Tag Archives: podcast

Their Eyes Were Watching God – an interview with Deedee Cummings      

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 books for children, including the Kayla: A Modern Day Princess series of books. You can find more information about Deedee at deedeecummings.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 Mahtab Narsimhan about the novel The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis . It will be published on April 18, 2022.

Angelina Ballerina – an interview with Elizabeth Lilly

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.

The Girl and the Goddess: Stories and Poems of Divine Wisdom – an interview with Sheetal Sheth

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 sad and beautiful and ultimately inspiring.

Sheetal Sheth is an actress, producer, and activist. She is also author of the children’s book Always Anjali. Her latest book is another adventure with Anjali called  Bravo Anjali, which will be available on September 21st.  You can find information about Sheetal at sheetalsheth.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 Rebecca Van Slyke about Ghost Cat by Kevan Atteberry. It will be published Monday, October 4, 2021.

The Missing Piece: an interview with Camryn Wells

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 well as it companion book The Missing Piece Meets the Big O, is for both kids and adults, or really anyone who still is pondering what’s it all about.

Camryn Wells is author of the Color, Feel, Play series of picture books, which includes What Color is Your Day? and the recently released, The Memory of Play. You can find her website at camrynwells.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 Lesa Cline-Ransome about The Diary of Anne Frank. It will be published on Monday, April 20th, 2020.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963: an interview with Kate DiCamillo

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 one mess after another. But when his father takes the whole family down to Birmingham, Alabama, what starts out as just another crazy misadventure takes a horrible turn, and Kenny finds himself in the middle of one the ugliest moments of American history. But even through the worst moments, Kenny finds he can always count on the indestructible love of his family. The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963, winner of both the Newbert and Coretta Scott-King awards, is a big-hearted book that is in turn wildly hilarious and utterly heartbreaking.

Kate DiCamillo is the Newbery-award winning author of such books as Because of Winn Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, Flora and Ulysses, among many others, including my personal favorite, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.  Her latest book is Beverly, Right Here, which is the third book in the Three Rancheros Series. You can find Kate’s website at katedicamillo.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 Fred Rexroad about the children’s mystery novel The Case of the Missing Message (A Brains Benton Mystery) by Charles Spain Verral. It will be published on Monday, January 6th, 2020.