Episódios
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Harold and the Purple Crayon: Exploration and Play are Just a Stroke Away (ft. Chris Van Allsburg & Brian Pinkney)
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Do you remember reading Crockett Johnson's Harold and the Purple Crayon? To his friends and family Crockett was Dave Leisk. You might know him best for the bold purple line that gives shape to the spare illustrations of Harold and Purple Crayon, published in 1955.
In this episode, Chris Van Allsburg and Brian Pinkney reflect on the influence Harold and the Purple Crayon had on them, their work, and the value they believe it offers young readers.
To learn more about Chris Van Allsburg’s, or Brian Pinkney’s books, visit
https://www.harpercollins.com/search?q=chris+van+allsburg
https://www.harpercollins.com/search?q=brian+pinkney
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
[1:55] Does loving Harold and the Purple Crayon as a child guarantee future artistic talent?
[5:47] Bad Day at Riverbend follows the style of a coloring book with a twist.
[10:44] Similar to Brandon's blanket in Brian's book Brandon and the Baby, Harold's purple crayon conjures magic at every turn
[14:17] Brian and Chris embrace play and experimentation in their creative process, albeit with distinct approaches.
[18:36] Artists like Crockett Johnson have a long tradition of mentoring, motivating, and celebrating younger generations’ work.
[23:57] Filmmakers have cracked the story and are bringing Harold and the Purple Crayon to the big screen.
[26:53] Maurice Sendak, Brian, and Chris believe Harold and the Purple Crayon offers value to young readers.
Continue Your Journey:
Brian Pinkney
HarperCollins
Remember Reading Podcast
@ReadingPod on Twitter
Shareables:
“The concept behind Harold and the Purple Crayon was so simple. Something so easily grasped by a child and yet so fruitful in terms of the kind of narrative opportunities. The story you can tell having embraced this simple, magical idea of a crayon that could be used to create the world that Harold moved through.” — Chris Van Allsburg, author and illustrator of Bad Day at Riverbend
“The conclusion I came to, and it might overlap slightly with Harold, but it was the idea that in our lives that fate can be as fickle as a 6-year-old with a yellow crayon.” — Chris Van Allsburg, author and illustrator of Bad Day at Riverbend
“You can create magic in any moment even when things seem like it’s perilous. You can still, you know, use your imagination to come up with a solution.” — Brian Pinkney, author and illustrator of Hey Otter! Hey Beaver!
“Sometimes I'll paint things before I know what they're going to be and I don’t see it until it’s already painted and then I can make, you know, changes and that’s when the play begins.” — Brian Pinkney, author and illustrator of Hey Otter! Hey Beaver!
“It was fascinating to see that the young artists were not only interested in how I taught them art but in me as a person and that I valued what they were making.” — Brian Pinkney, author and illustrator of Hey Otter! Hey Beaver!
“I love it when books become movies because I love seeing how a different format and a different eye and different creative process will envision something.” — Brian Pinkney, author and illustrator of Hey Otter! Hey Beaver! -
Do you remember reading The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg? As its 40th anniversary approaches, the book is nothing short of a Christmas classic. Before winning the Caldecott Medal in 1986, before the animated movie, and the Polar Express train rides Chris Van Allsburg had already garnered quite a reputation. He’s the author and illustrator behind The Garden of Abdul Gasazi, Jumanji, Zathura, and many others.
In this episode, Chris Van Allsburg and Leo Landry discuss the moody illustrations and profound coming-of-age story that has fascinated holiday readers year after year since 1985.
To learn more about Chris Van Allsburg’s, or Leo Landry’s books, visit
https://www.harpercollins.com/search?q=chris+van+allsburg
https://www.harpercollins.com/search?q=leo+landry
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
[1:59] The illustrations in The Polar Express were intentionally dark and moody to balance out the story’s Christmas cheer.
[11:48] Chris says his books are about a rite of passage as much as they are about magic.
[23:40] The Polar Express was Chris’ third book adapted into a feature film, but the first using motion-capture technology.
[30:18] Reigniting Santa Claus’s Christmas spirit is a lesser-known backstory of The Polar Express.
