On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Rosanne Parry about her newest middle grade novel: A Wolf Called Fire.

This book is an immersive, wilderness survival story of a wolf pup known as Warm. In it, you’ll experience all of the expected ups and downs of surviving in the wild and gain an in-depth understanding of what it means to be part of a wolf pack. I was completely hooked. 

Come listen as we talk about Rosanne’s passion for writing about the wilderness, the role that books can play in building a better world and how she writes her books from her real-life tree house!

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/2025/05/29/we-protect-what-we-love-a-wolf-called-fire-with-rosanne-parry/

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 Rainie Oet about her debut middle grade novel: Glitch GIrl. 

This is a lyrical novel-in-verse that places transness and neurodiversity front and center in the most raw, real and beautiful way. It will go straight to your heart.

Come listen as we talk about Rainie’s love of poetry and how it connects to her published books, the role that books can have in finding yourself and building empathy and her hopes for what the book can give readers and what they can give the book, 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/2025/05/26/centering-neurodiversity-transness-glitch-girl-by-rainie-oet/

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 Lisa Tolin about her newest picture book: Can You Imagine? The Life & Art of Yoko Ono.

This biography explores the art, music and creativity of Yoko Ono’s extraordinary life with breathtaking beauty and illustrations. 

Come listen as we talk about Lisa’s real-life connection to Yoko Ono that sparked the idea for this book, the themes of collective imagination and activism present on the pages and her hope for the book in reminding kids they have the power to make a better future.

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/2025/05/22/can-you-imagine-the-life-art-of-yoko-ono-by-lisa-tolin/

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 Jacqueline Davies about her new graphic novel adaptation of The Lemonade War. 

The original book was published back in 2007 told the story of two siblings literally caught in a lemonade war. This new graphic novel version captures the original story in a new, fresh, visual way. 

Come listen as we talk about the real-life inspiration behind the original novel, the ways that schools have embraced the spirit of the book and the learning needed to translate the prose novel to its graphic counterpart. 

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/2025/05/19/graphic-novel-adaptations-the-lemonade-war-with-jacqueline-davies/

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 Marie Benedict and Courtney Sheinmel about their newest middle grade historical fiction novel: The Secrets of Lovelace Academy.

This middle grade novel is about Lainey, an almost teenager who lived most of her life at the Sycamore Home for Orphaned Children, until a chance encounter at an open house changed her life forever.

Come listen as Marie and Courtney share their origin story for writing together for the first time, discuss the powerful exterior and interior journey of the characters and the true power of learning about lesser-known historical figures. Plus, we invent a new book club along the way, 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/2025/05/15/match-making-magic-the-secrets-of-lovelace-academy-with-marie-benedict-and-courtney-sheinmel/https://www.alitlife.com/2025/05/15/match-making-magic-the-secrets-of-lovelace-academy-with-marie-benedict-and-courtney-sheinmel/

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 Sean David Hutchinson about the first book in his debut middle grade series: A Home for Unusual Monsters.

In this book, 12-year-old Sam and her friends search for clues that lead them to the secret hiding places of strange and unusual monsters. It’s captivating and riveting from the outset and goes into deeper themes like prejudice, grief and what it means to be a family, too. 

Come listen as we talk about Sean’s childhood love of tinkering that is evident in the books he writes today, the importance of finding and shifting perspective through the books we read and how books can give us the tools to unleash who we really are 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/2025/05/12/an-immersive-adventure-a-home-for-unusual-monsters-by-sean-david-hutchinson/

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 Rebecca Walker about her debut picture book: Time for Us. 

This beautifully written and illustrated picture book celebrates the precious times between a mother and her son and is perfect for all caregivers to read with the children in their care. 

Come listen as we talk about the incredible power of telling our stories, the beauty in being present with the children in our lives and the incredible appreciation she feels for being invited into family’s lives with her book.

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/2025/05/08/the-power-of-connection-time-for-us-by-rebecca-walker/

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 Saadia Faruqi about her newest middle grade novel: The Strongest Heart.

This book is a poignant exploration of mental illness, the impact it has on families and the love and hope it takes to begin telling a different tale.

Come listen as we talk about Saadia’s spark for writing children’s literature, the pieces of herself on the pages and her dual hopes for readers. You won’t want to miss this 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/2025/05/05/exploring-mental-illness-the-strongest-heart-with-saadia-faruqi/

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 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!

Follow Stephanie:

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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!

Follow Stephanie:

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