The Children's Book Podcast

Rebecca Sheir shares THE GREAT BALL GAME, a classic folktale originating from the Cherokee, Creek, Ojibway and Menominee people of North America, adapted for a contemporary audience by the host of the Circle Round podcast.  NOTABLE QUOTES: (3:28) “So I do try to think of a bunch of different children. So I'm not just writing for one person because our listeners physically, literally span the globe.” (5:25)  “Why is the ocean salty? Why don't cats and dogs get along? Why do skunks have a weird smell when they spray? Where does thunder and lightning come from? There have been folktales written about all of these things.” (7:27)  “Most importantly, many valuable lessons are imparted about the importance of embracing individuals who are different, about embracing diversity, celebrating non-conformity, including others, and realizing that being different can make you stronger.” (10:15) “Don't be afraid to tell your stories. You don't have to rely on a famous author or podcast host or movie maker to tell a story. You have your own stories you can tell. It can be a story about you, how you spent your summer vacation. That could be a fascinating tale. Or you could go ahead and make up characters. Make a talking bat, you know? You've got stories. You just have to use your imagination. It's ready and waiting for you. ” ADDITIONAL LINKS: Website - Circle Round The Great Ball Game podcast episode - Circle Round Episode 56 Purchase the Book - The Great Ball Game by Rebecca Sheir TALK ABOUT THE EPISODE: What is a folktale? What are some examples of folktales you have heard or heard shared with you? How would you describe a bat to someone who has never seen one? What characteristics make a bat similar or different to a bird? To an animal? Ms. Sheir shared that artist Joshua Pawis-Steckley included severals examples of Ojibwe symbolism and iconography throughout the illustrations in this book. What are some symbols or icons you see in your classroom, home, or neighborhood? What do these symbols represent? Or what message are they trying to communicate? CREDITS: This podcast episode of The Children’s Book Podcast was written, edited, and produced by Matthew Winner. For a full transcript of this episode, visit matthewcwinner.com. Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/). Our music is by Podington Bear. Podcast hosting by Anchor. We are a proud member of Kids Listen, the best place to discover the best in kids podcasts. Learn more at kidslisten.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Torrey Maldonado shares HANDS, a story about Trevor, a twelve-year-old who is a gifted comic-book artist, a good student, and would do anything to protect his mom and sisters. NOTABLE QUOTES: (6:19) “I wrote this book for lots of kids who feel alone and feel that they have to solve their problems by themselves, because the book Hands helps show that using hands doesn't mean you're strong. And external strength and being muscley, that doesn't mean you're strong. There are lots of ways to show strength.” (14:32)  "It was fuel that has driven me through the years and drives me today to write books, to show young people that in these moments where you are angry or you are confused, there is a way that you could use your hands and you can use your mind to reroute and to make things right." (17:04) "So this book really is about revealing that each of us hold a tremendous amount of power in our hands and that we have a firmer grasp on things than we think. And how can we identify those areas where we have a little grasp so that we can make it a stronger grip in a positive way." ADDITIONAL LINKS: Website - torreymaldonado.com Social Media - @torreymaldonado Purchase Book - Hands by Torrey Maldonado TALK ABOUT THE EPISODE: Who did Mr. Maldonado say he had in mind as he wrote Hands? I’ll give you a hint: remember the lyrics of that Michael Jackson song? Torrey Maldonado wanted to be like a certain heavyweight champion when he was a kid, but he remembers having a different reaction when he looked through the magazine that his mom brought home with a cover photo of this boxer. What were some of the things that connected with Mr. Maldonado when he looked at this magazine? And how did they make him feel? It what ways shared by Mr. Maldonado are his mom and Star Wars’ Yoda similar? Do you have any Yodas in your life? CREDITS: This podcast episode of The Children’s Book Podcast was written, edited, and produced by Matthew Winner. For a full transcript of this episode, visit matthewcwinner.com. Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/). Our music is by Podington Bear. Podcast hosting by Anchor. We are a proud member of Kids Listen, the best place to discover the best in kids podcasts. Learn more at kidslisten.org. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

The authors and illustrators you love, and some who may be new to you. The stories you can’t stop thinking about, and some that have been waiting for you to discover. The messages on the hearts of those who write stories just for you. This is the Children’s Book Podcast. I’m Matthew. I’m a teacher, a librarian, a reader, and a big fan of yours. I’m glad you’re here. Tune in each week to meet the authors and illustrators making books just for kids like you. From award winners, to up-and-comers, to the storytellers behind those forever books you’ll never forget. Find the Children’s Book Podcast wherever podcasts are found. Read on, readers! Read on! --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Kids are full of wonder. They effortlessly ask questions about why things are as they are.They delight in seeing something new. They make new connections with what they’re learning, or connections with their classmates, or connections with their thoughts and ideas that help push the world around them to be bigger and bigger. Kids deserve better than we can give them. But that should not stop any one of us from trying. On today’s retrospective episode, we’re looking at why making things for kids is so hard and so important. The Children’s Book Podcast is changing its focus in order to adopt a more classroom-ready format so that it can serve readers more directly and more fully. Matthew lays out his tenets for making things for kids as we prepare to launch the new iteration of the show. Enjoy! ADDITIONAL LINKS: John Schu - https://www.johnschu.com/ Kids Listen - https://www.kidslisten.org DISCLAIMER: Bookshop.org affiliate links provided for any book titles mentioned in the episode. Bookshop.org support independent book stores and also shares a small percentage of any sales made through this podcast back to me, which helps to fund production of this show. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

The things we make say a lot about the people who make them. In every detail, from the language used on the show to the guests who join for interviews, from the publishers whose works are celebrated and amplified to the underrepresented stories and voices who are given the spotlight, these choices communicate a lot about the values of the person making the show. And that’s not something I take lightly. On today’s retrospective episode, we’re looking at what you do when you find yourself uncomfortable with the story the thing you make is saying about you. And, specifically, we looking through a lens of this show’s history and of my personal and professional growth. Self-indulgent? Perhaps. But maybe hearing about my “why” will help impact your work or how you approach your work in some way. Enjoy! RESOURCES MENTIONED: PART 1–HAVING STUDENTS ANALYZE OUR CLASSROOM LIBRARY TO SEE HOW DIVERSE IT IS - https://blog.leeandlow.com/2016/07/07/part-1-having-students-analyze-our-classroom-library-to-see-how-diverse-it-is/ Picture This: Diversity in Children’s Books 2018 Infographic - https://readingspark.wordpress.com/2019/06/19/picture-this-diversity-in-childrens-books-2018-infographic/ Dr. Laura M. Jimenez - https://booktoss.org/ Edith Campbell - https://edicottonquilt.com/ Dr. Debbie Reese - https://americanindiansinchildrensliterature.blogspot.com/ Cynthia Leitich Smith - https://cynthialeitichsmith.com/cynsations/ Heidi Rabinowitz - https://jewishbooks.blogspot.com/ The Brown Bookshelf - https://thebrownbookshelf.com/ Queer Kid Stuff - https://www.queerkidstuff.com/ Disability in Kidlit - http://disabilityinkidlit.com/?wref=bif Latinx in Kidlit - https://latinosinkidlit.com/?wref=bif We Are Kidlit Collective - https://wtpsite.wordpress.com/?wref=bif Cool Stuff for Queer Kids - https://www.leewind.org/blog/ ADDITIONAL LINKS: Kelly Yang - https://www.kellyyang.com/ Kids Listen - https://www.kidslisten.org DISCLAIMER: Bookshop.org affiliate links provided for any book titles mentioned in the episode. Bookshop.org support independent book stores and also shares a small percentage of any sales made through this podcast back to me, which helps to fund production of this show. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

The Children’s Book Podcast does not look or sound the same today as it did when it debuted its first episode in July of 2013. But is podcast growth just part of the natural life cycle of a show? Can a podcast really stay the same? On today’s retrospective episode, we’re examining how the blueprint on the show has changed as its host (and the world around us) changed. We look at how the format and focus have shifted as the impact of the show expanded, and look toward what impact the show will make in the future. Enjoy! SHOW NOTES: Kids Listen - https://www.kidslisten.org * Bookshop.org affiliate links provided for any book titles mentioned in the episode. Bookshop.org support independent book stores and also shares a small percentage of any sales made through this podcast back to me, which helps to fund production of this show. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

The Children’s Book Podcast released its first episode in July of 2013. Only it wasn’t called “The Children’s Book Podcast”. And it didn’t sound like the show with which most listeners are familiar. On today’s retrospective episode, we’re taking a look back at the different names the show has used and why finding the right name matters. We’ll also play some of the different theme music the show has incorporated over the past nearly 10 years. Enjoy! SHOW NOTES: Let’s Get Busy podcast blog - http://lgbpodcast.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html All The Wonders podcast blog - http://www.allthewonders.com/podcasts/atwpodcast/ The Best Book in the World by Rilla Alexander Hooray for Hat by Brian Won Tuning Radio sound effect from Pixabay Kids Listen - https://www.kidslisten.org * Bookshop.org affiliate links provided for any book titles mentioned in the episode. Bookshop.org support independent book stores and also shares a small percentage of any sales made through this podcast back to me, which helps to fund production of this show. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Worth Noting is going to go on break. In the meantime, check out past episodes and watch the feed for something new and exciting in the future. We're cooking up a whole bunch of goodness and cannot wait to share it with you soon. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

From the Hungry Ghost Festival, Halloween, the Day of the Dead to Diwali, Guru Nanak, Bonfire Night and Thanksgiving! This episode is brought to you by Newsy Pooloozi. Show Contributors Jackson Hosking Saadhana Nagaraj Nirbhay Singh Chauhan Yuching Liu Adhyant Singh Chauhan Reyaansh Zaveri Yuvraj Singh Sahni --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Over the past few months, two far-right candidates, Georgia Meloni and Jair Balsanaro, have received a lot of global news coverage in the lead-up to national elections in Italy and Brazil. The outcomes of these elections are Worth Noting. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message