Best Colby Sharp Podcasts (2025)

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#245 Nicholas Day - A WORLD WITHOUT SUMMER Unraveled 25:23

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31m ago25:23

25:23

In this episode, award-winning author Nicholas Day takes us behind the scenes of his latest narrative nonfiction book for middle grade readers: A WORLD WITHOUT SUMMER: A VOLCANO ERUPTS, A CREATURE AWAKENS, AND THE SUN GOES OUT. This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to …

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Hannah Shafiroff, "My Little Book of Big Jewish Holidays" (Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2025) 33:57

1h ago33:57

33:57

Hannah Shafiroff is celebrating a book about celebrations! In our interview we talk about her brand new picture book which she both wrote and illustrated, My Little Book of Big Jewish Holidays (Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2025). We talk about her own childhood and memories of Sabbath and holidays, and how her she was able to turn her childhood pas…

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Mallory Loehr on a Life in Children's Books 52:35

5d ago52:35

52:35

In her thirty plus years of enthusiastic dedication to Random House Children’s Books, Mallory Loehr has played a seminal role in the development of this business. She has led numerous editorial teams, working with them to develop strategies for growth, across trade and brand, for all ages and formats, including for Random House Books for Young Read…

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D.J. Corchin , "A Million Yes's" (Phazelfoz, 2025) 55:16

8d ago55:16

55:16

DJ Corchin is a celebrated author and illustrator from Oak Park, IL. In our spirited interview, we discuss his career as a polymath, his unconventional breakthrough from self publishing to traditional publishing and back.and celebrate his brand new picture book , A Million YES's (Phazelfoz Company, 2025), illustrated by Dan Dougherty. Learn more ab…

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#244 Barbara O'Connor 18:03

9d ago18:03

18:03

In this episode, author Barbara O'Connor takes us behind the scenes of her bestselling middle grade novel WISH, and upcoming companion book DREAM. This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORIE…

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Ammi-Joan Paquette, "My Mouth Says" (Penguin, 2025) 46:29

26d ago46:29

46:29

Ammi-Joan (A.J.) Paquette is author of twenty books for children as wel as a senior literary agent for Aevitas Creative Management. In our wonderful interview we celebrate her new boar book,My Mouth Says (Body Power), third in a series, illustrated by Sabrena Khadija and published just last month (July, 2025) by Rise x Penguin Workshop. We also tal…

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Dylan Thuras and Jennifer Swanson, "The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide to Inventing the World" (Workman Kids, 2025) 54:36

24d ago54:36

54:36

Jennifer Swanson is the author of 50 nonfiction books for kids. In this, our second interview, we celebrate her brand new book, The Atlas Obscura Explorer’s Guide to Inventing the World (Workman Kids, 2025), co-written with Dylan Thuras, illustrated by Ruby Fresson and published by Workman Kids. We speak about her recent books and have an illuminat…

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#243 Sophie Blackall - FINDING WINNIE Unraveled 12:47

26d ago12:47

12:47

We've been keeping this one under wraps for NINE years. An interview with Sophie Blackall in 2016 about her Caldecott Medal winning book, FINDING WINNIE (written by Lindsay Mattick). This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions…

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Amy Moore, "The Baker's Dozen" (Sleeping Bear Press, 2025) 41:15

1M ago41:15

41:15

In our charming interview, Amy Moore celebrates two new picture books, The Bakers Dozen (illustrated by Andrea Stegmaier) published by Sleeping Bear Press in May. 2025, and Humpty's Great Fall (illustrated by Josh Cleland) published this month by Two Lions. Amy Moore has been writing since childhood. After earning a degree in Journalism from the Un…

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#242 Newbery Winners 2025 (Part II) SPEED ROUND! 9:26

1M ago9:26

9:26

Part two of a special LIVE episode featuring the 2025 Newbery winners: Ruth Behar, Chanel Miller, Lesa Cline-Ransome, Kate O’Shaughnessy, and Erin Entrada Kelly. Rapid-fire SPEED ROUND questions! This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narr…

