

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 25, 2018 • 44min
Airlie Anderson
Airlie Anderson (@airliebird) is the author illustrator of NEITHER, a new picture book about a creature who is not this or that, but neither. It's a story of finding a place to belong, a place to feel welcome. It's also a story about making room for others who may be different from you. But one of the book's most powerful qualities is the space left for the reader to make his or her own connections, to see his or her own this, that, and neither. And for adults to do the same. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Sep 19, 2018 • 55min
Calista Brill and Kenard Pak
Calista Brill (@CalistaBrill) and Kenard Pak (@kenardpak) are the author and illustrator, respectively, of CAT WISHES, a new picture book about a cat who catches a snake but spares its life when the snake says it will grant the cat three wishes. In our conversation we discuss clinging to skepticism and characters who imagine themselves as cynical when really they're revealed to be quite caring. When reading CAT WISHES be sure to pay close attention to the syncopation of art and words. It's beautiful. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Sep 11, 2018 • 51min
Francesca Sanna
Francesca Sanna (@Frenci_San) is the author and illustrator of ME AND MY FEAR, a new picture book about how fear manifests in us, takes root, and, if we're not careful, can form us in its likeness. I'm first became aware of Francesca's work from THE JOURNEY, her debut picture book universalizing the refugee experience and inviting readers to look, to ask questions, to feel, to understand that there are people in this world (and perhaps even in their lives) who have lived similar experiences. How many of us know intimately the experience of being pushed and pulled by hope? You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Sep 7, 2018 • 48min
Traci Sorell
Traci Sorell (@tracisorell) is the author of WE ARE GRATEFUL: OTSALIHELIGA, a new picture book featuring Cherokee men and women, children and grandparents, family and friends throughout the year, in all seasons, grateful. It's a book that speaks loudly by asking readers to listen closely. Traci shares in our conversation the universal value of gratitude, emphasizing that life is not just about being grateful for the good things that happen to you. I think it's a message we all need to hear and I'm grateful for such a beautiful book to spark the conversation. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Sep 4, 2018 • 49min
Suzanne Kaufman and Martha Rago
Suzanne Kaufman (@lilmonkeydraws) and Martha Rago (@martharago) are the illustrator and art director, respectively, of ALL ARE WELCOME, a new picture book welcoming to school students of all races, ethnicities, beliefs, and backgrounds. The book was inspired by a piece of art made by Suzanne for her daughter's school and, once shared over social media, went viral throughout the kidlit community. It's a book spoken through the rhythm of kids' lives and it's the book I'll be reading to each of my K-5 classes throughout our first week of school. But more importantly, the story reminds readers that they belong and that they can feel confident knowing that they belong no matter what. This is the second of a 2-part podcast series on ALL ARE WELCOME. The first includes ALL ARE WELCOME author Alexandra Penfold and editor Erin Clarke. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Aug 29, 2018 • 47min
Alexandra Penfold and Erin Clarke
Alexandra Penfold (@AgentPenfold) and Erin Clarke (@erinmclarke) are the author and editor, respectively, of ALL ARE WELCOME, a new picture book welcoming to school students of all races, ethnicities, beliefs, and backgrounds. The book was inspired by a piece of art made by Suzanne Kaufman for her daughter's school and, once shared over social media, went viral throughout the kidlit community. It's a book spoken through the rhythm of kids' lives and it's the book I'll be reading to each of my K-5 classes throughout our first week of school. But more importantly, the story reminds readers that they belong and that they can feel confident knowing that they belong no matter what. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Aug 21, 2018 • 1h 4min
Christian Trimmer and Jessie Sima
Christian Trimmer (@MisterTrimmer) and Jessie Sima (@JessieSima) are the author and illustrator, respectively, of SNOW PONY AND THE SEVEN MINIATURE PONIES, a new picture book inspired by the Snow White story, but with twists and humor and scrapbooking and magnificent hair braids. We also talk about Jessie's HARRIET GETS CARRIED AWAY and Christian's TEDDY'S FAVORITE TOY, two additional picture book releases that push back on gendering and celebrate books for all readers. These are narratives that shine a light for our readers and open up their worlds just a little more with each turn of the page. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Aug 17, 2018 • 47min
Camille Andros and Julie Morstad
Camille Andros (@camdros) and Julie Morstad are the author and illustrator, respectively, of THE DRESS AND THE GIRL, a new picture book about a girl, a hand sewn dress, and a very long journey. It's also a book about memory and, specifically, the memories we associate with specific items in our life, be they unique or commonplace, unusual or beloved. Or, perhaps, a little bit of each. It's also a book that was inspired by some very significant memories, which you'll hear from our guests. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Aug 14, 2018 • 46min
Saadia Faruqi and Hatem Ally
Saadia Faruqi (@SaadiaFaruqi) and Hatem Aly (@metahatem) are the author and illustrator, respectively, of MEET YASMIN, a new series of chapter books featuring spirited second-grader Yasmin Ahmad and her multigenerational family. Yasmin's curiosity about the world and the discoveries she makes regularly through observation of life and the world around her are great for young readers with eyes wide to the world. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Aug 7, 2018 • 28min
Mrs. P's 10th Annual Be a Famous Writer Contest
Mrs. P (@MrsPstorytime) returns to share details around the 10th annual Be a Famous Writer Contest. The new school year is about to begin. It's time for possibility and wonder and excitement and discovery. It's time for students to find identity as scientists and coders and makers… and writers. Mrs. P has loved and inspired young authors for many, many years and the submissions she receives for the annual Be a Famous Writer Contest showcase some incredible works of creativity by students and classrooms. This year's theme is HEROES and I've invited Mrs. P back to the podcast to tell you and your students all about it. You can access all of the information you and your students will need to get started by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message


