Podcasts about young readers

In this uplifting episode of Reading with Your Kids, Jed welcomes author and literacy advocate Gina Casazza, whose journey from struggling student to children's book creator will resonate with kids and grownups alike. Gina shares how everything changed in eighth grade when she read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. Seeing herself in Ponyboy's story turned her from a reluctant reader into a "Rory Gilmore–level" book lover who never went anywhere without a book. Years later, an unexpected experience in a Navy SEAL prep program led her to a powerful realization: belonging and fitting in are opposites. You don't have to blend in to belong—you just have to show up as your authentic self. That insight inspired her picture books You Really, Truly Do Belong and You Really, Truly Are Enough, starring Cosmo the Alien, the ultimate outsider kids everywhere can relate to. Gina explains how she uses Cosmo to help children challenge limiting beliefs like "I'm not good enough" and recognize they are not their negative thoughts—they're the observers who can choose kinder, truer words. Gina also introduces her nonprofit Empower Lit Literacy and Beyond, which brings free author visits and writing camps to under-resourced schools. Listeners will love hearing how kids who once hated reading and writing light up when they hold a hardcover book they've written themselves. Later in the episode, Jed is joined by Carrie Rich, co-author of Traveling with Mom: Making a Difference Around the World and at Home. Carrie shares how her work with the Global Good Fund and her family's visits to communities in Colombia, Uganda, Romania, and beyond inspired a picture book about real-world kindness, service, and listening to what communities actually need. Carrie and Jed swap stories about raising compassionate kids, choosing meaningful ways to give, and helping children understand that even small actions—at home or across the globe—can make a big difference. It's a heartwarming celebration of literacy, empathy, and raising global citizens.

https://www.greghowardbooks.com/The interview with Greg Howard covers the author's background, the plot overview of his book 'The Travelers,' the themes of loss, grief, and generational trauma, and the impact of his work on young readers. Greg shares personal experiences that inspired his writing and discusses the importance of representation and empathy in children's literature.TakeawaysRepresentation in children's literature is crucial for young readers to see themselves and their stories as valid.Grief and generational trauma are recurring themes in Greg Howard's work, reflecting his personal experiences and the impact on young readers.Chapters00:00 Introduction03:42 Ben's Loss and Foster Familyr10:08 The Mystery of Clifton House12:03 Writing about Unfamiliar Settings16:39 Grief and the Past20:12 Generational Trauma and Breaking the Cycle23:21 Impact of Greg's Work on Young Readers

https://www.greghowardbooks.com/The interview with Greg Howard covers the author's background, the plot overview of his book 'The Travelers,' the themes of loss, grief, and generational trauma, and the impact of his work on young readers. Greg shares personal experiences that inspired his writing and discusses the importance of representation and empathy in children's literature.TakeawaysRepresentation in children's literature is crucial for young readers to see themselves and their stories as valid.Grief and generational trauma are recurring themes in Greg Howard's work, reflecting his personal experiences and the impact on young readers.Chapters00:00 Introduction03:42 Ben's Loss and Foster Familyr10:08 The Mystery of Clifton House12:03 Writing about Unfamiliar Settings16:39 Grief and the Past20:12 Generational Trauma and Breaking the Cycle23:21 Impact of Greg's Work on Young Readers

Once again, Dave and Brad brought their podcast to the stage at the annual National Cartoonists Society Conference and Reuben Awards. They were joined by Dee Fish, Terri Libenson, and Jamar Nicholas — three cartoonists with very different creative paths and a wealth of hard-earned advice to share. Dee Fish Dee Fish is a cartoonist, illustrator, and writer best known for Finding Dee, her semi-autobiographical webcomic about navigating life after coming out as a transgender woman. Dee was nominated for a Reuben Award in the Best Online Shortform category. Terri Libenson Terri Libenson is the cartoonist and author behind the New York Times bestselling Emmie & Friends graphic-novel series. Before moving into graphic novels, she created the syndicated comic strip The Pajama Diaries and worked as a writer and illustrator for greeting cards. Her tenth Emmie & Friends book, Seriously, Celia?, arrives in September 2026. Jamar Nicholas Jamar Nicholas is an award-winning cartoonist, graphic novelist, and educator whose work includes the Leon series from Scholastic Graphix, beginning with Leon the Extraordinary. He also adapted Geoffrey Canada's memoir Fist Stick Knife Gun into a graphic novel and has spent much of his career teaching and encouraging young people to tell stories through comics. The third Leon graphic novel, Leon and the Big, Big Problem, is scheduled for January 2027. You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Reporting about literacy rates typically centers on children and the concerning trend of students not reading at their grade level. Linda Mitchell believes the best way to help students have higher literacy is to get the entire family involved. Her nonprofit Metro East Literacy Project offers bags of books for kids and their parents to foster a “culture of reading” within their households. She shares what it took to get Metro East Literacy Project started and the stories from families that have grown to appreciate reading by way of her organization.

ABOUT THIS EPISODE: On this episode of Writing the Coast, Tanya Boteju talks about her book Messy Perfect. Messy Perfect is a finalist for the 2026 Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize. In his conversation with host Megan Cole, Tanya talks about how books can be safe spaces for young readers and why books weren't safe spaces for her when she was young. For more about Messy Perfect: https://bcyukonbookprizes.com/project/messy-perfect/ To view the 2026 BC and Yukon Book Prizes shortlists: bcyukonbookprizes.com/2026/04/14/ann…es-shortlists/ ABOUT TANYA BOTEJU: Tanya Boteju lives on unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations (Vancouver, BC). Part-time, she teaches English to clever, sassy young people. The rest of her time, she uses writing as an excuse to eat pastries. Her debut novel, Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens, was named a Top Ten Indie Next Pick by the American Booksellers Association. In both teaching and writing, Tanya looks to bend the universe even the tiniest bit toward justice. ABOUT MEGAN COLE: Megan Cole is the Executive Director for the BC and Yukon Book Prizes. She is also a writer based on the territory of the Tla'amin Nation. Megan writes creative nonfiction and has had essays published in Chatelaine, This Magazine, The Puritan, Untethered, and more. She has her MFA in creative nonfiction from the University of King's College and is working her first book. Find out more about Megan at megancolewriter.com ABOUT THE PODCAST: Writing the Coast is recorded and produced on the traditional territory of the Tla'amin Nation. As a settler on these lands, Megan Cole finds opportunities to learn and listen to the stories from those whose land was stolen. Writing the Coast is a recorded series of conversations, readings, and insights into the work of the writers, illustrators, and creators whose books are nominated for the annual BC and Yukon Book Prizes. We'll also check in on people in the writing community who are supporting books, writers and readers every day. The podcast is produced and hosted by Megan Cole.

