In this episode Debbi Michiko Florence chats with Jennifer about her love for children's literature and the power of books to shape our hearts. She shares her own experiences as a reader, from her childhood memories of her parents reading to her and weekly trips to the library, to her rediscovery of reading for pleasure after college. Debbi emphasizes the importance of authentic representation in children's literature and the impact her books have on young readers, particularly those who see themselves reflected in her characters. She also discusses her upcoming middle grade series, Last Chance Academy, and the joy of writing sweet romances for tween and early teen readers.

Show notes, including a discount code for purchasing the books mentioned in this episode from Bookelicious, can be found here.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Fan Appreciation

01:08 Debbi's Reader's Heart

07:06 Common themes in The Reader's Heart

10:01 Books as safe spaces

12:21 Creating authentic characters

16:31 Debbi's journey as a writer

20:15 The powerful first crush

22: 12 Aliza Werner shout out

28:35 Introducing Last Chance Academy

34:14 Importance of stories that explore layered identities

36:01 Wrap up and conclusions

In this conversation, Jennifer LaGarde and Katherine Marsh discuss the power of children's literature and the influence it has on shaping readers' hearts. They explore Katherine's own reader's heart and how it informs her writing. They also delve into the themes and characters of Katherine's book, Medusa, and the importance of representation and empathy in literature. They discuss the challenges of getting kids to read and the need for books that cater to different reading levels and interests. Finally, they touch on Katherine's upcoming projects and the role of books in mother-daughter relationships.

Show notes, including a discount code for purchasing the books mentioned in this episode from Bookelicious, can be found here.

Chapters:

In this conversation, Jennifer chats with Elly Swartz discuss the power of children's literature to shape hearts and minds. They explore the importance of books in helping readers navigate life's emotions and connect with themselves and others. They also discuss the influence of social media on storytelling and the inclusion of themes like forgiveness in Swartz's books. Swartz shares her love for writing middle-grade books and the joy of connecting with young readers. They also touch on Swartz's upcoming book, Same Page, which tackles the themes of book banning, friendship, and finding common ground.

Show notes, including a discount code for purchasing the books mentioned in this episode from Bookelicious, can be found here.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Shared Love for Children's Literature 09:00 The Influence of Social Media on Storytelling 13:13 The Power of Forgiveness in Swartz's Books 25:00 Exploring Book Banning and Friendship in 'Same Page'