Zoraida Córdova doesn’t care about what a book should be. When she writes, she’s interested in.. well… what she’s interested in. That means Zoraida doesn't prioritize following rules or meeting pre-set expectations. If she wants to write about sappy zombies, she will. If she wants to create a deep, profound novel, she will. Above all, she values creative freedom.

She has always made a way for herself and her spirit to shine through her work. Whether it’s writing for Star Wars or Disney’s Meant to Be collection, short stories for one of her anthologies about creatures like vampires, mermaids and faeries, or her epic novel “The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina," Zoraida keeps it fresh and original. And her readers love it! By following her own passions instead of trying to satisfy what she “should do,” Zoraida delivers something readers crave—authenticity.

Zoraida Córdova is an award-winning author celebrated for her genre-blending, magical tales like “Labyrinth Lost,” the first book in her Brooklyn Brujas series, which earned her an International Latino Book Award. Her versatility spans adult literary fiction, romance, young adult fiction, editing anthologies, and even adding a touch of romance to the Star Wars universe.

In this episode, Zoraida reflects on the importance of writing for yourself, shares the “about the author” blurb that changed her life, and details her tween years as a green-haired Wiccan screamo-punk (you can’t make this stuff up). Let’s just say that Zoraida’s commitment to rejecting the expectations placed on her began at an early age. (And she has the journals to prove it!)

***

For her reading challenge, Screw the Comfort Zone, Zoraida leans into her love of breaking the rules. To break free from her comfort zone. For her reading challenge, she selected a list of books she has read over the past few years that she adored but seemed "hard to pitch" to publishers because of how they defy convention. Difficult to pitch but still infinitely loveable. 🤩Learn more and download Zoraida’s recommended reading list at thereadingculturepod.com/zoraida-córdova.

***

Once again, this episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Lexi Whitehorn, literacy specialist for the North Dakota State Library. This time, she tells us about some of the fun ways she piqued kids’ interest in new books when she served as a school librarian.

Show Chapters

Chapter 1 - Missing Magic

Chapter 2 - I’m Wiccan Now, Mom.

Chapter 3 - In the Forests of the Night

Chapter 4 - There’s Nothing Wrong with Love

Chapter 5 - Step Outside

Chapter 6 - Screw the Comfort Zone

Chapter 7 - Beanstack Featured Librarian 

Links

• The Reading Culture
• The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup
• Zoraida Córdova
• In the Forests of the Night by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes | Goodreads
• North Dakota State Library
• Follow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content)
• Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture
• Jordan Lloyd Bookey

Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey

Producers: Jackie Lamport  and Lower Street Media

Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

In an interview, we may hear Elizabeth Acevedo's singular voice, but she assures us she is not alone. Elizabeth reminds us that she is part of a lineage and an amalgamation of many voices. She, like all of us, represents those who came before her, those whose books she devours, those who have shaped her life, and those who inspire her. A Greek chorus, if you will. 

In fact, when I asked Elizabeth about her personal journey, she called on her community and family at every phase—the community that raised her and continues to nurture her. Elizabeth credits everyone, from the neighborhood boys who encouraged her to spit bars at the local corner store to the teacher-mentors, with being essential to her rise as a critically acclaimed author and international slam poet star.

Elizabeth Acevedo is a beloved poet and author, celebrated for winning prestigious honors like the National Book Award, the Prinz Medal, and the Pura Belpré Award. She also held the title of Young People's Poet Laureate. And on a personal note, she is one of my all-time favorite authors. Elizabeth is renowned for her young adult novels, including "The Poet X," "Clap When You Land," and "With The Fire on High," along with her recent adult novel, "Family Lore." Her writing vividly explores her Afro-Latina heritage, delving into themes of identity, family, and the relentless pursuit of dreams.

In this episode, we discuss Elizabeth's secret mentors (and mentees), and some of the spurns she has encountered within the literary community. She reminisces about Friday nights in her apartment building, reflects on the importance of names, and ruminates about what her future may hold. She even shares her original rap name!

***

True to her poetry roots, in her reading challenge, "Novels Through Poems" Elizabeth has compiled a list of books that are just that tell stories through poetry. Learn more and download Elizabeth's recommended reading list at thereadingculturepod.com/elizabeth-acevedo.

