You are in for such a treat this week. I can't wait for you to meet Anastastia McKenna who is a former teacher turned Storytime reader at The Twig Book Shop in San Antonio, TX. If you want to learn about the most engaging way to read a story, you are in the right place. She is the most enthusiastic story teller that I have ever met. She does weekly story times but also has taken her show on the road and does story time in schools and at libraries. She loves to help people find just the right book that will bring reading to life for them. You will love your time spent hearing all of her tips and tricks about reading stories and picking just the right book. This episode is sure to make you laugh! 

You can connect with Miss Anastasia on Instagram and TikTok and Twitter

Below you will find the Amazon affiliate links for the books mentioned in this episode. Just click to purchase.

A Bear, A Bee and A Honey Tree

Let's Go for a Drive

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

-------Come hang out!--------

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Ramonarecommends.com

Magic Wear Shop

On this week’s episode you will meet Austin-based children’s author Chris Barton. He is the author of some of my favorite nonfiction biography picture books. You will be interested to learn about Chris’ journey to becoming a picture book author. We share the same belief that picture books are the first stories that teach children to love reading and create a much-needed tactile reading experience. He loves to tell stories about how things in the world came to be. You will learn about the research that goes into writing a nonfiction picture book. His two newest books: How To Make a Book (About My Dog) and Moving Forward: From Space-Age Rides to Civil Rights Sit-Ins with Airman Alton Yates are perfect examples of his immense skills. We had a great time discussing our shared understanding that picture books are for people of all ages. You will learn so much from this episode, and I can’t wait for you to get to know Chris.

Below you will find the Amazon affiliate links for the books mentioned in this episode. Just click to purchase.

How To Make a Book (About My Dog)

Moving Forward: From Space-Age Rides to Civil Rights Sit-Ins with Airman Alton Yates

The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch

Whoosh: Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions

Worser (Middle Grade Novel)

The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins

What Do You Do With a Voice Like That?: The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan

The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors

Ways to connect with Chris: Instagram and Twitter and Website

This One’s Dedicated to … (podcast with his wife)

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

-------Come hang out!--------

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com

Today’s “Back to School” episode is a dream come true for me. I got to interview one of my favorite people —Annie F. Downs. I first “met” Annie when I began listening to her podcast: “That Sounds Fun” during the pandemic. Annie is a former teacher turned podcaster, producer and author. She lives in Nashville, TN and gets to interview some of the most fascinating people.

This episode will comfort you and inspire you as you start a new school year as a teacher or a parent. We had so much fun talking about things that make back to school season so special. She has a great perspective on the life of a teacher, and she shares some of the lessons she learned. Her new book is called "Chase the Fun," and she talks about how to make this a goal every day. You will learn about her hobbies, her dreams, and her secrets to chasing the fun. After listening to this episode, you will feel like Annie is a new friend. Her genuine spirit and authentic perspective on life is very refreshing. She will make you laugh and cry. I hope you enjoy listening to this episode. It was one of my favorites. 

Below you will find the Amazon affiliate links for the books mentioned in this episode. Just click to purchase.

What Sounds Fun to You? 

Chase The Fun: 100 Days to Discover Fun Right Where You Are

Bronco and Friends: Mission Possible

Ways to connect with Annie: Instagram and Facebook

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

-------Come hang out!--------

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Ramonarecommends.com

Magic Wear Shop

I have been looking forward to this interview for awhile. You are going to love meeting Trudy Ludwig who is the author of many children's books including The Invisible Boy and Quiet Please, Owen McPhee and her newest book Brave Every Day. She says that her focus when she writes is to help kids connect with each other in kinder and more caring ways. She is definitely good at that. You will learn what profession she had before she was compelled to start writing children's books. You will learn about her concept of bibliotherapy. Trudy is a treasure trove of social and emotional wisdom. I learned so much from her and I can't wait for you to learn, too. She also shares insights about how her newest book Brave Every Day came to be. I know you will enjoy this episode as much as I did. 

Ways to connect with Trudy: Website, Twitter, Instagram

Below you will find the Amazon affiliate links for the books mentioned in this episode. Just click to purchase.

The invisible Boy

Quite Please, Owen McPhee

Brave Every Day

Calling the Wind

Counting By 7s 

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

-------Come hang out!--------

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Ramonarecommends.com

Magic Wear Shop

This week you will love meeting the dynamic author/illustrator duo of Ella Schwartz and Dow Phumiruk. They both share about their careers before working on picture books and how their love of reading grew more slowly because of their family's immigrant background. You will learn the background story about Her Name was Mary Katherine: The Only Woman Whose Name is on the Declaration of Independence. You will enjoy learning about the special relationship that an author and illustrator have when working on a book together. They also were able to share about their upcoming books and projects. I know you will enjoy getting to know these two special people. 

Ways to connect with Ella: Website, Twitter and Dow: Instagram, Website, Twitter

Below you will find the Amazon affiliate links for the books mentioned in this episode. Just click to purchase.

