The Children's Book Podcast

Valerie Bolling, author of A Flea for Justice: Marian Wright Edelman Stands Up for Change (Charlesbridge), illustrated by TeMika Grooms, joins Matthew to talk about a person worth writing about.   Visit Valerie Bolling online at valeriebolling.com   Other helpful links: Valerie Bolling at the Highlights Foundation Marketing Opportunities for Storytellers: A Two-Night Mini - The story is at the heart of all we do, even when we switch from crafting the story to getting the story to readers. Join award-winning writers Valerie Bolling and Janae Marks to engage and build your knowledge of marketing and promotional opportunities that you can do as a book creator in order to get your book to kids.   Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.    Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).    Our music is by Podington Bear.    Podcast hosting by Libsyn.    You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinn

*This episode is a rebroadcast. The original episode aired March 29, 2025. Zetta Elliott (The Oracle's Door) shares what is giving her hope today: art. Art has always been not just an expression of hope, but an act of resistance.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.    Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.    Visit Zetta Elliott online at zettaelliott.com   Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).    Our music is by Podington Bear.    Podcast hosting by Libsyn.    You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.   Be well. Read on. And don't lose hope.  

Corinna Luyken, author illustrator of The Arguers (Rocky Pond Books), joins Matthew to talk about the silly, the absurd, and seeing yourself in every single character.   Visit Corinna Luyken online at corinnaluyken.com   Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.    Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).    Our music is by Podington Bear.    Podcast hosting by Libsyn.    You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.   Be well. And read on.  

Matthew pops into the feed to share a couple of important updates: accepting messages of hope from all listeners, seeking an intern or friend to help with social media, and I love you.   If you have a message of hope that you'd like to share, I have good news: the Hopeline is now open. Go to www.speakpipe.com/childrensbkpod on your computer or phone to record a 90 second message of hope. Include your name, your recent book (if you're an author or illustrator, and a message sharing what is giving you hope today. All voices are welcome, no matter what role you play in this kidlit community.   Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.    Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).    Our music is by Podington Bear.    Podcast hosting by Libsyn.    You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.   Be well. Read on. And don't lose hope.  

Heidi EY Stemple, author of The Poetry of Car Mechanics (Wordsong), joins Matthew to talk about becoming curious and making every bit of your writing intentional.   Visit Heidi EY Stemple online at heidieystemple.com   Other helpful links: Heidi EY Stemple at the Highlights Foundation Jane Yolen & Heidi EY Stemple Scholarship - Authors Jane Yolen and her daughter Heidi EY Stemple have established a scholarship to support in-person or online tuition to workshops and personal retreats at the Highlights Foundation. (Visitors coming to campus can even ask to stay in the Jane Yolen Cabin!)   For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.   Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.    Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).    Our music is by Podington Bear.    Podcast hosting by Libsyn.    You

Erin Entrada Kelly, author of At Last She Stood (Greenwillow Books) and The Last Resort (Scholastic Press), joins Matthew to talk about crafting stories as meaningful as possible to the reader.   Visit Erin Entrada Kelly online at erinentradakelly.com   Other helpful links: Erin Entrada Kelly at the Highlights Foundation Erin Entrada Kelly Scholarship - Established by Erin Entrada Kelly, this scholarship celebrates diverse representation in middle grade novels. Middle Grade Writers: A Generative Retreat - Immerse yourself in the generative writing process and try new, hands-on techniques to spark creativity, connect, unwind, and generate new pages (or revive old ones).   For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search “The Children’s Book Podcast” or click on the link in the show notes.   Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.    Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://st

Mary Reaves Uhle, author illustrator of The Flock We Found (Magination Press), shares what is giving her hope today:  all the parents and kids posting pictures of bright faces and shiny new outfits to start the year.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.       For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search “The Children’s Book Podcast” or click on the link in the show notes.   Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.    Learn more about Magination Press and their upcoming releases by visiting www.apa.org/pubs/magination.    Visit Mary Reaves Uhles online at maryuhles.com    Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).    Our music is by Podington Bear.    Podcast hosting by Libsyn.    You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking th

Natasha Khan Kazi, author illustrator of Bela and Lily (Kokila), joins Matthew to talk about bravery through being a multi-language learner.   Visit Natasha Khan Kazi online at natashakhankazi.com   Other helpful links: Natasha Khan Kazi at the Highlights Foundation Muslim Storytellers Fellows - The Highlights Foundation is proud to announce the cohort of storytellers selected for a two-year fellowship program in children’s literature. The fellowship will create space for more diverse and authentic Muslim narratives for children and young adults, and address common misperceptions of those narratives in the children’s publishing industry. From Idea & Sketch to Dummy & Submission: An Author/Illustrator Online Course - Explore the craft of writing and illustrating a picture book and preparing your picture book dummy for submission, with helpful feedback and support from faculty.    For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search “The Children’s Book Podca

Tami Charles, author of Remember Her Name!: Debbie Allen's Rise to Fame (Charlesbridge), illustrated by Meredith Lucius, shares what is giving her hope today: the resilience of children’s dreams.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.       For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search “The Children’s Book Podcast” or click on the link in the show notes.   Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.    Learn more about Charlesbridge Publishing and their upcoming releases by visiting www.charlesbridge.com.    Visit Jen Barton online at jbartonbooks.com    Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).    Our music is by Podington Bear.    Podcast hosting by Libsyn.    You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show note

Hannah V. Sawyerr, author of Truth Is: A Novel in Verse (Amulet Books), joins Matthew to talk about making a decision that belongs to you.   Visit Hannah V. Sawyerr online at hannahsawyerr.com   Other helpful links: Hannah V. Sawyerr at the Highlights Foundation    For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search “The Children’s Book Podcast” or click on the link in the show notes.   Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.    Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).    Our music is by Podington Bear.    Podcast hosting by Libsyn.    You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.   Be well. And read on.  

