The Children's Book Review: Growing Readers Podcast

In this episode, New York Times best-selling author Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt talks about her absolutely adorable bedtime book, Good Night, Sister.

Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt (she/her) is a New York Times best-selling author, mother, and host of BDA Baby. As a passionate animal advocate,  Katherine works as an Ambassador for Best Friends Animal Society and the ASPCA. She is also a Global  Ambassador for Special Olympics. Katherine lives with her family in Los  Angeles. 

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Order copies:

Good Night, Sister on Bookshop.org and Amazon.

Resources:

Learn more about Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt here: https://www.katherineschwarzenegger.com.

Discussion Topics:

In this episode, bestselling author and Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat talks about his graphic novel memoir A First Time for Everything

This funny and moving memoir encourages readers not to be afraid to engage with the world and to try new things, and that when you do, maybe you'll be surprised to discover that the big wide world out there is friendlier than you might first assume.

Dan Santat is the Caldecott Medal–winning and New York Times–bestselling author and illustrator of The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend and the road trip/time travel adventure Are We There Yet? His artwork is also featured in numerous picture books, chapter books, and middle-grade novels, including Dav Pilkey's Ricky Ricotta series. Dan lives in Southern California with his wife, two kids, and many, many pets.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Order copies:

A First Time for Everything on Bookshop.org and Amazon.

Resources:

Learn more about Dan Santat's work at https://dansantat.tumblr.com/.

Discussion Topics:

In this episode, Kathleen Burkinshaw talks about her novel for kids and teens, The Last Cherry Blossom. It's a devastatingly beautiful story that reminds us that the people we think don't belong, the people who seem different from ourselves, or the ones we deem 'the enemy,' are not so different from us after all.

Kathleen Burkinshaw is a Japanese American author and the daughter of a Hiroshima survivor. She wrote The Last Cherry Blossom based on her own mother's story of growing up in Hiroshima during World War II. It is through her mother's twelve-year-old eyes that readers witness the atomic bombing of  August 6, 1945. Kathleen lives with her husband and daughter in  Charlotte, North Carolina.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Order copies:

The Last Cherry Blossom on Bookshop.org and Amazon.

Resources:

Learn more about Kathleen Burkinshaw's work at https://kathleenburkinshaw.com/.

Discussion Topics:

In this episode, Ona Gritz talks about her latest novel for kids, August or Forever. It's an incredibly thoughtful, heartwarming, and well-written story that explores the complexities and joys of sisterhood.

Ten-year-old Molly has always loved having a sister, but sisters are supposed to live together, right? Molly certainly thinks so.  Unfortunately, her older half-sister Alison lives on a whole other continent. Their video chats are great, and Molly is thrilled when  Alison’s hand-written letters arrive in the mail like surprise gifts.  Still, it’s not enough, not compared to what other siblings have. That’s why when Molly finds out that Alison is finally coming to visit over the summer, she devises a plan she’s sure will get her sister to stay.  But then Alison arrives with plans of her own, a fragile heart gets broken, and Molly stumbles upon a painful piece of her sister’s past.  Molly has always loved having a sister, but this is the August when she’ll learn what it really means to be one.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review .

Order copies:

August or Forever on Bookshop.org and Amazon.

Resources:

Learn more about Ona Gritz'z work at onagritz.com.

Discussion Topics:

In this episode, it's a trifecta of guests! Two are Caldecott Honor Book winners Molly Idol and Juana Martinez-Neal, and the third is Newyork Times bestselling author Julie Fogliano. They're here to talk about their picture book collaboration I Don't Care, a beautiful, lyrical story of friendship that has received multiple-starred reviews.

Julie Fogliano is the New York Times bestselling author of, among other titles, And Then It’s Spring, and If You Want to See a Whale, and Just in Case You Want to Fly,  illustrated by Christian Robinson. Recipient of the 2013 Ezra Jack  Keats award and two Boston Globe-Horn Book Honors, her books have been translated into more than ten languages. Julie lives in the Hudson  Valley with her husband and three children.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review here.

Order copies:

I Don't Care on Bookshop.org and Amazon.

Resources:

Visit Jule Fogliano at juliefogliano.com.

Visit Molly Idle at idleillustration.com.

Visit Juana Martinez-Neal  at juanamartinezneal.com.

Discussion Topics:

In this episode, cast and crew members talk about Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical, an adaptation of the Tony and Olivier award-winning musical. Matilda tells the story of an extraordinary girl who, armed with a sharp mind and a vivid imagination, dares to take a stand to change her story with miraculous results.

The guests include Tony Award-winning director Matthew Warchus and screenwriter Dennis Kelly— who has adapted the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production for the big screen. The movie features music and lyrics from musician and comedian Tim Minchin, who is also here. And to top it off, you’ll hear from Alisha Weir, who plays none other than Matilda herself!

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

Watch the trailer for Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical here: https://youtu.be/mEEMbNS6fzY.

Discussion Topics:

In this episode, we celebrate this year's selection made by Jumpstart for Read for the Record Day, Nigel and the Moon by Antwan Eady.

Antwan Eady is an author and a  dreamer. Originally from Garnett, South Carolina, he spent many nights whispering his dreams; now, he proudly shares them with the world. A  graduate of Clemson University, Antwan now lives in Savannah, Georgia.

Order copies:

Nigel and the Moon on Bookshop.org and Amazon

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

Learn more about Jumpstart's Read for the Record Day: https://www.jstart.org/jumpstarts-read-for-the-record/

For more about Antwan Eady, visit: https://www.antwaneady.com/

Discussion Topics:

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This episode is sponsored by

· Bianca Schulze: Don't Wake the Dragon. https://www.biancaschulze.com/portfolio/dont-wake-the-dragon/

In this episode, I talk with an all-time favorite author, Newbery Medalist Katherine Applegate. She talks about her latest stunning novel, Odder, the story of an intrepid sea otter.

#1 New  York Times bestselling author Katherine Applegate has written many books for young readers, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal. Katherine's novels have been translated into dozens of languages, and her books have won accolades, including the Christopher  Medal, the Golden Kite Award, the Bank Street Josette Frank Award, the  California Book Award Gold Medal, the Crystal Kite Award, the Green  Earth Book Honor Award, the Charlotte Zolotow Honor Award, and the E.B.  White Read Aloud Award. Many of her works have appeared on state master lists, as well as Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and New York Times bestseller lists, and Best of the Year lists from School Library  Journal, Kirkus, Amazon, the New York Public Library, and the Chicago  Public Library.

Order copies:

Odder on Bookshop.org and Amazon

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

Learn more about her work at https://katherineapplegate.com/

Go Green with Willodeen kit: https://read.macmillan.com/mcpg/willodeen-landing-page/

Sehldrick Wildlife Trust: https://www.sheldrickwildlifetrust.org/

Monterey Bay Aquarium Sea Otter Cam: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/live-cams/sea-otter-cam

Elkhorn Slough Otter Cam: https://www.elkhornslough.org/ottercam/

Discussion Topics:

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This episode is sponsored by

· Jennifer Swanson: Footprints Across the Planet.  https://jenniferswansonbooks.com/footprints-across-the-planet/

In this episode, I talk with super talented and award-winning picture book creator Molly Idle about her new and poignant story Witch Hazel.

Molly Idle is the award-winning creator of many books, including the mermaid tales Pearl and Coral. Molly’s work as an author-illustrator also includes the Tea Rex series and the Caldecott Honor Book Flora and the Flamingo. Molly lives in Arizona with her family.

Order copies:

Witch Hazel on Bookshop.org and Amazon

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

Molly Idle invites you to visit her at idleillustration.com.

Discussion Topics:

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This episode is sponsored by

· Jennifer Swanson: Footprints Across the Planet.  https://jenniferswansonbooks.com/footprints-across-the-planet/

In this episode, I talk with two incredible award-winning guests, author Trudy Ludwig and illustrator Kathryn Otoshi, about their picture book Calling the Wind: A Story of Healing and Hope.

TRUDY LUDWIG is a nationally acclaimed speaker and an award-winning author of numerous children’s books, including The Invisible Boy, a School Library Journal Best Picture Books Selection and a recommended back-to-school book by USA Today and Scholastic Teacher.  Her books and presentations focus on promoting kids’ social-emotional learning skills and help empower them to be kinder, more compassionate, and more inclusive in their social world. Trudy has collaborated with leading experts and organizations, including Sesame Workshop, the International  Bullying Prevention Association, Committee for Children, and  ConnectSafely.org. 

Order copies:

Calling the Wind on Bookshop.org or Amazon

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Resources:

This American Life Podcast: One More Thing Before I Go: Really Long Distance

The Coalition to Support Grieving Students

Dougy Center

The National Alliance for Children’s Grief

Discussion Topics: