New Books in Children's Literature

A wonderful conversation with renowned editor Harold Underdown who founded and runs The Purple Crayon, a respected website with information about the children's publishing world talks about his favorite children's books growing up, his original plan of becoming a school teacher which morphed into an unexpected role as assistant editor. He discusses the importance of reader response (including those responses unanticipated by the author). Harold explains why during his career he preferred helping hundreds of authors publish children's books rather than write his own and how his career as a teacher helped him understand the needs of children to see themselves in the books. Note: Since the interview took place, Harold has taken on a new position as executive editor at Kane Press.Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Ourboox, a web platform that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The night the river jumped its banks, everything changed." So begins A Flood of Kindness (Worthy Kids, 2021) , a poignant picture book that addresses grief and loss and demonstrates how kindness can bring hope. Written in spare prose and told from an intimate first-person point of view, the story follows Charlotte, a young girl who watches floodwaters rise in her home and is forced to evacuate to a shelter with her parents. Kind people she doesn't know give her food, socks and shoes to keep her feet warm, and a place to sleep. As Charlotte adjusts to the shelter--a strange, crowded place that is not home--she grapples with feelings of anger and sadness. But as the days go by, Charlotte starts to realize how grateful she is for the things that she does have--her parents, a cot to sleep on, food to eat--and starts looking for ways to help others in the shelter.All children deal with sadness and loss in some way, whether it stems from a natural disaster, the death of a pet, or moving to a new place. A Flood of Kindness acknowledges those difficult feelings and helps readers process them in a healthy way. Children will be encouraged to be kind to those who need a friend and to help others in whatever way they can, no matter how small.Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Ourboox, a web platform that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I talked to Annette Whipple about her book Whooo Knew? The Truth About Owls (Reycraft Books, 2020)How do owls see in the dark? Can owls spin their heads all the way around? Why do owls puke? These and other questions are answered by an owl expert, along with some extra information provided by the owls themselves!Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Ourboox, a web platform that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our current podcast features the nonfiction picture book The Little Spacecraft That Could by Joyce Lapin, illustrated by Simona Ceccarelli, and the recipient of a *starred* review from Kirkus Book Reviews (Sterling, 2021)."The exploration of Pluto was a landmark event. This fascinating book tells the whole amazing story!" - Dr. Alan Stern, leader, NASA's New Horizons mission.Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Our Boox, an app that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our current podcast features a six-book series called the Becca Epps Series about Bending Your Thoughts, Feelings, and Behaviors (Shawnee Scientific Press, 2017-2021). The author of the series, Amy R. Murrell, Ph.D., is a licensed psychologist. Prior to writing this series, Dr. Murrell had co-authored a research-based self-help book (The Joy of Parenting; New Harbinger, 2009) and approximately 50 empirical or theoretical articles or chapters.All six of the picture books in the Becca Epps series are based on a cognitive-behavioral model of psychotherapy, called Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT).Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Our Boox, an app that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our current podcast features Freaky, Funky Fish: Odd Facts about Fascinating Fish (Running Press Kids, 2021), written by Debra Kempf Shumaker, illustrated by Claire Powell, and published with Running Press Kids in 2021. Debra writes children's books from her home in northern Virginia. She is active on Twitter discussing anything kidlit and also reviews picture books on Instagram.As you likely know, fish have fins and gills and tails. All fish swim and most have scales. But not all fish act or look the same. From zapping, stinging, even singing, discover the amazing ways fish look or act to survive in the waters they live in. Freaky, Funky Fish: Odd Facts about Fascinating Fish is an adorable picture book with a scientific—and child-friendly—underpinning. With examples of different fish for each description, as well as extensive backmatter explaining the fascinating science behind these varieties of fish, this funky book captures the wonder of our ecosystem.Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Our Boox, an app that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This podcast features the historical picture book, ‘Smelly Kelly’ and His Super Senses, illustrated by Jenn Harney (Calkins Creek, 2020). A former educator, Beth Anderson is an award-winning author whose titles include “An Inconvenient Alphabet” and “Lizzie Demands a Seat!”, with more on the way.James “Smelly” Kelly was a man with a powerful nose whose talents proved heroic in the early days of the New York City subway. Armed with his super-sniffer and the tools he invented, he tracked down leaks from the dangerous to the disgusting, from the comical to the bizarre. “Smelly” Kelly not only hunted leaks, but also saved lives—and discovered the truly extraordinary power he had inside.Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Our Boox, an app that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our current podcast features the picture book Kayla and Kugel's Happy Hanhukkah (Apples and Honey Press, 2020). The author, Ann Koffsky is the author and illustrator of more than thirty books, including Creation Colors, Sarah Builds a School, the Kayla & Kugel series, Judah Maccabee Goes to the Doctor and Shabbat Shalom, Hey. Several of her books have been PJ library selections, and her book Noah’s Swimathon received a Sydney Taylor notable designation from the Association of Jewish Libraries."In Koffsky’s clear verse, the spunky Kayla explains the origins and traditions of the holiday to Kugel. Koffsky’s color-rich, lively illustrations, including many of the mischievous Kugel, are sure to spark smiles." --Penny Schwartz, The Jewish Telegraphic Agency.Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Our Boox, an app that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nicholas (Nick) Solis is a prolific, award-winning author who writes picture books, middle grade novels, and poetry. We talk about his hilarious debut author/illustrator book, The Staring Contest! , published with Peter Pauper Press in September 2020 (nominated as a Redbud Read Aloud Award finalist for 2022). Nick also an award-winning elementary educator, as well as a writing teacher at The Writing Barn in Austin, Texas. In 2018, he was the recipient of the Walter Dean Myers Grant from We Need Diverse Books. Nick has taught students all over the globe—from Tanzania to Texas—and there’s one thing he’s learned from his world travels: kids are kids everywhere you go. We also talk briefly about THE COLOR COLLECTOR, with Sleeping Bear Press, which came out April 15th, 2021 and MY TOWN, MI PUEBLO, with Nancy Paulsen Books, which will be released in the fall of 2022. Nick lives with his wife, their dog, and their son, Leo, in Austin, Texas.Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Our Boox, an app that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices