The Children's Book Podcast

Meg Medina, author of Graciela in the Abyss (Candlewick), joins Matthew to talk about how every author reveals themselves through their work.

Visit Meg Medina online at megmedina.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.design/). 

David Bowles, author of The Hero Twins and the Magic of Song (Cinco Puntos Press) shares what is giving him hope today: the certainty that, no matter what happens, our stories will survive.

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 ab...

Kate DiCamillo, author of Because of Winn-Dixie (Candlewick), joins Matthew to talk about Kate’s story of family, friendship, and forgiveness.

Visit Kate DiCamillo online at www.katedicamillo.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.design/). 

Rob Costello, author of An Ugly World for Beautiful Boys (Lethe Press), joins Matthew to talk about the burden of secrets and a character who believes he deserves to suffer.

Visit Rob Costello online at www.cloudbusterpress.com

Other helpful links:

Rob Costello at the Highlights Foundation 

The Whole Novel Workshop: An In-Person Retreat for Novelists (October at the Highlights Foundation) with I.W. Gregorio, Nancy Werlin, Janae Marks, Erin Entrada Kelly, Ernesto Cisneros, Nicole Valentine, Sarah Aronson, Sharon G. Flake, and Nora Shalaway Carpenter

Menachem Weinreb (The Good Dybbuk) shares what is giving him hope today: That no matter where you come from, you can still become the person you’re meant to be.

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...

Pablo Cartaya, author of A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation (Kokila), joins Matthew to talk about how we celebrate grief and life.

Visit Pablo Cartaya online at www.pablocartaya.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.design...

Kyle Casey Chu (The Queen Bees of Tybee County) shares what is giving her hope today: young readers. They understand the vast, oceanic multitudes they contain. That they are limitless.

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 Highlight...

Jason Reynolds, author of Soundtrack (Listening Library), an original audiobook performed by a stellar full cast—featuring Nile Bullock, Mekhi Hewling, Jade Williams, and more—and scored by Grammy‑winning composer Justin Ellington, joins Matthew to talk about being fascinated by what makes people do things.

Visit Jason Reynolds online at www.jasonwritesbooks.com

Watch the The Making of SOUNDTRACK featurette at youtube.com/watch?v=3uh28Wz21CM&feature=youtu.be

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search “The Children’s...

Kate Jenks Landry (A Summer Without Anna) shares what is giving her hope today: writing with kids. We don’t need permission to make art. Creation is always available to us and it’s so much harder to feel hopeless when you’re creating.

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...

Rebecca Lee Kunz, illustrator of Chooch Helped (Levine Querido), written by Andrea L. Rogers, joins Matthew to talk about the importance of taking time to learn, to explore, and to discover.

Visit Rebecca Lee Kunz online at treeoflifestudio.net

Other helpful links:

Native Creatives Retreat (the Highlights Foundation) 

The excellent NPR interview 

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 mor...

Rob Sanders, author of Book Comes Home: A Banned Book’s Journey (Random House Books for Young Readers), illustrated by Micah  Player, joins Matthew to talk about the final stage of publication: readers.

Visit Rob Sanders online at www.robsanderswrites.com

Other helpful links:

All About Picture Books: A Retreat for Storytellers (June 1–4 at the Highlights Foundation) alongside friends of the show Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and Kaz Windness

Writing the Rainbow with kidlit notable Lesléa Newman 

Nonfiction Picture Books: Exploring Forms and Creative Voices 

Suzy Ultman (I Like Your Chutzpah And Other Yiddish Words You'll Like) shares what is giving her hope today: looking for the helpers.

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 visiting w...

Kelly Leigh Miller, author illustrator of Cloud Puppy: Game On! (Atheneum Books for Young Readers), joins Matthew to talk about raising Tamagotchi, adoring Sanrio characters, and balancing the cute and the weird in her own storytelling.

Visit Kelly Leigh Miller online at www.kellyleighmiller.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. 

Parul L. Bhandari (Shine a Light on Diwali) shares what is giving her hope today: that people are good and that people are going to keep sharing stories despite what they’re being told by the world around 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. 

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.

On Wednesday, September 28, 2022, Lizzo visited the Library of Congress as their guest and was treated to the largest flute collection in the world. The instrument she played and, indeed, the very act of playing it, are Worth Noting. 

This is a rebroadcast of an episode of Worth Noting that originally aired Oct 08, 2022 on A Kids Co.

On May 8, 2025 President Donald Trump fired the Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden, via email, a move that immediately drew sharp condemnation from her supporters. This episode is being rebroadcasted to highlight just one of many highlights in the i...

Matt de la Peña and Loren Long, author and illustrator of Home (G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers), join Matthew to talk about encountering diversity and exploring alongside the reader.

Visit Matt de la Peña online at mattdelapena.com

Visit Loren Long online at lorenlong.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 upcom...

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. 

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.highlight...

Dara Horn, author of One Little Goat: A Passover Catastrophe (Norton Young Readers), illustrated by Theo Ellsworth, joins Matthew to talk about a path to a bigger world with bigger meaning.

Visit Dara Horn online at darahorn.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 cr...

Lil Miss Hot Mess (Make Your Own Rainbow: A Drag Queen's Guide to Color) shares what is giving her hope today: drag. Drag is all about changing how we look and how we show up in the world as a way of making the world more fabulous and more just and joyful for everyone in it.

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...

Weshoyot Alvitre, author and illustrator of Brave (Kokila), joins Matthew to talk about a space to play and the cyclical nature of life.

