

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

Jan 7, 2025 • 29min
A Willingness to Let Things Take Time with Joshua S. Levy
Joshua S. Levy, author of Finn and Ezra's Bar Mitzvah Time Loop (Katherine Tegen Books) and co-editor of On All Other Nights: A Passover Celebration in 14 Stories (Harry N. Abrams), talks about where the characters start and where they have to go. Visit Josh online at www.joshuasimonlevy.com You can pick up your own copy of I Like Your Chutzpah: And Other Yiddish Words You'll Like (Rise X Penguin Workshop) wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.org. You can also use my affiliate link by clicking on the book’s name in our show notes. Finn and Ezra's Bar Mitzvah Time Loop and On All Other Nights are also each available as an audiobook at your local library or through Libro.fm, where your purchase also supports independent bookstores in the process! 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. 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.

Dec 31, 2024 • 27min
Really Special Words with Suzy Ultman
Suzy Ultman, author and artist of I Like Your Chutzpah: And Other Yiddish Words You'll Like (Rise X Penguin Workshop), talks about helping small people feel good about themselves and connect to their trueness. Visit Suzy online at https://www.suzyultman.com/ You can pick up your own copy of I Like Your Chutzpah: And Other Yiddish Words You'll Like (Rise X Penguin Workshop) wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.org. You can also use my affiliate link by clicking on the book’s name in our show notes. 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. 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.

Dec 24, 2024 • 34min
A Suitcase Like a Portal with Natalia Sylvester
Natalia Sylvester, author of A Maleta Full of Treasures (Dial Books), illustrated by Juana Medina, talks about how we are, deep down, all of the ages we’ve ever been. Visit Natalia online at www.nataliasylvester.com You can pick up your own copy of A Maleta Full of Treasures (Dial Books) wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.org. You can also use my affiliate link by clicking on the book’s name in our show notes. 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. 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.

Dec 17, 2024 • 31min
Love as Presence with Nelly Buchet
Nelly Buchet, author of Big Sister, Long Coat (Northsouth Books), illustrated by Rachel Katstaller, talks about small moments as the practice for bigger events in life. Visit Nelly online at www.nellybuchet.com You can pick up your own copy of Big Sister, Long Coat (Northsouth Books)wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.org. You can also use my affiliate link by clicking on the book’s name in our show notes. 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. 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.

Dec 10, 2024 • 29min
Time is Distance with Karol Hernández
Karol Hernández, author of I Am La Chiva!: The Colorful Bus of the Andes (Dial Books), illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gómez, talks about our responsibility to find and to make community. Visit Karol online at https://karolita.com You can pick up your own copy of I Am La Chiva!: The Colorful Bus of the Andes (Dial Books) wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.org. You can also use my affiliate link by clicking on the book’s name in our show notes. 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. 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.

Dec 3, 2024 • 32min
Stubborn Optimism with Brad Montague and Kristi Montague
Brad Montague and Kristi Montague, authors and illustrators of Fail-A-Bration (Dial Books), talk about how the stories we tell help to create the world we live in. Visit Brad and Kristi online at https://montagueworkshop.com/hello You can pick up your own copy of Fail-A-Bration (Dial Books) wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.org. You can also use my affiliate link by clicking on the book’s name in our show notes. 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. 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.

Nov 26, 2024 • 29min
You Can’t Win at Everything with J.E. Thomas
J.E. Thomas, author of Control Freaks (Levine Querido), talks about loving your characters exactly as they show up in your story. Visit Jan online at https://jethomasauthor.com You can pick up your own copy of Control Freaks (Levine Querido) wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.org. You can also use my affiliate link by clicking on the book’s name in our show notes. 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. 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.

Nov 19, 2024 • 35min
Fun, Fabulousness, and Truth with Lil Miss Hot Mess (R)
Lil Miss Hot Mess (@LilMissHotMess) shares about her debut picture book, THE HIPS ON THE DRAG QUEEN GO SWISH, SWISH, SWISH. Lil Miss Hot Mess has been performing in drag for many years now, more than the age of her readers at Drag Queen Story Hour, but it’s because of those readers and those story hours that led to the creation of this picture book. Set to the tune of “The Wheels on the Bus”, Lil Miss Hot Mess’s invitation to swish, stomp, shimmy, snap, and bling pairs with the vibrant and energetic art of Olga de Dios to create a moment with readers full of fun, fabulousness, and truth. This episode originally aired on July 24, 2020.

Nov 12, 2024 • 34min
Feeling As Important As Anybody Else with Traci Sorell and Joseph Erb
Traci Sorell and Joseph Erb, author and illustrator of Clack, Clack! Smack! A Cherokee Stickball Story (Charlesbridge Publishing), talk about creating community and feeling as important as anybody else. Visit Traci online at https://www.tracisorell.com Visit Joseph online at https://www.josepherb.com You can pick up your own copy of Clack, Clack! Smack! A Cherokee Stickball Story (Charlesbridge Publishing) wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.org. You can also use my affiliate link by clicking on the book’s name in our show notes. 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. 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.

Nov 5, 2024 • 31min
10 Years of The Princess in Black with Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, and LeUyen Pham
Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, and LeUyen Pham, creators of the The Princess in Black series (Candlewick Press), talk about tapping into a world they created a decade ago. Visit Princess in Black online at https://www.princessinblack.com/ You can pick up your own copy of The Princess in Black and the Kitty Catastrophe (Candlewick Press) wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.org. You can also use my affiliate link by clicking on the book’s name in our show notes. 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. 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.