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

03/19/24 • 43 min

The Children's Book Review: Growing Readers Podcast

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.

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

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.

Previous Episode

Poetry Insights from Jane Yolen on Crafting Words, Wisdom, and Wonder

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, host Bianca Schulze welcomes the legendary author, poet, and children's book writer Jane Yolen. From discussing Yolen's daily routine of writing poetry to exploring her deep connection to literature and storytelling, this conversation is a journey into the heart and soul of a prolific writer. Yolen shares insights into her creative process, the inspiration behind her works, and the power of poetry in shaping young minds. Join Bianca and Jane as they delve into the magic of words, wisdom, and wonder in this captivating episode.

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

Order a Copy:

In and Out the Window on ⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠.

Discussion Topics:

Jane Yolen Talks About:

Her daily routine of writing a poem a day for 18 years
The significance of writing poetry as a creative practice to awaken the mind and fingers
Childhood experiences and early exposure to literature and writing
The impact of parental support and encouragement on Yolen's writing journey
Her prolific career with over 457 published books and counting
Reflections on family dynamics and attitudes toward Yolen's writing success
Exploring the challenges and joys of writing for both children and adults
The motivation behind Yolen's passion for crafting books tailored for children
Insights into what makes a poem resonate and endure over time
Memorable experiences with poetry, including reciting Lewis Carroll's "Jabberwocky"
Her unexpected encounter with W.B. Yeats' gravestone in Ireland
The process of compiling and organizing Yolen's poetry collection, In and Out the Window
Educational and creative value of poetry in children's literacy and classrooms
Her hopes for the lasting impact of In and Out the Window on readers of all ages
Practical advice and tips for aspiring poets and poetry enthusiasts
Her one big takeaway: the importance of reading poetry aloud every day

Resources:

You can visit Jane Yolen online at ⁠https://www.janeyolen.com/ or follow her on Facebook at Facebook.com/JaneYolen.

Next Episode

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

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.