The Children's Book Review: Growing Readers Podcast

Award-winning authors Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko's co-authored book Dogtown showcases how fiction can help instill empathy and compassion, especially in fun stories that involve animals. They discuss the immeasurable and inspiring power of literature. Their work is a testament to the fact that stories can have a meaningful impact on the human experience. Dogtown encourages us to take the time to stop and consider the world around us and to become more aware and empathetic members of our community. Katherine Applegate is the #1 New York Times-bestselling author of beloved and award-winning books for young readers, including Odder, Home of the Brave, Crenshaw, Wishtree, Willodeen, and The One and Only Ivan, for which she won the Newbery Medal. She is also the author of the Animorphs series, and a beginning reader series, Doggo and Pupper, illustrated by Charlie Alder. Katherine Applegate lives in Southern California with her family. Gennifer Choldenko’s best known Tales from Alcatraz series has been called “A cornerstone series in contemporary children’s literature.” Al Capone Does My Shirts―the first book in the series―was a Newbery Honor Book and the recipient of twenty other awards. All four books in the series were Junior Library Guild selections and garnered many starred reviews. Gennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay area with her loyal husband and naughty dog. Transcription: You can read the transcription on ⁠The Children's Book Review (coming soon)⁠. Order a Copy: Dogtown on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠. Resources: You can find out more about Katherine Applegate at https://katherineapplegate.com/. You can find out more about Gennifer Choldenko at https://www.choldenko.com/. Discussion Topics: Katherine and Gennifer talk about: Their love of dogs, writing, and, of course, Dogtown Katherine's struggles with sitting down to write and how she uses the Pomodoro method to help her get started How they connected over their love for middle grade readers and collaborated on writing Dogtown Research for Dogtown, including volunteering at a pet shelter and training dogs for therapy work How the idea of robot dogs versus real dogs came about for the story The main characters Metalhead and Chance and what they represent Wallace West's illustrations in the book and how he brought it to life with his quirky and original style The importance of fiction in developing empathy and compassion, and how stories about animals (like Dogtown) can inspire kids to cherish and appreciate their furry companions

Join the conversation with author Josh Funk as he discusses the unique nuances between Dear Dragon and Dear Unicorn. In this lively discussion, Funk taps into the concept of duality in relationships—how a balance between positivity and negativity can facilitate growth. Discover the intricate details in the book's illustrations, and learn how asking questions and staying curious can bring color and excitement to life. This conversation encourages readers to appreciate art, celebrate their differences, and learn to connect more deeply with others. Listen up and be inspired to channel your inner creativity and keep an open mind in your day-to-day interactions. By day, Josh Funk writes C++, Java Code, and Python scripts as a software engineer, which he's been doing for the last twenty years. In his spare time he uses ABC's, drinks Java coffee, and writes picture book manuscripts, such as How to Code a Sandcastle, Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast, The Case of the Stinky Stench, Dear Dragon, and more. Josh graduated from the UMass Amherst Commonwealth College with a degree in computer science. He is a board member of the Writers' Loft in Sherborn, Massachusetts, and the co-coordinator of the 2017 New England Regional SCBWI Conference. Transcription: You can read the transcription on ⁠The Children's Book Review. Order a Copy: Dear Unicorn on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠. Resources: You can find out more about Josh Funk at https://www.joshfunkbooks.com/. Discussion Topics: Josh Funk talks about: The inspiration behind his previous book, Dear Dragon, and how it unintentionally became a hit with teachers for its themes of friendship and challenging assumptions. How he came up with the idea for Dear Unicorn while waiting in line for a roller coaster at Disney World and wrote the entire first draft on his phone with his child's help. The difference between Dear Dragon and Dear Unicorn Using art to communicate and express emotions. Takeaways for kids reading Dear Unicorn. Balance between positivity and negativity in relationships and how it can lead to growth. How getting to know someone allows for more authenticity The characters of Connie and Nic, the unicorn, express themselves differently. Josh and Bianca read a page from Dear Unicorn. Using his platform to share the work of other authors and push for inclusivity and representation

Get ready to be inspired by Julie Hedlund and her outstanding involvement in writing communities! In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, she shares her research process behind her masterpiece Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Andrews. Hedlund hopes to inspire readers to learn from Andrews' hard work and celebrate their unique paths. Julie Hedlund is the award-winning children's picture book author of Over, Bear! Under, Where? She spends much of her time inside her imagination, and when not writing or reading, she enjoys playing in the mountains near her home in Boulder, Colorado. She lives with her two teenage children and their high-maintenance hound dog. Transcription: You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review. Order a Copy: Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Hedlund on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠. Resources: You can find out more about Julie at https://juliehedlund.com/. Follow her on Twitter @juliefhedlund. 12x12 Challenge: https://www.12x12challenge.com/. Picture Book Summit: https://picturebooksummit.com/. Home: A Memoir of My Early Years by Julie Andrews: https://amzn.to/3PrNAkx. Discussion Topics: Julie Hedlund talks about: Her writing process and the importance of being a reader before becoming a writer. Her involvement in writing communities like 12 x 12 and Picture Book Summit, where Julie Andrews is a keynote speaker this year. How a comment from Julie Andrews' daughter led to writing a picture book biography about Julie Andrews Extensive research for the book, including reading Julie's memoir, doing onsite research in London, and listening to interviews. The book's emotional climax and how readers can take away the message that they can use their gifts to improve the world. The benefits of reading from biographies of people who work hard and achieve great things, just like Julie Andrews. Embracing individual paths and not comparing oneself to others.