***

This episode's Featured Librarian is Tammy McIntyre. Tammy served as a library media specialist in Gwinnett County Georgia for many years and now works with us at Beanstack! She shares a memorable interaction with a student that continues to resonate with her, highlighting the vital role the library plays as a community space.

Show Chapters

Chapter 1 - Who Is Here 

Chapter 2 - It Takes a Village

Chapter 3 - The House on Mango Street

Chapter 4 - Paying it Forward

Chapter 5 - Novels Through Poems

Chapter 6 - Beanstack Featured Librarian 

Links

• The Reading Culture
• The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup
• Elizabeth Acevedo 
• Elizabeth Acevedo - "Hair"
• The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros | Goodreads
• Gwinnett County Public Library
• Follow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content)
• Beanstack resources to build your community's reading culture
• Jordan Lloyd Bookey

Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey

Producers: Jackie Lamport, Elena Guthrie, and Lower Street Media

Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

When we’re kids, the world still feels so big. Everything is a discovery, from why flowers bloom to why we go to school and what it feels like to make friends… everything is new. But for some kids, life can hit faster than they’re ready to process. The logical side, the “why,” isn’t as important as the safe space to feel the emotions. In Ari’s native Bribri culture, monsters play an important role in stories, but for Ari the monsters were also present in her real life. She was young and unable to understand or logically process her trauma when she experienced it, but through reading and writing poetry, Ari found an emotional outlet. 

A debut author, Ari has already gained critical acclaim for her novel, “Saints of the Household,” which earned accolades such as the Walter Award, the Walden Award, and the Pura Belpré Award. She’s also an accomplished poet, using her craft to delve into deep themes of identity, healing, and self-discovery.

In this episode, Ari shares how art connects her to her ancestral heritage. She discusses her unheard call for help with poetry, healing at her own pace, spirituality, the poets who shaped her writing, growing up between multiple places and cultures, and much more. 

***

Ari’s reading challenge, YA With Creative Structures, is inspired by her forthcoming novel, “Together We See.” She has curated a list of books that take unconventional approaches to structure, from the use of time to the inclusion of unexpected narrators. Learn more and download Ari’s recommended reading list at thereadingculturepod.com/ari-tison.

***

This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Jared Lessard, Branch Manager for the Calcasieu Parish Public Library System in Southwest Louisiana. He told us about an experience that constantly reminds him about the power of libraries in rural communities.

Contents

Chapter 1 - Thrown In

Chapter 2 - Safety in Letters (art)

Chapter 3 - Because of Because of Winn-Dixie

Chapter 4 - The Voices That Came Before

Chapter 5 - Justice and Healing

Chapter 6 - Reading Challenge

Chapter 7 - Beanstack Featured Librarian 

Links

• The Reading Culture
• The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup
• Ari Tison - Official Website
• Saints of the Household on HarperCollins
• Ari Tison’s Poetry on Split This Rock
• Ari Tison on LitHub
• Ari Tison on Twitter
• Ari Tison on Instagram
• Because of Winn-Dixie – Kate DiCamillo
• Calcasieu Parish Public Library
• Follow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content)
• Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture
• Jordan Lloyd Bookey

Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey

Producers: Jackie Lamport  and Lower Street Media

Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

The older we get, the more we understand that life is impossible to actually understand. Things are not often straightforward, and the more we do discover, the more we realize there is to discover. But when we read, we want to relate, to see the words on a page and have them reflect the world back at us in a way that makes it feel more digestible. A.S. (Amy Sarig) King has found that the only way to really do that is to make the mirror as absurd as the real thing. In today’s American political realm, the word weird is taking on a new layer of meaning. But for Amy, weirdness has always been a lifeline. For her and her characters. 

She draws on weirdness and absurdity to tap deeper into the trauma her characters face. From anger to misplaced guilt, sadness to grief, and a general sense of overwhelming anxiety, teens have so much to process. And nothing peeves Amy like adults’ dismissal of these experiences, of this trauma, for teens. She is passionate about challenging that norm, validating teens, and offering a surreal mirror to help them understand the world as it truly is: weird.

