The Storyteller's Shelf Podcast

Are kids reading differently in a screen-heavy world? And how are publishers adapting?

Theresa Villarreal and Jackie Garcia-Morales welcome Jason Low, publisher and co-owner of Lee & Low Books, to talk about children’s publishing, reading habits, screen time, independent publishing, and book marketing.

Prefer to watch? Watch the full interview on YouTube.

Follow The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast for more conversations with authors, illustrators, editors, publishers, and librarians.

Jason shares his path into publishing, what it’s like helping lead an independent children’s publisher, and how the industry is responding to changing reader habits.

We talk about:

• What publishers consider when acquiring children’s books
• How screens and social media may be affecting young readers
• Why parents modeling reading at home matters
• How publishers are adapting with shorter chapters and accessible formats
• Book marketing with limited resources
• Technology, creativity, and concerns about the future of publishing
• Upcoming Lee & Low Books titles to watch for

This conversation is for children’s book authors, illustrators, parents, educators, librarians, and publishing professionals who care about children’s literacy and the future of books.

Episode notes and resources

Looking for writing, publishing, and book marketing resources? Explore our on-demand educational library.

WRITING WITH STORYRISE
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WORK WITH AUTHOR CLIENTS?
Editors, beta/ARC readers, illustrators, and author-service providers: explore Storyrise for Professionals.

GUESTS & PUBLICISTS
Our conversations are expanding across books, film, television, and games. Explore podcast, blog, and summit possibilities through our current booking policy and contact information.

📚 What are kids reading right now? In this episode of The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast, school librarian Rachael Welsh joins us to talk about what young readers are reaching for in today’s school libraries, why RL Stine and spooky books still connect with kids, and why diverse books, authentic representation, and strong library collections matter.

✨ We also discuss middle grade reading trends, bilingual books, Spanish-English collections, author visits, cover appeal, page count, and what helps children’s books connect with real young readers.

EDUCATIONAL LIBRARY
Explore on-demand writing, publishing, and book marketing workshops, including past summit sessions: The Storytellers Educational Library.

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WRITING WITH STORYRISE
Plan, draft, and revise your manuscript in Storyrise.

WORK WITH AUTHOR CLIENTS?
Editors, beta/ARC readers, illustrators, and author-service providers: explore Storyrise for Professionals.

GUESTS & PUBLICISTS
Our conversations are expanding across books, film, television, and games. Explore podcast, blog, and summit possibilities through our current booking policy and contact information.

Paola Santos introduces her participation in the Storytellers Marketing Mastery Summit, a book marketing event for children’s book authors and illustrators.

This is an archived announcement for the June 12–14, 2026 virtual summit. Live registration has ended.

EDUCATIONAL LIBRARY
Explore on-demand writing, publishing, and book marketing workshops, including past summit sessions: The Storytellers Educational Library.

WRITING WITH STORYRISE
Plan, draft, and revise your manuscript in Storyrise.

WORK WITH AUTHOR CLIENTS?
Editors, beta/ARC readers, illustrators, and author-service providers: explore Storyrise for Professionals.

GUESTS & PUBLICISTS
Our conversations are expanding across books, film, television, and games. Explore podcast, blog, and summit possibilities through our current booking policy and contact information.

Writing funny books for kids: in Episode 3 of The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast, we sit down with Tom Angleberger, bestselling author of Origami Yoda, to talk about his publishing journey, writing humor for young readers, working with editors, handling rejection, and building a lasting connection with kids through books and school visits.

Tom shares honest insight into the creative process behind his stories, what revisions really feel like, and why kid-centered storytelling matters so much in children’s publishing. He also talks about promotion, school visits, collaboration, and upcoming projects, including Dino Poet.

This episode is a great listen for children’s book authors, illustrators, educators, librarians, and anyone who loves kidlit.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more publishing conversations and author interviews.
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EDUCATIONAL LIBRARY
Explore on-demand writing, publishing, and book marketing workshops, including past summit sessions: The Storytellers Educational Library.

WRITING WITH STORYRISE
Plan, draft, and revise your manuscript in Storyrise.

WORK WITH AUTHOR CLIENTS?
Editors, beta/ARC readers, illustrators, and author-service providers: explore Storyrise for Professionals.

GUESTS & PUBLICISTS
Our conversations are expanding across books, film, television, and games. Explore podcast, blog, and summit possibilities through our current booking policy and contact information.

In this episode of The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast, we sit down with Derek Amarrillas, author of Socko: The Flamingo with Tennis Shoes, for a conversation about SEL books, emotions, and the power of storytelling in children’s literature.

Derek shares insight into how stories can help children better understand their feelings, build empathy, and grow through meaningful reading experiences. This episode is especially valuable for parents, educators, librarians, writers, and children’s book lovers interested in social-emotional learning, emotional awareness, and books that support young readers.

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EDUCATIONAL LIBRARY
Explore on-demand writing, publishing, and book marketing workshops, including past summit sessions: The Storytellers Educational Library.

WRITING WITH STORYRISE
Plan, draft, and revise your manuscript in Storyrise.

