Dream Gardens: Talking Up the Children's Books We Love: Recent Episodes
Jody Lee Mott
Podcast #122 For my one hundred twenty-second Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Greg Howard about the middle grade novel The Beatryce Prophecy by Kate DiCamillo . Greg Howard is the author of such middle grade books as The Whispers and Middle School’s A Drag, You Better Werk!. His latest middle grade book is … Continue reading The Beatryce Prophecy – an interview with Greg Howard →
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Podcast #121 For my one hundred twenty-first Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Alice Faye Duncan about the children’s book of poems Honey I Love, and Other Love Poems written by Eloise Greenfield, illustrated by Diane and Leo Dillon. Alice Faye Duncan is author of such books as Just Like a Mama, Memphis, Martin, … Continue reading Honey I Love, and Other Love Poems – an interview with Alice Faye Duncan →
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Podcast #120 For my one hundred twentieth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Mahtab Narsimhan about the classic children’s novel The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis . Mahtab Narsimhan is author of The Tiffin, You and Me Both, and Genie Meanie. Her latest book is the middle grade … Continue reading The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe – an interview with Mahtab Narsimhan →
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Podcast #119 For my one hundred nineteenth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Deedee Cummings about the novel Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston . Deedee Cummings is a family therapist, founder of the Louisville Book Festival in Kentucky, and CEO of Make A Way Media. She is also author of several … Continue reading Their Eyes Were Watching God – an interview with Deedee Cummings →
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Podcast #118 For my one hundred eighteenth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author and illustrator Jessica Meserve about the picture book Bread and Jam for Frances, written by Russell Hoban and illustrated by Lillian Hoban. Jessica is author and illustrator of the picture book What Clara Saw as well as her latest book … Continue reading Bread and Jam for Frances – an interview with Jessica Meserve →
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Podcast #117 For my one hundred seventeenth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author JaNay Brown-Wood about the picture book A Story About Afiya, written by James Berry and illustrated by Anna Cunha. JaNay Brown-Wood is author of such books as Shhh! The Baby’s Asleep, Imani’s Moon, and Amara’s Farm, which is the first … Continue reading A Story About Afiya – an interview with JaNay Brown-Wood →
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Podcast #116 For my one hundred sixteenth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Kristen Balouch about the picture book DON’T CROSS THE LINE, written by Isabel Minhos Martins and illustrated by Bernardo P Carvalho. Kristen is author and illustrator of such books as IF YOU ARE THE DREAMER, MYSTERY BOTTLE, and THE LITTLE … Continue reading Don’t Cross The Line – an interview with Kristen Balouch →
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Podcast #115 For my one hundred fifteenth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Nicole Magistro about the YA novel THE BOOK THIEF by Markus Zusak. Nicole is the author of the recently released picture book READ ISLAND. You can find more information about Nicole at myreadisland.com. You can find out more about the … Continue reading The Book Thief – an interview with Nicole Magistro →
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Podcast #114 For my one hundred fourteenth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Jessica Vitalis about the young reader’s novel Kit’s Wilderness by David Almond. When Kit moves the coal mining village Stoneygate to take care of his grandfather, Kit is introduced to a few unusual friends, an unexpected enemy, a strange game … Continue reading Kit’s Wilderness – an interview with Jessica Vitalis →
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Podcast #113 For my one hundred thirteenth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author and illustrator Rosena Fung about the middle grade horror novel Small Spaces by Katherine Arden. Eleven year old Ollie is already dealing with a heavy burden. However, things are about to get heavier and a whole lot creepier when her … Continue reading Small Spaces- an interview with Rosena Fung →
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Podcast #112 For my one hundred twelfth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Dawn Young about the picture book Goldi Rocks and the Three Bears, written by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Beth Coulton, and illustrated by Nate Wragg. Goldi Rocks is a modern update of a kids’ classic story which hits all the … Continue reading Goldi Rocks and the Three Bears – an interview with Dawn Young →
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Podcast #111 For my one hundred eleventh Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author and illustrator Elizabeth Lilly about the picture book Angelina Ballerina, written by Katharine Holabird and illustrated by Helen Craig. Angelina wants to be a ballerina so much, it all she can think about. What to do? Let her be a … Continue reading Angelina Ballerina – an interview with Elizabeth Lilly →
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Podcast #110 For my one hundred tenth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author and story teller Donna Washington about the picture book What Mary Jo Shared, written by Janice May Udry and illustrated by Eleanor Mill. Mary Jo can’t find anything to share, until she figures out the best thing she has to … Continue reading What Mary Jo Shared – an interview with Donna Washington →
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Podcast #109 For my one hundred ninth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Rebecca VanSlyke about the picture book Ghost Cat by Kevan Atteberry. A young boy searches for a mysterious ghostly cat in a short tale that is simple but full of depth and emotion. Rebecca VanSlyke is author of such picture … Continue reading Ghost Cat – an interview with Rebecca Van Slyke →
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Podcast #108 For my one hundred eighth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Sheetal Sheth about the YA verse novel for young readers, The Girl and the Goddess: Stories and Poems of Divine Wisdom by Nikita Gill. It tells the coming of age story of a girl named Paro through poetry that is … Continue reading The Girl and the Goddess: Stories and Poems of Divine Wisdom – an interview with Sheetal Sheth →
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Podcast #107 For my one hundred seventh Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Payal Doshi about the classic novel for young readers, Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. This story of a young orphan girl who brings her brings her exuberance and fierce independence to the quiet town of Avonlea has entertained … Continue reading Anne of Green Gables – an interview with Payal Doshi →
