Worlds Awaiting

Reading Aloud (3:37)

Listening to someone reading a story out loud can be magical. When done well, it can transport us to another world. Reading aloud might be with a child at bedtime, with a friend or spouse, or in groups. Our guest today, Rob Eckman, reads aloud on a regular basis to children during Story Time at the Kings English Bookshop in Salt Lake City. Eckman is known as “the genius storyteller,” “emperor of the kids’ room,” and, “best wearer of the Dr. Seuss Story hat.” Whatever you call him, he’s clearly in his element when reading aloud at the King’s English Bookshop, where he also serves as the Marketing Manager. Rob talks with Cole Wissinger, a member of our Worlds Awaiting team. 

 

Creating Picture Book Art (16:14)

Next on Worlds Awaiting, a visit with illustrator/author Julie Olson. Olson has illustrated many books, including Discover America: From Sea to Shining Sea, Dear Cinderella by Marianne Moore and Mary Jane Kensington, and Little Penguin: The Emperor of Antarctica by Jonathan London. Julie Olson also has an interactive website that offers tips for aspiring writers, young and old – from learning how to draw, to keeping business records. She also talks about the variety of mediums she works in to create her picture book illustrations.

 

Book Review (25:53)

We finish up the show today with a book review from Kim Christensen, Teen Librarian at the Springville Public Library in Utah. Christensen introduces a young adult novel entitled Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo.

Children’s Books and Disabilities (4:00)

Fear … stereotyping … labeling … misunderstanding … Any one of these might surface when we look at those with a disability. Our guest today, Dr. Tina Dyches, shares tips on what to look for when choosing children’s books that accurately and positively portray young characters with disabilities. Such books can be a great help for us and our children, if they lead us to be more accepting of those with these special challenges. Dyches, a professor in the BYU School of Education, is the founder and current chair of the Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award, which recognizes high quality children’s books that portray characters with developmental disabilities. Tina Dyches has worked in the field of education for 30 years, as a special educator, professor, and administrator. Her scholarship has resulted in three books about our conversation today – how best to use children’s literature featuring characters with special needs.

Books mentioned in the interview: 

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

My Friend Suhana by Shaila Abdullah and her young daughter, Aanya Abdullah

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Simon Stephens (winner of the Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award)

Illustrator/Author Leslie Helakoski (15:43)

Next on Worlds Awaiting, Rachel visits with illustrator/author Leslie Helakoski about her process of creating children’s books and where her ideas come from. Not everything, you know, comes out of thin air. And every author finds unique sources of inspiration. Helakoski is the author and sometimes illustrator of ten picture books including Woolbur, Big Chickens, and Big Pigs. Her books and illustrations have garnered a number of awards. Two new books are in the works and will be released in 2017.

Experiences with Literature (24:04)

We finish the show with a visit to a Public Library. Cole Wissinger, a member of our Worlds Awaiting team, talks to parents and grandparents about their favorite books from childhood and the kind of boo

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:04:00 - Children's Books and Disabilities

00:15:43 - Illustrator/Author Leslie Helakoski

00:24:04 - Experiences with Literature

Children’s Books and Disabilities (4:00)

Fear … stereotyping … labeling … misunderstanding … Any one of these might surface when we look at those with a disability. Our guest today, Dr. Tina Dyches, shares tips on what to look for when choosing children’s books that accurately and positively portray young characters with disabilities. Such books can be a great help for us and our children, if they lead us to be more accepting of those with these special challenges. Dyches, a professor in the BYU School of Education, is the founder and current chair of the Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award, which recognizes high quality children’s books that portray characters with developmental disabilities. Tina Dyches has worked in the field of education for 30 years, as a special educator, professor, and administrator. Her scholarship has resulted in three books about our conversation today – how best to use children’s literature featuring characters with special needs.

Books mentioned in the interview: 

Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko

My Friend Suhana by Shaila Abdullah and her young daughter, Aanya Abdullah

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Simon Stephens (winner of the Dolly Gray Children’s Literature Award)

Illustrator/Author Leslie Helakoski (15:43)

Next on Worlds Awaiting, Rachel visits with illustrator/author Leslie Helakoski about her process of creating children’s books and where her ideas come from. Not everything, you know, comes out of thin air. And every author finds unique sources of inspiration. Helakoski is the author and sometimes illustrator of ten picture books including Woolbur, Big Chickens, and Big Pigs. Her books and illustrations have garnered a number of awards. Two new books are in the works and will be released in 2017.

 

Experiences with Literature (24:04)

We finish the show with a visit to a Public Library. Cole Wissinger, a member of our Worlds Awaiting team, talks to parents and grandparents about their favorite books from childhood and the kind of books they now share with their children.

