Tag Archives: middle grade

Anne of Green Gables – an interview with Payal Doshi

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 readers for well over a hundred years.

Payal Doshi’s debut middle grade novel Rea and the Blood of the Nectar was published June, 2021. It is the first book of her Chronicles of Astranthia.  You can find more information about Payal at www.payaldoshiauthor.com.

Also, this podcast marks the start of 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 Sheetal Sheth about The Girl and the Goddess: Stories and Poems of Divine Wisdom by Nikita Gill. It will be published Monday, September 20, 2021.

The Black Stallion; Dear Me: Letters to Myself, For All of My Emotions – an interview with Dr. William A. Haseltine

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 picture book guide for young children on understanding and coping with all of their feelings.

Dr. Haseltine is a scientist and author, and he is the Chair and President of ACCESS Health International. His books include COVID: A Family Guide to Covid, A Covid Back to School Guide, and My Lifelong Fight Against Disease: From Polio and AIDS to COVID-19. His latest book for younger readers is  Science as a Superpower: My Lifelong Fight Against Disease and the Heroes Who Made it Possible. You can find his website at williamhaseltine.com.

In addition, after the interview I will be reading the next two chapters of my own debut Middle Grade novel Hush-a-bye, chapters five and six. You can find chapters one and two at the end of my podcast interview with Ben Zhu. You can find chapters three and four at the end of my podcast interview with Amy Makechnie. For more information about my debut novel, please visit my author page at jodyleemott.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.

My next podcast will be with author Payal Doshi about Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery . It will be published Monday, September 6.

Henry Huggins – an interview with Steven Banks

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 Banks was a writer for such shows as SpongeBob Square pants, The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron, and CatDog . He is also author of the of Middle School Bites  book series, including the books Middle School Bites; Middle School Bites: Tom Bites Back, and coming on August 31, the third book in the series Middle School Bites: Out for Blood.  You can find information about the whole Middle School Bites series at holidayhouse.com (which I neglected to mention in my podcast) or www.penguinrandomhouse.com and searching Middle School Bites.

In addition, after the interview I will be reading the next two chapters of my own debut Middle Grade novel Hush-a-bye, chapters three and four. You can find chapters one and two at the end of my podcast interview with Ben Zhu. For more information about my debut novel, please visit my author page at jodyleemott.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.

My next podcast will be with scientist and author Dr. William A. Haseltine about The Black Stallion by Walter Farley and Dear Me: Letters to Myself, For All Of My Emotions by Donna Tetreault . It will be published Monday, August 16, 2021.

The Tale of Despereaux – an interview with Amy Makechnie

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 is the author of the middle grade novel The Unforgettable Guinevere St. Claire. Her latest middle grade novel is Ten Thousand Tries. You can find her website at www.amymakechnie.com.

In addition, at the top of the podcast I spoke to Shane Garver, Associate Vice President of Rural Education Programs at Save the Children, about summer reading in rural communities and about their partnership with Scholastic. For more information about Save the Children visit savethechildren.org/usa. For more information about the Summer program you can visit www.scholastic.com/summer

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, then send me a request through my contact page.

My next podcast will be with author and illustrator Ben Zhu about the picture book Du Iz Tak by Carson Ellis . It will be published on Monday, July 19, 2021.

Half Magic – an interview with Tricia Springstubb

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 author of  such books as the Cody Chapter book series, What Happened on Fox Street, Every Single Second, and the picture book Khalil and Mr. Hagerty and the Backyard Treasures.  Her latest book is the middle grade novel The Most Perfect Thing in the Universe. You can find her website at Triciaspringstubb.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, then send me a request through my contact page.

My next podcast will be with author Amy Makechnie about the middle grade novel The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. It will be published on Monday, July 5, 2021.