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Gabriel Ertsgaard, "A Fiction Writer’s Guide to Peace: Crafting Nonviolent Heroism" (Bloomsbury, 2025) 47:31

2M ago47:31

47:31

Superhero violence and graphic action sequences are prevalent on the screen and on the page, but this book takes an alternative route with practical guidance, frameworks, and tools for incorporating the principles of peacebuilding and nonviolence into compelling fiction. By mapping a path less travelled but just as vital in divisive times, in n A F…

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#241 Newbery Winners 2025 (Part I) 37:12

2M ago37:12

37:12

Part one of a special LIVE episode featuring the 2025 Newbery winners: Ruth Behar, Chanel Miller, Lesa Cline-Ransome, Kate O’Shaughnessy, and Erin Entrada Kelly. This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look…

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An Interview with Gaby Cabezut 47:24

2M ago47:24

47:24

Gaby Cabezut, author and literary agent of the Seymour agency and the Alliance Rights Agency talks about her author journey and internet publishing, how she became a literary agent, her love for children's books, the importance of the Latin American children's book market, and her advice on querying and writing picture book manuscripts. Plus a subm…

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#240 Candace Fleming - THE ENIGMA GIRLS Unraveled 20:09

2M ago20:09

20:09

In this episode, author Candace Fleming takes us behind the scenes of her award-winning nonfiction book, THE ENIGMA GIRLS: HOW TEN TEENAGERS BROKE CIPHERS, KEPT SECRETS, AND HELPED WIN WORLD WAR II. This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and n…

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An Interview with Colby Sharp 43:47

3M ago43:47

43:47

Colby Sharp is widely considered one of the leading mavens on children's literature. He is co-author of several books, including Game Changer! Book Access for All Kids (Scholastic, 2018). He started the Nerdy Book Club blog, co-hosts The Yarn podcast with Teacher Librarian Travis Jonker, serves on the Nerd Camp Michigan team and has taught schoolch…

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Ryan G. Van Cleave, "The Witness Trees: Historic Moments and the Trees Who Watched Them Happen" (Bushel & Peck, 2023) 46:05

3M ago46:05

46:05

Dr. Ryan van Cleave is the author of over 100 books for children and adults, editorial director of Bushel & Peck Publishers, college professor and head program (Ringling), writing coach, ghostwriter, poet and more. In our wonderful conversation we celebrate his picture book The Witness Trees: Historic Moments and the Trees Who Watched Them Happen (…

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Yasmine Motawy, "Children’s Picture Books and Contemporary Egyptian Society" (AUC Press, 2025) 47:34

3M ago47:34

47:34

Children’s picture books are some of the most transparently ideological materials available to parents and educators, and as cultural objects they are an expression of the zeitgeist of a particular era. They reveal much about the hopes, values, and aspirations of the society that produces them, as well as that society’s vision of its place in the w…

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Yevgenia Nayberg, "A Party for Florine: Florine Stettheimer and Me" (Neal Porter Books, 2024) 42:22

3M ago42:22

42:22

A young girl forms a special connection to the modernist painter Florine Stettheimer, and imagines herself joining in on Florine’s exciting life. When a young girl visits the museum, she finds an unexpected friend in a self-portrait of Florine Stettheimer. They’re both artists; they both have Jewish families; they even look alike! Florine’s life wa…

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Melissa H. Mwai, "I Can Make a Friend!" (Paw Prints, 2025) 44:30

3M ago44:30

44:30

Melissa H. Mwai is an author and illustrator, as well as an award-winning poet. She has penned five nonfiction children's books including THE HISTORY OF JAZZ (DK, 2024). As an neurodiverse Afro-Latina, Melissa is thrilled that her books help ethnically and neurodiverse kids learn more deeply about the world around them. In our delightful interview,…

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Ann Koffsky, "Ping-Pong Shabbat: The True Story of Champion Estee Ackerman" (Little Bee Books, 2024) 44:28

