In this episode, host M.H. Sheriff interviews children’s book authors Libby McNamee and Jenny Cote. These authors host a virtual historical fiction writing camp in the summer for teens in which the teens write and publish an anthology.

An author, public speaker, and lawyer, Libby McNamee loves exploring America’s many historical sites. When a descendant told her about Susanna Bolling’s heroism, Libby was determined to share it with the world. “SUSANNA’S MIDNIGHT RIDE: THE GIRL WHO WON THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR” is her first historical novel for upper middle graders and adults alike. (Half of her readers are adults.) In addition, there is an accompanying Study Guide. Her second novel, “DOLLEY MADISON AND THE WAR OF 1812: AMERICA’S FIRST LADY,” published on August 24, 2021, the 207th anniversary of the burning of Washington City. In addition, there is an accompanying Study Guide.

Award-winning author and speaker Jenny L. Cote, who developed an early passion for God, history, and young people, beautifully blends these three passions in her two fantasy fiction series, The Amazing Tales of Max and Liz® and Epic Order of the Seven®. Likened to C. S. Lewis by readers and book reviewers alike, she speaks on creative writing to schools, universities, and conferences around the world.  Jenny has a passion for making history fun for kids of all ages, instilling in them a desire to discover their part in HIStory. 

Book Recommendations:

The Epic Story of 1776: 25 people, 13 colonies, and 1 war (camp anthology)

Epic Order of the Seven (8 book series) by Jenny Cote

Susanna’s Midnight Ride by Libby McNamee

Dolley Madison and the War of 1812 by Libby McNamee

Sophia’s War by Avi 

King George What Was His Problem by Steve Sheinkin

The British are Coming by Rick Atkinson

1776 by David McCullough

The Amazing Tales of Max & L

Other Links:

https://historycamp.org/

https://www.mountvernon.org

Libby’s website: http://libbymcnamee.com/

Facebook and instagram @libbymcnameeauthor

Jenny’s website: https://www.epicorderoftheseven.net/

Social media @jennylcote

Host M.H. Sheriff’s website https://maryhelensheriff.com

Check out Bookish Road Trip a community for readers and travelers at Bookishroadtrip.com

“Backwards Walk” music by Stationary Sign courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Thanks to Lisa Roe for designing graphics. 

In this episode, host M.H. Sheriff interviews children’s book author Sivan Hong. Raising neurodivergent children opened Sivan’s eyes to the lack of children’s books featuring neurodivergent children and inspired her to write a few. 

Sivan authors and illustrates the best-selling children’s book series The Super Fun Day Books, including Benny J. and the Horrible Halloween, George J. and the Miserable Monday, Emily D. and the Fearful First Day and Avery G. and the Scary End of School.  Her inspiring books focus on neurodiverse children, who overcome their challenges with perseverance and bravery.  The Super Fun Day Books have even been featured on NBC and News12. Sivan also serves as a Trustee on the Boards of the Rita Allen Foundation, Read Your World and the ASPCA. When she’s not working, Sivan enjoys being a wife to her lovely husband and a mother to their two wonderful children. They have a dog and cat and live in Connecticut.

Book Recommendations:

Super Parenting for ADD by Dr. Hollowell and Dr. Jensen

Benji, the Bad Day, and Me by Sally J. Pla

Just Ask! by Sonia Sotomayor

Other Links:

Super Fun Day Books and teacher guides: 

https://sivanhong.com/books-%26-teachers-guides

Sivan’s website: https://sivanhong.com/

Sivan’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sivan_hong_author/

Read Your World: https://multiculturalchildrensbookday.com/

Host M.H. Sheriff’s website https://maryhelensheriff.com

Check out Bookish Road Trip a community for readers and travelers at Bookishroadtrip.com

“Backwards Walk” music by Stationary Sign courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Thanks to Lisa Roe for designing graphics. 

Episode 2

In this episode, host M.H. Sheriff interviews children’s book publisher Alexa Bigwarfe.  Purple Butterfly Press publishes children’s books with inspirational messages. If you are a children’s book author, you’ll find this publishing model particularly interesting.

Alexa Bigwarfe is a USA Today best-selling author and the founder and CEO of Write|Publish|Sell, a company dedicated to helping authors professionally self-publish and market their books. Her courses and training focus on training authors for success, author platform growth, and creative ways to market books, especially for those who know nothing about marketing. She runs two publishing houses: Purple Butterfly Press and Kat Biggie Press.

Book Recommendations:

Crystal Beads, Lalka’s Journey by Pat Black-Gould

Famous Seaweed Soup by Antoinette Truglio Martin

The Kindness Machine by Christina Dankert & Chad Dankert, Illustrator

Mike Nero and the Super Hero School by Natasha Carlow & Kyle Stephen, Illustrator

Other Links:

https://purplebutterflypress.net/

https://alexabigwarfe.com/

https://writepublishsell.com/

Women in Publishing Summit March 1-4, 2023 https://maryhelensheriff--writepublishsell.thrivecart.com/2023-wip-conference-aff/

Check out Bookish Road Trip a community for readers and travelers at Bookishroadtrip.com

“Backwards Walk” music by Stationary Sign courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Thanks to Lisa Roe for designing graphics.

In this episode, host M.H. Sheriff interviews retired teacher Linda Ulleseit.  After reading The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller, Linda pioneered a new way to teach her middle schoolers reading with great success.

Linda Ulleseit’s novels feature her female ancestors who were extraordinary but unsung. The most recent book The Aloha Spirit, set in territorial Hawaii, which won the Chanticleer International Book Award Grand Prize as well as a bronze medal in the Independent Publisher Book Awards. The next one, The River Remembers, comes out in June. Linda is a mother of two adult sons and a retired teacher. Over her twenty-two year career, Linda taught 4th-8th grade at public schools in California. She pioneered Reading Workshop in her school, moving away from the traditional model of teaching reading.

Book Recommendations:

The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller

A Guide to the Reading Workshop by Lucy Calkins

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

Hatchet by Gary Paulson

Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan

Fox by Margaret Wild

Connect with our guest:

The Aloha Spirit by Linda Ulleseit

Unlocked by Linda Ulleseit

The River Remembers by Linda Ulleseit

ulleseit.com

Shine with Paper Lantern Writers

For more on your host, go to  maryhelensheriff.com

Check out Bookish Road Trip--a community for readers and travelers at Bookishroadtrip.com

“Backwards Walk” music by Stationary Sign courtesy of Epidemic Sound

Thanks to Lisa Roe for designing show graphics.