From the page to the playground, annual Book Week celebrations have long brought Australian children's stories to life. Now as national recreational reading rates decline, experts and authors say engaging young people with literature is more important than ever. - बाल साहित्यका विभिन्न पात्रका पोसाक लगाएर होस्, वा बुक अफ द यर पुरस्कार समारोह मनाएर - अस्ट्रेलियामा वार्षिक ‘चिल्ड्रेन्स बुक वीक' शनिवार, २२ अगस्टमा सुरु भई शुक्रवार, २८ अगस्टमा सम्पन्न भएको छ। तर के तपाईँलाई थाहा छ? अस्ट्रेलियन परम्पराको अद्वितीय पाटो बनेको यो सप्ताहको सुरुवात विदेशमा भएको थियो।Subscribe to the SBS Nepali podcast here.You can listen to SBS Nepali's live broadcast every Tuesday and Thursday at 2 pm via SBS South Asian on digital radio, on television channel 305, through the SBS Audio app, on SBS On Demand, or via our website. You can also follow SBS Nepali on social media: Facebook, Instagram and X (@SBS Nepali). - हाम्रा थप अडियो प्रस्तुतिहरू पोडकास्टका रूपमा उपलब्ध छन्। यो नि:शुल्क सेवा प्रयोग गर्न तपाईंले आफ्नो नाम दर्ता गर्नु पर्दैन। पोडकास्टमा सामाग्री उपलब्ध हुनासाथ सुन्न यहाँ थिच्नुहोस्।एसबीएस नेपालीको प्रत्यक्ष प्रसारण हरेक मङ्गलवार र बिहीवार दिउँसो २ बजे SBS South Asian मा डिजिटल रेडियोमार्फत, आफ्नो टेलिभिजनको च्यानल ३०५ मा, SBS Audio एपमार्फत, SBS On Demand मा वा हाम्रो वेबसाइटबाट सुन्न सक्नुहुन्छ। साथै हामी सोसल मिडिया प्लेटफर्महरू फेसबुक, इन्स्टाग्राम र एक्स मा पनि रहेका छौं SBS Nepali का नाममा।

From the page to the playground, annual Book Week celebrations have long brought Australian children's stories to life. Now, as national recreational reading rates decline experts and authors say engaging young people with literature is more important than ever.

I don't know about you, but I love when classic stories are told from a fresh perspective. In this episode, we dive into Mary Roach's newest book, "Little Monsters", a captivating middle grade reimagining of Louisa May Alcott's beloved novel "Little Women".  Mary, a former teacher and prolific writer, brings a unique twist to this timeless tale by infusing it with elements of fantasy and the struggles of growing up. Join us as we discuss this imaginative book as well as Mary's writing career which spans genres and age categories. For bonus content and  info on upcoming episodes, subscribe to the Middle Grade Matters newsletter here: Newsletter, and follow us on Instagram, Threads, and Twitter.I love audiobooks! If you do, too, consider switching to Libro.fm, a platform that supports indy bookstores.If you're enjoying this podcast, please leave a rating and review (thank you!).

Tiffany D. Jackson talks about her novel for young readers titled "Ghost in the Night." From the archives- we hear from Tim Federle, author of "Better Nate than Ever" - and John Feinstein, author of "The Walk On" - both of these books also intended for young readers.

For our season finale (to quote Tom from Spongebob: "HAHAHA, FINALLY!"), we're switching gears a bit ending our Halloween-perrenials focus on a funny note with 2013's A Haunted House. Sometimes funny but always committed, we unpack what we've found to be Marlon's signature formula for these spoof films, how this film plays with its combo of genres, and our curiosity about the accessibility and inaccessibility of some of the humor.Now. We've said it before and we'll say it again. Thank you for listening and hanging on throughout such a crazily drawn out season. Making it to the other side has been revitalizing and we are beyond excited to unearth S12 when we return in two weeks. So get those shovels ready and happy listening!Timestamps3:22 - Crit54:36 - Final CurlsGems from Ep. 121A Haunted House (2013)The Blackening (2023)Scary Movie 2 (2001)The Conjuring (2013)M3GAN (2022)Paranormal Activity (2006)South Park (1997, television series)Ted (2024, television series)Waiting… (2005)Euphoria (2019, television series)Legally Blonde (2001)Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit (1993)Scary Movie 6 (2026)A Haunted House 2 (2014)50 Shades of Black (2016)Naked (2017)Sextuplets (2019)Half Baked: Totally High (2024)Date Movie (2006)Disaster Movie (2008)Epic Movie (2007)Airplane! (1980)Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995)The Other Guys (2010)Talladega Nights: the Ballad of Ricky Bobby (2006) Stepbrothers (2008)Paranormal Activity 2 (2010)The Original Kings of Comedy (2000)The Queens of Comedy (2001)Left 4 Dead (2008, video game)Boomerang (1992)The Invite (2026)Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996)White Chicks (2004)Norbit (2007)The 6th Man (1997)Above the Rim (1994)Children of Blood and Bone (Tomi Adeyemi, Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, 2018, Print)Children of Blood and Bone (2027)The Odyssey (2026)Support the show

In this conversation Flowers explores the deep human-dog bond, showing how dogs' emotional behavior often reflects their human companions. We are connected through a shared energetic field. Beyond the love they shower on us, they give us the gift of getting off our couches and out into the wider world, making us better physically, emotionally, and spiritually. JJ Flowers is a screenwriter, playwright, and a lifelong yogi who teaches pranayama and Metta meditation, also known as the Loving Kindness meditation. She identifies as an experienced metaphysician, psychic medium, and animal communicator. She is the author of numerous books including Juan Pablo and the Butterflies (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 2017) and The Spiritual Dog: Emissary of Unconditional Love and Healing (Findhorn Press 2026)Interview Date: 5/6/2026. Tags: JJ Flowers, Metta Meditation, Loving Kindness meditation, aggression in dogs, chakra system, grief, therapy dogs, Bill Phillips , evidentiary medium, Jane Roberts, Seth Speaks, Paul Selig, channeling, Melchizedek, pranayama yoga, breathing exercises, neurotic dogs, love and angelic realms, dogs can smell cancer, Animals, Relationship, Spirituality

JJ Flowers is a screenwriter, playwright, and a lifelong yogi who teaches pranayama and Metta meditation, also known as the Loving Kindness meditation. She identifies as an experienced metaphysician, psychic medium, and animal communicator.She is the author of numerous books including: Juan Pablo and the Butterflies (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 2017) and The Spiritual Dog: Emissary of Unconditional Love and Healing (Findhorn) Interview Date: 5/6/2026 Tags: JJ Flowers, Bill Phillips, evidentiary medium, Jane Roberts, Seth Speaks, Paul Selig, channeling, Melchizedek, pranayama yoga, telepathic communication with dogs, syncing energy systems with our dogs, chakra systems, getting a 16 week old puppy is ideal, dogs feel grief, euthanizing your dog, Animals, Relationship, Spirituality

Angelica Cheng's YA rom-com, The Fast Track (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026) brings readers into the world of F1 racing. Justine Kwong has always dreamed of becoming a Formula 1 champion. There's just one problem: no female driver has ever done it before. So when she's offered a coveted chance to race in Formula 3, she leaps at the opportunity. Sure, half the fans think she's just there to fill a diversity quota, and her teammate—the infuriatingly cute Cameron Evans—mistakes her for an intern, but Justine knows her talent will leave them all in the dust.But driving well isn't the only prerequisite to getting noticed, and Justine's forced to fend for herself in a sea of prejudice, paparazzi, and petty backstabbing. There's a lot riding on her ability to navigate the complicated trackside hierarchy—like the open F2 seat that could be her ticket to the big leagues.Except…when Justine and Cameron's bickering gives way to unexpected chemistry, the boy she's falling for may be the one person standing in the way of her dreams—because while they may be teammates, they are also each other's biggest competitor. And with her only shot at glory on the line, this race could break more than just hearts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Angelica Cheng's YA rom-com, The Fast Track (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2026) brings readers into the world of F1 racing. Justine Kwong has always dreamed of becoming a Formula 1 champion. There's just one problem: no female driver has ever done it before. So when she's offered a coveted chance to race in Formula 3, she leaps at the opportunity. Sure, half the fans think she's just there to fill a diversity quota, and her teammate—the infuriatingly cute Cameron Evans—mistakes her for an intern, but Justine knows her talent will leave them all in the dust.But driving well isn't the only prerequisite to getting noticed, and Justine's forced to fend for herself in a sea of prejudice, paparazzi, and petty backstabbing. There's a lot riding on her ability to navigate the complicated trackside hierarchy—like the open F2 seat that could be her ticket to the big leagues.Except…when Justine and Cameron's bickering gives way to unexpected chemistry, the boy she's falling for may be the one person standing in the way of her dreams—because while they may be teammates, they are also each other's biggest competitor. And with her only shot at glory on the line, this race could break more than just hearts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literature

Why So Many Young Readers Are Going Online More young people are reading these days thanks to one community on TikTok. We discuss the rise of BookTok and how publishers and authors are using this platform to better engage with consumers. Guests:  Cait Jacobs, TikTok account owner, CaitsBooks Claire Wallace, vice president, communications, Book Talk. Host: Gary Price Producer: Grace Galante Linktr.ee | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | SpotifyFacebook: @ViewpointsOnlineX: @viewpointsradioInstagram: @viewpointsradioFull ArchiveContact UsAffiliates & National Syndication Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Why So Many Young Readers Are Going Online More young people are reading these days thanks to one community on TikTok. We discuss the rise of BookTok and how publishers and authors are using this platform to better engage with consumers. Guests:  Cait Jacobs, TikTok account owner, CaitsBooks Claire Wallace, vice president, communications, Book Talk.   The Psychology Behind Conformity Bias Ever agree in the moment, but then look back and wish you spoke up and said something? This action of wanting to go with the flow is a very real phenomenon. We sit down with two experts to uncover how people's actions and opinions are altered by conformity bias. Guests:  Robert Prentice, professor, business ethics, business law, McCombs School of Business, University of Texas at Austin, faculty director, Unwrapped Video Project, Center for Leadership and Ethics, McCombs School of Business Todd Rose, co-founder, president, Populace, author of Collective Illusions: Conformity, Complicity and the Science of Why We Make Bad Decisions. Linktr.ee | Apple Podcasts | YouTube | SpotifyFacebook: @ViewpointsOnlineX: @viewpointsradioInstagram: @viewpointsradioFull ArchiveContact UsAffiliates & National Syndication Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Best-selling author Steven Banbury joins the show to talk about his series of Pumpkin Princess novels, available now from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. He talks about writing middle grade fiction, about the importance of escapism to him in fiction, and about how we find and demonstrate love to one another.You can find more about Steven Banbury at www.stevenbanbury.com, and you can get The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night and The Pumpkin Princess and the Buried Castle today from your local library or favorite book retailer. (They are the best books in the world, this is not up for debate). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My guest this episode is Julie Day, an autistic author and advocate from London who writes children's books featuring autistic characters finding confidence — the kind of books she never had growing up undiagnosed. Her path to indie publishing began with a recurring dream she had to write down, and it carried her through a late Asperger's diagnosis and a life-threatening heart illness she turned into a book to help others. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center, with a huge archive of 2,000+ blog posts, and a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. We invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Howard Lovy is an author, developmental editor, and writing coach with a long career in journalism and publishing. He works with writers at many stages of their careers, with a focus on helping them develop their ideas and strengthen their work while preserving their unique voices. He lives in Northern Michigan. About the Guest Julie Day is an autistic author and advocate who mainly writes children's books featuring autistic characters finding confidence, as well as articles about autism, and creates videos about autism and being autistic. She also writes memoir-style guides about a heart condition and autism, and adult mysteries featuring a character with a heart condition. You can find her on her website, Instagram, and YouTube.

Black Point (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2026) is an insular small town steeped in Norse traditions, a teen's developing romance with a newcomer becomes fraught as dark secrets from the past rise to the surface in this gorgeously atmospheric mystery by New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline West. Lucia Sorenson holds on hard to the things she loves. Her tiny Wisconsin hometown clings to the bluffs above the Mississippi River, threatened by weather, time, and the creep of climate change. Her mother is pushing her to go away to college and see the world beyond their small town, but Lucia is determined to stay and to keep her grandfather's Viking museum going. When the Black Point Hotel, a 150-year-old landmark that's been empty for decades, is bought by an outsider, tongues start wagging. Lucia meets the new owner's teenage nephew, Max, and as they grow closer, she discovers there's something thrilling about getting to know someone who hasn't known her all her life—and maybe something more. Then Max discovers some ominous things about Black Point hidden away in the hotel—stories of ghosts and mysterious disappearances. Lucia refuses to believe that her town is hiding a sinister past. But the river is rising, and more secrets are washing to the surface. Soon, Lucia will have to choose between the home she thought she knew and uncovering the dark truths hidden underneath. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Black Point (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2026) is an insular small town steeped in Norse traditions, a teen's developing romance with a newcomer becomes fraught as dark secrets from the past rise to the surface in this gorgeously atmospheric mystery by New York Times bestselling author Jacqueline West. Lucia Sorenson holds on hard to the things she loves. Her tiny Wisconsin hometown clings to the bluffs above the Mississippi River, threatened by weather, time, and the creep of climate change. Her mother is pushing her to go away to college and see the world beyond their small town, but Lucia is determined to stay and to keep her grandfather's Viking museum going. When the Black Point Hotel, a 150-year-old landmark that's been empty for decades, is bought by an outsider, tongues start wagging. Lucia meets the new owner's teenage nephew, Max, and as they grow closer, she discovers there's something thrilling about getting to know someone who hasn't known her all her life—and maybe something more. Then Max discovers some ominous things about Black Point hidden away in the hotel—stories of ghosts and mysterious disappearances. Lucia refuses to believe that her town is hiding a sinister past. But the river is rising, and more secrets are washing to the surface. Soon, Lucia will have to choose between the home she thought she knew and uncovering the dark truths hidden underneath. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literature

