The Children's Book Podcast

Today, with a full and grateful heart, I am welcoming back to the podcast Carole Boston Weatherford, author of Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre, illustrated by Floyd Cooper. May 31st, 2021 marks the 100th anniversary of the start of the Tulsa Race Massacre, a horrific event that devastated the wealthiest African American community in the entire nation. What provoked the event, beyond that elevator ride where Dick Rowland, and African American teen, either stumbled or stepped on the foot of Sarah Page, a young white elevator operator in a downtown office building, resulting in Rowland being jailed on assault charges… what provoked the event was Black advancement. As Carole reminds us in this interview, Black advancement is the single greatest threat to White Supremacy. Get a copy of this book and support independent bookstores (and this podcast) by visiting our BookShop Store. Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/matthewcwinner or on Paypal at paypal.me/childrensbkpod --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Today I am joined by Ilyasah Shabazz, author of The Awakening of Malcolm X, written with Tiffany D. Jackson. Bryan Stevenson said “We are all more than the worst thing we’ve ever done.” And yet our criminal justice system might have us thinking otherwise. Ilyasah illuminates the humanity of inmates while also discovering the truth about who Malcolm is in this exceptional young adult novel. I myself listened to the audiobook adaptation and highly recommended it as well. There is so much in this book and in this conversation, that the best way I can think to share is, as in many cases, for me to get out of the way and let the stories be heard. If you are not yet acquainted with Ilyasah Shabazz, I hope that this discussion serves that introduction well.  Get a copy of this book and support independent bookstores (and this podcast) by visiting our BookShop Store. Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/matthewcwinner or on Paypal at paypal.me/childrensbkpod --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Jason June and Lori Richmond share Porcupine Cupid. Jason June talks of the magic we create when we’re connected and this story laces that magic throughout. Much like Porcupine Cupid, Jason June is in love with love and works throughout this story to ensure not to define what it means to be in love. Lori’s illustrations are laced with love and hearts and connection throughout and it was just so wonderful to be in conversation with them both, I never wanted it to end. Get a copy of this book and support independent bookstores (and this podcast) by visiting our BookShop Store. Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/matthewcwinner or on Paypal at paypal.me/childrensbkpod --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Archaa Shrivastav is the author of Families, Hair, and On-The-Go, three delightful board books in the We Are Little Feminists series. And We Are Little Feminists: Families is the 2021 recipient of the Stonewall Book Awards – Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award. This is an award given annually to English-language works of exceptional merit for children or teens relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience and the committee made history by selecting a board book as their winner. But not just any board book. This one… this whole series… is truly like nothing you’ve seen before. Exceptionally crafted, designed, and brought into this world to shine a light on and hold up a mirror for all families. All families. Get a copy of this book and support independent bookstores (and this podcast) by visiting our BookShop Store. Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/matthewcwinner or on Paypal at paypal.me/childrensbkpod --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Today I’m welcoming to the podcast by Soyeon Kim, illustrator of Once Upon an Hour, Sukaq and the Raven, You are Never Alone, and A Last Goodbye. Soyeon’s diorama illustrations are unlike anything I’ve seen before in picture books, each built within a wooden frame with individual components illustrated, cut out, and then suspended with fishing line. It’s breathtaking and whimsical, and when we’re all able to travel again I am making it a priority to see her art in person. I think you’ll want to as well once you hear this conversation.  Get a copy of this book and support independent bookstores (and this podcast) by visiting our BookShop Store. Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/matthewcwinner or on Paypal at paypal.me/childrensbkpod --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Melissa Stewart, the author of Ick!: Delightfully Disgusting Animal Dinners, Dwellings, and Defenses and the editor of Nonfiction Writers Dig Deep. Melissa is an unwavering advocate for nonfiction in all places, whether that is at storytimes, in classroom instruction, on book lists, or wherever will make space for it. And whenever she talks nonfiction advocacy, I am here for it. Get a copy of this book and support independent bookstores (and this podcast) by visiting our BookShop Store. Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/matthewcwinner or on Paypal at paypal.me/childrensbkpod --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Eric Gansworth shares Apple (Skin to the Core). Eric’s memoir in pictures and verse is also an exceptional audiobook which Eric reads himself. It’s a privilege for me to bring you this conversation today. Get a copy of this book and support independent bookstores (and this podcast) by visiting our BookShop Store. Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/matthewcwinner or on Paypal at paypal.me/childrensbkpod --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Jordan Scott and Sydney Smith share I Talk Like a River, a most exceptional picture book by two most exceptional individuals. If you have not yet come to know I Talk Like a River, I can think of no better place to start. So I will leave you with three thoughts shared with me in this conversation by Jordan and Sydney that I think deserve being heard over and over. #1: Stuttering makes language visible. #2: The production of speech is a physical act. And #3: The idea of fluency is kind of fictional. I hope you enjoy this episode a whole lot.  Get a copy of this book and support independent bookstores (and this podcast) by visiting our BookShop Store. Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/matthewcwinner or on Paypal at paypal.me/childrensbkpod --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Ilima Loomis and Kenard Pak share Ohana Means Family. Poi is an important and traditional food to native Hawaiian islanders, made from taro, and in this building rhyme story a family prepares the poi for their ohana's luau. Many stories have employed the structure of “The House That Jack Built” in order to tell a cumulative story, but the format serves this book especially well alongside Pak’s illustrations to celebrate a food, an island nation, a family, and a tradition. I hope you’re able to hold a copy of this book soon so that you, too, can be transported. Get a copy of this book and support independent bookstores (and this podcast) by visiting our BookShop Store. Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/matthewcwinner or on Paypal at paypal.me/childrensbkpod --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Duncan Tonatiuh shares Feather Serpent and the Five Suns, a creation story using Duncan’s iconic pre-Columbian Meso-American-influenced art style that takes readers into the depths of Mictlān, the underworld of Axtec mythology. It’s an epic story, and hearing Duncan tell it is testament to how strongly these influences move Duncan’s hands to create such wonderful stories. Get a copy of this book and support independent bookstores (and this podcast) by visiting our BookShop Store. Support us on Patreon at patreon.com/matthewcwinner or on Paypal at paypal.me/childrensbkpod --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message