The Children's Book Review: Growing Readers Podcast

Join us as Meredith Seacrest Leach discusses her debut picture book "The Make Believers," co-written with her brother Ryan Seacrest.

In this heartwarming conversation, Meredith shares how her daughter's boundless imagination and her work with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation inspired this celebration of creative play. She reveals how the book's message—that dreams can flourish with open eyes, not just during sleep—connects to childhood wonder and imagination's healing power in children's hospitals. From reminiscing about her own third-grade writing adventures to collaborating with her famous brother during the pandemic, Meredith offers insights into the creative process and the joy of keeping imagination alive at any age. Parents and caregivers will particularly appreciate her practical advice on fostering creativity and the importance of putting down technology to engage in transformative play with children.

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

Order Copies: The Make-Believers on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

About the Author: Meredith Seacrest Leach is the executive director and COO of the Ryan Seacrest Foundation. She was a driving force behind the conception and development of the foundation since its inception in 2009. She manages and cultivates relationships with key partners and donors in entertainment, health care, education, and technology while strategizing financial campaigns and programs to help continuously advance the organization and the fourteen Seacrest Studios in leading pediatric hospitals nationwide. Before overseeing the foundation, Meredith was the director of creative affairs at Reveille, now known as the production company Endemol Shine North America. Some programming she was responsible for included Nashville Star, MasterChef, and The Buried Life. She also worked in hospitality public relations, managing several luxury resort accounts, and as the manager of communications at Entertainment Tonight and The Insider, where she oversaw national press for two top entertainment news programs. The Make-Believers is her first picture book.

Award-winning children's author Mac Barnett joins us to discuss his heartwarming new picture book Santa's First Christmas, beautifully illustrated by Sydney Smith.

In this fresh take on holiday storytelling, Santa experiences the magic of Christmas Day for the very first time, thanks to his thoughtful elves. Mac shares insights into the creative process and his collaboration with acclaimed illustrator Sydney Smith and reflects on how Christmas books create special yearly traditions for families. From the warmth of Christmas lights to sneaking tastes of cookie icing, discover how this charming story turns the traditional Santa narrative on its head while celebrating the joy of both giving and receiving during the holiday season.

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

Order Copies: Santa's First Christmas on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

About the Author: Mac Barnett is the New York Times bestselling author of many picture books, including the New York Times bestseller The Wolf, the Duck, and the Mouse; the Caldecott Honor Book and E.B. White Read-Aloud Award winner Sam and Dave Dig a Hole; and the Caldecott Honor Book and Boston Globe-Horn Book Award winner Extra Yarn. He also coauthors the bestselling Terrible Two series with Jory John. Mac lives in Oakland, California.

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, host Bianca Schulze sits down with author Holly Peppe to discuss her children's book, Sophie and the Swans. Peppe shares her experiences as a teacher and writer, her insights on addressing bullying, and her reflections on the power of kindness in children's literature.

Listeners will gain insight into:

This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone interested in children's literature, bullying prevention, and the power of kindness. Join us for an inspiring conversation about the impact of children's books, the importance of addressing bullying, and the enduring power of kindness to overcome challenges.

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

Order Copies: Sophie and the Swans on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

About the Author: Holly Peppe is an author and educator with a diverse teaching career spanning from elementary music to college-level literature. She is the author of Sophie and the Swans and co-author of Touch the Sky: My Solo Flight Around the World with Barrington Irving. Peppe's writing focuses on important themes such as kindness, empathy, and bullying prevention.

Be sure to explore the heartwarming story and valuable lessons on kindness and bullying prevention in Sophie and the Swans. This book offers an engaging narrative and important insights for young readers, parents, and educators alike.

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, host Bianca Schulze sits down with Holocaust survivor and renowned psychologist Dr. Edith Eger to discuss her young adult memoir, The Ballerina of Auschwitz. Dr. Eger, joined by her grandson Jordan Engle, shares her experiences, insights, and reflections on survival, healing, and the power of choice, offering profound wisdom that resonates across generations.

Listeners will gain insight into:

This episode is a must-listen for readers of all ages, educators, and anyone interested in history, psychology, and the triumph of the human spirit.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about hope, resilience, and the enduring power of the human spirit to overcome even the darkest circumstances.

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

Order Copies: The Ballerina of Auschwitz on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Resources:

Edith Eger is an eminent psychologist and one of the few remaining Holocaust survivors old enough to remember life in the camps. A colleague of Viktor Frankl, Dr. Edith Eger has worked with veterans, military personnel, and victims of physical and mental trauma. She lives in La Jolla, California, and is the author of the bestselling and award-winning books The Choice and The Gift.

