On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Lauren H. Kerstein about her newest picture book: HOPE RODE.

This picture book tells the true story of Kentucky’s packhorse librarians: the extraordinary woman who rode on horseback through the Appalachian mountains during the Great Depression to deliver books to communities that had none. It went right to my book-loving heart and it will to yours, too.

Come listen as we talk about the adult fiction book that inspired the book, the lyrical language and stunning illustrations inside, the back matter that will quench your curiosity to know more and the writing tip that I’m totally stealing. =)

Here is the book featured in this episode. You’ll find links to my Amazon and Bookshop affiliate stores below. Thanks for your bookish support!

HOPE RODE by Lauren H. Kerstein (Amazon / Bookshop)

Here’s where you can find Lauren online:

Website: https://laurenkerstein.net/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenkerstein/

I’d love to know what you think of this episode. Share your comments below!

KidLit love is multiplied when it’s shared! 🩷

Here are some free ways to support this newsletter and spread my love of children’’s literature far and wide:

🩷 Like and comment on this post so we can connect!🔄 Restack and add your favorite nugget from the podcast.📷 Take a screenshot of your favorite part and text it to a kidlit friend.💌 Forward this email to a fellow kidlit colleague so they can join the book love too!⌨️ Refer a friend and earn prizes….including courses and coaching sessions with me!

Thanks for reading the KidLit Love newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work!

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Rebecca Morrison about her debut middle grade novel: THE BLUE DRESS.

In this book, an Iranian American girl navigates complicated relationships with her mother, her best friend and her body image. This novel is both unflinching and uplifting and ideal for readers of all ages, especially those who need a reminder that they are enough just as they are.

Come listen as we talk about the evolution the book made from an adult memoir to a middle grade novel, the complex relationships, especially between mothers and daughters, on the page and the layers of hope and personal growth that remind us that there’s always room to learn and change.

Here is the book featured in this episode. You’ll find links to my Amazon and Bookshop affiliate stores below. Thanks for your bookish support!

THE BLUE DRESS by Rebecca Morrison (Amazon / Bookshop)

Here’s where you can find Rebecca online:

Website: https://www.rebeccakmorrison.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccamorrisonwriter/

I’d love to know what you think of this episode. Share your comments below!

Book Birthdays and Other Book Reviews🎈🎁📖🎂📚🎉

Here are the newly released books that have made their way to me along with other books that I have read and reviewed:

🎉FAKE SKATING by Lynn Painter (Amazon / Bookshop)

If I were to record another YA episode on the podcast, I’d chat about this one. It’s a fun romantic comedy about childhood sweethearts Dani and Alec who fake a relationship in their hockey-obsessed hometown to help each other out, which you might guess leads to catching feelings and maybe the uncovering of family secret.

🎉LITTLE MONSTERS by Maire Roche (Amazon / Bookshop)

This is a modern supernatural middle grade retelling of the beloved classic LITTLE WOMEN. The March sisters have a monstrous secret Meg will do anything to protect, especially with another beast lurking in the woods threatening to expose them. This is for all the LITTLE WOMEN fans out there!

🎉OLIVIA GRAY WILL NOT FADE AWAY by Ciera Burch (Amazon / Bookshop)

This is a middle-grade speculative novel about a middle schooler who feels invisible, literally and figuratively, as she navigates her asexual identity and the social pressures of seventh grade, including a viral moment after rejecting the most popular boy at school.

🎉FROM THE FIELDS TO THE FIGHT by Angela Quezada Padron (Amazon / Bookshop)

This is a a STUNNING picture book biography about Latina labor activist Jessica Govea Thorbourne, who started picking crops at age four and later joined Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta in the United Farm Workers movement. It shows how one person can create change and that change lives in each of us.

KidLit love is multiplied when it’s shared! 🩷

Here are some free ways to support this newsletter and spread my love of chilren’’s literature far and wide:

🩷 Like and comment on this post so we can connect!🔄 Restack and add your favorite nugget from the podcast.📷 Take a screenshot of your favorite part and text it to a kidlit friend.💌 Forward this email to a fellow kidlit colleague so they can join the book love too!⌨️ Refer a friend and earn prizes….including courses and coaching sessions with me!

Thanks for reading the KidLit Love newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work!

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking withJasmine Warga about her newest middle grade novel: THE UNLIKELY TALE OF CHASE AND FINNEGAN.

This middle grade novel is inspired by true stories from zoos across the country and is about how the power of friendship can transcend anything, even species. It’s endearing, it’s heart-warming and it’s everything we love to see in a middle grade novel. I hugged it when I turned the final page. =)

Come listen as we talk about the personal inspiration behind the book, how Jasmine felt getting into the different minds of bodies of her characters and her hopes for readers to understand they don’t have to be perfect to be worthy of love. It’s a beautiful conversation.

Here is the book featured in this episode. You’ll find links to my Amazon and Bookshop affiliate stores below. Thanks for your bookish support!

THE UNLIKELY TALE OF CHASE AND FINNEGAN by Jasmine Warga (Amazon / Bookshop)

Here’s where you can find Jasmine online:

Website: https://jasminewarga.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasminewargabooks

I’d love to know what you think of this episode. Share your comments below!

Here are the newly released books that have made their way to me along with other books that I have read and reviewed:

🎉YOU ARE NOW OLD ENOUGH TO HEAR THIS by Aaron Starmer (Amazon / Bookshop)

This is the newest middle grade speculative novel from critically acclaimed author Aaron Starmer that unravels the twisted threads of one family’s peculiar narrative.

🎉Books Good Enough for You: The Storied Life of Ursula Nordstrom, Editor of Extraordinary Children’s Books by Nancy Hudgins (Amazon / Bookshop)

This is a celebration of the life and work of Ursula Norstrom—the groundbreaking editor of classic children’s books like Charlotte’s Web and Where the Wild Things Are—and a powerful defense of a child’s right to read. It’s bookish joy!

KidLit love is multiplied when it’s shared! 🩷

Here are some free ways to support this newsletter and spread my love of chilren’’s literature far and wide:

🩷 Like and comment on this post so we can connect!🔄 Restack and add your favorite nugget from the podcast.📷 Take a screenshot of your favorite part and text it to a kidlit friend.💌 Forward this email to a fellow kidlit colleague so they can join the book love too!⌨️ Refer a friend and earn prizes….including courses and coaching sessions with me!

Thanks for reading the KidLit Love newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work!

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Ellen Cochrane about her newest release: FOLLOW THE WATER.

This book tells the true story of a girl who fell out of a plane over the Amazon and walked out of the jungle eleven days later. It’s a powerful, true story about survival against all odds and is sure to be an inspiration to all readers.

Come listen as we talk about how a journal entry from her childhood sparked the idea for this book, how her love of words and science combine to tell this amazing survival story and how she hopes this book will help all readers move through the challenges in their lives, no matter what they are.

Here is the book featured in this episode. You’ll find links to my Amazon and Bookshop affiliate stores below. Thanks for your bookish support!

FOLLOW THE WATER by Ellen Cochrane (Amazon / Bookshop)

Here’s where you can find Ellen online:

Website: https://ellencochrane.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellenmcochrane/

I’d love to know what you think of this episode. Share your comments below!

KidLit love is multiplied when it’s shared! 🩷

Here are some free ways to support this newsletter and spread my love of chilren’’s literature far and wide:

🩷 Like and comment on this post so we can connect!🔄 Restack and add your favorite nugget from the podcast.📷 Take a screenshot of your favorite part and text it to a kidlit friend.💌 Forward this email to a fellow kidlit colleague so they can join the book love too!⌨️ Refer a friend and earn prizes….including courses and coaching sessions with me!

Thanks for reading the KidLit Love newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work!

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Ainissa Ramirez about her new picture book: SPARK: Jim West’s Electrifying Adventures in Creating the Microphone.

This picture book is the first release in the new Black Innovators Series and showcases the incredible contributions of Jim West, the man who invented the microphone.

Come listen as we talk about how Ainissa found her way to children’s literature, the steep learning curve of writing for children that paid off, the Easter eggs you’ll find inside the illustrations of the book and her heartfelt 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/2026/03/19/spark-jim-wests-electrifying-adventures-in-creating-the-microphone-by-ainissa-ramirez/

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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Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/AffinitoLit

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

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Michelle Lee about her newest middle grade novel: THE MAGIC OF SOMEDAY SOON.

This is a hopeful middle grade novel overflowing with light, love and adventure as two girls find the extraordinary joys of every day. Can the two of them team up to find the family and friendship they’ve always wanted? Zoe and Teddie will live in my reading heart forever. 

Come listen as we talk about Michelle’s love of words that started her writing career, the original format of this book that has since changed, the real life giant sculptures that acted as inspiration for the book and the honorary great grandmother that you’ll want to adopt for yourself. 

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/2026/03/16/light-love-adventure-the-magic-of-someday-soon-by-michelle-lee/

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

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/AffinitoLit

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

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Stacey Lee about her newest young adult novel: HEIRESS OF NOWHERE.

In this gripping historical gothic mystery, an orphan races to uncover a killer - who may have come from the sea - when she and her beloved orcas fall under suspicion. It’s a page-turning story of intrigue and mystery with just a dash of heart-warming romantic drama. 

Come listen as we talk about how Stacey’s research process influenced the course of the book, the beautiful setting for the book that I’ve added to my bookish bucket list, the multiple characters and themes that provide so many different entry points for readers and her hopes that readers will find and feel layers of connections while 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/2026/03/12/immersive-intrigue-mystery-heiress-of-nowhere-by-stacey-lee/

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

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/AffinitoLit

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

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Jamie Sumner about her newest middle grade novel-in-verse: GLORY BE.

In this book, a girl searches for her lost dog and truths about her family and finds out a great deal about herself in the process. It’s heartfelt and heartwarming and the perfect middle novel for all of us. 

Come listen as we talk about the reasons why this story was destined to be written in verse, the layered themes found on the page in lyrical verse that pierces readers’ emotions and Jamie’s beautiful hope for readers and families. 

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/2026/03/09/piercing-emotion-glory-be-by-jamie-sumner/

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

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/AffinitoLit

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

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Dr. Lynette Fraga, the CEO of Reach Out & Read, a nonprofit organization that promotes reading by working directly with pediatric care providers to share the lifelong benefits that result from families reading aloud to their children every day.

Come listen as we talk about the important mission behind Reach Out and Read’s work, the incredible impact it has on millions of children and their families, the layers of benefits and the ripple effect felt for years to come and the ways you can get involved and support this important organization.

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/2026/03/05/a-champion-for-literacy-reach-out-read-with-dr-lynette-fraga/

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

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/AffinitoLit

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

On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Jeff Gottesfeld and Matt Tavares about their newest picture book: HONOR FLIGHT.

This stunning picture book honors military veterans and the program that keeps their contributions alive. It’s immersive and emotional and will likely spark you to get involved in the worthy cause.

Come listen as we talk about the inspiration behind HONOR FLIGHT and its previous companion book TWENTY-ONE STEPS: GUARDING THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER. We’ll also talk about the very personal connections both Jeff and Matt have to the book and their meaningful hopes for the book that invite each of us to get involved. 

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/2026/03/02/celebrate-commemorate-honor-flight-by-jeff-gottesfeld-matt-tavares/

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

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/AffinitoLit

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