The Children's Book Podcast

Dr. Debbie Reese (@debreese) and Traci Sorell (@tracisorell) join on behalf of AMERICAN INDIANS IN CHILDREN'S LITERATURE and CYNSATIONS. Dr. Reese writes regularly at AMERICAN INDIANS IN CHILDREN'S LITERATURE (AICL), which provides critical perspectives and analysis of indigenous peoples in children's and young adult books, the school curriculum, popular culture, and society. Traci Sorell is the author of WE ARE GRATEFUL: OTSALIHELIGA and is a regular contributor to CYNSATIONS, a blog founded by Cynthia Leitich Smith centering on reflective conversations, publishing information, writer insights & inspiration, bookseller-librarian-teacher appreciation, children's-YA literature news & author outreach. I asked Debbie and Traci if they’d like to join me to share those “don’t miss” titles they’ve been recommending to friends, colleagues, and readers of all ages. You’re gonna love watching your TBR pile grow with these fantastic titles! You can access even more information about this book and its author ill

Paula Chase Hyman (@PaulaChase) and Kelly Starling Lyons (@kelstarly) join on behalf of THE BROWN BOOKSHELF to share a collection of "don't miss" books from 2018. THE BROWN BOOKSHELF is a website and collective designed to push awareness of the myriad Black voices writing for young readers. Their flagship initiative is 28 Days Later, a month-long showcase of the best in Picture Books, Middle Grade, and Young Adult novels written and illustrated by Black creators. Paula Chase Hyman is an inclusion jedi and author of the novel SO DONE. Kelly Starling Lyons is a teaching artist and author of the JADA JONES series.  They each have an innate interest in uplifting Black kidlit creators and so I was so excited to ask Paula and Kelly if they’d like to join me to share those “don’t miss” titles they’ve been recommending to friends, colleagues, and readers of all ages. And, lucky for us, they even brought a couple books just for you! You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by vis

Heidi Stemple (@heidieys) is the author of COUNTING BIRDS: THE IDEA THAT HELPED SAVE OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS. This true story of Frank Chapman, the man who founded the first annual bird count, pays homage to a simple act of shaking up habits and traditions that resulted in a lasting conservation initiative that continues today thanks to the help of hundreds of citizen scientists. Heidi is also the co-author, alongside Jane Yolen, Adam Stemple, and Jason Stemple, of FLY WITH ME: A CELEBRATION OF BIRDS THROUGH PICTURES, POEMS, AND STORIES. FLY WITH ME is a nonfiction book unlike anything I’ve seen before. Not only are the photos stunning page after page, but there are also new, original poems included throughout the book. The book has a presence and layout the appeals to curiosity and invites readers to explore its rich content any which way the reader pleases. Two beautiful bird books and an invitation to go owling! You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.m

Martha Brockenbrough (@mbrockenbrough) is the author of UNPRESIDENTED: A BIOGRAPHY OF DONALD TRUMP, the first biography of our 45th president written for teens. Martha approached her research with a mindset of presenting information fairly and with a lens of looking for patterns in actions and what those patterns tell us about the subject matter. It won’t surprise you that what the patterns pointed to was winning. At all costs. Sometimes by redefining the game in or to resubstant the win. And all too often claiming win to the detriment of already historically marginalized peoples. Some of the information Martha presents may make you or your readers uncomfortable. To that, Martha reminds us that “uncomfortable is different from unfair.” You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Alice Faye Duncan (@AliceFayeDuncan) is an author and poet, and she's also a school librarian. Alice brings two new picture books to the show. The first is called MEMPHIS, MARTIN, AND THE MOUNTAINTOP: THE SANITATION STRIKE OF 1968 and through the voice of a young girl the story recounts the sanitation strike that brought Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to Memphis and that would reach all corners of Memphis in its breadth and scope. R. Gregory Christie illustrated the story and his art beckons readers to sit with the varied emotions that hang on the faces of those involved and affected by the strike. Alice also shares A SONG FOR GWENDOLYN BROOKS, a picture book told in poetry about the gifted and glorious life of an American Treasure. The format of this book is that of a love poem to Gwendolyn’s life and legacy, and, quite frankly, I found myself clinging to every word. Two beautiful picture books, and a conversation worthy of their merit. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustr

Tomie dePaola is the author and illustrator of over 260 books for children, including STREGA NONA, 26 FAIRMOUNT AVENUE, and OLIVER BUTTON IS A SISSY. His newest picture book is called QUIET, and it’s as much about noticing the noise around us and in us as it is about finding the quiet around us and, ultimately, in us. Tomie wrote the book, in part, after noticing that children are so busy today and it’s not their fault. He wants children to be able to sit and be quiet and just be, and so we find Tomie expressing himself once again and so thoughtfully through his art and his stories, inviting readers to step into the story and find a place where quiet is protected. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Oge Mora (@ogemora) is the author and illustrator of THANK YOU, OMU! In the story, the scent of the stew Omu has been laboring over draws a number of neighbors to her door and Omu is all too eager to share with her visitors. But when it comes time for her to eat, Omu finds she has nothing left. Oge’s debut is not only an homage to her own grandmother, but also one grown out of inspiration for all of the amazing women who carried her and us all to where we each are today. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Lauren Castillo (@studiocastillo) is the illustrator of IMAGINE, a picture book adaptation of Juan Felipe Herrera inaugural's speech as the 21st Poet Laureate of the United States of America. Lauren’s work on this picture book is beautiful and it adds a rhythm to the poetic story that moves readers along with each sentiment, each memory. She speaks of being okay with any sort of accidents that happen with the art when specifically referring to the foam printing used in the illustrations, but it should come as no surprise that these "accidents" are exactly what gives the art its voice and character. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Brigid Kemmerer (@BrigidKemmerer) is the author of MORE THAN WE CAN TELL, a book centering on the separate but soon-intertwining lives of two teens, one growing up in a foster home and the other the creator of an MMO first person shooter. The story calls into question what it means to be family, how well we think we know one another online, and how we perceive what we mean to those who raise us. Nisha Sharma (@Nishawrites) is the author of MY SO-CALLED BOLLYWOOD LIFE, a story in which the protagonist wrestles with futures, both the ones that are predicted, the ones we plan out for ourselves, and also the ones that just happen to us when we allow life to follow its course. We recorded this episode live on the Enoch Pratt Free Library stage at the Baltimore Book Festival. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

I'm collecting survey data for the podcast and need your help to collect 250 responses. Complete the brief survey using this link (https://survey.libsyn.com/lgbpodcast) and the go here to enter in our 5-book Giveaway and to score yourself some Children's Book Podcast stickers! Here's a shareable link: http://www.matthewcwinner.com/single-post/Podcast-Survey-GIVEAWAY Thanks in advance for your support and help. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Tony Medina (@PoetTonyMedina) is the author of I AM ALFONSO JONES, a graphic novel inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement about a teen who is shot and killed by police while shopping for a suit in a clothing store. The novel retraces the events leading to that day while also following the timeline forward as both life itself a the ghost of Alfonso Jones struggle against a nation's history of violence toward people of color. It is a powerful and timely story and one that will remain with readers long after hearing Alfonso's story. We recorded this episode live on the Enoch Pratt Free Library stage at the Baltimore Book Festival. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Jarrett J. Krosoczka (@StudioJJK) is the cartoonist of HEY, KIDDO: HOW I LOST MY MOTHER, FOUND MY FATHER, AND DEALT WITH  FAMILY ADDICTION. You may already know Jarrett from his best-selling LUNCH LADY graphic novel series, THE PLATYPUS POLICE SQUAD books, or from the JEDI ACADEMY series titles that bear his name, not to mention his many wonderful picture books. But today we’re focusing on something a little different. HEY, KIDDO is Jarrett’s graphic memoir and it’s intended for an older audience. A warning to listeners with young children: there are curse words in this episode that we do not bleep. Actually, side note, these occur during the times when Jarrett and I are reading excerpts from the book and they’re some of my favorite moments in our conversation. Jarrett shares how HEY, KIDDO was a story he needed to write, yet he admits that it would have been easier not to make the book at all. There are many, many challenging moments in Jarrett's life, but there is always love, and there is always hope, and

Lily Williams (@lwbean) is the author illustrator of IF POLAR BEARS DISAPPEARED and IF SHARKS DISAPPEARED and Emily Feinberg (@EmilyFeinberg) is the children’s book editor at Roaring Brook Press. Lily's powerful and engaging approach to big ecological topics invites readers to investigate the food chain, our changing climate, and other ways we are affecting our planet and, in turn, our planet is affecting all of us. Emily’s relation to Lily’s work, her hand in forming these books, is something I found especially gratifying. I also really loved that Emily said about Lily, "She's the only person that can make dead fish look cute." This conversation has everything to do with love and trust and truth. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Matthew Swanson (@writingmatthew) and Robbi Behr (@drawingrobbi) are the author and illustrator, respectively, of THE REAL McCOYS, a middle grade series centering on the McCoy siblings. Moxie McCoy believes everything she thinks so profoundly that it doesn’t really matter what anyone else thinks. That, along with her fandom and appreciation for Annabelle Adams, Girl Detective, makes her an interesting piece in a puzzling mystery Moxie is determined to solve. Matthew and Robbi discuss how working together brings out the best in one another and how Matthew has a bit of illustrative monogamy with Robbi. All told, there's a lot of each of the creators on the pages of the REAL McCOYS series, and that's a good thing. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Raúl Colón is the author illustrator of IMAGINE!, a wordless picture book about a boy who finds himself called, perhaps beckoned even, to the art he finds in the Museum of Modern Art. He is drawn into the art and then he draws the art out into his world. It’s a book with a certain kind of magic, and I think you’ll find that the magic lies in Raúl’s own story of finding his way to art and to the great works. Raúl talks about worrying at points in his life that the sense of wonder toward the world could get lost as he progressed through life. But it's that sense of justice and injustice, instilled at a young age, that continues to inform Raúl's work today. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Mark Oshiro (@MarkDoesStuff) is the author of ANGER IS A GIFT, a young adult novel a boy named Moss, the tragic loss of a friend and more than that, and a school responding to student protest and security in a way all too real for many of our pre-adult students throughout the country. The novel also contains the line, "I will counter your doubts every single time", which is probably one of the most beautiful string of words a parent can say to a child ever. Mark narrates the audiobook for ANGER IS A GIFT and we talk a bit about how it feels to be reading your own story and, in part, reliving it just as you did when you were writing the story and seeing the characters through their suffering. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Yuyi Morales (@yuyimorales) is the author illustrator of DREAMERS, a story recounting Yuyi’s immigration to the United States with her son. It is a book that will awaken your senses. It is a book that calls you to pay attention because everything you see, the words, the collage, the materials, everything is telling a story. Everything counts. Yuyi shares her story and talks of being just one of many voices. She tells us of her path, and that her path was to tell stories. And she talks of bringing close to her everything that she missed in order to create this book. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Airlie Anderson (@airliebird) is the author illustrator of NEITHER, a new picture book about a creature who is not this or that, but neither. It's a story of finding a place to belong, a place to feel welcome. It's also a story about making room for others who may be different from you. But one of the book's most powerful qualities is the space left for the reader to make his or her own connections, to see his or her own this, that, and neither. And for adults to do the same. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Calista Brill (@CalistaBrill) and Kenard Pak (@kenardpak) are the author and illustrator, respectively, of CAT WISHES, a new picture book about a cat who catches a snake but spares its life when the snake says it will grant the cat three wishes. In our conversation we discuss clinging to skepticism and characters who imagine themselves as cynical when really they're revealed to be quite caring. When reading CAT WISHES be sure to pay close attention to the syncopation of art and words. It's beautiful. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Francesca Sanna (@Frenci_San) is the author and illustrator of ME AND MY FEAR, a new picture book about how fear manifests in us, takes root, and, if we’re not careful, can form us in its likeness. I'm first became aware of Francesca's work from THE JOURNEY, her debut picture book universalizing the refugee experience and inviting readers to look, to ask questions, to feel, to understand that there are people in this world (and perhaps even in their lives) who have lived similar experiences. How many of us know intimately the experience of being pushed and pulled by hope? You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message