Continue Your Journey:
Polar Express
HarperCollins
Remember Reading Podcast
@ReadingPod on Twitter
Shareables:
“There are decisions that you make as an illustrator that are stylistic considerations that have to do with what you think the emotional tone of the book is. So there was some intention in using this deeper palette.” — Chris Van Allsburg, author and illustrator of The Polar Express
“It's a coming-of-age story because there's a point in our lives where we must become rational human beings because it's very difficult to function as adults if you live in a world of make-believe.” — Chris Van Allsburg, author and illustrator of The Polar Express
“This was the first, you know, ambitious use of motion capture and to see Tom Hanks climb out of a train and to see that this was not reality, but really close to it. I said this is great.” — Chris Van Allsburg, author and illustrator of The Polar Express
“Like a lot of his [Chris Van Allburg] books, they have a little bit of tension in all of the artwork that is a little bit like you just don’t know what is going to happen when you turn the page. Even though it is seemingly like a nice Christmas story. ” — Leo Landry, author, illustrator, and bookseller
“There was that annual anticipation of his [Chris Van Allburg] new book — and what would it be? His art just had a really different quality than a lot of illustration that was out there at that time. And that combined with a Christmas story, his unusual perspectives, his lighting in his artwork — the shadow and the light — every spread was just so beautifully composed.” — Leo Landry, author, illustrator, and bookseller
“Sometimes I just wonder how can someone not already have this book, but then every year we sell another 25 +, 30‒40 copies. So that's really impressive to me because there are very few books where that happens, and this is definitely one of them.“ — Leo Landry, author, illustrator, and bookseller -
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There are many ways that we build our histories. Certain particulars might be largely out of our power, our parentage, or parts of our personalities, but how we choose to remember our histories tends to create something real and true, however fictional, like an old folktale. Our histories, whether real or imagined, memory or fiction, give us a greater understanding of who we are and our place in the world.
In this episode, Melissa Iwai joins Allen Say to celebrate the 30th anniversary of his classic, Grandfather’s Journey. In the last couple of decades, children's literature in the U.S. has become increasingly populated with diverse characters, authors, and illustrators. But 30 years ago, Allen was making diverse characters and stories when few authors and illustrators were. The broadened representation in children’s literature we see today is owed to artists like Allen and Melissa.
To learn more about Allen Say’s, or Melissa Iwai’s books, visit https://www.harpercollins.com/search?q=allen+say
https://www.harpercollins.com/search?q=melissa+iwai
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
[1:26] Allen reflects on Grandfather’s Journey as a timeless, real-life story reminiscent of a folktale.
[6:54] Allen’s sense of outsiderness is the thread that creates a deep connection for Melissa.
[11:18] Melissa’s book, Gigi and Ojiji, was inspired by a childhood memory of a visit with her Japanese grandfather.
[13:42] Allen shares his journey, as both author and artist.
[25:38] Authors use illustrations for different purposes, as Melissa learned working on Marc Tyler Nobleman’s Thirty Minutes Over Oregon.
[30:11] What the ending of Kozo the Sparrow means to Allen.
[35:07] Allen shares his thoughts about memories and distinguishing fact from fiction.
Continue Your Journey:
Melissa Iwai
HarperCollins
Remember Reading Podcast
@ReadingPod on Twitter
Shareables:
“I didn’t think that the book would sell at all when I was working on it. It was something I simply had to do. I had given up my long career, a 25-year career in photography and I just painted a picture. I realized that I'm really a painter, which I have been in denial of most of my adult, young-adult life because I got tired of poverty.” — Allen Say, author of Grandfather’s Journey
“I thought I was following the old Japanese tradition of a young boy going out into the world looking for a master… but that's not what I was doing… I was actually trying to replace my father with a man that I could admire and love, and I was lucky.” — Allen Say, author of Grandfather’s Journey
“Drawing it is a different thing. It’s coming straight out of your head, from your dream life. And, I find a story there.” — Allen Say, author of Grandfather’s Journey
“I have a hard time distinguishing between fiction and real life, to begin with. As I always had difficulty distinguishing my dream life from waking life. I much rather prefer to be in the fantasy world, of course.“ — Allen Say, author of Grandfather’s Journey
“Books were a refuge for me because I was shy and quiet and I loved to read. But even in my childhood books, I don’t remember having any books with Asian-American characters in them.” — Melissa Iwai, author of Gigi, and Ojiji
“I was raised in just a small town where there weren't very many Asian Americans at the time and I just always felt like I stood out and I was different.” — Melissa Iwai, author of Gigi, and Ojiji
“I think it's very important for kids to feel seen and I want to create the kind of books that I would have loved when I was a kid.”— Melissa Iwai, author of Gigi, and Ojiji -
Fictional dystopias don’t create fear as much as they validate it. And isn’t that what we want as young people and even later as adults? To be validated, whether in our fears, our pain, or our happiness? Young Adult books let us explore, without the threat of rejection, what we most wish to understand or even accept, ourselves.
In this episode, we explore a new era of female protagonists and the dystopian world in which they exist. Authors Veronica Roth and Mindy McGinnis create stories that challenge the conventional role of young female characters in YA literature and set forth to expose how heroines see the world.
To learn more about Veronica Roth’s, or Mindy McGinnis’ books, visit harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/veronica-roth
harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/mindy-mcginnis
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
[1:23] Veronica’s love of quizzes, tests, and categories inspired her to create a world of factions in Divergent.
[3:32] Growing up in the ’80s, Mindy remembers the influence Divergent had on her life.
[6:41] Exposure therapy was the driving force behind Veronica’s creation of Divergent’s fear-based virtual realities, as she explains.
[10:59] Mindy shares the fear that is the basis of her book, Not A Drop to Drink.
