The Growing Readers Podcast
The Children’s Book Review is a resource devoted to children’s literature and literacy. In the Growing Readers Podcast, we produce author and illustrator interviews focused on the best books for kids of all ages to help you grow readers.
“Not every book is for every child, but for every child there is a book.”
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Upcoming Guests Include
Ask these Book Creators a Question and You Could Be on The Growing Readers Podcast: Leave a Message or Write-In
Ask a question of one of the upcoming book creators. You can ask them about their books, their process, or their inspirations. Or just leave a complement! Your message could end up on a future episode of this podcast!
Andy Griffiths, Author of The 13-Story Treehouse
Andy and Terry live in a treehouse. But it’s not just any old treehouse, it’s the most amazing treehouse in the world!This treehouse has thirteen stories, a bowling alley, a see-through swimming pool, a secret underground laboratory, and a marshmallow machine that follows you around and automatically shoots marshmallows into your mouth whenever you are hungry.
Life would be perfect for Andy and Terry if it wasn’t for the fact that they have to write their next book, which is almost impossible because there are just so many distractions, including thirteen flying cats, giant bananas, mermaids, a sea monsters pretending to be mermaids, enormous gorillas, and dangerous burp gas-bubblegum bubbles!
Join the fun with The 13-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton. This title has Common Core connections.
Jessica Speer, Author of The Phone Book
So . . . you got a phone! You can text your friends, play games, and take cool pictures! You have the whole world in your pocket—power to be used as a force for good or, um, not so good.Fraught with cyberbullying, disinformation, fake stuff, tech addiction, and so much more, the digital world can be downright sad, awkward, and nasty. But have no fear, kids—The Phone Book is here! Packed with research-based explanations, techy tidbits, and real stories from hundreds of teens and preteens, this phone book (the fun kind) will be your guide on the path of light, teaching you healthy phone habits and ways to stay safe online. And while you’re on your journey, super illustrations, activities, and secret codes will reveal the power of your phone and the superpowers you have to wield it. Go forth, be informed, and slay the dark side of technology!
Remy Lai, Creator of Ghost Book
Perfect for fans of Spirited Away, Coco, and Ghosts comes a contemporary fantasy graphic novel about a girl who can see ghosts and befriends a boy who is stuck between the worlds of the living and the dead―an instant classic from the award-winning creator of Pie in the Sky
Twelve years ago, the boy and the girl lived. But one was supposed to die.
July Chen sees ghosts. But her dad insists ghosts aren’t real. So she pretends they don’t exist. Which is incredibly difficult now as it’s Hungry Ghost month, when the Gates of the Underworld open and dangerous ghosts run amok in the living world. When July saves a boy ghost from being devoured by a Hungry Ghost, he becomes her first ever friend. Except William is not a ghost. He’s a wandering soul wavering between life and death. As the new friends embark on an adventure to return William to his body, they unearth a ghastly truth―for William to live, July must die.
Inspired by Chinese mythology, this dark yet resoundingly hopeful tale about friendship, sacrifice, and the unseen world of ghosts is a dazzling heir to beloved Studio Ghibli classics.
The Growing Readers Podcast
In this episode, super talented and award-winning picture book creator Molly Idle talks about her new and poignant story Witch Hazel.
Two incredible award-winning guests, author Trudy Ludwig and illustrator Kathryn Otoshi, about their picture book Calling the Wind: A Story of Healing and Hope.
Sisters Cara Mentzel and Tony-award-winner Idina Menzel talk about their debut picture book Loud Mouse: How a Little Mouse Found Her Big Voice.
In this episode, I talk with the incredible Dr. Ibram X. Kendi about his nonfiction book for caregivers, How to Raise an Antiracist.
In this episode, I talk with the super fun and fan-favorite children’s book author, Josh Funk, about his picture book My Pet Feet.
Dan Gemeinhart, author of the acclaimed novel The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise, discusses his newest middle grade novel, The Midnight Children.
Matt de la Peña and Corinna Luyken talk about their picture book, Patchwork, a deeply moving ode to the complexity and uniqueness of every child.
Jaimal Yogis and Vivian Truong talk about their graphic novel City of Dragons: The Awakening Storm! They answered many of your questions!
J.T. Michaels discusses Jimmy Chartron and the Lost Keystone, his first book in an epic fantasy series of an ancient war.
In this episode, I talk with the highly sought-after speaker and children’s book author Trudy Ludwig! We discuss her new book, Brave Every Day.