Podcasts · Kids & Family

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 4 of 6

  1. Time is Distance with Karol Hernández

    · 29 min · S8 E23

    Karol Hernández, author of I Am La Chiva!: The Colorful Bus of the Andes (Dial Books), illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Gómez, talks about our responsibility to find and to make community. Visit Karol online at…

  2. Stubborn Optimism with Brad Montague and Kristi Montague

    · 32 min · S8 E22

    Brad Montague and Kristi Montague, authors and illustrators of Fail-A-Bration (Dial Books), talk about how the stories we tell help to create the world we live in. Visit Brad and Kristi online at…

  3. You Can't Win at Everything with J.E. Thomas

    · 29 min · S8 E21

    J.E. Thomas, author of Control Freaks (Levine Querido), talks about loving your characters exactly as they show up in your story. Visit Jan online at https://jethomasauthor.com You can pick up your own copy of…

  4. Fun, Fabulousness, and Truth with Lil Miss Hot Mess (R)

    · 35 min · Bonus

    Lil Miss Hot Mess (@LilMissHotMess) shares about her debut picture book, THE HIPS ON THE DRAG QUEEN GO SWISH, SWISH, SWISH. Lil Miss Hot Mess has been performing in drag for many years now, more than the age of her…

  5. Feeling As Important As Anybody Else with Traci Sorell and Joseph Erb

    · 34 min · S8 E20

    Traci Sorell and Joseph Erb, author and illustrator of Clack, Clack! Smack! A Cherokee Stickball Story (Charlesbridge Publishing), talk about creating community and feeling as important as anybody else. Visit Traci…

  6. 10 Years of The Princess in Black with Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, and LeUyen Pham

    · 31 min · S8 E19

    Shannon Hale, Dean Hale, and LeUyen Pham, creators of the The Princess in Black series (Candlewick Press), talk about tapping into a world they created a decade ago. Visit Princess in Black online at…

  7. Sitting in Uncertainty with Booki Vivat

    · 32 min · S8 E18

    Booki Vivat, author and illustrator of Meet Me on Mercer Street (Scholastic Press), talks about the overwhelming sense of unfairness of a childhood friend moving away as well as the eventual understanding that things…

  8. Whose Story is Being Told (and Whose Isn't) with Supriya Kelkar

    · 34 min · S8 E17

    Supriya Kelkar, author and illustrator of And Yet You Shine: The Kohinoor Diamond, Colonization, and Resistance (Candlewick Press), talks about her middle grade picture book about colonization and the people of the…

  9. Building Social Capital with María Dolores Águila

    · 30 min · S8 E16

    María Dolores Águila, author Barrio Rising: The Protest That Built Chicano Park (Dial Books), illustrated by Magdalena Mora, talks about the building social capital through a story only we can tell. Visit María online…

  10. Writing it Takes You Back with Wade Hudson and Don Tate

    · 34 min · S8 E15

    Wade Hudson and Don Tate, author and illustrator of The Day Madear Voted (Nancy Paulsen Books), talk about fighting for rights and books that save lives. Visit Wade online at https://justusbooks.com/founders/ Visit…

  11. It's All About Belonging with Zetta Elliott

    · 32 min · S8 E14

    Zetta Elliott, author of The Oracle's Door (Rosetta Press), talks about historical fantasy and explains that if people don't understand Black history, it might be difficult to understand things going on in our country…

  12. Drawing You In with Brian Selznick

    · 35 min · S8 E13

    Brian Selznick, illustrator of The Frindle Files (Random House Books for Young Readers), reminds us that sometimes we need others to push us further than we alone think we can go. Visit Brian online at…

  13. The First Gift You're Given with Lesléa Newman and Susan Gal

    · 29 min · S8 E12

    Lesléa Newman and Susan Gal, author and illustrator of Joyful Song: A Naming Story (Levine Querido), talk about the the first gift that you're given in this world. Visit Lesléa online at https://lesleanewman.com/…

  14. Reaching Out In Grief and In Community with Amanda Davis

    · 22 min · S8 E11

    Amanda Davis, author of 30,000 Stitches: The Inspiring Story of the National 9/11 Flag (Worthy Kids), talks about the importance of community and of sharing with other people when navigating grief. Visit Amanda online…

  15. The Dynamic of Constant Change with James Ponti

    · 31 min · S8 E10

    James Ponti, author of The Sherlock Society (Aladdin Paperbacks), talks about the dynamic of constant change in series fiction. Visit James online at https://www.jamesponti.com/ You can pick up your own copy of The…

  16. Queerness Represented in Fullness with Dr. Seema Yasmin

    · 37 min · S8 E9

    Dr. Seema Yasmin, author of The ABCs of Queer History (Workman Publishing), diversity upon diversity and queerness represented in fullness. Visit Seema online at https://seemayasmin.com You can pick up your own copy…

