The Children's Book Review: Growing Readers Podcast

In this episode, I talk with acclaimed author Elaine Vickers about her tender picture book Thankful. Elaine is the author of the middle grade novels Like Magic and Paper  Chains, which have received starred reviews, Whitney Award nominations, Mighty Girl’s Book of the Year picks, PJ Library licenses, and sold translations in four languages. She is also the author of the YA novel,  Fadeaway. In her non-writing life, Elaine teaches college chemistry, and she lives with her family in Utah. In this conversation, we dig into the topic of gratitude and the making of Thankful,  in which stunning, diorama illustrations bring to life this lullaby of a  picture book about celebrating everyday things that make life wonderful. Get ready to have your heart filled! Order a copy of Thankful via Bookshop.org.a great Order a copy of Long Road to the Circus via Amazon. Visit Elaine Vickers at https://www.elainevickers.com/. Resources: You can find the links to the activities discussed in this episode here https://www.elainevickers.com/books/thankful/ and here https://www.samanthacotterill.com/resources.html. Transcription: You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review. Discussion Topics: A story summary of Thankful The science of gratitude. Middle grade novels Paper Chains and Like Magic. The things kids are grateful for. The artwork of Samantha Cotterill: 3-D Art. The difficulties of practicing grattitude. Bedtime poetry. Young adult novel, Fade Away. Having more than one vocation: Scientist, teacher, author, and mother. The Ramona books. Crafts for practicing gratitude.

In this episode, I talk with award-winning writer and librarian Betsy Bird about Long Road to the Circus. Betsy Bird’s books include Funny Girl, an anthology of humorous stories; and the picture books Giant Dance Party and The Great Santa Stakeout. Illustrated by Caldecott Medalist David Small (Imogene’s Antlers), Long Road to the Circus is the story of a girl who rides an ostrich straight to her dreams. In this super fun chat, we discuss the story, the characters, and Betsy’s inspirations for writing it. As the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library and the former Youth Materials Specialist of New York Public Library,  Betsy also shares her answer to a wonderful question from a fellow librarian. Order a copy of Long Road to the Circus via Bookshop.org.a great Order a copy of Long Road to the Circus via Amazon. Visit Betsy Bird at https://www.betsybirdbooks.com/. You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

In this episode, I talk with Gayle Forman, an award-winning author and journalist whose articles have appeared in numerous publications, including Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, and Elle in the US. Gayle Forman’s novel, If I Stay, was released as a blockbuster movie starring Chloë Grace Moretz in 2014. Her most recent YA novel is We Are Inevitable. Gayle lives in Brooklyn, New York with her family. Today we're going to talk about her debut middle grade novel Frankie and Bug. Order a copy of Frankie and Bug via Bookshop.org. Order a copy of The Beatryce Prophecy via Amazon. Visit Gayle Forman at https://www.gayleforman.com/. You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

In this episode, I talk with two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo, one of America's most revered storytellers. Today we're going to talk about The Beatryce Prophecy, a fantastical meditation on fate, love, and the power of words to spell the world. A few episodes back, I talked with two-time Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator Sophie Blackall. Among many things, we discussed The Beatryce Prophecy, for which Sophie created the artwork. Now I get to share my conversation with Kate about the many splendors and joys of reading. Order a copy of The Beatryce Prophecy via Bookshop.org. Order a copy of The Beatryce Prophecy via Amazon. Visit Kate DiCamillo at https://www.katedicamillostoriesconnectus.com/. You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

In this episode, I talk with the debut author of The Wolf's Curse, Jessica Vitalis. Narrated in a voice reminiscent of The Book Thief, this fast-paced adventure is perfect for fans of fantasy such as The Girl Who Drank the Moon and A Wish in the Dark. We discuss The Wolf's Curse, an adventure that tackles heavy themes like death, grief, tradition, and community while ultimately providing hope. We also talk about Jessica's Cinderella story of becoming a published author. For a special surprise, we finish with the first chapter from the audiobook version of The Wolf's Curse. Join us! Order a copy of The Wolf's Curse via Bookshop.org. Order a copy of The Wolf's Curse via Amazon. Visit Jessica Vitalis at https://jessicavitalis.com/. You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

In this episode, I talk with Beth Ferry, the author of several picture books, including the NYT-bestselling picture book Stick and Stone (2015), illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld. She lives with her husband and three children by the beach in New Jersey, where she loves to wander, explore and mainly laze on the shore, but only in the summer. She says: Words, to me, are like bees and butterflies, buzzing and fluttering inside my head, sparking my imagination. Today we're going to talk about her latest collaboration with the very talented illustrator Tom Lichtenheld, STICK AND STONE: Best Friends Forever! It's a story that demonstrates how our friends can truly become family. Order a copy of Stick and Stone: Best Friends Forever via Bookshop.org. Order a copy of Stick and Stone: Best Friends Forever via Amazon. Visit Beth Ferry at https://www.bethferry.com/. You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

In this episode, I talk with Sophie Blackall, the two-time Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator of over forty books, including The Baby Tree, Hello Lighthouse, Finding Winnie (by Lindsay Mattick), A Voyage in the Clouds (by Matthew Olshan), Pecan Pie Baby (by Jacqueline Woodson), Big Red Lollipop(by Rukhsana Khan), and the Ivy and Bean series (by Annie Barrows). Her many honors include a BCCB Blue Ribbon, Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award, Society of Illustrators Founders Award, and Charlotte Zolotow Honor. Sophie's art has also been part of the NYC MTA's "Arts for Transit" program. She lives in Brooklyn, New York. We discuss many amazing things, including her new creative retreat for the children's book community, Milkwood Farm. We also talk about her artwork for two-time Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo's The Beatryce Prophecy (this book is A-mazing). The podcast community joins in the fun and asks Sophie questions, too. But to kick things off, we focus on her latest solo picture book, Negative Cat. Order a copy of Negative Cat via Bookshop.org. Order a copy of Negative Cat via Amazon. Visit Bianca Schulze at https://biancaschulze.com/. You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

In this episode, I talk with Bianca Schulze about her latest picture book, Just Be Yourself, Dragon, the third book in a delightfully fun series, Dragon is nervous about her first day of school! Bianca is the author of Don’t Wake the Dragon and Who Loves the Dragon? and the founder and editor of The Children’s Books Review—a resource devoted to children’s literature and literacy. She is also the bestselling author of 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up.  We dive into the inspiration behind Dragon, coming up with plots, the artwork, and the importance of kids getting to show up in their classrooms just as they are! Order a copy of Just Be Yourself, Dragon! via Bookshop.org. Order a copy of Just Be Yourself, Dragon! via Amazon. Visit Bianca Schulze at https://biancaschulze.com/. You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

In this episode of the Growing Readers Podcast, I talk with author and children's librarian Lydia M. Sigwarth about her debut picture book Dear Librarian, a "thank you" to anyone who has offered a child love and support during a difficult time. Wisconsin librarian Lydia is working her dream job of talking books with budding bookworms. Dear Librarian is her debut picture book that covers her personal experience with homelessness and the connection she formed with the library and a special librarian during this time. We discuss the book, overcoming adversity, the importance of libraries and librarians, and the stunning artwork from illustrator-newcomer Romina Galotta. I hope you enjoy our conversation! Order a copy of Dear Librarian via Bookshop.org. Order a copy of Dear Librarian via Amazon. Visit Sharice Davids at https://shariceforcongress.com/. You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

In this episode of the Growing Readers Podcast, I talk with Sharice Davids, one of the first Native American women elected to Congress, and the first LGBTQ congressperson to represent Kansas. We discuss her picture book autobiography Sharice's Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman. When Sharice Davids was young, she never thought she’d be in Congress. And she never thought she’d be one of the first Native American women in Congress. During her campaign, she heard from a lot of doubters. They said she couldn’t win because of how she looked, who she loved, and where she came from. But here’s the thing: Everyone’s path looks different and everyone’s path has obstacles. And this is the remarkable story of Sharice Davids’ path to Congress. Order a copy of Sharice's Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman via Bookshop.org. Order a copy of Sharice's Big Voice: A Native Kid Becomes a Congresswoman via Amazon. Visit Sharice Davids at https://shariceforcongress.com/. You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.