A.S. King is a prolific, unique writer best known for "Dig," "Ask the Passengers," "Please Ignore Vera Dietz," and "The Collectors." She has received the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, the Edgar Award, and the Printz Honor—twice. Her work often combines surrealism with raw emotional depth, offering a fresh perspective on the human experience.

In this episode, she critiques pointless teen shaming by adults, discusses why surrealism resonates with young readers, and shares her advocacy for LGBTQ+ youth through Gracie's House, a nonprofit named after her late daughter. 

She also reveals how her cheese tattoo led to an insight into humaneness.

***

Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. 

***

Keeping it on brand and consistent, Amy offers us a truly unique reading challenge with a bizarrely loveable title. Weird stuff that's totally readable, may be old, but it's really good. Hear me out. That’s Amy’s pitch and title for her reading challenge.  It’s a good one! Find out more for yourself at thereadingculturepod.com/as-king.

***

This episode’s Beanstack Featured Librarian is Alana Graves, a Librarian and Summer Experience Coordinator at Austin Public Library. She recounts an adorable mermaid story from one of her summer programs.

Contents

Chapter 1 - Sci-Fives and Reading (Pennsylvania)

Chapter 2 - Embracing the Strange

Chapter 3 - The Job of Validation

Chapter 4 - Gracie’s House, Gracie’s Hands

Chapter 5 - Surrealism, For Real

Chapter 6 - Pick The Lock

Chapter 7 - Weird stuff that's totally readable, may be old, but it's really good. Hear me out.

Chapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian - Alana Graves (Austin Public Library)

Links

• The Reading Culture
• The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup
• A.S. King
• Gracie’s House
• Home | Kurt Vonnegut
• God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater by Kurt Vonnegut Jr. | Goodreads
• Follow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content)
• Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture
• Jordan Lloyd Bookey
  
  

Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey

Producers: Jackie Lamport  and Lower Street Media

Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

Why do kids see themselves in animals? Children’s media is full of stories from and about the perspective of animals. But why? Katherine Applegate has been exploring this question since she was a child, fascinated by the inner worlds of the animals around her. The answer she’s come to is hope. Like animals, kids exist in a state of a lack of control over their own lives, which the adults around them essentially dictate. And the greatest antidote to that sense of powerlessness is hope. Teaching that is what she believes to be the true purpose of a children’s author.

However, holding onto hope can be challenging for kids as they face the harsh realities of our world, feeling powerless in the face of injustice, suffering, and even death. Stories play a crucial role in helping our children build resilience to face these hardships.

Katherine Applegate is a prolific and celebrated author best known for the beloved “Animorphs” series, “Wishtree,” “Odder,” and, of course, her Newbery Medal-winning “The One and Only Ivan.” In this episode, she discusses the unique bond between kids and animals, including her early stint as a gerbil peddler! 😱 Katherine shares about how a community rallied to fight the censorship of her book “Wishtree,” her part in that fight, and why she always chooses comedy over tragedy, even when the world seems bleak. Plus, Katherine reveals the real reason she’s not roughing it out in the wild with Jane Goodall and the gorillas.

***

Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. 

***

Inspired by the positivity of the season, Katherine’s reading challenge is designed to make you smile. In “Exploring the Animal Human Bond”, she’s curated a list of books perfect for the dog days of summer, all featuring animals. Download the list at thereadingculturepod.com/katherine-applegate

***

This episode’s Beanstack Featured Librarian is Lexi Whitehorn, Literacy Specialist at the North Dakota State Library. Lexi tells us about a heartwarming relationship she built with a struggling student through recommending books.

