The Children's Book Podcast
Matthew C. Winner
300 episodes
Celebrating the power of storytelling to reflect our world, expand our perspectives, and foster connections between readers of all ages. The Children's Book Podcast features interviews with authors, illustrators, and everyone involved in taking a book from drawing board to bookshelf. Hosted by Matthew C. Winner, a teacher, librarian, writer, and fan of kids. Brought to you in partnership with Boyds Mills, positively impacting kids by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves.
Episodes page 2 of 6
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What Gives Aron Nels Steinke Hope
Aron Nels Steinke, cartoonist of Speechless (Graphix) and the Mr. Wolf's Class series (Graphix), shares what is giving him hope today: every morning is a chance for something new. This is an ongoing miniseries of…
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The Highlights Foundation is now Boyds Mills
George Brown, executive director of the Highlights Foundation, joins Matthew to talk about the rebranding of the Highlights Foundation as Boyds Mills. Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by…
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What Gives Nikki Grimes Hope
Nikki Grimes, author of A Cup of Quiet (Bloomsbury Children's Books), shares what is giving her hope today: the bravery, resilience, and determination of young people. This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in…
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Speech is Power with Alexandra Villasante
Alexandra Villasante, author of Fireblooms (Nancy Paulsen Books), joins Matthew to talk about paying for our words. Visit Alexandra Villasante online at alexandravillasante.com Other helpful links: • Alexandra…
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What Gives Yuyi Morales Hope
Yuyi Morales, author illustrator of Little Rebels (Neal Porter Books), shares what is giving her hope today: taking care of something important to her. This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite…
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Emotional Rollercoasters with Alison Green Myers
Alison Green Myers, author of This Way to Happy (Dutton Books for Young Readers), joins Matthew to talk about the inconsistent upbringings and emotional rollercoasters. Visit Alison Green Myers online at…
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What Gives Alexandra Villasante Hope
Alexandra Villasante, author of Fireblooms (Nancy Paulsen Books), shares what is giving her hope today: stopping and looking in community. This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends…
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Strength and History with Stacy Wells
Stacy Wells, co-author of Stronger Than (Heartdrum), co-authored by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by E.B. Lewis, joins Matthew to talk about never giving up because those that came before us never gave up. Visit Stacy…
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What Gives Torrey Maldonado Hope
Torrey Maldonado, author of Just Right (Nancy Paulsen Books), illustrated by Teresa Martínez, shares what is giving him hope today: teaching kids how to find a just right book for them. This is a new miniseries of…
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Writers are Listeners with Nikki Grimes
Nikki Grimes, author of A Cup of Quiet (Bloomsbury Children's Books), joins Matthew to talk about creating an entryway to discussion. Visit Nikki Grimes online at nikkigrimes.com Other helpful links: • Nikki Grimes…
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What Gives Stacy Wells Hope
Stacy Wells, co-author of Stronger Than (Heartdrum), with co-author Nikki Grimes and illustrated by E.B. Lewis, shares what is giving her hope today: people out in the world who are doing good things. This is a new…
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A Collective Healing with Yuyi Morales
Yuyi Morales, author illustrator of Little Rebels (Neal Porter Books), joins Matthew to talk about the voices of people fighting to protect our world, our rights, and our people. Visit Yuyi Morales online at…
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A Constant Journey to Become Ourselves with Jessie Sima
Jessie Sima, author illustrator of Snow Kid (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers), joins Matthew to talk about the constant journey each of us takes to become ourselves. Visit Jessie Sima online at…
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(R) What Gives Padma Venkatraman Hope
*This episode is a rebroadcast. The original episode aired March 22, 2025. Padma Venkatraman (Safe Harbor) shares what is giving her hope today: the nature of hope itself. Even when we're in dire circumstances, it's…
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Jewish Joy with Laurel Snyder
Laurel Snyder, author of The Book of Candles: Eight Poems for Hanukkah (Clarion Books), illustrated by Leanne Hatch, joins Matthew to talk about lowering all the barriers and modeling yourself on something you love.…
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(R) What Gives Lesléa Newman Hope
