Here Wee Read

Mighty Mara: Celebrate Disability Pride Month with Author Carino Ho Jun 11, 2024

Carina Ho is dancer and musician who performs under the moniker ONIKHO. Having trained in dance and music since childhood, Carina joined AXIS Dance Company, a physically integrated dance company that casts dancers with and without disabilities, shortly after sustaining a spinal cord injury. Over the next two years she toured the United States with them until she was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship, for which she relocated to Montevideo, Uruguay to teach at the national dance conservatory El SODRE. During this time, Carina also began developing her music project, which melds her influences of classical, blues, and electronic music. Today she primarily tours as a musical artist, often collaborating with other disabled artists to promote the visibility of diverse bodies in the arts.
Her book, Mighty Mara introduces readers to a little girl named Mara who aspires to dance despite her disability

Miss Edmonia's Class of Wildfires: Author Victoria Scott-Miller Jun 04, 2024

Victoria Scott-Miller is an award-winning Raleigh-based entrepreneur, documentarian, author, creator of "The Museum Lives in Me” book series, and owner of North Carolina’s first black-owned children’s bookstore, Liberation Station. She was inducted as the youngest and first African American woman into the Wake County Public School Hall of Fame in the category of Entrepreneurship.
Victoria was commissioned by the North Carolina Museum of Art to serve as author and creative director for her debut series, “The Museum Lives in Me.” She was the first African American to have such a commission in the museum’s history. Her children’s book is now in every public elementary school and N.C. Cardinal library in the state. Following its success, she signed a multi-global book deal to expand her series to museums across the country with Paw Prints Publishing. Victoria currently lives in Raleigh, N.C. with her husband, Duane Miller, and two sons, Langston and Emerson.

Mental Health Awareness Month with Author Lynn Joseph: My Code Word May 28, 2024

Lynn's picture book, My Code Word: For When I'm Scared or Afraid, is a great recommendation to read during Mental Health Awareness Month or anytime of the year. It's a story about a young boy who acutely sees what's going on in the world and internalizes the negative things to a point where he begins to fear for his future. When everything seems most hopeless, his mother comes up with a clever solution to not only allay his fears, but teach the resilience needed to be a change agent and tackle the world head on. My Code Word is based on her own fears and emotions growing up and then as a mother of two young boys of color.
Lynn's novella The Color of My Words won an Américas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature and a Jane Addams Children's Book Award. Some of her other books include: Coconut Kind of Day: Island Poems, featuring 13 poems narrated by a child describing her life in Trinidad, and An Island Christmas, describing a Trinidad Christmas from the child narrator's perspective.
Lynn is a lawyer and an award-winning author. Originally of Trinidad and Tobago, she has been based in the U.S. for her adult life and now splits her time between New York and Bermuda.

The Switch: Kickstart Your Summer Reading with Author Jesse Byrd May 21, 2024

Jesse Byrd is an international award-winning children’s book author and the youngest NPR Board member. At 6’8”, Jesse pivoted from playing basketball at UCSB to pursue his passion for storytelling. After working at Google in Silicon Valley and later EY in Dubai as Director of Communications for Middle East and North Africa, Jesse turned all of his energy toward his deepest love: making stories for youth and families with a focus on supporting diverse creators and own voices material. He’s currently written six children’s books and helped produce over 40 others as an editor, art director, and publishing consultant. Jesse is based in Los Angeles, CA.
His book, The Switch, introduces readers to a boy name Kibwe. Kibwe is the best basketball player on his second-grade team. But the success is starting to get to his head-- he’s becoming bigheaded and sort of bossy! Seeing this, Kibwe’s dad decides to do something drastic to help humble his son and teach him some lessons that’ll work on (and off) the court.

Bunso Meets a Mumu - Celebrating AANHPI Heritage Month with Author/Illustrator Rev Valdez May 14, 2024

Rev Valdez is a Filipino-American illustrator based in Brentwood, CA. He’s passionate about introducing readers to the myths of Filipino culture through fun, funny and visual storytelling.
In this episode we discuss his book, Bunso Meets a Mumu, advice for aspiring writers, his career as a Kindergarten teacher, and more.
A Mumu, is the Filipino version of the Boogeyman, who likes to punish kids who misbehave by sucking the fun out of everything! The Mumu will not let Bunso draw (on the walls), eat ice cream (before dinner), or play video games (his older brother’s). But Bunso has had enough! Gearing up to fight back against this destroyer of fun, Bunso makes surprising discoveries about the Mumu (and himself) in this fun, comic-like illustrated picture book that introduces children to Filipino culture and words.

Look Up!: Fontaine the Pigeon Starts a Revolution (Screen Free Week) Britt Gondolfi & Amanda Romanick May 07, 2024

To kick off Screen Free Week, listen as author Britt Gondolfi and illustrator Amanda Romanick discuss their picture book
Fontaine the Pigeon Starts a Revolution and the impacts that screens are having on children and families.
Britt Gondolfi grew up in the elder millennial era. She reminisces about having a screen-free childhood, minus a little Nintendo, TV, and slow dial-up desktop, but no smartphones. Concerned over how her cell phone took her attention away from her child, she wrote Look Up! Fontaine the Pigeon Starts a Revolution as an urban legend joke for her daughter. Now, if she ever gets too caught up in her cell phone, her six-year-old will politely remind her, “Mom, you better put that away before a bird poops on you! She works as a Rights of Nature policy advocate for the Bioneers organization and is a recent graduate of Loyola University College of Law. As a former teacher and lover of literature, typewriters, and poetry, she hopes this book will inspire people to look at their relationship with technology and take more time to look up.
Amanda Romanick is a multi-disciplinary artist whose passion and education for craft began at the young age of 5-years-old when she was hand-selected for the Talented Arts Program in her hometown parish and she began to focus heavily on creative education and outlets, like drawing and painting. Eventually, she graduated with honors from the Savannah College of Art and Design, with a concentration in illustration and sequential art. Amanda is also a mom of a young child and felt the need to do her to create more balance between natural engagement and screen use. Britt and Amanda are good friends and creative partners, and enjoy playdates with their kiddos in New Orleans, where they are both based.

Jeet and Fudge: Get to Know Author, President, & CEO of Baker & Taylor Amandeep Kochar. Apr 30, 2024

Step into the world of literature and publishing with author, President, & CEO of Baker & Taylor Amandeep S. Kochar, the creative force behind the Jeet and Fudge early readers series.

In this episode, Amandeep shares his personal journey as an author and some insights into running Baker & Taylor publishing company. From discussing the inspiration behind his books to offering invaluable advice for aspiring writers, this conversation is an exploration of the art of storytelling and the pathways to realizing your dreams in the world of literature.

Listen to Amandeep’s wisdom and passion driving his remarkable success and discover how you too can embark on your own writing journey.

Like Lava in my Veins with Author Derrick Barnes Jul 18, 2023

Derrick Barnes is a National Book Award Finalist for his 2022 graphic novel Victory Stand!: Raising My Fist For Justice, which also won the 2023 YALSA Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction Award, and a Coretta Scott King Award Author Honor. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning picture book Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut which received a Newbery Honor, a Coretta Scott King Author Honor, the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award, and the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers.

In 2020, he became the only author to have won the Kirkus Prize twice for his twelfth release, the New York Times bestseller I Am Every Good Thing. The title also won a Charlotte Huck Award (NCTE), and a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Honor.

Derrick is also the creator of the New York Times Bestselling companion picture books, The King of Kindergarten (2019) and the Queen of Kindergarten (2022).

He is a graduate of Jackson State University (BA-Marketing ’99) and was the first Black male creative copywriter hired by greeting cards giant Hallmark Cards. Derrick is a native of Kansas City, MO, but currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife, Dr. Tinka Barnes, and their four sons, the Mighty Barnes Brothers.
Purchase Like Lava in my Veins here.

