The Children's Book Podcast

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

Traci Sorell (@tracisorell) is the author of WE ARE GRATEFUL: OTSALIHELIGA, a new picture book featuring Cherokee men and women, children and grandparents, family and friends throughout the year, in all seasons, grateful. It’s a book that speaks loudly by asking readers to listen closely. Traci shares in our conversation the universal value of gratitude, emphasizing that life is not just about being grateful for the good things that happen to you. I think it's a message we all need to hear and I'm grateful for such a beautiful book to spark the conversation. 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

Suzanne Kaufman (@lilmonkeydraws) and Martha Rago (@martharago) are the illustrator and art director, respectively, of ALL ARE WELCOME, a new picture book welcoming to school students of all races, ethnicities, beliefs, and backgrounds. The book was inspired by a piece of art made by Suzanne for her daughter's school and, once shared over social media, went viral throughout the kidlit community. It's a book spoken through the rhythm of kids' lives and it's the book I'll be reading to each of my K-5 classes throughout our first week of school. But more importantly, the story reminds readers that they belong and that they can feel confident knowing that they belong no matter what. This is the second of a 2-part podcast series on ALL ARE WELCOME. The first includes ALL ARE WELCOME author Alexandra Penfold and editor Erin Clarke. 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-

Alexandra Penfold (@AgentPenfold) and Erin Clarke (@erinmclarke) are the author and editor, respectively, of ALL ARE WELCOME, a new picture book welcoming to school students of all races, ethnicities, beliefs, and backgrounds. The book was inspired by a piece of art made by Suzanne Kaufman for her daughter's school and, once shared over social media, went viral throughout the kidlit community. It's a book spoken through the rhythm of kids' lives and it's the book I'll be reading to each of my K-5 classes throughout our first week of school. But more importantly, the story reminds readers that they belong and that they can feel confident knowing that they belong no matter what. 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

Christian Trimmer (@MisterTrimmer) and Jessie Sima (@JessieSima) are the author and illustrator, respectively, of SNOW PONY AND THE SEVEN MINIATURE PONIES, a new picture book inspired by the Snow White story, but with twists and humor and scrapbooking and magnificent hair braids. We also talk about Jessie's HARRIET GETS CARRIED AWAY and Christian's TEDDY'S FAVORITE TOY, two additional picture book releases that push back on gendering and celebrate books for all readers. These are narratives that shine a light for our readers and open up their worlds just a little more with each turn of the page. 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

Camille Andros (@camdros) and Julie Morstad are the author and illustrator, respectively, of THE DRESS AND THE GIRL, a new picture book about a girl, a hand sewn dress, and a very long journey. It's also a book about memory and, specifically, the memories we associate with specific items in our life, be they unique or commonplace, unusual or beloved. Or, perhaps, a little bit of each. It's also a book that was inspired by some very significant memories, which you'll hear from our guests. 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

Saadia Faruqi (@SaadiaFaruqi) and Hatem Aly (@metahatem) are the author and illustrator, respectively, of MEET YASMIN, a new series of chapter books featuring spirited second-grader Yasmin Ahmad and her multigenerational family. Yasmin's curiosity about the world and the discoveries she makes regularly through observation of life and the world around her are great for young readers with eyes wide to the world. 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

Mrs. P (@MrsPstorytime) returns to share details around the 10th annual Be a Famous Writer Contest. The new school year is about to begin. It’s time for possibility and wonder and excitement and discovery. It’s time for students to find identity as scientists and coders and makers… and writers. Mrs. P has loved and inspired young authors for many, many years and the submissions she receives for the annual Be a Famous Writer Contest showcase some incredible works of creativity by students and classrooms. This year’s theme is HEROES and I’ve invited Mrs. P back to the podcast to tell you and your students all about it. You can access all of the information you and your students will need to get started by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Gayle Forman (@gayleforman) is the author of I HAVE LOST MY WAY and the New York Times bestselling IF I STAY. In her newest YA novel Gayle explores the idea that the most important story is the backstory, that all of us come from a place and that one thing informs the next to take us to where we are today. But none of that has to define who we are. It’s a story of losing your way and trying to find it again. It’s a story of coming to realize that we all walk around really, really scared. 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

Debbi Michiko Florence (@DebbiMichiko) is the author of JASMINE TOGUCHI series, which recently saw the publication of it's fourth book, JASMINE TOGUCHI, FLAMINGO KEEPER. Jasmine's imagination, stick-to-itiveness, and occasional stubborn insistence makes her a compelling and endearing character, and one who's hard to forget. Debbi shares how she previously considered herself a middle grade writer and that she tried for a time not to write this chapter book series. It's a good thing for all of us that her main character was determined to have her stories told. 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 Cavallo (@francescavallo), co-author of GOOD NIGHT STORIES FOR REBEL GIRLS (@rebelgirlsbook) with Elena Favilli, made history when REBEL GIRLS became the most successful crowdfunding book campaign in history. The REBEL GIRLS books have recently gotten treatment as audiobooks at the hands of audio producer Julie Wilson (@JuliannaNWilson) and Julie assembled a striking cast to add to the orchestra of women's voices present throughout the book series. You can access even more information about the audiobooks, their print counterparts, and more by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Dr. Debbie Reese (@debreese) is the author of the popular blog, American Indians in Children’s Literature. A Nambe Pueblo Indian woman, Debbie is a founding member of the Native American House and American Indian Studies program at the University of Illinois. Debbie joins me to talk about ALSC’s recent decision to change the name of their lifetime achievement award from the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award to the Children's Literature Legacy Award. The change has not come without criticism by certain members of the public and we discuss that and more in our conversation. You can access even more information about the books and articles referenced by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message