Worlds Awaiting

Graphic Novelist Gene Luen Yang (3:15)

What is a graphic novel? It’s a form that is becoming popular these days.

Today on “Worlds Awaiting,” Gene Luen Yang, a Graphic Novelist, introduces us to this medium and shares his experiences of creating two award-winning novels. Gene visits with Rachel about his journey from reading comic books as a youth, to his current vocation as a cartoonist and graphic novelist. He is the creator of American Born Chinese, the first graphic novel to win the Printz Award, which is the American Library Association’s annual honor for best young adult book. At present, Gene Luen Yang is the 2016 Library of Congress National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.

Combatting Bullying (14:37)

Books and bullying might be seen as an odd word pair. But anyone who remembers encountering a bully in school or in childhood knows from personal experience that a safe environment facilitates better learning.

Associate professor, Melissa Heath and Graduate Student, Katie Smith, both in BYU’s School of Psychology, join Rachel today to talk about a significant study they are pursuing. Their concern relates to bullying in the schools and approaches they have developed in combatting it. The idea is to build resilience and teach coping skills to our children.

Favorite Book (25:46)

Now, comments from a few people who go all warm and fuzzy when recalling favorite books from childhood. Clara Goodwin of the Worlds Awaiting team visits with them.”

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:03:15 - Graphic Novelist Gene Luen Yang

00:14:37 - Combatting Bullying

00:25:46 - Favorite Book

Helping Children Find Enjoyment in Reading (3:24)

“Do you have a child who resists reading? The situation is pretty common – in fact, often normal. Rachel talks to educator and author, Mary Bigler, about things you can do to get reluctant young readers interested. Bigler suggests using joke and riddle books, tongue twisters, poetry, or short books. Read what the child wants and loves, she says – no matter how many times they want it read to them. Once a pre-school teacher and now, a professor, Mary Bigler has spent her life promoting literacy and celebrating the joys of teaching.  She is an award-winning professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Eastern Michigan University and, author of “Lessons Learned.”

 

Two Contrasting Views on One Book (17:43)

Have you ever had the experience where you’ve read a book and loved it, but, your friend reads it and hates it? Rachel talks to Whitney Troxel and Aylea Stephens, editors of the "Children’s Book and Media Review” at the BYU Library share their contrasting views of “Ella Enchanted” by Gail Carson Levine.

Favorite Stories (25:05)

We finish the show with Steven Kapp Perry, composer and announcer on Classical 89 radio in Provo, Utah. I asked him about books that made an impact on him in childhood.”

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:03:24 - Helping Children Find Enjoyment in Reading

00:17:43 - Two Contrasting Views on One Book

00:25:05 - Favorite Stories

A Writer’s Creative Process (3:15)

What creative process does an author go through in writing a story? Do they write about something they know or on a specific topic? Rachel talks to middle grade author Matthew J. Kirby about how he sets his stories in a variety of times and places based on what piques his interest at the moment. For me, he says, I don’t write about what I know (the old axiom), but about what I don’t know and what I’m curious about. Kirby is an award-winning author of novels including The Clockwork Three, Icefall, the Dark Gravity Sequence series, and most recently, A Taste for Monsters. When he’s not writing books, Matt is also a school psychologist

The Joy of Poetry (15:27)

Next, Rachel visits with poet Janet Wong, co-compiler of The Poetry Friday Anthology. She shares how she got her start in poetry – not really liking it as a kid, then, later, as an adult, discovering its joys. She is now an award-winning children’s book author. Janet Wong is a former lawyer whose dramatic career change has been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN’s Paula Zahn Show, and Radical Sabbatical. She is the author of 30 books for children and teens on a wide variety of subjects.   

Favorite Book (25:58)

And, some delightful storytelling from three children. They shared their stories with Makena Bauss, a team member of “The Apple Seed”, a program heard on BYU Radio. The audio you hear was recorded at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival in Orem, Utah.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:03:15 - A Writer's Creative Process

00:15:27 - The Joy of Poetry

00:25:58 - Favorite Book

Telling Stories to Your Child (2:59)

When you tuck your child in at night – do you read to them or make-up your own stories? Rachel talks to librarian, Mark H. Pulham about the importance of reading or telling stories to children. Don’t worry about making it a theatrical production. Just be you. The most important thing, he says, is that you’re spending time with them. Mark is a librarian and puppeteer at the Orem, Utah Public Library. He uses these talents, along with storytelling and acting, every year at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival in Orem, Utah. Mark Pulham is also co-author of Dressing the Naked Hand: The World’s Greatest Guide to Making, Staging, and Performing with Puppets.

Author: Martine Leavitt (14:28)

Next, Rachel visits with author Martine Leavitt about her journey to becoming a writer, and how she develops her stories and characters. Martine is an award-winning author of books for young adults, with her most recent book being Calvin. Other titles include: My Book of Life by Angel, Keturah and Lord Death, and Tom Finder.

Favorite Childhood Book (24:53)

And, Rob Driggs, a pre-med student and announcer on Classical 89 Radio in Provo, Utah talks about books that have made a lifelong impression.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:02:59 - Telling Stories to Your Child

00:14:28 - Author: Martine Leavitt

00:24:53 - Favorite Childhood Book

Books for Early Grade Kids (2:46)

Ed Spicer, elementary school teacher and book reviewer talks about what kinds of books are best-suited for First and Second Grade kids. Is fiction better? Or non-fiction? Graphic Novels? Picture Books? Any others? He and Rachel discuss how a child can benefit from all these genres.

As a teacher, Spicer spends most of his time with his own first grade students, but also loves building young high school authors through the Tiger Tales literary contest (which he has coordinated and judged for 15 years). Visit Ed’s Teen Book Review, called “Spicey Reads." Ed Spicer has also served on the Caldecott, Printz, and various other award committees of the American Library Association.

Two of Mr. Spicer’s students: First, Brycen (video) talks about why he likes “Snowman Magic” by Katherine Tegen. Incidentally, Brycen wasn’t interested in reading until he discovered “Snowman Magic.” Now, he checks it out all the time!  Another of Ed’s students (video) gives a review of the illustrations in “Drum Dream Girl” by Margarita Engle and Illustrations by Rafael López.

1000 Books Before Kindergarten (17:05)

Next, Shauna Mundinger, educator and librarian, talks about a program called “1000 Books before Kindergarten” that she heads up in the Orem, Utah Public Library.  Many libraries nationwide offer this program. Check your local library to see if they have it! Shauna describes the success experienced by many children and parents in the program at the Orem Public Library.

Favorite Book for Life (26:56)

Steve Oliverson, principal of Provost Elementary in Provo, Utah talks about a childhood experience that made a certain book his favorite for life.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:02:46 - Books for Early Grade Kids

00:17:05 - 1000 Books Before Kindergarten

00:26:56 - Favorite Book for Life

Engaging Children with Poetry (2:48)

Sylvia Vardell, talks about the importance of poetry in kids’ lives. Poetry can offer imagery, emotion, rhythm, and even prepares them to be better readers. Sylvia Vardell is the co-author of The Poetry Friday Anthology.

Helping Special Needs Kids with Learning (13:21)

Rachel also visits with father and daughter, Wendee Wilcox Rosborough  and Brad Wilcox about reaching children with special needs. Wendee shares her experience with her autistic son and how she’s influenced his response to literacy. Brad Wilcox, an educator who works with challenged kids, also offers insights.

Influential Books (24:11)

And, Sam Payne – storyteller, musician, and teacher, and also, host of “The Apple Seed: Tellers and Stories” – talks about how books he read growing up have influenced his life.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:02:48 - Engaging Children with Poetry

00:13:48 - Helping Special Needs Kids with Learning

00:24:11 - Influential Books

Love of Story (3:01)

Tim Wynne-Jones, award-winning author of books for children and young adults talks about his love of story that got him started in writing and his emphasis on characters who encounter conflict and find their way to a successful resolution.  Jones is the author of thirty-four books including novels, picture books, and short anthologies. His more recent novel for young adults is "The Emperor of Any Place" and his newest picture book is "Secret Agent Man Goes Shopping for Shoes."

Illustrating Memorable Characters (13:42)

Rachel also visits with Julie Olson about what it takes to create a memorable character for a children’s book. And, her journey to becoming an artist that began in childhood. 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."

Jabberwocky (26:44)

And, we hear some delightful nonsense poetry by Lewis Carroll, called the "Jabberwocky" read by Katy Jarvis.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:03:01 - Love of Story

00:13:42 - Illustrating Memorable Characters

00:26:44 - Jabberwocky

Alternative Literature (3:11)

“Worlds Awaiting” host, Rachel Wadham, and Gene Nelson, director of the Provo City Library, discuss the importance of graphic novels and other alternative literature that can help stimulate a child’s interest in reading.  Gene Nelson also teaches children’s literature classes at BYU.

Helping Your Child Make Decisions (13:20)

Then, Rachel visits with Amy Minor, Professor of Teacher Education at BYU, about giving our children opportunities for decision making and choice. Dr. Minor specializes in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis on social studies and democratic practices. 

Reading Opens Door (24:59)

Then, Clara Goodwin of our “Worlds Awaiting” team, talks to Don Shelline, BYU Radio Station Manager, about how reading opened up doors he would not have discovered otherwise.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:03:11 - Alternative Literature

00:13:20 - Helping Your Child Make Decisions

00:24:59 - Reading Opens Door

Importance of the Arts in the Classroom (2:29)

Rachel welcomes Scott Flox, who has been teaching elementary school for 40 years. Flox believes in bringing the arts into the classroom every day. He has observed that when you focus on the arts first, test scores go up. 

Jessica Day George (13:07)

Rachel also visits with Jessica Day George, bestselling author of many children’s books including “Dragon Slippers” and the “Castle Glower” series. Jessica talks about her book, “Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow,” an adaptation of the Norwegian Fairy Tale, “East of the Sun and West of the Moon,” and the process she went through to write it. 

Why Reading is Fun (24:24)

Finally, we hear from children at Canyon Crest Elementary School \[WEB LINK: http://provo.edu/schools/canyon-crest-elementary/\\] in Provo, Utah, talking about why they think reading is fun.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:02:29 - Importance of the Arts in the Classroom

00:13:07 - Jessica Day George

00:24:24 - Why Reading is Fun

The Power of Media (2:50)

Rachel welcomes Kerry Soper, the Pop Culture Professor, and a Humanities and American Studies at BYU. His research focuses on comic strips, satire, and popular film.  They discuss the power of media and how we can help our children with the ability to discern its influence. 

Engaging Toddlers with Technology (14:33)

Rachel also talks to Lisa Cohne, Community Partnerships Manager of the Utah Education Network (UEN) about ways to engage toddlers and pre-schoolers in technology.

PBS Kids

KBYU Eleven: Kids and Family

Apple Seed (24:15)

Lastly, we hear from Andy Bay, former director of “The Apple Seed: Tellers and Stories,” about his memories of growing up in a family that encouraged reading.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:02:50 - The Power of Media

00:14:33 - Engaging Toddlers with Technology

00:24:15 - Apple Seed