[13:41] Veronica included an intentional romance in her book to push back against a particular romantic cliché. Mindy took a different approach.
[17:10] Mindy fires back at critics who find Young Adult books too dark.
[19:51] In Mindy’s A Long Stretch of Bad Days, the female protagonist is not afraid to make other people uncomfortable.
Shareables:
“Nobody’s done coming of age. That’s not a thing. That’s why adults end up wanting to read YA because there’s part of you that's always in high school.” — Mindy McGinnis, author of Not a Drop to Drink
“Even if you are growing up like perfectly kind of safe and contained, books are safe places to explore the darkness in the world.” — Mindy McGinnis, author of Not a Drop to Drink
“I do think it’s changing. It’s a lot different than it used to be as far as just letting the inner lives of young women be important and significant.” — Veronica Roth, author of Divergent
“The Female of the Species, in particular, is a book that is about rape culture and I definitely wrote it as a validation of women’s rage.” — Mindy McGinnis, Author
“When you hear that you've done something right, not that there’s one way to do it right, but that you connected with someone who has a personal experience of those harder things in life, it becomes really emotional. It’s really good.“ — Veronica Roth, author of Divergent -
You may be familiar with Maurice Sendak’s books like Where the Wild Things Are or Outside Over There, but do you remember reading In the Night Kitchen? Just over 10 years after the prolific author's passing, we are returning to his 1970s dreamscape of a picture book. In the Night Kitchen offers a dazzling portrait of creativity and the expansive imaginations of children contending with an adult world.
In this episode, besides stirring about in the needless controversy that often surrounds Maurice Sendak’s classic, In the Night Kitchen, we talk with two picture book authors influenced by the master author and illustrator’s work. Author and Illustrator, Sergio Ruzzier describes the influence Sendak had on his career and books, including Fish and Sun and Fish and Wave. And Author and Illustrator, Antionette Portis, reflects on the revelatory impact of Sendak’s books on children’s literature, the human experience, and her own books, Not A Box, Not a Stick, and A Penguin’s Story.
To learn more about Maurice Sendak, Sergio Ruzzier, or Antionette Portis’ books, visit harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/maurice-sendak
harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/sergio-ruzzier
harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/antionette-portis
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
[1:01] Sergio and Antionette identify the fragments of American culture floating through Sendak’s In the Night Kitchen.
[4:38] Still a point of contention, when In the Kitchen was released controversy erupted in the U.S. due to the main character, Mickey’s nudity.
[7:34] Sergio’s fourth-grade drawing of a monster had a similar censorship issue when it was included in a Jon Scieszka compilation.
[8:21] Antionette reminds us that Sendak felt insulted when people referred to his work as kiddie books.
[8:59] Like most adults and children, Sergio deeply felt the emotional complexities of Sendak’s words and pictures. As a visual storyteller, he was later invited to join the Sendak Fellowship.
[12:18] Antionette was also invited to be a part of the Sendak Fellowship’s inaugural class in 2010. She describes the experience.
[12:57] Antionette’s books, Not a Box and Not a Stick are a celebration of the imaginative lives of children.
[17:23] Sergio’s Fish and Sun, Fish and Wave, and his third book in the series, Fish and Worm, were inspired by the narrative art of his heroes and reflect his desire to have children think for themselves.
[22:43] Sergio was asked to lend his visually-mesmerizing illustrative abilities to Roar Like a Dandelion by the late Ruth Krauss.
[25:05] Edna, the main character in Antionette’s A Penguin’s Story, is on a spiritual search to find meaning in the universe, metaphorically.
[27:27] Antionette examines In the Night Kitchen looking to uncover hidden meanings baked into its dreamy joy.
Continue Your Journey:
Maurice Sendak
Sergio Ruzzier
Antionette Portis
HarperCollins
Remember Reading Podcast
@ReadingPod on Twitter
Shareables:
“I didn't set out to cause a scandal. I set out to do a very particular work where he had to be naked in order to confront a particular dream he was in. You don’t go into a dream wearing Fruit of the Loom underwear or PJs.” — Maurice Sendak, author of In the Night Kitchen
“You are calling for attention if you underline the thing you want to hide. It’s not going to work. It’s actually funny.” — Sergio Ruzzier, author of Fish and Sun
“He [Sendak] really felt insulted that people called his books kiddie books. ‘Cause he’s like, I make books for humans, and if children like them that's great.” — Antionette Portis, author of Not a Box -
Picture books, while they may be sparse in language, can pack in big and complex lessons about friendship, or difficult feelings. Their lessons often follow us into our adulthood. And, as for lessons, here is one for teachers — maybe hold off on telling students they can't draw. They may just grow up and turn you into an iconic mean character. If you’re really lucky though and kind and honest you just might become a superhero wrestler in training or a green light or a hippo with an incredible knack for friendship.
In this episode, we pay homage to illustrator and author, James Marshall. His George and Martha books integrate the tension sometimes felt between friends with valuable lessons of non-judgmental communication. Author of the World of Vamos! Books, Raúl the Third discusses the value of illustrations in books to help the story. And, Breanna Carzoo, author of Lou and Greenlight, explores how characters, even inanimate ones, respond to conflict and self-doubt.
To learn more about James Marshall, Raúl the Third, or Breanna Carzoo’s books, visit harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/james-marshall
harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/ral-the-third
harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/breanna-carzoo
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
[:25] In a recorded interview from 1987, Jim reflects on his birthplace, San Antonio, Texas, and how he weaves some memory of it into all of his stories.
[1:15] Raúl the Third, author of the World of Vamos! books shares an unforgettable moment from The Box from George and Martha Back in Town.
[3:45] Breanna Carzoo, author of Lou, appreciates the George and Martha books because of the beautiful and honest depiction of friendship they depict.
[5:10] In his own words, Jim shares the origin of the idea that George has had it with Martha’s split pea soup.
[6:20] Breanna shares the unlikely inspiration behind her book, Lou, and offers a glimpse into how she uses negative space to create movement in a scene.
[8:48] Raúl’s love of larger-than-life characters inspired him to use Luchadores as characters in his soon-to-be-released book, Tacos Today.
[10:49] Raúl reveals his passion for the various approaches cartoonists take to tell a story through drawings, even if his art teachers weren’t impressed.
[15:43] The teachers in James Marshall’s books, Viola Swamp, and Miss Nelson, are polar opposites of each other.
[19:20] Reflecting on her childhood, Breanna uses humor to offset Lou’s otherwise shameful and deeply depressing existence.
[22:55] Both Jim and Raúl share the significance of the never-changing, summertime landscape of Texas as the backdrop of many of their books.
[25:54] In her new book, Greenlight, Breanna explores our need for the approval of others and the big feelings that expose themselves when we feel rejected.
[27:24] The friendship between George and Martha in Jim’s books is realistic, sometimes tense, and always truthful.
Continue Your Journey:
James Marshall
Raúl the Third
Breanna Carzoo
HarperCollins
Remember Reading Podcast
@ReadingPod on Twitter -
There is much to be learned from stories, whether they feature ghosts, witches, or monsters, even when they scare us. It is the lessons learned in the face of darkness that make supernatural stories important for young readers. And, it is telling, that stories of ghosts and graveyards stay with us. They might cause us a bit of grief, but when we face them, we face ourselves, our fears, and our histories, and in confronting them we learn collaboration, problem-solving, empathy, and companionship.
In this episode, we dredge up some Halloween spirit and examine our favorite graveyards and the ghosts that haunt them. J.A. White and Chantel Acevedo join the Queen of Tween Screams, Mary Downing Hahn to appreciate her supernatural classic, Wait Till Helen Comes. A self-proclaimed scaredy cat, Mary shares how the dysfunction of the family at the center of her book served to create an opening for a ghost to entice itself into a renewed existence. Mary, J.A., and Chantel unearth the dark secrets and histories of villains and ghastly beings to help readers understand that whatever haunts their nightmares just may hold an important lesson.
To learn more about Mary Downing Hahn’s, J.A. White’s, or Chantel Acevedo’s books, visit harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/mary-downing-hahn
harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/j-a-white
harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/chantel-acevedo
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
[1:58] Mary shares the frightful churchyard revelation that became/inspired Wait Till Helen Comes.
[4:01] Chantel reflects on how Mary succinctly portrays the complex yet simple way many children think about death.
[6:51] J.A. White believes the supernatural elements of Wait Till Helen Comes only add to the existing tension of the underlying family drama.
[7:38] Mary shares how writing about a blended family adds conflict and makes her story relatable to young readers.
[11:34] In The Curse of Spectacle Key, Chantel’s young characters are encouraged to feel free from the pressures of growing up and that loving and being loved is enough.
[16:30] J.A. White loves the idea of budding young authors identifying with the plight of Alex from Nightbooks, and Gravebooks.
[19:46] In their books, Mary, Chantel, and J.A. all explore the lurking pasts of their villains and how that history shapes their fears and actions.
[21:21] In The Curse at Spectacle Key, the main character Frank has a mission to break the curse of the island and expose the hidden history of orphaned ghosts.
[25:27] Mary recalls the many different responses she has received about Wait Till Helen Comes from 1986 when supernatural books were a point of debate.
Continue Your Journey:
JA White Books
Chantel Acevedo
HarperCollins
Remember Reading Podcast
@ReadingPod on Twitter
Shareables:
“It speaks about death in ways that are emotionally complex but also simple to grasp.” — Chantel Acevedo, author, The Curse on Spectacle Key
“Sometimes I forget who I am writing for when I am caught up in writing. When I really get into the book it is almost like the story is telling itself.” — Mary Downing Hahn, author, Wait Till Helen Comes
“She uses all these supernatural elements to augment the tension that is already there. I think that is my favorite type of supernatural story.” — J.A. White, author, Gravebooks on Mary Downing Hahn’s Wait Till Helen Comes
“A ghost is the ultimate outsider.” — Mary Downing Hahn, author, Wait Till Helen Comes -
Middle grade is a time when readers can be especially moved by the books they pick up. Books can center kids marginalized by conflict, can inspire other readers to decenter themselves, to listen better, and to be more intentional with welcome signs. In one sense, borders are fiction, lines made up by winners of wars. In another sense, borders have a potent impact on the lives of the people who cross them, often as a result of those wars. but the truth of crossing borders is in the smallest details of people’s lives and in the white space between those details.
In this episode, three authors reveal the experiential journey of their child characters who cross borders and merge cultures in their books. Thanhhà Lai, Rajani LaRocca, and Jasmine Warga share their personal journeys of arriving in a new land, learning English, making friends, and what inspired them to find their character’s voice in poetry. Stories like theirs remind all readers that just by being mindful of the way we treat each other, we can make the world anew … every day.
To learn more about Thanhhà Lại’s, Rajani LaRocca’s, or Jasmine Warga’s books, visit harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/thanhh-lai
harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/rajani-larocca
harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/jasmine-warga
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
[:25] Rajani and Jasmine share treasured moments from Inside Out and Back Again.
[3:32] Thanhhà describes her book as a recollection of her daily routine living amid war and the shock of adjusting to Alabama and English.
[8:04] Jasmine and Rajani describe what inspired them to structure the narrative of their books in prose poems.
[10:45] In Other Words for Home, Jasmine portrays the tension points of dealing with Islamophobia in the U.S. and the joy that exists in the Arab and Muslim community for her young adult character, Jude.
[12:51] In Red, White, and Whole, Rajani’s protagonist, Reha, swirls between Indian and American culture while her mother is sick with Leukemia.
[14:52] Falling back into her past allowed Jasmine to channel Jude’s adolescent voice.
[16:15] Thanhhà describes how she blends a youthful point of view into a complicated situation.
[17:00] War, refugees, freedom, and the truth of crossing borders. -
Children’s literature offers a rehearsal for the real world. A safe place for young readers to practice seeing beyond the easy narratives that are handed to them by their communities or that they might see in the media or even that they are taught in schools. It is the foundation for critical thinking. Children come to books already having a deep and wide emotional landscape they will use to navigate the world. Books can pull back the curtain on how things work and give kids a head start on making their corner of the world a little brighter.
In this episode, Karina Yan Glaser and Anne Ursu reflect on the influence of Lois Lowry’s powerful Newbery award-winning, The Giver, and explain how their books disclose the injustices of patriarchy, power, and pallidity on society. Lois shares her personal experience of having her books banned and ponders the future of children who have not been exposed or provoked through literature.
To learn more about Lois Lowry’s, Karina Yan Glaser’s, or Anne Ursu’s books, visit harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/lois-lowry
harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/karina-yan-glaser
harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/anne-ursu
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
[5:50] Lois, Karina, and Anne recount the purposeful words used to describe the nefarious conditions in The Giver.
[12:46] The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy was, in part, a response to Anne Ursu’s rage after witnessing the patriarchal narrative during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings.
[16:32] Karina shares the principal theme of her book, A Duet for Home.
[22:34] Characters who challenge misinformation is a theme that runs through The Giver, A Duet for Home, and The Troubled Girls of Dragomir Academy.
[25:33] Anne contends that by banning books and taking away history our ability to empathize will also be eliminated.
[26:26] Lois’ book, Number the Stars, has also been added to a few banned book lists.
[29:11] Lois’ advice for authors who find themselves on a banned book list.
Continue Your Journey:
Lois Lowry
Karina Yan Glaser
Anne Ursu
HarperCollins
Remember Reading Podcast
@ReadingPod on Twitter -
Magic and fantastical elements can get kids reading. Young adult fantasy novels construct portals readers can get sucked into, and when they emerge, they often have more nuanced and keen insights for making or remaking the world around them. The parallels to contemporary society can even give kids another way to see themselves. In this episode, Megan Whalen Turner, author of the Queen’s Thief series, Roseanne A. Brown, author of A Song of Wraith and Ruin, and Garth Nix, author of the Old Kingdom series, describe how the real world can be an inspiration for fantasy worlds, how a civilization’s myths and religions offer depictions of the people, how to create compelling and dynamic characters who overcome even when great harm befalls them, and the many forms of magic in stories.
To learn more about Megan Whalen Turner, Roseanne A. Brown, or Garth Nix’s books, visit harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/megan-whalen-turner
harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/roseanne-a-brown
harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/garth-nix
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
[1:21] Looking back at how Megan created The Thief’s fantastically detailed world.
[5:16] Historical and geopolitical strife are not common components in Young Adult novels.
[8:16] Roseanne describes how adding myths to a story gives readers an understanding of how characters see the world.
[11:24] Megan describes the unique process she used when writing the Queen’s Thief series.
[12:09] The role of storytelling and folklore in Roseanne’s book, A Song of Wraith and Ruin.
[13:59] Upending the idea of what a hero should be to create stories with integrity.
[17:27] Garth and Rosanne describe how they create and utilize magic in their stories.
Continue Your Journey:
Megan Whalen Turner
Rosanne A. Brown
Garth Nix
HarperCollins
Remember Reading Podcast
@ReadingPod on Twitter -
Books help young people wrap their minds around who they are, how they fit into the world and give them the language to demand the world make space for them. Queer Young Adult books can guide young readers through the myriad of experiences of coming out in different contexts and cultures. And, love stories can help young gay kids imagine themselves into meaningful adult lives and into fulfilling relationships that validate, nourish, and sustain them. In this episode, three authors of queer YA books share their personal coming-out experiences, which they later translated into their character’s coming-out journey, and share the impact reading queer YA books can have on generations of gay kids in developing their personal agency.
To learn more about Becky Albertalli, Adbi Nazemian, or Jason June’s books, visit harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/becky-albertalli
harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/abdi-nazemian
harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/jason-june
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
[1:00] In 2015, Becky Albertalli published the award-winning novel about a gay teen, Simon vs. The Homosapien Agenda.
[5:02] Author of Like a Love Story, Abdi Nazemian describes how coming out today is different than in decades past.
[9:00] Part of Abdi’s personal coming-out story is similar to his character's experience in Like a Love Story.
[10:40] In Jay’s Gay Agenda, Jason June wanted to move the main character past his coming-out story.
[12:03] Without a thriving gay community, love, romance, and sexual experiences can be out of reach for gay teens as Jason June explores in Jay’s Gay Agenda.
[16:18] After Simon vs. The Homosapien Agenda was published, a storm of criticism led Becky to come out publicly in an essay.
[21:22] Becky, Abdi, and Jason discuss how being able to relate to queer characters in books matters.
[22:28] Authors share their favorite reads in the Queer Young Adult book space.
Continue Your Journey:
Becky Albertalli
Abdi Nazemian
Hey Jason June
HarperCollins
@ReadingPod on Twitter
Shareables:
“Oftentimes when we’re taught history, we’re taught we learn history, so as not to repeat it. And as I was writing the book, I was like, but what if we flip that? And we teach the reverse of it, which is, let’s study the history that we do want to repeat. Let's study ACT UP. How did they form, how did they actually create such a monumental change in the world? How did the queer community come together when everyone turned their backs on them?” — Abdi Nazemian, Author, Like a Love Story
“We need to explore the magic and the complications and all the layers of getting to be queer and what that means.” — Jason June, Author, Jay’s Gay Agenda
“When you are trying to write about an experience that looks different for every person it’s hard to definitely say something is right or wrong but I wanted it to feel authentic.” — Becky Albertalli, Author, Simon vs. The Homosapien Agenda -
There is a magical age, somewhere between eight and twelve, where young people’s wonder at the natural world can be galvanized into meaningful engagement with the threats and challenges that humans bring to bear on nature. It is within this window that the right book at the right time can help a young person make sense of the big feelings that come with adolescence — and with unforeseen hardships, like global pandemics.
In this episode, with the help of Sara Pennypacker, author of Pax and Pax, Journey Home, Colby Sharp, literacy advocate and teacher, and Philippe Cousteau, co-author of The Endangereds series, we discuss the serious, real-life challenges that young readers face and how animal characters in books can help them identify and express their feelings of grief, loss, and trauma.
To learn more about Sara Pennypacker’s or Philippe Cousteau’s books, visit harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/sara-pennypacker
harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/philippe-cousteau
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
[2:33] The reaction Sara received from a group of fourth-graders after reading a chapter of Pax, led her to make changes to the original text.
[4:24] Sara prefers to write about how wounded children attempt to carry on and heal their wounds after trauma.
[5:18] A scene in the book, when Peter decides not to return to the therapist, spurs Colby to consider the state of his children post-pandemic.
[8:56] Sara describes why Pax is purposefully written to exclude a distinct time or place.
[12:07] After interviewing several animals, for Sara, there was no question the character Pax would be a fox.
[14:37] Philippe Cousteau describes his book series, The Endangereds and how learning from animals helps children identify with the major environmental crisis we face.
[18:17] How writers can introduce young readers to serious, real-world issues.
[20:02] Pax’s ending left readers with the opportunity to envision their version of what happens to the characters but as questions emerged Sara decided to write the sequel Pax, Journey Home.
[29:09] Colby’s non-fiction, Gamechanger, addresses the need to get books in the hands and minds of children.
Continue Your Journey:
Sara Pennypacker
Mr. Colby Sharp
Philippe Cousteau
HarperCollins
Remember Reading Podcast
@ReadingPod on Twitter
Shareables:
“There's nothing like a read-aloud on this planet, sharing a book with a bunch of kids in the classroom and having those conversations. And, I believe that kids in my class will remember our reading aloud of Pax for the rest of their life.” — Colby Sharp, literacy advocate and author
“'I’m not the writer who writes about the damage happening to kids. As a writer, I'm more interested in what they do afterward. So, I want to be really respectful of kids who have been wounded or have had losses in this way.” — Sara Pennypacker, author, Pax
“Passion and excitement and adventure need to be part of any good story. Those are kinds of universal rhetorical truths about storytelling that I drew from when working on The Endangereds. How could we tell stories that could make kids excited, but then also try to give them a little bit of agency?” — Philippe Cousteau, co-author of The Endangereds: Melting Point -
Meg Cabot’s bestselling series, The Princess Diaries spans almost two decades. The main character of the series, Mia, shares her unfiltered, innermost thoughts as private diary entries. Young adult readers of the books are privy to and captivated by Mia’s internal and external landscape as she morphs from an awkward teen and into a royal princess. Author Elise Bryant was one such reader. In her book, Happily Ever Afters, the main character, Tessa, tackles similar teenage issues and emotions to Mia, but as a black girl. In this episode, Meg and Elise share their thoughts about why love stories belong in young adult libraries, why epistolary novels capture a reader's attention, and why a true representation of diversity can enhance the connection kids have with literature.
To learn more about Meg Cabot’s or Elise Bryant’s books, visit harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/meg-cabot or harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/elise-bryant
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
[1:34] When switching her then adult novel to a young adult novel, Meg leaned on a friend’s daughter to help her choose a format for the book.
[3:07] As luck would have it, Meg had her childhood diaries for inspiration.
[5:32] Meg summarizes Mia, the main character of The Princess Diaries.
[10:39] Both Elise and Meg describe their discomfort when coming to terms with their love of coming-of-age romance novels.
[13:03] The Princess Diaries addresses real issues teenage girls face, such as love and sex.
[17:01] True representations of diversity in books offers kids the opportunity to profoundly identify with characters.
[21:12] Elise’s forthcoming book, One True Loves is a companion novel to Happily Ever Afters.
Continue Your Journey:
Meg Cabot
Elise Bryant
HarperCollins
@ReadingPod on Twitter
Shareables:
“I had notes in my diary from, like, Algebra. This is why I got such bad grades. I wasn't clearly paying attention. So, I thought — oh, I could just transfer this right into the book and it will be really funny. So everything in those books is taken right from my actual notebooks from high school.” — Meg Cabot, Author, The Princess Diaries
“I loved rom-coms from a very early age but it was almost impossible at that point in the late ’90s or early 2000s to find those books with girls that looked like me. And so I started, just like Tessa does in Happily Ever Afters, I started writing those stories myself. I would write the kind of voicey, funny, happy, joyful love stories that I love to read but then I would write them with a girl that was black like I am.” — Elise Bryant, Author, Happily Ever Afters
“I think it's so important for kids to see themselves in all types of narratives, like being the hero, being the prince or princess, fighting bad guys, fighting monsters, solving mysteries and you know — falling in love. It helps kids to dream even bigger dreams when they see that reflected in stories. ” — Elise Bryant, Author, Happily Ever Afters -
The right book at the right time can provide kids with models of self-love that can guide them through growing pains. Today on Remember Reading, host Katie Dutton unpacks a book that does just that for young readers. Join us as we head to West Texas, where we enter a beauty pageant, do some Dolly Parton fan-folking, and talk drag and self-love through the lens of one of our all-time favorite characters, Ms. Willowdean Dixon, the plus-sized heroine of Julie Murphy's 2015 breakout book, Dumplin'.
To learn more about the Dumplin’ series, visit harpercollins.com/collections/books-series-dumplin
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
[:47] The idea for Dumplin’ was inspired by a series of photographs but Julie needed time to process her feelings before writing the book.
[2:19] Why Angie Manfredi was excited about the publishing announcement of Dumplin’.
[5:24] The fat characters who influenced Julie and Angie as children.
[7:06] In the book, Dumplin’s love life disrupts common misconceptions about what makes one worthy of love.
[11:03] Willowdean’s obsessions with Dolly Parton and drag culture are sourced directly from Julie’s passions.
[19:14] The ‘Other’ F Word essay collection was born out of a conversation Angie had with a group of skinny teenagers.
[21:18] Julie explains how Dumplin’ gives credence to the understanding that all bodies are worth advocating for.
[23:32] Angie recalls an example of how Dumplin’ sparks important conversations with young readers.
