The Children's Book Review: Growing Readers Podcast

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, host Bianca Schulze welcomes back author-illustrator Nyasha Williams, alongside her co-author Sidney Rose McCall, to discuss their collaborative picture book, Once Upon a Kwanzaa. Though the two have never met in person, they describe themselves as "deeply ancestral soul sisters" who connected through the adult adoption community online. Together, they explore how the seven principles of Kwanzaa—from Umoja (unity) to Imani (faith)—offer a pathway back to communal ways of being that our world desperately needs.

Read the transcript on The Children's Book Review.

Highlights:

• The Seven Principles Explained: Sidney walks through each Kwanzaa principle and how they apply to everyday life, not just one week a year
• Ten Families, One Vision: How Nyasha and Sidney intentionally represented diverse Black families, including adoptive families, queer families, and multigenerational households
• Everyday Kwanzaa: Why these principles of community, creativity, and collective responsibility are needed now more than ever
• Collaboration as Dance: The process of two writers creating magic through voice memos, memes, and ancestral downloads
• Visibility vs. True Representation: Nyasha's powerful distinction between simply being seen and being truly represented in literature

Notable Quotes:

"Literature and media has such an immense power in shaping our future, in shaping what can be, in imagining what's even possible." —Nyasha Williams

"Community is not just about finding your safe people, but also finding people who you might not have initially considered your safe people." —Sidney Rose McCall

"Empathy isn't a passive word. It requires active participation. It is a relationship that you are building." —Sidney Rose McCall

Books Mentioned:

Once Upon a Kwanzaa by Nyasha Williams and Sidney Rose McCall, illustrated by Sawyer Cloud: Amazon or Bookshop.org

About Nyasha Williams:

Nyasha Williams grew up living between the United States and South Africa. As a kindergarten teacher, she was inspired to become an author and activist after a Black student told her mermaids could not be Black. She is the author of four picture books with Running Press Kids, including the bestselling I Affirm Me, and is the author of RP Studio's Black Tarot.

For more: nyashawilliams.online

About Sidney Rose McCall:

Sidney Rose McCall is a historian and community intellectual who combines academic work with activism. She serves on the Academic Committee for the ZORA! Festival of the Arts and Humanities and shares decolonized history lessons through her Patreon platform.

For more: linktr.ee/Rosecolored_Scholar

Credits:

Host: Bianca Schulze
Guests: Nyasha Williams and Sidney Rose McCall

Producer: Bianca Schulze

Episode Sponsor:

Mimi and Ary by Rashad Mirzayev: Amazon or Bookshop.org

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, host Bianca Schulze welcomes award-winning author-illustrator Grace Lin and her childhood friend turned editor, Alvina Ling, VP and Editor-in-Chief at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. The duo discusses Grace's return to middle grade fiction after nine years with The Gate, The Girl, and The Dragon, a stunning fantasy based on Chinese folklore. They explore the collaborative magic of their decades-long partnership, the balance between artistic vision and commercial publishing, the importance of creating diverse literature, and how patience and trust allow books to become exactly what they're meant to be.

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

Highlights:

• The Nine-Year Wait: Why Grace stepped away from middle grade to focus on picture books and how The Gate, The Girl, and The Dragon came together piece by piece since 2016

• The Shanghai Dragon Pillar: The urban legend that became a crucial puzzle piece—how construction workers appeased an angry dragon sleeping beneath a highway

• The Messy Middle: Why every book is a slog, even after 26 years of publishing, and how Grace and Alvina work through it together
• Publishing Beautiful Books: Behind the scenes of creating sprayed edges, gold foil, and full-color illustrations—and how the sales team championed the special treatment
• From Childhood Friends to Creative Partners: How Alvina and Grace's friendship since age 10 (captured in The Year of the Dog) shapes their editorial relationship
• Trying Your Best Makes You the Hero: Grace's philosophy of creating relatable characters who aren't "chosen ones" but ordinary kids earnestly doing the right thing

Notable Quotes:

"I wanted to make books that showed people how human Asians were...that Asians are just as human, just as part of the population as everyone else." —Grace Lin

"I feel like the audience is just excited with whatever you want to do next." —Alvina Ling on Grace's ability to move between genres

Books Mentioned:

• The Gate, The Girl, and The Dragon by Grace Lin: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• A Big Mooncake for Little Star by Grace Lin: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• Chinese Menu by Grace Lin: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• Starry River of the Sky by Grace Lin: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• When the Sea Turned to Silver by Grace Lin: Amazon or Bookshop.org

About Grace Lin:Grace Lin is the award-winning and bestselling author and illustrator of Chinese Menu, When the Sea Turned to Silver, Starry River of the Sky, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (a Newbery Honor book), The Year of the Dog, The Year of the Rat, Dumpling Days, and Ling & Ting, as well as picture books such as The Ugly Vegetables, A Big Bed for Little Snow, and A Big Mooncake for Little Star. Grace is a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design and lives in Massachusetts.

About Alvina Ling:Alvina Ling is VP and Editor-in-Chief at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (a division of Hachette Book Group) where she has worked since 1999. She edits children's books for all ages, from picture books to young adult. She has edited such books as A Big Mooncake For Little Star by Grace Lin; Mr. Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown; Dave the Potter by Laban Carrick Hill, illustrated by Bryan Collier; Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin; The Land of Stories series by Chris Colfer; The Candymakers by Wendy Mass; Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor; and The Cruel Prince by Holly Black.

Connect and Follow:Learn more about Grace Lin: https://www.gracelin.comFollow Alvina Ling on Twitter: @planetalvinaFollow Alvina Ling on Instagram: @alvinalingListen to Grace and Alvina's podcast: Book Friends Forever

Credits:

Host: Bianca Schulze

Guests: Grace Lin and Alvina Ling

Producer: Bianca Schulze

Episode Sponsor: https://www.claudiamillsauthor.com/books/66

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, host Bianca Schulze brings together two luminaries of children's literature: Kate DiCamillo and Sophie Blackall. The duo discusses their collaboration on Lost Evangeline, the third tale set in the magical world of Norendy. They explore the 15-year journey of bringing Evangeline's story to life, the intimate connection between words and illustrations, the therapeutic power of storytelling, and how creating children's books allows them to access their best selves while healing complicated relationships with their own parents.

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

Highlights:

• The Long Creative Journey: How Kate carried the idea for Lost Evangeline for 15 years before finding the key—a shoemaker father and a boot—that unlocked the story
• The Pull vs. Push Philosophy: Kate's approach to coaxing stories out rather than forcing them, and the importance of not giving up on ideas that won't let you go
• Perfect Partnership: Why Sophie's secret love of seafaring made her the ideal illustrator for this story, even though Kate didn't know it when writing
• From Wheat to Bread: Sophie's powerful metaphor for the writing process as growing, threshing, and grinding wheat into flour before finally baking bread
• Whittling Down to Truth: How writing involves removing ingredients to create "clear soup" where the essence remains but readers can insert themselves into the space
• Black and White Magic: Sophie's meditative drawing process using hatching and line work
• Healing Through Story: Kate's revelation about how creating healthy father-daughter relationships in her work completes and heals parts of herself affected by complicated parental relationships

Notable Quotes:

"Don't ever let somebody tell you who you are and what you can do and who you can become in this world." —Kate DiCamillo on Evangeline's refusal to accept fate

"With each story, I make myself more complete to the point where I can put a healthy father-daughter relationship in there that satisfies me." —Kate DiCamillo

"It really feels like I'm living in the story when I'm spending time...and I do go into a little bit of a dreamy trance and then I look up several hours later and there's Evangeline on the page." —Sophie Blackall

Books Mentioned:

• Lost Evangeline by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Sophie Blackall: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• The Puppets of Spelhorst by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Julie Morstad: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo, illustrated by Sophie Blackall: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• The Borrowers by Mary Norton: Amazon⁠ or ⁠Bookshop.org⁠
• Thumbelina by Hans Christian Andersen: ⁠Amazon⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠Bookshop.org

About Kate DiCamillo:Kate DiCamillo is one of America's most beloved storytellers. She is a former National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and a two-time Newbery Medalist. Born in Philadelphia, she grew up in Florida and now lives in Minneapolis.

About Sophie Blackall: Sophie Blackall is the acclaimed illustrator of more than forty-five books for young readers and a two-time Caldecott Medalist. Born and raised in Australia, she now lives in Brooklyn.

Connect and Follow: Learn more about Kate DiCamillo: https://www.katedicamillo.comLearn more about Sophie Blackall: https://www.sophieblackall.com

Credits:

Host: Bianca Schulze

Guests: Kate DiCamillo and Sophie Blackall

Producer: Bianca Schulze

Episode Sponsor: https://bellabirdbooks.com/

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, host Bianca Schulze interviews Peter Brown about his latest picture book adaptation, The Wild Robot on the Island. They explore his journey adapting the bestselling novel into a visual format for younger readers, his approach to creating meaningful stories without being "on the nose," and how becoming a new father has influenced his perspective on storytelling and character relationships.

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

Highlights:

• Adaptation Strategy: How Peter condensed three-quarters of the novel into picture book format while preserving essential emotional beats and removing violence for younger audiences
• Organic Storytelling: Peter's philosophy of focusing on craft first and letting themes emerge naturally rather than forcing predetermined messages
• Visual Storytelling: The creative process of bringing Roz's world to full color, emphasizing golden hour lighting and seasonal color palettes to enhance the narrative
• Collaborative Publishing: The team effort behind book creation, from custom typeface design to fifth-color printing decisions
• New Parenthood Impact: How having an 18-month-old son deepened Peter's understanding of the parent-child dynamics in his work
• Bridge Book Success: Creating entry points for reluctant readers through the picture book format while maintaining appeal for novel fans
• Illustration Technique: Working with ink on paper and digital finishing, plus hand-lettering custom speech bubble fonts

Notable Quotes:"I think you're more likely to express a message, a meaningful message to readers, if you focus on what the story needs to work, kind of the craft of writing first and foremost." —Peter Brown

"I wonder if he ever thinks about me. I don't know what it is, but to me that is so human and so sweet and emotional. I get choked up just thinking about it." —Peter Brown on Roz's winter thoughts about Brightbill

Books Mentioned:

• The Wild Robot on the Island by Peter Brown: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• The Wild Robot series by Peter Brown: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• Flight of the Dodo by Peter Brown: Amazon or Bookshop.org

About Peter Brown: Peter has always loved telling stories. Growing up in New Jersey, he told stories by drawing whimsical characters and scenes from his imagination. While studying illustration at Art Center College of Design, Peter's love of both words and pictures led him to children's books. Since then he has written and illustrated many books for children and earned numerous honors, including a Caldecott Honor, a Horn Book Award, two E.B. White Awards, and multiple New York Times bestsellers. Peter lives in Maine with his wife, Susan, and their dog, Pam.

Connect and Follow: Learn more about Peter Brown: https://www.peterbrownstudio.com

Credits:

Host: Bianca Schulze

Guest: Peter Brown

Producer: Kelly Rink and Bianca Schulze

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, host Bianca Schulze interviews Stan Yan about his debut middle-grade graphic novel, The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang. They discuss his journey from stockbroker to children's book creator, the six major rewrites that shaped his story, the significance of Chinese superstitions in his work, and his powerful realization about representation in children's literature when he discovered he had never drawn characters that looked like himself.

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

Highlights:

• Representation Awakening: Stan's pivotal moment at age 50, when he realized he wasn't drawing characters that looked like him, despite being inspired by his own experiences
• Six Major Rewrites: How the story evolved from "Olfactory Memory" featuring a male protagonist to Eugenia's supernatural journey through extensive revision
• Cultural Authenticity: The role of Chinese superstitions, particularly the unlucky number four, in shaping Eugenia's character and family dynamics
• From Comics to Kids: Stan's transition from adult zombie apocalypse stories to children's literature and why he finds child protagonists more compelling
• The Scary Kids Book Challenge: His bucket list goal to create a comic that would actually scare him, and how that led to middle-grade horror
• Junior Library Guild Gold: The unexpected honor of being selected as a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection for his debut
• Creative Process: Working digitally on iPad, the importance of silence while writing, and his post-lunch nap requirement

Notable Quotes:

"I don't want you to grow up thinking that you can't draw a main character that looks like yourself, like me." —Stan Yan

"Your job is to torture your protagonist and what better time of your life to torture your protagonist than when they're probably at their most vulnerable." —Stan Yan on writing for 13-year-olds

Books Mentioned:

• The Many Misfortunes of Eugenia Wang by Stan Yan (Fall 2025): Amazon or Bookshop.org
• There's a Zombie in the Basement by Stan Yan: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• Ghost Book by Remy Lai: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson: Amazon or Bookshop.org

About Stan Yan: Stan Yan is an award-winning, first-generation American-born Chinese writer, illustrator, and educator based in Denver. He co-founded the Squid Works comic creator cooperative, serves as co-Regional Advisor for the Rocky Mountain Chapter of SCBWI, and teaches illustration at Rocky Mountain College of Art & Design. His work spans comics, children's books, and educational materials, with his graphic novel debut earning Junior Library Guild Gold Standard recognition.

Connect and Follow:Learn more about Stan Yan: https://www.stanyan.me/

Credits:Host: Bianca SchulzeGuest: Stan YanProducer: Bianca Schulze

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, publicist Mel Schuit takes over hosting duties to interview Bianca Schulze about her revised edition of 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up. They discuss the evolution of children's literature over the past nine years, why Bianca switched out 30% of the original titles, her journey from non-reader to reading advocate, and how she curates books that prioritize joy and representation for young readers.

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

Highlights:

• The 30% Switch: How the children's book landscape evolved between 2016 and 2025, leading to more diverse voices, illustrated chapter books, and graphic novels in the revised edition
• From 101 to 500+: Each featured book includes four additional "what to read next" recommendations, creating a comprehensive reading roadmap
• Reading Revolution: The push for diverse books starting around 2015-2016 and how publishers have responded to the call for representation
• Non-Reader Origins: Bianca's surprising admission that she wasn't a childhood reader, finding her love of books only in her twenties through trusted recommendations
• Joy as a Guiding Principle: How the focus has shifted from just telling important stories to celebrating joy across different backgrounds and experiences
• Bridging the Gap: The rise of illustrated chapter books that help kids transition from picture books to novels without losing reluctant readers
• Creative Beginnings: From making Barbie houses out of Golden Books to a third-grade tooth-shaped writing assignment that sparked her love of storytelling

Notable Quotes:

"Reading for joy and reading for pleasure—when you do that, you become a wiser person. You are more empathetic." —Bianca Schulze

"We can't ever change what's happened to us. We can't alter the past or control what's coming around the next corner, but we can choose how we live now." —Dr. Edith Eva Eger, from The Ballerina of Auschwitz

"Be kind, be brave, and make good choices. Remember the struggles of those who came before you. Always dream of the fantastical future ahead of you... Live your life like an epic adventure." —From Bianca's author's note

Books Mentioned:

• 101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up (Revised Edition) by Bianca Schulze: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• The Ballerina of Auschwitz by Dr. Edith Eva Eger: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• The Choice by Dr. Edith Eva Eger: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• Animalia by Graeme Base: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• Where's Waldo? series: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park: Amazon or Bookshop.org

About Bianca Schulze: Bianca Schulze is the founder of The Children's Book Review and host of The Growing Readers Podcast. A former bookseller turned author, she has published eight books and has been championing children's literature for over 16 years. As a mother of three and passionate literacy advocate, she believes in the transformative power of reading for joy.

Connect and Follow: Learn more about Bianca Schulze: https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/Follow on Instagram: @thechildrensbookreview

Credits: Guest Host: Mel SchuitGuest: Bianca SchulzeProducer: Bianca Schulze

Episode Sponsor: Cody's Whisper by Mailia Grace. For more information, visit https://www.the-whisper-way.com/

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, host Bianca Schulze interviews award-winning author Meg Medina about her latest fantasy novel, Graciela in the Abyss. They discuss Medina's fifteen-year journey developing this underwater adventure, her transition from contemporary fiction to fantasy, her experience as the eighth National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, and how she transformed personal grief and world events into a story about friendship, bioluminescence, and making your own light in the darkest places.

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

Highlights:

• Creative Persistence: How Medina kept "Graciela in the Abyss" in her "graveyard file" for 15 years, returning to it annually with new versions until the world tilted and she found her way
• Fantasy World-Building: Her extensive research into oceanography, deep-sea caves, and bioluminescence to create a believable underwater realm of sea spirits with jobs like being glaciers who turn trash into sea glass
• The Graveyard Philosophy: Medina's approach to unfinished projects - honoring failed attempts while remaining open to returning when you have what you need emotionally and creatively
• Ambassador Insights: Her two-year role as National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and how office hours at the Library of Congress showed her reading as a family activity that knits people together
• From Grief to Light: How personal losses (her mother in 2013, aunt in 2020) and the pandemic helped her understand the story's central metaphor of bioluminescence as making your own light to survive
• Unlikely Friendship: Creating the bond between Graciela (a dead sea spirit) and Jorge (a mortal boy who fears water) as allies who help each other find their way back to kindness
• Visual Storytelling: Working with the Balbusso twins on stunning artwork that captures the eeriness and beauty of the abyss

Notable Quotes:

"It was a surprise to me... I didn't have to be some sort of super exceptional person leading this incredible life to have something to say." —Meg Medina on finding her voice as a writer

"Suffering was strange that way. It didn't have to be your own for it to hurt." —Quote from Graciela in the Abyss

"Sometimes you can't finish it. You don't have what you need yet. Sometimes that's maturity. Sometimes it's world events." —Meg Medina on the writing process

Books Mentioned:

• Graciela in the Abyss by Meg Medina: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• Burn Baby Burn by Meg Medina: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away by Meg Medina: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• Tia Isa Wants a Car by Meg Medina: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• No More Señora Mimí by Meg Medina: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• Milagros: Girl From Away by Meg Medina: Amazon
• Charlotte's Web by E.B. White: Amazon or Bookshop.org
• Into the Planet by Jill Heinerth: Amazon or Bookshop.org

About Meg Medina: Meg Medina is the 2024 Newbery Medal winner for Merci Suárez Changes Gears and author of many acclaimed novels and picture books, including Burn Baby Burn, Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass, and the Merci Suárez series. She served as the eighth National Ambassador for Young People's Literature (2022-2024) with the platform "CuÉntame: Let's Talk Books." As a first-generation Cuban American, she draws on her heritage and experiences to create authentic stories that celebrate the strength and resilience of Latino families and communities.

Connect and Follow: Learn more about Meg Medina: https://www.megmedina.com/Meg Medina's Bookshop shelf with books she book talks and kids recommended: https://bookshop.org/shop/MegMedinaVisit The Children's Book Review at https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/

Credits: Host: Bianca SchulzeGuest: Meg MedinaProducer: Bianca Schulze

Sponsor: Bajette's Balloon: The Magic of Smiles™: https://www.bajette.com/

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, host Bianca Schulze interviews award-winning author-illustrator Corinna Luyken about her latest picture book, The Arguers. They discuss Luyken's decade-long journey developing this story about a royal kingdom where everyone argues, her evolution from a dark cautionary tale to finding hope through humor, and how she captures universal human nature through whimsical observations about the silly things we fight over and the deeper issues beneath them.

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

Highlights:

• Creative Persistence: How Luyken held onto The Arguers for 10 years, working through multiple endings to find the right balance of honesty and hope
• Artistic Process: Her mixed-media printmaking techniques using foam rollers, acrylic washes, and charcoal pencils that sometimes "argue" with each other
• Color Philosophy: How she uses controlled palettes to evoke specific emotions, focusing on greens and oranges for this royal fairy tale world
• Story Evolution: Transforming from a never-ending argument concept to finding humor and humanity in our universal tendency to bicker
• Writing Craft Wisdom: Finding inspiration in George Saunders' Substack about focusing on line-level storytelling rather than grand visions
• Classroom Connections: The enthusiastic response from students when given permission to talk about their own silly arguments
• Visual Storytelling: How art guides story development, like discovering the unraveling bows during storm scenes

Notable Quotes:

• "The people that we love the most are the people we argue with the most." —Corinna Luyken on family dynamics
• "Sometimes the silly argument is the sign that something else is actually really wrong. There is something out of balance." —Corinna Luyken on the deeper meaning behind surface conflicts
• "We are never going to stop arguing, all of us ever. And thinking that is gonna happen is futile." —Corinna Luyken on accepting human nature
• "It can be so refreshing and also soothing to feel like you're not alone and to have something called out for what it is." —Corinna Luyken on addressing uncomfortable subjects in picture books

Books Mentioned:

• The Arguers by Corinna Luyken: Amazon or ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠
• ABC and You and Me by Corinna Luyken: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠
• In the Dark by Kate Hoefler, illustrated by Corinna Luyken: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Patchwork by Matt de la Peña, illustrated by Corinna Luyken: Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠ or Bookshop.org
• The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠
• Adrian Simcox Does Not Have a Horse by Marcy Campbell, illustrated by Corinna Luyken: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠
• The Very Persistent Gappers of Fripp by George Saunders, illustrated by Lane Smith: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠ or Bookshop.org
• A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠
• The Butter Battle Book by Dr. Seuss: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠

About Corinna Luyken: Corinna Luyken is the author-illustrator of The Book of Mistakes (which The Wall Street Journal called "sublime"), My Heart (A New York Times Best Seller), and The Tree in Me (an NCTE Notable Poetry Book). She's also the illustrator of Patchwork (A New York Times Best Picture Book of 2022) by Matt de la Peña and several other acclaimed picture books. She studied dance improvisation, poetry, and printmaking at Middlebury College and now lives in Western Washington, near the Salish Sea, where she enjoys surfing, gardening, and reading with a cat (or two) on her lap.

Connect and Follow:

• Learn more about Corinna Luyken⁠⁠⁠: ⁠https://www.corinnaluyken.com/⁠
• Follow George Saunders' Substack: ⁠⁠⁠"Story Club"⁠⁠⁠
• Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Children's Book Review⁠⁠⁠

Credits:

• Host: Bianca Schulze
• Guest: Corinna Luyken
• Producer: Bianca Schulze

Sponsor:

The Best Bunny: The Adventures of Lil Shen: https://www.chefaloconsulting.com/best-bunny

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, host Bianca Schulze interviews award-winning author-illustrator Jon Agee about his latest picture book George and Lenny Are Always Together. They discuss Agee's creative process, his evolution from writing about middle-aged protagonists to child characters, and how he infuses gentle humor and nuanced storytelling into his work about friendship, independence, and the delicate balance between togetherness and solitude.

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

Highlights:

• Creative Solitude: Why Agee guards his story ideas like "living little creatures" and rarely shares them until fully formed
• Character Development: The organic process of how George the bear and Lenny the rabbit emerged from simple dialogue sketches
• Artistic Process: His traditional art approach using paper and paint, then scanning into computer
• Humor Craft: The delicate art of infusing subtle, nuanced humor that works for both children and adults
• Illustration Philosophy: When to let pictures do the work instead of words, creating space for reader interpretation
• Emotional Storytelling: How he almost came to tears reading his own goodbye scene to school children
• Literary Influences: Current inspiration from Beatrice Alemangna and childhood impact of Edward Lear's limericks

Notable Quotes:

• "John Agee has made a career out of chronicling the masculine midlife crisis for preschool readers." —Emily Jenkins review that Agee never forgot
• "I guard ideas almost like a living little creature that could dissolve. So I don't want to share it with anybody until it's more than just a little embryo." —Jon Agee on protecting creative ideas
• "I think there's parts of both characters in me...I can identify with both George and Lenny, that very naive childlike bear and that kind of analytical, intelligent, questioning rabbit." —Jon Agee on character development
• "Even if they're a bear or a rabbit or a grumpy old guy on a marooned island, I need to be engaged with the characters." —Jon Agee on storytelling
• "My motivation is to engage with them, to make them think, to make them laugh...but also to expand their imagination too." —Jon Agee on his goals for young readers

Books Mentioned:

• George and Lenny Are Always Together by Jon Agee: ⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠
• Pepper and Me by Beatrice Alemangna: ⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠
• Things That Go Away by Beatrice Alemangna: ⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠
• Terrific by Jon Agee: ⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠
• The Wall in the Middle of the Book by Jon Agee: ⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠
• The Nonsense Book by Edward Lear
• The Friendly Book by Margaret Wise Brown

About Jon Agee: Jon Agee is an award-winning author and illustrator with over 40 years in children's publishing. Known for his distinctive humor and storytelling style, Agee has created numerous beloved picture books. His career evolved from writing about adult protagonists in the 1990s to focusing on child characters, adapting to industry changes while maintaining his signature blend of gentle humor and meaningful themes. He has also written lyrics and stories for children's musicals.

Connect and Follow:

• Learn more about Jon Agee at ⁠⁠⁠his website⁠⁠⁠: https://www.jonagee.com/
• Visit ⁠⁠⁠The Children's Book Review⁠⁠ website⁠ for more episodes

Credits:

• Host: Bianca Schulze
• Guest: Jon Agee
• Producer: Bianca Schulze

The Growing Readers Podcast celebrates children's literature and its power to inspire a lifelong love of reading.

Keywords: Jon Agee, Growing Readers podcast, George and Lenny Are Always Together, picture book, children's literature, friendship, independence, bear and rabbit, humor, illustration, creative process, traditional art, character development, publishing industry, Harry Potter impact, Edward Lear, Margaret Wise Brown, Beatrice Alemangna, storytelling, emotional connection

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, host Bianca Schulze interviews author Allie Millington about her picture book When You Find a Hope. They discuss Millington's unique brain drain morning practice, her long journey to publication, and how her own experiences with rejection and perseverance directly inspired this heartfelt story about hope.

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

Highlights:

• The Brain Drain: Millington shares her morning writing practice that helps clear her mind for creativity
• Rejection Collection: How turning hundreds of rejection letters into art became a source of hope
• Childlike Perspective: The importance of maintaining connection to her younger self when writing for children
• Full Circle Moment: How a book born from hopelessness became her published picture book
• Creative Visualization: The process of making abstract hope into something tangible for young readers
• Illustration Magic: The powerful way Anne Lambellet brought the story's emotions to life
• Success Journey: How acclaim for her debut novel Olivetti has influenced her approach to writing
• New Release: Preview of her upcoming middle-grade novel Once For Yes featuring a narrator building

Notable Quotes:

• "Even if your hope doesn't look exactly how you thought it would in the moment, don't lose sight of it. Don't let go of it." —Allie Millington on perseverance
• "The more I started getting rejections, the more and more I wanted this dream to come true for me." —Allie Millington on her publication journey
• "I'm the only one who can decide whether or not I give up." —Allie Millington on perseverance
• "If hope had a color, it would be yellow." —Allie Millington
• "It's just my desire that it would encourage others who are feeling hopeless themselves." —Allie Millington on her book
• "Finding those glimmers of hope, finding people you can hold on to, that connection, holding on to each other and taking care of each other, I think that's all we can do right now." —Allie Millington

Books Mentioned:

• When You Find a Hope by Allie Millington, illustrated by Anne Lambellet: ⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠
• Olivetti by Allie Millington: ⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠
• Once For Yes by Allie Millington: ⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠
• The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron: ⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠
• Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne: ⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠

About Allie Millington: Allie Millington is the bestselling author of Olivetti and now When You Find a Hope. Her writing journey included years of rejection before achieving success, with her debut novel receiving acclaim including a review from Tom Hanks in the New York Times. Allie's personal experience with perseverance directly inspired her picture book about hope.

Connect and Follow:

• Learn more about Allie Millington at ⁠⁠AllieMillington.com⁠⁠
• Visit ⁠⁠The Children's Book Review⁠ website⁠ for more episodes

Credits:

• Host: Bianca Schulze
• Guest: Allie Millington
• Producer: Bianca Schulze

The Growing Readers Podcast celebrates children's literature and its power to inspire a lifelong love of reading.

Keywords: Allie Millington, Growing Readers podcast, When You Find a Hope, picture book, children's literature, hope, perseverance, rejection, writing process, brain drain, morning pages, Olivetti, Once For Yes, Anne Lambellet, illustration, creative process, publication journey, The Artist's Way, children's books, creativity, storytelling, illustrations, emotional connection, parenting, mental health