3M ago44:28

44:28

Ping-Pong Shabbat: The True Story of Champion Estee Ackerman POP POP KERPOW! Eleven-year-old Ping-Pong phenom Estee Ackerman must make a difficult choice. When her championship match is scheduled on the Jewish Sabbath, will she go for the gold medal, or honor her faith? Read the true story of how a young girl struggled to uphold her beliefs while p…

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#239 Colby Sharp: How I Celebrate Reading with Students 11:20

3M ago11:20

11:20

It's the end of the school year - a great time for Colby to share how he celebrates reading with his 5th grade students. This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORIES ALOUD QR code on the bac…

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#238 Aida Salazar & Molly Mendoza - JOVITA WORE PANTS Unraveled 23:55

4M ago23:55

23:55

In this episode, author Aida Salazar and illustrator Molly Mendoza take us behind the scenes of their Caldecott Honor winning book JOVITA WORE PANTS: THE STORY OF A MEXICAN FREEDOM FIGHTER This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated ve…

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Ann McCallum Staats, "Fantastic Flora: The World's Biggest, Baddest, and Smelliest Plants" (MIT Kids Press, 2025) 48:17

4M ago48:17

48:17

In our lovely interview, we celebrate Ann McCallum Staats' brand new book (just launched this week!), Fantastic Flora: The World’s Biggest, Baddest, and Smelliest Plants, wonderfully illustrated by Zoë Ingram, published by MIT Kids Press, an imprint of Candlewick. This is not your run-of-the-mill picture book. It's over 120 pages long and is intend…

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Betsy Bird, "Pop! Goes the Nursery Rhyme" (Union Square Books, 2025) 47:18

4M ago47:18

47:18

Betsy Bird is the Collection Development Manager of Evanston Public Library and the former Youth Materials Specialist of New York Public Library. She writes for the School Library Journal blog A Fuse #8 Production and reviews for Kirkus. She is the host of the Story Seeds podcast as well as the co-host of the Fuse 8 n' Kate podcast that she creates…

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#237 Pablo Cartaya - A HERO'S GUIDE TO SUMMER VACATION Unraveled 26:43

4M ago26:43

26:43

In this episode, New York Times bestselling author Pablo Cartaya takes us behind the scenes of his new middle grade novel, A HERO'S GUIDE TO SUMMER VACATION. This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for…

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Penny Parker Klostermann, "The Spider Lady: Nan Songer and her Arachnid World War II Army" (Astra, 2025) 43:59

4M ago43:59

43:59

In our candid and splendid interview, Penny Parker Klostermann introduces her new nonfiction picture book Spider Lady: Nan Songer and Her Arachnid WWII Army (Astra/Calkins Creek, 2025), illustrated by Anne Lambelet, which launched just a few days ago! We also talk about her recent Martian escapade, Merry Christmas, Dear Mars illustrated by Estrela …

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#236 Mk Smith Despres - THERE'S THAT SUN AGAIN Unraveled 21:04

4M ago21:04

21:04

In this episode, author Mk Smith Despres takes us behind the scenes of their poetic picture book THERE'S THAT SUN AGAIN, illustrated by Julie Benbassat. This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the …

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Marissa Valdez, "Hedgehogs Don't Wear Underwear" (Roaring Brook, 2025) 45:09

5M ago45:09

45:09

Marissa Valdez is a #1 New York Times best-selling children’s book author and illustrator. Her clients include Penguin Random House, Candlewick, Hachette, Macmillan, and Highlights Magazine for Children. In our interview we celebrate her new picture book Hedgehogs Don't Wear Underwear (Roaring Brook Press, 2025), which she both authored and illustr…

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#235 Colby Sharp Goes to Alaska 17:53

5M ago17:53

17:53

In this special episode, Colby Sharp shares his experience of traveling to Alaska to talk about children's books. This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORIES ALOUD QR code on the back of No…

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Michael Parkin, "Wrong Time Rooster" (Flying Eye Books, 2025) 38:19

