Facing Fears Together with Alysson Foti Bourque and Alycat and the Sunday Scaries

03/27/24 • 32 min

The Children's Book Review: Growing Readers Podcast

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.

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.

Previous Episode

Weaving Threads of Belonging: Exploring Identity in Summer at Squee with Andrea Wang

In this engaging conversation, Andrea Wang shares insights into her latest book, Summer at Squee, where she explores themes of community, identity, and inclusivity.

Delve into the heart of Squee Camp, a vibrant setting where Phoenny Fang navigates friendships, cultural experiences, and her own biases. Discover the inspirations behind Andrea's storytelling, from her personal experiences at a Chinese heritage camp to her reflections on anti-Asian racism. Learn how Andrea crafted authentic representation while making the story relatable to a diverse audience. Uncover the threads of empathy and belonging woven throughout her narrative and explore the transformative power of embracing joy and shared experiences.

As Andrea reflects on her writing process and highlights from the book, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the rich tapestry of identity and community depicted in Summer at Squee.

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

Order a Copy:

Summer at Squee on Amazon and Bookshop.org.

Discussion Topics:

Andrea Wang Talks About:

Exploring the Concept of Community: How Summer at Squee portrays the dynamics of community within the camp setting.
Cultural Identity and Representation: How the book tackles themes of cultural identity, particularly focusing on Phoenny Fang's journey of self-discovery as she navigates her Chinese heritage within a multicultural environment.
Addressing Bias and Prejudice: How the narrative addresses issues of bias and prejudice, particularly in Phoenny's interactions with other campers.
Writing Process and Inspirations: Her creative process behind crafting Summer at Squee, inspirations for the story, including her own experiences at a Chinese heritage camp, and how she approached the development of characters and plot elements.
Themes of Inclusivity and Belonging: The importance of creating inclusive spaces, both within literature and in real-life communities, and ways to foster a sense of belonging for all individuals.

Resources: You can visit Andrea Wang online at ⁠⁠https://andreaywang.com/ and https://www.instagram.com/andreawhywang/.

Our Book Spotlight Sponsor:

P.J. Davis, author of Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time

Available on Amazon

For more information, visit https://www.PJDavisAuthor.com.

Next Episode

Growing Readers' Hearts: An Interview with Dan Gemeinhart on Coyote Lost and Found

In this insightful interview, acclaimed middle-grade author Dan Gemeinhart discusses his highly anticipated standalone companion novel Coyote Lost and Found, the follow-up to his beloved bestseller The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise. Gemeinhart reflects on the evolution of the complex relationship between his resilient protagonist Coyote and her grief-stricken father Rodeo while also exploring the poignant themes of loss, healing, and finding one's place in the world that are woven throughout both narratives.

The #1 New York Times-bestselling author also offers a glimpse into his creative process, from drawing inspiration from his lifelong love of reading to the challenges of seamlessly incorporating timely elements like the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, Gemeinhart discusses his upcoming picture book Once Upon a Friend and the distinct approaches required for crafting middle-grade novels versus picture books.

With his signature blend of heart, humor, and authenticity, Gemeinhart provides a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at his acclaimed body of work and the powerful messages he aims to impart to young readers. This episode is a must-listen for fans of Gemeinhart's beloved stories as well as anyone interested in the craft of writing impactful children's literature.

Transcription:

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

Order a Copy:

Coyote Lost and Found on ⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠.

Once Upon a Friend on Amazon and Bookshop.org.

Resources:

Find Dan Gemeinhart online at http://dangemeinhart.com.

Dan Gemeinhart Talks About:

His writing process and influences as an author of middle grade novels
The evolution of the relationship between the main character Coyote and her father Rodeo across the two books
The themes of grief, healing, and finding one's place in the world that are central to the narratives
Dan's upcoming picture book Once Upon a Friend and the differences between writing middle grade novels versus picture books
The potential for the first Coyote book to be adapted into a film