Introducing Poetry to Kids (3:47)

I saw you toss the kites on high

And blow the birds about the sky…

That’s the beginning of a Robert Louis Stevenson poem, The Wind, written for children. Maybe you read it when you were a child. Reaching and teaching children through poetry is hardly a new idea, but who is doing it today, and what could your role be in introducing children to this kind of art and language? Sylvia Vardell says, you can open up a whole world to kids through poetry. Vardell is a poetry expert and anthologist. She talks to Rachel about some of her favorite poets writing for young people today, and for adults, too. Sylvia Vardell is the co-author of The Poetry Friday Anthology and is a Professor at Texas Woman’s University in the School of Library and Information Studies. She also teaches courses in literature for children and young adults.

YA Author (13:07)

Next, Rachel visits with young adult and middle grade author, Robison Wells, about his journey as a novelist. Wells is known for stories often packed with action and high drama. He is the award-winning author of Blackout, Deadzone, Variant, Feedback, Dark Energy, and Airships of Camelot. He lives in the Rocky Mountains in a house not too far from elk pastures.

School Libraries (21:58)

We finish up the show with Kirsti Kirkland, librarian at Provost Elementary in Provo, Utah. She talks to Cole Wissinger, a member of our Worlds Awaiting team, about the variety of ways – from school reading contests to classroom and library activities – that she uses to motivate students to want to read.

Introducing Poetry to Kids (3:47)

I saw you toss the kites on high

And blow the birds about the sky…

That’s the beginning of a Robert Louis Stevenson poem, The Wind, written for children. Maybe you read it when you were a child. Reaching and teaching children through poetry is hardly a new idea, but who is doing it today, and what could your role be in introducing children to this kind of art and language? Sylvia Vardell says, you can open up a whole world to kids through poetry. Vardell is a poetry expert and anthologist. She talks to Rachel about some of her favorite poets writing for young people today, and for adults, too. Sylvia Vardell is the co-author of The Poetry Friday Anthology and is a Professor at Texas Woman’s University in the School of Library and Information Studies. She also teaches courses in literature for children and young adults.

YA Author (13:07)

Next, Rachel visits with young adult and middle grade author, Robison Wells, about his journey as a novelist. Wells is known for stories often packed with action and high drama. He is the award-winning author of Blackout, Deadzone, Variant, Feedback, Dark Energy, and Airships of Camelot. He lives in the Rocky Mountains in a house not too far from elk pastures.

 

School Libraries (21:58)

We finish up the show with Kirsti Kirkland, librarian at Provost Elementary in Provo, Utah. She talks to Cole Wissinger, a member of our Worlds Awaiting team, about the variety of ways – from school reading contests to classroom and library activities – that she uses to motivate students to want to read.

Rick Walton on Picture Books (3:48)

Picture books aren’t just for young children – they are for everyone. Our guest today, author and educator, Margaret Blair Young talks about the universal appeal of picture books and shares the thoughts of late author, Rick Walton on this subject. Young's published works include the novels House Without Walls, Salvador, and Heresies of Nature. She also co-authored a trilogy of historical novels about Black Mormon pioneers titled Standing on the Promises with Darius Gray. She is currently at work on a feature film, Heart of Africa.

Social and Emotional Skills (16:27)

Next, Rachel visits with Lynnette Christensen, professor in the BYU School of Education, about critical skills that children need to develop: social and emotional tools that they will use all their lives when interacting with others. Christensen also shares a grab bag of resources to help us teach these skills. Lynnette works with the BYU Positive Behavior Support Initiative and has been actively involved in the implementation and research of this program in the public schools. Also can visit http://www.education.byu.edu/youcandothis, a website for parents that offers tips on teaching positive behavior. 

Poetry (25:46)

We finish up the show today with two poems - Robert Louis Stevenson’s My Shadow, read by Garret Rushforth, and The Duck and the Kangaroo by Edward Lear (known for his humorous poetry and limericks), read by Reed Wolfley. Garret and Reed are student employees at BYU Radio.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:03:48 - Rick Walton on Picture Books

00:16:27 - Social and Emotional Skills

00:25:46 - Poetry

Rick Walton on Picture Books (3:48)

Picture books aren’t just for young children – they are for everyone. Our guest today, author and educator, Margaret Blair Young talks about the universal appeal of picture books and shares the thoughts of late author, Rick Walton on this subject. Young's published works include the novels House Without Walls, Salvador, and Heresies of Nature. She also co-authored a trilogy of historical novels about Black Mormon pioneers titled Standing on the Promises with Darius Gray. She is currently at work on a feature film, Heart of Africa.

Social and Emotional Skills (16:27)

Next, Rachel visits with Lynnette Christensen, professor in the BYU School of Education, about critical skills that children need to develop: social and emotional tools that they will use all their lives when interacting with others. Christensen also shares a grab bag of resources to help us teach these skills. Lynnette works with the BYU Positive Behavior Support Initiative and has been actively involved in the implementation and research of this program in the public schools. Also can visit http://www.education.byu.edu/youcandothis, a website for parents that offers tips on teaching positive behavior. 

