New Books in Children's Literature

We live in a society that is extremely diverse, and we must find ways to treat each other with love and respect despite our differences. Little Miss Linda is a dark-skinned girl who has been treated cruelly because of the color of her skin. Her father is in the military, so she has had the privilege of living in various places around the world including Japan, Korea, Philippines, Alaska, and Germany. Often, she and her siblings would be the only African American children in their classes.Little Miss Linda was full of excitement when her father told the family he was retiring and moving to Mississippi. She thought that the mean words about her dark skin would stop. She imagined her family would be surrounded by people who were like her, but to her surprise, she continued to be teased and taunted about the complexion of her skin.Linda J. M. Holloway's Little Miss Linda Speaks Out About Diversity (2021) illustrates how Little Miss Linda was able to turn a negative situation into a positive one. She did this through teaching her class, school, and community the power of appreciating and celebrating people regardless of their skin color.The power and effectiveness of Little Miss Linda’s diversity story is made practical by the “Skittles Story.” Yes, if only Skittles could talk right? They do in this book!Through this elementary story all children can relate to the simple truth that people are more alike than they are different and diversity is to be celebrated. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I talked with author/illustrator Mike Malbrough about his new book Love is Here (Penguin, 2021).Told through poetic and lyrical text and accompanied by lush watercolor illustrations, a child takes a magical journey in search of love, only to find that it lived everywhere, in everything, even in one’s own backyard. A celebration of the interconnectedness of our lives and proof that love is all around you–if you look closely enough for it. Even when the world feels darkest, love is here. Perfect for those looking to teach kindness and empathy to little ones.Mke is also ithe author of Marigold Bakes a Cake and Marigold Finds the Magic Words, and the illustrator of the Warren & Dragon chapter book series by Ariel Bernstein. When he isn’t in his studio, Mike spends time educating and mentoring young and emerging artists in his community. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and two adventurous kids.Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Ourboox, a web platform that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Christine Taylor-Butler is the author of more than 90 books and articles for children and young adults, including her newest title The Get-Together (Reycraft Books, 2022). A graduate of MIT, she holds degrees in both Civil Engineering and Art and Design. Her interests ranges from writing nonfiction to science fiction. Christine lives in Kansas City, Missouri.She also wrote The Lost Tribes series (middle grade) published by Move Books, a small independent publisher It's science fiction about a multicultural group of children who discover their science geek parents might not be who they claim to be.Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Ourboox, a web platform that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anne Renaud is an award-winning children’s author who writes in both French and English. Today we talk about her recent picture book, Gwendolyn's Pet Garden (2021). She has written more than 20 publications feature picture books and historical non-fiction books, and several more are due out this year. Her picture book biographies include: The True Tale of a Giantess: The Story of Anna Swan, The Boy who Invented the Popsicle: The Cool Science Behind Frank Epperson's Famous Frozen Treat and Mr. Crum’s Potato Predicament. She is also a regular contributor to children’s magazines. Anne lives and writes in Westmount, Quebec. Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Ourboox, a web platform that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Janie Emaus joins us to discuss her debut picture book, Latkes for Santa Claus which was released late in 2020 from Sky Pony Press. Her next blended holiday story, Easter Eggs and Matzo Balls will be released in spring 2023. In addition, Janie is the author of the young adult novel, Mercury in Retro Love and has a time travel romance forthcoming from Wild Rose Press. In 2016, she won honorary mention in the Erma Bombeck Writing Competition.Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Ourboox, a web platform that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I talked to Ameliia Hoffman, author of My Monsterpiece (Yeehoo Press, 2021)A kid-artist wants to frighten family members and friends by creating the scariest, meanest, most terrible monsters ever. A green tongue, pointy horns, sharp teeth, and terrible claws are sure to make everyone scream! But what happens when rather than running away in fright, they smile, laugh, and absolutely LOVE the monsters? Join the frustrated artist on this hilariously hair-raising journey where the scary and not scary meet and mingle, embarking on an adventure that reveals that overcoming fear and prejudice can lead to a wonderful friendship.Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Ourboox, a web platform that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Risa Cohen is the Creative Director of Sing into Reading, where she teaches children to read with music and love. In this interview, we talk to Risa about her life, musical career, and her success in teaching reading through music.Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Ourboox, a web platform that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rotem Omri is an award-winning children's book illustrator from Israel. Today we discuss her life, career and thoughts about illustrating for children (disclosure: Rotem has illustrated many of my online children's stories).Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Ourboox, a web platform that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ruth Spiro writes innovative books for children on the topics of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). Her areas of interest include the many benefits of introducing STEM subjects and makerspace activities to even the littlest learners. We discuss her recent book, Maxine and the Greatest Garden Ever (Dial/PRH, 2021) and how she came to inspire youngsters with her many popular books.Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Ourboox, a web platform that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Colleen Paeff writes picture books from a book-lined office in an old pink house with a view of the Hollywood sign. She is the author of The Great Stink: How Joseph Bazalgette Solved London’s Poop Pollution Problem (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2021) and Rainbow Truck, co-authored with Hina Abidi (Chronicle Books, 2023). Find her online at www.colleenpaeff.com and on Twitter and Instagram @ColleenPaeff.Mel Rosenberg is a professor of microbiology (Tel Aviv University, emeritus) who fell in love with children's books as a small child and now writes his own. He is also the founder of Ourboox, a web platform that allows anyone to create and share awesome flipbooks. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices