Category Archives: Interview

Maybe He Just Likes You: An interview with Paula Chase Hyman

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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 allies and her own voice in this timely and empowering story.

Paula Chase Hyman is author of  such books as the Del Rio Bey series, and the middle grade novels Dough Boys and So Done. Her latest middle grade novel is Turning Point. In addition, she is one of the founders and a contributor to the Brown Bookshelf Blog. Her website can be found at paulachasehyman.com (previously paulachasebooks.com), and the website for the Brown Bookshelf can be found at thebrownbookshelf.com.  

Podcasts are available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify. Please link, share, comment, write a review or subscribe. Let me know what you think! If you are interested in participating in the Dream Gardens podcast, send me a request through my contact page.

My next podcast will be with author Angela Dominguez about the novel Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai. It will be published on Monday, October 5, 2020.

Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters: An African Tale- an interview with Tricia Elam Walker

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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 leads to strange encounters and a discovery that it’s what’s in your heart that matters most. 

Tricia Elam Walker in an assistant professor of Creative Writing at Howard University and author of the novel Breathing Room. Her picture book, Nana Akua Goes to School was just published this year. You can find her website at triciaelamwalker.com.

Podcasts are available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify. Please link, share, comment, write a review or subscribe. Let me know what you think! If you are interested in participating in the Dream Gardens podcast, send me a request through my contact page.

My next podcast will be with author Paula Chase Hyman about the novel Maybe He Just Likes You by Barbara Dee. It will be published on Monday, October 5, 2020.

Curious George: an interview with Michael Arterberry

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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.

I have to add one correction to the podcast. I stated the author was H.A. Rey, but it was actually co-written by H. A. Rey and Margret Rey, who were married. Margret Rey’s name was left off the first few Curious George Books because the publisher at the time (1941) felt there were already too many woman writing children’s books (!). Her name was included in later books, as it should have always been. It was neglectful on my part not to have included it as well.

Michael Arterberry is a motivational speaker and author of the memoir God was Holding my Hand  and the motivational book Be Encouraged!!! 250 Days of Motivation and Encouragement. He is also founder and executive director of  Youth Voices Center, Inc. You can find his website at www.michaelarterberry.com and the website for Youth Voices Center at www.youthvoicescenter.org.

Podcasts are available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify. Please link, share, comment, write a review or subscribe. Let me know what you think! If you are interested in participating in the Dream Gardens podcast, send me a request through my contact page.

My next podcast will be with author Tricia Elam Walker about the picture book Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe. It will be published on Monday, September 21st, 2020.

The Hobbit, or There and Back Again by J. R. R. Tolkien: an interview with Antonio Sacre

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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. But when adventure coming knocking on his door, literally, Bilbo sets off to meet trolls and dragons and elves and more adventure than he ever knew was possible.

Antonio Sacre is author of  such books A Mango in the Hand and My Name is Cool. He is also story teller who story telling recordings include Looking for Papito and High Five Dad. His latest story album is “World’s Second-Best Dad” which just won a 2020 Family Choice Award and a 2020 National Parenting Product Award. You can find his website at antoniosacre.com

Podcasts are available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify. Please link, share, comment, write a review or subscribe. Let me know what you think! And if you are interested in participating in the Dream Gardens podcast, send me a request through my contact page.

My next podcast will be with author and motivational speaker Michael Arterberry about the classic children’s picture book Curious George by H. R. Rey. It will be published on Monday, September 7th, 2020.

Ghosts: an interview with Natalie Rompella

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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 and what might happen to her sister. She has a lot to learn before she can set those fears aside.

Natalie Rompella is author of numerous educational guides for young readers as well as the middle grade book Cookie Cutter and Sled Runners and the non-fiction picture book The World Never Sleeps. You can find her website at natalierompella.com.

Podcasts are available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Spotify. Please link, share, comment, write a review or subscribe. Let me know what you think! And if you are interested in participating in the Dream Gardens podcast, send me a request through my contact page.

My next podcast will be with author and storyteller Antonia Sacre about the classic chldren’s novel The Hobbit by J. R. R. Tolkien. It will be published on Monday, August 17th, 2020.