It’s the PERFECT day to talk about Christine Virnig’s new middle grade novel debut: A Bite Above the Rest.

Why? It’s Halloween!

This Halloween-themed book is sure to delight readers at this time of the year AND at any other time, too. It’s about a boy who moves to a Halloween-themed town only to realize there may be more to the tourist trap that meets the eye.

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/2024/10/31/halloween-fun-a-bite-above-the-rest-with-christine-virnig/

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 Brian Anderson about his new graphic novels series for middle grade readers: Sophie.

What started as a nationally syndicated comic strip called Dog Eat Doug has continued into a delightfully funny and imaginative middle grade graphic novel series sure to delight readers.

Come listen as we discuss how Brian was called to comics, the evolution of his comic career to children’s book author and his advice to budding writers and creatives, no matter how old you are.

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/2024/10/28/from-comic-strips-to-graphic-novels-the-sophie-series-with-brian-anderson/

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 Jessica Vitalis about her newest historical fiction novel-in-verse: Unsinkable Cayenne. 

This book follows Cayenne as her unconventional family settles down and attempts to make roots in a single place. It’s filled with themes of family, friendship, belonging and social class while also connecting the fascinating topic of the Titanic.

Come listen as we talk about the book, the importance of real stories for real readers, the distinction between hope and happiness and so 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/2024/10/24/hope-in-middle-grade-unsinkable-cayenne-with-jessica-vitalis/

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 and illustrator team Wade Hudson and Don Tate.

They’re here to talk about their powerful book: The Day Madear Voted. In it, they provide a moving look at a Black family’s journey to exercise their right to vote and imagine a better future. It’s the perfect book for the election season we are in. 

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/2024/10/21/our-vote-matters-the-day-madear-voted-with-don-tate-and-wade-hudson/

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 living out another readerly dream and talking with Ruth Behar, an author who has made such an impact on my reading life and my actual one, too.

Today, we’re talking about her newest book: Across So Many Seas. It’s a powerful novel about four girls in four different times and places united by their desire to belong and matter.

We talk about the book, the pieces of her found inside her books, the magic in the writing process and so 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/2024/10/17/history-courage-and-connection-across-so-many-seas-with-ruth-behar/

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 Anika Aldamuy Denise, author of multiple award-winning fiction and non-fiction picture books. 

Come listen as we talk about the power of non-fiction, the sparks that launched each of her books, the draft behind and writing and take a deep dive into Phenomenal AOC: The Roots and Rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

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/2024/10/14/the-power-of-non-fiction-phenomenal-aoc-with-anika-aldamuy-denise/

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 Erin Becker about her debut novel: Crushing It.

Crushing It introduces readers to Mel and Tory, two 13-year-old girls navigating their way through the soccer championships now that their friend group has fallen apart. When they connect anonymously online, their lives become increasingly complex as their feelings deepen and they realize there may be more than hate under the surface. 

Come listen as we talk about the inspiration behind the book, the journey it took from verse to prose, the exciting elements inside, like actual poems and text messages, and tensions of 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/2024/10/10/navigating-friendship-crushing-it-with-erin-becker/

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 D.K. Ryland about her newest picture book: Have You Seen My Acorn?

This is a delightful book about a squirrel who buried his precious acorn for safekeeping, only to find it mysteriously missing. Readers will join the hunt to help Squirrel find it, likely laughing along the way, too.

Come listen as we talk about D.K.’s journey to children’s literature, the process she takes for both writing AND illustrating and her hope to give back what she loved about reading to all who read her books.

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/2024/10/07/fun-interactive-have-you-seen-my-acorn-with-d-k-ryland/

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 Chris and J.J. Grabenstein about their new chapter book series: Stinky’s Stories.

The books in the Stinky’s Stories series are hilarious, smelly spins on classic fairy tales. In each, the stuffed animals in the library come to life after the story of the day has been read….and then rewrite the ending to be much more satisfying and FUN.

Come listen as Chris and JJ share the inspiration behind the series, give us a sneak peek into the incredible voices we will hear in their audiobook narration and share their hopes for readers to have fun reading and keep doing it. 

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/2024/10/03/celebrating-stinkys-stories-with-chris-and-jj-grabenstein/

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 Gayle Forman about her newest middle grade graphic novel: Not Nothing. 

Gayle is the award-winning author of multiple young adult and middle novels, including my favorites: I Have Lost My Way and Frankie and Bug.

Come listen as we talk about the importance of stories, intergenerational relationships and rising to the occasion in our own lives.

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/2024/09/30/all-the-feels-not-nothing-with-gayle-forman/

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/   

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AffinitoLit

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