  17. It's Happening In Real Time with Maddie Frost

    · 28 min · S8 E8

    Maddie Frost, illustrator and author of Wombats!: Go Camping (Viking Books for Young Readers), talks about the graphic novel space and new female creators of comics coming out of the woodwork. Visit Maddie online at…

  18. How We See Each Other with Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr

    · 57 min · S8 E7

    Matthew Swanson and Robbi Behr, author and illustrator of Ben Yokoyama and the Cookie War (Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers), talk about creating a nexus of goodwill and curiosity that draws into conversation…

  19. Snapping Candids of Summer with Renée Watson and Bea Jackson

    · 25 min · S8 E6

    Renée Watson and Bea Jackson, author and illustrator of Summer is Here (Bloomsbury Publishing), talk about capturing in book form all that summer brings back to you. Visit Renée Watson online at…

  20. Summer Episode Swap with Tree House Together

    · 17 min · Bonus

    In this Summer Episode Swap, Tree House Together hosts Kara and "T" ask, "Have you ever thought about how all the things you eat start with dirt?" Whether growing food to eat or flowers for beauty, gardening can be a…

  21. Curiosity Comes From Everywhere with Loren Long

    · 37 min · S8 E5

    Loren Long, author illustrator of The Yellow Bus (Roaring Brook Press), talks about his contemplative exploration of the life of a bus. Visit Loren online at https://lorenlong.com/ You can pick up your own copy of…

  22. Summer Episode Swap with The Lil Leaders Podcast

    · 14 min · Bonus

    In this Summer Episode Swap, The Lil Leaders Podcast host Tina Shepardson talks about ways to make recess more inclusive. Essie shares her experiences of helping kids during recess who feel lonely and/or look sad. How?…

  23. The Research Before the Research with Kari Lavelle

    · 30 min · S8 E4

    Kari Lavelle, the author of the Butt or Face? series (Sourcebooks) and Ode to Grapefruit: How James Earl Jones Found His Voice (Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young Readers), illustrated by Bryan Collier, talks about the…

  24. Breaking the Rules with Justin Colón

    · 30 min · S8 E3

    Justin Colón, the author of The Quacken (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers), illustrated by Pablo Pino, talks about breaking the rules in the kidlit space and contributing to the horror/comedy picture book…

  25. Acts of Creative Defiance with Carter Higgins

    · 34 min · S8 E2

    Carter Higgins, the author and illustrator of Circle Under Berry (Chronicle Books), Some of These are Snails (Chronicle Books), and her latest, Round and Round the Year We Go, talks about acts of creative defiance in…

  26. Wrapping the Coast in Art with Elisa Boxer and Susanna Chapman

    · 28 min · S8 E1

    Elisa Boxer and Susanna Chapman, the author and illustrator of Covered in Color: Christo and Jeanne-Claude's Fabrics of Freedom, talk about memorializing the lives of two artists who did what everyone was telling them…

  27. Summer Episode Swap with Picture Book Podcast

    · 35 min · S7 E24

    In this Summer Episode Swap, Picture Book Podcast host Chris Marland shares his "Teachers That Inspire Us" episode featuring Why Teaching?, written by Dr. Jen Mott and illustrated by Sara Relojo. Visit Picture Book…

  28. Books Help You to Know Yourself with Jon Klassen

    · 24 min · S7 E23

    Jon Klassen, author illustrator of The Skull (Candlewick Press), proposes there's something about books that make you braver. Visit Jon online at https://www.instagram.com/jonklassen You can pick up your own copy of…

  29. Going All-In on Interests with Lynne Kelly

    · 30 min · S7 E22

    Lynne Kelly, author of The Secret Language of Birds (Delacorte Press), explores the ripples you make when you create a character who is all-in on her interests. Visit Lynne online at https://lynnekellybooks.com You…

  30. Perfectly Lovable Exactly the Way You Are with Kaz Windness

    · 31 min · S7 E21

    Kaz Windness, Bitsy Bat, School Star (Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books) and Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends (Simon Spotlight), creates stories with themes of navigating relationships, building resilient…

  31. Whale Fall by Melissa Stewart

    · 18 min · S7 E20

    Melissa Stewart shares Whale Fall: Exploring an Ocean-Floor Ecosystem (Random House Studio), a fascinating nonfiction picture book filled with stunning illustrations by Robert Dunlavey detailing the end of life for a…

  32. The Wild Ones by Megan Lacera and Jorge Lacera

    · 29 min · S7 E19

    Megan Lacera and Jorge Lacera share The Wild Ones (Children's Book Press), a heartwarming and epic tale of four best friends who turn to the mythical monsters from their respective cultures to help them save the only…

  33. No World Too Big edited by Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson, and Jeanette Bradley

    · 27 min · S7 E18

    Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson, and Jeanette Bradley share No World Too Big: Young People Fighting Global Climate Change (Charlesbridge Publishing), celebrating twelve young activists and three activist groups on…

