On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with James Preller about his newest middle grade novel: Shaken. 

This book is about a girl who has dedicated her whole life to soccer and finds herself with a serious concussion after a play went wrong in the game. The aftermath is difficult and threatens to undo everything Kristy has worked for. 

Come listen as we talk about James’ wide career across multiple levels and genres, how he follows his enthusiasm when deciding what to write next and the learning process of bringing a book to life. 

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/2024/12/20/follow-the-enthusiasm-shaken-with-james-preller/

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 Alex London & Paul O. Zelinsky about their picture book: Still Life.

This delightful book invites readers into the world of art…but that world isn’t always what it seems.

Come listen as we talk about the middle-of-the-night moment that inspired the book, the process of creating such immersive illustrations and how it all comes together for readers. We’ll even reference a fun Easter Egg for readers to find, 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/2024/12/16/getting-the-inside-scoop-on-still-life-with-alex-london-paul-o-zelinsky/

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 Shifa Saltagi Safadi about her new middle grade novel: Kareem Between.

It’s a coming-of-age novel-in-verse about a Syrian American boy and his struggles, big and small, as he navigates middle school. It’s powerful, it’s emotional, it’s lyrical,  it’s quintessential middle school, it’s football, it’s transformative. It’s literally all the things we could want in a middle grade novel. 

Come listen as we talk about Shifa’s lifelong love of books, the imposter syndrome she had to get over, the inspiration behind the novel 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/2024/12/12/starting-from-within-kareem-between-by-shifa-saltagi-safgadi/

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 author and illustrator Devin Elle Kurtz about her debut picture book: The Bakery Dragon.

This book will take you on a magical journey with Ember, a tiny dragon with a heart of gold and a taste for treats on a mission to belong. Inspired by her viral Instagram post, Devin has brought her illustrations to life in the most beautiful way.

Come listen as we talk about her journey as an artist and author, her inspiration for the book and her hopes for readers. She also shares some nuggets of inspiration for those writing their own picture books and helps readers understand the role of illustrations and colors in setting the emotional scene of a book. It was such a joyful 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/2024/12/09/magic-and-emotion-the-bakery-dragon-with-devin-elle-kurtz/

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 Liz Garton Scanlon about her newest Bibsy Cross book series.

This is a delightful series around a regular-pegular third grader, her family and her friends. There are currently 2 books in the series, soon to be four, and it's already getting starred reviews for its relatable stories and charming characters.

Come listen as Liz and I talk about her journey to children’s literature, the relatable themes in her books sure to appeal to readers and her role in supporting educators and librarians against book banning. 

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/2024/12/05/regular-pegular-relatable-stories-bibsy-cross-with-liz-garton-scanlon/

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 Laura Carter and Anna Doherty about their picture book: A STEMinist Force.

This beautiful book is full of possibilities. Inside is a reminder that we can be whoever we want to be, especially if we want to find ourselves in STEM careers. It’s filled with rhyming verses and gorgeous illustrations along with backmatter that showcases specific women in STEM careers that have paved the way for us now. 

Come listen as we talk about the inspiration behind the book, the delightful way the illustrations complement the words and the next book coming that you won’t want to miss. 

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/2024/12/02/imagining-possibilities-a-steminist-force-with-laura-carter-and-anna-doherty/

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 author Andrea Cruz Floren about her debut picture book: In the Groves.

This book is a whirlwind adventure about cultural belonging and is inspired by Andrea’s own grandfather and his orange groves. In it, Clara finds magic, fun and excitement in her cultural heritage while visiting her grandparents. 

Come listen as we talk about Andrea’s backstory into children’s literature, the inspiration behind the book, the feat of both writing and illustrating a book and my favorite…..the Easter eggs hidden inside the pages for her family. 

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/2024/11/25/cultural-belonging-in-the-groves-with-andrea-cruz-floren/

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 author Kyla Zhao about her newest middle grade novel: May the Best Player Win.

This book is about a Bay Area chess player who makes a bet with her sexist rival that girls are as good as guys at the game. That brings all sorts of emotional ups and downs and changes within her friendships and within herself too.

Come listen as we talk about Kyla’s two adult novels and her journey to children’s literature. We’ll take a deep dive into May the Best Player Win and talk about chess, stereotypes, anxiety, friendship, passions and 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/2024/11/21/chess-anxiety-friendship-may-the-best-player-win-with-kyla-zhao/

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 author Seina Wedlick about her newest picture book: The Night Market.

The Night Market is a STUNNING book that made me add an item to my ‘Bucket List From Books’ list: visit a Nigerian night market. 

Come listen as we talk about the moment she took action on her dream, the beautiful themes that are evident across all of her books and the deep dive we took into her newest 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/2024/11/18/magical-cultural-experiences-the-night-market-with-seina-wedlick/

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 Ciera Burch about her new middle grade novel: Camp Twisted Pine.

This spooky middle grade novel invites readers into Camp Twisted Pine, a summer camp in New Jersey with a spooky secret. It has so much to offer readers, from the spooky and mysterious to the challenges of family and friendship.

Come listen as we talk about Ciera’s path to writing, the backstory behind the book and even discuss her favorite notebook and pen, 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/2024/11/14/spooky-summer-camp-camp-twisted-pine-by-ciera-burch/

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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