Author Samuel Sattin returns to the podcast to discuss Unico: Hunted and the latest installment, Unico: Lost. Joe and Sam explore how Unico's story has evolved, the challenge of honoring Osamu Tezuka's beloved character, and why young readers connect with stories that take their emotions and experiences seriously. They also talk about friendship, fear, kindness as a form of strength, and whether Unico might finally be able to break his curse. Enjoy!   About Samuel Sattin Samuel Sattin is a best-selling, Eisner-nominated writer, editor, and narrative designer with over a decade of experience creating captivating and immersive stories across animation, comics, games, and publishing. As the writer of Scholastic's bestselling UNICO series in collaboration with Tezuka Productions and the Eisner Award-winning artist team Gurihiru, he reimagined Osamu Tezuka's beloved classic for a new generation. He also adapted Cartoon Saloon's Academy Award-nominated Irish Folklore Trilogy into acclaimed graphic novels and authored the Eisner-nominated BUZZING (Little Brown for Young Readers).   About 'Unico 3: Lost' Unico's friends race to save him from the evil goddess Venus! Lost and alone in a windswept desert, Unico seeks help from the Fey queen Titania. But danger lurks. The goddess Venus and the monstrous hunter, Iver, remain bent on destroying Unico. Meanwhile, Starrow, a celestial scientist, trains Unico's friends, the cats Chloe and Toast, to travel across time and space. But can they reach Unico before Venus does? Conceived anew by Eisner-nominated author Samuel Sattin and Eisner-winning artist team Gurihiru, and developed in collaboration with Tezuka Productions, Unico: Lost is the third volume in a groundbreaking reboot of a beloved manga by Astro Boy creator Osamu Tezuka, the "God of Manga." With striking full-color artwork and reading left to right in the Western comics style to match the original manga, UNICO AWAKENING is a brilliant series featuring storytelling at its best. Join Unico on an unforgettable journey!   Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website! Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast! Nostalgia is something everyone loves and Empire Toys in Keller Texas is on nostalgia overload.   With toys and action figures from the 70's, 80's, 90's, and today, Empire Toys is a one-stop-shop for a trip down memory lane and a chance to reclaim what was once yours (but likely sold at a garage sale)   Check out Empire Toys on Facebook, Instagram, or at TheEmpireToys.com AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: Your quality of life: physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually, is a direct reflection of the level of abundant energy, ease, and connection your nervous system has to experience your life!    At Self Unbound, your nervous system takes center stage as we help unbind your limited healing potential through NetworkSpinal Care.    Access the first steps to your Unbound journey by following us on Facebook, Instagram, or at www.selfunbound.com

More than 30 children from around the world have converged on the Bay of Islands to compete in the final of this year's Kids Lit Quiz. 13-year-old AJ Salerno from Connecticut spoke to John Campbell.

If you're looking for an alternative to screens for the youngsters and young adults in your life over summer break, a new book by a Native author might be the solution. There is a wealth of new and familiar stories that feature Native characters. We'll hear from our panel of avid readers — who are also authors of books for kids and young adults — about some of their favorite new reads as well as some that are yet to be released. GUESTS Stacy Wells (Choctaw), author and librarian Andrea L. Rogers (Cherokee), author and a PhD student at the University of Arkansas Byron Graves (Ojibwe and Lakota), author and skateboarder Break 1 Music: A Turtle's Honour Song [NDN Jazz] (song) Mwalim (artist) Break 2 Music: Feels Like [feat. Sheena Shandea] (song) Nataanii Means (artist)

#NancyHudgins #BooksGoodEnoughForYou #UrsulaNordstrom #MiddleGradeBooks #ChildrensBooks #KidsLit #AbramsBooks #BookBiography #PublishingHistory #EditorsMatter #GoodnightMoon #CharlottesWeb #WhereTheWildThingsAre #HarrietTheSpy #Storycomic#NancyHudgins #BooksGoodEnoughForYou #UrsulaNordstrom #MiddleGradeBooks #ChildrensBooks #KidsLit #AbramsBooks #BookBiography #PublishingHistory #EditorsMatter #GoodnightMoon #CharlottesWeb #WhereTheWildThingsAre #HarrietTheSpy #Storycomic On this episode, I'm joined by debut author Nancy Hudgins to talk about Books Good Enough for You, a middle-grade biography of Ursula Nordstrom—the legendary children's editor at Harper & Bros. who helped shape what “classic” kids' books even means. The book publishes March 24, 2026 with Abrams Books for Young Readers. What makes this biography such a fun angle is the structure: Nancy doesn't just tell Ursula's life story—she shows what editors do by building chapters around the creation of iconic books Ursula championed, including Goodnight Moon, Charlotte's Web, Where the Wild Things Are, Harriet the Spy, Stuart Little, In the Night Kitchen, and more. We talk about Ursula's editorial superpowers—taste, nerve, and a fierce belief that kids deserve books with real honesty—and we dig into how Nancy uses Ursula's own words so young readers can hear her voice on the page. Kirkus calls the biography a strong match for its “brave, funny” subject. If you love children's lit, publishing history, or you've ever wondered how a great editor changes the world from behind the scenes, this conversation is for you. Storycomic Logo designed by Gregory Giordano See more of Greg's work at: https://www.instagram.com/gregory_c_giordano_art/   Want to start your own podcast?  Click on the link to get started: https://www.podbean.com/storycomic   Follow us: Are you curious to see the video version of this interview?  It's on our website too! www.storycomic.com www.patreon.com/storycomic www.facebook.com/storycomic1 https://www.instagram.com/storycomic/ For information on being a guest or curious to learn more about Storycomic? Contact us at info@storycomic.com   Thank you to our Founders Club Patrons, Michael Winn, Higgins802, Von Allan, Stephanie Nina Pitsirilos, Marek Bennett, Donna Carr Roberts, Andrew Gronosky, Simki Kuznick, John Holland, Maureen Devlin, and Matt & Therese. Check out their fantastic work at: https://marekbennett.com/ https://www.hexapus-ink.com/ https://www.stephanieninapitsirilos.com/ https://www.vonallan.com/ https://higgins802.com/ https://shewstone.com/ https://www.simkikuznick.com/ https://www.dieboldcomics.com/ https://www.maureendevlinauthor.com/ https://benjaminhunting.com/ Also to Michael Winn who is a member of our Founders Club!

On the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, host Howard Lovy talks to Amelia Ross, a developmental editor and children's librarian who specializes in KidLit, about what authors need to know when writing for young readers. Amelia explains the differences between board books, picture books, early readers, chapter books, middle grade, and YA, and why age categories matter. She also discusses authentic voice, age-appropriate content, the role of illustrations, and why children's books work best when lessons emerge naturally through story and character. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center, with a huge archive of 2,000+ blog posts, and a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. We invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Howard Lovy is an author, developmental editor, and writing coach with a long career in journalism and publishing. He works with writers at many stages of their careers, with a focus on helping them develop their ideas and strengthen their work while preserving their unique voices. He lives in Northern Michigan. About the Guest Amelia Denyven Ross is a developmental editor for KidLit authors. She has an MFA in children's literature and has studied fiction for young readers for twenty years. During that time, she has also worked with children and teens in public libraries and schools, where she has led story times, facilitated book clubs, and mentored teen writers. Now, as a freelance editor, she splits her time between the library and working remotely from her home in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. Amelia is an active member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, the Editorial Freelancers Association, and the Alliance of Independent Authors.

What began as a grassroots effort to put books in kids' hands has evolved into a decades long tradition of meeting young readers where they are.