***

Contents

Chapter 1 - Gerbil Peddler (2:09)

Chapter 2 - Really Bad Waitress (8:32)

Chapter 3 - Powerlessness (and otter facts) (10:33)

Chapter 4 - E.B. White - Letters (deja-vu?) (16:14)

Chapter 5 - The Attempted Felling of Wishtree (23:09)

Chapter 6 - Ivan Settles Down (30:14)

Chapter 7 - Exploring the Animal-Human Bond (33:37)

Chapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (35:35)

Links

• The Reading Culture
• The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup
• Katherine Applegate
• The One and Only Ivan | Official Trailer | Disney+
• In Virginia, Censors Attempt to Axe ‘Wishtree’
• Letters of E.B. White
• Follow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content)
• Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture
• Jordan Lloyd Bookey

Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey

Producers: Jackie Lamport  and Lower Street Media

Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

We revisit our episode with Matt de la Peña.
****

Hailing from a working class border town in Southern California, Matt de la Peña (Last Stop on Market Street, Mexican WhiteBoy, Milo Imagines the World) grew up in an environment that deeply valued strength and stoicism and oftentimes discouraged big displays of emotion from men. Instilled with a strong work ethic and the pursuit of opportunities, he followed in the footsteps of the men in his family and community. But still, there was a deeper truth to life within a buried emotional side that he felt compelled to explore.

As early as high school, Matt would embrace this side of himself by secretly writing poetry, continuing on this journey to emotional self discovery throughout adulthood. Now, influenced by writers such as Kate DiCamillo and the late Cormac McCarthy, Matt’s books seek out the deeper and sometimes darker parts of life, teaching kids the invaluable skill of acknowledging melancholy and granting them the permission to appreciate their own emotional complexity.

In this episode, Matt will share his lifelong journey to accessing his own emotions and how his writing teaches kids to do the same. 

***

Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. Join Matt on social @Mattdelapena.

***

For his reading challenge, Conversation Starters, Matt invites us to ponder alongside our youngest readers with his curated selection of picture books. You can find his list and all past reading challenges at thereadingculture.com/matt-de-la-pena.

This episode’s Beanstack featured librarian is Cicely Lewis, School Library Journal’s 2020 school librarian of the year, from Gwinnett County Public Schools. Cicely, aka the Read Woke librarian, shares about an awesome way to keep high schoolers excited about reading for pleasure and also a very fun birthday tradition at her school. 

Contents

Chapter 1 - One Side of the Border (2:24)

Chapter 2 - The Good, Bad, and Masculine (7:20)

Chapter 3 - The Closet Poet (11:14)

Chapter 4 - Sutree (14:38)

Chapter 5 - The Future of Latinx Voices (24:38)

Chapter 6 - Leaning Forward (27:58)

Chapter 7 - Writing Up (31:58)

Chapter 8 - Conversation Starters (33:59)

Chapter 9 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (34:55)

Links

• The Reading Culture
• Matt de la Peña
• Matt’s Books
• The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and extra content)
• Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture
• Why We Shouldn’t Shield Children From Darkness | Matt's Letter to Kate DiCamillo
• The Children’s Book Podcast

Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey

Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media

Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

We revisit our episode with Sabaa Tahir.
******

Sabaa Tahir’s (“All My Rage,” “An Ember in the Ashes” quartet) upbringing in the Mojave desert, isolated nearly 100 miles from the nearest city, exposed her to an unforgiving landscape and also many unforgiving truths of humanity. Within this backdrop, one place held significant importance in shaping her worldview: The Motel, a small business operated by her immigrant parents.  As she notes, “The good is what helps you survive, but the bad is what makes you wary and careful and makes you lonely at times.” Sabaa ventured into the realm of academia and later pursued a career in journalism, where her understanding of the world's imperfections deepened. The essence of Sabaa’s stories lies in the raw exploration of sorrow and frustration…and taking action.  

In this episode, Sabaa delves into the experiences of her childhood that left an indelible mark on her perspective of the world. From the motel her parents ran, to sonic booms, to wearing (dreaded) dresses on Mondays, Sabaa’s youth sounds eerily like a superhero origin story. She also opened up about the “outsized impact” of her time copy editing at The Washington Post and its influence on her writing. Sabaa reveals how she channels her outrage to resonate with her coming-of-age readers, validating their shared frustrations and coming to terms with her own.

***

Keep up with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. Join Sabaa on social @SabaaTahir

***

For her reading challenge, Authors of the Muslim Diaspora, Sabaa wants readers to open up to other perspectives from Muslim diaspora authors, including their cultures, traditions, mythologies, and humor. She curated a fabulous reading list, and I invite you to check it out. Reading challenges are always available at thereadingculturepod.com.

