

The Children's Book Podcast
Matthew C. Winner
Celebrating the power of storytelling to reflect our world, expand our perspectives, and foster connections between readers of all ages. The Children's Book Podcast features interviews with authors, illustrators, and everyone involved in taking a book from drawing board to bookshelf. Hosted by Matthew C. Winner, a teacher, librarian, writer, and fan of kids. Brought to you in partnership with the Highlights Foundation, positively impacting kids by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 16, 2025 • 37min
Unsilenced with Diana Rodriguez Wallach
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 well. And read on.

Sep 13, 2025 • 5min
What Gives Jen Barton Hope
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.

Sep 9, 2025 • 35min
Two Worlds Colliding with Pam Muñoz Ryan
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.

Sep 6, 2025 • 5min
What Gives Tami Charles Hope
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 clicking the link in the show notes. Be well. Read on. And don’t lose hope.

Sep 2, 2025 • 32min
Carrying Knowledge with Daniel Nayeri
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.

Aug 30, 2025 • 5min
What Gives Ruth Spiro Hope
Ruth Spiro, author of How to Explain Climate Science to a Grown-Up (Charlesbridge), illustrated by Teresa Martinez, shares what is giving her hope today: looking around her community, finding a project that’s meaningful, and getting to work. 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 Ruth Spiro online at ruthspiro.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.

Aug 26, 2025 • 37min
Breaking Cycles with George Jreije
George Jreije, author of Bashir Boutros and the Jewel of the Nile (HarperCollins) , joins Matthew to talk about trying to inhabit the voice of someone to whom he wouldn’t have otherwise related. Visit George Jreije online at www.georgejreije.com Other helpful links: George Jreije at the Highlights Foundation Successful School Visits for Authors and Illustrators: An Online Course - Develop your virtual school visit with instructor George Jreije, using storytelling and original content to connect with students and educators—then bring your virtual visit to a classroom during World Read Aloud Week! 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.

Aug 23, 2025 • 5min
What Gives Claire A. B. Freeland Hope
Claire A. B. Freeland, co-author of Making Sense of Your Senses: How Your Brain Perceives the World (Magination Press), with Jacqueline B. Toner and illustrated by Katarina Gasko, shares what is giving her hope today: communities working together to make a difference. 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 Claire Freeland online at clairefreelandwrites.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.

Aug 21, 2025 • 33min
An Emotional Search with Cordelia Jensen
Cordelia Jensen, author of Lilac and the Switchback (Holiday House), joins Matthew to talk about belonging, change, and always keeping in mind that you’re writing a story. Visit Cordelia Jensen online at www.cordeliajensen.com Other helpful links: Cordelia Jensen at the Highlights Foundation Revising Your Novel in Verse: An Online Course - Ready to refine your verse novel? Join award-winning verse novelist Cordelia Jensen for an in-depth exploration of revision techniques—focusing on emotional arc, pacing, structure, and line edits—culminating in small-group poem workshops. 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.

Aug 16, 2025 • 5min
What Gives Kara M. Mitchell Hope
Kara Mitchell, author illustrator of Catching Kindness (Magination Press), shares what is giving her hope today: so many things. A new week with a new sketchbook. Libraries and new friends. Community and singing. Hugs that get us through the week. 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 Kara Mitchell online at karammitchell.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.