In this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Matt Landis, a middle grade author whose books aim to make history “not boring”.

His books certainly accomplish that mission, especially his newest series-starter National Archive Hunters: Capitol Chase.

Listen as we talk about his work as a history teacher, his middle grade books and his incredibly cool National RV Tour in 2025. You’ll want to get your school on his itinerary after listening!

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/2024/07/29/national-archive-hunters-capitol-chase-with-matt-landis/

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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In this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Lynne Kelly, an award-winning author of three middle grade novels that will steal your heart.

Listen as we talk about and take a deeper dive into The Secret Language of Birds, a novel that gave me all the feels that I cannot stop thinking about. 

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/2024/07/26/finding-your-place-the-secret-language-of-birds-with-lynne-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!

Follow Stephanie:

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In this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Ashley Iman about her debut picture book Ruby Rene Had So Much To Say.

Listen as we talk about why she wrote this book, the important message woven inside the pages and her favorite notebook, 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/2024/07/22/all-voices-matter-ruby-rene-had-so-much-to-say-with-ashley-iman/

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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In this episode, I’m talking with Stephen Briseño, author of one of my FAVORITE picture books: The Notebook Keeper: A Story of Kindness from the Border.

Listen as we talk about The Notebook Keeper, along with Stephen’s newest picture book, Queen of Leaves: The Story of Ynes Mexia.

We talk about why he started writing, where his book ideas come from and why picture books matter so much. 

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/2024/07/19/picture-books-matter-queen-of-leaves-with-stephen-briseno/

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:

Website: http://www.alitlife.com/   

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Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AffinitoLit

In this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Benson Shum.

Benson is the author and illustrator of multiple picture books I love and has worked as an animator on some Disney movies you know and love, too….Big Hero 6 and Frozen are two of them. =)

Listen as we talk about his newest book, Mooncakes Mean Family, a book that gave me all the warm fuzzy feels of family, food and tradition. 

We also talk about the connections between his animation and illustration, the emotion he brings to his books and what his hopes for readers are. This conversation made me a fan for life. =)

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!

Follow Stephanie:

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In this episode, I’m talking with Maria Marianayagam. She’s the author of The Amazing Power of Girls, an absolutely brilliant, lyrical and inspiring book.

Come listen as we talk about the fact that we are all made up of multitudes…and the intersection of them all is where she writes. Maria will share her journey to writing, the philosophy she embodies and we’ll take a deep dive into her newest picture book. We’ll also explore her series of board books for toddlers and get a sneak peek into her newest writing projects coming soon.

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/2024/07/12/the-amazing-power-of-girls-with-maria-marianayagam/

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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Today’s conversation was such a treat!

In this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Julie Falatko.

Julie is the author of several picture book and middle grade novels, including my favorite epistolary novels in picture book form: Yours in Books. 

Come listen as we talk about her lifelong dream of writing and the moment she realized it was a possibility, talk about a few of our favorite titles and share our love of connecting books to the right reader.

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!

Follow Stephanie:

Website: http://www.alitlife.com/   

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In this episode, I’m talking with Tim Kleyn, author of Set Sail for Pancakes! and Grilled Cheese? Yes, Please! These delightful picture books are full of family, friendship and food, which makes them feel-good picture books for me. 

Come listen as we talk about Tim’s journey to his new picture books, take a deep dive into Grilled Cheese? Yes, Please! and talk about the best way to make a grilled cheese sandwich, too. =)

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!

Follow Stephanie:

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In this bonus summer episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Lizzy O’Donnell.

Lizzy is the author of The Day Bell Found Her Sound. It’s a gorgeous book set in a bustling, melodious town where everyone has found their special sound….expect Bell. The message of staying true to yourself and finding your voice rings loud and clear. 

Come listen as we talk about Lizzy’s journey of illustration and writing, how they create incredibly moving worlds on the page and what their hopes for readers are.

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!

Follow Stephanie:

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In this episode, I’m talking with Laura Gehl, an award-winning author of over 50 board books, picture books and early readers. Her books are full of wonder and delight and today, we are talking about her newest: Saving Delicia. 

Come listen as we talk about her writing, her hopes for readers, Saving Delicia and her next books releasing in 2025, too!

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!

Follow Stephanie:

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Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AffinitoLit