Tag Archives: graphic novel

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.

Podcast #40: The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan

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An Interview with Matthew Winner

For my fortieth Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed librarian and podcast host Matthew Winner about his favorite children’s book, the graphic novel  The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan.

Published in 2009, The Storm in the Barn is set in Kansas during the Dustbowl of the 1930’s, and focuses on eleven year old Jack who has more than his share of difficulties to deal with: the torment of town bullies, a disappointed father who he can’t please no matter what he does, and a sister who’s fallen ill.  But when a mysterious light in the family barn draws him out one night, he discovers a mysterious stranger hiding there who seems to have a connection with the lack of rain–a stranger who may not be human.  What can Jack do about this interloper, or is this only a case of “dust dementia’, and there’s no one there at all? Part historical fiction and part fantasy, this graphic novel  is a unique and captivating look at moment in American History as told through the eyes of a young boy trying to make sense of the world, natural and supernatural, in which he finds himself.

Matthew Winner is an elementary school librarian in Maryland, co-founder of the website All the Wonders and  host of the podcast The Children’s Book Podcast. You can find Matthew’s website at www.matthewcwinner.com.

All podcasts are available on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play, and now Spotify. Please link, share, comment, or subscribe. And if you are interested in participating in the Dream Gardens podcast, send me a request through my contact page.

I will be taking a short break from podcasting until September 1st, 2018, when I will return with a new podcast with Michelle, a children’s librarian in Canada and host of the book review site Fab Books,  about Louise Fitzhugh’s classic children’s novel Harriet the Spy. During that time I will be making a few small changes to both the website and the podcast.  When I return on September 1st, please let me know what you think in the comments, or send me a note on the contact page.

Podcast #27: Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

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An Interview with E. Lockhart

For my twenty-seventh Dream Gardens kid lit podcast, I interviewed author E. Lockhart about one of her favorite YA graphic novels,  Nimona by Noelle Steveson.

Published in 2015, Nimona originally started as a Web comic in 2012, telling the story of shapeshifter and sidekick wannabe Nimona, who attaches herself to the super villain Lord Ballister Blackheart in his quest to undermine the Institute of Law Enforcement and Heroics, and in particular, his old nemesis Sir Goldenloin. But even for a villain like Blackheart, Nimona’s impulsiveness and tendency to cut a wide swath of destruction whenever she leaps into the fray is all a bit too much.  However, when they stumble across a dangerous secret at the Institute, everything turns upside down, and nothing will ever be the same again, especially Nimona.   Nimona is a book that is both funny and frightening, and whatever else you may think of Nimona, she is a true original  character not easily forgotten.

E. Lockhart’s books include the New York Times bestseller We Were Liars and The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks, which was a Printz Award honor book, a National Book Award finalist, and recipient of the Cybils Award for best young adult novel.  Her latest novel is the young adult suspense novel Genuine Fraud, published this year by Penguin Random House. In addition, she teaches creative writing at Hamline University’s low-residency MFA program in Writing for Children. You can find E. Lockhart’s website at http://www.emilylockhart.com/.

All podcasts are available on iTunes, Stitcher, and Google Play. Please link, share, comment, or subscribe. The next podcast will be published on February 1st, 2018.