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

Always With You, Always With Me Kelly Rowland and Jessica McKay May 12, 2023

Kelly Rowland is a four-time Grammy Award–winning singer, songwriter, actress, and executive producer with over 40 million records sold. She’s known worldwide as a founding member of Destiny’s Child, one of the bestselling female groups of all time. Kelly is also the coauthor of Whoa, Baby!: A Guide for New Moms Who Feel Overwhelmed and Freaked Out (and Wonder What the #*$& Just Happened). She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two children. Please visit kellyrowland.com.
Jessica MCKay is an educator living in Los Angeles with her husband and three children. While juggling work, family, and self, Jessica has always saved time to read. As an English teacher, she shares her passion for literature with her students. As a mother, she shares her love of books with her children. And now, as an author, she is sharing her first book with the world.
Purchase Always With You, Always With Me here.

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

My Fade is Fresh: Getting to Know Shauntay Grant Nov 15, 2022

Shauntay Grant is an author, poet, playwright, and multimedia artist. Her love of literature stretches back to her storytelling roots in Nova Scotia's historic Black communities.

Shauntay holds an MFA in creative writing from the University of British Columbia and is an associate professor of creative writing at Dalhousie University. A former poet laureate for the City of Halifax, her honors include a Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award, a Joseph S. Stauffer Prize, and a Poet Of Honor prize from the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word. She lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Shauntay shares her blend of words and music internationally at festivals and events and collaborates with visual artists and art galleries to create poetry-themed artworks, installations, and exhibitions.

Learn more about her at shauntaygrant.com.
Purchase My Fade is Fresh here.

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

Mi Cuidad Sings: Getting to Know Debut Author Cynthia Harmony Oct 18, 2022

Cynthia Harmony is an author and educational psychologist, originally from Mexico City. She has published for the educational market and was awarded the 2020 We Need Diverse Books Mentorship. Her debut picture book MI CIUDAD SINGS is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Her board book OUR WORLD: MEXICO published by Barefoot Books, releases Spring 2023. Her upcoming picture book A FLICKER OF HOPE (2024) will be released simultaneously in English and Spanish.

When not writing, Cynthia can be found in a museum with her kids, dancing to a Latin beat, daydreaming of tacos, or planning her next family trip.
Cynthia’s books explore themes of community, friendship, family bonds, art, and joy rooted in her heritage.
Purchase Mi Cuidad Sings here.

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

Black Boy, Black Boy: Jorge Redmon and Ali Kamanda Oct 04, 2022

Ali Biko Sulaiman Kamanda is an award-winning filmmaker and social entrepreneur from Sierra Leone, West Africa. He runs BIKO Studios, a cross-cultural film production company and is the President of Salone Rising, a non-profit organization that provides micro-financing and mentoring resources to small business owners in rural Sierra Leone.
Jorge (pronounced George) Redmond graduated in 2000 with a degree in Communication Studies, he played soccer professionally in France and Cameroon before returning to the Asheville, North Carolina area as a coach and teacher, including at his alma mater when the Rams won the state title in 2002.
In 2008, Jorge decided that he wanted to be an attorney. He attended John Marshall Law School in Atlanta, graduated and passed the Georgia bar in 2011. Jorge currently works in the Buncombe County District Attorney's office as an Assistant District Attorney, and as an adjunct professor in South College's Legal Department.

Ali and Jorge are college friends, and BLACK BOY, BLACK BOY is their debut book.
Purchase Black Boy, Black Boy here.

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

To New Heights: Tacko Fall and Justin Haynes Sep 20, 2022

Tacko Fall emigrated from Senegal as a teenager to play basketball and rose to prominence when he was selected by the Boston Celtics and became a seven-foot-six ball-playing sensation. He has played for the Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers and lives in Cleveland, Ohio.
In addition to basketball, Tacko Fall is a scholar, and he has a strong interest in computer science and aspires to be an engineer.
Justin Haynes is a sports agent at BDA Sports Management, where he represents Tacko Fall and other players. He lives in New Jersey with his wife and family.
Purchase To New Heights here.

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

50 - American Desi: Jyoti Rajan Gopal and Supriya Kelkar May 10, 2022

Jyoti Rajan Gopal is a writer, mom, and Kindergarten teacher. Growing up, she lived in Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, India, and China. Twenty-eight years ago, she moved to New York and now lives in Yonkers in a quirky old Victorian, with her husband and two daughters. Her favorite place in the house is the wrap around porch where she loves to gather with family or friends, read, write, and drink coffee.

Supriya is an author, illustrator, and screenwriter who grew up in the Midwest, where she learned Hindi as a child by watching three Hindi movies a week. Winner of the New Visions Award for her middle grade novel AHIMSA, (Tu Books, 2017), Supriya has worked on the writing teams for several Hindi films and she is the author of several middle grade and picture books.
Purchase American Desi here.

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

49 - The First and Only Openly Gay Strongman in the World: Rob Kearney & Eric Rosswood May 03, 2022

Rob Kearney is an American Professional Strongman as well as the first and only openly gay professional strongman in the world.

Rob decided to compete in the Heavyweight class where he took 1st place in the 2016 Log Lift World Championships and has gone on to compete at World’s Strongest Man. Rob is a Giants Live Champion (North American Open 2017) as well as an Arnold International World Series Champion (Australia 2019).

Along with Strongman, Rob and his Husband Joey have become advocates for the LGBTQ+ community. Together, they hope to break the Stereotype of how the LGBTQ+ community is perceived and show the world that regardless of your sexual orientation or gender identity you can be strong and follow your passions.

Eric Rosswood is an author and commentator on LGBTQ issues including civil rights, parenting, marriage, and politics. He has led panels on LGBTQ parenting issues for organizations such as the Family Equality Council and the Modern Family Alliance.
His bestselling book, Journey to Same-Sex Parenthood, won numerous awards including the best Parenting/Family/Relationships book in the IAN Book of the Year Awards, the best Parenting book in the Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, and the best LGBTQ Non-Fiction book in the International Best Book Awards. Eric is represented for his children’s books by Jennifer Mattson at Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Purchase Strong here.

Purchase I Color Myself Different here.

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

48 - Why I’m Planning to Pivot on Social Media to Share Bookish Content Apr 26, 2022

In response to a recent post in my Instagram stories, I’m talking about the positive and negative impacts social media has had on my life over the past seven years.
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

47 - The Bad Guys: Live Interview with Aaron Blabey and Pierre Perifel Apr 19, 2022

This episode is a recording of a live interview that took place on April 13th on the campus of DreamWorks Animation Studio in Glendale, California. I had the incredible opportunity to interview the author and executive producer of the movie The Bad Guys, Aaron Blabey and the director Pierre Perifel in-person after watching a private screening of the movie.

Thank you to Universal Pictures for making this possible.
Purchase I Color Myself Different here.

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

46 - Twelve Dinging Doorbells: Book Chat with Author Tameka Fryer-Brown Apr 12, 2022

Tameka Fryer Brown (a native of Miami, Florida) has called Charlotte, North Carolina home for over 20 years. Her first literary accomplishment as a children’s book writer

came when she was awarded one of two First Prizes in the 2008 Cheerios® Spoonfuls of Stories® New Author Contest. Her debut picture book, Around Our Way on Neighbors’ Day, was published by Abrams Books for Young Readers and illustrated by Charlotte Riley-Webb. To date, it has sold over 100,000 copies.
My Cold Plum Lemon Pie Bluesy Mood is Tameka’s second picture book. It is published by Viking Children’s/Penguin Random House and illustrated by the award-winning Shane W. Evans.
In January of 2020, Tameka’s third book, Brown Baby Lullaby was published. Forthcoming titles from Tameka include Twelve Dinging Doorbells (Kokila/PRH, 2022), Shirley Chisholm: Not Done Yet (Millbrook Press/Lerner, 2022), and That Flag (HarperCollins, 2023). For more information, visit tamekafryerbrown.com.
Purchase I Color Myself Different here.

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

45 - Mango and Marigold Press: Chatting Books and Diversity with CEO Sailja Joshi Apr 05, 2022

Growing up, Sailaja was a voracious reader. From Leo the Lop to Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Amelia Bedelia, she loved every book she read. If you were to ask her today what her favorite book is, she'd likely say either the Harry Potter series OR The Tao of Pooh. It really depends on the day.

Sailaja has been a passionate volunteer in the Hindu Youth community for over twenty years and is an accomplished academic with degrees from Northeastern University, Harvard University, and Simmons College. She has also worked with multiple startups, helping them to refine their brand identity and develop their marketing communications.
With the impending birth of her oldest child, Sailaja searched for books about her Indian culture. Upon reading the few stories that existed, she realized that many of them were inappropriate or worse, insensitive. Sailaja knew the power of representation and set out to change home libraries by starting her own publishing company, Mango and Marigold Press.

When you buy a Mango & Marigold Press book you ensure that every child sees themselves as the hero of their story. When children see themselves in the ordinary and extraordinary, they realize that anything is possible.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Purchase Always Anjalihere.
Purchase Bravo Anjali here.
Purchase I Color Myself Different here.

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

44 - Here Wee Read Live: New York Times Bestselling Author Derrick Barnes and Vanessa Brantley-Newton – The Queen of Kindergarten Mar 29, 2022

This episode is a recording from a live author panel event that took place on March 8, 2022.
This was an intimate couch conversation with author-illustrator Vanessa Brantley-Newton and New York Times Bestselling Author Derrick Barnes. Moderated by Charnaie Gordon from Here Wee Read.

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

43 - 10 Children’s Books Publishing in 2022: JaNay Brown-Wood, PhD Mar 22, 2022

JaNay Brown-Wood, PhD is an author, educator, literary advocate, and mother who is committed to nurturing the next generation of readers by writing stories with more diversity and representation.

Among her books releasing this year is a collaboration with Grammy-winning pop star Ciara and Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson titled Why Not You? a picture book to inspire young readers to see the value in themselves, be brave, and go after their biggest dreams!

JaNay’s first children’s book Imani’s Moon won the NAESP Children’s Book of the Year Award and was featured on Stephen Colbert’s The Late Show and Storytime with the Metropolitan Museum of Art, her second book Grandma’s Tiny House: A Counting Story! received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly and won the CELI Read Aloud Book Award.

Every book JaNay writes is a celebration of self-esteem, perseverance, diversity, inclusivity, and learning. She aims to change the lives of her young readers by using her books as a powerful form of representation. JaNay loves to write, bake, teach, and spend time with her husband and her daughter, Vivian. She has a whopping ten children’s books publishing in 2022!
Books mentioned in this episode:
Purchase Miguel’s Community Garden here.
Purchase Why Not You? here.

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

42 - Here Wee Read Live: Black Children’s Book Week Author Panel Mar 15, 2022

This episode is a recording from a live author panel event that took place on February 28, 2022 as part of Black Children’s Book Week, a week-long literary event celebrating Black children in literature.
This was an intimate couch conversation with author-illustrator Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Denene Millner, Schele Williams, and Ty Allan Jackson. Moderated by Charnaie Gordon from Here Wee Read.

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

41 - We Got the Spirit: Up Close and Personal with Frank and Connie Morrison Mar 08, 2022

Frank Morrison started his journey as a graffiti artist in New Jersey, tagging walls with spray paint. Frank's work can be found in numerous award-winning children’s books including Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe Award winner Jazzy Miz Mozetta, NAACP Image Award winner Our Children Can Soar and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor, Little Melba and her Big Trombone. His literary client list includes international book publishers Penguin Books, HarperCollins, Hyperion, Random House and National Geographic Kids.
Connie Schofield-Morrison is a mother, author, and entrepreneur. She and her high school sweetheart Frank D. Morrison run an art gallery called Morrison Graphics in Atlanta, GA that Connie manages while also taking care of her children and writing books in her spare time. Some of her children’s books include: Stitch by Stitch, I Got the Rhythm, I Got the School Spirit, and I Got the Christmas Spirit.

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

40 - When the World Feels Heavy: Children’s Book Recommendations Mar 01, 2022

In response to all of the troubling current events happening around the world, I’m sharing a few children’s book recommendations.
You can join the conversation by sending me an email message to: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com. I’d love to know what books you’re reading in your schools or at home with your children or grandchildren.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Purchase Girl Dad here
Purchase What Do You Do With a Problem here
Purchase A Place Inside of Me here
Purchase Most Days here
Read more about Black Children’s Book Week here

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

39 - Blackout: Chatting Books with NYT Bestselling YA & Picture Book Author Tiffany D. Jackson Feb 22, 2022

Tiffany D. Jackson is the NYT Bestselling, award winning author of YA novels Monday’s Not Coming, Allegedly, Let Me Hear A Rhyme, Grown, White Smoke, Santa in The City and co-author of Blackout. A Coretta Scott King — John Steptoe New Talent Award-winner and the NAACP Image Award-nominee, she received her Bachelor of Arts in film from Howard University, and has over a decade in TV/Film experience. The Brooklyn native is currently residing in Atlanta, Georgia.
Tiffany has over a decade of experience in the television industry, working for various networks and media companies including National Geographic (focused on documentaries such as Lockdown, a prison subculture series) Roc Nation, BET, FUSE, BBC AMERICA, and EPIX.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Purchase Santa in the City here.
A Kids Company Subscription Box Deal: https://akidsco.com/discount/DIVERSITY

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

38 - Marley and the Family Band with Author, Singer, & CEO Cedella Marley Feb 15, 2022

Cedella Marley is a Grammy-winning singer, designer, entrepreneur, and the first-born daughter of reggae singers Bob and Rita Marley. She is the CEO of Bob Marley's recording label, Tuff Gong International, and the author of multiple children's books including One Love. A life-long advocate of philanthropy, Cedella is the director of the Bob Marley Foundation and is a Global Ambassador to the Jamaica Women's Football Program.
Cedella Marley is a living embodiment of the way the ethics and values instilled during her upbringing carry forward the belief that, with passion and purpose, we can all make a difference in our communities, our country, and ultimately the world. She lives in Miami with her husband and three children.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Purchase Marley and the Family Bandhere.
Purchase Bob Marley: Portrait of the Legend here.

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

37 - Saving the Day with Author, Actress, Comedian, and Founder Karyn Parsons Feb 08, 2022

Karyn Parsons is best known for her role as Will Smith’s spoiled and quippy cousin Hilary Banks on NBC’s The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

After Fresh Prince, Karyn went on to found Sweet Blackberry, an award-winning series of children’s animated films and books sharing stories of unsung black heroes in history, featuring narration from stars such as Alfre Woodard, Queen Latifah, Chris Rock, and Laurence Fishburne. The films have screened on HBO and Netflix and are enjoyed by schools and libraries across the country. Karyn’s debut novel, How High The Moon, hit bookshelves in March 2019. Karyn has also authored the picture books Flying Free: How Bessie Coleman’s Dreams Took Flight for Sweet Blackberry (Dec 2020) and Sweet Blackberry’s Saving The Day that tells the story of how Garrett Morgan invented the traffic signal.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Purchase Saving the Day here.
Purchase Flying Free here.
Purchase Will Smith’s biography here.

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

36 - Black History Month: Teaching Beyond Slavery, Racism, Oppression, and Struggle Feb 01, 2022

In response to a recent post on my Instagram account, I’m talking about ggoing beyond teaching children about slavery, racism, oppression, and struggle during Black History Month or anytime of the year.
You can join the conversation by either leaving a comment on my Instagram post, or sending me an email message to: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com. I’d love to hear your thoughts on this topic and how you’re handling it in your schools or at home with your children or grandchildren.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Purchase A Friend Like You here.
Purchase Who Are Your People? here.
Instagram Reels video mentioned in this episode:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CZLGq2TAC8J/
Black History Month Children’s Book Recommendations:
https://hereweeread.com/2017/02/black-history-month-books-3-4-5-year-olds.html

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

35 - Everything is Figureoutable: Jumpstart the New Year with NY Times Bestselling Author & Thought Leader Marie Forleo Jan 25, 2022

MARIE FORLEO is an entrepreneur, #1 New York Times bestselling author, and host of the award-winning show MarieTV and The Marie Forleo Podcast, with millions of fans worldwide. One of the leading voices in personal development, she’s been featured everywhere from The Today Show to Harper’s Bazaar to Inc Magazine among others. Marie runs the acclaimed training programs, B-School, The Copy Cure, and Time Genius, and was named by Oprah as a thought leader for the next generation. Find out more at MarieForleo.com.
Purchase Marie’s book Everything is Figureoutable here.

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

34 - Just Us Books: Chatting Books with Wade & Cheryl Hudson Dec 28, 2021

Just Us Books, Inc. was founded in 1988 by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson.

Wade serves as president and CEO of the company. His career as a writer spans more than three decades and has resulted in more than 25 published books for children and young adults.

Wade serves on several community boards and is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators and Pen America. He speaks around the country about issues of inclusion, empowering Black boys to succeed through literacy and other topics. He has received numerous honors for his contributions to children's literature, including the Stephen Crane Literary Award, induction into the International Literary Hall of Fame for Writers of African Descent, the Harlem Book Fair Phyllis Wheatley Award (2007), the Ida B. Wells Institutional Leadership Award (2008) presented by the Center for Black Literature and the Madame C. J. Walker Legacy Award (2012) given by the Zora Neale Hurston-Richard Wright Foundation. Follow him on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/wade.hudson2.

Cheryl is publisher and editorial director of Just Us Books. She has authored nearly 30 books for children including AFRO-BETS ABC Book, Good Morning, Baby, Bright Eyes, Brown Skin, Hands Can, What Do You Know, Snow!, and her most recent, My Friend Maya Loves to Dance.

A member of PEN America and the Pen America’s Children’s/Young Adult Book Authors Committee Children, Society of Children's Book Illustrators and Authors, Cheryl speaks on the topic of diversity in literature and serves as a parenting expert for ClubMom. Her honors include induction into the International Literary Hall of Fame for Writers of African Descent, the Harlem Book Fair Phyllis Wheatley Award (2007), the Ida B. Wells Institutional Leadership Award (2008) presented by the Center for Black Literature and the Madame C. J. Walker Legacy Award (2012) given by the Zora Neale Hurston-Richard Wright Foundation. Follow her on Twitter @ https://twitter.com/diversitymom_ch.
Visit the Just Us Books website: https://justusbooks.com/.

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

33 - Poetry Matters: Up Close and Personal with Author & Poet Nikki Grimes Dec 14, 2021

Nikki Grimes does not consider herself a bona fide storyteller, but, as she told an audience at the Library of Congress, she is happy to own the title Poet. Born and raised in New York City, Nikki began composing verse at the age of six and has been writing ever since that time.

A bestselling author and a prolific artist, Nikki has written many award-winning books for children and young adults including the Coretta Scott King Award winner Bronx Masquerade; the Coretta Scott King Author Honor books Jazmin's Notebook, Talkin' About Bessie, Dark Sons, The Road to Paris, and Words with Wings; Horn Book Fanfare for Talkin' About Bessie; ALA Notable books What is Goodbye? and Words with Wings; the popular Dyamonde Daniel chapter book series, and numerous picture books and novels including The New York Times bestseller Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope and, most recently, Garvey's Choice and One Last Word: Wisdom from the Harlem Renaissance.

In addition to her work for children, Ms. Grimes has written articles for such magazines as Essence, Today's Christian Woman, Book Links, and Image, Journal of Arts & Religion.

An accomplished and widely anthologized poet of both children's and adult verse, Grimes has conducted poetry readings and lectures at international schools in Russia, China, Sweden and Tanzania, while short-term mission projects have taken her to such trouble spots as Haiti.

During the 1970s, Nikki coproduced and hosted The Kid's Show on WBAI FM in New York. Later, during a six-year stint in Sweden, she hosted their radio program for immigrants, Grunslöst, and another for Swedish Educational Radio.

In 2005, Ms.Grimes was awarded the Golden Dolphin Award by the Southern California Children's Book Association, recognizing her body of work.

Nikki has been honored with the NCTE Award for Poetry and the 2016 Virginia Hamilton Literary Award from Kent State University. In 2017, she was presented with the Children's Literature Legacy Award for her "substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children." In 2020, Nikki was chosen to receive The ALAN Award for outstanding contributions to the field of adolescent literature.
Visit Nikki’s website: https://www.nikkigrimes.com/

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

32 - Santa in the City Illustrator Reggie Brown Nov 30, 2021

Reggie Brown loves drawing vivid scenes of Black children and families that include expressive, unforgettable characters that make children and adults want to read and re-read those stories.
He enjoys bringing to life in illustrations the stories of the immigrant experience; discrimination and racism; growing up in an underserved community; perseverance and hard-work; military families; family members with mental health and substance/alcohol abuse -authors writing these stories are also bringing voice to his stories and lived experiences.
Reggie also has a passion for stories with genres like fantasy, superheroes, and science-fiction. When Reggie isn't drawing, he loves exploring San Diego, California, watching anime, and hanging out with his wife Demi and min pin Bruce.
Purchase Santa in the City.
Visit Reggie’s website: https://trendingcreativedesign.com/

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

31 - A Friend Like You: Frank Murphy, Kayla Harren and Charnaie Gordon Nov 16, 2021

Frank Murphy is a teacher who writes and a writer who teaches. He has taught a wide variety of grades at the elementary for more than 28 years. A history buff, former basketball coach & Sixers fan, and popular speaker, Frank is the author of many fun historical fiction/biography books for young readers.

As a teacher and father, Frank is committed to creating children's books that expand readers' knowledge of history and help inspire discussions about kindness, leadership, citizenship, growing up, and more.
Kayla Harren graduated from the School of Visual Arts (SVA) in New York City with a BFA in illustration. Books she has illustrated include A BOY LIKE YOU (winner of the 2019 EUREKA Gold Award), A GIRL LIKE YOU, A TEACHER LIKE YOU, A FRIEND LIKE YOU, and THE BOY WHO GREW A FOREST (winner of the 2020 Crystal Kite Award.) Her work has been featured in the Society of Illustrators, American Illustration, Communication Arts, 3x3 Magazine, and she won the Highlights for Children Pewter Plate Award.

Kayla loves animals, playing volleyball, hiking, and eating cookies with frosting. She currently lives in Minnesota with her husband, Peter Harren, and their adorable dogs.
Purchase A Friend Like You.
Visit Frank’s website: https://www.frankmurphybooks.com/
Visit Kayla’s website: http://www.kaylaharren.com/
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

30 - Practice Finishing: An Intimate Conversation with Lamar Giles About Books, Staying the Course, and Fatherhood Nov 02, 2021

Lamar Giles is a well-published author and a founding member of We Need Diverse Books. His most recent novels include NOT SO PURE AND SIMPLE his first Contemporary Coming-of-Age Story (HarperTeen/HarperCollins) and Middle-Grade Fantasy THE LAST MIRROR ON THE LEFT (Versify/HMH), the sequel to his 2019 hit THE LAST LAST-DAY-OF-SUMMER.

Lamar is a two-time Edgar Award finalist in the YA category, for his debut YA thriller FAKE ID (HarperCollins, 2014), and his second YA thriller, ENDANGERED (HarperCollins, 2015). His third and fourth YA thrillers, OVERTURNED (Scholastic, 2017) and SPIN (Scholastic, 2019), as well as his middle-grade debut THE LAST LAST-DAY-OF-SUMMER received glowing New York Times reviews, and was named to multiple Best Of lists, including Time Magazine, Kirkus Reviews, and Amazon. FAKE ID has been optioned by Sony Pictures.

Lamar is the editor of the We Need Diverse Books YA short story anthology FRESH INK (Random House, 2018), and a contributor to many YA and middle-grade anthologies including THREE SIDES OF A HEART (HarperCollins, 2017), BLACK ENOUGH: STORIES OF BEING YOUNG & BLACK IN AMERICA (HarperCollins / Balzer & Bray, 2019), THE HERO NEXT DOOR (Random House, 2019), HIS HIDEOUS HEART (Flatiron Books, 2019) and SUPER PUZZLETASTIC MYSTERIES (HarperCollins, 2020). He has published several short stories for adults.
Purchase Lamar’s book The Last Chance for Logan County.
Visit Lamar’s website: https://www.lamargiles.com/
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

29 - Everybody in the Red Brick Building: Up Close and Personal with Anne Wynter Oct 19, 2021

Anne Wynter is originally from Houston, Texas, and currently lives in Austin, Texas, with her husband, their two children, and a cat. In addition to writing children’s books, she’s written more than a dozen short plays that have been produced around the country. Anne earned a degree in drama from Washington University in St. Louis, received a certificate in short story writing from the University of Chicago, and studied writing for children at the Writing Barn. Everybody in the Red Brick Building is her debut.
Purchase Anne’s latest picture book Everybody in the Red Brick Building.
Visit Anne’s website: http://annewynter.com.
Purchase The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt here.
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

28 - Operation Sisterhood: Chatting Books with Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich Oct 05, 2021

Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich is the author of several children’s books, including 8th Grade Superzero, Two Naomis, co-authored with Audrey Vernick, which was nominated for an NAACP Image Award, It Doesn't Take A Genius, Operation Sisterhood, Above and Beyond: NASA's Journey to Tomorrow, and the picture books Someday Is Now and Mae Makes A Way.
She is a member of the Brown Bookshelf, and editor of the We Need Diverse Books anthology The Hero Next Door. Olugbemisola lives with her family in New York City where she writes, makes things, and needs to get more sleep.

Please visit with her anytime on IG @olugbemisolarhudayperkovich and at http://olugbemisolabooks.com for updates and more.
Purchase Olugbemisola’s latest book Operation Sisterhood.
Visit Olugbemisola’s website: https://www.olugbemisolabooks.com/.
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

27 - I is for Immigrants: A Conversation with Selina Alko Sep 21, 2021

Award-winning writer-illustrator Selina Alko now spends her days melding words and mixed-media art to convey stories of hope and inspiration—as well as an alternative viewpoint. Growing up in Vancouver, British Columbia with a Turkish Jewish father who spoke seven languages and taught painting, and a Jewish mother who worked in the family’s century-old metal recycling business, she was surrounded by the melody of words and stories from different places and varied visual possibilities.

When Selina was in elementary school her entire family would attend her father’s painting class where they learned about 19th Century Impressionists and German Expressionists and were asked to choose paintings and copy them using acrylics. Not only was this a fascinating art history lesson, but it also taught her about the emotional use of color and instilled in her a deep appreciation for painting.

Aside from art, Selina’s childhood was also filled with books; Richard Scarry, Curious George, and anything by Judy Blume were a few of her favorites, and summers were spent at a Jewish sleep-away camp where her social activist spirit was ignited—as well as a love of folk music.

The skills her parents imparted to her as a child, the creative environment that supported them, and the diverse world view she was privy to, have inspired and fueled her ever since and are evident in her many children's books. Some of her award-winning books include: The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage, B is for Brooklyn, Daddy Christmas & Hanukkah Mama, and Joni: The Lyrical Life of Joni Mitchell.

When she’s not working on a new project, Selina enjoys reading, traveling, running art-making workshops, collaging in her sketchbook, and dance-walking in Prospect Park.
Purchase Selina’s latest book I is for Immigrants!
Visit Selina’s website: https://www.selinaalko.com/
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

26 - Laundry Love with Patric Richardson Sep 07, 2021

Patric Richardson is a longtime lover of beautiful textiles, developing as a child both an appreciation for wonderful clothes and amazing, service-focused department stores like Parson’s and Stone & Thomas in eastern Kentucky and West Virginia. He was voted best dressed in eighth grade and again in high school, and his obsession with clothes continued.

In college, there was only one choice, a degree in fashion merchandising, apparel and textiles. His time at the University of Kentucky allowed Patric to hone his skills with textiles, becoming an expert in their use and care. While attending UK, he worked at the legendary store McAlpin’s and then transitioned to Embrys, the finest furrier in the South. It was then that Patric developed his outstanding customer service skills.

Eventually, he took positions at Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, where he sold beautiful clothes in exceptional environments, worked with high-fashion leaders, and learned the significance of the runway. These opportunities gave life to his Mall of America store and destination, Mona Williams, and his legions of loyal customers.

Along the way, his knowledge and dedication have given Patric the opportunity to write a case study for a nationally recognized collegiate textbook, The Meaning of Dress; to participate in the Minneapolis Institute of Arts Italian style exhibit; to create his Laundry Camps, sharing his love of clothing care and laundry expertise; and much more. Now he plans a series of books—on laundry care, home care, entertaining, and holidays.
Purchase Patric’s book Laundry Love!
Purchase The Proudest Color!

Visit Patric’s website: https://laundryevangelist.com/
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

25 - Laila Ali: Being the Best Version of Yourself Aug 24, 2021

Laila Ali is a world-class athlete, fitness & wellness advocate, TV host, home chef, founder of the Laila Ali Lifestyle Brand, and mother of two.

The daughter of late beloved global icon and humanitarian, Muhammad Ali, she is a four-time undefeated boxing world champion, whose stellar record includes 24 wins (21 of which were “knockouts”) and zero losses.

Laila is heralded as the most successful female in the history of women’s boxing. In 2012 when women’s boxing was included in the Olympics, Laila was the first woman in history to provide expert commentary for NBC Sports.
Always eager to encourage others to live an active lifestyle, Laila Ali was the 2012 “Mombassador” for the Aquaphor New York City Triathlon, a competition she actually participated in and completed impressively in a little more than 3 hours.

Also because of her passion for an active lifestyle and wanting to share this with all her followers, she started her own lifestyle blog “Laila Ali Lifestyle,” where she regularly posts workouts tips, recipes, DIY ideas, marriage, and family tips, and so much more!

Laila Ali is a sought after inspirational speaker and author of her life’s story in a dynamic book for young women entitled “Reach!”

Laila studied business management at Santa Monica College.

She and her husband, former NFL star Curtis Conway, live in Georgia, with their two children, son Curtis Jr., and daughter Sydney.
Visit Laila’s website: http://lailaali.com/
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

24 - Do It Yourself Public Relations with Author, CEO and “PR Ninja” Nikkia McClain Jun 15, 2021

In her former career, Nikkia McClain worked as a successful real estate agent in which she managed million-dollar properties. After several years of helping clients realize their real estate dreams, Nikkia wanted to explore other opportunities aligned to her personal goals to pursue a career in marketing and public relations - a very bold decision given Nikkia had no background in the two fields. She established her marketing and public relations firm, TENÉ NÍCOLE, and she put her knowledge and creative skills to work immediately, carving out her path to becoming successful.
Nikkia raised the level of conversation and opportunities for clients and garnered key relationships to enhance their publicity via television, magazine, and radio. Her efforts continue to maximize the level of exposure clients receive on a national and international level. Since pursuing her dream of building her very own well-known, recognized brand, she has experienced tremendous success. Black Enterprise Magazine touted her as a PR maven. Her firm has represented a roster of past and current clients including Fortune 500 and Inc 5000 companies and notable multi-million-dollar brands.
Nikkia has been featured in Black Enterprise Magazine as a PR Maven and is the recipient of several awards for her outstanding work in public relations. From her book DIY PR, readers will obtain a roadmap for success and the confidence to embark on their own journeys into PR.