  34. The Last Zookeeper by Aaron Becker

    · 27 min · S7 E17

    Aaron Becker shares The Last Zookeeper (Candlewick Press), a wordless picture book imaging a futuristic Noah's Ark in a luminous sci-fi parable for our changing world. Visit Aaron online at…

  35. Look Up!: Fontaine the Pigeon Starts a Revolution by Britt Gondolfi and Amanda Romanick

    · 30 min · S7 E16

    Britt Gondolfi and Amanda Romanick share Look Up!: Fontaine the Pigeon Starts a Revolution (Paw Prints Publishing), the story of Fontaine, a small pigeon who is fed up with the world's addiction to technology. Visit…

  36. A Work In Progress by Jarrett Lerner

    · 30 min · S7 E15

    Jarrett Lerner shares A Work in Progress (Aladdin Paperbacks), a poignant and "perceptive" journey to self-acceptance told through prose, verse, and illustration about a young boy who struggles with body image. Visit…

  37. Unicorn Boy by Dave Roman

    · 32 min · S7 E14

    Dave Roman shares Unicorn Boy (First Second), a magical journey about a boy who sprouts a unicorn horn and uses his newfound powers to help those in need! Visit Dave online at http://yaytime.com/ You can pick up your…

  38. Martina Has Too Many Tías by Emma Otheguy

    · 20 min · S7 E13

    Emma Otheguy shares Martina Has Too Many Tías (Atheneum Books for Young Readers), a lively and magical bilingual picture book that reimagines the beloved Caribbean folktale "La Cucaracha Martina." Visit Emma online at…

  39. Ferris by Kate DiCamillo

    · 31 min · S7 E12

    Kate DiCamillo shares Ferris (Candlewick), a hilarious and achingly real love story about a girl, a ghost, a grandmother, and growing up. Visit Kate online at https://www.katedicamillo.com/ You can pick up your own…

  40. I Absolutely, Positively Love My Spots by Lid'ya Rivera

    · 20 min · S7 E11

    Lid'ya Rivera shares I Absolutely, Positively Love My Spots (HarperCollins), a lyrical celebration of self-esteem, perseverance, and loving the skin you're in that will inspire all children to appreciate their spots or…

  41. Dim Sum, Here We Come! by Maple Lam

    · 21 min · S7 E10

    Maple Lam shares Dim Sum, Here We Come! (Harper), a celebration of the traditional Chinese customs passed on from generation to generation: togetherness, love, family--and FOOD! Visit Maple online at…

  42. Louder Than Hunger by John Schu

    · 29 min · S7 E9

    John Schu shares Louder Than Hunger (Candlewick Press), a wrenching and transformative novel-in-verse that explores anorexia--and self-expression as an act of survival. Visit John online at https://www.johnschu.com/…

  43. Mirror to Mirror by Rajani LaRocca

    · 23 min · S7 E8

    Rajani LaRocca shares Mirror to Mirror (Quill Tree Books), an evocative novel in verse about identical twin sisters who do everything together--until external pressures threaten to break them apart. Visit Rajani…

  44. Make Way for Fenway by Victoria J Coe

    · 22 min · S7 E7

    Victoria J. Coe shares the Make Way for Fenway books. The little dog with a GIANT personality from Fenway and Hattie is starring in his own chapter book series! AND Fenway and the Loudmouth Bird (Make Way for Fenway…

  45. Rainbow Shopping by Qing Zhuang

    · 19 min · S7 E6

    Qing Zhuang shares Rainbow Shopping (Holiday House), a heartfelt tribute to Chinatown and spending days-off together in which sharing a delicious meal helps a child feel loved. Visit Qing online at qingthings.com You…

  46. Raising a Hero by Laura Numeroff

    · 19 min · S7 E5

    Laura Numeroff shares If You Give a Mouse a Cookie (HarperCollins) and Raising a Hero, a story of about a puppy with a lot to learn on his adventure of becoming someone's life-changing friend and helper. Visit Laura…

  47. The Sydney Taylor Book Award 2024 Winners, Honors, and Notable Books

    · 31 min · S7 E4

    Introducing the winners and honors of the Sydney Taylor Book Award (2024), presented annually by the Association of Jewish Libraries to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish…

  48. Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine by Hannah Moushabeck

    · 28 min · S7 E3

    Hanna Mousabeck shares Homeland: My Father Dreams of Palestine (Chronicle Books), a story of a father and his daughters, who may not be able to return home . . . but they can celebrate stories of their homeland! Visit…

  49. The Fire of Stars by Kirsten W. Larson

    · 29 min · S7 E2

    Kirsten W. Larson shares The Fire of Stars: The Life and Brilliance of the Woman Who Discovered What Stars Are Made of (Chronicle Books), a poetic picture book celebrating the life and scientific discoveries of the…

  50. This is Not My Home by Eugenia Yoh and Vivienne Chang

    · 31 min · S7 E1

    Eugenia Yoh and Vivienne Chang share This Is Not My Home (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers), a humorous and heartfelt reverse immigration story that will resonate across cultures and show us how a place can become…

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