In this episode, we’re once again changing things up for our Beanstack featured librarian. Today we give the mic one more time to Lessa Kananiʻopua Pelayo-Lozada, the current American Library Association president, to share more about the upcoming ALA conference and exhibition. Beanstack has proudly participated in ALA exhibitions for the last eight years! 

Contents
Chapter 1 - The Middle of Nowhere (for real)

Chapter 2 - The Motel

Chapter 3 - One Art

Chapter 4 - The Eyes of an Editor

Chapter 5 - Books Like Sad Songs

Chapter 6 - Back to Fantasy Land

Chapter 7 - Lego Proof Socks

Chapter 8 - Muslim Diaspora

Chapter 9 - Beanstack Featured Librarian

Links

• The Reading Culture
• Sabaa Tahir
• Sabaa's Books 
• The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and extra content)
• Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture
• Sabaa Tahir on growing up in a motel - Vox
• ALA Annual Conference
• The Children’s Book Podcast

Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey

Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media

Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

Flaws. We do everything to hide them away and pretend they don’t exist. But what if these flaws  that we try so desperately to mask are exactly what we need to access our power, our story? How does one tap into it? How does  one express the very things they have tried so hard to hide? For Shannon Hale, it was writing. By picking up the pen, she found her voice, purpose, and true, messy, loveable self. 

As Shannon puts it, “If my gravestone simply said ‘Author of The Princess in Black,’ I would be happy.” Caregivers for young kids likely know Shannon and her husband Dean Hale as the authors of the beloved, bestselling “Princess in Black” series featuring a princess with a secret superhero identity. The books have turned countless kids into avid readers, and Shannon has an endless list of anecdotes to show it. But her career spans far beyond the series. Shannon is an acclaimed author celebrated for her children's and young adult novels, such as the Newbery Honor-winning "Princess Academy" and her memoir graphic novel “Real Friends” series. 

In this episode, Shannon will tell us about growing up in a deeply conservative culture, and how writing unearthed her true voice from where it had been simmering beneath the surface. We discuss everything from anxiety to the family cat to boys’ relationship with the color pink. Oh, and we have a special visitor, Shannon’s husband and co-creator, Dean Hale, to discuss their combined writing journeys!

***

Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. 

***

Taking inspiration from her beloved series “The Princess in Black,” Shannon's reading challenge is Favorite Early Chapter Books. For this, she has created a list of thoughtful and engaging early chapter books for new and emerging readers. Download the list at thereadingculturepod.com/shannon-hale

***

This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Ady Huerta, the Program Manager of Youth, Family, & Equity Services at San Diego Public Library who serves on the presidential advisory committee for incoming president Cindy Holt. She tells us what to expect for the upcoming ALA Conference.

Contents

Chapter 1 - ‘Squeetus’ the Highly Sensitive

Chapter 2 - A Loophole to the Inner Voice

Chapter 3 - Anne of Green Gables

Chapter 4 - The Family in Black

Chapter 5 - Boys Like Pink Too

Chapter 6 - The Key to Friendship

Chapter 7 - Reading Challenge

Chapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian 

Links

• The Reading Culture
• The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup
• Shannon Hale Website
• Follow Shannon on Instagram 
• Anne of Green Gables
• Follow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content)
• Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture
• Jordan Lloyd Bookey
  
  

Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey

Producers: Jackie Lamport  and Lower Street Media

Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

What is life without a little magic? Fantasy gives us the space to break free from the confines that reality often brings and the freedom to dream the typically unimaginable. But with all its magic and wonder, the fantasy genre doesn’t always reflect the diversity of its real-life readers' stories. Dhonielle Clayton, a literary mover and shaker, is dedicated to changing that narrative, filling in the gaps to ensure that all kids see a reflection of themselves in these wondrous worlds.

Dhonielle is an acclaimed author known for her works, including "The Belles" series, "The Conjurverse" series, and "Shattered Midnight." She is also the co-author of several novels, such as "Blackout" and "Tiny Pretty Things." Equal parts creative and determined, Dhonielle is the co-founder and incoming CEO of the influential organization We Need Diverse Books. She is a one-woman powerhouse!