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, host Bianca Schulze sits down with beloved author Kate DiCamillo to discuss her latest works, including the early reader trilogy beginning with Orris and Timble: The Beginning and the second book in The Norendy Tales, The Hotel Balzaar. Kate shares her creative process, inspirations, and reflections on storytelling, offering insight into the themes and craft behind her emotionally resonant books.

Listeners will gain insight into:

This episode is a must-listen for fans of Kate DiCamillo's work, aspiring writers, and anyone interested in children's literature and the craft of storytelling.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about finding light in stories, the power of friendship, and the enduring impact of children's literature.

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

Order Copies:Orris and Timble: The Beginning on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Resources:

Book Spotlight:

Be sure to embark on a magical adventure to celebrate the release of Kelcie Murphy and the Race for the Reaper’s Key, the thrilling final installment in the Academy for the Unbreakable Arts series by Erika Lewis! For more information, visit https://www.erikalewis.com/.

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, host Bianca Schulze sits down with acclaimed author John Schu to discuss his powerful novel in verse, Louder Than Hunger. John shares his deeply personal journey of transforming his own experiences with anorexia nervosa, depression, and anxiety into Jake's story, offering insight into the creative process behind this emotionally charged book.

Listeners will gain insight into:

John also gives a behind-the-scenes look at his writing process, including his use of post-it note mantras and the challenge of deciding which personal experiences to include or fictionalize. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in middle-grade literature, mental health representation in books, or the healing power of storytelling.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about hope, resilience, and the transformative power of sharing our stories.

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

International OCD Foundation: https://kids.iocdf.org

National Alliance for Eating Disorders: https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/

National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders: https://anad.org/

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, host Bianca Schulze sits down with award-winning children's author and illustrator Loren Long to discuss his latest book, The Yellow Bus. Loren shares his unique approach to crafting this touching story, including his inspiration from a real abandoned bus, his process of creating a 3D model for illustration reference, and his dedication to handcrafted artwork using charcoal and acrylic paint.

Listeners will gain insight into:

Loren also gives a behind-the-scenes look at his artistic process, including the unexpected inclusion of his dog's hair in the artwork and his decision to use a primarily black-and-white palette to make the yellow bus stand out. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in children's literature, illustration techniques, or the art of storytelling.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about creating emotionally resonant picture books and the power of finding joy in unexpected places.

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

In this episode of The Growing Readers podcast, host Bianca Schulze sits down with award-winning children's author Beth Anderson to discuss her latest book, Thomas Jefferson's Battle for Science: Bias, Truth, and a Mighty Moose. Beth shares her unique approach to crafting engaging nonfiction, including her process of "mining for the heart of the story" and her dedication to thorough research and meticulous revision.

Listeners will gain insight into:

Beth also gives a sneak peek into her upcoming titles, including stories about America's first female detective and a teenage sculptor who created an iconic statue of Abraham Lincoln. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in children's literature, history, or the art of storytelling.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about widening children's worlds through compelling nonfiction and the power of connecting readers to the past.

Transcription: You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review (coming soon).

Order Copies: Thomas Jefferson's Battle for Science: Bias, Truth, and a Mighty Moose on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Resources:

Visit Beth Anderson online: https://bethandersonwriter.com/

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Nyasha Williams and Kenda Bell-Spruill, co-authors of Saturday Magic: A Hoodoo Story (Running Press Kids). This mother-in-love and daughter-in-love duo discuss their collaboration on this groundbreaking picture book that introduces young readers to African diasporic spiritual practices and ancestral connections.

Discover the inspiration behind their story, the importance of representation in children's literature, and how Saturday Magic aims to foster pride in cultural heritage. The authors share personal insights into their creative process, the significance of dreams in African American culture, and their hopes for expanding diverse narratives in children's media.

This episode offers a deep dive into the power of intergenerational storytelling and the magic of connecting with one's ancestors, providing valuable perspectives for parents, educators, and anyone interested in diverse children's literature.

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

Order Copies: Saturday Magic on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Resources:

Nyasha Williams and Kenda Bell-Spruill Talk About:

Award-winning author Matt de la Peña discusses his new picture book, The Perfect Place, exploring themes of class, self-acceptance, and the meaning of home.

Matt shares personal inspirations, reads from the book, and reflects on how the story resonates with readers of all ages. Join us for an insightful conversation about finding beauty in imperfection and the power of children's literature to shape perspectives on family, success, and belonging.

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

Order Copies: The Perfect Place on ⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠. El lugar perfecto (Spanish Edition) on Amazon and Bookshop.org.

Resources: You can visit Matt at mattdelapena.com or follow him on Twitter and Instagram @mattdelapena.

Matt de la Peña Talks About: