Kidlit Love: Conversations with Picture Book and Middle Grade Authors

E29: Jessica Stremer: Lights Out

10 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I’m talking with Jessica Stremer, an award-winning children’s author who combines her love of science and writing to create books that in...

E28: Becca Wierwille: Road Trip Rescue

03 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I’m talking with Becca Wierwille, the author of the loveable, huggable middle grade novel: Road Trip Rescue. It’s packed with so many middl...

E27: Audrey Perrott: Moo Hoo

26 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I’m talking with Audrey Perrott about her debut picture book: Moo Hoo. Moo Hoo is a delightful story about a very sweet bull with B...

E26: Janet Costa Bates: The Rica Baptista Series

19 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I am talking with Janet Costa Bates about her new chapter book series following Rica Baptista, a delightful young girl, along with he...

E25: Rachel Vail: If We Kiss

12 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I’m talking with Rachel Vail, author of over 40 books for children spanning delightful picture books, middle grade series and young adult nov...

E24: Natalia Sylvester: A Maleta Full of Treasures

05 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I am talking with award-winning Natalia Sylvester about her picture book: A Maleta Full of Treasures. While this may be her first picture book,...

E23: Books to Celebrate Ramadan & the Eid Moon

01 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I am talking with Sahtinay Abaza in this bonus episode to celebrate Ramadan and the Eid Moon.  Come listen as we talk about her two picture bo...

E22: Andrew Hacket: Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea

29 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

As a book podcaster, one of my favorite things is to help launch new books into the world and celebrate as many book birthdays as I can. Today, I’m ...

E21: John Schu: Louder Than Hunger

21 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Book people are the best people and today, I’m talking to one of my favorites: John Schu.  Affectionately known as Mr. Schu online, John is the fie...

E20: Amy Parks: Averill Offline

15 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I’m talking with Amy Parks about her newest middle grade novel: Averil Offline.  Amy is a teacher educator who believes we need to embrace a...

E19: Nic Yulo: Out of the Blue

08 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I’m talking with Nic Yulo, author / illustrator of Patch of Sky and Out of the Blue. Both picture books are delightful, colorful, quench our ...

E18: Celebrate Middle Grade March with Afoma Umesi

01 Mar 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Happy Middle Grade March! Today, I’m celebrating Middle Grade March with a special guest: Afoma Umesi. Afoma embraces all things middle grade readin...

E17: Michelle Knudsen: The Dragon of Trelian

23 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I am talking with Michelle Knudsen. Michelle is the author of 50 children’s books: from early readers, board books and picture books to middl...

E16: Cynthia Harmony: A Flicker of Hope

16 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I’m chatting with Cynthia Harmony, author of multiple picture books that celebrate the beauty of multiple languages, the world around us, fam...

E15: Marisa Quinn: Happy Hands

09 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I am talking with Marisa Quinn about her debut picture book: Happy Hands.  It’s a delightfully loveable story about a young boy who is eag...

E14: Lizzy Rockwell: It is Time: The Life of a Caterpillar

02 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I have a long list of children’s literature authors that I love because their books are amazing. But since starting this podcast, I’ve created ano...

E13: Taryn Souders: The Mystery of the Radcliffe Riddle

26 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

I love when books can take me down rabbit holes: delightful journeys driven by curiosity.  Today, I’m talking with Taryn Souders, an author that br...

E12: Claire Lordon: One in a Million

19 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Today is a day of firsts on the KidLit Love podcast. I’m here with Claire Lordon to talk about the first young adult book to be featured on the podc...

E11: Simply Skye with Pamela Morgan

12 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Picture books have a special place in my reading heart for many reasons and today, we explore the power of picture books to help kids feel seen and ex...

E10: Elly Swartz: Hidden Truths

05 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wanted to bottle someone’s energy, passion and enthusiasm so you could have it for yourself?! That’s exactly how I felt after talkin...

E9: Andrew Eliopulos: Will on the Inside

29 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Stories are healing. They can help us feel seen, they can help us see a new perspective and they can help us grow through what we go through, too.  T...

E8: Jessica Vitalis: Coyote Queen

22 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I have added another name to my ‘Favorite Middle Grade Authors’ list in my book journal: Jessica Vitalis. She’s written The Wolf’s Curse, The ...

E7: Colleen Nelson: The Undercover Book List

15 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I have a special list in my book journal: Books I’ve Hugged. Yes, I hug my books and I bet many of you do too. Today, I’m talking to Colleen Nelso...

E6: Leslie Connor: Anybody Here Seen Frenchie?

08 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

We all have a go-to author: someone who we know will deliver a book we will love each and every time.  Today, I am talking to one of my go-to middle ...

E5: Arianne Costner: Confessions of a Class Clown

01 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Sometimes, we all need a little whimsy in the books we are reading, especially when we are reading middle grade novels.  Today’s guest gives us tha...

E4: Meghan Wilson Duff: How Are You, Verity?

24 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Picture books can be powerful tools for learning. They’re beautiful, hint at powerful life lessons and offer opportunities for conversation and shar...

E3: James Preller: Exit 13 Series

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s guest knows a thing or two about children’s literature. He’s written over 80 books across multiple topics and formats from The Jigsaw Jo...

E2: Ann Braden: Opinions and Opossums

10 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

If I could only choose one book as my personal, all-time-favorite middle grade novel, it would be written by the author I’m talking with today: Ann ...

E1: Padma Venkatraman: Born Behind Bars

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I am thrilled to welcome you to the inaugural episode of Kidlit Love!  Today, I am talking with Padma Venkatraman, author of multiple young adult and...

E0: Welcome to the Kidlit Love Podcast!

03 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to the Kidlit Love podcast!  In today’s episode, I’m giving you all the details behind the podcast starting with who I am and why I creat...

Kidlit Love: Conversations with Picture Book, Middle Grade and YA Authors (Trailer)

03 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas