I hope you all had a wonderful summer. I am so excited to get my fall line-up of Confetti Moments podcasts started with the special conversation that I had with Marcie Colleen who is the author of the newly published book, "Survivor Tree". This narrative nonfiction picture book is about a very special tree that survived the horrific events of 9/11. Marcie shares how this book is about so much more than 9/11. It is ultimately about resiliency and hope, which she emphasizes are two things that everyone needs after the events of the past year and a half. Marcie shares how her former work as a high school English and theater teacher influenced her current work as a children's book author. You will also hear excellent insights and advice for aspiring authors. Marcie gives so much to the kid lit writing community- you are sure to enjoy getting to know her better.  

You can find Marcie Colleen at her website, on Instagram and Twitter

Books mentioned in this podcast with affiliate links- Click to purchase

Also an Octopus

Busy Town Busy People

A True Wonder: The Comic Book Hero Who Changed Everything

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

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

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com

I am so glad that you have tuned in to today's episode. This week I am sharing all things Summer reading including family reading ideas, the importance of summer reading and the gift of reading for everyone. During this episode, I was over come with thankfulness for the Confetti Moments community of listeners and the "bookful" community in general. 

Books mentioned in this episode:

Starfish by Lisa Fipps          The Bench by Meghan The Duchess of Sussex     Memory Jars by Vera Brosgol         Paletero Man by Lucky Diaz    

Negative Cat by Sophie Blackall                       A Pizza with Everything on It by Kyle Scheele                      The Longest Storm by Dan Yaccarino

Summer Reading Programs

Barnes and Noble                             Half Price Books                      Scholastic

Also check with your local library to see what they are doing to encourage and celebrate summer reading.

Read here about National Open the Magic Day

Read here for the Check it Out Podcast 

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

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

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com

We have an exciting treat for SHARK WEEK— the author (Joan Holub) and illustrator (Laurie Keller) of the newly published I Am The Shark. I had the pleasure of interviewing this powerhouse duo who have joined forces for this incredible book. This book was actually inspired by Shark Week on the Discovery Channel and offers the perfect mix of humor, information and heart. In addition to sharing all about this book, these talented women share about their early love of reading and libraries. We explore the many ways that picture books enhance children's imaginations and the special bond that is shared when families read picture books together. One of my favorite parts was learning about where they get their ideas for stories; their answers might surprise you. I hope you enjoy this entertaining episode as much as I do. 

You can find Joan on at joanholub.com as well as IG, Twitter and Facebook 

You can find Laurie at lauriekellerbooks.com as well as IG, Twitter and Facebook

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

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

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com

Affiliate links are used for linked books.

This week we have an expert on our podcast— literally! My guest this week, Becca Thiemann, did her dissertation for her PhD on Nonfiction Picture Books. We discuss what makes nonfiction picture books so special and the magic they hold for readers of all ages. Becca shares one of the wisest things: Enjoyment of reading matters more than speed. You will learn the two different types of nonfiction picture books and new ways to read nonfiction picture books with children and students. You don't want to miss all the wisdom Becca has to share about the way that nonfiction picture books illuminate our world. 

Books shared in this episode: 

Steve Jenkins books

Balloons Over Broadway

Rest, Play, Grow

All the World 

A Friend Like You 

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

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

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com

Oh listeners, are you in for a treat! Uyen (pronounced "when") Pham is the author of the new book Outside Inside which she wrote at the very beginning of the pandemic as a sort of time capsule for her children and the world. We discuss how this book has been received by readers young and old. Uyen discusses how her family leaned on literature during the pandemic. Uyen also shares about her efforts to support book access when most libraries and schools were closed. Uyen is a gifted author/illustrator who has written or illustrated over 100 books. You have most likely read one of her books and not even realized it. If you would like to follow Uyen's journey you can find her on Instagram @uyenloseordraw or at leuyenpham.com. I hope you enjoy this insightful episode. 

Books referenced in this episode: 

Memory Jars

Real Friends

Bear Came Along

Princess in Black Series

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

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

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com

This week I had the pleasure of talking with Jamie Nanfara who is a literacy specialist and the face behind @kidsbookstagram. In this episode, Jamie shares her love of picture books and her work to become a published picture book author. She also gives insight into the effects the pandemic had on literacy and education, and how her family used books to find hope during this challenging time.

Books mentioned in this episode: 

Stars 

Roller Coaster

Have You Ever Seen a Flower

Love Is

Blob

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

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

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com

This week we virtually traveled across the globe to talk books with Mikelle Noreen, a former international teacher currently serving as a librarian on an Army base in Germany. She reminisced  how her family's nightly read alouds instilled a love of reading in her. You will learn about her "rebellious" reading streak, as well. Mikelle's real specialty is digital libraries and she generously shares how she curates them and how you can get a free access to all of them. What a treat! 

You can find Mikelle on Instagram @lettersfrommikelle 

When the Stars Are Scattered

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

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

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com

It has been so long since I have been my own guest on my podcast. This week I share about the tradition of my Confetti Moment Deliveries that make everyone's day, including my own. You will also learn the heart and history of Confetti Moments. 

How Cities Work

Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

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

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com

In this episode, former high school English teacher and current stay-at-home mom, Katie Addis discusses how she underutilized picture books as a high school teacher and offers advice on ways she would do it differently today. We had a wonderful time talking about how picture books make kids fall in love with reading for a lifetime and she shares how she and her kids have survived the pandemic through reading. You will want to be sure to check out Katie’s Bookstagram account @littleslicesoflit that she bravely started during the pandemic. 

Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever

The Enchanted Hour: The Miraculous Power of Reading Aloud in the Age of Distraction

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

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

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com

I had the pleasure of visiting with the amazing illustrator, Kayla Harren. Kayla shares about her journey to becoming an illustrator, which might surprise you. She also discusses the unique experience that you can have when reading picture books. I enjoyed learning about her thoughtful research process when drawing characters who have different cultural and life experiences than her own. Kayla is a true treasure, and I hope you enjoy this episode. 

You can find Kayla on Instagram @kaylaharren and www.kaylaharren.com

Mary Had A Little Lizard

A Teacher Like You 

A Girl Like You

A Boy Like You

The Boy Who Grew a Forest

Open The Magic,

Courtney Hinshaw

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

@ramonarecommends {instagram}

Magic Wear Shop

Ramonarecommends.com