The Children's Book Podcast

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 Wells online at stacywellswrites.com 

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org. 

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/). 

Our music is by Podington Bear. 

Podcast hosting by Libsyn. 

You...

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 indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today. 

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org. 

Visit Torrey Maldonado online at torreymaldonado.com 

Our podcast logo was crea...

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 at the Highlights Foundation

Nikki Grimes Scholarship - Honoring the contributions of Nikki Grimes to the field of children's literature through her advocacy and writing. This scholarship celebrates Black and Afro-Indigenous female writers and poets.

The Nikki Grimes Cottage at the Highlights Foundation - New York Times bestselling author Nikki Grimes is a l...

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 miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today. 

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org. 

Visit Stacy Wells online at stacywellswrites.com 

Our podcast...

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 yuyimorales.com 

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org. 

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/). 

Our music is by Podington Bear. 

Podcast hosting by Libsyn. 

You can support the show an...

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 www.jessiesima.com

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org. 

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/). 

Our music is by Podington Bear. 

Podcast hosting by Libsyn. 

You can support the show a...

*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 something that keeps us going.

This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today. 

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the...

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.

Visit Laurel Snyder online at laurelsnyder.com

Other helpful links:

Laurel Snyder at the Highlights Foundation

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org. 

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/). 

Our music i...

*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 the world a better place.

This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today. 

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org. 

Visit Lesléa Newman...

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 online at ekeretallie.com

Visit Aaron Becker online at storybreathing.com

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org. 

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/). 

Our music is by Podington Bear. 

*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 indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today. 

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org. 

Visit Rachel Michelle Wilson at www.rachelmichellewilson.com

Our...

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 online at valeriebolling.com

Other helpful links:

Valerie Bolling at the Highlights Foundation

Marketing Opportunities for Storytellers: A Two-Night Mini - The story is at the heart of all we do, even when we switch from crafting the story to getting the story to readers. Join award-winning writers Valerie Bolling and Janae Marks to en...

*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 resistance.

This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today. 

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org. 

Visit Zetta Elliott online at zettaelliott.com<...

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

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org. 

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/). 

Our music is by Podington Bear. 

Podcast hosting by Libsyn. 

You can support the show and buy me a c...

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 that you'd like to share, I have good news: the Hopeline is now open. Go to www.speakpipe.com/childrensbkpod on your computer or phone to record a 90 second message of hope. Include your name, your recent book (if you're an author or illustrator, and a message sharing what is giving you hope today. All v...

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

Other helpful links:

Heidi EY Stemple at the Highlights Foundation

Jane Yolen & Heidi EY Stemple Scholarship - Authors Jane Yolen and her daughter Heidi EY Stemple have established a scholarship to support in-person or online tuition to workshops and personal retreats at the Highlights Foundation. (Visitors coming to campus can even ask to st...

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 Kelly online at erinentradakelly.com

Other helpful links:

Erin Entrada Kelly at the Highlights Foundation

Erin Entrada Kelly Scholarship - Established by Erin Entrada Kelly, this scholarship celebrates diverse representation in middle grade novels.

Middle Grade Writers: A Generative Retreat - Immerse yourself in the generative writing process and try new, ha...

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.

This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today. 

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.

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:

Natasha Khan Kazi at the Highlights Foundation

Muslim Storytellers Fellows - The Highlights Foundation is proud to announce the cohort of storytellers selected for a two-year fellowship program in children's literature. The fellowship will create space for more diverse and authentic Muslim narratives for children and young adults, and address common misperceptions of those narratives in...

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 miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today. 

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.

Learn more about the Highlights Foundat...

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:

Hannah V. Sawyerr at the Highlights Foundation 

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visit...

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 with wide open minds who are building a foundation of compassion and service.

This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today. 

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link...

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 www.katieyamasaki.com

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org. 

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebb...

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 of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today. 

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.

Learn more about t...

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:

Crystal Allen at the Highlights Foundation 

Crystal Allen: Do Something With It - When Crystal Allen received a scholarship and attended her first workshop with the Highlights Foundation in 2005, she tried to thank Kent (our founder) when she met him.  He appreciated the sentiment, but was more concerned with how she'd use her scholarship from...

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 hope today: finding hope and inspiration in those moments of connection with one another, especially with kids.

This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today. 

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Childre...

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 helpful links:

Diana Rodriguez Wallach at the Highlights Foundation 

Whole Novel Genre: An Online Course for Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror, & Beyond - This online program in particular is for writers of science fiction, fantasy, horror, and similar genre-specific novels.

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book...

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 my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today. 

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visitin...

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 full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org. 

Our podcast logo was...

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 light ahead.

This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today. 

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.

...

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 takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org. 

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.desig...

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 meaningful, and getting to work.

This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today. 

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.

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 online at www.georgejreije.com

Other helpful links:

George Jreije at the Highlights Foundation 

Successful School Visits for Authors and Illustrators: An Online Course - Develop your virtual school visit with instructor George Jreije, using storytelling and original content to connect with students and educators—then bring your virtual visit to a class...

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: communities working together to make a difference.

This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today. 

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the...

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 www.cordeliajensen.com

Other helpful links:

Cordelia Jensen at the Highlights Foundation 

Revising Your Novel in Verse: An Online Course - Ready to refine your verse novel? Join award-winning verse novelist Cordelia Jensen for an in-depth exploration of revision techniques—focusing on emotional arc, pacing, structure, and line edits—culminating in small-group poem workshops.

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 www.cordeliajensen.com

Other helpful links:

Cordelia Jensen at the Highlights Foundation 

Revising Your Novel in Verse: An Online Course - Ready to refine your verse novel? Join award-winning verse novelist Cordelia Jensen for an in-depth exploration of revision techniques—focusing on emotional arc, pacing, structure, and line edits—culminating in small-group poem workshops.

 ...

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 that get us through the week.

This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today. 

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show n...

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 www.dariapeoples.com

Other helpful links:

Daria Peoples at the Highlights Foundation 

Just Do It!: Your Collaborative Support Group for Finishing Your Draft (Fall) - This supportive program takes all creatives (nonfiction or fiction, picture books, novels, essays, and more) from goal-stating to finished drafts. Together, we'll move through live sessions, writing prompts, mindfulness gui...

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 the noise or the division, but each other.

This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today. 

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the li...

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 full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org. 

Our podcast logo was created by Duke...