On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Shifa Saltagi Safadi about the first two books in her new Amina Banana Series: Amina Banana and the Formula for Friendship and Amina Banana and the Formula for Winning.

This new series is about a determined and clever third grader with a STEM twist and includes lists, science experiments and recipes, too. 

Come listen as we talk about the life lessons embedded inside the inviting series, the way Shifa writes joy into each book and the social emotional learning found inside, too. This was truly a delightful 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/2025/06/23/exploring-the-amina-banana-series-with-shifa-saltagi-safadi/

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 Tony Keith Jr. about his newest young adult poetry collection: Knucklehead.

Knucklehead is a brilliant and electric poetry collection that subverts a narrow way of thinking and empathizes with young people who are misunderstood and unheard. 

Come listen as we talk about the power of words on the page and on the stage, the all-encompassing audience it was written for and the way words can help us find our purpose. 

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/2025/06/19/power-on-the-page-stage-knucklehead-by-tony-keith-jr/

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 Maryrose Wood about her newest middle grade novel: Bad Badger: A Love Story.

In this illustrated chapter book, readers meet Septimus, a badger who fears he may not be a badger at all. When a gull lands on his windowsill, Septimus thinks he may have finally met a true friend, until he goes missing and Septimus must decide what to do next.

Come listen as we talk about the truly embodied experience I had while reading the book, the magic that can happen for readers when you combine emotion with writing craft and the journey of transformation that starts with characters and can end with readers. This book is a true joy.

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/2025/06/16/an-embodied-reading-experience-bad-badger-by-maryrose-wood/

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 Joanna Ho about her newest picture book: BECOMING BOBA.

This charming picture book celebrates self-love and identity and reminds readers that there is always room for unique flavors in our communities. It’s cute and charming, yet has deeply important messages, too. 

Come listen as we talk about Joanna’s original intent for this picture book, the cultural significance of boba and the important messages of enoughness this book has 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/2025/06/12/embracing-self-love-enoughness-becoming-boba-by-joanna-ho/

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 Brittany Pomales about her debut picture book: It Started with a P.

This is a hilarious, alliterative read aloud where a young king decides on the morning of his birthday that everything with the letter P must go. 

Come listen as we talk about Brittany’s journey to her debut picture book, the art of writing funny books for kids, her KidLit HaHa Week and the little spurprises readers will find in the books. It’s a delightful conversation to match her delightful 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/2025/06/09/we-need-funny-books-it-started-with-a-p-with-brittany-pomales/

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 Sarah Kurpiel about her newest picture book: A Little Like Magic. 

This charming book highlights the rewards of stepping outside of your comfort zone and finding inspiration in art and the natural beauty of the world. 

Come listen as we talk about how Sarah taught herself to draw, the magic and themes inside of her book and her beautiful 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/2025/06/05/magic-grounded-in-reality-a-little-like-magic-by-sarah-kurpiel/

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 Lea Anne Borders, the founder and CEO of Bookelicious.

Bookelicious is a platform that uses cutting-edge technology to match kids with the books they’ll love, helping them build strong reading identities and inspire them to read more, a mission that I also share here on the podcast.

Come listen as we talk about the importance of summer reading, the innovative way Bookelicious works and how all of us can gear up for a great season of summer reading. 

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/2025/06/04/celebrating-summer-reading-with-lea-anne-borders-of-bookelicious/

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 Hope Larson about her newest middle grade graphic novel: Very Bad at Math.

In this semi-autobiographical graphic novel, readers meet Verity, an 8th grader who is seemingly perfect at everything….except math, something Verity tries to keep a secret.

Come listen as we talk about the important role that comics and graphic novels play in a reading life, the personal connections Hope has to Verity and how hard it can be to ask for 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/2025/06/02/the-important-role-of-comics-very-bad-at-math-with-hope-larson/

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 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!

Follow Stephanie:

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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!

Follow Stephanie:

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