Visit Weshoyot Alvitre online at weshoyot.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.design/). <...

Natasha Khan Kazi (Lulu in the Spotlight: A South Asian Wedding Story) shares what is giving her hope today: the bravery of everyday people.

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 v...

Matthew Burgess and Doug Salati, author and illustrator of Words with Wings and Magic Things (Tundra Books), join Matthew to talk about writing poems with kids.

Visit Matthew Burgess online at www.matthewjohnburgess.com

Visit Doug Salati online at dougsalati.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. 

Charles Waters (If I Could Choose a Best Day: Poems of Possibility) shares what is giving him hope today: spending a lot of time in thought and, as much as possible, reading.

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 th...

Sara Andrea Fajardo, author of Crack Goes the Cascarón: An Eggcellent Not-Just-for-Easter Shellebration! (Knopf Books for Young Readers) and Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka con la Papa: Join the Quest with Peru's Famed Scientist and Potato Expert (Roaring Brook Press), joins Matthew to talk about bringing out a little bit of mischief.

Visit Sara Andrea Fajardo online at https://sarafajardowrites.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.

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 show notes.

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

Matt Forrest Esenwine, author of A Universe of Rainbows: Multicolored Poems for a Multicolored World (Eerdmans Books for Young Readers), joins Matthew to talk about working with friends on a A kaleidoscopic collection.

Visit Matt Forrest Esenwine online at https://mattforrest.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 p...

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. 

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 visiti...

Shawn Harris, author of Let’s Be Bees (Neal Porter Books), joins Matthew to talk about making books with everything you need to put on a good show.

Visit Shawn Harris online at www.shawnharris.info 

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.design/). 

Our musi...

Kaz Windness (Bitsy Bat, Team Star) shares what is giving her hope today: a commitment to being joyful and doing things that bring happiness as an act of rebellion.

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 visit...

Kyle Lukoff, author of A World Worth Saving (Dial Books), joins Matthew to talk about his classic quest story involving a golem that protects trans kids.

Visit Kyle Lukoff online at www.kylelukoff.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.design/). 

Our music is...

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. 

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...

Veera Hiranandani, author of Many Things at Once (Random House Studio), illustrated by Nadia Alam, joins Matthew to talk about feeling complex things and learning how not to get stuck in those feelings.

Visit Veera Hiranandani online at www.veerahiranandani.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 Stebbi...

George Brown and Alison Green Myers, of the Highlights Foundation, join Matthew to introduce a partnership between the Highlights Foundation and the Children’s Book Podcast.

Visit the Highlights Foundation online at www.highlightsfoundation.org  

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.

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 ...

Greg Foley, cartoonist of Dex Dingo: World's Best Greatest Ever Inventor (Disney Hyperion), talks about comics as a proper art form and how, at the heart, we’re all kids who don’t really understand anything.

Visit Greg online at www.gregfoley.co

You can pick up your own copy of Dex Dingo: World's Best Greatest Ever Inventor (Disney Hyperion) wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.org. You can support this show in the process by using my affiliate link by clicking on the book’s name in our show no...

Heidi Rabinowitz, host of The Book of Life, looks back on two decades of creating a podcast about Jewish kidlit (mostly).

Subscribe to the Book of Life podcast wherever podcasts are found, or go to jewishbooks.blogspot.com,

Sign up for Heidi’s substack by visiting bookoflifepodcast.substack.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.

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

Our music is by...

Introducing the winners and honors of the Sydney Taylor Book Award (2025), presented annually by the Association of Jewish Libraries to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience.

Sydney Taylor Book Award Website - https://jewishlibraries.org/sydney_taylor_book_award/ 

2025 Sydney Taylor Book Award Blog Tour - https://jewishlibraries.org/2025-blog-tour-sydney-taylor-book-awards/ 

You can pick up your own copy of any of the titles featured today wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.org. You can support this show in the process by using my...

Carole Boston Weatherford, author of How Do You Spell Unfair?: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee (Candlewick), talks about writing poetry, speaking history, and telling stories.

Visit Carole online at cbweatherford.com

You can pick up your own copy of How Do You Spell Unfair?: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee (Candlewick) wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.org. You can support this show in the process by using my affiliate link by clicking on the book’s name in our show notes. 

For a ful...

Bob Shea, author illustrator Bearsuit Turtle Makes a Friend (Abrams Books for Young Readers) and author of Who Wet My Pants? (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers), talks about everyone bringing something to the party.

Visit Bob online at www.bobshea.com

You can pick up your own copy of Bearsuit Turtle Makes a Friend (Abrams Books for Young Readers) and Who Wet My Pants? (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.org. You can support this show in the process by using my a...

Cori Doerrfeld, author illustrator The Rabbit Listened (Dial Books) and Beneath (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers), talks about being more than the parts that you can see.

Visit Cori online at www.coridoerrfeld.com

You can pick up your own copy of The Rabbit Listened (Dial Books) and Beneath (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.org. You can support this show in the process by using my affiliate link by clicking on the book’s name in our show notes. 

For...

Jessica Slice, Caroline Cupp, and Kayla Harren, the authors and illustrator of This Is How We Play: A Celebration of Disability and Adaptation (Dial Books), talk about protecting a sense of validation and joy.

Visit Jessica online at https://www.jessicaslice.com

Visit Caroline online at https://carolinecupp.com

Visit Kayla online at https://www.kaylaharren.com

You can pick up your own copy of This Is How We Play: A Celebration of Disability and Adaptation (Dial Books) wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.org...