On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Alyssa Colman about her newest middle grade historical fiction novel: WHERE ONLY STORMS GROW.

This gripping middle grade historical fiction novel is set during one of the most dangerous storms in American history and has some of the most heartfelt characters you’ll ever meet on the page.

Come listen as we talk about why Alyssa shifted from fantasy to historical fiction, her brilliant writing and research hack, the inspiration behind the book and her hope for readers about finding their multitudes, even those passions that come from limitations. 

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2025/08/18/more-than-one-thing-where-only-storms-grow-by-alyssa-colman/

Join me inside my Facebook community for bookish people! There, we talk about all things books and reading and writing and notebooking, too! You'll get updates for this podcast, along with my other Get Lit(erate). podcast and build your literate community for adult and children's literature: https://www.facebook.com/groups/getliterate

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some KidLit Love merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife 

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

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On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Pablo Cartaya about his newest middle grade novel: A HERO’S GUIDE TO SUMMER VACATION.

This middle grade novel is about a reluctant young hero, his best-selling fantasy author grandfather and a family road trip that spans multiple states and three generations. It’s what I like to call a 5-heart book and one that readers will truly feel seen and cared for inside. 

Come listen as we talk about dreams and failing forward, Pablo’s continual growth as a writer, the vulnerability inside of this book and the multiple permission slips gifted to readers, too. 

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2025/08/14/permission-to-feel-a-heros-guide-to-summer-vacation-by-pablo-cartaya/

Join me inside my Facebook community for bookish people! There, we talk about all things books and reading and writing and notebooking, too! You'll get updates for this podcast, along with my other Get Lit(erate). podcast and build your literate community for adult and children's literature: https://www.facebook.com/groups/getliterate

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some KidLit Love merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife 

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

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On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Barbara McClintock about her newest picture book collaboration with the late Tomie DePaola: WHERE ARE YOU BRONTE?

In this moving tribute to Tomie, readers see firsthand his emotional and deeply personal story about overcoming his grief at the loss of his beloved dog, Bronte.

Come listen as we talk about Tomie’s beautiful message of love for readers, the process of creating such a moving tribute and the Easter eggs readers will likely find inside. You're also sure to be inspired by Barbara’s journey through children’s literature, including a single phone call that set her on a beautiful trajectory. 

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2025/08/11/a-tribute-to-tomie-depaola-where-are-you-bronte-by-barbara-mcclintock/

Join me inside my Facebook community for bookish people! There, we talk about all things books and reading and writing and notebooking, too! You'll get updates for this podcast, along with my other Get Lit(erate). podcast and build your literate community for adult and children's literature: https://www.facebook.com/groups/getliterate

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some KidLit Love merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife 

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

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On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Erin Entrada Kelly about her non-fiction middle grade debut: AT LAST SHE STOOD: HOW JOEY GUERRERO SPIED, SURVIVED, AND FOUGHT FOR FREEDOM. 

This middle grade nonfiction text explores the intertwined narratives of war, spy stories, immigration, disease, religious devotion and most of all, hope and change. I’m so grateful I now have a new mentor to look up to and middle grade readers will, too. 

Come listen as we talk about the inspiration behind the book, her process for writing it and the varied features inside the pages. Erin also shares her beautiful hopes for the book: that readers have a new hero that challenges the norm of who heroes actually are and gives everyone someone to look up to that looks like them. 

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2025/08/07/redefining-heroism-at-last-she-stood-with-erin-entrada-kelly/

Join me inside my Facebook community for bookish people! There, we talk about all things books and reading and writing and notebooking, too! You'll get updates for this podcast, along with my other Get Lit(erate). podcast and build your literate community for adult and children's literature: https://www.facebook.com/groups/getliterate

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some KidLit Love merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife 

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

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On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Regina Linke about her newest picture book: BIG ENOUGH.

This beautifully illustrated picture book embraces traditional Chinese philosophy and introduces readers to a little boy who learns he is big enough to do big things. 

Come listen as we talk about the origin story of the book, the layers of messages and cultures inside the pages and Regina’s hopes for readers to learn, grow and appreciate the wisdom found inside. 

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2025/08/04/more-capable-than-we-think-big-enough-by-regina-linke/

Join me inside my Facebook community for bookish people! There, we talk about all things books and reading and writing and notebooking, too! You'll get updates for this podcast, along with my other Get Lit(erate). podcast and build your literate community for adult and children's literature: https://www.facebook.com/groups/getliterate

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some KidLit Love merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife 

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

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On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Lynda Mullaly Hunt about her new picture book: WISH IN A TREE.