5M ago38:19

38:19

Michael Parkin is an international illustrator, working with the New York Times, the New Yorke, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal and others. Several years ago he decided to follow his passion for picture books, and is now celebrating publication of his endearing, kid-centric debut picture book, Wrong Time Rooster (which he both wrote an…

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#234 Travis Jonker - JUST ONE WAVE Unraveled 24:47

5M ago24:47

24:47

In this episode, Travis takes us behind the scenes of his picture book JUST ONE WAVE, the summertime sequel to JUST ONE FLAKE. This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORIES ALOUD QR code on t…

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My First Tanakh Stories Set (4vs.): Avraham, Miriam, Eliyahu, Ruth 41:32

6M ago41:32

41:32

The Koren My First Tanakh Stories brings the characters and wisdom of Torah to to life for the whole family. Engaging with Tanakh stories from a young age with a trusted grown-up sets a child's foundation for future learning, helps develop core values, and sets a foundation for Torah learning in the home and with the family. With a story loyal to t…

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#233 Jing Jing Tsong - FAKE CHINESE SOUNDS Unraveled 12:55

6M ago12:55

12:55

In this episode, author/illustrator Jing Jing Tsong takes us behind the scenes of her graphic novel debut, FAKE CHINESE SOUNDS. This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORIES ALOUD QR code on …

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Joyce Uglow, "Stuck! the Story of the La Brea Tar Pits" (Bushel & Peck Books, 2025) 36:20

6M ago36:20

36:20

In this interview with children's author Joyce Uglow, we celebrate her brand new debut picture book Stuck! The Story of La Brea Tar Pits (Bushel & Peck Books, 2025), illustrated by Valerya Milovanova. Her beautiful book was published only two weeks ago and has already gone into its second printing! We talk about Joyce's life and career in teaching …

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Audrey Perrott, "A Hat for House: One Storm, Many Helpers" (G. P. Putnam, 2024) 46:02

6M ago46:02

46:02

In our lovely interview, Audrey Perrott talks about her new book, A Hate for a House: One Storm, Many Helpers, illustrated by Druscilla Santiago and published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers (November 12, 2024).We also talk about Audrey's writing career, starting when she was six years old, stapling papers together and scribbling stor…

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A Chat with Author-Illustrator Selina Alko 49:35

6M ago49:35

49:35

In this exciting interview, I talk to author-illustrator Selina Alko about the new book which she illustrated, The Keeper of Stories (Simone & Schuster, 2025), written by Caroline Kusin Pritchard), her own picture book celebrating the life and art of Joni Mitchell (Joni: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell (HarperCollins, 2020)), her upcoming books, …

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#232 Arree Chung - DON'T CAUSE TROUBLE Unraveled 21:46

6M ago21:46

21:46

In this episode, author/illustrator Arree Chung takes us behind the scenes of his graphic novel DON'T CAUSE TROUBLE. This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORIES ALOUD QR code on the back of…

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Rachelle Bergstein, "The Genius of Judy: How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood for All of Us" (Atria, 2024) 45:36

7M ago45:36

45:36

Everyone knows Judy Blume. Her books have garnered her fans of all ages for decades and sold tens of millions of copies. But why were people so drawn to them? And why are we still talking about them now in the 21st century? In The Genius of Judy: How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood for All of Us (Atria, 2024), her remarkable story is revealed as never…

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Sam Arthur on Publishing Children's Books 47:13

7M ago47:13

47:13

In this, our first interview with Sam Arthur, co-founder and creative director of Flying Eye Books, talks about his love for visual books led him into children's publishing, how he decides on which manuscripts to pursue, and his tips for aspiring authors of picture books: play close attention to the picture book format, usually 12 or 13 double spre…

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Bea Birdsong, "Goat Is the G.O.A.T." (Nancy Paulsen Books, 2025) 49:43

7M ago49:43

49:43

In this, our third interview, we celebrate the brand new picture book of Bea Birdsong, Goat Is the G.O.A.T. (Nancy Paulsen Books, Feb. 2025), illustrated by Kelly Murphy. Bea is also the author of I Will Be Fierce!, Sam’s First Word, How to Spot a Best Friend, Boop!, with many more books coming out over the next two years. We talk about Bea's meteo…

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#231 Rebecca Lee Kunz - CHOOCH HELPED Unraveled 27:35

7M ago27:35

27:35

In this episode, artist Rebecca Lee Kunz takes us behind the scenes of her Caldecott Medal winning book, CHOOCH HELPED (written by Andrea L. Rogers This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORI…

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Vivian Kirkfield, "One Girl's Voice: How Lucy Stone Helped Change the Law of the Land" (Calkins Creek, 2025) 53:56

7M ago53:56

53:56

In this, our second interview I speak with award-winning children's author Vivian Kirkfield about her gorgeous, brand new picture book, One Girl's Voice: How Lucy Stone Helped Change the Law of the Land (Calkin's Creek, Feb. 2025, illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon). We talk about the life and pioneering career of Lucy Stone, how the book came about, an…

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#230 Ruth Chan & Travis Jonker - CABOOSE Unraveled 9:08

8M ago9:08

9:08

In this episode, Ruth Chan and Travis Jonker take us behind the scenes of their new picture book, CABOOSE. This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORIES ALOUD QR code on the back of Nosy Crow…

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Erica Lyons, "On a Chariot of Fire: The Story of India's Bene Israel" (Levine Querido, 2024) 52:11

8M ago52:11

52:11

In this lively and fun interview, we celebrate award-winning author Erica Lyons' new picture book, On a Chariot of Fire: The Story of India’s Bene Israel, illustrated by Siona Benjamin (Levine Querido, 2024). We talk about her childhood passion for writing, and how her careers in law and publishing gave her the tools that helped catapult her into t…

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#229 Gov. Gretchen Whitmer - TRUE GRETCH (YA Edition) Unraveled 23:26

8M ago23:26

23:26

In this episode, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer takes us behind the scenes of her book, TRUE GRETCH (Young Adult Edition). This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORIES ALOUD QR code on t…

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Henry Herz, "I Am Gravity" (Tilbury House, 2024) 37:13

8M ago37:13

37:13

In our captivating interview (pun intended), we celebrate Henry Herz's new book I AM GRAVITY (Tilbury House, April, 2024), which combines lyrical text and fascinating artwork by illustrator Mercè López, and crisscrosses splendidly between science and art, fact and fancy. We also discuss his background in engineering, and how he morphed into a leadi…

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Rachel Michelle Wilson, "How to Pee Your Pants: The Right Way" (Feiwel & Friends, 2024) 40:45

8M ago40:45

40:45

In our engaging interview, Rachel talks about her hilarious new [picture book, How to Pee Your Pants: The Right Way (published by Feiwel & Friends, October 15, 2024) and the embarrassing real first-grade event which prompted her to write it (According to Rachel, it was 'directed by my little kid self'). Rachel grew up in Utah in a book-loving famil…

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David Miles Talks Children's Books 52:12

8M ago52:12

52:12

David Miles is co-founder (together with his wife, Stephanie) and Publisher, Bushel & Peck Books, an up-and-coming West Coast children's publisher. In our illuminating interview, he talks about growing up with books, becoming a successful author, illustrator and industry professional, and then the sudden out-of-nowhere urge that led him and his wif…

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#228 Colby & Travis - 2025 Preview 27:13

8M ago27:13

27:13

In this episode, Colby and Travis look ahead to the new year in children's books. This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORIES ALOUD QR code on the back of Nosy Crow books to give it a try. …

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#227 Colby & Travis - 2024 Children's Literature Year in Review 1:09:59

8M ago1:09:59

1:09:59

In this special extended episode, Colby and Travis discuss the year that was in children's literature. This episode is sponsored by NOSY CROW, and their innovative STORIES ALOUD program, which gives readers instant access to professionally produced and narrated versions of their books. Look for the STORIES ALOUD QR code on the back of Nosy Crow boo…