Visit Nikkia’s website: http://www.authornikkiamcclain.com/
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others.
Thanks for listening!

23 - Nadia Odunayo, Founder of The StoryGraph Jun 01, 2021

Nadia Odunayo is the founder and CEO of The StoryGraph, the new website that helps you to track your reading and choose which book to read next. She previously worked at Pivotal Labs as a software engineer and originally learned to code at Makers Academy in London. In her spare time she loves to take dance class and, naturally, read!

Follow The StoryGraph on Twitter @thestorygraph and Instagram @the.storygraph.
Visit Nadia’s website: https://www.nadiaodunayo.com/
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others.
Thanks for listening!

22 - We’re Still Here: Bookish Chat with Author Traci Sorell May 18, 2021

Traci lives with her family in the Cherokee Nation, out in the country like she did as a child. Back then, she had geese, chickens, horses, dogs and cats. Her mother’s Cherokee family has been in the area since the removal of most Cherokee people from their southeastern homelands in 1838. Traci grew up hearing stories about her ancestors and looking at their photographs with her elisi (eh-lee-see), grandma. Now her son does that with his elisi in addition to fishing in the nearby lake and learning their Cherokee culture.
Before she began writing for children, Traci’s work focused on helping Native American tribes and their citizens. She wrote legal codes, testimony for Congressional hearings, federal budget requests, grants and reports. She continues that work by writing stories for young people and encouraging other Native writers and illustrators to share theirs. When Traci was a child, she never read culturally accurate books about the Cherokee or any other Indigenous people. The stories and poems she writes now reflect her mission to add to the canon of literature showing that Native Nations and their citizens still exist and thrive today.
Visit Traci’s website: https://www.tracisorell.com/
Books mentioned in this episode:
We’re Still Here: Native American Truths

Libro.fm offer: Receive 2 audiobooks for the price of 1. Customers will need to start a monthly membership and will pay $14.99 for 2 audiobook credits to use on over 185,000 audiobooks. Enter code HWR at checkout or click here libro.fm/redeem/HWR.
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others.
Thanks for listening!

21 - Too Small Tola: Getting to Know Award-Winning Author Atinuke May 04, 2021

Atinuke is a Nigerian-born author who started her career doing traditional oral storytelling. Her books include a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Winner, a Notable Book for a Global Society, a Cybils Award Winner, and an Africana Award Winner. She is the author of the popular Anna Hibiscus series, B is for Baby, Too Small Tola and more. She currently lives in Wales.
Learn more about Juana and her work by visiting her website:
http://atinuke-author.weebly.com/
Books mentioned in this episode:
Too Small Tola

Libro.fm offer: Receive 2 audiobooks for the price of 1. Customers will need to start a monthly membership and will pay $14.99 for 2 audiobook credits to use on over 185,000 audiobooks. Enter code HWR at checkout or click here libro.fm/redeem/HWR.
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others.
Thanks for listening!
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20 - Zonia’s Rainforest: A Conversation with Peruvian Author-Illustrator Juana Martinez-Neal Apr 20, 2021

Juana Martinez-Neal is the Peruvian-born daughter and granddaughter of painters. Her debut as an author-illustrator, Alma and How She Got Her Name, was awarded a Caldecott Honor and was published in Spanish as Alma y cómo obtuvo su nombre. She also illustrated La Princesa and the Pea by Susan Middleton Elya, for which she won a Pura Belpré Illustrator Award, and Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Noble Maillard, which won a Robert F. Sibert Medal. Juana Martinez-Neal lives in Connecticut with her family.
Learn more about Juana and her work by visiting her website: https://juanamartinezneal.com/
Books mentioned in this episode:
Zonia’s Rain Forest
Tomatoes for Neela
Alma and How She Got Her Name

Libro.fm offer: Receive 2 audiobooks for the price of 1. Customers will need to start a monthly membership and will pay $14.99 for 2 audiobook credits to use on over 185,000 audiobooks. Enter code HWR at checkout or click here libro.fm/redeem/HWR.
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others.
Thanks for listening!

19 - Getting to Know Debut Author Nandi Taylor Apr 06, 2021

Nandi Taylor is a Canadian writer of Afro-Caribbean descent based in Toronto. Her debut novel Given garnered over one million reads on the online story sharing site Wattpad and earned a starred review from ALA's Booklist magazine. She graduated from the University of Toronto with a degree in English literature and a diploma in journalism.
Nandi has worked as a travel writer while living abroad in Japan, which indulged her passion for bringing beautiful locations to life through the written word. She grew up devouring sci-fi and fantasy novels and from a young age wrote books of her own. Her works are an expression of what she craved growing up--Black protagonists in speculative settings. Common themes she writes about are growth, courage, and finding one's place in the world.
Learn more about Nandi and her work at http://nanditaylor.com and on Facebook and Instagram.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Given
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others.
Thanks for listening!

18 - Becoming Vanessa: An Intimate Chat with Author-Illustrator Vanessa Brantley-Newton Mar 23, 2021

Vanessa Brantley-Newton is a self-taught illustrator, doll maker, and crafter who studied fashion illustration at FIT and children's book illustration at the School of Visual Arts in New York. She is the author and illustrator of Grandma's Purse and Just Like Me, and has illustrated numerous children's books, including The King of Kindergarten and Sewing Stories. Vanessa currently makes her nest in Charlotte, North Carolina, with her husband, daughter, and a very rambunctious cat named Stripes.
Vanessa celebrates self-love and acceptance of all cultures through her work and hopes to inspire young readers to find their own voices. She first learned to express herself as a little girl through song. Growing up in a musical family, Vanessa’s parents taught her how to sing to help overcome her stuttering. Each night the family would gather to make music together, with her mom on piano, her dad on guitar, and Vanessa and her sister. The children she draws can be seen dancing, wiggling, and moving freely across the page in an expression of happiness. Music is a constant celebration, no matter the occasion, and Vanessa hopes her illustrations bring joy to others, with the same magic of a beautiful melody.
Learn more about Vanessa and her artwork at http://vanessabrantleynewton.com and on Facebook and Instagram.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Just Like Me
Becoming Vanessa
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others.
Thanks for listening!

17 - Brave Bessie: Queen of the Sky: Bookish Chat with Author Roda Ahmed Mar 09, 2021

Roda Ahmed the author of the children’s book “Mae Among the Stars” that published in 2018 with Harper Collins. “Mae Among the Stars” is inspired by the story of Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to travel into space.

Roda was born in Somalia and moved to Norway with her family and seven siblings. She’s a graduate in Anthropology from the Norwegian University of Technology and Natural Sciences. Roda has also mastered five languages; Somali, Arabic, Norwegian, English and French.
Visit Roda’s website: http://rodaworld.com to connect with her and read more about her work.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Brave Bessie: Queen of the Sky
Mae Among the Stars
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com
Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others.
Thanks for listening!

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16 - The Pumphrey Brothers: Making Stuff Together Since 1981 Jarrett & Jerome Pumphrey Feb 23, 2021

Jarrett has been a storyteller most his life, both on his own and in collaboration with Jerome. While their earliest work remains locked in a drawer—the key long lost for good measure—their first co-authored book, Creepy Things Are Scaring Me, was published by HarperCollins in 2003.

Since then, Jarrett has been honing his skills of storytelling as an entrepreneur. He’s served as creative director for multiple technology companies and, most recently, as co-founder and CEO of a startup in the high-tech world of clear removable orthodontics. During his time there, he and his team crafted a compelling story, built a brand around it, and then sold it all in late 2017.

A member of SCBWI, Jarrett now spends his time writing and drawing in his home near Austin, TX, where he lives with his wife, their two boys, and a dog named Whiskey. When he’s not writing or drawing, you might find him fishing on a river somewhere or tinkering under the hood of his new old F100.

Jerome is a designer, illustrator, and writer, originally from Houston, TX. He studied graphic design at the Art Institute of Austin and has worked as a technical writer, freelance graphic designer, and illustrator.

Since 2016 he has been a graphic designer at The Walt Disney Company where he uses design and illustration to visually tell stories in print, digital, and immersive experiences for Disney global business development. He works primarily from his home office near Austin, TX, where he lives with his wife, daughter, and son.

Jerome is a member of the SCBWI and shares a previous author credit with Jarrett for Creepy Things Are Scaring Me (HarperCollins, 2003), which they wrote as teenagers.
Books mentioned in this episode:
The Old Boat
The Old Truck

Kwame Alexander’s Community Poem!
https://www.splcenter.org/march-continues-community-poem
Submission Deadline: March 10, 2021
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others.
Thanks for listening!

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15 - I Am Brown: Let’s Talk Illustrations with Animator & Illustrator Sandhya Prabhat Feb 09, 2021

Sandhya Prabhat is an Independent Animator and Illustrator based in the Bay Area, California and is from Chennai, India. She holds an MFA Degree in Animation and Digital Arts from NYU Tisch School of the Arts Asia, and a Bachelor's Degree in Literature from Stella Maris College.
Sandhya has illustrated more than ten children's books. She also works on animation for TV and movies, and designs for social media platforms. Visit sandhyaprabhat.com and visit her on Facebook and Instagram @sandhyaprabhat.
I Am Brown is a joyful celebration of the skin you're in--of being brown, of being amazing, of being you.
Books mentioned in this episode:
I Am Brown
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others.
Thanks for listening!

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14 - The ABCs of Black History: An Interview with New York Times Bestselling Author Rio Cortez Jan 26, 2021

Rio Cortez is the New York Times bestselling author of The ABCs of Black History (Workman, 2020) and I Have Learned to Define a Field as a Space Between Mountains (Jai Alai Books, 2015). Born and raised in Salt Lake City, she now lives, writes, and works in Harlem.
Letter by letter, The ABCs of Black History celebrates a story that spans continents and centuries, triumph and heartbreak, creativity and joy.
To learn more about Rio please visit her website at https://www.riocortez.com/
Books mentioned in this episode:
The ABCs of Black History

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others.
Thanks for listening!

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13 - My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World: Up Close and Personal with Superbowl Champion Malcolm Mitchell Jan 12, 2021

Malcolm Mitchell is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of his non-profit organization Share the Magic Foundation. As the Chief Executive Officer, he focuses on the foundation’s overall growth, development, and impact. Malcolm grew up in Valdosta, Georgia, and attended the University of Georgia (UGA) where he obtained a Communications degree.

Malcolm was drafted by the New England Patriots in 2016 and became a Super Bowl Champion in February 2017. Among Malcolm’s numerous awards and accomplishments both on and off the field, he considers discovering a love of reading his greatest achievement. Initially, reading was a challenge; however, through perseverance, books became an avenue for expanding his curiosity, creativity, and learning. Through literacy Malcolm is now an author of two children’s books.
To learn more about Malcolm please visit him at http://readwithmalcolm.com.
Books mentioned in this episode:
The Magician’s Hat
My Very Favorite Book in the Whole Wide World

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others.
Thanks for listening!

12 - I Am Smart, I Am Blessed, I Can Do Anything! Interview with Alissa Holder & Zulekha Holder-Young Dec 22, 2020

Alissa Holder is a graduate of the State University of New York at Albany, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology. She has always had a passion for working with children and works as a teacher at a childcare center in New York City. She is the mother of two children, Ayaan Diop and Alaia.
Zulekha Holder-Young is a graduate of Spelman College, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in economics. She has passed on her love of reading to her three children, Amari, Amir, and Aria. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, children, and their dog, Mochi.
Alissa and Zulekha are sisters. I Am Smart, I Am Blessed, I Can Do Anything is their debut picture book.
To learn more about Don please visit her at http://dontate.com.

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

11 - William Still and His Freedom Stories: Interview with Don Tate Dec 08, 2020

Don Tate is an award-winning author, and the illustrator of numerous critically acclaimed books for children. He is also one of the founding hosts of the blog The Brown Bookshelf – a blog designed to push awareness of the myriad of African American voices writing for young readers, with book reviews, author and illustrator interviews. Don frequently speaks at schools, public libraries and writing conferences, and participates in book festivals.
Some of the books Don has either written or illustrated include: Ron’s Big Mission, She Loved Baseball, Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton, Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions and more!
To learn more about Don please visit her at http://dontate.com.

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:

Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com

Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username @hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest

Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word to others. Thanks for listening!

10 - Celebrating 10 Years of Chocolate Me!: Interview with Shane W. Evans Nov 24, 2020

Shane W. Evans is a multi-talented artist and visionary who combines his world travels
with his art to influence creative expression in others. Evans studied at Syracuse
University School of Visual and Performing Arts and graduated in 1993 and began
traveling the world. In addition to contract work in illustration, graphic design and web
design for major companies, Evans has conceptualized and illustrated numerous
children’s books.
Many of Shane’s books have been featured in the media such as The Oprah Winfrey
Show, The Today Show, NBA Inside Stuff, Reading Rainbow and Late Night with David
Letterman. Shane has received much acclaim within the children’s literary field for his
work on children’s books such as "Osceola," "The Way The Door Closes," "Shaq and
the Beanstalk," and "Take It To The Hoop Magic Johnson" His accolades range from
being honored by First Lady Laura Bush at the 2002 National Book Festival, The Boston
Globe-Horn Book Award and The Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Non-Fiction for
Children. He is also the illustrator of the popular books Chocolate Me!, Mixed Me!
written by actor Taye Diggs. Look for their forthcoming picture book, My Friend! to
publish in 2021.
Shane Evans’s talent does not stop at illustration and children’s books. His design work
includes unique, one-of-a-kind hand-crafted furniture pieces, clothing, CD cover art,
photography and a number of other custom-made items. To learn more about Shane
and his work please visit her at http://shaneevans.com.
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:
Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com
Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username
@hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word
to others. Thanks for listening!

9 - Thank You, Omu!: Interview with Oge Mora Nov 10, 2020

Oge Mora is a storyteller residing in Providence, RI. Her picture book, Thank You,
Omu!, was a Caldecott Honor, Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award
winner, Ezra Jack Keats Book Award recipient, and a New York Times Notable Book
and Editors' Choice. Her second book, Saturday was a Parent’s Magazine, Publishers’
Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Horn Book, and School & Library Journal Best Book of 2019.
Oge’s artwork has been applauded by The Washington Post, The New York Times, The
Wall Street Journal, and The Boston Globe. She grew up in Columbus, Ohio and
graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) with a degree in Illustration.
Oge is a fan of all things colorful, patterned, or collaged, and enjoys creating warm
stories that celebrate people coming together. To learn more about Oge please visit her
at http://ogemora.com.
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:
Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com
Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username
@hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word
to others. Thanks for listening!