From Ella Schwartz:

Her Name was Mary Katherine: The Only Woman Whose Name is on the Declaration of Independence

Can you Crack the Code?: A Fascinating History of Ciphers and Cryptography

Is It Okay to Pee in the Ocean?: The Fascinating Science of Our Waste and Our World

From Dow Phumiruk:

Hugsby

New From Here

Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13

A Life of Service: The Story of Senator Tammy Duckworth

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

-------Come hang out!--------

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Ramonarecommends.com

Magic Wear Shop

You are going to love getting to know Kirsten Larson who used to work for NASA and came to be a picture book author when she realized how much she and her children loved the nonfiction section of the library. She shares how she likes to focus her writing on strong women in history. She shares her research process of using both primary and secondary sources. She discusses the idea that reading a picture book involves both the reading of words and the reading of pictures and how that brings meaning and Confetti Moments to readers. She shares the story of her latest book A True Wonder: The Comic Book Hero Who Changed Everything which chronicles the creation and evolution of Wonder Woman and inspires readers to see themselves as heroes of their own story. Kirsten is such a gift to the nonfiction picture book community.

Below you will find the Amazon affiliate links for the books mentioned in this episode. Just click to purchase.

A True Wonder: The Comic Book Hero Who Changed Everything

Wood, Wire, Wings

One Wish: Fatima al-Fihri and the World's Oldest University

Ways to connect with Kirsten: Instagram, Website, Twitter

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

-------Come hang out!--------

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Ramonarecommends.com

Magic Wear Shop

This week you are going to love getting to meet former elementary school teacher Tami Charles who is the author of All Because You Matter. We talk about who she was as a reader growing up and who inspired her to become a picture book author. We really connect over our thoughts on the importance of picture books. She shares some of the authors she looks up to as a writer and the influence they had on her students. We also discuss her growth as a writer and her habits of writing. You will learn all about her book All Because You Matter and where the story came from. We also discuss the author/illustrator relationship and how that influences the outcome of a book. Tami is a treat and you are going to love this episode. Ways to connect with Tami: Website, Instagram, Twitter

Below you will find the Amazon affiliate links for the books mentioned in this episode. Just click to purchase.

All Because You Matter

We Are Here

The Crossover

Black Girl Rising

Drum Dream Girl: How One Girl's Courage Changed Music

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

-------Come hang out!--------

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Ramonarecommends.com

Magic Wear Shop

I am so excited about this week's episode. I am happy to introduce you to Lisa Robinson the author of The Sweetest Scoop which is the biography of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream. She shares about her amazing upbringing with parents who were in the Peace Corp. You will be fascinated to learn all the places she has lived. She is currently a practicing child psychiatrist, mom and author. She has a beautiful take on the importance of picture books and their impact on social-emotional learning. Lisa shares the story behind The Sweetest Scoop: Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Revolution in addition to all of her family's favorite ice cream flavors. You will learn about the other books she has written as well as what books she has coming in the near future. You will see that she loves to learn about strong women in history. Lastly, you have to find out the very unique hobby that Lisa and her daughter's share. I did not expect it! Enjoy this yummy episode!

Ways to connect with Lisa: Instagram, Twitter, or her website

Below you will find the Amazon affiliate links for the books mentioned in this episode. Just click to purchase.

The Sweetest Scoop: Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream Revolution

Madame Saqui: Revolutionary Rope Dancer

Being a Dog: A Tail of Mindfulness

Luli and the Language Of Tea

Where the Wild Things Are

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

-------Come hang out!--------

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Ramonarecommends.com

Magic Wear Shop

This week it is my pleasure to introduce you to Margaret Greanias—a busy mom of three and a picture book author. She shares how someone with an MBA found themselves as a picture book author. We talked about our favorite genres of books and how books that show different cultures are so important.  We also shared our love of reading and book conferences. You get to hear about her newest book Amah Faraway and the memories that inspired it. Margaret shares about where her ideas come from for her stories and how they develop. She has such a kind and easygoing manor and was a joy to interview. 

Below you will find the Amazon affiliate links for the books mentioned in this episode. Just click to purchase.

Amah Faraway 

Maximillian Villainous

I Don't Care 

The Book of Mistakes

You can contact her for author visits at her website or you can connect with her on Instagram or Twitter

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

-------Come hang out!--------

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Ramonarecommends.com

Magic Wear Shop

Today is a special treat- It is my birthday and believe it or not, it is also my guest Shelley Johannes’ birthday! Can’t believe it. She is the author and illustrator of the Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker series and the More Than Sunny picture book. She was originally an architectural designer and never imagined that she could be an author and illustrator, too. She discusses the special combination of words and images that picture books offer and how it is a unique reading experience with magical results. She shares the inspiration for her picture book and where she gets her ideas for writing. You will love learning about her creative process. I was inspired by her carefree approach to life. Please connect with Shelley on Instagram and Twitter and reach our for an author visit!

Below you will find the Amazon affiliate links for the books mentioned in this episode. Just click to purchase.

Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker

More than Sunny

This Joy! 

The Upside Down Hat

A Story is to Share

Fraidy Zoo

The Vanderbeekers Series 

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

-------Come hang out!--------

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Ramonarecommends.com

Magic Wear Shop