What it Takes to Make

This episode gets philosophical! As you listen, stand up, spread your arms wide, and tell yourself you are a writer (if you in fact identify as such)! Bonni Goldberg is a poet, author, public speaker, teacher, and really great podcast guest. Check out her picture book Doña Gracia Saved Worlds and her books on writing! This was a wonderful chat!   This episode was proudly sponsored by Tielmour Press. -------- DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! Help support Trenise and Travis after a devastating theft here.    This episode's book reviews: CAMILLA, CARTOGRAPHER by Julie Dillemuth, illustrated by Laura Wood THE PHONY BALONEY OF GRETA MALONEY by Karla Clark and illustrator Emma Clements THE GHOST WITH THE SMELLY OLD UNDERWEAR by Jose Carlos Andres illustrated by Gomez    The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes. You can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur and as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Proudly portraying professionalism per perennial plans, presenting: Prittany Pomales... I mean Brittany! It Started with a P just released in April! (But obviously it hadn't yet when we first recorded this chat last year)  Enjoy - she is a pleasure! --------- Our sponsor is Tielmour Press! Check out Fungi Are More than Mushrooms, out March 2025, AND Jon's new kids' show, Hook Book Barrel! Our reviews this week: I ROCK MY HAIR by Angel Tate BEING A DOG: A TAIL OF MINDFULNESS by Maria Gianferrari, illustrated by Pete Oswald THE BAKERY DRAGON by Devin Elle Kurtz   DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Our response to meeting Vicky Fang? Charmed, I'm sure.  Check out Vicky's chapter book series Ava Lin, the latest installment, Ava Lin, Super Duper Happy, out June 2025!   Our reviews this week: LLAMAS GO BANANAS by Briony Britten, illustrated by Pauline Gregory THE INTERPRETER, by Olivia Abtahi, illustrated by Monica Arnaldo IT STARTED WITH A P, by Brittany Pomales, illustrated by Andrew Joyner   DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Judy Campbell-Smith is here! Check out her books Baseball for Breakfast (coming 2026), Ice Cream Everywhere, and AJ's Neighborhood, AND make sure and join PB Power Hour if you can. It's a great resource for the community. Enjoy! ----- Our sponsor is Tielmour Press! Check out Fungi Are More than Mushrooms, out March 2025, AND Jon's new kids' show, Hook Book Barrel! Our reviews this week: THE BAKERY DRAGON by Devin Elle Kurtz ELWOOD BIGFOOT: WANTED: BIRDIE FRIENDS! by Jill Esbaum and Nate Wragg KAT HATS by Daniel Pinkwater   DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Today's guest is picture book author Carrie Finison make sure to check out her newest release, Pigs Dig A Road illustrated by Brian Biggs to see her incredible rhyming skills in action! We chat about Carrie's start with Baby Bug magazine and writing short snippets, Latin scansion, of all things, and how rhyme has ruined radio for her! We also dove into the Rutgers conference and Carrie was kind enough to share the intro to a piece that landed her her agent along with the query letter!  Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children's lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children's lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man.  This episode was proudly sponsored by Tielmour Press Our guest for this conversation was Carrie Finison. You can find Carrie here.  DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: TOO MUCH! AN OVERWHELMING DAY by Jolene Gutiérrez and illustrated by Angel Chang  LITTLE LION GIRL by Olivia Hope and illustrated by Fiona Woodcock A PINECONE! by Helen Yoon The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Do you know Bitsy Kemper? You should. She's fastidious, fanatical, and fantastic. If you've never seen it before, check out her List O'Publishers and all her books, especially her two upcoming books, Best Friends with Grandma and Best Friends with Grandpa! ----- Our sponsor is Tielmour Press! Check out Fungi Are More than Mushrooms, out March 2025, AND Jon's new kids' show, Hook Book Barrel! Our reviews this week: THE CAFE AT THE EDGE OF THE WOODS by Mikey Please RIDING THROUGH RICE FIELDS: A TRIP TO THE PHILIPPINES by Michelle Sterling, illustrated by Bianca Austria CRANKY FRANKY: THE SELFISH SHELLFISH by Michelle Chu and Joseph Penner, illustrated by Sonya Abby   DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children's lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children's lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man.  This episode was proudly sponsored by Tielmour Press Our guest for this conversation was Alastair Heim. You can find Alastair here.  DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: OLLIE, THE ACORN, AND THE MIGHTY IDEA by Andrew Hacket and Kaz Windness WHEN ISAAC HEARS THE RAIN by Julie Thompson and illustrated by Leah Giles URSULA UPSIDE DOWN by Corey R. Tabor The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Carter Higgins, author, illustrator, motion designer, librarian, great thinker, is here! You have probably read her books already because they're great, but one of Josh's favorites is discussed within! And hey, not that you weren't going to anyway, but stay til the very end for an introspective discussion about Carter's next book, Round and Round the Year We Go, which is delightful and contains human children! ----- Our sponsor is Tielmour Press! Check out Fungi Are More than Mushrooms, out March 2025! Our reviews this week: TUMBLEBABY by Adam Rex and Audrey Helen Weber MUNCHPIE MORGAN by Merry Lorenz and Kenneth Anderson EVERY SECOND by Bruno Gibert   DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children's lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children's lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man.  This episode was proudly sponsored by Tielmour Press Our guest for this conversation was Erika Cohen Lyons. You can find Erika here.  DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: MILLIE FLEUR'S POISON GARDEN by Christy Mandin PARROTFISH HAS A SUPERPOWER by Jill Esbaum and Bob Shea THE ISLAND BEFORE NO by Christina Uss and illustrated by Hudson Christie The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

If any editors are listening, Adria Goetz loves you! Adria stays open. She reads your queries. She tracks editor interest (even poop jokes). She's thoughtful and nice and get ready for an educational chat. This conversation was recorded so long ago (April 2024!) that we still called Twitter Twitter (and we still enjoyed a community there). I think the state of the industry is just as glacial and frustrating as it was way back then, but either way this is a valuable inside look into the mind and ways of working of an inspirational and considerate agent. The two client books Adria mentions at the back of the episode are linked here too! MILLIE FLEUR'S POISON GARDEN by Christy Mandin IN THE GROVES by Andrea Cruz Floren ----- Our sponsor is Tielmour Press! Check out Fungi Are More than Mushrooms, out March 2025! Our reviews this week: GRAVITY IS BRINGING ME DOWN by Wendelin Van Draanen, illustrated by Cornelia Li SOME DADDIES by Carol Gordon Ekster, Illustrated by Javiera Mac-Lean Alvarez MOST PEOPLE by Michael Leannah, illustrated by J.E. Morris   DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Today's guest is Chiara Colombi, author of Rocket Ship, Solo Trip and the follow-up Rocket Beams, Lunar Dreams both illustrated by Scott Magoon. We chat about marketing your debut, being your own advocate, and asking yourself why you write. But you'll have to listen all the way to the end to hear our ideas on revolutionizing the query process and to hear Chiara's Dead Manuscript! But, really, agents, if you're listening, please chime in, we'd love to hear your thoughts on querying. Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children's lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children's lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man.  This episode was proudly sponsored by Tielmour Press Our guest for this conversation was Chiara Colombi. You can find Chiara here.  DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: SCHOOL'S FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL written by Adam Rex illustrated by Christian Robinson JONTY GENTOO: THE ADVENTURES OF A PENGUIN written by Julia Donaldson illustrated by Axel Scheffler PROPER BADER written by Lauren Glattly illustrated by Rob Sayegh Jr. The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Zany hijinks ensue with Kirk Reedstrom! News flash, we had this conversation six months before publishing it, and wouldn't you know it, it's dated because there's now a FOURTH book in Kirk's Duck and Moose series out next year! The man is hustling! ----- Our sponsor is Tielmour Press and our reviews happen to be coincidentally for Neigh Kid, by Alan Mayfair and Gabi Moraes, just out as of December 7, 2024

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children's lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children's lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man.  This episode was proudly sponsored by Tielmour Press Our guest for this conversation was Phaea Crede. You can find Phaea here. And Phaea's podcast Brodents can be found here. DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: THE PIRATE'S BED, written by Nicola Winstanley and illustrated by Matt James DAVID GOES TO SCHOOL, by David Shannon SHARING IS UNBEARABLE, by J. E. Morris The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

A yoga instructor's guide to demon hunting? Not this time. It's Kat Chen and her Play with Me series! A hoot indeed. Thank you to Joyce Sweeney for hooking up this conversation and - in the intervening months - signing me (Josh) as a client! This conversation serves as a huge endorsement of working with The Seymour Agency through the lens of Kat's super charming experience. Our little podcast is sponsored by Tielmour Press! For a two-moon special, check out and order Sue Lancaster's Supermoon and/or (preferably and) Neigh Kid by Alan Mayfair! ------- DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: I HATE EVERYONE by Naomi Danis NUTSHIMIT: IN THE WOODS by Melissa Mollen Dupuis and Elise Gravel REAL TO ME by Minh Lê and Raissa Figueroa The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children's lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children's lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man.  This episode was proudly sponsored by Tielmour Press Our guest for this conversation was Brian LaRossa. You can find Brian here. DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: If you want to be a part of the #KidlitForKamala movement or want more information click here. THE FIRST CAT IN SPACE ATE PIZZA by Mac Barnett and Shawn Harris WHERE ARE YOU FROM? by Yamile Saied Mendez THE AMAZING POWER OF GIRLS by Maria Marianayagam and Skyler White The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Lucky you if you happen to listen to this episode the day it's released because it's also publication day for Justin Colon and James Rey Sanchez's Impossible Possums! You're also lucky in the future because now you can go read Impossible Possums and then use this episode as a behind the scenes sneak peek into the possum sausage-making, which I guarantee is more fun than it might sound like. ------- DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: ABZUGLUTELY! by Sarah Aronson, illustrated by Andrea d'Aquino WHAT'S IN THE COOKIE TIN? by Yolanda T. Marshall, illustrated by Golnoush Moini WHOLE WHALE by Karen Yin, illustrated by Nelleke Verhoeff The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children's lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children's lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man.  Our guest for this conversation was Maria Marianayagam. You can find Maria here. DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: If you want to be a part of the #KidlitForKamala movement or want more information click here. SPIDER IN A WELL by Jess Hannigan  THE NOTEBOOK KEEPER by Stephen Briseño and Magdalena Mora A SONG FOR NOLAN by Rushie Ellenwood and Sally Chen The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Bedrooms, bathrooms, and bookshelves. All other people's places we should be staying out of unless invited. Especially if you're a fascist. Martha Brockenbrough is here! Talking Kidlit for Kamala, continuing children's lit education, and the frankly shocking number of books about bigfoot that one person can write. But mostly Kidlit for Kamala! A reminder from Martha: everything is political. All the things we take for granted, all the comforts and joys and holidays and benefits ingrained in our lives were things our forebears had to fight for until codified through political processes. Politics isn't the start of change, it's the end result of action. ------- DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: THE LAW OF BIRTHDAYS by Brenna! Illustrated by Marina Kondrakhina A COSTUME FOR CHARLY by CK Malone, illustrated by Alejandra Barajas The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children's lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children's lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man.  Our guest for this conversation was Anita Yasuda. You can find Anita here. DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: If you want to be a part of the #KidlitForKamala movement or want more information click here. THE PRESIDENT OF THE JUNGLE  by André Rodrigues, Larissa Ribeiro, Paula Desgualdo, and illustrated by Pedro Markun THE BOO BOOS OF BLUEBELL ELEMENTARY written by Chelsea Lin Wallace's and illustrated by Alison Farrell STRONG written by Rob Kearney and Eric Rosswood illustrated by Nidhi Chanani The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

