The Children's Book Podcast

Pat Zietlow Miller (@PatZMiller) shares REMARKABLY YOU and WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE, two recent picture book releases that see kids from all sides and complexities. REMARKABLY YOU was inspired by the Seven Ways of Being Smart, also known as the Seven Intelligences, and celebrates everything that makes every kid different. WHEN YOU ARE BRAVE calls the reader to look deep inside themselves for the strength to be brave, despite all your circumstances or subconscious might be feeding you. Two books speaking many truths and affirming many beauties in the children who will read them (and in the grown-ups who will read to those children). You can access even more information about this book and its author and illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Christian Robinson makes his author-illustrator debut with ANOTHER, a wordless picture book exploring the literal experience of seeing yourself in a book and of others seeing themselves in the same book. Christian talks about relying on his strengths and owning that we all have blind spots. He also shares how his art is driven by his thoughts on helping as many kids as possible see themselves in his work. You can access even more information about this book and its author and illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Anika Aldamuy Denise (@AnikaDenise) is the author of PLANTING STORIES: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Bepré, an exceptional picture book biography about one of perhaps the best know librarians of our time or any. Anika also shares her CARMEN series, including STARRING CARMEN and LIGHTS, CAMERA, CARMEN!, featuring a tenacious, vibrant, creative force of a kid and the dynamics she brings to her loving family. One of the things we come back to over and over in our conversation is that there's a certain special recognition that happens when you see somebody that looks like you. It's an unspoken recognition and, for the right reader, being seen can mean everything. You can access even more information about this book and its author and illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Amanda Moeckel (@AmandaMoeckel) is the author and illustrator of KHALIDA AND THE MOST BEAUTIFUL SONG, a picture book published last September that centers on a child who is visited in the night by a song and is compelled thereafter to find the song's melody and play it herself. The book plays with the ephemeral quality of inspiration and pursuing creative or inspired ideas. Joining also is Kristen Nobles, the publisher of Page Street Kids (@PageStreetKids), an imprint of Page Street Publishing focused on inspiring young readers with thoughtful stories and distinctive art. Kristen shares the brief, but vibrant history of Page Street kids and also brings along some of their recent releases to share. You can access even more information about this book and its author and illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Mac Barnett (@macbarnett) and Jon Klassen (@burstofbeaden) are the award-winning team of many beloved books including EXTRA YARN and SAM AND DAVE DIG A HOLE. Today we're focusing our attention of three books that are part-trilogy and part perspective. TRIANGLE, SQUARE, and now CIRCLE are each stories following story structures informed by their titular shapes. But there is no room here for unearned epiphanies. Answers, after all, are cheap morals and my guests remind that the goal is the pit, the place devoid of handed-over answers where, instead, we must look for meaning. These are books I engaged with in altogether different ways and I'm grateful for the chance to go on that thought exploration in front of you all. Especially, after all, because I found one of these books to be quite polarizing and I tell as much to our guests. You can access even more information about this book and its author and illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

QUINCE is a 15-issue comic book series created by Sebastian Kadlecik (@smkaddy), authored by Kit Steinkellner (@BooksAreMyBFs) and illustrated by Emma Steinkellner (@emsteinkellner) that was collected into a print trade paperback in 2017. The story follows Lupe, just your average, insecure, well-meaning, occasionally cranky teenage girl whose life is completely turned upside down when she discovers she has superpowers at her quinceañera. Her quince powers only last as long as she's fifteen, so over the course of this rollercoaster year, we follow the adventures of Lupe as she figures out what it really means to be a hero. Today's episode is guest hosted by Mel Schuit (@spiky_penelope), friend and author of the LET'S TALK PICTURE BOOKS blog. QUINCE (@QuinceComic) is AWESOME and I'm so glad Mel shared it with me. I hope you, too, get a chance to check it out! You can access even more information about this book and its author and illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Cathy Camper (@cfastwolf) and Raul the Third (@raulthe3rd) are the creative team behind the LOWRIDERS graphic novel series, including LOWRIDERS IN SPACE, LOWRIDERS TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH, and the newest title, LOWRIDERS BLAST FROM THE PAST. The latest book in the series introduces the pivotal characters in the prime of their youth. Lupe Impala, El Chavo Flapjack, and Elirio Malaria discover their unique strengths over the course of the story amidst helping the ensure that lowrider Lupe's moms are entering into the car show will prove they deserve a place with the male-dominated space. There's also an emphasis throughout the story on indigenous words and the importance of understanding where words come from. You can access even more information about this book and its author and illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Noodlephant is an elephant who loves pasta. The kangaroos do not like pasta. In fact, they make a law so that no one can enjoy pasta. But Noodlephant will not stand for this and sets out to protest the unfairness of the law and gathers others to demand change. NOODLEPHANT author Jacob Kramer (@jknotjk), illustrator K-Fai Steele (@kfaisteele), and publisher Claudia Zoe Bedrick of Enchanted Lion Books (@EnchantedLion) share the journey of this "pasta to protest" book, and how the trio is using the story to inspire and educate readers of all ages. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen (@SudiptaBQ) is the author of CHICKS RULE!, a book about confronting "no", having enough, and taking action. Nerdy Chick wants to join the rocket club, but when confronted with a sign reading "No Chicks Allowed" she decides to gather friends and neighborhood chicks to lend each of their unique interests and talents for the greater good of creating together. Sudipta talks about labels feel like death sentences, and how sometimes standing up for yourself requires a team. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message

Susan Kusel and Rebecca Levitan join today on behalf of the SYDNEY TAYLOR BOOK AWARD, presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience. The two joined me to talk about the award, what's it's like to serve on a Youth Media Awards committee, and trying to change conversations around Jewish literature through the work done during committee tenure. We're also joined by the authors and illustrators whose works represent the winners, honors, and notables from the 2019 Sydney Taylor Book Awards. You can access even more information about this book and its author illustrator by visiting www.matthewcwinner.com/podcast. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/childrens-book-podcast/message