*This episode is a rebroadcast. The original episode aired March 15, 2025. Lesléa Newman (Joyful Song: A Naming Story) shares what is giving her hope today: being in community with like-minded people who want to make…
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A Way of Being with Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie and Aaron Becker
Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie and Aaron Becker, author and illustrator of We Go Slow (Atheneum Books for Young Readers), join Matthew to talk about the wise ones who know to take time. Visit Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie…
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(R) What Gives Rachel Michelle Wilson Hope
*This episode is a rebroadcast. The original episode aired May 3 2025. Rachel Michelle Wilson (To Catch a Ghost) shares what is giving her hope today: the small moments in our every day. This is a new miniseries of…
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A Champion for Children with Valerie Bolling
Valerie Bolling, author of A Flea for Justice: Marian Wright Edelman Stands Up for Change (Charlesbridge), illustrated by TeMika Grooms, joins Matthew to talk about a person worth writing about. Visit Valerie Bolling…
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(R) What Gives Zetta Elliott Hope
*This episode is a rebroadcast. The original episode aired March 29, 2025. Zetta Elliott (The Oracle's Door) shares what is giving her hope today: art. Art has always been not just an expression of hope, but an act of…
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In the Thick of It with Corinna Luyken
Corinna Luyken, author illustrator of The Arguers (Rocky Pond Books), joins Matthew to talk about the silly, the absurd, and seeing yourself in every single character. Visit Corinna Luyken online at corinnaluyken.com…
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The Hopeline is Open
Matthew pops into the feed to share a couple of important updates: accepting messages of hope from all listeners, seeking an intern or friend to help with social media, and I love you. If you have a message of hope…
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Becoming Curious with Heidi EY Stemple
Heidi EY Stemple, author of The Poetry of Car Mechanics (Wordsong), joins Matthew to talk about becoming curious and making every bit of your writing intentional. Visit Heidi EY Stemple online at heidieystemple.com…
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As Meaningful As Possible with Erin Entrada Kelly
Erin Entrada Kelly, author of At Last She Stood (Greenwillow Books) and The Last Resort (Scholastic Press), joins Matthew to talk about crafting stories as meaningful as possible to the reader. Visit Erin Entrada…
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What Gives Mary Reaves Uhles Hope
Mary Reaves Uhle, author illustrator of The Flock We Found (Magination Press), shares what is giving her hope today: all the parents and kids posting pictures of bright faces and shiny new outfits to start the year.…
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Mining Our Memories with Natasha Khan Kazi
Natasha Khan Kazi, author illustrator of Bela and Lily (Kokila), joins Matthew to talk about bravery through being a multi-language learner. Visit Natasha Khan Kazi online at natashakhankazi.com Other helpful links:…
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What Else Gives Tami Charles Hope
Tami Charles, author of Remember Her Name!: Debbie Allen's Rise to Fame (Charlesbridge), illustrated by Meredith Lucius, shares what is giving her hope today: the resilience of children's dreams. This is a new…
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Knowing How to Love Yourself with Hannah V. Sawyerr
Hannah V. Sawyerr, author of Truth Is: A Novel in Verse (Amulet Books), joins Matthew to talk about making a decision that belongs to you. Visit Hannah V. Sawyerr online at hannahsawyerr.com Other helpful links: •…
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What Gives Heidi E.Y. Stemple Hope
Heidi E.Y. Stemple, author of The Avian Adventurers #1: Snowy Owl Rescue; Raptor Recovery (Charlesbridge Moves), illustrated by Natasha Donovan, shares what is giving her hope today: the curious, hope-filled readers…
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Relentless Expression with Katie Yamasaki
Katie Yamasaki, author illustrator of Mural Island (Norton Young Readers), joins Matthew to talk about building upon the tradition of making public art through relentless expression. Visit Katie Yamasaki online at…
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What Gives Jane Yolen and Peter Tacy Hope
Jane Yolen and Peter Tacy, co-authors of Gracie Feeds the Birds (Magination Press), illustrated by Frances Ives, share what is giving them hope today: the readiness to hope and to be grateful. This is a new miniseries…
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Figuring Out Your Truth with Crystal Allen
Crystal Allen, author of Between Two Brothers (Storytide), joins Matthew to talk about figuring out your truth while not knowing how to feel. Visit Crystal Allen online at crystalallenbooks.com Other helpful links:…
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What Gives Hope to Ann Hazzard, Marianne Celano, and Marietta Collins
