Turning Back the Pages

21. The Story of Ferdinand

This week on the podcast, I am joined by Stephanie Wildman. Stephanie Wildman, author of six children’s books, became a Professor Emerita after serving as the John A. and Elizabeth H. Sutro Chair at Santa Clara Law. She is a grandmother, mother, spouse, friend, good listener, who can sit “criss-cross apple sauce” thanks to her yoga practice. Her latest, STORY POWER! (co-authored with Simon Wildman Chung, illustrated by Estefanía Razo) is now available. Links and Resources: You can follow Stephanie [stephaniewildman.com] hereAbout the show: You can find all of the books from Turning Back the Pages on Bookshop.org [https://bookshop.org/lists/turning-back-the-pages-reading-list]. Follow ⁠Ally⁠ [whatallywrites.com] on ⁠Instagram⁠ [instagram.com/whatallywrites] or ⁠Twitter/X⁠ [x.com/whatallywrites] Thank you to ⁠Juqboxmusic⁠ [https://www.pond5.com/artist/juqboxmusic] and ⁠zXennial_Music⁠ [https://www.pond5.com/artist/zxennial_music?tab=collections] for the show music

20. A Wrinkle in Time

What does A Wrinkle in Time, Drama in Real Life stories, andbutt brains all have in common? Usually not much, but today, I discuss all three in this week’s episode of Turning Back the Pages with author Tanya Kyi. Tanya Lloyd Kyi is the author of more than 35 books for children and young adults. She writes about science, pop-culture, history, and places where the three overlap. Tanya has worked in the past as a graphic designer, an editor, and a dishwasher. (She considers herself entirely qualified for that last one.) Her favourite color is blue, her favourite food is cheese, and her favourite book is A Wrinkle in Time. Tanya lives in Vancouver, B.C., where she’s a lecturer for the UBC School ofCreative Writing. Relevant Links: Follow Tanya [https://www.tanyalloydkyi.com/] on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/tanyalloydkyi/]. Buy FEELING YOUR FEELINGS [https://bookshop.org/a/105841/9781525311277] About the show: You can find all of the books from Turning Back the Pageson Bookshop.org [https://bookshop.org/lists/turning-back-the-pages-reading-list]. Follow ⁠Ally⁠ [whatallywrites.com] on ⁠Instagram⁠ [instagram.com/whatallywrites] Thank you to ⁠Juqboxmusic⁠ [https://www.pond5.com/artist/juqboxmusic] and ⁠zXennial_Music⁠ [https://www.pond5.com/artist/zxennial_music?tab=collections] for the show music.

19. From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

This week on the podcast, I am joined by Beth Hollar Gier [http://www.bethgier.com/]. Beth chose From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, which was a favorite childhood book for both of us, so we enjoyed a half hour of gushing about how much we love this book. Beth Hollar Gier grew up along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan. She studied music at the University of Michigan and worked with middle school and high school students for many years. In 2023, she earned her MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Hamline University. These days, she lives and writes in Michigan, serves as a mentor for the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop, and cherishes time with her family. IT’S LIKE WE TOUCHED THE MOON is her debut novel. Relevant Links: ⁠ [https://lindsayhmetcalf.com/]Beth’s book ⁠It’s Like We Touched the Moon  [https://bookshop.org/a/105841/9781978597938]⁠is out now! A novel-in-verse, perfect for elementary aged readers! You can find Beth online on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bethhgier/]. About the show: You can find all of the books from Turning Back the Pageson ⁠Bookshop.org⁠ [https://bookshop.org/lists/turning-back-the-pages-reading-list]. Follow ⁠⁠Ally⁠⁠ [https://www.whatallywrites.com/turning-back-the-pages/whatallywrites.com] on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ [https://www.whatallywrites.com/turning-back-the-pages/instagram.com/whatallywrites]. Thank you to ⁠⁠Juqboxmusic⁠⁠ [https://www.pond5.com/artist/juqboxmusic] and ⁠⁠zXennial_Music⁠⁠ [https://www.pond5.com/artist/zxennial_music?tab=collections] for the show music

18. Richard Scarry's Best Mother Goose Ever

This week on the podcast, I am joined by Lindsay H. Metcalf [https://lindsayhmetcalf.com/]. We discuss nursery rhymes, Richard Scarry's illustration style, talking kids through hard topics, tariffs, and more! In the words of Stefan, "This episode has everything!" Lindsay H. Metcalf is a former journalist who writes nonfiction and poetry about people who strive to make theworld better. Her books, including No Voice Too Small and No World Too Big, have won honors such as the International Literacy Association’s Social Justice Literature Award and the Green Earth Book Award, as well as best-of-the-yearnods from Kirkus, Bank Street College of Education, and others. Lindsay began her writing career as a reporter, editor, and columnist for The Kansas City Star and other news outlets. She lives near her family’s working farm in Kansas with her husband, two sons, a geriatric cat, and a devoted lapdog. Her sixth book—Tomatoes on Trial: The Fruit V. Vegetable Showdown, illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham—releases August 12, 2025, from Calkins Creek.) Relevant Links: Lindsay [https://lindsayhmetcalf.com/]'s book Tomatoes On Trial: The Fruit V. Vegetable Showdown [https://bookshop.org/a/105841/9781662680533]is out now! I promise you won't want to miss this one. You can find Lindsay online on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lindsayhmetcalf/], Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/lindsayhmetcalf], and TikTok. [https://www.tiktok.com/@lindsayhmetcalf] About the show: You can find all of the books from Turning Back the Pageson Bookshop.org [https://bookshop.org/lists/turning-back-the-pages-reading-list]. Follow ⁠Ally⁠ [whatallywrites.com] on ⁠Instagram⁠ [instagram.com/whatallywrites]. Thank you to ⁠Juqboxmusic⁠ [https://www.pond5.com/artist/juqboxmusic] and ⁠zXennial_Music⁠ [https://www.pond5.com/artist/zxennial_music?tab=collections] for the show music

17. The King Who Rained

Welcome to season THREE! This week on the podcast, I am joined by Jen Barton to discuss The King Who Rained by Fred Gwynne. Jen Barton is a goofball masquerading as an adult. She is also the award-winning author of seven books for kids. She loves reading, cooking, gardening, and hopes to someday meet a dragon during a long walk in the woods. She started writing after the world’s most boring day in the car, a harrowing experience survived only by telling stories with the kids. Just a short girl with a tall imagination, Jen lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and spends much of her time thinking ofsilly things to amuse children. Relevant links: Follow Jen [https://jbartonbooks.com/] on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJenBarton/], Twitter [https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJenBarton/], buy Forest Bath [https://bookshop.org/shop/turningbackthepages] About the show: You can find all of the books from Turning Back the Pageson Bookshop.org [https://bookshop.org/lists/turning-back-the-pages-reading-list]. Follow ⁠Ally⁠ [whatallywrites.com] on ⁠Instagram⁠ [instagram.com/whatallywrites] or ⁠Twitter/X⁠ [x.com/whatallywrites] Thank you to ⁠Juqboxmusic⁠ [https://www.pond5.com/artist/juqboxmusic]and ⁠zXennial_Music⁠ [https://www.pond5.com/artist/zxennial_music?tab=collections]for the show music