This beautiful picture book is the companion story to her New York Times best-selling book FISH IN A TREE and celebrates neurodiversity and out-of-the-box thinking. In Lynda’s words, it’s an anti-shame book that she hopes sees all students and helps them take stock in who they are. 

Come listen as we talk about why Lynda never thought she’d end up being a writer, the one teacher and writer’s group that changed everything and the beautiful hope she has for the book and all of the readers who read it. 

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here. 

Join me inside my Facebook community for bookish people! There, we talk about all things books and reading and writing and notebooking, too! You'll get updates for this podcast, along with my other Get Lit(erate). podcast and build your literate community for adult and children's literature: https://www.facebook.com/groups/getliterate

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some KidLit Love merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife 

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

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On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Tiffany D. Jackson about her middle grade debut novel: BLOOD IN THE WATER.

This book is a can’t-put-it-down middle grade murder mystery set on Martha’s Vineyard that blends the beautiful location with rich Black history and the compelling subject matter that Tiffany is known for. 

Come listen as we talk about Tiffany’s journey through children’s literature and how she came to fill a niche in the young adult and middle grade thriller space, her thoughts on rejection and redirection, why she chose Martha’s Vineyard for the setting of the book and her hopes for readers of all ages. 

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2025/07/28/middle-grade-thrillers-blood-in-the-water-by-tiffany-d-jackson/

Join me inside my Facebook community for bookish people! There, we talk about all things books and reading and writing and notebooking, too! You'll get updates for this podcast, along with my other Get Lit(erate). podcast and build your literate community for adult and children's literature: https://www.facebook.com/groups/getliterate

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some KidLit Love merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife 

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

Follow Stephanie:

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On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Antwan Eady about his newest picture book release: THE GATHERING TABLE.

This absolutely stunning picture book conveys the love that an extended family has for one another as they gather around the familial table to celebrate holidays,  weddings and just being together. 

Come listen as we talk about the real-life gathering table that inspired this book, explore the range of emotions radiating off of the pages and the beautiful, heart-felt invitation that Antwan extends to all readers. 

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2025/07/24/love-hope-pride-freedom-the-gathering-table-by-antwan-eady/

Join me inside my Facebook community for bookish people! There, we talk about all things books and reading and writing and notebooking, too! You'll get updates for this podcast, along with my other Get Lit(erate). podcast and build your literate community for adult and children's literature: https://www.facebook.com/groups/getliterate

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some KidLit Love merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife 

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

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On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with G.F. Miller about her newest upper middle grade novel: WHAT IF YOU FALL FOR ME FIRST?

This relatable middle grade rom-com for tweens follows a girl determined to ditch her goody-two-shoes image as she enlists the cool guy classmate to snag her crush’s attention. 

Come listen as we talk about filling the gap of the middle grade rom-com genre, the character driven plot that unfolded over time and the delight G.F. hopes readers will experience as soon as they turn the page.

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2025/07/21/middle-grade-rom-com-what-if-you-fall-for-me-first-by-g-f-miller/

Join me inside my Facebook community for bookish people! There, we talk about all things books and reading and writing and notebooking, too! You'll get updates for this podcast, along with my other Get Lit(erate). podcast and build your literate community for adult and children's literature: https://www.facebook.com/groups/getliterate

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some KidLit Love merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife 

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

Follow Stephanie:

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On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Michael Wang about his debut picture book: LEIF’S GIFT.

This gorgeous picture book is about a boy named Leif who’s green thumb has turned his bedroom into a jungle. When important things go missing in the overgrowth, Leif must find a way to make his plants a little less and maybe share a little more. 

Come listen as we talk about the personal inspiration behind the book, Michael’s love for plants and what they do for the Earth, the varied themes that will likely emerge from reading the book and some extra bells and whistles available for readers online, too. 

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here.: https://www.alitlife.com/2025/07/17/a-passion-for-plants-leifs-gift-with-michael-wang/

Join me inside my Facebook community for bookish people! There, we talk about all things books and reading and writing and notebooking, too! You'll get updates for this podcast, along with my other Get Lit(erate). podcast and build your literate community for adult and children's literature: https://www.facebook.com/groups/getliterate

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some KidLit Love merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife 

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

Follow Stephanie:

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