All creatures, no matter how small, can make a powerful difference.  And when working together, they accomplish the greatest of feats. 

Ben Fisher, Emily Whitten, and Michelle Nguyen show how teamwork and dedication can result in an amazing creation as evident in their series Underfoot.  We got to speak to the team about their process, how they came together, and that there are more than one species of hamster. Who knew?

You find Underfoot at onipress.com or at your local bookstore and public library.

You can follow Ben on Twitter @BenjaminPFisher and on Instagram @dystocia

You can follow Emily on Twitter @theemilyesse and on Instagram @theemilyesse 

You can follow Michelle on Twitter @kubits and on Instagram @kukukachubits

You can follow us on Twitter @amongstthebooks_podcast and on Instagram @amongstthebookspodcast

Our theme music was written produced and recorded by Jake Thistle and you can follow Jake on Instagram @JakeThistlemusic

Thank you for joining. Stay Happy, Stay Healthy, and Keep Reading

Summer months are coming and with that summer reading.  Today's episode has us chatting with the librarians from the Paramus  New Jersey Public and Branch Libraries about supporting reading, finding just the right books, and TikTok.  We were lucky to get to sit outside (socially distanced and fully masked of course) to record our episode and learn more about how the library is here to support all of your reading needs. 

Follow the Public and Branch Libraries on Facebook @paramuspl and @paramusbranchlibrary . On Instagram @Paramusmainlibrary and @paramusbranchlibrary On Twitter @ParamusLibrary On Pinterest @parabranchlib On TikTok @ParamusmainLibrary

You can follow us on Twitter @amongstthebooks_podcast and on Instagram @amongstthebookspodcast

Listen to use where ever you get your podcasts and be sure to rate and review us.

Our theme music is by Jake Thistle. You can follow him on Instagram @jakethistlemusic

Jarod Pratt and Jey Odin are the dynamic duo behind the new sci-fi graphic novel The Lemonade Code, and they brought a ton of laughs and amazing insights into the creative process on today's episode.  It was such a pleasure getting to talk to them and my sides will never be the same. 

You can follow Jarod on Twitter @jarodrhyspratt

And you can follow Jey on Twitter and Instagram @JeyOdin

You can follow us on Twitter @amongstthebooks_podcast or on Instagram @amongstthebookspodcast

Our music was written, produced, and recorded by Jake Thistle.  You can learn more about Jake at jakethistle.com/

You can listen and subscribe to us where ever you listen to podcasts and be sure to rate and review us.

Thank you to Oni Press for helping to set up the interview

Allergic is a new graphic novel from Graphix Books and speaks to all those readers who suffer from allergies.  But the creative team of Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter have created a story that is timely, realistic, and relatable to all readers, both allergy sufferers and non-allergy sufferers as well.  It was an honor to get to talk with them about their touching collaboration and we shared some giggles along the way. Thankfully no one sneezed. 

Follow Megan on Instagram @meganwagnerlloyd and Michelle on Instagram @buttersketch or on Twitter @buttersketch_

You can find their book at your local bookstore or through your Scholastic Book Clubs

You can follow us on Twitter @amongstthebooks_podcast or on Instagram @amongstthebookspodcast

Our music was written, produced, and recorded by Jake Thistle.  You can learn more about Jake at jakethistle.com/

You can listen and subscribe to us where ever you listen to podcasts and be sure to rate and review us.

Sometimes you need to step away from your work to help clear your head and refocus.  Mark Crilley is a firm believer in moving when you need to get through writer's block. This is just one of the subjects we touch on with Eisner Award-nominated Mark Crilley author and illustrator of the new book My Last Summer with Cass a story about two girls, their friendship, and how finding your voice does not mean you grow apart. 

You can follow Mark on Twitter @markcrilley 

Check out his YouTube Channel Mark Crilley and his website markcrilley.com

You can follow us on Twitter @amongstthebooks_podcast or on Instagram @amongstthebookspodcast

Our music was written, produced, and recorded by Jake Thistle.  You can learn more about Jake at jakethistle.com/

You can listen and subscribe to us where ever you listen to podcasts and be sure to rate and review us. 

"You're going to hit roadblocks.  You're not going to like what you're writing or drawing but you got to stick with it, and it is part of the process." Eisner nominated comic author-illustrator Chris Grine talks about working through obstacles and believing in yourself.  We were honored to get to talk with Chris today about his latest book series Secrets of Camp Nowhere and his process in writing a teenage female character.  

You can follow Chris on Twitter @chrisgrine

You can follow us on Twitter @amongstthebooks_podcast or on Instagram @amongstthebookspodcast

Our music was written, produced, and recorded by Jake Thistle.  You can learn more about Jake at jakethistle.com/

You can listen and subscribe to us where ever you listen to podcasts and be sure to rate and review us. 

Thank you to Oni Press for helping to set up the interview

"Be brave, because some can not be as brave as they can." 

Marta Breen is an author who writes about women's rights, and the trials and success that they have had across the globe.  Her graphic novel Fearless Females, which is illustrated by Jenny Jordahl, touches on the lives of several women and cover such subjects as voting rights, and equal pay.  

You can follow Marta on Twitter @martabreen 

You can see more of Jenny's work at jennyjordahl.com

You can learn more about their book Fearless Females here. And be sure to check out their other works from your local bookseller. 

You can find us on Twitter @amongstthebooks_podcast and on Instagram @amongstthebookspodcast

Our theme music is written, performed, and recorded by Jake Thistle.  You can learn more about Jake here

Blue Delliquanti truly dives into their work, and the results are deliciously entertaining with beautifully crafted characters and stories.  I got to speak with Blue about their work and got to ask about their bug-eating fascination that is the feature of the book Meal.  

Learn more about Blue at their website bluedelliquanti.com and follow them on Twitter @bluedelliquanti 

You can purchase Blue's books at your local bookstores or from Iron Circus Comics ironcircus.com 

You can follow us on Twitter @amongstthebooks_podcast and on Instagram @amongstthebookspodcast. You can listen to us where ever you get your podcasts and be sure to rate and review us

Our theme music is written, performed and produced by Jake Thistle

Walter Cronkite, Edward R. Murrow, and Lupin the Cat. What do these three names have in common?  They are bringing you the news! Georgia Dunn creator of Breaking Cat News is a funny, energetic, and talented author and illustrator and we were lucky to have her share her inspiration and her creative process.  Her latest book Elivs Puffs Out is out now and brings even more newsworthy reporting to the masses.  

You can follow Georgia at georgiadunnstudio.com; gocomics.com and ampkids.com. Follow her on Twitter @GeorgiaDunnBCN and be sure to subscribe her to comic series. 

You can follow us on Twitter @amongstthebooks_podcast on Instagram @amongstthebookspodcast and where listen to us where ever you listen to podcasts.  

Our theme music is written produced and recorded by Jake Thistle. 

The people in your life are such a great source of inspiration, and Dana Simpson has used her inspiration to create an amazing cast of characters that speak to readers of all ages.  I got to talk with the creator of Pheobe and her Unicorn and learn about her process, how she got started, and her working on the picture book I'm Not a GirlI.  

Learn more about Dana at danasimpson.com, follow her on Twitter @MizDanaClaire and check out her books at ampkids.com 

Instagram @ampkids_

Twitter @amp_kids

You can follow us on Twitter @amongstthebooks_podcast on Instagram @amongstthebookspodcast

Our theme music was written, recorded, and produced by Jake Thistle