

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

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.

Sep 23, 2025 • 36min
Figuring Out Your Truth with Crystal Allen
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 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 20, 2025 • 4min
What Gives Hope to Ann Hazzard, Marianne Celano, and Marietta Collins
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. 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 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 Charlesbridge Publishing and their upcoming releases by visiting www.charlesbridge.com. 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.