This week’s conversation is such a treat! I am thrilled that you get to meet fifth-grade teacher and author of Game Changer: Book Access for All— Colby Sharp. He shares his love of using picture books in his class and how he manages his literacy lessons throughout the day with a focus on independent reading. We have some honest conversations about reading “ups and downs” and Colby shares some great insights about inspiring reading in classrooms and keeping book collections relevant to students. I especially appreciated the questions he asked me, as well. Our mutual love for books shines through as there are many, many book recommendations linked below with Amazing affiliate links for purchase. Be sure to follow Colby Sharp on all social media platforms and check out his weekly YouTube Kid Lit Book Mail— you won’t regret it!

Game Changer! Book Access for All Kids

How to Train your Dad

Northwind

The One and Only Ivan

Front Desk

The Year We Learned to Fly 

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

Author recommendations:

Jon Klassen

Jacqueline Woodson

Deborah Freedman

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

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@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com

This is a much-anticipated episode—This week I had the pleasure of visiting with illustrator/author Pete Oswald who illustrated the newly released The Smart Cookie which is the most recent addition to the Food Group book series by Jory John. Pete shares about his life-long love of drawing and animation. You will learn how his family is his biggest support and a great source of honest feedback. A real treasure in this episode is all the insights Pete shares about the making of The Smart Cookie. Pete shares about his creative process, as well. I know that you will love to hear from Pete who is such a kind and authentic person. You can find Pete at peteoswald.com

Books mentioned in this episode with Amazon affiliate links for purchase:

Mingo the Flamingo 

The Smart Cookie

A Gift for Nana by Lane Smith

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

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

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com

This week my book buddy, Andrea from @bookishburnsss, and I got together to chat all about books and so much more. You will learn about our favorite monthly book event called Check It Out. Click here to register for tomorrow’s Thanksgiving-Themed Check It Out. We also discuss our favorite Thanksgiving foods and opinions on Black Friday shopping. We had so much fun talking about all the books that are coming out in the next few months. We offer up some ideas about adding SEL books to your class and life. I hope you enjoy a peek into our lives and friendship.

Kobi Yamada Confetti Moments Episode

November Coming Soon Book List with Amazon Affiliate Links

December Coming Soon Book List with Amazon Affiliate Links

Mile High Reading (book recommendation website)

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

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

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com

Oh what a treat this interview was! I am so happy for you to meet former screenwriter turned picture book writer, Drew Daywalt. You will enjoy hearing the origin story for The Day the Crayons Quit and how long it took to get that fantastic book published. Drew shares his literary journey that has some interesting twists and turns and is ultimately rooted in his family’s influence in exposing him to wonderful stories. Drew has excellent advice for both people who don’t like to write and for aspiring writers and illustrators. You get to hear about all the future Crayon books that are coming. Lastly, Drew shares his passion for SEL books and the universal appeal they have. I know you will learn so much from this amazing interview with Drew who is such a kind and genuine person. Enjoy!

You can find all things Drew at drewdaywalt.com

Books mentioned in this episode with Amazon affiliate links to order: 

The Day the Crayons Quit

The Day the Crayons Came Home

Sleepy, The Goodnight Buddy

What Was I Scared Of? 

Smart Cookie

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

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

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com

Welcome, listeners. This week's episode really hit close to home this week. I had the pleasure of interviewing Lisa Fipps author of the middle grade novel-in-verse novel called Starfish, which is her debut novel. The book focuses on the impact of body-shaming and the struggle to have a positive body image of yourself when the world's messages are against you. Lisa shares candidly the personal stories that inspired Starfish. You will also learn about Lisa growing up in a rural area as a very avid reader where books were her life line. She has great advice for aspiring authors, as well. I hope you are as encouraged as I was after this powerful conversation. You can find Lisa at her website authorlisafipps.com and on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter at authorlisafipps. 

