In this episode, we’re shining the spotlight on author visits and the joy of meeting the writers behind the books we love. Today, we’re focusing on Stacy McAnulty—an author known for her creative, funny, and thought-provoking stories that connect with readers of all ages. Join us as we share how author visits inspire curiosity, bring books to life, and help us discover what to read next!

Music Credit: The Road to Success — Stock Music from WeVideo

Hosted by Beth van Kan and Amy Chisek

Welcome to Season 3 of the What to Read Next podcast! We’re a team of elementary school librarians from the Olentangy Local School District, here to help you find the book of your dreams. Every episode, we share stories we love and ones we think you’ll love too.

To kick off this new season, we’re diving into books with grit—stories about characters who show courage, determination, and strength when things get tough. Whether you’re looking for an inspiring read or a character who won’t give up, we’ve got you covered.

So settle in, and let’s explore some unforgettable reads together!

Featured Books:

"Ronnie and His Grit" by Ronnie Lott and Leslie Harter, illustrated by Jonathan Sundy

"Because of the Rabbit" by Cynthia Lord

"The Year of the Book" by Andrea Chang

"Allergic" by Megan Wagner Lloyd and Michelle Mee Nutter

Music: "The Road to Success" from WeVideo Free Music Library

Podcast Logo: Created using Adobe Express with Adobe Express Images

Join school librarian Mrs. Beth van Kan and public librarian Ms. Melissa Dougherty as they team up to share everything you need to know about Summer Reading and the Summer Reading Club at the Delaware County District Library!

Discover fun book recommendations, exciting activities, and how your whole family can join the adventure of reading all summer long. Whether you're a student, teacher, or parent, you won't want to miss the tips, laughs, and library love in this special episode!

Featured Books: The Wild Robots series by Peter Brown; Eerie Elementary series by Jack Chabert under the pen name, Max Brallier; Dog Man series by Dav Pilkey; Wings of Fire series by T. Sutherland; Don't Trust Fish by Neil Sharpson; Dungeons & Dragons: Dungeon Academy series by Diane Walker; and this list of books by Stacy McAnulty, Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years, Sun! One in a Billion, Moon! Earth's Best Friend, The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl, The World Ends in April, The Evers Series: Forever 12

Music: Spring in My Step by Silent Partner (no copyright music from the Free Audio Library)

Podcast Logo: Created using Adobe Express with Adobe Express Images

Hosted by Laura Laughbaum with Amy Chisek and Collin Combs

Celebrating school libraries, school librarians, and great books during National School Library Month

Featured Books: Everything in Its Place written by Pauline David-Sax and illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow; Matilda written by Roald Dahl; The Library Dragon written by Carmen Agra Deedy illustrated by Michael P. White; and All Are Welcome written by Alexandra Penfold and illustrated by Suzanne Kaufman

Music: Spring in My Step by Silent Partner (no copyright music from the Free Audio Library)

Podcast Logo: Created using Adobe Express with Adobe Express Images

Hosted by Beth van Kan and Amy Nietfeld

Recording Date: February 14, 2025, this episode is Part 2 of the March Book Madness Episode

Featured Books:

The Yellow Bus by Loren Long

Zuni and the Memory Jar by Aisha Saeed

The Book That Almost Rhymed by Omar Abed

I Lived Inside A Whale by Xin Li

I’m Sorry You Got Mad by Kyle Lukoff

More Than Words by Roz MacLean

Dear Unicorn by Josh Funk

Amah Faraway by Margaret Chiu Greanias

Not Yet - The Story of an Unstoppable Skater by Zahra Lari/Hadley Davis

Harold the Iceberg Melts Down by Lisa Wyzlic

The Boy Who Said Wow by Todd Boss

I Do Not Each Children by Marcus Cutler

Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando by Andrea Wang

The Spaceman by Randy Cecil

Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang

Wings of an Eagle - Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills by Billy Mills and Donna Janell Bowman

Music: Locally Sourced by Jason Farnham (no copyright music from the YouTube Free Audio Library)

Podcast Logo: Created using Adobe Express with Adobe Express Images

Hosted by Beth van Kan and Amy Nietfeld

Recording Date: February 14, 2025

Featured Books:

The Yellow Bus by Loren Long

Zuni and the Memory Jar by Aisha Saeed

The Book That Almost Rhymed by Omar Abed

I Lived Inside A Whale by Xin Li

I’m Sorry You Got Mad by Kyle Lukoff

More Than Words by Roz MacLean

Dear Unicorn by Josh Funk

Amah Faraway by Margaret Chiu Greanias

Not Yet - The Story of an Unstoppable Skater by Zahra Lari/Hadley Davis

Harold the Iceberg Melts Down by Lisa Wyzlic

The Boy Who Said Wow by Todd Boss

I Do Not Each Children by Marcus Cutler

Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando by Andrea Wang

The Spaceman by Randy Cecil

Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang

Wings of an Eagle - Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills by Billy Mills and Donna Janell Bowman

Music: Locally Sourced by Jason Farnham (no copyright music from the YouTube Free Audio Library)

Podcast Logo: Created using Adobe Express with Adobe Express Images

Hosted by Beth van Kan and Amy Burchinal

Recording Date: January 3, 2025

Featured Books: The Curious Why by Angela DiTerlizzi, Are You Big? by Mo Willems, The Book that can Read Your Mind by Marianna Coppo, Maker Projects for Kids Who Love Games published by Crabtree Publishing, Be a Maker by Katey Howes, and the Percy jackson Olympians series by Rick Riordan. Also discussed were a variety of historical fiction books by the authors Mary Pope Osborne, Kate Messner, Michael Morpurgo, and Lauren Tarshis.

Music: Locally Sourced by Jason Farnham (no copyright music from the YouTube Free Audio Library)

Podcast Logo: Created using Adobe Express with Adobe Express Images

Hosted by: Angela Moore and Laura Laughbaum

Recording Date: 12/13/2024 Air Date: 12/16/2024

Featured Books: The House Without Lights by Reem Faruqi, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by CS Lewis and Very Rich by Polly Horvath

Links mentioned in this podcast episode: Infohio - 12 days of Literacy Choice Board

Music: Locally Sourced by Jason Farnham (no copyright music from the YouTube Free Audio Library)

Podcast Logo: Created using Adobe Express with Adobe Express Images

Hosted by Beth van Kan and Amy Chisek

Recording Date: November 26, 2024

Featured Books: Powwow Day, We Remember, Wilma Mankiller, Contenders, and At the Mountain's Base by Traci Sorrell

Music: Locally Sourced by Jason Farnham (no copyright music from the YouTube Free Audio Library)

Podcast Logo: Created using Adobe Express with Adobe Express Images

Hosted by Beth van Kan and Heather Savage

Recording Date: September 30, 2024

Featured Books: Orris & Timble by Kate DiCamillo and The Puppets of Spelhorstby Kate DiCamillo

Music: Locally Sourced by Jason Farnham (no copyright music from the YouTube Free Audio Library)

Podcast Logo: Created using Adobe Express with Adobe Express Images