Send us Fan MailReading time in the home doesn't have to be serious or boring. Parents and grandparents can make the most of every moment with their littles to support and grow their literacy. Special guest, Christy Smith, is on 5-Minute Parenting today to share her GROW acronym, taken from her book It Begins with a Book: An Everyday Guide to Growing Young Readers. Christy shares fantastic tips and fresh ideas for making reading fun. Listen in and grab a copy of her book for your home, you (and your kids) will love it!G - Get started early R - Read, read, read O - Optimize opportunitiesW - Wonder, whimsy, wishesChristianne (Christy) Smith is a Former educator with 23 years of classroom experience and a relentless passion for literacy.  She delights in sharing ways to incorporate books into everyday life and create home environments where literacy can thrive. Her heart for littles and literacy is profound. She believes every child deserves to love reading.  Visit Christy's website and connect with her online:  https://christiannewrites.com/  and  https://itbeginswithabook.com/  OR on Instagram @christianne52619Book 3 in the Questions for Kids picture book series is now available! Check out Guess Why God Made the Rainbow on Amazon or your favorite book retailer!

Summer is here and it's a great time to share a book with a child or find some books that will light up the imaginations of the kids you love. Host Charity Nebbe is joined by expert readers to talk about the best new titles in children's and young adult literature, from 'Little Women' reimagined as a mystery thriller to a fish-boy undercover at an elementary school.

This week, Tricia Friedman speaks with Veronica Roth, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Divergent series and the author of Seek the Traitor Son, the first book in a new epic romance dystopian fantasy series. In this conversation, Veronica shares how watching Taylor Swift perform during the Eras Tour helped her reflect on her own earlier work, her growth as an artist, and what it means to keep creating after a hugely successful series. She also talks about world-building, writing for young readers, creative confidence, and the challenge of beginning again as an author. For educators, librarians, parents, and anyone supporting creative young people, this episode offers a rare look at how one of today's most widely read writers thinks about imagination, reinvention, and the stories that stay with readers.   00:00 — Welcome to the Show 01:00 — Veronica Roth's New Book, Seek the Traitor Son 03:00 — Looking Back at Divergent 06:00 — What Taylor Swift's Eras Tour Helped Veronica See 10:00 — Creative Reinvention After Huge Success 14:00 — Writing for Young Readers 18:00 — Building Dystopian and Fantasy Worlds 23:00 — What Inspires Veronica's Creative Process 28:00 — Advice for Creative Young People 32:00 — Why Stories Still Matter

In this episode of Search for Meaning, Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback welcomes Rabbi Michael Zedek back to the podcast on the occasion of his second book, People Are Like…: Stories for Young Readers and Readers Who Wish to Stay Young. A beloved teacher, storyteller, and rabbi, Rabbi Zedek joins Rabbi Yoshi for a warm and thoughtful conversation about the wisdom hidden in everyday life—and why some of life's deepest truths are often best conveyed through simple stories.Drawing from the book's memorable parables about porcupines, dogs, redwood trees, monkeys, and more, the two rabbis explore themes of empathy, connection, resilience, kindness, and spiritual growth. Rabbi Zedek reflects on what children can teach adults, how stories shape moral imagination, and why compassion and community remain at the heart of a meaningful life.The conversation also touches on Rabbi Zedek's decades of leadership, teaching, interfaith work, and public dialogue, including his many years hosting Religion on the Line. Filled with humor, heart, and gentle wisdom, this episode is both uplifting and deeply grounding.https://ascendbooks.com/publications/people-are-like/

Max Brallier is a prolific and NY Time Bestselling author who has been working most recently in the field of children's literature. His book series include Mister Shivers, Eerie Elementary, Galactic Hot Dogs, and The Last Kids on Earth. Several years ago, he began a graphic novel spin off from The Last Kids on Earth called The Last Comics on Earth, which he co-writes with Joshua Pruett and is drawn by Jay Cooper and Douglas Holgate. Max stopped by the studio to discuss the fourth and final installment called The Last Comics on Earth: Across the Doodleverse, which is published by Viking Books for Young Readers

In this uplifting episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two very different – but equally inspiring – guests who are helping kids fall in love with reading in their own ways. First, Jed talks with educator Sheila Robitaille about Reading Eggs, a science-of-reading–based ed tech program that helps children move from learning to read to reading to learn. Sheila breaks down the five pillars of reading—phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency—and explains how Reading Eggs weaves them together in a fun, gamified environment. She describes how kids earn "golden eggs," level up through Fast Phonics, Reading Eggs, and Reading Express, and explore a digital library of over 4,500 books with optional "read to me" audio and comprehension quizzes. Sheila also addresses the old "reading wars," why some kids need more time for their brains to rewire for reading, and how the program can support struggling readers, English language learners, and even parents who may not be confident readers themselves. Then Jed is joined by 10-year-old author Aizelle San, who wrote her picture book Skye's Wacky Raindrop Rescue after watching raindrops fall outside her window at age eight. Aizelle shares Skye's adventurous quest to find her missing parents, introduces listeners to quirky characters like a wart-covered frog and an ant named Antsy, and talks about working with her mom, brother, and illustrator to bring the story to life. She's already drafting more books, including a chapter book called The Compass. Aizelle closes with wise advice about love, support, and reading together as a family.

Along with our announcement of the 2026 book picks for the annual “From Page to Screen" podcast, we invited one of the authors, Carole Boston Weatherford, award-winning children's book author to join us for a conversation about writing history for young readers. Carole's written 90 books (and counting) for children and youth about Americans who broke barriers and advanced freedom movements in U.S.history. Carole shares her journey into writing history for young readers, emphasizing the importance of diverse narratives. She describes her research process, including using primary sources and visiting historical sites. Carole also discusses her book (a "From Page to Screen" book pick) “Kin Rooted in Hope," a multi-generational family history, and addresses the significance of telling African American stories to foster empathy and understanding. It's a book that has special meaning being her family story and a collaboration with her son Jeffrey Boston Weatherford, the book's illustrator.Carole Boston Weatherford's's books have garnered 2 NAACP Image Awards and 18 American Library Association Youth Media Awards, including a Newbery Honor, Coretta Scott King Award and 4 Caldecott Honors. Her career achievements have been recognized with the North Carolina Award for Literature, the Nonfiction Award from the Children's Book Guild and induction into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame. A retired English professor, she lives in Baltimore, MD------TIMESTAMPSIntroduction and Overview of the Podcast (0:01)Carole Boston Weatherford's Writing Journey (4:07)Historical Research Process and Inspirations (7:31)Selecting Historical Events and People (10:53)Creating "KIN: Rooted in Hope" a multigenerational family story (15:09)History "Our Only Road Map" (18:53)------SUBSCRIBE to HISTORICAL DRAMA WITH THE BOSTON SISTERS® on your favorite podcast platformENJOY past podcasts and bonus episodesSIGN UP for our mailing listSUPPORT this podcast  SHOP THE PODCAST on our affiliate bookstoreBuy us a Coffee! You can support by buying a coffee ☕ here — buymeacoffee.com/historicaldramasistersThank you for listening!

How great to interview an author who writes splendid music-oriented children's books! In this episode, I was fortunate to interview Author (and I should add, singer) David McMullin, celebrating his brand new board book Rock 'N' Roll, Baby! (Random House, 2026), illustrated by Allison Black, and published (March, 2026) by Random House Books for Young Readers. I discovered that this is a book that can be sung (to the tune of Rockabye Baby), adding another fun element. We talked about David career from Broadway to children's literature, and got him to sing from a favorite musical (that wasn't too difficult). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

CRUISE TO MARS | THREE DUCKS ON A JOURNEY Mama duck had two daughters, and she loved taking them on trips to faraway places. The two ducklings had few friends, but they often went out and about. They played in the farmyard pretending to be a group, and even on their birthday, they ate the big cake all by themselves. As a gift, Mama decided to take them on a cruise to Mars. She organized the trip on a spaceship for tourists, got tickets for an intergalactic Martian party, and departure as soon as possible — before you could say "quack quack." While all three of them were in the yard ready for the trip, they saw a strange object flying low over the farm. Landing on the ground, a small square figure appeared at a hatch and said: "Excuse me, are you the ones with three tickets to Mars and three for the intergalactic party?" The ducklings looked at each other in amazement. They had never seen a square creature before — square head, square eyes, even the smile seemed square. "Yes, that's us!" replied Mama duck. "Quack! Quack! Quack!" chimed the ducklings in chorus, hopping with excitement. "Please, come aboard," said the Martian with a little squared bow. "The journey to Mars is about to begin." And in one leap they boarded the spaceship, so curious and excited for this new adventure. The strange vehicle took off as fast as a gust of wind. In space, it was rush hour. The spaceship found itself in a queue, and the Martian pilot honked the horn: "Bleep, bleep!" He leaned out the window and grumbled: "It's getting harder and harder to travel! Look at that, there's even a playful little planet spinning around on itself like it's a carousel! Oh, what fun — move over, let me pass, and keep on playing!" Due to the cosmic traffic jam, the spaceship landed on Mars slightly behind schedule. "How wonderful!" exclaimed the ducklings when they saw a ship made entirely of glass, ready for the cruise, where they were invited to come aboard. There was a great bustle of small square Martians. "Good morning, Mrs. Duck, please make yourself comfortable!" they said with a bow, while the ducklings — quack, quack, quack — chattered and hopped about happily. In the background, square guitars played Interplanetary Rock. The three travelers, with their little faces pressed against the windows, gazed in wonder at the red color of the planet. The ship set off slowly across the sand, but suddenly the engines began to roar and up, toward the top of a mountain, then down over the red rocks — it felt like being on a roller coaster, up and down, up and down. Then it would settle again and slowly cross immense valleys. "What a strange sight! What a strange vehicle that travels over rocks and sand!" the tourists commented. The hours passed amid wonders and discoveries. Time flew by. Evening came. On the Martian ship, Mama duck and the ducklings showed up all dressed up, with bows and ribbons, for the intergalactic birthday party. The waiters danced, offered their arms to the tourists, and served to the sound of Rock music. Small Martians approached the ducklings and, showering them with compliments, hopping and dancing, played with them. The party had begun. "Everything here is square — the glasses, the bottles!" the ducks whispered to each other. The sweet treats were salty, the salty ones were sweet, the cake was... well, well, what kind of world is this! The balloons with "Happy Birthday" written on them were — guess what — square. The evening was coming to an end and fireworks lit up the sky to celebrate the tourists... and they were square too. "How kind and lovely these Martians are!" said Mama duck, and continued: "We made it to Mars, we've seen what there was to see, we've had our fun. Now let's think about going back to Earth." Suddenly, the ship commander's voice announced the imminent arrival of a spaceship for the return trip. The three ducks couldn't wait. They said their goodbyes and, crossing a connecting bridge, stepped directly into the spaceship. And down, toward their planet. Watching the tourists depart through the ship's windows, the Martians in their waiter uniforms launched dozens of colorful balloons into space. In the universe, under a starry sky, satellites wandered around the spaceship. Venus shone in the distance, and the Moon, ever closer, smiled with her full face. Arriving back on Earth, all three stepped down onto the farmyard, happy. Square balloons with "Happy Birthday" written on them floated in the air. What a surprise! This is certainly the work of the Martians. And by telling everyone about their galactic adventure, the two ducklings made lots of friends. Everyone wanted to hear about their trip to Mars. Our planet may be round, may be big, may be small, may be beautiful, and it will always be our home. — Written by Lucia & Marco CiappelliStoriesottolestelle.com | MarcoCiappelli.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Upside-Down Garden of Boboli Stories Under the Stars — Lucia & Marco Ciappelli Within the walls of the city of Florence there is a marvellous garden. Little pathways through the green, bordered by pools and fountains. Broad stairways that, climbed with eyes turned to the sky, give the illusion of being able to touch it. This is the beauty that everyone can see and admire. Beneath lies an unknown kingdom that only those with imagination can discover. A gentle slope on the right-hand side leads to the Buontalenti Grotto, from which a deep underground passage opens, leading to a mysterious world. The roots of the trees from the garden above grow and blossom, reforming upside down, as if through a mirror. Among the branches, nests of flying fish. Birds that glide across the smooth water among the water lilies. A pear tree and an apple tree, leaning against a bench, chat about this and that, nibbling toasted pistachios, while the bees seated beneath a pergola of strawberries play a gentle jazz melody fragrant with lavender. Sprays of water, now and again, bathe meadows and plants in the light of the setting sun. Suddenly a little waterfall, fed by a small river, accelerating, opens wide. In an instant, a tree-lined avenue takes shape, rising upwards, pointing the way to follow. In this unspoilt kingdom, untouched by human hands, nothing is impossible. At the top of the path, a great opening above the stairways in the garden of Boboli, which reappears with all its wonders and its history. High above, as if nothing were the matter, a mantle of deep starlit blue enfolds Florence in a warm summer night. — Written by Lucia & Marco CiappelliStoriesottolestelle.com | MarcoCiappelli.com Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

GK Chesterton was many things—journalist, philosopher, poet, and debater—but what does his life look like through the eyes of a young reader? In this episode, Joe sits down with Holly Gyger Lee, author of the new young reader's biography The Man Who Carried a Swordstick and a Pen, to explore what drew her to Chesterton, what surprised her in the research, and why a boy who didn't fit the classroom mold became one of the most prolific writers in the English language. From Charlotte Mason's "living books" philosophy to Chesterton's theology of play, this conversation is a delight for readers of all ages. In This Episode: How Holly discovered GK Chesterton through C.S. Lewis—and why The Man Who Was Thursday wasn't the right entry point The Charlotte Mason "living books" philosophy that inspired Holly to write a biography for young readers What surprised Holly most in her research: Chesterton the unconventional student, and the headmaster's famous remark—"He is six feet of genius" The swordstick, the cloak, and how Frances shaped the image of a man who was a walking anachronism—out of time, and for all times Chesterton's theology of play and leisure, from the Toy Theater essay to his belief that the heavy work is the play Chapters: 00:00: Welcome and Introduction 00:54: Holly's Background, Homeschooling, and Life in North Carolina 04:01: Discovering Chesterton Through C.S. Lewis 09:11: Charlotte Mason, Living Books, and the Inspiration Behind the Biography 13:39: The Swordstick, the Cloak, and Chesterton's Persona 16:18: Chesterton on Leisure, Play, and the Toy Theater 19:14: Taking Children Seriously—Chesterton, Tolkien, Lewis, and MacDonald 24:32: Research Surprises: The Unconventional Student 28:43: The Junior Debating Club, Frances, and a Life of Hospitality 33:37: Holly's Current Projects and Where to Find Her Resources Mentioned: Get the Book Holly's Website Holly's YouTube Gilbert Magazine American Chesterton Society Shop FOLLOW US: Instagram Facebook X SUPPORT: Consider making a donation Visit our Shop Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios

Mary Lewandowski and her older brother are the sixth generation on their family's dairy farm in Bevent, Wisconsin. After some reflection about her time growing up on a dairy farm and needing an FFA project, she turned to writing her very first children's book entitled "Welcome to My Farm." Throughout the story, she acts as a tour guide of her family's dairy farm with a story that features actual photos of the farm itself. Mary sits down with Kiley Allan to tell the story.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Taxing Show 4/15/26: Bill & Brian on Hampshire College Closing after 56 years – sad ending Reader to Reader w/ David Mazor: Saturday's book drive for young readers—can you help? Northampton attorneys David Hoose & Ryan Shiff: the Anthony Baye arson case & reasons for release. ServiceNet's Shawn Robinson & Maribeth Ritchie: amazing farms & farming. Larry Hott w/ Issac Solotaroff:”Born to Bowl” -- funny and fantastic.

What makes a classic story feel new again? In this episode of Adventures in Learning, Dr. Diane talks with author Máire Roche about Little Monsters, Little Women, Bromantasy, and the power of stories that help young readers feel seen.Máire shares how Little Women shaped her as a reader and writer, why Meg has always been her favorite March sister, and how Little Monsters grew from her desire to write a spooky, recognizable story for kids.They explore literature as mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors, plus anxiety, representation, gender, class, Bromantasy, writing full time, and why hope means planting anyway.Perfect for Little Women fans, middle grade readers, teachers, librarians, and anyone who loves thoughtful book talk. Also, check out the book club interview with the cast of Riverside Center for the Performing Arts' Little Women!Timestamps + Chapters00:00 – Welcome and why Little Monsters felt instantly special.02:27 – The origin of Little Monsters and writing Meg's story.05:19 – Reading from chapter one.07:15 – Reimagining Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy for a modern audience.09:55 – Choosing each sister's monstrous power.16:15 – Growing up with Little Women and becoming a writer.22:54 – Bromantasy, anxiety, representation, and hope.LinksPre-order Little Monstersand BromantasyFollow Máire RocheCheck out Episode 183 and get tickets to Little WomenSupport the showShare this episodeIf this conversation sparked wonder, gave you a helpful strategy, or offered a needed reminder of hope, please share it with a friend or colleague.Subscribe • Download • Review • Tell a friendStay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! *Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

Interview with Nancy Hudgins, author of children's book Books Good Enough for You: The Storied Life of Ursula Nordstrom (Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2026), Editor of Extraordinary Children's Books, Abrams Books for Young Readers" (March 24, 2026). Our wonderful interview intertwines between Nancy and Ursula's lives, their love of children's books, breaking in, and thoughts on opening doors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Grace and Alvina switch places for this Freaky Friday episode! This one was suggested by a listener who provided some questions about what would happen if Grace and Alvina switched places and roles. What kind of editor would Grace be? How would she feel living in New York City and working in an office? What kind of author would Alvina be? How would she like living in a house in Northampton? Their answers may surprise you (or not!).    For the Fortune Cookie segment, they talk about the recent news about the shuttering of the Dial Books for Young Readers imprint, plus layoffs. And they end as always with what they're grateful for.   Click here to become a Patreon member: https://www.patreon.com/Bookfriendsforever1.    Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Bookfriendsforever_podcast    Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookfriendsforever_podcast/

For Ian Sullivan, a childhood in the Franklin County countryside made Forest Park a sacred destination for adventure and wonder. Now, the St. Louisan asks kids to explore how one of the city's iconic and beloved spaces came to be. He takes us into his new children's book, “How Forest Park Was Made,” and the landmark's history ahead of an author event in St. Charles County.

In this special Podcasthon episode, I'm highlighting an incredible nonprofit that's making a real impact in the world of literacy. I sat down with Jennifer Jenkins, CEO of Operation Literacy, to talk about how they're helping kids access books, discover a love for reading, and even see themselves as future authors. From book drop programs to massive storytelling conferences, this conversation will leave you inspired by what's possible when we invest in the power of stories.Jennifer Jenkins is the CEO of Operation Literacy, a nonprofit organization dedicated to motivating readers and writers of all ages. With a background in writing and education, Jennifer has helped grow Operation Literacy into one of the largest teen writing communities in the country. Through programs like Teen Author Bootcamp (now StoryCon) and their impactful Book Drop initiative, she and her team are creating life-changing experiences for young readers and storytellers.Topics Discussed in This EpisodeHow Operation Literacy got started and evolved over timeThe impact of Teen Author Bootcamp and StoryConWhat the Book Drop program is and how it worksWhy access to physical books matters for kidsThe connection between reading, writing, and identityHow StoryCon supports both aspiring and published storytellersReal-life stories of how books are changing kids' livesWays you can support Operation Literacy through volunteering or donatingKey TakeawaysAccess to books can be life-changing, especially for kids who don't have them at homeMeeting authors helps kids believe their own stories matterPhysical books play an important role in early childhood developmentPrograms like Book Drop and StoryCon create both opportunity and inspirationSupporting literacy initiatives can have a ripple effect across entire communitiesTimestamps(00:00) Welcome(00:31) Meet Jennifer Jenkins and what she's reading(02:12) How Operation Literacy began(04:40) What the Book Drop program is(06:11) How Operation Literacy is helping their community(10:01) Inside StoryCon and how it works(13:25) Emotional impact of book drops(21:16) How to get involved and supportLinks & ResourcesOperation Literacy WebsiteStory Con WebsiteFollow Operation Literacy on InstagramFollow Story Con USA on Instagram

Amy Klein (of AK and The Hallucinations and former guitarist of Titus Andronicus) joins me for an emotionally cathartic conversation about season 1 of Heated Rivalry and our personal soundtrack wishlists for season 2. Topics include love letters to fanfiction, the inherent grief and woundedness of desire, Carl Jung's theory of the shadow self, and engaging with the erotic as a deeply female and spiritual source through the writings of Anne Carson and Audre Lorde. ✨KEEP UP TO DATE WITH AMY KLEIN ✨Web: http://www.amykleinmusic.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/akandthehallucinations/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/amyrebeccakleinSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3eRMQoarXLl60uC8Bi6BJL?si=wg_KQD1RSpGbAwmUIcyv_w ✨ SEASON 2 SOUNDTRACK WISHLIST ✨ https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5rxyGRdaf22e7YCoBwg5qh✨ SOURCES & WORKS REFERENCED ✨Aya, Maxine. “two souls become one: analyzing heated rivalry's original soundtrack.” Maxine Aya Writes, 18 Jan. 2026, https://www.maxineayawrites.com/blog/two-souls-become-one.Berger, John. “Another Side of Desire.” Hold Everything Dear: Dispatches on Survival and Resistance, Verso Books, 2007, pp. 126, 2 Mar. 2026. Carson, Anne. “Finding The Edge.” Eros The Bittersweet, Princeton University Press, 1986, pp. 30, 2 Mar. 2026. Cultured Mag. “@connorstorrieofficial has a PSA for the Internet…” Instagram, 20 Feb. 2026, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DU_w0O_iRzk/.Derrida, Jacques. "Wears and Tears (Tableau of an ageless world).” Spectres of Marx, Éditions Galilée, 1993, pp. 51, 2 Mar. 2026. Fell, Erin. “‘Heated Rivalry' Composer Peter Peter on His Debut Scoring Effort: “Pretty Insane, Especially for a First Gig.” Variety, 6 Feb. 2026, https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/peter-peter-heated-rivalry-composer-interview-1236496036/. Gibson, Erin. “Heated Rivalry - Ep 2.” Attitudes, 29 Jan. 2026, https://www.patreon.com/posts/149341967?collection=1942480.Glitch Gestalt Girl. “Heated Rivalry's cinematography challenges how film language is allowed to look at men.” Instagram, 19 Feb. 2026, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DU8blSbjT6L/. Jung, Carl. Chapter. Man and His Symbols, Doubleday, 1964, 2 Mar. 2026. Jung, E. Alex. “Girls Who Love Boys Who Love Boys.” New York Magazine, 23 Feb. 2026, https://www.vulture.com/article/heated-rivalry-fujoshi-fan-fiction.html.King, Gayle.” Heated Rivalry" producers on show's popularity and what to know about its second season.” CBS Mornings, 26 Feb. 2026, https://youtu.be/2MAayneb5lw?si=jj84gv-67r9W2kaG. Lorde, Audre. “Uses of the Erotic.” Sister Outsider, Crossing Press, 1984, pp.54-56, 2 Mar. 2026. Machado, Carmen Maria. In the Dream House, Graywolf Press, 2019, pp. 68, 2 Mar. 2026. Mazza, Angelina. “Sorry, the “Heated Rivalry” gay Marvel fanfic origin story isn't true.” Salon, 6 Dec. 2025, https://www.salon.com/2025/12/06/heated-rivalry-gay-marvel-fanfic-rachel-reid/ Melchor, Traci. “Heated Rivalry' creator wants show to be synonymous with "horny joy" | Jacob Tierney Interview.” Etalk, 12 Dec. 2025, https://youtu.be/1Tec_LsHueY?si=hVGsO-MluOqNc627.Plato. The Symposium. Translated by Christopher Gill, Penguin Classics, 2003, 2 Mar. 2026. Princiotti, Nora. “The Perfect ‘O.C.' Soundtrack Made Indie Music Mainstream.” The Ringer, 3 Aug. 2023, https://www.theringer.com/2023/08/03/tv/20th-anniversary-of-the-oc-music-soundtrack-rooney-death-cab-for-cutie.Pullman, Philip. The Golden Compass, Knopf Books for Young Readers, 1996, 2 Mar. 2026. Reid, Rachel. Heated Rivalry, Harlequin Enterprises, 2019, 2 Mar. 2026. Saturday Night Live. “Stripper.” NBC, 1 Mar. 2026, https://youtu.be/uJAIEym5FvM?si=OVUAXpJrwinQ4MV1.Shaped by the Flow. “This isn't consent education.” Instagram, 8 Jan. 2026, https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTQOn39CAnA/. Sim, Bernardo. “Heated Rivalry: Hudson thought Connor would 'pin me down and f— me' in audition.” Out Magazine, 29, Nov. 2025. https://www.out.com/gay-tv-shows/heated-rivalry-connor-storrie-hudson-williams-interview.

In this episode, we sit down with Tui T. Sutherland, bestselling author of the Wings of Fire series, for a rich conversation about creativity, writing, world-building, empathy, and storytelling for young readers. Tui shares how play, curiosity, and even dogs can support focus and imagination, why world-building starts with better questions, and how writers can balance community feedback with their own creative vision. She also reflects on the role of empathy, diversity, and self-exploration in storytelling, offering practical insights for aspiring writers, educators, and anyone interested in how stories shape young minds. This conversation explores the creative process behind building immersive fictional worlds, developing memorable characters, and staying grounded in joy and curiosity while writing. Whether you are a fan of children's literature, interested in the craft of writing, or looking for inspiration around imagination and creative confidence, this episode offers plenty to take away. 00:00 How Dogs Support Creativity and Focus 02:40 World-Building That Makes Stories Feel Real 05:23 Balancing Reader Feedback and Creative Vision 07:56 Community, Empathy, and Representation in Storytelling 10:58 Writing as Therapy and Self-Exploration 14:30 Advice for Aspiring Writers 17:11 Imagining Worlds Through Play and Curiosity Resources Wings of Fire Series by Tui T. Sutherland — https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/authors/tui-t-sutherland/ Scholastic — https://www.scholastic.com/ Tui T. Sutherland on Twitter / X — https://twitter.com/tuitweets

As more and more authors began challenging the Bible and its teachings, Christians needed to respond with honesty and clarity. Some Christian writers rose to the task, leaving an example for others to follow. One of these was B.B. Warfield, a professor at Princeton Theological Seminary. And his life is very interesting, as you will see! Join Linus, Grace, and Sean as they discover more about Warfield and his answers to these challenges, with the help of Dr. Kim Riddlebarger, pastor emeritus of Christ Reformed Church in Anaheim, California. Thanks to the generosity of Reformed Fellowship, we are pleased to offer a copy of Simonetta Carr's Biography for Young Readers about B.B. Warfield. Enter here to win.

In this episode of Mission Matters, Adam Torres interviews ML Bruin, author of The Noah Series of Books. ML shares how the birth of his grandson inspired the creation of stories like Noah and the Shark and Noah's Summer Adventures, designed to teach children lessons about kindness, honesty, and making thoughtful decisions while enjoying simple moments with family. Follow Adam on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/askadamtorres/ for up to date information on book releases and tour schedule. Apply to be a guest on our podcast: https://missionmatters.lpages.co/podcastguest/ Visit our website: https://missionmatters.com/ More FREE content from Mission Matters here: https://linktr.ee/missionmattersmedia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You may know Mo Willems from his books about “The Pigeon” – who asks, pleads, even demands to do things like drive a school bus. Or from unlikely best friends “Elephant & Piggie,” who will soon have their own Paramount+ streaming series. We talk with the acclaimed children's book author about his approach to involving and inspiring children with interactive stories, and his latest projects — including two upcoming stage performances at San Francisco's comedy festival, Sketchfest. Mo Willems has two upcoming stage performances at San Francisco's comedy festival, Sketchfest, at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 18. Tickets can be found here. Guests: Mo Willems, children's book author Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices