Worlds Awaiting

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.

Role of Illustration (3:02)

If you want to see the big picture of what it means to create books for children, you’ll want to consider the matter of … illustration. What is the role of illustration in a book or publication? Artist and author, Bethanne Anderson, talks to Rachel about this process and what an artist goes through – often creating multiple versions of an illustration – to enhance a story. Andersen teaches Illustration at BYU. She studied art at BYU’s Department of Visual Arts and at the Florence Academy of Art. 

Encouraging Kids in Science (14:19)

Next, Rachel visits with Rebecca Sansom Sansom is a BYU Chemistry Teaching Professor, who co-founded the BYU Chem Camp for elementary aged students. For elementary aged students. Chem Camp gives kids, both boys and girls, hands-on experiences in science. She also advocates exposing children to other places like this in the community.  Rebecca Samson has also served as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at the National Science Foundation in Arlington, Virginia, following eight years as a high school science teacher in Massachusetts and Utah. She has masters degrees in chemistry and education from Harvard University and Southern Utah University and is pursuing her doctorate in Educational Inquiry, Measurement, and Evaluation.

Poetry (26:39)

We finish up today’s program with some well-known and much beloved poetry by Emily Dickinson, shared by Liana Tan of BYU Radio.

Role of Illustration (3:02)

If you want to see the big picture of what it means to create books for children, you’ll want to consider the matter of … illustration. What is the role of illustration in a book or publication? Artist and author, Bethanne Anderson, talks to Rachel about this process and what an artist goes through – often creating multiple versions of an illustration – to enhance a story. Andersen teaches Illustration at BYU. She studied art at BYU’s Department of Visual Arts and at the Florence Academy of Art. 

Encouraging Kids in Science (14:19)

Next, Rachel visits with Rebecca Sansom Sansom is a BYU Chemistry Teaching Professor, who co-founded the BYU Chem Camp for elementary aged students. For elementary aged students. Chem Camp gives kids, both boys and girls, hands-on experiences in science. She also advocates exposing children to other places like this in the community.  Rebecca Samson has also served as an Albert Einstein Distinguished Educator Fellow at the National Science Foundation in Arlington, Virginia, following eight years as a high school science teacher in Massachusetts and Utah. She has masters degrees in chemistry and education from Harvard University and Southern Utah University and is pursuing her doctorate in Educational Inquiry, Measurement, and Evaluation.

Poetry (26:39)

We finish up today’s program with some well-known and much beloved poetry by Emily Dickinson, shared by Liana Tan of BYU Radio.

Making Lifelong Readers (3:41)

Experts say it’s vital that we allow children to choose what they want to read, but also to extend a wise and guiding hand. Young adult literature expert, Teri Lesesne, shares tips on how to guide our children to books that suit them. Obviously, her aim is to help them become independent, lifelong readers. Lesesne teaches classes in children's and young adult literature in the Department of Library Science at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. She is author of professional books and numerous articles in her field and has served on the selection committees of the National Book Award, the Walden Award, and the Printz award. Teri Lesesne is also author of Reading Ladders.

Expanding Your World (15:24)

Next, Rachel welcomes Brad Wilcox, a professor in the Department of Teacher Education at BYU, who discusses how literacy – across a broad spectrum from books and movies to comics and even cereal boxes - can expand our children’s world – literally taking them to faraway places without leaving home. He also talks about encouraging our children to write – and helping them to understand the difference between private and public writing. Wilcox has lived in Utah, Ethiopia, and Chile, serving as an advocate for children and learning wherever he has gone.

Classroom Reading (25:32)

We finish up the show today with teachers from Wasatch Elementary in Provo, Utah, sharing what they do in their classroom not only to encourage students to read but to help them to find joy in reading.

Making Lifelong Readers (3:41)

Experts say it’s vital that we allow children to choose what they want to read, but also to extend a wise and guiding hand. Young adult literature expert, Teri Lesesne, shares tips on how to guide our children to books that suit them. Obviously, her aim is to help them become independent, lifelong readers. Lesesne teaches classes in children's and young adult literature in the Department of Library Science at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. She is author of professional books and numerous articles in her field and has served on the selection committees of the National Book Award, the Walden Award, and the Printz award. Teri Lesesne is also author of Reading Ladders.

Expanding Your World (15:24)

Next, Rachel welcomes Brad Wilcox, a professor in the Department of Teacher Education at BYU, who discusses how literacy – across a broad spectrum from books and movies to comics and even cereal boxes - can expand our children’s world – literally taking them to faraway places without leaving home. He also talks about encouraging our children to write – and helping them to understand the difference between private and public writing. Wilcox has lived in Utah, Ethiopia, and Chile, serving as an advocate for children and learning wherever he has gone.

 

Classroom Reading (25:32)

We finish up the show today with teachers from Wasatch Elementary in Provo, Utah, sharing what they do in their classroom not only to encourage students to read but to help them to find joy in reading.

Transmedia Storytelling (3:39)

We all know that books are just one way to tell a story. But, off the top of the head, how many other ways can you think of? Librarian and author, Amanda Hovious, talks to Rachel today about Transmedia Storytelling, which is telling a story across multiple media like film, web series, computer games, theme park rides, and more. Amanda Hovious is a librarian with a background in public and academic libraries and is also a writer, consultant, and library educator. She is author of the book Transmedia Storytelling: The Librarian’s Guide, and a blog.

