The Children's Book Review: Growing Readers Podcast

Join the conversation with author Josh Funk as he discusses the unique nuances between Dear Dragon and Dear Unicorn. In this lively discussion, Funk taps into the concept of duality in relationships—how a balance between positivity and negativity can facilitate growth. Discover the intricate details in the book's illustrations, and learn how asking questions and staying curious can bring color and excitement to life. This conversation encourages readers to appreciate art, celebrate their differences, and learn to connect more deeply with others. Listen up and be inspired to channel your inner creativity and keep an open mind in your day-to-day interactions.

By day, Josh Funk writes C++, Java Code, and Python scripts as a software engineer, which he's been doing for the last twenty years. In his spare time he uses ABC's, drinks Java coffee, and writes picture book manuscripts, such as How to Code a Sandcastle, Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast, The Case of the Stinky Stench, Dear Dragon, and more. Josh graduated from the UMass Amherst Commonwealth College with a degree in computer science. He is a board member of the Writers' Loft in Sherborn, Massachusetts, and the co-coordinator of the 2017 New England Regional SCBWI Conference.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on ⁠The Children's Book Review.

Order a Copy:

Dear Unicorn on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠.

Resources:

You can find out more about Josh Funk at https://www.joshfunkbooks.com/.

Discussion Topics:

Josh Funk talks about:

• The inspiration behind his previous book, Dear Dragon, and how it unintentionally became a hit with teachers for its themes of friendship and challenging assumptions.
• How he came up with the idea for Dear Unicorn while waiting in line for a roller coaster at Disney World and wrote the entire first draft on his phone with his child's help.
• The difference between Dear Dragon and Dear Unicorn
• Using art to communicate and express emotions.
• Takeaways for kids reading Dear Unicorn.
• Balance between positivity and negativity in relationships and how it can lead to growth.
• How getting to know someone allows for more authenticity
• The characters of Connie and Nic, the unicorn, express themselves differently.
• Josh and Bianca read a page from Dear Unicorn.
• Using his platform to share the work of other authors and push for inclusivity and representation

Jessica Speer wrote The Phone Book to provide knowledge and empowerment for kids and families regarding smartphone use. The book includes quizzes, real stories, techie tidbits, and secret codes to engage readers. In this informative chat, she suggests modeling healthy tech habits, creating a tech agreement, having regular conversations about the dark side of tech, and teaching digital literacy and citizenship to help kids form healthy digital habits.

Speer is the award-winning author of BFF or NRF (Not Really Friends)? A Girls Guide to Happy Friendships and Middle School – Safety Goggles Advised. Her interactive books for preteens and teens entertain readers while exploring important topics. Blending humor, a dash of science, stories, and insights, her writing unpacks challenges that surface during adolescence. She has a master’s degree in social sciences and explores topics in ways that connect with kids. Jessica is regularly featured in and contributes to media outlets on topics related to kids, teens, parenting, and social-emotional development.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Order a Copy:

The Phone Book: Stay Safe, Be Smart, and Make the World Better with the Powerful Device in Your Hand: ⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠.

Resources:

For more information, visit www.JessicaSpeer.com.

Discussion Topics:

• The Phone Book balances knowledge and empowerment for kids and families regarding smartphone use
• Working with kids to gather information and stories
• How watching "The Social Dilemma" highlighted the need for guardrails around technology use for kids and inspired The Phone Book
• Helping kids understand technology and its impact
• The design elements and interactive features of The Phone Book
• Modeling healthy tech habits, creating a tech agreement, having regular conversations about the dark side of tech, and teaching digital literacy and citizenship for parents to help their kids form healthy digital habits
• Creating more informed young users of tech through her book
• Encouraging families to have guidebooks on hand for when kids hit a bump in the road

Get ready to be inspired by Julie Hedlund and her outstanding involvement in writing communities! In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, she shares her research process behind her masterpiece Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Andrews. Hedlund hopes to inspire readers to learn from Andrews' hard work and celebrate their unique paths.

Julie Hedlund is the award-winning children's picture book author of Over, Bear! Under, Where? She spends much of her time inside her imagination, and when not writing or reading, she enjoys playing in the mountains near her home in Boulder, Colorado. She lives with her two teenage children and their high-maintenance hound dog.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review.

Order a Copy:

Song After Song: The Musical Life of Julie Hedlund on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠.

Resources:

You can find out more about Julie at https://juliehedlund.com/.

