89: The Importance of Disability Representation in Books For Kids - Author Interview Diane Debrovner and Stacy Cervenka

89: The Importance of Disability Representation in Books For Kids - Author Interview Diane Debrovner and Stacy Cervenka

When Diane Debrovner decided to write a middle grade book about a character with blind parents she decided that she would like a coauthor and so she approached her friend Stacy Cervenka. Stacy adds her unique perspective with her blindness and the experiences she knows about many other individuals. Diane also brings us an animal's point of view as many chapters in the book are told from the persective of a guide dog. While we sometimes get disability representation in the main character in middle grade books, Roxie in Color brings us disability representation in the parents of the main character. Find authors Diane Debrovner and Stacy Cervenka https://stacycervenka.com/ https://www.dianedebrovner.com/ https://www.instagram.com/diane.debrovner/ https://www.instagram.com/stacycervenka/ Roxie in Color by Diane Debrovner and Stacy Cervenka https://www.amazon.com/Roxie-Color-Diane-Debrovner/dp/1536246603/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0 Chapters 00:00 Meet authors Diane Debrovner and Stacy Cervenka 03:46 What is Roxie in Color about? 04:47 How Diane Debrovner and Stacy Cervenka become writing partners to coauthor Roxie in Color? 06:56 How Stacy and Diane decided to share their words through story? 12:13 What do the authors hope that sighted people will get from reading Roxie in Color? 13:59 What do the authors hope that a blind person will get from reading Roxie in Color? 18:18 What benefits do the authors hope that mixed families, where some members are sighted and some are blind, will get from reading Roxie in Color? 20:39 Is it appropriate to ask a blind person about their blindness? And how to go about these conversations? 30:28 Where can you get information about blind people? 32:25 How to help blind kids with their expectations for themselves? And how to help adults have high expectations for blind people as well? 35:12 A dog’s point of view in Roxie in color. Blind people and guide dogs. 42:55 Diane and Stacy’s book recommendations.

88: The Power of Curiosity - Picture Book Author and Illustrator Interview Matthew Cordell

Caldecott Award Winning author and illustrator Matthew Cordell talks about the importance of curiosity and how this trait features in his newest picture book, 102. I was so surprised to discover that the brilliantly illustrated picture book was drawn with a multi-color pen. Learn more about this fascinating creator in today's interview.  Find Matthew Cordell https://www.matthewcordell.com/ https://www.instagram.com/cordell_matthew/ https://www.facebook.com/cordellmatthew 102 by Matthew Cordell https://www.amazon.com/102-Matthew-Cordell/dp/0316580953/ A Potion a Powder and a Little Bit of Magic or Like Lightning in an Umbrella Storm a Story Out of Order by Philip Stead https://www.amazon.com/Potion-Powder-Little-Bit-Magic/dp/0823458091/ Chapters  00:00 Meet picture book author and illustrator Matthew Cordell 05:21 What is the picture book, 102 by Matthew Cordell, about ? 09:30 How Matthew Cordell created the story and pictures for 102 15:28 How Matthew goes about writing the text for his picture books? 18:19 The multi-colored pen Matthew used to illustrate 102 29:28 Believe the Unbelievable - how to help kids do this 32:35 What is next for author and illustrator Matthew Cordell 34:20 Matthew’s book recommendation

87: All the Worst and All the Best of Writing for Kids - PJ Gardner Middle Grade Author Interview

Have you ever wondered about the greatest aspects about being an author? Or about the lowest moments? While discussing PJ Gardner's newest book I thought it was the perfect time to delve into some of these questions since the title of this book is: Worst in Show. Find author PJ Gardner https://www.pjgardnerswitzer.com/ https://www.instagram.com/pjgardnerswitzer/ Worst in Show by PJ Gardner https://www.amazon.com/Worst-Show-PJ-Gardner/dp/0063134764/ Reach by Celesta Rimington https://www.amazon.com/Reach-Celesta-Rimington/dp/0593860306/ Monster Tree by Sarah Allen https://www.amazon.com/Monster-Tree-Sarah-Allen/dp/0374390975/ Chapters 00:00 Meet middle grade author PJ Gardner 07:22 What is Worst in Show by PJ Gardner about? 11:26 What was the worst part about writing the book Worst in Show? 12:55 The best part about writing Worst in Show? 13:44 What is the worst part about being a writer? 14:54 What is the best part about being a writer or author? 15:38 What is the worst review someone has given one of your books? 20:20 The best feedback or review you have ever received on a book you wrote? 22:03 Worst and best things about dogs? Worst and best things about ferrets and weasels? 25:03 The worst and best things about friendship? 26:13 The worst and best things about fashion? 27:45 The worst and best things about food? 29:39 What was the worst thing about starting a career as a traditionally published author? 32:21 The worst and best things about starting a brand new book? 35:05 The worst and best things about attending writers conferences? 37:05 What is next for author PJ Gardner? 38:53 PJ’s book recommendations

86: Accidentally Becoming an Illustrator with Carmen Mok

Chapters 00:00 Meet illustrator Carmen Mok 02:48 How did Carmen Mok get into illustrating books 05:15 What made Carmen want to stay in illustration? 08:39 Carmen’s process from start to finish for when her illustrations are in a published work 12:16 How the art directors feedback effects Carmen’s illustrations 13:53 After Carmen receives the manuscript what does she do to enhance the story through illustrations? 15:14 What is Carmen’s hope that readers notice about images throughout Orris and Timble? 17:26 Working with Kate DiCamillo 19:56 One of Carmen’s favorite images she created for Orris and Timble 22:17 Has anything surprised Carmen in her journey as an illustrator? 25:10 How does Carmen continue to grow as an artist? 30:38 What is next for creator Carmen Mok? 28:40 Carmen’s book recommendation

85: Teens Crave Mysteries and Thrillers - Interview with YA Author April Henry

Bring on the high stakes tension! April Henry is a New York Times bestelling author of young adult and adult fiction books. In this episode we discuss her 32nd book, In the Blood. What is it like to go all in researching for these thrillers and what are some of April's experiences with writing them.  Find author April Henry https://www.aprilhenry.com/ https://www.instagram.com/aprilhenrybooks/ In the Blood by April Henry https://www.amazon.com/Blood-April-Henry/dp/0316586218/ That's Not My Name: A Pulse-Pounding YA Thriller of Secrets, Lies, and Betrayal by Megan Lally https://www.amazon.com/Thats-Not-Name-Megan-Lally/dp/1728270111/ Chapters 00:00 Meet author April Henry 04:42 What is In The Blood by April Henry about? 06:33 Researching for In the Blood 14:27 Are April’s stories ever based on real stories? 16:53 The main character is a writer, how is April’s writing like her own character’s experiences  19:00 Who is April’s first reader when she finishes a draft? 20:37 Reader’s reactions that April loves? 21:46 Why do readers love thrillers and books with high tension? 23:57 When April was a child she sent a story to Roald Dahl and it was published in a magazine 28:08 What is next for author April Henry? 29:59 April’s book recommendation