Poetry (25:46)

We finish up the show today with two poems - Robert Louis Stevenson’s My Shadow, read by Garret Rushforth, and The Duck and the Kangaroo by Edward Lear (known for his humorous poetry and limericks), read by Reed Wolfley. Garret and Reed are student employees at BYU Radio.

Storytelling in Theatre

Costumes, music, dance, scenery…all become powerful elements in the telling of a story. The magic of theatre is front and center stage for us in this segment of Worlds Awaiting. Teresa Love has been working as a theatre specialist for over 30 years and currently teaches in the BYU Theatre and Media Arts Department. She also instructs classroom teachers about the value of drama in elementary schools and even teaches a class on storytelling. Love is a professional development partner with the Beverly Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Project. She recently directed Water Sings Blue with BYU’s Theatre for Young Audiences known as The Young Company. The play is based on Kate Coombs’ award winning poetry book about the ocean. 

Physical Activity Enhances Learning

Next, Rachel visits with David Barney, Professor of Physical Education at BYU. Physical activity has been proven by research to stimulate the brain and increase blood flow – which, as Barney will relate, increases our capacity to learn. After physical activity – students’ reading and math skills improve and they become more focused. David Barney is a member of the Teacher Education Department at BYU. He has taught at Oklahoma State University, North Dakota State University, and in public schools in Utah and Florida.

We finish up the show today with a book review from Ann-Marie Marchant, Teen Librarian and Teen Programs Director at the Provo Public Library in Utah. Marchant introduces a Young Adult novel entitled Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan. We’ll look forward to more young reader book reviews from other librarians in the future. For a full collection of book reviews, check out the Worlds Awaiting Book Reviews link on our website at byuradio.org.

Storytelling in Theatre

Costumes, music, dance, scenery…all become powerful elements in the telling of a story. The magic of theatre is front and center stage for us in this segment of Worlds Awaiting. Teresa Love has been working as a theatre specialist for over 30 years and currently teaches in the BYU Theatre and Media Arts Department. She also instructs classroom teachers about the value of drama in elementary schools and even teaches a class on storytelling. Love is a professional development partner with the Beverly Taylor Sorenson Arts Learning Project. She recently directed Water Sings Blue with BYU’s Theatre for Young Audiences known as The Young Company. The play is based on Kate Coombs’ award winning poetry book about the ocean. 

Physical Activity Enhances Learning

Next, Rachel visits with David Barney, Professor of Physical Education at BYU. Physical activity has been proven by research to stimulate the brain and increase blood flow – which, as Barney will relate, increases our capacity to learn. After physical activity – students’ reading and math skills improve and they become more focused. David Barney is a member of the Teacher Education Department at BYU. He has taught at Oklahoma State University, North Dakota State University, and in public schools in Utah and Florida.

We finish up the show today with a book review from Ann-Marie Marchant, Teen Librarian and Teen Programs Director at the Provo Public Library in Utah. Marchant introduces a Young Adult novel entitled Echo by Pam Muñoz Ryan. We’ll look forward to more young reader book reviews from other librarians in the future. For a full collection of book reviews, check out the Worlds Awaiting Book Reviews link on our website at byuradio.org.

Process of Illustration (3:50)

Let's get to know illustrator-author, Bob Shea. Rachel chats with him about a number of different facets of his work, including the experience of collaboration. Just how different is sharing the work from doing a book solo? We’ll also learn about Shea’s process of creating character. Bob Shea has written and illustrated over a dozen picture books including the popular Dinosaur vs. Bedtime and the cult favorite Big Plans illustrated by Lane Smith. His characters and animations have appeared on Nick Jr; Playhouse Disney; and PBS Kids. He spends his days writing, drawing and, as he says, having “conversations” with NPR.

Writing Children’s Books (15:52)

Next, Rachel visits with award-winning author and columnist, Ann Cannon, about her favorite form of writing – children’s books. She often bases them on real life – drawing on experiences with friends and family or on the lives of historical characters. Cannon is the author of a number of books for young readers including Charlotte's Rose, The Loser's Guide to Life and Love and The Chihuahua Chase. Her latest picture book, called Sophie's Fish, received a starred review in Kirkus. In addition to writing books under the name of A. E. Cannon, Ann is a weekly columnist for the Salt Lake Tribune, a bookseller at The King’s English Bookshop, and a sometime creative writing instructor.

Family Traditions (24:31)

We finish up today’s program with Abbie Vance, associate producer of Highway 89 on BYU Radio, who shares some favorite family traditions related to books that have cultivated her life-long love of reading.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:03:50 - Process of Illustration

00:15:52 - Writing Children's Books

00:24:31 - Family Traditions