In this episode, Dhonielle traces the magic in her books back to its roots in African folklore, details the challenge of stepping out from the long shadow of Harry Potter, and outlines her mission to hire her own collective of diverse writers. 

***

Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. 

***

Dhonielle expands on her stories about magic and fantasy on the podcast with her reading challenge, Retelling Heroes and Magic. Dhonielle takes inspiration from her goal to disrupt the world of fantasy storytelling with a wonderful suggested reading list.  Download the list at thereadingculturepod.com/dhonielle-clayton

***

This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Erin Baker, media specialist at Durham Middle School in Georgia. She tells us her secret sauce for getting the whole school on board with reading initiatives and why it involves some unlikely allies.

Contents

Chapter 1 - Hot Summers in the Deep South

Chapter 2 - The People Could Fly

Chapter 3 - Let’s Talk About Harry Potter

Chapter 4 - Reality in Fantasy

Chapter 5 - Let Them Eat Cake! (Creative)

Chapter 6 - Purpose

Chapter 7 - Reading Challenge

Chapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian

Links

• The Reading Culture
• The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup
• Dhonielle Clayton Website 
• Follow Dhonielle on Instagram 
• The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales by Virginia Hamilton
• Durham Middle School
• Follow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content)
• Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture
• Jordan Lloyd Bookey
  
  

Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey

Producers: Jackie Lamport, Sydni Michelle Perry, and Lower Street Media

Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey

Life is full of barriers. Barriers between reality and the imagination, the spiritual and physical world, and perhaps most crucially, the ones we create for ourselves. When a barrier is a boundary, it can be a good thing. But in many cases, the barriers we create are holding us back. Minh Lê’s life was defined by many of these self-imposed barriers until well into his adult life. But slowly, through nudges from friends and family and a lot of self-reflection, Minh began to learn that the only thing in between him and his dream of being a picture book author, was himself.

Minh is a children's book author best known for "Drawn Together," winner of the 2019 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature, as well as the Eisner-nominated "Lift" and "The Blur." He also authored the Green Lantern graphic novel series and contributed to numerous short story anthologies. Minh has a full-time day job and is also very active in the kidlit community, especially his work with We Need Diverse Books. He is intentional with his time and dedication and has made a deep impact on children’s literature. 

In this episode, Minh discusses how he overcame his insecurities to achieve his dream of becoming a picture book author. He also recounts the transformative experience of writing the biography of the beloved Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, and shares an absolutely breathtaking story about their encounter. Minh shares his philosophy on why we should all blur the lines between the real and the imaginary.

***

Connect with Jordan and The Reading Culture @thereadingculturepod and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter. 

***

Minh expands on his stories about meditation on the podcast with his reading challenge, "Meditative Picture Books." With this curated list, Minh invites young readers and their grown-ups to embrace the present moment fully. Download the list at thereadingculturepod.com/minh-le

***

This episode's Beanstack Featured Librarian is Erin Baker, media specialist at Durham Middle School in Georgia. She tells us her secret sauce for getting the whole school on board with reading initiatives and why it involves some unlikely allies.

Contents

Chapter 1 - The Vietnamese Mini Van (2:17)

Chapter 2 - As Few Words as Possible (6:38)

Chapter 3 - You Haven’t Even Tried (10:44)

Chapter 4 - Dreamtigers (12:19)

Chapter 5 - Lucid Dreaming (19:34)

Chapter 6 - Even Fewer Words (a silent retreat) (22:28)

Chapter 7 - Meditative Picture Books (35:19)

Chapter 8 - Beanstack Featured Librarian (37:15)

Chapter 9 (Bonus) - Baby Minh and Baby Dan (39:17)

Links

• The Reading Culture
• The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup
• Minh Le
• Minh Lê (@bottomshelfbks) • Instagram photos and videos
• Dreamtigers by Jorge Luis Borges | Goodreads
• Thich Nhat Hanh | Plum Village
• Durham Middle School
• The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content)
• Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture
• Jordan Lloyd Bookey
  
  

Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey

Producer: Jackie Lamport and Lower Street Media

Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Jackie Lamport, Jordan Lloyd Bookey