WORK WITH AUTHOR CLIENTS?
Editors, beta/ARC readers, illustrators, and author-service providers: explore Storyrise for Professionals.

GUESTS & PUBLICISTS
Our conversations are expanding across books, film, television, and games. Explore podcast, blog, and summit possibilities through our current booking policy and contact information.

What do Big Five children’s book editors actually look for in submissions, and why do great projects still get passed on?

In this Season 2 episode of The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast, we interview Catherine Laudone, Senior Editor at Beach Lane Books (Simon & Schuster), for an inside look at how kidlit publishing really works. If you’re writing picture books, middle grade, or building a career in children’s publishing, this conversation will help you understand the editorial and acquisitions process from a real industry perspective.

In this episode, we cover:
• What editors look for in manuscripts and submissions
• Why voice and concept matter more than trends
• What revise and resubmit (R&R) really means
• How acquisitions decisions are made behind the scenes
• Editor collaboration with authors and illustrators
• Why strong projects may still be a “no” (fit, timing, market, list needs)
• What makes a story memorable and more likely to sell

Catherine also shares encouraging, practical advice for creators navigating querying, revisions, and publishing expectations.

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TEA FOR YOUR NEXT CHAPTER — OUR RECOMMENDATION

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WRITING WITH STORYRISE
Plan, draft, and revise your manuscript in Storyrise.

WORK WITH AUTHOR CLIENTS?
Editors, beta/ARC readers, illustrators, and author-service providers: explore Storyrise for Professionals.

GUESTS & PUBLICISTS
Our conversations are expanding across books, film, television, and games. Explore podcast, blog, and summit possibilities through our current booking policy and contact information.

Explore on-demand writing and publishing education from the Storytellers Summit in our Educational Library.

Sessions cover writing craft, book marketing, querying literary agents, and the business of publishing, with practical insights for authors, writers, illustrators, and publishing professionals.

Live pitch opportunities and attendee surveys mentioned in this archived recording are separate from on-demand access. See our website for current programs and availability.

EDUCATIONAL LIBRARY
Explore on-demand writing, publishing, and book marketing workshops, including past summit sessions: The Storytellers Educational Library.

WRITING WITH STORYRISE
Plan, draft, and revise your manuscript in Storyrise.

WORK WITH AUTHOR CLIENTS?
Editors, beta/ARC readers, illustrators, and author-service providers: explore Storyrise for Professionals.

GUESTS & PUBLICISTS
Our conversations are expanding across books, film, television, and games. Explore podcast, blog, and summit possibilities through our current booking policy and contact information.

This archived Storytellers Summit teaser announced children’s publishing masterclasses, giveaways, and literary agent pitch opportunities.

The live event, critique raffles, giveaways, and pitch add-ons described in this recording have ended. They are not included with current on-demand library access.

For writing craft, querying, publishing, and book marketing education, explore the recorded workshops in our Educational Library.

EDUCATIONAL LIBRARY
Explore on-demand writing, publishing, and book marketing workshops, including past summit sessions: The Storytellers Educational Library.

WRITING WITH STORYRISE
Plan, draft, and revise your manuscript in Storyrise.

WORK WITH AUTHOR CLIENTS?
Editors, beta/ARC readers, illustrators, and author-service providers: explore Storyrise for Professionals.

GUESTS & PUBLICISTS
Our conversations are expanding across books, film, television, and games. Explore podcast, blog, and summit possibilities through our current booking policy and contact information.

Donna Galanti explores how fantasy and mythology can spark imagination, build empathy, and help writers reconnect with their inner child in children’s storytelling.

This clip comes from the January 12–17, 2026 Storyteller’s Shelf Summit. The live event and literary pitch opportunity have ended. Explore available on-demand summit sessions in our Educational Library.

EDUCATIONAL LIBRARY
Explore on-demand writing, publishing, and book marketing workshops, including past summit sessions: The Storytellers Educational Library.

WRITING WITH STORYRISE
Plan, draft, and revise your manuscript in Storyrise.

WORK WITH AUTHOR CLIENTS?
Editors, beta/ARC readers, illustrators, and author-service providers: explore Storyrise for Professionals.

GUESTS & PUBLICISTS
Our conversations are expanding across books, film, television, and games. Explore podcast, blog, and summit possibilities through our current booking policy and contact information.

This archived announcement introduced the Storyteller’s Shelf Author Summit and the launch of Season 2.

The original ticket offer has ended. For current access to recorded writing, publishing, and book marketing masterclasses, visit our Educational Library.

EDUCATIONAL LIBRARY
Explore on-demand writing, publishing, and book marketing workshops, including past summit sessions: The Storytellers Educational Library.

WRITING WITH STORYRISE
Plan, draft, and revise your manuscript in Storyrise.

WORK WITH AUTHOR CLIENTS?
Editors, beta/ARC readers, illustrators, and author-service providers: explore Storyrise for Professionals.

GUESTS & PUBLICISTS
Our conversations are expanding across books, film, television, and games. Explore podcast, blog, and summit possibilities through our current booking policy and contact information.