Heidi E.Y. Stemple, author of The Avian Adventurers #1: Snowy Owl Rescue; Raptor Recovery (Charlesbridge Moves), illustrated by Natasha Donovan, shares what is giving her hope today:  the curious, hope-filled readers with wide open minds who are building a foundation of compassion and service.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.       For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search “The Children’s Book Podcast” or click on the link in the show notes.   Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.    Learn more about Charlesbridge Publishing and their upcoming releases by visiting www.charlesbridge.com.    Visit Heidi E.Y. Stemple online at www.heidieystemple.com    Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).    Our music is by Podington Bear.    Podcast hosting by Libsy

Katie Yamasaki, author illustrator of Mural Island (Norton Young Readers), joins Matthew to talk about building upon the tradition of making public art through relentless expression.   Visit Katie Yamasaki online at www.katieyamasaki.com   For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search “The Children’s Book Podcast” or click on the link in the show notes.   Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.    Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).    Our music is by Podington Bear.    Podcast hosting by Libsyn.    You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.   Be well. And read on.  

Jane Yolen and Peter Tacy, co-authors of Gracie Feeds the Birds (Magination Press), illustrated by Frances Ives, share what is giving them hope today: the readiness to hope and to be grateful.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.       For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search “The Children’s Book Podcast” or click on the link in the show notes.   Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.    Learn more about Magination Press and their upcoming releases by visiting www.apa.org/pubs/magination.    Visit Jen Barton online at jbartonbooks.com    Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).    Our music is by Podington Bear.    Podcast hosting by Libsyn.    You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.  

Crystal Allen, author of Between Two Brothers (Storytide), joins Matthew to talk about figuring out your truth while not knowing how to feel.   Visit Crystal Allen online at crystalallenbooks.com   Other helpful links: Crystal Allen at the Highlights Foundation  Crystal Allen: Do Something With It - When Crystal Allen received a scholarship and attended her first workshop with the Highlights Foundation in 2005, she tried to thank Kent (our founder) when she met him.  He appreciated the sentiment, but was more concerned with how she’d use her scholarship from the Foundation to inspire kids.  He asked her simply to “Do something with it.”   For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search “The Children’s Book Podcast” or click on the link in the show notes.   Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.    Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).    Our music is by Pod

Ann Hazzard, PhD, Marianne Celano, PhD, and Marietta Collins, PhD, co-authors of Something Happened to Our Mom:  A Story about Parental Addiction (Magination Press), illustrated by Rita Tan, share what is giving them hope today: finding hope and inspiration in those moments of connection with one another, especially with kids.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.       For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search “The Children’s Book Podcast” or click on the link in the show notes.   Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.    Learn more about Magination Press and their upcoming releases by visiting www.apa.org/pubs/magination.    Visit Jen Barton online at jbartonbooks.com    Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).    Our music is by Podington Bear.    Podcas

Diana Rodriguez Wallach, author of The Silenced (Delacorte Press), joins Matthew to talk about reading through a different cultural lens.   Visit Diana Rodriguez Wallach online at dianarodriguezwallach.com   Other helpful links: Diana Rodriguez Wallach at the Highlights Foundation  Whole Novel Genre: An Online Course for Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror, & Beyond - This online program in particular is for writers of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and similar genre-specific novels.   For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search “The Children’s Book Podcast” or click on the link in the show notes.   Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.    Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).    Our music is by Podington Bear.    Podcast hosting by Libsyn.    You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.   Be

Jen Barton, author of Forest Bath (Magination Press), illustrated by Felishia Henditirto, shares what is giving her hope today: the resilience of nature.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.       For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search “The Children’s Book Podcast” or click on the link in the show notes.   Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.    Learn more about Magination Press and their upcoming releases by visiting www.apa.org/pubs/magination.    Visit Jen Barton online at jbartonbooks.com    Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).    Our music is by Podington Bear.    Podcast hosting by Libsyn.    You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.   Be well. Read on. And don’t lose hope.

Pam Muñoz Ryan, author of El Niño (Scholastic Press), joins Matthew to talk about story ideas as a confluence of rivers leading its author to a narrative.   Visit Pam Muñoz Ryan online at www.pammunozryan.com   For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search “The Children’s Book Podcast” or click on the link in the show notes.   Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.    Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).    Our music is by Podington Bear.    Podcast hosting by Libsyn.    You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.   Be well. And read on.  

Tami Charles, author of Together, United (Orchard Books), illustrated by Bryan Collier, shares what is giving her hope today: that children are already leading the way. And that if we follow their lead, there’s so much light ahead.   This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.       For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search “The Children’s Book Podcast” or click on the link in the show notes.   Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.    Learn more about Magination Press and their upcoming releases by visiting www.apa.org/pubs/magination.    Visit Tami Charles online at tamiwrites.com    Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).    Our music is by Podington Bear.    Podcast hosting by Libsyn.    You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by

Daniel Nayeri, author of The Teacher of Nomad Land (Levine Querido), joins Matthew to talk about the utility of beauty in our lives.   Visit Daniel Nayeri online at www.danielnayeri.com   For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search “The Children’s Book Podcast” or click on the link in the show notes.   Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.    Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).    Our music is by Podington Bear.    Podcast hosting by Libsyn.    You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.   Be well. And read on.