8 - The Magnificent Makers: Interview with Dr. Theanne Griffith Oct 27, 2020

Meet Dr. Theanne Griffith, a neuroscientist and the author of the STEM-themed chapter
book series, The Magnificent Makers. Since she was a little girl, she has loved both
storytelling and science. Her books blend these two passions, taking young readers on
out of this world adventures they will never forget. The first two books in her series, How
to Test a Friendship and Brain Trouble are currently available where books are sold.
The third book in The Magnificent Makers series, Riding Sound Waves, is slated for
release on September 8th, 2020. Theanne is currently represented by Chelsea Eberly
of The Greenhouse Literary Agency.
Theanne received her BA in neuroscience and Spanish from Smith College and earned
her doctorate in neuroscience from Northwestern University. She is currently as
Assistant Professor at the University of California Davis. To learn more about Theanne
please visit her at http://www.theannegriffith.com/.
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:
Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com
Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username
@hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word
to others. Thanks for listening!

7 - We All Have a Voice: Interview with Cozbi A. Cabrera Oct 20, 2020

In this episode, Charnaie gets up close and personal with author-illustrator Cozbi A.
Cabrera. In addition to being a wife and mom, Cozbi is also an author, illustrator and
doll maker of the most beautiful handmade dolls.
Cozbi A. Cabrera received a BFA from Parsons School of Design. Her cloth dolls (Muñecas)
have garnered the attention of collectors around the world and have been featured
on The Oprah Winfrey Show. She is the illustrator of several books, including Me & Mama, Exquisite: The Poetry and Life of Gwendolyn Brooks, My Hair is a Garden and more. To learn more about Cozbi, please visit her at Cozbi.com.
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:
Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com
Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username
@hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word
to others. Thanks for listening!

6 - Ty’s Travels: Interview with Kelly Starling Lyons and Nina Mata Oct 13, 2020

In this episode, Charnaie chats books with author Kelly Starling Lyons and illustrator
Nina Mata. Listen to find out what the inspiration behind the Ty’s Travels series was
and learn the upcoming projects both Kelly and Nina are working on.
Kelly Starling Lyons is a founding member of The Brown Bookshelf
(http://thebrownbookshelf.com). Her acclaimed picture books include Ellen’s Broom,
Going Down Home with Daddy, and Sing a Song: How "Lift Every Voice and Sing"
Inspired Generations. Kelly attended Syracuse University, where she earned a B.A. in
African-American Studies, as well as her M.S. in Magazine Journalism.
Nina Mata is a New York Times bestselling illustrator and received her degree from the
Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. She has illustrated many books,
including American gymnast Laurie Hernandez’s She’s Got This, NBA superstar LeBron
James's I Promise, and the Ty’s Travels I Can Read series. Nina currently lives in New
Jersey with her husband, their daughter, and Tabitha, their cat. Visit her online at
www.beautifique.org.
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:
Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com
Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username
@hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word
to others. Thanks for listening!

5 - Roxy The Last Unisaurus Rex: Interview with Eva Chen Oct 06, 2020

In this episode, Charnaie chats with Eva Chen.
Eva Chen went from being a former pre-med student to the director of fashion partnerships at Instagram. She’s also a wife, mom and children's book author. Previously she was editor-in-chief of Lucky and beauty and health director at Teen Vogue.
Eva’s books include: Roxy the Last Unisaurus Rex, A is for Awesome! 23 Iconic Women Who Changed the World, Juno Valentine and the Magical Shoes, 321 Awesome! 20 Fearless Women Who Dared to be Different and Juno Valentine and the Fantastic Fashion Adventure.
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:
Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com
Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username
@hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word
to others. Thanks for listening!

4 - Meeting Michelle Obama: Interview with Parker Curry and Jessica Curry Sep 29, 2020

In this episode, Charnaie chats with five-year old Parker Curry and her mother Jessica
Curry.
Parker is a precocious, charismatic, and talkative five year old, who loves ballet, books and learning Mandarin Chinese. She is the New York Times Bestselling author of the picture book Parker Looks Up which received an NAACP Image Award nomination. Her favorite colors are pink and purple and she lives with her mother, father, younger sister and baby brother in Washington, DC.
This is a lively and adorable episode that has a fun. Listen as Charnaie’s children Madison and Barrington interview Parker and Charnaie interviews Parker’s mom Jessica.
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:
Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com
Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username
@hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word
to others. Thanks for listening!

3 - Eyes That Kiss in the Corners: Interview with Debut Author Joanna Ho Sep 15, 2020

Joanna Ho is the author of Eyes that Kiss in the Corners (Jan 5, 2021), Playing at the Border: A Story of Yo-Yo Ma (Fall 2021), The Silence that Binds Us (2022) and One Day (2023). She is a writer and educator with a passion for anti-bias, anti-racism and equity work. She holds a BA in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, and a master’s from the Principal Leadership Institute at Berkeley. She has been an English teacher, a dean, the designer of an alternative-to-prison program, and a professional development mastermind. She is currently the vice principal of a high school in the Bay Area, where she survives on homemade chocolate chip cookies, outdoor adventures, and dance parties with her kids.
Listen as Joanna talks about what inspired her to start writing, why she thinks her book
will resonate so much with people in the Asian community (and beyond), and why she
believes diverse books and literature that empowers matters.
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:
Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com
Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username
@hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word
to others. Thanks for listening!

2 - I Am Every Good Thing: Up Close and Personal with Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James Sep 01, 2020

In this episode, Charnaie interviews New York Times Bestselling author Derrick Barnes
and illustrator Gordon C. James.
Derrick Barnes wrote the New York Times bestseller The King of Kindergarten, as well
as the critically acclaimed picture book Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut (illustrated by
Gordon James), which received a Newbery Honor, a Coretta Scott King Author Honor,
the 2018 Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award, and the 2018 Kirkus Prize for Young
Readers. He also wrote the bestselling chapter book series Ruby and the Booker Boys.
He owns the copy-writing company Say Word Creative Communications and created
the popular blog Raising the Mighty, where he "chronicles the experience of bringing up four beautiful Black boys in America." He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife
and their four sons.
Gordon C. James illustrated the critically acclaimed picture book Crown: An Ode to the
Fresh Cut (by Derrick Barnes), which received a Caldecott Honor, a Coretta Scott King
Illustrator Honor, an Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor, the 2018 Kirkus Prize for
Young Readers, and a Society of Illustrators Gold Medal. He also illustrated Let 'Er
Buck!: George Fletcher, the People Champion (by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson). He lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his wife and two children.
Derrick and Gordon talk about how they got started with their careers, how they met and
discuss other exciting forthcoming projects they are working on.
Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:
Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com
Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username
@hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread the word
to others. Thanks for listening!

1 - I'm Not a Fan of Diverse Books, I'm a Fan of Diverse Thinking People, a conversation with Kwame Alexander Aug 18, 2020

In this episode, Charnaie interviews New York Times Bestselling author
Kwame Alexander. Kwame is also a poet, educator, author of 37 books,
including THE UNDEFEATED, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, HOW TO READ A
BOOK, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, SWING, REBOUND, which was shortlisted
for prestigious Carnegie Medal, and, his NEWBERY medal-winning middle grade
novel, THE CROSSOVER. Kwame is also the Founding Editor of VERSIFY, an
imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt that aims to Change the World One Word at
a Time.
Kwame discusses how his writing career he began, upcoming books and
projects he’s working on and tells us why he’s not a fan of the phrase “diverse
books”.
Things you will learn in this episode:

How George Floyd’s death has impacted Kwame’s life personally and professionally.
The inspiration that led Kwame to start writing kid lit.
Which authors Kwame has frequent virtual happy hours with to gossip, share
their work and talk about how to make the world a better place.
Kwame’s advice for inspiring writers.
The name of Kwame’s forthcoming writing journal for kids and his forthcoming books for middle grade readers and adults.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Here Wee Read
Project Lit
The Brown Bookshelf

Connect with Charnaie online in the following places:
Blog: http://hereweeread.com
Personal Website: charnaiegordon.com
Podcast Email Address: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com
Find Charnaie on the following social media platforms under the username
@hereweeread: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest
Feel free to share this podcast on your social media platforms to help spread
the word to others. Thanks for listening!

Trailer Aug 03, 2020

Introduction to Here Wee Read.

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