Continue Your Journey:
Julie Murphy - www.imjuliemurphy.com
Fat Girl Reading - https://fatgirlreading.com
HarperCollins - www.harpercollins.com
Remember Reading Podcast - www.harpercollins.com/pages/remember-reading-podcast
@ReadingPod on Twitter -
Representation matters, especially in children’s literature and stories that represent Native American people. In this episode, we focus on Heartdrum, an imprint about stories by Native American creators who publish stories with an emphasis on the present and future of Indian Country, and on the strength of young Native American heroes. Author-curator Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee Creek), author and co-founder of We Need Diverse Books, Ellen Oh, and HarperCollins editor Rosemary Brosnan discuss how the Heartdrum project came to fruition and a sample of the beautifully diverse stories now available to young readers.
To learn more about Heartdrum, visit Diversebooks.org/programs/heartdrum
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time!
[:01] In her book, Jingle Dancer, Cynthia Leitich Smith depicted Native American girls and women, who are underrepresented in children’s literature.
[5:01]The books by authors of color that impacted Cynthia and Ellen as children.
[7:40] In her series, Indian Shoes, it was important to Cynthia the characters be in contemporary, urban settings.
[10:57] When publishers shifted away from multiculturalism and inclusion, Cynthia successfully pivoted and created paranormal stories including the Feral series.
[13:23] The progressive ideas that fuel We Need Diverse Books make the organization much more than a hashtag.
[15:42] Ellen, Cynthia, and Rosemary Brosnan instigated the creation of Heartdrum, the first native imprint at a major publisher.
[21:36] The Sea in Winter by Christine Day is one of the first books published by Heartdrum.
[26:14] Current trends in contemporary children’s literature and future opportunities for Heartdrum.
[29:44] Ellen describes her motivation for writing her very personal latest book, Finding Junie Kim.
[32:02] Ancestor Approved is a collection of stories and poetry that showcases the diversity within Indian Country and pairs new and established authors.
Continue Your Journey:
Cynthia Leitich Smith
Ellen Oh Books
We Need Diverse Books
HarperCollins
Remember Reading Podcast
@ReadingPod on Twitter -
The treasured I Can Read! collection began with the beloved Little Bear in 1957 and is still going strong today! On the show, we discuss the series’ origins, its stories, and what’s ahead for the books. You’ll hear from Tamar Mays, an editor at HarperCollins, as well as from authors Corey Tabor (Fox the Tiger) and Kelly Starling-Lyons (Ty’s Travels) as they dive into what makes the I Can Read! books so magical for children beginning their journey as readers.
To learn more about the I Can Read! series, visit icanread.com
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time! -
After an incredibly difficult year, we reflect on the number of ways classic children's books can help kids and adults get through tough times.
Featured in this episode:
-The Secret Garden (Katherine Paterson)
-One Crazy Summer (Janae Marks, Lisa Moore Romae, Paula Chase)
-The One and Only Ivan (Roseanne Parry)
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time! -
First published in 1945, "The Carrot Seed" is a beloved story about growing a carrot... but more than that, it’s about how far patience and perseverance can get you. In this episode, we're digging into the timeless classic, written by Ruth Krauss and illustrated by Crockett Johnson, and chatting about the book's simple, direct, yet evocative style that's resonated with readers for over 75 years. We'll also be joined by author and illustrator Tim Miller (Tiny Kitty, Big City) and illustrator Greg Pizzoli (Two Little Trains) for whom the book was a big influence.
To learn more about The Carrot Seed, visit: bit.ly/2DMZuDy
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time! -
Hailed by the New York Times as "witty and original," One Crazy Summer is a moving & funny story about three sisters looking for their mother in 1960s California. It's also a book that brings up issues that almost mirror current events today, tackling problems kids see around themselves. On this episode, we'll talk to acclaimed author Rita Williams-Garcia about what inspired her to write the Newbery Honor and National Book Award winning story - a contemporary classic that deals with everything from abandonment, to unfair policing, and the Black Panthers - why representation matters, and more. We'll also be joined by authors Janae Marks (From the Desk of Zoe Washington), Paula Chase (Turning Point), and Lisa Moore Ramée (Something to Say), three writers who read One Crazy Summer as adults, and had it stick with them.
To learn more about One Crazy Summer, visit: bit.ly/2Yn09T0
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time! -
Did you know The One and Only Ivan was based on a real-life gorilla? Ivan lived in a mall in Tacoma, Washington for many years before being transferred to Zoo Atlanta. On this episode, we'll talk to author, Katherine Applegate, on why the circumstances inspired her to write the Newberry Medal winning book that's a soon to be major motion picture. The first time John Schumacher, or Mr. Schu, read this book, it changed his life. Listen to his story and how he, as Ambassador of School Libraries for Scholastic, incorporates it into his classroom visits. We'll also talk with Rosanne Parry, the author of A Wolf Called Wander, about getting into the mindset of an animal—in her case, a wolf—and the special bond we have with nature.
To learn more about The One and Only Ivan, visit: https://bit.ly/3cKC0KI
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at [email protected]. Learn more at rememberreading.com. Until next time! - Mostrar mais
