Episodes

  • Julie Carpenter, "Harry and the Highwire: Houdini's First Amazing Act" (Green Bean Books, 2024)

    Julie Carpenter, "Harry and the Highwire: Houdini's First Amazing Act" (Green Bean Books, 2024)
    May 4 2024
    In this interview, we celebrate Julie Carpenter's first picture book, Harry and the Highwire: Houdini's First Amazing Act (Laura Catalán, illustrator), published by Green Been Books, May, 2024). Before deciding to write for children, Julie was a journalist, writer and editor for over 20 years.In our conversation we talk about the magic of writing, the magic of picture books, and the magical life of Harry Houdini. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    51 mins
  • On Monsters, Goddesses and Myths: A Discussion with Author Katherine Marsh

    On Monsters, Goddesses and Myths: A Discussion with Author Katherine Marsh
    Apr 13 2024
    “We’re not monsters, Mom. We’re goddesses—smart, fearless, and beautiful.” That’s the voice of Ava, the superpowered protagonist of Katherine Marsh’s captivating novel for children, Medusa (Clarion Books, 2024). Our discussion focuses on Marsh’s feminist retelling of the Medusa myth—and on the wider topic of the direction of children’s literature at a time when it has become a challenge to pull any child (or adult) away from the siren of social media. Marsh recognizes the challenges but remains optimistic that children’s literature, which has always drawn heavily on the eternal allure of myths, has a vibrant future. Veteran journalist Paul Starobin is a former Moscow bureau chief for Business Week and a former contributing editor of The Atlantic. He has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and many other publications. His most recent book is Putin’s Exiles: Their Fight for a Better Russia (Columbia Global Reports, 2024). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Laura Bower, "The Imposter" (Gnome Road Publishing, 2024)

    Laura Bower, "The Imposter" (Gnome Road Publishing, 2024)
    Mar 30 2024
    In this heartwarming interview with Laura Bower, we celebrate the launch of her brand new, debut picture book, The Imposter, illustrated by Kerisa Greene, and published by Sandra Sutter, Gnome Road Publishing (2024). Laura talks about her life and writing career, the story behind The Imposter, and her advice for aspiring authors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Michelle Knudsen, "Luigi, the Spider Who Wanted to Be a Kitten" (Candlewick Press, 2024)

    Michelle Knudsen, "Luigi, the Spider Who Wanted to Be a Kitten" (Candlewick Press, 2024)
    Mar 24 2024
    Michelle Knudsen is the New York Times best-selling author of fifty books for young readers of all ages, including the award-winning picture books (and personal favorites) Library Lion and Marilyn's Monster. In this, our second interview we celebrate the launch of her new picture book, Luigi, the Spider Who Wanted to Be a Kitten (Candlewick, 2024), a poignant story of mistaken identity and revelation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 mins
  • Shoshanna Lockshin and Efrayim Unterman, "The Devash Megillat Esther" (Hadar Press, 2024)

    Shoshanna Lockshin and Efrayim Unterman, "The Devash Megillat Esther" (Hadar Press, 2024)
    Mar 21 2024
    The Devash Megillat Esther (Hadar Press, 2024) includes the full Hebrew Megillah text, an original kid-friendly English translation, and carefully selected commentaries from 2,000 years of Jewish tradition brought to life in newly accessible ways. Devash unlocks sophisticated texts for learners of all ages and backgrounds, encouraging deep questioning and growth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    38 mins
  • Sue Fliess, "Octopus Acrobatics" (Albert Whitman & Company, 2024)

    Sue Fliess, "Octopus Acrobatics" (Albert Whitman & Company, 2024)
    Mar 18 2024
    Sue Fliess ("fleece") is the award-winning, bestselling author of over 50 children's books including Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket, How to Trap a Leprechaun, Mary Had a Little Lab, Rumble and Roar, the Beatrice Bly's Rules for Spies series, the Kid Scientist series, the Magical Creatures and Crafts series, and many Little Golden Books. Her books have sold over 850k copies worldwide and have been translated into many languages. In our interview we celebrate the publication of her newest picture book, Octopus Acrobatics, illustrated by Gareth Lucas and just published by Albert Whitman & Company (2024). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • Emily Barth Isler, "The Color of Sound" (Carolrhoda Books, 2024)

    Emily Barth Isler, "The Color of Sound" (Carolrhoda Books, 2024)
    Mar 17 2024
    Emily Barth Isler is the author of AfterMath, an award-winning middle grade novel, and of the forthcoming picture book Always Enough Love. In our interview, we celebrate the publication of her second middle grade novel, The Color of Sound (Carolrhoda Books, 2024), the story of Rosie, a musical prodigy with synesthesia. We talk about her transformation from child actor to blogger to author, and the unique perceptions of each and every one of us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • A Chat with a Children's Book Illustrator: Erin Kraan

    A Chat with a Children's Book Illustrator: Erin Kraan
    Mar 10 2024
    Erin Kraan has illustrated over half a dozen children's books, with more on the way. In our interview we celebrate her latest illustrated picture book, Buffalo Fluffalo (Random House Studio, 2024) written by Bess Kalb. Erin talks about her life and career, and explains her unique process of carving her characters into wood and seeing how their quirky and whimsical identities come to life through the ink in the prints. We talk about the role played by the illustrator in making picture books come true. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    51 mins