Nyasha Williams discusses her mission to decolonize literature by creating books that share important information accessible for all ages. Her books, including Ally Baby: Can Be Antiracist and Keep Dreaming Black Child, emphasize the importance of taking action and being an ally while acknowledging the need for humility—the conversations her books spark can help create a more equitable world. Nyasha Williams is an author, creator, and activist who works to decolonize literature, minds, and spiritual practices one day at a time. She is also the author of the picture books What’s the Commotion in the Ocean? and I Affirm Me ABCs.  Transcription: You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review. Order a Copy: Ally Baby Can Be Antiracist on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠. Keep Dreaming Black Child on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠. Black Tarot on Amazon and Bookshop.org. Resources: For more information, visit https://www.nyashawilliams.online/⁠. Discussion Topics: Nyasha talks about: Her mission to decolonize literature and how she got into writing children's books driven by her love for water and eco-activism. The writing process through ancestral connection. Challenges of funding and editing in the publishing world, especially regarding getting sample illustrations and pushing into higher realms. Creating the "Ally Baby Can" series and incorporating rhyming in the books. How the illustrations in the books are designed to convey messages even if the child cannot access the words. The inclusion of a glossary for formal terminology. How she hopes the books will resonate with readers. Taking action and being an ally and needing humility, hard conversations, and acknowledging diversity to create a more equitable world.

Get ready to be inspired as you learn about Remy Lai's creative process and the inspiration behind her latest graphic novel, Ghost Book, which beautifully deals with the difficult themes of death and grief in a moving and hopeful way. Remy Lai studied fine arts with a major in painting and drawing. She was born in Indonesia, grew up in Singapore, and currently lives in Brisbane, Australia, where she writes and draws stories for kids with her two dogs by her side. She is the author of the critically-acclaimed Pie in the Sky, Fly on the Wall, and Pawcasso. Transcription: You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review. Order a Copy: Ghost Book on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org. Resources: For more information, visit https://remylai.com. Discussion Topics: What drives Remy Lai to create books for children From the images in her head to finishing revisions on a manuscript Ghost Book, and how the idea came to her Origin of the characters in Ghost Book The concept of hungry ghosts and their significance in Chinese culture and how they fit into the story Themes of death and grief and the importance of exploring these themes in a hopeful way The importance of quality friendships over quantity Finding the right ending to the story — Sponsor: This episode was made possible in part by author Virginia Shaw Genthner, the author of Jellybean Finds a Family. Listen to the book spotlight about this true story that follows Jellybean the horse as he leaves Europe to come to the United States looking for a family. Order a Copy: Jellybean Finds a Family on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠.

Jessica Speer wrote The Phone Book to provide knowledge and empowerment for kids and families regarding smartphone use. The book includes quizzes, real stories, techie tidbits, and secret codes to engage readers. In this informative chat, she suggests modeling healthy tech habits, creating a tech agreement, having regular conversations about the dark side of tech, and teaching digital literacy and citizenship to help kids form healthy digital habits. Speer is the award-winning author of BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? A Girls Guide to Happy Friendships and Middle School – Safety Goggles Advised. Her interactive books for preteens and teens entertain readers while exploring important topics. Blending humor, a dash of science, stories, and insights, her writing unpacks challenges that surface during adolescence. She has a master’s degree in social sciences and explores topics in ways that connect with kids. Jessica is regularly featured in and contributes to media outlets on topics related to kids, teens, parenting, and social-emotional development. Transcription: You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review. Order a Copy: The Phone Book: Stay Safe, Be Smart, and Make the World Better with the Powerful Device in Your Hand: ⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠. Resources: For more information, visit www.JessicaSpeer.com. Discussion Topics: The Phone Book balances knowledge and empowerment for kids and families regarding smartphone use Working with kids to gather information and stories How watching "The Social Dilemma" highlighted the need for guardrails around technology use for kids and inspired The Phone Book Helping kids understand technology and its impact The design elements and interactive features of The Phone Book Modeling healthy tech habits, creating a tech agreement, having regular conversations about the dark side of tech, and teaching digital literacy and citizenship for parents to help their kids form healthy digital habits Creating more informed young users of tech through her book Encouraging families to have guidebooks on hand for when kids hit a bump in the road

Chuck Bryant and Josh Clark are the duo behind the award-winning tri-weekly podcast Stuff You Should Know. They talk about how they adapted their content for their kids' book Stuff Kids Should Know, using kid-friendly topics. They have a background in researching and writing and find a story in whatever they're talking about. The pair have been working together on the show since it began in 2008, and it has gone on to become one of the most downloaded podcasts in history. They are currently based in Atlanta. Transcription: You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review. Order a Copy: Stuff Kids Should Know: ⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠. Resources: You can listen to the Stuff You Should Know podcast on iHeart Radio. Discussion Topics: Chuck and Josh discuss:  How they adapted their podcast content for their kids' book Their love of nonfiction and how they became interested in learning Choosing topics for their podcast and how they selected topics for their book Researching and writing and relying on a body of research to have a conversation Tricks for fact-checking over the years, such as investigating red flags and finding multiple sources to back up claims Infusing humor into the show and finding humor in most things That everything is interconnected in some way Finding a story in whatever they're talking about Their approach to researching and writing nonfiction emphasizes the importance of following questions and not taking things for granted A glimpse at each of the chapters of the book

Sally J. Pla discusses her novel The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn and describes the character of Maudie as a girl who learns resiliency in the face of life's challenges. Sally also talks about the importance of reading about characters different from oneself to broaden empathy and understanding. The themes of the book include divorce, neurodivergence, and abuse. Sally's website, Novelmind.com, is a resource for mental health and neurodiversity representation in children's literature. Sally J. Pla is the author of the acclaimed novels The Someday Birds and Stanley Will Probably Be Fine. She has English degrees from Colgate and Penn State and has worked as a business journalist and in public education. She has three sons, a husband, and an enormous fluffy dog and lives near lots of lemon trees in Southern California. Transcription: You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review . Order a Copy: The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn: ⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org. Resources: You can visit Sally J. Pla online at www.sallyjpla.com. Visit anovelmind.com, a site about mental health and neurodiversity in children’s literature. Discussion Topics: The premise of The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn and how it fits with Sally's mission Sally discusses the struggle of sustaining focus and shares her secret weapon, a particular software, to block distractions. She explains how her mission to populate children's literature with neurodivergent characters came about through her own experiences with her neurodivergent children and a health emergency that refocused her priorities. The importance of reading about characters who are different from oneself to broaden empathy and understanding. Sally describes the character of Maudie as a girl who cares about others and wants to be accepted and loved and learns to surf as a metaphor for learning resiliency in the face of life's challenges. Inherited traumas that parents bring into their parenting and the resources included in the book. How the combination of prose and verse in the book was a natural evolution based on Maudie's thought processes The message of empowerment and resilience in The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn.

Carin Berger shares her love for books, childhood memories, and inspiration for her latest book, In The Night Garden. She discusses her creative process for creating collages and the impact she hopes her book will have on readers. Carin Berger is the award-winning author and illustrator of almost a dozen picture books for children, including The Little Yellow Leaf, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book, All of Us, and Finding Spring. She is also the illustrator of Behold the Bold Umbrellaphant by Jack Prelutsky and Are We Pears Yet? by Miranda Paul. She and her family divide their time between NYC and Cupcake, their home, in the Hudson Valley. Carin spends all of her spare time tending her garden. Transcription: You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review. Order a Copy: In the Night Garden: ⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org. Resources: You can visit Carin Berger at http://www.carinberger.com/. Discussion Topics: Carin's motivations for creating books for children Exploring the natural world at night and overcoming fears The process of creating collages, which involves drawing intricate dummies, making vellums, cutting stencils, and using found ephemera The hidden messages or secrets in the artwork—Carin sometimes incorporates words or numbers with personal significance Getting the physical artwork to editors and art designers and the back-and-forth process of scanning and color correction Challenges of printing on uncoated paper The impact Carin hopes her book In the Night Garden will have on readers Encouragement to look deeply at books and the world around you

In this episode, Todd Parr shares his journey to becoming an author and illustrator, inspired by his struggles in school and desire to help kids feel better about themselves. His books have clear messages of inclusivity and kindness, and the new book, The Monster Mac and Cheese Party, featuring monsters and macaroni and cheese, adds humor while reinforcing the joys that come from sharing a meal together. The conversation emphasizes the importance of kindness, self-confidence, and creating memories for families through children's books. Todd Parr has inspired and empowered millions of children around the world with his bold images and positive messages. He is the bestselling author of more than sixty books, including The Goodbye Book, The Family Book, The I Love You Book, and It's Okay to be Different. He lives in California. Transcription: You can read the transcription on ⁠The Children's Book Review⁠. Order copies: The Monster Mac and Cheese Party: Amazon⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠. Resources: You can visit Todd Parr at https://www.toddparr.com/. Discussion Topics: Becoming an author and illustrator Being discovered by an editor at a licensing show in New York City Creating children's books based on inclusivity and kindness How struggling in school with dyslexia and family issues has led to writing books that help kids feel better about themselves Creating self-help books for kids with clear messages rather than character-driven stories Addressing social-emotional issues with kids is more important now than ever Staying true to the idea of empowering kids leads to endless possibilities for future books The inspiration behind the picture book, The Monster Mac and Cheese Party, and how it fits into the overall approach of creating inclusive books The importance of kindness, self-confidence, and being who you are