Books mentioned in this episode with Amazon affiliate links for purchase: 

Starfish

The Children's Moon

The Walk to the Park

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

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

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com

You are in for a very special and important episode this week. I had the pleasure of speaking with Caldecott-winning author-illustrator Dan Santat. One of the highlights of this week's episode is a very honest and vulnerable conversation about the personal story that inspired After the Fall. We discuss the societal stigma around mental health and specifically anxiety and depression. Dan shares great advice for aspiring authors and illustrators about finding your own voice and style when you are inspired by so many great others around. You will be interested to learn what job Dan would have had if he hadn’t found a love of art and storytelling. We also discuss the beauty that comes from boredom. Finally, Dan shares some of his upcoming projects and books. I know you will be moved by this episode.

Books discussed in this episode with affiliate links for purchase:

After the Fall

Bear is a Bear

Trick or Treat, Crankenstein

The Aquanaut

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

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

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com

Today's episode is a true Confetti Moment conversation. Samantha Berger and I discuss the gift that picture books are for every reader, not just young children. You will want to listen as Samantha describes picture books as an "exceptionally high art form," and the unique experience there is as one waits with anticipation for each page to turn. We discuss the importance of book access and how strongly this influences readers and writers. She has been told she has the "soul of a child," and she loves storytelling and mentoring and discovering others who have this gift, as well. Samantha has written over 90 books for kids, and she is also involved in work for Sesame Street and Nickelodeon. She shares some of her upcoming projects and ideas for future books. You can find her at her website: samanthaberger.com, on Instagram or on Twitter. 

Books mentioned in this episode with Amazon affiliate links for purchasing:

The Sharey Godmother

Trick or Treat Crankenstein

What If? 

Snail Mail

Survivor Tree

Flamer

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

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

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com

This week I had the honor of interviewing Kobi Yamada who is the author of the What Do You Do With an Idea? . . .Problem? . . .Chance? series. He has such wise words to share about the power of picture books and their intergenerational significance. You will learn the story behind how What Do You Do With an Idea? became a book. He shares about the importance of failure in our lives and how he brought that theme to life in one of his newer books, Trying. Kobi is someone who really understands that picture books are for everyone! I know that you will enjoy all the nuggets of hope and wisdom packed into this episode. 

Books mentioned in this episode (Amazon affiliate links used):

What Do You Do with an Idea? 

What Do You Do with a Problem? 

What Do You Do with a Chance? 

Trying

Finding Muchness

Breath by James Nester

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

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

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com

In this episode, I discuss the story behind National Open the Magic Day. You will learn all the details about how to celebrate this special day with me and others who want to share in our common love of picture books and the magic that happens when we read. I also share about the special author panel interview that I got to do with some of the authors and illustrators of the six National Open the Magic Day featured books. I have created a handout that has questions and activities for each book. Click here to download it. I hope that you have plans so celebrate National Open the Magic Day. You can click here to fill out a Google Form to share what you are doing. There is also a certificate you can download to commemorate your participation. Thanks for listening!

Here are Amazon affiliate links to the six featured books for National Open the Magic Day

I am Courage                         A Walk in the Words                    A Friend Like You 

What If, Pig?                          Kindness is a Kite String              Survivor Tree

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

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

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com

This week I am very excited to share with you my meaningful conversation with Susan Verde who is the author of the "I Am" series and her newest addition, "I Am Courage" came out on September 7. In this episode, Susan shares about how she came to love reading and writing so much. We discuss how picture books are able to break down "big messages" into more manageable parts. You will love Susan's story about meeting and becoming friends with Peter Reynolds, her illustration partner in the "I Am" series. We also considered the importance of picture books that focus on Social/Emotional learning. Finally, Susan offered some sound advice to aspiring writers and authors. I hope you enjoy this special time that Susan and I shared. Please be sure to share this episode with others who you know would enjoy it. 

Books mentioned in this episode (Amazon affiliate links used) 

I Am Courage

I Am Love

I Am Yoga

The Snowy Day

Our Table

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

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

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com