Cyrano (23:08)

We finish the show with Sarai Clemente and Laura Johnson, BYU students studying Elementary Education and Spanish Dual Immersion, who review a picture book entitled, Cyrano by Taï-Marc Le Thanh and illustrated by Rébecca Dautremer. This book, written in Spanish, is based on the French classic Cyrano de Bejerac by Edmund Rostand. Sarai and Laura were a part of our host Rachel Wadham's Children's Literature Class at BYU. They and their classmates had an opportunity to record some book reviews as part of a class assignment. These reviews are available on the Worlds Awaiting page on byuradio.org.

Transmedia Storytelling (3:39)

We all know that books are just one way to tell a story. But, off the top of the head, how many other ways can you think of? Librarian and author, Amanda Hovious, talks to Rachel today about Transmedia Storytelling, which is telling a story across multiple media like film, web series, computer games, theme park rides, and more. Amanda Hovious is a librarian with a background in public and academic libraries and is also a writer, consultant, and library educator. She is author of the book Transmedia Storytelling: The Librarian’s Guide, and a blog.

Cyrano (23:08)

We finish the show with Sarai Clemente and Laura Johnson, BYU students studying Elementary Education and Spanish Dual Immersion, who review a picture book entitled, Cyrano by Taï-Marc Le Thanh and illustrated by Rébecca Dautremer. This book, written in Spanish, is based on the French classic Cyrano de Bejerac by Edmund Rostand. Sarai and Laura were a part of our host Rachel Wadham's Children's Literature Class at BYU. They and their classmates had an opportunity to record some book reviews as part of a class assignment. These reviews are available on the Worlds Awaiting page on byuradio.org.

Journey to Becoming an Author (3:45)

What prompts someone to write? Is it because of a desire to share something – like a story or an experience? Sometimes a simple desire to write eventually leads to becoming a published writer. This was the case with Young Adult book author, Jennifer Nielsen. In our program today, Nielsen talks to Rachel about her journey to becoming an author. It started with that simple, strong desire to tell stories. Jennifer Nielsen is a New York Times Bestselling author. Her books include The Ascendance trilogy – beginning with The False Prince; The Mark of a Thief series; and A Night Divided.

Helping the Reluctant Reader (14:38)

Next, Rachel talks to Literacy Learning Specialist, Marné Isakson, who offers tips to parents and teachers that will help struggling or reluctant readers succeed and enjoy their reading. Marné earned a bachelor’s in English from BYU, a master’s in Educational Psychology and Research form Bucknell University, a Ph.D. in Instructional Science–Literacy Education from Brigham Young University. Her dissertation was awarded the Outstanding Dissertation of the Year: Learning from Practice: Supporting the Literacy Learning of Reluctant and Less Proficient Adolescent Readers. She has an ESL endorsement and has been involved in a seven-year research project exploring college reading. Her 36-year career has focused on literacy learning.

Writing (25:05)

We finish up the show today with Madeleine Dresden, who is in the BYU English Graduate Program, specializing in writing fiction. She talks about the contrast between writing for grownups and writing for young readers.

Journey to Becoming an Author (3:45)

What prompts someone to write? Is it because of a desire to share something – like a story or an experience? Sometimes a simple desire to write eventually leads to becoming a published writer. This was the case with Young Adult book author, Jennifer Nielsen. In our program today, Nielsen talks to Rachel about her journey to becoming an author. It started with that simple, strong desire to tell stories. Jennifer Nielsen is a New York Times Bestselling author. Her books include The Ascendance trilogy – beginning with The False Prince; The Mark of a Thief series; and A Night Divided.

 

Helping the Reluctant Reader (14:38)

Next, Rachel talks to Literacy Learning Specialist, Marné Isakson, who offers tips to parents and teachers that will help struggling or reluctant readers succeed and enjoy their reading. Marné earned a bachelor’s in English from BYU, a master’s in Educational Psychology and Research form Bucknell University, a Ph.D. in Instructional Science–Literacy Education from Brigham Young University. Her dissertation was awarded the Outstanding Dissertation of the Year: Learning from Practice: Supporting the Literacy Learning of Reluctant and Less Proficient Adolescent Readers. She has an ESL endorsement and has been involved in a seven-year research project exploring college reading. Her 36-year career has focused on literacy learning.

 

Writing (25:05)

We finish up the show today with Madeleine Dresden, who is in the BYU English Graduate Program, specializing in writing fiction. She talks about the contrast between writing for grownups and writing for young readers.

Engaging Kids with Literature (4:12)

Many experts say that we should let children read what they want to read. It might not be what we want, but maybe that’s not the point. We could, and should, just celebrate that they’re reading at all. Now, there’s even better news, says literary expert, Nell K. Duke. We adults and teachers can help broaden horizons for our children, often by example. We can show them how their specific choices and preferences are not the only exciting worlds awaiting them. Nell K. Duke is a professor with expertise in literacy, language, and culture. She works in the combined program in education and psychology at the University of Michigan. Duke’s award-winning research focuses on early literacy development, particularly among children living in poverty. One of Duke’s most recent books is Beyond Bedtime Stories: A Parent’s Guide to Promoting Reading, Writing, and Other Literacy Skills from Birth to 5.

Stand-Alone Books vs Series (15:20)

Next, Rachel talks to children’s book author, Matthew J. Kirby about his creative process with his stand-alone books as opposed to his popular series. You may know some his titles such as The Clockwork Three, Icefall, The Dark Gravity Sequence series, and, his most recent books: A Taste for Monsters and “Last Descendants” – the first of the Assassins Creed series. When he’s not writing books, Matt is also a school psychologist.

Poetry (27:33)

We finish up the show today with a poem by William Blake entitled, The Lamb, read by Emma Calderwood.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:04:12 - Engaging Kids with Literature

00:15:20 - Stand-Alone Books vs Series

00:27:33 - Poetry