Ann Hazzard, PhD, Marianne Celano, PhD, and Marietta Collins, PhD, co-authors of Something Happened to Our Mom: A Story about Parental Addiction (Magination Press), illustrated by Rita Tan, share what is giving them…
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Unsilenced with Diana Rodriguez Wallach
Diana Rodriguez Wallach, author of The Silenced (Delacorte Press), joins Matthew to talk about reading through a different cultural lens. Visit Diana Rodriguez Wallach online at dianarodriguezwallach.com Other…
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What Gives Jen Barton Hope
Jen Barton, author of Forest Bath (Magination Press), illustrated by Felishia Henditirto, shares what is giving her hope today: the resilience of nature. This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite…
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Two Worlds Colliding with Pam Muñoz Ryan
Pam Muñoz Ryan, author of El Niño (Scholastic Press), joins Matthew to talk about story ideas as a confluence of rivers leading its author to a narrative. Visit Pam Muñoz Ryan online at www.pammunozryan.com For a…
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What Gives Tami Charles Hope
Tami Charles, author of Together, United (Orchard Books), illustrated by Bryan Collier, shares what is giving her hope today: that children are already leading the way. And that if we follow their lead, there's so much…
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Carrying Knowledge with Daniel Nayeri
Daniel Nayeri, author of The Teacher of Nomad Land (Levine Querido), joins Matthew to talk about the utility of beauty in our lives. Visit Daniel Nayeri online at www.danielnayeri.com For a full transcript, episode…
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What Gives Ruth Spiro Hope
Ruth Spiro, author of How to Explain Climate Science to a Grown-Up (Charlesbridge), illustrated by Teresa Martinez, shares what is giving her hope today: looking around her community, finding a project that's…
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Breaking Cycles with George Jreije
George Jreije, author of Bashir Boutros and the Jewel of the Nile (HarperCollins) , joins Matthew to talk about trying to inhabit the voice of someone to whom he wouldn't have otherwise related. Visit George Jreije…
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What Gives Claire A. B. Freeland Hope
Claire A. B. Freeland, co-author of Making Sense of Your Senses: How Your Brain Perceives the World (Magination Press), with Jacqueline B. Toner and illustrated by Katarina Gasko, shares what is giving her hope today:…
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An Emotional Search with Cordelia Jensen
Cordelia Jensen, author of Lilac and the Switchback (Holiday House), joins Matthew to talk about belonging, change, and always keeping in mind that you're writing a story. Visit Cordelia Jensen online at…
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What Gives Kara M. Mitchell Hope
Kara Mitchell, author illustrator of Catching Kindness (Magination Press), shares what is giving her hope today: so many things. A new week with a new sketchbook. Libraries and new friends. Community and singing. Hugs…
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Close to the Anger with Daria Peoples
Daria Peoples, author illustrator of Be the Light: How She Became Angela Davis (Greenwillow Books), joins Matthew to talk about the hurt and pain of not being accepted. Visit Daria Peoples online at…
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What Gives Merriam Sarcia Saunders Hope
Merriam Sarcia Saunders, author of You Can Say Hi with Only a Smile (Magination Press), illustrated by Tracy Nishimura Bishop, shares what is giving her hope today: children are paying attention to each other. Not to…
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Observant of Your Surroundings with Tiffany D. Jackson
Tiffany D. Jackson, author of Blood in the Water (Scholastic Press), joins Matthew to talk about maturing a little faster when the environment calls for it. Visit Tiffany D. Jackson online at www.writeinbk.com For a…
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What Gives Shana Keller Hope
Shana Keller, author of CeeCee: Underground Railroad Cinderella (Charlesbridge), illustrated by Laura Freeman, shares what is giving her hope today: dreaming. When our dreams speak to us in our darkest hour, they are…
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It's Personal with Jas Hammonds
Jas Hammonds, author of Thirsty (Roaring Brook Press), joins Matthew to talk about coming to terms with dependence and their experience of everything being fine until it wasn't. Visit Jas Hammonds online at…
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What Gives Michael Genhart Hope
Michael Genhart, author of Edie for Equality: Edie Windsor Stands Up for Love (Lee & Low Books), illustrated by Cheryl Thuesday, shares what is giving him hope today: curious kids. They want to know more. They want to…
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Growing Ideas with Grace Lin
Grace Lin, author and illustrator of The Gate, the Girl, and the Dragon (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers), joins Matthew to talk about a storyteller's responsibility to use whatever the story asks for. Visit…
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