

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

Nov 1, 2025 • 5min
The Hopeline is Open
 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.   

Oct 28, 2025 • 33min
Becoming Curious with Heidi EY Stemple
 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 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.   

Oct 21, 2025 • 32min
As Meaningful As Possible with Erin Entrada Kelly
 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://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.   

Oct 18, 2025 • 3min
What Gives Mary Reaves Uhles Hope
 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 the link in the show notes.   Be well. Read on. And don't lose hope.   

Oct 14, 2025 • 26min
Mining Our Memories with Natasha Khan Kazi
 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 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.   

Oct 11, 2025 • 4min
What Else Gives Tami Charles Hope
 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 notes.   Be well. Read on. And don't lose hope.   

Oct 7, 2025 • 30min
Knowing How to Love Yourself with Hannah V. Sawyerr
 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.   

Oct 4, 2025 • 4min
What Gives Heidi E.Y. Stemple Hope
 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 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 30, 2025 • 32min
Relentless Expression with Katie Yamasaki
 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.   

Sep 27, 2025 • 3min
What Gives Jane Yolen and Peter Tacy Hope
 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 Jane Yolen online at www.janeyolen.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.   