Follow her on Twitter @juliefhedlund.

12x12 Challenge: https://www.12x12challenge.com/.

Picture Book Summit: https://picturebooksummit.com/.

Home: A Memoir of My Early Years by Julie Andrews: https://amzn.to/3PrNAkx.

Discussion Topics:

Julie Hedlund talks about:

• Her writing process and the importance of being a reader before becoming a writer.
• Her involvement in writing communities like 12 x 12 and Picture Book Summit, where Julie Andrews is a keynote speaker this year.
• How a comment from Julie Andrews' daughter led to writing a picture book biography about Julie Andrews
• Extensive research for the book, including reading Julie's memoir, doing onsite research in London, and listening to interviews.
• The book's emotional climax and how readers can take away the message that they can use their gifts to improve the world.
• The benefits of reading from biographies of people who work hard and achieve great things, just like Julie Andrews.
• Embracing individual paths and not comparing oneself to others.

In this episode, we have global sensation and fan-favorite author Andy Griffiths. He's here to talk about the Treehouse series and the special full-color collector's edition of The 13-Story Treehouse.

Andy Griffiths is the New York Times bestselling author of The Day My Butt Went Psycho!, Zombie Butts from Uranus!, and Butt Wars! The Final Conflict, as well as the Treehouse Series and Killer Koalas from Outer Space. In 2007, he became the first Australian author to win six children’s choice awards in one year for Just Shocking! He is passionate about inspiring a love of books in his young readers and works as an ambassador for the Indigenous Literacy Project, which provides books and literacy resources to remote indigenous communities around Australia. Andy is a big fan of Dr. Seuss and cauliflower. He lives in Melbourne, Australia, and is Australia’s most popular children’s writer.

Transcription:

You can read the transcription on ⁠⁠The Children's Book Review.

Order copies:

The 13-Story Treehouse (Special Collector's Edition): Monkey Mayhem! on ⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Amazon.

Resources:

Learn more about Andy Griffiths here: https://www.andygriffiths.com.au/.

Discussion Topics:

• Getting to know Andy Griffiths and the things he likes to collect.
• How being a high school teacher, lead singer in a rock band, and a stand-up comedian have helped Andy with his writing.
• Pushing the boundaries of good taste when writing for kids.
• How to write about farts without saying the word fart.
• Working with the Indigenous Literacy Project.
• The 13-Story Treehouse, what it's all about, and the inspiration behind it.
• Themes that get kids excited about reading the Treehouse series.
• When kids love to read the same book again and again.
• Tips for raising readers and regulating screen time.

In this episode, we welcome special guest Alysson Foti Borque, author of the beloved Alycat series. Alysson shares insights into the creation of her heartwarming children's books and the inspiration behind her characters. Join Bianca and Alysson as they delve into the latest addition to the series, Alycat and the Sunday Scaries, exploring themes of friendship, bravery, and overcoming fears. Discover how Alysson infuses valuable life lessons into her stories while captivating young readers with engaging adventures. Get ready for an insightful conversation about the power of children's literature to inspire and uplift.

Transcription:

⁠You can read the ⁠transcription on ⁠The Children's Book Review⁠⁠.

Order a Copy:

Alycat and the Sunday Scaries on ⁠Amazon⁠ and ⁠Bookshop.org⁠.

Resources:

Find Alysson and Alycat online at www.alycatseries.com.

Check out the virtual book tour for Alycat and the Sunday Scaries here: https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/alycat-and-the-sunday-scaries-awareness-tour/

Alysson Foti Borque Talks About:

• The inspiration behind starting Expound Publicity with her co-founder during the pandemic.
• Their journey from starting with a podcast interviewing authors to expanding into a full-fledged publicity firm assisting nearly 500 authors.
• Alysson's transition from teaching elementary education to practicing law to becoming a children's author and publicist.
• How personal experiences and her children inspire her children's books, particularly the Alycat series.
• The importance of showcasing supportive friendships and problem-solving skills in children's literature.
• Alycat's adventures in each book and the life lessons they impart to young readers.
• Incorporating extension activities at the end of each book to further engage readers and extend the story's themes.
• Discussion on the latest book in the series, Alycat and the Sunday Scaries, and its focus on overcoming fears and anxieties.
• Sneak peeks into upcoming books in the Alycat series, including Alycat and the Copycat and a Christmas-themed book.
• Encouragement for readers to find resonance with characters in books and utilize them as tools for learning and growth.