All it takes is one person to believe in your work for you to break through this crazy industry. And all it takes is several hundred persons to listen to this interview with kind soul and skilled author Dianna Wilson Sirkovsky!  Dianna's books, James's Reading Rescue and Just One Pebble, are kind acts of writing based on kind acts of goodness. Give them a read and get inspired! ------- DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: WE ARE DEFINITELY HUMAN by X Fang ON A MUSHROOM DAY by Chris Baker, illustrated by Alexandra Finkeldey JET THE CAT (IS NOT A CAT) by Phaea Crede, illustrated by Terry Runyan The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children's lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children's lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man.  Our guest for this conversation was Sylvie Frank. You can find Sylvie here. DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: If you want to be a part of the #KidlitForKamala movement or want more information click here. THE LION INSIDE by Rachel Bright illustrated by Jim Field JUDGE JULIETTE by Laura Gehl illustrated by Mari Lobo SYDNEY'S BIG SPEECH by Malcolm Newsome illustrated by Jade Orlando The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children's lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children's lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man.  Our guest for this conversation was Melody. You can find Melody here. DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: If you want to be a part of the #KidlitForKamala movement or want more information click here. I VOTED: MAKING A CHOICE MAKES A DIFFERENCE by Mark Shulman and Serge Bloch LUNCH EVERY DAY  by Kathryn Otoshi BITZY BAT SCHOOL STAR  by Kaz Windness The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Our guest Steph Henson is great! As summer wanes and the school year waxes, we catch up with Steph on her recent release No School, My Rules with Tielmour Press!   -------   DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: MONSTER HANDS by Karen Kane and Jonaz McMillan, illustrated by Dion MBD DEEP, DEEP DOWN: THE SECRET UNDERWATER POETRY OF THE MARIANA TRENCH by Lydia Lukidis, illustrated by Juan Calle Velez POPI'S ALL SOULS SONG by C.K. Malone, illustrated by Shelly Swann The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children's lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children's lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man.  Our guest for this conversation was Laura. You can find Laura here. DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: DONUTS FOR EVERYBODY by Jerrold Connors  MY MAMA IS A WORK OF ART written by Hana Acabado THIS BOOK IS DEFINITELY NOT CURSED written by Megan Woodward and illustrated by Risa Rodil The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

In which Josh says 'inspirational' a lot because he was excited about the conversation. Author T.F. Sabin is great and we can't wait for you to hear all about her journey, what drives her, and how she's driven to be the best she can be. Here is T.F. Sabin's picture book journal, by the way: GOALS -------   DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: SCORCH, HEDGEHOG OF DOOM by Cate Berry, illustrated by Margherita Grasso FARMHOUSE by Sophie Blackall SYDNEY'S BIG SPEECH by Malcolm Newsome, illustrated by Jade Orlando The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children's lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children's lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man.  Our guest for this conversation was Maddie Frost. You can find Maddie on Instagram. DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: VROOM by Barbara Mcclintock  TATE'S WILD RESCUE written by Jenny Turnbull and illustrated by Izzy Burton SILLY BOOBIES A LOVE STORY written by Ame Dyckman and illustrated by Christopher Weyant The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Life hacks and tangents and accidental nonfiction, oh my! Lots of potential episode titles in this one. Our conversation with Chloe Ito Ward is here! Grab her book Love Grows Here... here!  Our podcast service auto-transcribed my intro with the name You Make a Drip Be Diverse. Should we change it to this AI-generated alternative?? (I apologize for the noise on my solo recording that sounded like I was recording from inside an airplane engine!) -------   DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: MILLIE FLEUR'S POISON GARDEN by Christy Mandin LUIS AND TABITHA by Steph Campisi (hi Steph!), illustrated by Hollie Mengert EVERY DOG IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD by Philip C Stead, illustrated by Matthew Cordell The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

The vibes are strong with James McGowan! Agent, author, YouTuber, and great guest!    -------   DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: CAN I BE YOUR DOG by Troy Cummings BUILDING A BEAK: HOW A TOUCAN'S RESCUE INSPIRED THE WORLD, written by Becca McMurdie, illustrated by Diana Hernandez EMERGENCY QUARTERS, written by Carlos Matias, illustrated by Gracey Zhang The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Papa J Funk is here and he's taking no questions. Luckily for us, Josh Funk IS taking questions!   -------   DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: TOUCH THE SKY by Stephanie Lucianovic, illustrated by Chris Park THE MESS THAT WE MADE by Michelle Lord, illustrated by Julia Blattman DUCK AND MOOSE: DUCK MOVES IN and MOOSE BLASTS OFF by Kirk Reedstrom   The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children's lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children's lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man.  Our guest for this conversation was Jacob Sager Weinstein. You can find Jacob on Twitter and Bluesky. DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: STAY WILD MY CHILD by Mandy Archer, with illustrations by Shane Crampton A SPOONFUL OF FROGS by Casey Lyall's illustrated by Vera Brosgol  SUMMER: A SOLSTICE STORY written by Kelsey Gross and illustrated by Renata Liwska   The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

The world lost one of the brightest lights in the kidlit sky last week with the passing of author Katey Howes.  Today we're remembering Katey and honoring her memory with a reshare of a conversation Josh first had with her in July 2021.  If you have a memory of Katey you'd like to share, please consider doing so via this Google Form. A memory book will be created and gifted to each of her three children, containing photos and remembrances from those of us in the kidlit community who were fortunate enough to know her. Katey's work is beautiful, sincere, encouraging, and timeless. To further support her family, if you're able, order one of her books or request them from your local library. Katey's published work can be found on her website. Katey's latest book, Reindeer Remainders, is just a few weeks away from release. Please also consider ordering it from Amazon or your local bookseller.

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children's lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children's lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man.  Our guest for this conversation was Charles Santoso. You can find Charles on Twitter and Instagram. DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: SOMETIMES: A DAY FULL OF FEELINGS by Stephanie Stansbie, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli TOO MUCH SLIME by Frances Gilbert illustrated by Vin Vogel  NANCY BESS HAD A DRESS by Claire Noland illustrated by Angela C. Hawkins   The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Pants vs Cake. Pantsing vs archaeology. The Mental Snack Drawer. Flax Eggs. Blogs on Saturday. The meh shelf. Betsy Bird pops into the co-host chair as we grill Brenna on her debut The Law of Birthdays in what turned out to be quite the conversation! Get The Law of Birthdays here! ------- DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: I DO NOT EAT CHILDREN by Matthew Cutler I AM NOT A CHAIR by Ross Burach EVERGREEN by Matthew Cordell The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

A generous helping of Adam Rex awaits you. No cause for alarm, the episode title is merely a play on the title of one of Adam's three 2023 book releases! Catch these books in order of age group: Oh No, the Aunts are Here, The Story of Gumluck the Wizard, and A Little Like Waking! Guess what? YOU MAY CONTRIBUTE A VERSE IS FIVE YEARS OLD.  Thank you for listening! I wish this milestone would have coincided with our 100th episode, but we're ALMOST THERE. ------- DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: HOW TO MAKE A PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICH IN 17 EASY STEPS by Bambi Edlund A LITTLE LIKE WAKING by Podcast Guest Adam Rex! KATHI Q BUILDS A TIME MACHINE by Jo-Anne Scranton, illustrated by Gabi Moraes The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children's lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children's lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man.  Our guest for this conversation was Andrew Hacket. You can find Andrew on Twitter. Check out his blog The Backstory and make sure to pre-order or add his books to Goodreads here.  DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: THE DOOR THAT HAD NEVER BEEN OPENED BEFORE BY by Mrs. & Mr. MacLeod BOO BOOS OF BLUEBELL ELEMENTARY by Chelsea Lin Wallace and Alison Farrell HARRIET'S REFLECTIONS written and illustrated by Marion Kadi   The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Well that aged poorly. We recorded this in October and were very sneaky about dancing around things that haven't been announced yet. But go and check our guest's social media or website and you'll find that Jessica Stremer has - within two calendar years - a full six books announced and in the pipeline. WHEW! Out now are the delightful Great Carrier Reef and Lights Out, and her middle grade Fire Escape releases in just a couple months.  I, for one, don't know how she does it and am in awe. Congrats, Jessica! ------- DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: MY CAT LOOKS LIKE MY DAD by Thao Lam LIGHTS OUT by - yep! - Jessica Stremer, illustrated by Bonnie Pang BUFFALO FLUFFALO by Bess Kalb, illustrated by Erin Kraan The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!  

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children's lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children's lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man.  Our guest for this conversation was Jon Seymour. You can find Jon on Twitter along with Tielmour Press.  DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Our second-ever two-guest episode extravaganza happens now, featuring our buddies Gennie Gorback and Audrey Perrott! These two powerhouse pals have produced a perfect loaf of kidlit goodness for your eyes, ears, and taste buds. I wouldn't spoil the reveal except that I desperately want you to have the link handy so you can bookmark it. VerseShow is proud to reveal Audrey and Gennie's The Joys of Booking! Now go listen to them talk, laugh, cry, and feel joy all about it

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children's lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children's lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man.  Our guest for this conversation was Marisa Cleveland. You can find Marisa on Twitter. DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: LA PRINCESA AND THE PEA by Susan Middleton Elya, illustrated by Juana Martinez Neal BUFFALO WILD written by Deidre Havrelock and illustrated by Azby Whitecalf HOW TO EAT A BOOK written and illustrated by Mr. and Mrs. MacLeod   The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

I've never seen Perfect Man and Troy Wilson in the same room together. Have you? Could they be the same...? Troy's on the podcast this week, true believers! Excelsior! Between the 1st and 14th of February (of 2024, for those of you living in the future), share this episode on socials and tag us for a chance to win a copy of Perfect Man, in celebration of Perfect Man's 20th anniversary! This episode's reviews: JUMP IN by Shadra Strickland ISLAND GIRLS: FREE THE SEA OF PLASTIC, written by Blair Northen Williamson and illustrated by Svitlana Holovchenko JULIAN IS A MERMAID by Jessica Love FRED GETS DRESSED by Peter Brown The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children's lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children's lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man.  Our guest for this conversation was Susan Johnston Taylor. You can find Susan on Twitter. DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: DON'T CALL ME GRUMPYCORN by Sarah McIntyre A GIFT FOR NAI NAI by Kim-Hoa Ung TENACIOUS: FIFTEEN ADVENTURES ALONGSIDE DISABLED ATHLETES by Patty Cisneros Prevo and illustrated by Dion MBD   The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Steph Campisi sells caravans by the seashore. So you can camp easy. Enjoy this first chat of 2024 with Steph sounding erudite, Brenna sounding energetic and engaged, and Josh sounding like he had a spring 2023 cold. If you're not already a member of our shared Discord PB Workshop, managed by Nathan Christopher and mentioned herein, join here! DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! We have a Patreon! Check it out here. Just launched - more to come, but there are STICKERS. Thanks to #TeamVersey member Steena Hernandez for her shoutouts this week of Jessica Milo and Jenna Johnson, and congrats to Steena on her upcoming 2024 debut PB LUPITA'S BROWN BALLET SLIPPERS. Our reviews were Maddie Frost-flavored this week! Go check out her WOMBATS series (Wizard's Wharf releases in February 2024!) and all her other work at Maddie-Frost.com. Maddie also did our quokka mascot Versey! Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Don't forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode!   WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here!  Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children's lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children's lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster and Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man.  Our guest for this conversation was Brian Gehrlein. You can find Brian on Twitter. DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: TOWN IS BY THE SEA by Joanne Schwartz illustrated by Sydney Smith BLOOM by Julia Seal and MARY WEARS WHAT SHE WANTS by Keith Begley  PARKER PETERZAK by Angel Tate illustrated by Brittany Moodie   The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Don't forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode!   WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here!    And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and his new venture The Kidlit Hive. Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

An XL-sized episode gift for the holidays follows! Our chat with Federico Erebia about his debut novel Pedro and Daniel (and WAY beyond) is so great.   This episode's book reviews:  LOU by Breanna Carzoo SEALS ARE JERKS by Jared Chapman THE BEAR ATE YOUR SANDWICH by Julia Sarcone-Roach   The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot, Versey (holiday version!), and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Don't forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode!   WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here!    And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and his new venture The Kidlit Hive. Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

I'm Brenna Jeanneret, children's lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster joined by Josh Monken, children's lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster. Josh and I found that with our powers combined, we could make Captain Planet. Maybe not, but at least our powers combined can make a pretty rad podcast with the help of behind-the-scenes wizardry from Jon Seymour. Our guest for this conversation was Jilanne Hoffmann. You can find Jilanne on Twitter on Instagram and Blue Sky. DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode's book reviews: GRUMPY MONKEY by Suzanne and Max Lang NO PANTS written and illustrated by Jacob Grant I AM MY ANCESTOR'S WILDEST DREAMS written by Tanisia Moore and illustrated by Robert Paul Jr.   The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Don't forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode!   WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here!    And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and his new venture The Kidlit Hive. Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

The one where Josh embarrasses himself. On purpose. We talk to Maria Dismondy and Adam Blackman of Cardinal Rule Press this week about how CRP came to be, AND why and how they came to choose and publish Brenna's debut, The Law of Birthdays, out in May 2024 (add it on Goodreads today!)! DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here!   This episode's book reviews: RUDELY interrupted by an interloper. Our apologies.   The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Don't forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode!   WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here!    And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and his new venture The Kidlit Hive. Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur, and as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

I'm Brenna Jeanneret, children's lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster joined by Josh Monken, children's lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster. Josh and I found that with our powers combined, we could make Captain Planet. Maybe not, but at least our powers combined can make a pretty rad podcast with the help of behind-the-scenes wizardry from Jon Seymour. Our guest for this conversation was Laurel Snyder. You can find Laurel Snyder on Instagram. DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here!   This episode's book reviews: THE BAD SEED written by Jory John illustrated by Pete Oswald THE PERFECT SEAT written by Minh Le and Gus Gordon THERE'S A ZOMBIE IN THE BASEMENT by Stan Yan   The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Don't forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode!   WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here!    And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and his new venture The Kidlit Hive. Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

"There's a big contract, there are a lot of words in it, and none of them rhyme..." Ah, the perennial conflict with us picture book writers looking to break through. Thankfully for our guest this week, Rebecca Gardyn Levington, she seems to have managed to figure it out, with her 2022 debut Brainstorm quickly followed by this year's Whatever Comes Tomorrow, and apparently many more to come! And hey illustrators, or authors if you're feeling bold, stay tuned (or fast forward if you're pressed for time?) for an illustration challenge at the end of the episode! Tag your entry on social with #PingPongPattyVerse!   DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here!  This episode's book reviews: MY DAD IS A TREE by Jon Agee THE UNBUDGEABLE CURMUDGEON by Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Fiona Woodcock A PIZZA WITH EVERYTHING ON IT by Kyle Scheele, illustrated by Andy J. Miller (not Pizza, but maybe Pizza? it's very mysterious)   The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Don't forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode!   WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here!    And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and The Kidlit Hive. Find us on the socials at @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

I'm Brenna Jeanneret, children's lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster joined by Josh Monken, children's lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster. Josh and I found that with our powers combined, we could make Captain Planet. Maybe not, but at least our powers combined can make a pretty rad podcast with the help of behind-the-scenes wizardry from Jon Seymour. Our guest for this conversation was Malcolm Newsome. You can find Malcolm on Twitter and Instagram. DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here!   This episode's book reviews: IT'S FALL by Renee Kurilla HUGO AND THE IMPOSSIBLE THING by Renée Felice Smith and Chris Gabriel illustrated by Sydney Hanson THE MONSTER ABOVE THE BED by Kailei Pew illustrated by Steph Lew   The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Don't forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode!   WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here!    And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and his new venture The Kidlit Hive. Find us on Twitter @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

We recorded this during a break in Josh's workday. Please ignore his work phone buzzing incessantly in the background! Chelsea Lin Wallace is incredible and we hope you enjoy this chat! Chelsea's mom is a psychologist, but it's only here that we really delve into the deepest recesses of her mind and our writing inspiration.   DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here!  This episode's book reviews: Humphrey the Egg-Splorer by Nadia Ali, illustrated by Valenti Gubianas Vampenguin by Lucy Ruth Cummins Donuts for Everybody by Jerrold Connors!   The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Don't forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode!   WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here!    And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and The Kidlit Hive. Find us on the socials at @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

I'm Brenna Jeanneret, children's lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster joined by Josh Monken, children's lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster. Josh and I found that with our powers combined, we could make Captain Planet. Maybe not, but at least our powers combined can make a pretty rad podcast with the help of behind-the-scenes wizardry from Jon Seymour. Our guest for this conversation was Kate Allen Fox. You can find Kate on Twitter BlueSky and Threads. DON'T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here!   This episode's book reviews: FOLLOW THAT FROG by Philip C. Stead and illustrated by Matthew Cordell HIDDEN GEM by Linda Liu BANANA written and illustrated by Zoey Abbott   The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com  Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com   Don't forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode!   WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here!    And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and his new venture The Kidlit Hive. Find us on Twitter @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time.  You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.