Representation and children’s books. I talk fables and fairytales with Natalie Portman.
Feminism and Representation in Fables: An Interview and Cover Reveal with Natalie Portman
February 12, 2020 by 3 Comments
Sydney Taylor Blog Tour: Talking With Andrew Maraniss About Games of Deception
February 12, 2020 by 4 Comments
Each year, the winners of the Sydney Taylor are “sent”, as it were, on blog tours. And today, I am pleased beyond measure to be speaking with Andrew Maraniss, winner of the Sydney Taylor Honor for Middle Grade, for his book Games of Deception: The True Story of the First US Olympic Basketball Team at the 1936 Olympics in Hitler’s Germany.
Coming, Fall 2022 . . . the Highly Anticipated . ..
February 4, 2020 by 2 Comments
“I did change the outcomes and timelines of some major events, which allowed certain settings to exist when in real history they were already gone or hadn’t yet come into existence, but I tried to always alter them in favor of the exiled or subjugated parties.” Dylan Meconis presents new information on the sequel to her hugely lauded graphic novel, Queen of the Sea.
21st Century Oral Storytelling: How PJ Library Connects Kids to Their Heritage via Podcasting
January 14, 2020 by
“Folktales were an oral tradition before they were a book tradition.” I interview Meredith Lewis about why podcasts for kids are an ideal venue for carrying on Jewish storytelling traditions.
Group Interview: The Sowing Circle sisterhood
January 8, 2020 by
Today, I am very pleased to be interviewing not simply one creator but a whole group at once. The Sowing Circle is a sisterhood of Southern Black writers. And, in their own words, the group mission is to “sow affirming words and images in the hearts of children in order to reap a generation that is inquisitive, empathetic and enlightened”.
Me and My Brudda: Jeff Kinney & Patrick Kinney Discuss the Who Was? History Bee
October 29, 2019 by
I’m a big time Jeff Kinney fan over here. That’s why I got a teeny bit puzzled when I heard that he was getting involved with something called “Who Was? History Bee” along with some fella named *checks press release* a “Patrick Kinney”. So what precisely is going on here? Some answers come in the form of an interview with the duo.
Chicken? Viet Thanh Nguyen and Thi Bui’s New Multigenerational Collaboration
October 17, 2019 by
Today, we discuss a very different kind of collaboration. One that not only involves Pulitzer Prize winner Viet Thanh Nguyen and Caldecott honoree Thi Bui, but also Viet’s son Ellison and Thi’s son Hien. Because when it comes to creating books, sometimes making something new is truly a family affair.
Cover Reveal & Interview: The Amelia Six by Kristin Gray
October 11, 2019 by
Today we’re revealing Kristin L. Gray’s upcoming middle grade novel THE AMELIA SIX. But before we get to all that, let’s talk a bit to Kristin herself about the book, speedcubing, Amelia Earhart’s work with Syrian immigrants, and the difficulty level of writing middle grade mysteries (of which we never have enough).
Teddies: A Daniel Kraus Interview and Reveal
October 8, 2019 by
An upcoming series described as “Toy Story” meets “Lord of the Flies”? All right. Color me intrigued. I talk with Daniel Kraus about his intriguing new series.
Breaking the Wall of Narrow Nationalism: A Talk with Etienne Delessert
September 26, 2019 by
Last year I posted a piece on his Swiss foundation, Les Maîtres de l’Imaginaire. It only made sense to check in with the man a year later to get a new perspective on how things have changed and progressed. For those of you with an eye to international imports, consider this your morning reading.
Wild in the Streets: A Marilyn Singer Interview + Blog Tour
September 18, 2019 by
You want something high class and snazzy? You know who to turn to. Today I sit down (virtually) with Marilyn Singer and I pull no punches, people! Good thing I really like today’s book.
Interview: Mitali Perkins Talks of Between Us and Abuela
September 10, 2019 by
For 25 years, Mexicans and Americans have celebrated “La Posada Sin Fronteras” (Inn without Borders) in Friendship Park. This is a Christmas tradition, which means that Mitali Perkin’s newest book, BETWEEN US AND ABUELA, is a different kind of Christmas story. I find out why she chose to write it.
Cover Reveal of DARING DARLEEN and an Interview with Anne Nesbet
September 3, 2019 by
I can’t just do a cover reveal of a title without getting the lowdown on the book in question. So I shot some questions in Anne Nesbet’s general direction and she was happy enough to oblige me with answers.
King of the Mole People: An Interview with Paul Gilligan (Now with 50% More Mary Worth References!)
August 27, 2019 by
Not all syndicated cartoonist middle grade novels are created equal, and that’s why I was rather surprised and touched when one Mr. Paul Gilligan agreed to be interviewed. Mr. Gilligan is the creator/ illustrator of the Pooch Cafe comic strip that’s been featured in outlets like the Washington Post. And as it just so happens, King of the Mole People is Paul’s debut middle grade novel.
Interview – Making the Leap: Author/Artist David Kirk Creates His Own Publishing Company
August 20, 2019 by
Imagine, if you will for a moment, that you were to create your own book publishing company. Would that be a nightmare for you, or a dream? For David Kirk, it’s neither: It’s a reality.
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