Remember Reading Podcast

Looking back on some memorable moments of 2019.

Which was your favorite? Tweet us @readingpod!

Featured in this episode:

-Stuart Little (Katherine Applegate)

-Charlotte's Web (Jodi Kendall)

-Bridge to Terabithia (Katherine Paterson)

-Wayside School (Erin Entrada Kelly)

Most of us know Shel Silverstein as a prolific poet, but did you know he was also a songwriter? Among Shel's many talents, his ridiculous and profound wordplay amazes his readers from childhood long into adulthood. Today, he's known for his unique way of writing and displaying poems and as one of the most famous classic children's book authors of all time. On the show today, we're going to focus mostly on Where the Sidewalk Ends. We speak with Beth Ferry, author of acclaimed picture book, The Scarecrow, about how wordplay has impacted her writing success. We'll also catch up with poetry teacher, Rachel Eisler about her love of poetry, particularly Shel's, and how it plays in the classroom. Both guests read Shel's poetry for us, and it's poetry magic!

To learn more about Shel Silverstein, visit www.shelsilverstein.com/

Link to The Scarecrow by Beth Ferry: bit.ly/2Z0JL8x

Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time!

Have you ever really thought about just how *weird* going to sleep is? On today's show, we're talking about one of the most famous children's books of all time: Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown! The bedtime story's hypnotic rhythm stays with its readers from infancy long into adulthood. HarperCollins recently published The Important Thing about Margaret Wise Brown. It's a 42 page long picture book that celebrates the late author's legacy, as well as her 42 years of life, and it's written by Mac Barnett and illustrated by Sarah Jacoby. On the show, Lindsay talks with them about why they love Goodnight Moon and how their research connected them to Margaret's special world. Later in the show, we'll talk about one of Margaret Wise Brown's unpublished manuscripts, Good Day, Good Night, that was illustrated by renowned author/illustrator, Loren Long, and published in 2017. He'll talk with us about writing for kids, adapting Margaret's work with admiration, and his unique experience as an artist with colorblindness.

To learn more about Goodnight Moon, visit bit.ly/GoodnightMoonBook

Link to The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown: http://bit.ly/2oSBtDt

Link to Good Day, Good Night: http://bit.ly/2PV22mC

Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time!

This week, we’re tilting our paper crowns and gnashing our terrible teeth for Where the Wild Things by Maurice Sendak! Joining us in the wild rumpus is Dear Sweet Pea author Julie Murphy, podcast host Rebecca Sheir of Circle Round, and Sendak’s own editor and friend, Toni Markiet. In addition to firsthand accounts of Maurice, we’ll discuss the importance of accessing your emotions as well as the wildness of childhood, the power of imagination, and the comfort of home.

Ramona Quimby is a pest. So... why do we *love* her? Ramona is an icon who helps kids understand the things we can't control like family dynamics and classroom rules. She also teaches us to speak up and question everything—even grownups. In this episode, we'll talk about the Ramona Quimby series and its legendary author, Beverly Cleary, who herself once struggled with reading. Guests Julie Murphy (Dumplin', Dear Sweet Pea), Rita Williams-Garcia (One Crazy Summer, Clayton Byrd Goes Underground), and Dan Yaccarino (Giant Tess, Five Little Pumpkins) join us to talk about Ramona's bold personality and how her pesky relationships with world around her paved the way for them as authors writing popular children's books in today's climate. They'll also talk about the important intricacies of coming of age books, their own complex characters and why its important to write about ordinary, relatable situations—something Beverly Cleary does so, so well.

To learn more about Ramona Quimby, visit bit.ly/RRRamonaQ

Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time!

One of the most banned books in history, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark is still being checked out in libraries by kids (and adults!) today. On the show, we talk about why this book, despite its gruesome tales, is so important for childhood development. We sat down with bestselling, award-winning author J.A. (Jerry) White to talk about how Scary Stories helped him write the book, Nightbooks—it's about a boy who's kidnapped by a witch and must tell her scary stories every night. We’ll also talk with librarians and super fans, Betsy Bird and Ned Wells, about the power of imagination, the role of the horrifying, and how kids interact with the truly spooky. The schoolyard classic Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark by Alvin Schwartz is now a major motion picture written by Guillermo del Toro! Have you seen it yet??

Speaking of adaptations, Jerry's book is being adapted to Netflix! (http://bit.ly/2YvzJAF)

To learn more about Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, visit http://bit.ly/SSforRR

Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time!

Stuart Little is a famous mouse (or...is he?) best known for his small but mighty reputation. On this episode, we're talking about imagination, growing up, and the wonder that nature inspires as we discover Stuart Little "the story"—a beloved and at one time *banned* book—as well as Stuart Little, "the character"—a mouse who is also a human. We'll also talk about E.B. White's creative process and hear some of his real letters read aloud throughout the episode. Our guests include acclaimed authors, Katherine Applegate, ENDLING, ANIMORPHS, and Kathryn Lasky, TANGLED IN TIME, GUARDIANS OF GA'HOOL, who share a keen sense of nature and fantasy as well as a love for this popular children's book about a mouse-boy.

To learn more about Stuart Little, visit http://bit.ly/StuartLittleBook

Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time!

Life is unpredictable, and if you've ever read Katherine Paterson's popular children's book, Bridge to Terabithia, you may still feel a lingering grief from this tragically beautiful tale. On today's show, Lindsay talks to Katherine Paterson about the book's creation and its lasting effect on readers. Katherine walks us through the shockingly true and emotional story behind this story. Authors Laurel Snyder (Orphan Island) and Margaret Peterson Haddix (The Greystone Secrets) will discuss what the book means to them, personally and professionally, and how they've brought their own personal experiences into their stories. They'll also talk about the importance of reading books that scare you, no matter your age.

Intercut with audio excerpts from the book, this episode will take you on an emotional journey through a book's important history, its cultural impact, and how we cope with life's great big unknowns.

To learn more about Bridge to Terabithia, visit bit.ly/RRTerabithia

Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time!

"Wayside School is a really warm happy place where everyone accepts everyone..." This week, we’re in conversation with bestselling, award-winning author of the Wayside School series, Louis Sachar (also author of Holes) to talk about the origins of Sideways Stories from Wayside School and its zany staff, including his own literary cameo. We’ll also sit with special guests Erin Entrada Kelly, Hello, Universe and Dan Gutman, My Weird School series, to talk about diversity in kidlit, allowing child readers to laugh at adults, and embracing the power of weird.

To learn more about Wayside School, visit bit.ly/RRWayside

Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time!

Beverly Cleary is a living legend and one of the most beloved children's book authors of our time. She's the prolific writer of The Mouse and the Motorcycle, The Ramona Quimby series, and many other famous children's books, but did you know that, when she was younger, she *hated* reading? In today's episode, we talk about Beverly Cleary's resistance to reading and how The Mouse and the Motorcycle was created for reluctant readers like her former self. Tune in as we talk with Leslie Connor, author of the acclaimed kids book, The Truth as Told By Mason Buttle, about fantasy, writing, alternative education, and how in some cases, the thing that inhibits us most can turn out to one day be our biggest strength.

To learn more about The Mouse and the Motorcycle, visit bit.ly/MouseRR

Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time!