The Children's Book Podcast

Latest Episodes:

In the Thick of It with Corinna Luyken Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

Corinna Luyken, author illustrator of The Arguers (Rocky Pond Books), joins Matthew to talk about the silly, the absurd, and seeing yourself in every single character.

Visit Corinna Luyken online at corinnaluyken.com

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. And read on.

The Hopeline is Open Nov 01, 2025

Show notes

Matthew pops into the feed to share a couple of important updates: accepting messages of hope from all listeners, seeking an intern or friend to help with social media, and I love you.

If you have a message of hope that you'd like to share, I have good news: the Hopeline is now open. Go to www.speakpipe.com/childrensbkpod on your computer or phone to record a 90 second message of hope. Include your name, your recent book (if you're an author or illustrator, and a message sharing what is giving you hope today. All voices are welcome, no matter what role you play in this kidlit community.

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. Read on. And don't lose hope.

Becoming Curious with Heidi EY Stemple Oct 28, 2025

Show notes

Heidi EY Stemple, author of The Poetry of Car Mechanics (Wordsong), joins Matthew to talk about becoming curious and making every bit of your writing intentional.

Visit Heidi EY Stemple online at heidieystemple.com

Other helpful links:

Heidi EY Stemple at the Highlights Foundation
Jane Yolen & Heidi EY Stemple Scholarship - Authors Jane Yolen and her daughter Heidi EY Stemple have established a scholarship to support in-person or online tuition to workshops and personal retreats at the Highlights Foundation. (Visitors coming to campus can even ask to stay in the Jane Yolen Cabin!)

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. And read on.

As Meaningful As Possible with Erin Entrada Kelly Oct 21, 2025

Show notes

Erin Entrada Kelly, author of At Last She Stood (Greenwillow Books) and The Last Resort (Scholastic Press), joins Matthew to talk about crafting stories as meaningful as possible to the reader.

Visit Erin Entrada Kelly online at erinentradakelly.com

Other helpful links:

Erin Entrada Kelly at the Highlights Foundation
Erin Entrada Kelly Scholarship - Established by Erin Entrada Kelly, this scholarship celebrates diverse representation in middle grade novels.
Middle Grade Writers: A Generative Retreat - Immerse yourself in the generative writing process and try new, hands-on techniques to spark creativity, connect, unwind, and generate new pages (or revive old ones).

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. And read on.

What Gives Mary Reaves Uhles Hope Oct 18, 2025

Show notes

Mary Reaves Uhle, author illustrator of The Flock We Found (Magination Press), shares what is giving her hope today: all the parents and kids posting pictures of bright faces and shiny new outfits to start the year.

This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.

Learn more about Magination Press and their upcoming releases by visiting www.apa.org/pubs/magination.

Visit Mary Reaves Uhles online at maryuhles.com

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. Read on. And don't lose hope.

Mining Our Memories with Natasha Khan Kazi Oct 14, 2025

Show notes

Natasha Khan Kazi, author illustrator of Bela and Lily (Kokila), joins Matthew to talk about bravery through being a multi-language learner.

Visit Natasha Khan Kazi online at natashakhankazi.com

Other helpful links:

Natasha Khan Kazi at the Highlights Foundation
Muslim Storytellers Fellows - The Highlights Foundation is proud to announce the cohort of storytellers selected for a two-year fellowship program in children's literature. The fellowship will create space for more diverse and authentic Muslim narratives for children and young adults, and address common misperceptions of those narratives in the children's publishing industry.
From Idea & Sketch to Dummy & Submission: An Author/Illustrator Online Course - Explore the craft of writing and illustrating a picture book and preparing your picture book dummy for submission, with helpful feedback and support from faculty.

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. And read on.

What Else Gives Tami Charles Hope Oct 11, 2025

Show notes

Tami Charles, author of Remember Her Name!: Debbie Allen's Rise to Fame (Charlesbridge), illustrated by Meredith Lucius, shares what is giving her hope today: the resilience of children's dreams.

This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.

Learn more about Charlesbridge Publishing and their upcoming releases by visiting www.charlesbridge.com.

Visit Jen Barton online at jbartonbooks.com

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. Read on. And don't lose hope.

Knowing How to Love Yourself with Hannah V. Sawyerr Oct 07, 2025

Show notes

Hannah V. Sawyerr, author of Truth Is: A Novel in Verse (Amulet Books), joins Matthew to talk about making a decision that belongs to you.

Visit Hannah V. Sawyerr online at hannahsawyerr.com

Other helpful links:

Hannah V. Sawyerr at the Highlights Foundation

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. And read on.

What Gives Heidi E.Y. Stemple Hope Oct 04, 2025

Show notes

Heidi E.Y. Stemple, author of The Avian Adventurers #1: Snowy Owl Rescue; Raptor Recovery (Charlesbridge Moves), illustrated by Natasha Donovan, shares what is giving her hope today: the curious, hope-filled readers with wide open minds who are building a foundation of compassion and service.

This is a new miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.

Learn more about Charlesbridge Publishing and their upcoming releases by visiting www.charlesbridge.com.

Visit Heidi E.Y. Stemple online at www.heidieystemple.com

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. Read on. And don't lose hope.

Relentless Expression with Katie Yamasaki Sep 30, 2025

Show notes

Katie Yamasaki, author illustrator of Mural Island (Norton Young Readers), joins Matthew to talk about building upon the tradition of making public art through relentless expression.

Visit Katie Yamasaki online at www.katieyamasaki.com

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. And read on.