information about this book and its author by v

Arthur A. Levine shares THE HANUKKAH MAGIC OF NATE GADOL, illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. When Arthur and I last spoke at ALA midwinter 2020 in Philadelphia, it was to launch Levine Querido, the independent publisher bearing his surname. THE HANUKKAH MAGIC OF NATE GADOL is a new picture book that introduces readers to Nate Gadol, a Hanukkah spirit who can make anything last as long as it is needed. It’s an exquisite story told best by Arthur himself, so I won’t waste another moment. A quick note just to say that Arthur was driving while we spoke. You’ll notice it in his audio track and I didn’t want it to catch you off guard.   You can access even more information about this book and its author by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/blog.   Get a copy of this book and support independent bookstores (and this podcast) by visiting our BookShop Store.   Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/matthewcwinner   Thank you to this week's sponsors: TeachingBooks.net Professor Bookworm (offer code CHILDRENS20) Libro.fm (offer c

Jelani Memory and company share titles from A KIDS BOOK ABOUT. Jelani is the founder of A KIDS BOOK ABOUT, an innovative company bringing difficult conversations to readers through lived experiences and #ownvoices. Taking on such topics as racism, divorce, failure, and belonging, A KIDS BOOK ABOUT is doing something different in the children’s book market and the impact these books are making on readers and reading communities, as I’ve experienced firsthand, is powerful. Today you’ll hear ten different voices representing ten different topics addressed in the A KIDS BOOK ABOUT series, why each author wrote their book, and what advice they would share to their childhood selves if given the chance. We’ll hear about RACISM from Jelani Memory, DIVORCE from Ashley Simpo, BELONGING from Kevin Carroll, EMOTIONS from Nakita Simpson, ADVENTURE from Ben Tertin, FAILURE from Dr. Laymon Hicks, FEMINISM from Emma Mcilroy, DISABILITIES from Kristine Napper, SHAME from Jamie Letourneau, and EMPATHY from Daron K. Roberts. Yo

Oliver Jeffers shares WHAT WE'LL BUILD. In many ways it is a love letter to his daughter about our future together, in relationship with one another, and all that our collective knowledge and collective experience will do to help move us forward. Oliver notes in our conversation that “all art is reactionary”, and we spend time in this conversation noticing details that appeared and reappeared in his art, what some of those details or characters mean, and what it means to take note of who or what’s around you, whether or not you fully understand why.   You can access even more information about this book and its author by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/blog.   Get a copy of this book and support independent bookstores (and this podcast) by visiting our BookShop Store.   Thank you to this week's sponsor: Bookclub (Patreon) Libro.fm And to the generous support from our Patrons. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Connie Schofield-Morrison and Frank Morrison share I GOT THE SCHOOL SPIRIT. This book and others in the series star a spirited girl named Miraculous and her luminous ability to bring joy, space, and light into wherever she is. It won’t surprise you to know that Connie and Frank are much the same as their lead character. Truly, I feel blessed just to have spent time in conversation with them. And now that I get to share this conversation with you I am absolutely all smiles. Enjoy in a very big way.   You can access even more information about this book and its author by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/blog.   Get a copy of this book and support independent bookstores (and this podcast) by visiting our BookShop Store.   Thank you to this week's sponsor: Bookclub (Patreon) Libro.fm And to the generous support from our Patrons. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Varian Johnson and Shannon Wright share TWINS, an all new middle grade graphic novel. It’s fair to say that both Varian and Shannon put a lot of themselves into making this comic, but what surprised me most was how much of all of us are in these panels. Twins Maureen and Francine are off to middle school and Fran has had just about enough of always being mistaken for her sister. So she sets out to carve her own path. Unfortunately there’s collateral damage to making such big attempts and it sets the girls as literal opponents in the race for class president. You and your readers are gonna love this one a whole lot!   You can access even more information about this book and its author by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/blog.   Get a copy of this book and support independent bookstores (and this podcast) by visiting our BookShop Store.   Thank you to this week's sponsor: Bookclub (Patreon) Libro.fm And to the generous support from our Patrons. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcas

Thrity Umrigar shares SUGAR IN MILK and BINNY’S DIWALI. These books represent two different strands of Thrity's life this year, as she puts it. Artist Khoa Le lends exquisite illustrations to SUGAR IN MILK to tell a story within a story of a girl who has recently immigrated to America and struggles to feel she belongs. The girl’s auntie comforts her with the timeless tale of an Indian king, a group of Persian refugees, and a full glass of milk. BINNY’S DIWALI is a celebration in lights and community, brought vibrantly to the page with the help of Nidhi Chanani’s colorful art.   You can access even more information about this book and its author by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/blog. Get a copy of this book and support independent bookstores (and this podcast) by visiting our BookShop Store.   Thank you to this week's sponsor: Bookclub (Patreon) Libro.fm And to the generous support from our Patrons. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Zetta Elliott shares A PLACE INSIDE OF ME. Zetta is a force on this earth and I had the good great fortune to connect with her to discuss A PLACE INSIDE OF ME, her new picture book illustrated by Noa Denmon. Zetta’s passion for writing as both a space for growth and for taking risks has led to her having more than a few really great stories to tell, and more than a few friends readily volunteering her name as a truthsayer and a beacon of light. In A PLACE INSIDE OF ME, Zetta helps readers honor all of their emotions as a community responds to an act of racial violence and the story’s protagonist processes the trauma. I can scarcely put into words how A PLACE INSIDE OF ME moved me except to say that it’s a book I think about and return to even now, a long while after that first read.   You can access even more information about this book and its author by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/blog. Get a copy of this book and support independent bookstores (and this podcast) by visiting our BookShop Store.   Thank y

Eva Chen shares 3 2 1 AWESOME! and ROXY THE LAST UNISAURUS REX. Eva’s JUNO VALENTINE series brings forth the world of fashion in an inviting and inclusive way that Eva herself describes as something of a fashion feminist fairy tale. The latest in the Junoverse is 3 2 1 AWESOME!: 20 Fearless Women Who Dared to be Different. Illustrated by Juno Valentine artist Derek Desierto, this book counts down amazing accomplishments by women across the globe in a format that adds up to a whole lot of awe. Eva’s latest book is called ROXY THE LAST UNISAURUS REX. It’s illustrated by Matthew Rivera and in this story Eva embraces biracial representation and feeling like you’re the only one. As Eva shares, “every kid goes through a phase where they’re unsure of themselves or their place in the universe.” Eva Chen is on a mission to make sure that every kid knows that they’re home is right here. You can access even more information about this book and its author by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/blog. Get a copy of this book a

Fred Bowen and James Ransome share GRIDIRON: STORIES FROM 100 YEARS OF THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE. GRIDIRON is a work of love and devotion and history and fandom. It tells in a collection of brief chapters a history of a sport made up in moments, from memorable plays to memorable leaders and memorable events that allowed more people into the game. And it does it with gorgeous, energetic, and often emblematic illustrations. Through it all, the sport, the figures, and the history, is an opportunity to bring people together. You can access even more information about this book and its author by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/blog. Get a copy of this book and support independent bookstores (and this podcast) by visiting our BookShop Store.   Thank you to this week's sponsor: Bookclub (Patreon) Libro.fm And to the generous support from our Patrons. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton share JULIE'S LIBRARY. Julie Andrews is a woman who needs no introduction, so perhaps you’ll humor me as we do this a little differently. You, I’m guessing, have grown up with Julie Andrews. So have I. Her film works alone were staples of my childhood and, in turn, we have shared them with our kids over and over again. Julie has appeared in movies we’ve streamed and she is a face our son readily recognizes when she appears on screen. Her life and career are an inspiration to many, but she is also someone whom my wife has looked to for strength and inspiration throughout her career as a vocalist and music teacher. We quickly binged all of the episodes of Julie’s Greenroom on Netflix as soon as it launched. And now the universe has given me something amazing in common with Julie because Julie Andrews is now a podcast host. Launched in May of 2020, JULIE’S LIBRARY is a brand new podcast from American Public Media with Julie and her daughter, children’s author and educator E