On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Jamie Michalak about her newest picture book: Hazel the Handful.

In this delightful picture book, readers follow the adorable puppy, Hazel, through a typical day at home as a very important dog, until the baby arrives, that is, and everything changes. It’s for dog-lovers, expanding families and everyone in between. 

Come listen as we talk about Jamie’s childhood experiences that helped her become the writer she is today (You won’t want to miss our discussion on childhood newspapers!), the inspiration behind the book and her hopes for 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/2025/05/01/fun-family-hazel-the-handful-by-jamie-michalak/

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 Gloria Huang about her newest middle grade novel: Kaya of the Ocean. 

This is an exciting, fresh, beautiful middle grade fantasy about embracing who you really are and is for every reader, everywhere, young and old. It’s sure to leave a mark on your heart as it did mine. 

Come listen as we talk about the beautiful parallel entry points for readers, the important lessons of being true to your real self and asking for help when you need it. It was a beautiful conversation.

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/2025/04/28/reaching-readers-hearts-kaya-of-the-ocean-with-gloria-huang/

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 Meera Trehan about her newest middle grade novel: Snow. 

The book is both a beautiful and haunting fantasy where an imprisoned princess needs the help of a girl from the modern world to undo a wish gone wrong and save her snowy kingdom. 

Come listen as we talk about Meera’s shift from law to writing, the way she needs her worlds to make sense and my favorite elements of the book….but with no spoilers, of course!

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/2025/04/24/beautiful-haunting-middle-grade-snow-by-meera-trehan/

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 Vicky Fang about her newest releases in her Ava Lin series: Ava Lin Best Friend and Ava Lin One of a Kind.

The Av Lin series is a delightful collection of books about a first grader who is good at making things, eating snacks and writing lists. These books have a mix of humor and heart, laughter and learning. 

Come listen as we talk about Vicky’s path into children’s literature, how pieces of her own childhood and family life are sprinkled throughout the pages, her favorite notebook and much, much more. 

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/2025/04/21/creative-problem-solving-the-ava-lin-series-by-vicky-fang/

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 Kate Foster about her newest middle grade novel: The Unlikely Heroes Club.

This heart-warming book is about five dog-loving kids who have a mission to accomplish and a mystery to solve and it will hold space in my heart forever. 

Come listen as we talk about the real-life inspiration behind the book, the incredible feeling of safety that will envelope readers and the practical tips and techniques found inside the pages that will support all readers, young and old. 

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/2025/04/17/dog-loving-kids-on-a-mission-the-unlikely-heroes-club-with-kate-foster/

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 Bernard Mensah about his newest picture books: Esi the Brave and Jollof Day.

Both of these books are filled with stunning beauty and capture the beauty and tradition of family culture. 

Come listen as we talk about Bernard’s important mission in children’s literature, the many stories he is hoping to tell and where they come from and how important it is to read, read widely and celebrate our stories. 

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/2025/04/14/the-importance-of-representation-jollof-day-with-bernard-mensah/

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 Mike Boldt about his new picture book: CANtaloupe and HoneyDO Bake a Cake.

This is his newest picture book in the Can Do series, a series filled with funny firsts that focus on a universal childhood experience and features two melons

with hilariously—and helpfully—opposite attitudes. In this book, Cantaloupe and HoneyDo want some cake, so they bake it together with hilarious outcomes. 

Come listen as we talk about how the series started from a single sticky note, the important ways Mike portrays the characters and the connections readers can make with the various events in the series. 

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/2025/04/10/a-series-of-funny-firsts-cantaloupe-and-honeydo-bake-a-cake-with-mike-boldt/

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 bonus episode of the KidLit Love podcast, we’re honoring the right to read with Sabrina Baeta and Tasslyn Magnusson of Pen America. 

PEN America stands at the intersection of literature and human rights to protect free expression and champions the freedom to write, recognizing the power of the word to transform the world, something we wholeheartedly believe and embrace on this podcast.

Come listen as we talk about the work PEN America is doing to support readers and writers, the alarming statistics around book banning and what we can do to help.

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/2025/04/08/protecting-the-right-to-read-with-sabrina-baeta-tasslyn-magnusson-of-pen-america/

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 Kathy MacMillan and Manuela Bernardi about their books: She Spoke: 14 Women Who Raised Their Voices and Changed the World and She Spoke Too: 14 More Women Who Raised Their Voices and Changed the World.

These multi-modal books are both a celebration and a call to action and feature 28 actual, literal voices of women making change in addition to the beautiful narrative inside. Reading and listening gave me goosebumps and I'm thrilled to talk with them on the podcast today. 

Come listen as we talk about their individual backstories, how they came together to collaborate on this series, how they narrowed down their choices from so many influential women and what they hope the book encompasses. 

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/2025/04/07/celebrating-womens-voices-she-spoke-too-with-kathy-macmillan-manuela-bernardi/

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 Lindsay Currie about her newest middle grade mystery: It’s Watching. 

This book is set in a real-life graveyard in Illinois and follows Josie and her friends as they try to land the perfect story for their school newspaper, but get so much more they didn't expect. 

Come listen as we talk about the real life connections to the fictional spookiness, the deeper themes evident alongside the mystery and the new genre Lindsay has brought into existence. This is one of my favorite conversations on the podcast.

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/2025/04/03/heart-warming-horror-its-watching-by-lindsay-currie/

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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