Tag Archives: Beverly Cleary

Henry Huggins – an interview with Steven Banks

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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 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.

Dear Mr. Henshaw: An interview with Amy Hest

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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 it takes to be a writer. A classic children’s novel about writing and living and knowing when to let go.

Amy Hest is author of many books, such as  Remembering Mrs. Rossi, When Charly Met Grandpa,  The Dog Who Belonged To No One, and Letters to Leo. Her latest novel is The Summer We Found the Baby. You can find her website at www.amyhest.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 Mathew Klickstein about the picture book The Butter Battle Book by Dr. Suess. It will be published on Monday, January 4, 2021. There will be no podcast on the third Monday in December, but starting January 2021 the podcast will continue to be posted on the first and third Monday of each month.

Ramona the Pest: an interview with Theresa Julian

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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 in Ramona’s mind) trouble always seems to follow.

Theresa Julian is author of the recently released non-fiction book for kids, The Joke Machine. You can find Theresa’s website at www.theresajulian.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 Melissa Hart about the children’s book The Only Road by Alexandra Diaz. It will be published on Monday, February 17th , 2020.