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Podcast #106 For my one hundred sixth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed Dr. William A. Haseltine about two children’s books: The Black Stallion by Walter Farley, the classic story of a boy and his horse; and Dear Me: Letters to Myself, For All of My Emotions by Donna Tetreault, illustrated by Elisena Bonadio, a … Continue reading The Black Stallion; Dear Me: Letters to Myself, For All of My Emotions – an interview with Dr. William A. Haseltine →
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Podcast #105 For my one hundred fifth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Steven Banks about the middle grade novel Henry Huggins by Beverly Cleary. This was Beverly Cleary’s first novel. It introduced the world to Henry and Risby, and marked the start of one the most beloved authors of children’s books. Steven … Continue reading Henry Huggins – an interview with Steven Banks →
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Podcast #104 For my one hundred forth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author and illustrator Ben Zhu about the picture book Du Iz Tak by Carson Ellis. Du Iz Tak is a simple story of a group of bugs who find a sprout, but through the use of an invented language and engaging … Continue reading Du Iz Tak – an interview with Ben Zhu →
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Podcast #103 For my one hundred third Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Amy Makechnie about the middle grade book The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. Or as the full title reads, a story of a mouse, a princess, some soup, and a spool of thread. And so much more. Amy Makechnie … Continue reading The Tale of Despereaux – an interview with Amy Makechnie →
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Podcast #102 For my one hundred first Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Tricia Springstubb about the middle grade book Half Magic by Edward Eager. When four children find a magic coin, they soon discover that you should be careful what you wish for. At least half the time, anyway. Tricia Springstubb is … Continue reading Half Magic – an interview with Tricia Springstubb →
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Podcast #101 For my one hundred first Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Christine L. Villa about the picture book Saturday by Oge Mora. A mother and her daughter have a very special Saturday planned, when all their plans go topsy-turvy. But it may turn out to be a special and wonderful day … Continue reading Saturday – an interview with Christine L. Villa →
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Podcast #100 For my one hundredth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast (100!), I interviewed author Crystal Maldonado about the classic picture book Corduroy by Don Freeman. It is a story about a young girl, a stuffed bear, a department store escalator ride, and a missing button, but it is also a story about friendship, adventure, … Continue reading Corduroy – an interview with Crystal Maldonado →
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Podcast #099 For my ninety-ninth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Ray Anthony Shepherd about the middle grade verse novel Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson. ZJ’s dad is a football star and local hero. But when his dad’s behavior changes because of injuries sustained on the field, ZJ must look for … Continue reading Before the Ever After – an interview with Ray Anthony Shepherd →
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Podcast #098 For my ninety-eighth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Michelle Schaub about the middle grade book Dictionary for a Better World: Poems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Z by Irene Latham and Charles Waters, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini. Dictionary for a Better World is a dictionary of words to help … Continue reading Dictionary for a Better World: Poems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Z – an interview with Michelle Schaub →
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Podcast #097 For my ninety-seventh Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Judith L. Roth about the middle grade illustrated novel Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures by Kate DiCamillo. When a squirrel name Ulysses gets sucked up into a vacuum cleaner and transforms into a flying, poetry-typing super-squirrel, Flora is there to protect … Continue reading Flora &Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures – an interview with Judith L. Roth →
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Podcast #096 For my ninety-fifth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Julie Leung about the middle grade folktale collection Tongues of Jade by Lawrence Yep. Based on a selection of stories gathered by the WPA from Chinese immigrants in California in the early twentieth century, Lawrence retells these folktales full of magic and … Continue reading Tongues of Jade: an interview with Julie Leung →
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Podcast #095 For my ninety-fifth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Robert Hoyman about the middle grade novel There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom by Louis Sachar. Bradley Chalkers is the most hated kid in fifth grade, and he’s fine with that — or so he says. But when a new boy … Continue reading There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom: An interview with Robert Hoyman →
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Podcast #094 For my ninety-fourth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Victoria Bond about the historical novel The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation by M. T. Anderson – Vol. 1: The Pox Party; Vol. 2: The Kingdom on the Waves. It is a epic and wrenching story set during … Continue reading The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation: An interview with Victoria Bond →
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Podcast #093 For my ninety-third Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Ann Burg about the novel The Hundred Dresses by Eleanor Estes. The Hundred Dresses is a classic novel about a young girl, Wanda Petronski, who teaches a group of young children about kindness and acceptance in the most surprisng way. Ann Burg … Continue reading The Hundred Dresses: An interview with Ann Burg →
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Podcast #092 For my ninety-second Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Anita Nahta Amin about the novel Snow & Rose by Emily Winfield Martin. Martin’s novel is a re-telling of the fairy tale “Snow and Rose” in which two sisters encounter enchanted places and strange characters in their search for their missing father. … Continue reading Snow & Rose: An interview with Anita Nahta Amin →
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Podcast #091 For my ninety-first Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Mathew Klickstein about the classic picture book The Butter Battle Book by Dr. Seuss. The Yooks eat bread with the butter-side up, and the Zooks eat bread with the butter-side down, which can only mean one thing-War! A both very silly and … Continue reading The Butter Battle Book: An interview with Mathew Klickstein →
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Podcast #090 For my ninetieth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Amy Hest about the middle grade novel Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary. When Leigh Botts writes a letter to his favorite writer, Boyd Henshaw, little does he suspect that response he gets will lead him on a journey to learn what … Continue reading Dear Mr. Henshaw: An interview with Amy Hest →
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Podcast #089 For my eighty-ninth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed illustrator Holly Hatam about the middle grade novel Just As Long As We’re Together by Judy Blume. Thirteen year old Stephanie has been with friends with Rachel for as long as she can remember. But when a new girl, Alison, enters her life, … Continue reading Just As Long As We’re Together: An interview with Holly Hatam →
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Podcast #088 For my eighty-eighth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Janae Marks about the first book in the Baby-Sitter’s Club series, Kristy’s Great Idea. Kristy and her three friends – Claudia, Mary Anne, and Stacey – start a babysitting service called The Baby-Sitter’s Club. What follows is a story of friendship, family, … Continue reading The Baby-Sitter’s Club #1-Kristy’s Great Idea: An interview with Janae Marks →
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Podcast #087 For my eighty-seventh Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Angela Dominguez about the middle grade novel Pie in the Sky , written and illustrated by Remy Lai. Eleven year old Jingwen has to deal with moving to a new country, his annoying little brother, as well as the grief of losing … Continue reading Pie in the Sky: An interview with Angela Dominguez →
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Podcast #086 For my eighty-sixth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Paula Chase Hyman about the upper middle grade novel Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee. Seventh grader Mila doesn’t know what do at when a group of boys start harassing her in increasingly uncomfortable ways, but she soon finds some … Continue reading Maybe He Just Likes You: An interview with Paula Chase Hyman →
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Podcast #085 For my eighty-fifth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Tricia Elam Walker about the children’s picture book Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale, written and illustrated by John Steptoe. Inspired by an Zimbabwe folktale, Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters is a Cinderella-like story about two sisters search for a mysterious king. Their search … Continue reading Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale- an interview with Tricia Elam Walker →
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Podcast #084 For my eighty-fourth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author and motivational speaker Michael Arterberry about the classic children’s picture book Curious George. This was the first of a many picture books featuring George, a very curious monkey, whose curiosity sometimes gets him into a bit of trouble, though not too much. … Continue reading Curious George: an interview with Michael Arterberry →
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Podcast #083 For my eighty-third Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author and storyteller Antonio Sacre about the classic fantasy novel The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J. R. R. Tolkien. Bilbo Baggins is a Hobbit like any other, wanting nothing more than to sit in his comfortable home with his pipe. … Continue reading The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J. R. R. Tolkien: an interview with Antonio Sacre →
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Podcast #082 For my eighty-second Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Natalie Rompella about the middle grade graphic novel Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier. When Catrina’s little sister gets sick, her family moves to Northern California, just in time for the yearly gathering of ghosts. But Catrina is too afraid, both of the ghosts … Continue reading Ghosts: an interview with Natalie Rompella →
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Podcast #081 For my eighty-first Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Alexandra Diaz about the middle grade novel The Girl with the Silver Eyes by Willo Davis Roberts. In this book, Katie, who is trying to start a new life with her mother in a new town, is a bit different from other … Continue reading The Girl with the Silver Eyes: an interview with Alexandra Diaz →
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Podcast #080 For my eightieth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Jonathan Rosen about two books in the Choose Your Adventure series: The Cave of Time by Edward Packard, and Mystery of the Maya by R.A. Montgomery. The Choose Your Adventure books is a popular series of books written in the second person … Continue reading Choose Your Own Adventure – The Cave of Time and Mystery of the Maya: an interview with Jonathan Rosen →
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Podcast #079 For my seventy-ninth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed journalist and author Karen Blumenthal about the YA non-fiction book The 57 Bus: A True Story of Two Teenagers and the Crime That Changed Their Lives by Dashka Slater. A single moment of violence on a bus in Oakland California changed the lives … Continue reading The 57 Bus: an interview with Karen Blumenthal →
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Podcast #078 For my seventy-eighth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author John David Anderson about the middle grade fantasy novel The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander, which is the first book of his Chronicles of Prydain series. Taran, tired of being just the assistant pig-keeper, wants a life of adventure. So when … Continue reading The Book of Three- The Chronicles of Prydain, Book #1: an interview with John David Anderson →
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Podcast #077 For my seventy-seventh Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed Jambo Book co-founder Mijha Godfrey about the middle grade novel Listen, Slowly by Thanhha Lai. Mai resents leaving her beloved California Beaches to travel to her family’s home in Vietnam, a place she’s never been to and never wanted to visit, to find … Continue reading Listen, Slowly: an interview with Mijha Godfrey →
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Podcast #076 For my seventy-sixth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Matt Harry about The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. “There was a hand in the darkness, and it held a knife.” So begins the unusual coming of age story of Nobody Owens and his strange and wonderful adventures in and out of … Continue reading The Graveyard Book: an interview with Matt Harry →
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Podcast #075 For my seventy-fifth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Lesa Cline-Ransome about the The Diary of Anne Frank. Since it was first published in 1947 by Anne’s father, Otto Frank, Anne’s diary of her life in hiding during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands has been read by several generations of … Continue reading The Diary of Anne Frank: an interview with Lesa Cline-Ransome →
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Podcast #074 For my seventy-fourth Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Camryn Wells about the picture book The Missing Piece by Shel Silverstein. A deceptively simple story about the eternal search for the one thing that will make us complete–or will it? With Shel Silverstein’s trademark humor, style, and humanity, this story, as … Continue reading The Missing Piece: an interview with Camryn Wells →
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Podcast #073 For my seventy-third Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author and advocate Aditi Wardhan Singh about the comic book novel Karna by Amar Chitra Katha. Adapted from part of the classic Indian epic the Mahabharata, Karna tells the story in comic book format of a tragic hero who must fulfill his destiny … Continue reading Karna: an interview with Aditi Wardhan Singh →
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Podcast #072 For my seventy-second Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author L. A. Kefalos about the classic young reader’s novel The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry . A stranded pilot encounters a Little Prince visiting the earth from his very small planet far, far away and the two of them had an … Continue reading The Little Prince: an interview with L. A. Kefalos →
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Podcast #071 For my seventy-first Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Melissa Hart about the young reader’s novel The Only Road by Alexandra Diaz. When Jaime’s cousin is murdered by the local Guatemalan gang, Jaime must flee to the United States with his other cousin Angela before he suffers the same fate. The … Continue reading The Only Road: an interview with Melissa Hart →
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Podcast #070 For my seventieth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Theresa Julian about the children’s novel Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary. Ramona Quimby is thrilled to be starting Kindergarten, and she love her new teacher Miss Binney. But no matter how hard she tries to be her best ( at least … Continue reading Ramona the Pest: an interview with Theresa Julian →
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Podcast #069 For my sixty-ninth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Laura Sassi about the children’s book of poems When We Were Very Young , written by A. A. Milne and illustrated by Ernest H. Shepard. Told from the viewpoint of children, this assortment of poems about everything from boots to Buckingham Palace … Continue reading When We Were Very Young: an interview with Laura Sassi →
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Podcast #068 For my sixty-eighth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Fred Rexroad about the children’s mystery novel The Case of the Missing Message: A Brains Benton Mystery by Charles Spain Verral. Jimmy Carson knows that when his best friend and part-time super sleuth Brains Benton gets his hands on mystery, he’s not … Continue reading The Case of the Missing Message-a Brains Benton Mystery: an interview with Fred Rexroad →
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Podcast #067 For my sixty-seventh Dream Gardens children’s books podcast, I interviewed author Kate Dicamillo about the children’s historical novel The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis. For ten year old Kenny, it isn’t always easy being a member of his family, “the weird Watsons”, especially with his older brother By getting into … Continue reading The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963: an interview with Kate DiCamillo →
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Podcast #066 For my sixty-sixth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed literacy educator and author Pam Allyn about the classic children’s novel Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery. First published in 1908, this is first of several novels about the irrepressible red haired orphan Anne Shirley, who despite all the trouble that follows … Continue reading Anne of Green Gables – an interview with Pam Allyn →
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Podcast #065 For my sixty-fifth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Dan Richards about the middle grade novel The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle by Janet Fox. Part historical fiction, part supernatural fantasy, and part espionage thriller, the novel tells the story of twelve year old Kat Bateson and her siblings, who are … Continue reading The Charmed Children of Rookskill Castle – an interview with Dan Richards →
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Podcast #064 For my sixty-fourth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Kat Zhang about the classic fantasy novel The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, Book 1) by Philip Pullman. Originally published in the UK with the title Northern Lights, The Golden Compass is first of three books (The Subtle Knife and The Amber … Continue reading The Golden Compass (Northern Lights): His Dark Materials, Book 1 – an interview with Kat Zhang →
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Podcast #063 For my sixty-third Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Lindsay Lackey about the middle grade fantasy novel The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis . In this third book of Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, Lucy and Edmund are joined (very reluctantly) by their cousin Eustace Scrubb in an … Continue reading The Voyage of the Dawn Treader – an interview with Lindsay Lackey →
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Podcast #062 For my sixty-second Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Chritina Uss about the middle grade novels Lizard Music by Daniel Pinkwater and The Trolls by Polly Horvath. Lizard Music is a story of a boy, a Chicken Man, some jazz-playing lizards, and an invisible island, which all makes perfectly good sense … Continue reading Lizard Music and The Trolls – an interview with Christina Uss →
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Podcast #061 For my sixty-first Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author and playwright Dania Ramos about the young readers novel Call Me Maria by Judith Ortiz Cofer. Maria is torn between two worlds, her old home in Puerto Rico where her mother lives, and her new home in the barrio in New York … Continue reading Call Me Maria – an interview with Dania Ramos →
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Podcast #060 For my sixtieth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Lori Orlinsky about the picture book Giraffes Can’t Dance, written by Giles Andreae and illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees. With his long neck and skinny legs, Gerald the Giraffe just wasn’t made for dancing. Or so he thinks, until a friendly cricket tells … Continue reading Giraffes Can’t Dance – an interview with Lori Orlinsky →
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Podcast #059 For my fifty-ninth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Kathi Appelt about the middle grade novel The Grand Plan To Fix Everything by Uma Krishnaswami. It tells the story of eleven year old Dini who’s forced by her parents to move to a tiny village in India called Swapnagiri. The name … Continue reading The Grand Plan To Fix Everything – an interview with Kathi Appelt →
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Podcast #058 For my fifty-eighth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Padma Venkatraman about the verse memoirs Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings and Soaring Earth by Margarita Engle. Enchanted Air was published in 2015, followed by Soaring Earth in 2019. Each details Margarita’s experience immigrating to the US after the Cuban revolution of … Continue reading Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings; Soaring Earth – an interview with Padma Venkatraman →
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Podcast #057 For my fifty-seventh Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Kelly Jones about the middle grade comic novel The Hoboken Chicken Emergency by Daniel Pinkwater. First published in 1977, The Hoboken Chicken Emergency tells the story of a young boy, Arthur, who’s sent off to pick up the family’s Thanksgiving turkey, but … Continue reading The Hoboken Chicken Emergency – an interview with Kelly Jones →
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Podcast #056 For my fifty-sixth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Susan Adrian about the middle grade fantasy novel The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper. First published in 1973, The Dark is Rising is the second book in a series of five books known as the Dark is Rising series. It tells … Continue reading The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper – an interview with Susan Adrian →
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Podcast #055 For my fifty-fifth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Darby Karchut about the young reader’s fantasy adventure novel Ranger’s Apprentice (Book 1): The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan. First published in Australia in 2004 and the in the United States in 2005 , Ranger’s Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan tells the … Continue reading Ranger’s Apprentice: The Ruins of Gorlan by John Flanagan – an interview with Darby Karchut →
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Podcast #054 For my fifty-fourth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Roshani Chokshi about the children’s novel The Iron Ring by Lloyd Alexander and the YA novel Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale by Holly Black. Published in 1997, The Iron Ring is a middle grade fantasy novel that draws from Indian mythology to tell the story … Continue reading The Iron Ring by Lloyd Alexander and Tithe: A Modern Faerie Tale by Holly Black – an interview with Roshani Chokshi →
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Podcast #053 For my fifty-third Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Alison Gardiner about the illustrated children’s novel Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse by Chris Riddell Published in 2013, Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse tells the story of Ada Goth, who’s feeling a bit lonely clumping around … Continue reading Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse by Chris Riddell: an interview with author Alison Gardiner →
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Podcast #052 For my fifty-second Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Jasmine Warga about the children’s middle grade novel Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. Originally published in 1972, and awarded the Newbery in 1978, Bridge to Terabithia tells the story of two friends, Jess Aarons and Leslie Burke. They don’t feel like … Continue reading Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson: an interview with author Jasmine Warga →
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Podcast #051 For my fifty-first Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author and illustrator C. L. Fails about the classic children’s novel A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. Originally published in 1962, A Wrinkle in Time tells the story of Meg and her brother Charles Wallace and their encounter with three strange woman … Continue reading A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle: an interview with author and illustrator C. L. Fails →
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Podcast #050 For my fiftieth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Michele McAvoy about her favorite children’s book, the classic novel Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret, written by Judy Blume. Originally published in 1970, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret tells the story of eleven year old Margaret Simon, whose … Continue reading Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume: an interview with author Michele McAvoy →
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Podcast #049 For my forty-ninth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Jennifer Lynn Alvarez about her favorite children’s book, the classic novel Watership Down by Richard Adams. Originally published in 1972 in the UK, the novel tells the story of group of rabbits trying to find a new home. When one of the … Continue reading Watership Down by Richard Adams: an interview with author Jennifer Lynn Alvarez →
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Podcast #048 For my forty-eighth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Rebecca Behrens about her favorite children’s book, the classic middle grade novel Hatchet by Gary Paulsen. Originally published in 1987 and a Newbery Honor winner, Hatchet tells the story of thirteen year old Brian Robeson who’s flying out to visit his recently … Continue reading Hatchet by Gary Paulsen: an interview with author Rebecca Behrens →
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Podcast #047 For my forty-seventh Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Jill Weisfeld about her favorite children’s book, the classic middle grade novel Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White. Originally published in 1952, and still in print today, Charlotte’s Web tells the story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider names … Continue reading Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White: an interview with author Jill Weisfeld →
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Podcast #046 For my forty-sixth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Rebecca Caprara about her favorite children’s book, the middle grade verse novel Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai. Originally published in 2011, and both a Newbery Honor recipient and winner of the National Book Award, Inside Out and Back Again … Continue reading Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai: an interview with author Rebecca Caprara →
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Podcast #045 For my forty-fifth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Artie Knapp about his favorite children’s book, the picture book Ida, Always, written by Caron Levis and illustrated by Charles Santoso. Originally published in 2016, and winner of the Christopher Award, this picture book tells the true story of two polar bears, Ida and Gus, who live a … Continue reading Ida, Always by Caron Levis and Charles Santoso: an interview with author Artie Knapp →
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Podcast #044 For my forty-forth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Margaret Peterson Haddix about her favorite children’s book, the middle grade novel Millicent Min, Girl Genius, written by Lisa Yee. Originally published in 2003, Millicent Min, Girl Genius tells the story of an amazingly gifted but painfully awkward eleven year old girl who’s having a terrible summer. Her mother … Continue reading Millicent Min, Girl Genius by Lisa Yee: an interview with author Margaret Peterson Haddix →
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Podcast #043 For my forty-third Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Kat Shepherd about her favorite children’s book, the middle grade novel Criss Cross, written and illustrated by Lynne Rae Perkins. Originally published in 2005, and awarded the Newbery in 2006, the novel tells the story a single summer in the life of a group of young teens. There is Debbie, … Continue reading Criss Cross by Lynne Rae Perkins: an interview with author Kat Shepherd →
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Podcast #042 For my forty-second Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author and freelance writing consultant Mary Kole about her favorite children’s book, the classic middle grade novel Holes by Louis Sachar. Originally published in 1998, and awarded the Newbery in 1999, the novel tells the story of Stanley Yelnats, a boy who’s had nothing but bad luck in his life, … Continue reading Holes by Louis Sachar: an interview with author Mary Kole →
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Podcast #041 For my forty-first Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed librarian and children’s book reviewer Michelle Callaghan about her favorite children’s book, the classic middle grade novel Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh. Originally published in 1964, the novel tells the story of eleven year old Harriet M. Welch, a precocious watcher of people in her school and around her … Continue reading Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh: an interview with Michelle Callaghan →
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An Interview with Matthew Winner For my fortieth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed librarian and podcast host Matthew Winner about his favorite children’s book, the graphic novel The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan. Published in 2009, The Storm in the Barn is set in Kansas during the Dustbowl of the 1930’s, and focuses on eleven year old … Continue reading Podcast #40: The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan →
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An Interview with Laura Martin For my thirty-ninth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Laura Martin about her favorite children’s book, the middle grade fantasy novel Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce, the first book of the Song of the Lioness series. Originally published in 1983, Alanna: The First Adventure is the first of four novels, the other … Continue reading Podcast #39: Alanna: The First Adventure (Song of the Lioness) by Tamora Pierce →
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An Interview with Caroline Starr Rose For my thirty-eighth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Caroline Starr Rose about her favorite children’s book, the classic middle grade fantasy novel The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster. Originally published in 1961, The Phantom Tollbooth tells the story of a young boy named Milo who doesn’t quite know what do with himself until a … Continue reading Podcast #38: The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster →
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An Interview with Cindy Mitchell For my thirty-seventh Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed librarian Cindy Mitchell about her favorite kid’s book, The Accelerati Trilogy by Neal Shusterman and Eric Elfman, which includes the books Tesla’s Attic, Edison’s Alley, and Hawking’s Hallway. Published in 2015 through 2017 by Disney-Hyperion, the three sci-fi adventure books tell the story of … Continue reading Podcast #37: The Accelerati Trilogy by Neal Shusterman and Eric Elfman →
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An Interview with Laurisa White Reyes For my thirty-sixth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Laurisa White Reyes about her favorite children’s book, The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear, written by Dan and Audrey Wood and illustrated by Dan Wood. First published in 1989 by Child’s Play, this big picture book with a very long title … Continue reading Podcast #36: The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Dan and Audrey Wood →
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An Interview with Robert Kent For my thirty-fifth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author and blogger Robert Kent about his favorite middle grade children’s novel, The Witches by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake. First published in 1983, The Witches tells the story of a young boy and his grandmother who stumble upon a devious plot … Continue reading Podcast #35: The Witches by Roald Dahl →
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An Interview with Melissa Stoller For my thirty-fourth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Melissa Stoller about her favorite middle grade novel, The Art of the Swap by Kristine Asselin and Jen Malone. First published in February, 2018 by Aladdin Press , The Art of the Swap tells the story of two young girls who live a century apart–Maggie, who … Continue reading Podcast #34: The Art of the Swap by Kristine Asselin and Jen Malone →
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An Interview with Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White For my thirty-third Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed authors Annabeth Bondor-Stone and Connor White about their favorite middle grade novel, Wayside Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sacher. First published in 1978 by Avon Camelot Books, Wayside Stories from Wayside School is a collection of thirty stories about a strange school … Continue reading Podcast #33: Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sacher →
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An Interview with Bonny Becker For my thirty-second Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Bonny Becker about her favorite middle grade novel, Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. First published in 1986 by Greenwillow Books, the novel tells the story of Sophie, who as the eldest sister of three doesn’t expect much out … Continue reading Podcast #32: Howl’s Moving Castle by Diane Wynne Jones →
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An Interview with Daphne Benedis-Grab For my thirty-first Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Daphne Benedis-Grab about her favorite young adult novel, Fifteen by Beverly Cleary. Originally published in 1956 by William Morrow and Company, the novel tells the story of Jane Purdy, a fifteen year old girl trying to muddle her way through the up and downs … Continue reading Podcast #31: Fifteen by Beverly Cleary →
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An Interview with Mike Grosso For my thirtieth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author, educator and musician Mike Grosso about his favorite middle grade novel, Anastsia Krupnik by Lois Lowry. Published in 1979 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, the novel is the first of a series of nine books is about unusual young girl named Anastasia Krupnik. Anastasia has a … Continue reading Podcast #30: Anastasia Krupnik by Lois Lowry →
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An Interview with Meera Sriram For my twenty-ninth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Meera Sriram about two of her favorite middle grade novels, The No. 1 Car Spotter and The No. 1 Car Spotter and the Firebird , written by Antinuke and illustrated by Warwick Johnson Cadwell. Published in 2010 and 2011 respectively, The No. 1 Car … Continue reading Podcast #29: The No. 1 Car Spotter and The No. 1 Car Spotter and the Firebird by Antinuke →
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An Interview with Kimberly McDermid For my twenty-eighth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed educator and kid lit blogger Kimberly McDermid about one of her favorite middle grade novels, Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker, written and illustrated by Shelley Johannes. Published in 2017 by Hyperion, Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker is a book about an unusual young girl who … Continue reading Podcast #28: Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker by Shelley Johannes →
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An Interview with E. Lockhart For my twenty-seventh Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author E. Lockhart about one of her favorite YA graphic novels, Nimona by Noelle Steveson. Published in 2015, Nimona originally started as a Web comic in 2012, telling the story of shapeshifter and sidekick wannabe Nimona, who attaches herself to the … Continue reading Podcast #27: Nimona by Noelle Stevenson →
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An Interview with Roxanne Hsu Feldman For my twenty-sixth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed librarian Roxanne Hsu Feldman about one of her favorite children’s books, Jack and the Seven Deadly Giants by Sam Swope. Published in 2004, Jack and the Seven Deadly Giants borrows story elements from Jack the Giant Slayer and Jack and the … Continue reading Podcast #26: Jack and the Seven Deadly Giants by Sam Swope →
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An Interview with Jane Smith For my twenty-fifth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author and illustrator Jane Smith about one of her favorite children’s books, Ivy and Bean – No News is Good News, written by Annie Barrows and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Published in 2011 by Chronicle Books, Ivy and Bean – No News is Good News is the … Continue reading Podcast #25: Ivy and Bean – No News is Good News by Annie Barrows →
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An Interview with Denise Vega For my twenty-fourth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Denise Vega about one of her favorite children’s books, The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin. Published in 2015, The Thing About Jellyfish is a story of a young girl trying to make sense of her own guilt and grief. Suzy Swanson … Continue reading Podcast #24: The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin →
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An Interview with Charlotte Bennardo For my twenty-third Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Charlotte Bennardo about one of her favorite children’s books, Beautiful Joe: A Dog’s Own Story by Margaret Marshall Saunders. Beautiful Joe is the fictional autobiography of a dog named Joe, based on an real-life incident told to the author. The book was originally published in 1893 under the … Continue reading Podcast #23: Beautiful Joe: A Dog’s Own Story by Marshall Saunders →
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An Interview with Beth Vrabel For my twenty-second Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Beth Vrabel about one of her favorite children’s books, The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt. Published in 2007 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, The Wednesday Wars is a historical middle grade novel set in the 1967 – 68 school year in Long Island, … Continue reading Podcast #22: The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt →
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An Interview with Maria Dismondy
For my twenty-first Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author Maria Dismondy about one of her favorite children’s books, Rules by Cynthia Lord.
Published in 2006 by Scholastic Press, Rules tells the story of twelve year old Catherine, who wishes she had more control over her messy life. Her autistic brother David consumes most of her parent’s attention, and the rules she tries to get him to abide to make him more “normal” never really work out for either one of them. But when two potential new friends turn up in her life, a girl who just moved next-door and a paraplegic boy who she can only communicate with by touching word cards, things start looking up. Except Catherine still has lot to learn about what it means to be a true friend, and that what “normal” looks like is not what she’d thought.
Maria Dismondy’s books include The Juice Box Bully, Chocolate Milk Por Favor, and her most recent book, Fruit Salad Friend. In addition, Maria offers coaching services for published authors and is founder of the hybrid publishing company Cardinal Rule Press. You can find Maria’s website at mariadismondy.com.
All podcasts are available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play. Please link, share, comment, or subscribe. The next podcast will be published on October 16th, 2017.
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An Interview with Karen Yingling
For my twentieth Dream Gardens kidlit podcast, I interviewed librarian Karen Yingling about one of her favorite Young Adult books, the contemporary sports novel The Football Girl by Thatcher Heldring.
Published in 2017, this YA tells the story of Tessa and Caleb’s last summer before entering high school. It should be a time for friends, fun, and perhaps even a budding romance. But Tessa’s decision to be the first girl to join the football camp threatens to upend her camaraderie with her track buddies, not to mention thwarting her deepening relationship with Caleb. And as for Caleb, how he reacts to Tessa’s decision, and how he deals with the hazing rituals of his soon to be varsity teammates, raises all sorts of questions whose answers are not always easy for him to figure out. Whatever happens, Tessa and Caleb’s life will never be the same after the summer ends.
Karen YingLing is a middle school librarian, as well as a Middle Grade Fiction Organizer for the Cybils award and a book reviewer for the School Library Journal and Young Adult Books Central. You can find Karen’s website at msyinglingreads.blogspot.com
All podcasts are available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play. Please link, share, comment, or subscribe. The next podcast will be published on October 1st, 2017.
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An Interview with Andrea Mack For my nineteenth Dream Gardens podcast, I interviewed author Andrea Mack about one of her favorite children’s books, the children’s adventure novel The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen, which is Book One of the Ascendance series.
First published in 2012, this novel tells the story of a poor orphan boy named Sage who, along with three other orphans, finds himself plunked in the middle of a dangerous scheme. One of the boys will be chosen to impersonate a prince long thought to be dead. If Sage keeps his smart-aleck mouth shut long enough to be picked (fat chance of that!) he might help to keep the kingdom from being attacked. And if he doesn’t, he might might end up like the previous prince. Either way, he got to figure out how to be picked and at the same time keep the other orphan boys from meeting a bad end. It won’t be easy, and he’ll find there are a few surprises waiting in the wings.
Andrea Mack is author of several picture books, such as Let’s Ride, the Joy the Tomboy series, and Super Tim Saves the Day. In addition she has written many articles and stories for educational publishers as well as beginner readers for ESL students. You can find Andrea’s website at andrea-mack.blogspot.com.
All podcasts are available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play. Please link, share, comment, or subscribe. The next podcast will be published on September 16th, 2017.
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An Interview with C. Lee Mckenzie For my eighteenth Dream Gardens podcast, I interviewed author C. Lee McKenzie about one of her favorite children’s books, the children’s classic Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, pseudonym of the of the British writer and mathematician Charles Dodgson.
First published in 1865, this classic tale of young girl’s adventure as she literally tumbles into a strange dream world continues to be read and to inspire countless other books, films, music and art throughout the world. Her encounters with such off-beat characters as the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter, the Duchess, the Queen of Hearts, and the Cheshire Cat remain as just absurdly weird and as nonsensically funny as when it was first published. And though we don’t discuss it in the interview, Carroll’s follow up book, titled Through the Looking Glass, And What Alice Found There, is worth checking out as well.
C. Lee Mackenzie is author of the middle grade fantasy adventure The Sign of the Green Dragon, as well as several YA novels, including Sudden Secrets and Sliding on the Edge. You can find Lee’s website at www.cleemckenziebooks.com
All podcasts are available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play. Please link, share, comment, or subscribe. The next podcast will be published on September 1st, 2017.
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An Interview with Allison Tait For my seventeenth Dream Gardens podcast, I interviewed author Allison Tait about one of her favorite children’s books, the Australian classic Storm Boy by Colin Thiele, illustrated by Robert Ingpen.
First published in 1963, the short book tells the story of a young boy who lives with his father on the isolated Southern coast of Australia. One day, a mother pelican is shot, and the boy rescues her chicks and raises them. After growing up, one of pelicans, Mr. Percival, remains with the boy and becomes his closest friend. And when a fishing boat is threaten to be shipwrecked on the coast, the two of them jump into the fray. What happens after that will change both of their lives forever. For over fifty years this narrative has been beloved by children and adults alike for its lyricism, and for its timeless narrative of friendship, adventure, and heartbreak.
Allison Tait is author of the middle grade adventure series The Mapmaker Chronicles, which includes the books Race to the End of the World, Prisoner of Black Hawk, Breath of the Dragon, and the recently published Beyond the Edge of the Map . She is also host of the podcast series So You Want to be a Writer along with Valerie Khoo of the Australian Writers’ Centre, which is available on itunes. You can find Allison’s website at allisontait.com and the website for her book series at themapmakerchronicles.com.
All podcasts are available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play. Please link, share, comment, or subscribe. The next podcast will be published on August 16th, 2017.
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