Tag Archives: childrens books

Kit’s Wilderness – an interview with Jessica Vitalis

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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 of death, and more that a few ghosts.

Jessica Vitalis’s debut middle grade, THE WOLF’S CURSE, came out September, 2021. You can find more information about Jessica and THE WOLF’S CURSE at jessicavitalis.com.

I also spoke to Dwaine Millard, Senior Vice President of Family & Community Engagement at Scholastic, about the 13th annual World Read Aloud Day, taking place in 2022 on Wednesday, February. You can find more information about World Read Aloud Day at scholastic.com/worldreadaloudday .

Podcasts are available on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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 Nicole Magistro about the YA historical novel The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. It will be published Monday, February 7, 2022.

Small Spaces- an interview with Rosena Fung

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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 school bus break downs in front of field of very strange scarecrows.

Rosena  Fung is author and illustrator. Her debut book is a graphic novel for kids called Living with Viola. You can find more information about Rosena and Living with Viola at www.rosenafung.com.  

Podcasts are available on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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.

I also want to put a call out to librarians who specialize in kids books. I wanted to try a new segment sometime this year in which I would have a librarian come on with a book recommendation for a kids book. The book could be a picture book, a chapter book, a middle grade novel or a YA novel, or even a nonfiction book. You could have several recommendations, so one recording sessions could actually cover several podcasts. All the interviews are done over Zoom, so it doesn’t really matter where you are. Also, it shouldn’t take up too much of your time. It is a way of letting others know what great books are out there for kids and adults alike. If you are interested, go to the contact page on this website and leave me a note.

My next podcast will be with author Jessica Vitalis about the middle grade novel Kit’s Wilderness by David Almond. It will be published Monday, January 17, 2022.

Angelina Ballerina – an interview with Elizabeth Lilly

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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 ballerina!

Elizabeth Lilly is the author and illustrator of  the picture book Geraldine.  Her latest picture book is  Let Me Fix You a Plate: A Tale of Two Kitchens.  You can find Elizabeth’s website at www.elizabeth-lilly.com.

I also have a conversation with Judy Newman, President of Scholastic Book Clubs (@ScholasticClub), about Scholastic Book Clubs new program, The United States of Readers. You can find more information about the program at Scholastic.com/unitedstatesofreaders.

Podcasts are available on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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 Dawn Young about the picture book Goldi Rocks and the Three Bears, written by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Beth Coulton, illustrated by Nate Wragg . It will be published Monday, November 15, 2021.

What Mary Jo Shared – an interview with Donna Washington

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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 share has been there all along.

Donna Washington is an award winning storyteller, spoken word recording artist, and author. Her story collections include such titles as A Tureen of Tales and A Little Shiver, and she is the author of such children’s books as Li’l Rabbit’s Kwanzaa. Her latest children’s book is called Boo Stew.  You can find Donna’s website at dlwstoryteller.com.

The winner of my HALLOWEEN SHORTS CONTEST is Mahnoor S.! You can read hear story here or listen to me read it on this podcast. Thanks to everyone who participated!

Podcasts are available on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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 and illustrator Elizabeth Lilly about the picture book Angelina Ballerina by Katharine Holabird. It will be published Monday, November 1, 2021.

Ghost Cat – an interview with Rebecca Van Slyke

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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 books as Mom School, Dad School, Lexie the Word Wrangler, and Lana Lynn Howls at the Moon. Her latest book is Lana Lynn and the New Watchdog.  You can find Rebecca’s website at rebeccavanslyke.com.

Also, a reminder about my HALLOWEEN SHORTS CONTEST. Send me your best Halloween story for children following the directions below. If your story is picked, not only will you win a signed copy of my middle grade novel HUSH-A-BYE, but I will also read your story on my October 18th Dream Gardens podcast and post it on this page for all to read! For more information, visit the Halloween Shorts page.

Podcasts are available on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. 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 and story teller Donna Washington about the picture book What Mary Jo Shared written by Janice May Udry, illustrated by Elizabeth Sayles. It will be published Monday, October 17, 2021.