Kids from around the country call in to share their favorite books on the podcast. Titles discussed include 'Sarafina and the Black Cloak', 'Diary of Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules', 'One Piece', 'The Hunger Games', and more. Host Kitty Felde guides the young readers in expressing their love for these adventurous stories.

Writer Beth Lincoln talks about how her debut novel The Swifts came to life and the difference between audiences for middle grade novels in the U.S. compared to Great Britain. Kitty Felde is host.

Author Beth Lincoln discusses unique names in 'The Swifts', exploring family dynamics, secret rooms, and character creation. Celebrity reader LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn. Kids share favorite books. Podcast supported by LA County Department of Arts and Culture.

Kids at the City of Stem LA Maker Faire share their love for books like 'Wings of Fire', 'A Wrinkle in Time', and 'Harry Potter'. They discuss dragons, character bonds, and imaginative worlds. Jude talks about his admiration for bad guys in 'Lunch Lady' series, exploring the complexity of identifying with villains.

Writer Jerry Craft confesses that he wasn't much of a reader when he was a kid. Kitty Felde is host.

Author Jerry Craft discusses the challenges his award-winning graphic novel faced due to critical race theory content. Issues around identity, racial stereotypes, and representation in storytelling are explored. The book's ban in Katy, Texas sparked debate over derogatory terms and cultural sensitivity. Craft's motivation to engage readers and the impact of awards on personal favorites are also discussed.

How do you work with your mother on a book? How do you work on 15 books with your mother? We talk to the mother/daughter team behind Dork Diaries, Rachel Renée and Nikki Russell. Kitty Felde is host.

Everybody wants to go to Paris…especially Nikki Maxwell! Readers from Hollingworth Elementary School discuss the latest entry in Rachel Renée Russell’s series. It’s Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Posh Paris Adventure. Rachel and daughter Nikki Russell, who illustrates the books, answer questions from the kids. Our celebrity reader is actress/screenwriter Kate Orsini. Kitty Felde is host.

Madeleine L'Engle's granddaughters share their memories about their legendary grandmother and talk about some of her writing practices. Come see us at Comic Orange Saturday, April 13th from 11-3 at the Tustin Library.

We continue our series of episodes about books that have been banned or challenged around the country. This time, it’s the Newbery Award winning novel by Madeleine L’Engle: A Wrinkle in Time. According to the Carnegie Mellon Banned Books Project, the book was challenged in 1985 by parents in Florida who said the book “opposes Christian beliefs and teaches occult practices. The school principal did not remove the book from 4th grade curriculum. In 1990, a parent in Alabama asked to have the book removed because it “sends a mixed signal to children about good and evil.” The school board and superintendent voted unanimously to deny the request. Six years later, the book was challenged in North Carolina for undermining religious beliefs.The school board denied the request. Madeline L’Engle herself told the New York Times in 2001 that “it seems people are willing to damn the book without reading it.” We read it with a group of young readers and this is what they have to say about A Wrinkle in Time. This week, we tackle a classic – the 1963 winner of the Newbery Award “A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle. Our readers are 5th graders from the British International School in Washington, DC. Our celebrity reader is public radio journalist Stephanie O’Neill. Madeline L’Engle passed away in 2007, but we're joined by her granddaughters Charlotte Jones Volklis and Lena Roy.  They've written a biography of their grandmother based on her journals called “Becoming Madeleine.” Kitty Felde is host.  FAVORITE BOOKS FROM BRITISH INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL: Panda-monium - Stuart Gibbs Harry Potter - J.K. Rowling The Tiger Rising - Kate DiCamillo Space Case - Stuart Gibbs FAVORITE BOOKS FROM CHARLOTTE JONES VOIKLIS AND LENA ROY A Wrinkle in Time - Madeleine L’Engle A Gentleman in Moscow - Amor Towles STEPHANIE O’NEILL’S FAVORITE BOOK: Charlotte’s Web - E.B. White