The Children's Book Podcast

Debbi Michiko Florence, author of The Mastermind's Trap (Aladdin), shares what is giving her hope today: young people and the connectors of readers to books. 
 
This is an ongoing miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today. 
 
Visit Debbi Michiko Florence online at debbimichikoflorence.com
 
Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by visiting boydsmills.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.

Steve Light, author illustrator of Gus & Sully All Week Long (Candlewick), joins Matthew to talk about distilling ideas to their most accessible and truest forms for our youngest readers.
 
Visit Steve Light online at stevelightart.com 
 
Other helpful links:
Steve Light at Boyds Mills

Summer Camp for Writers and Illustrators: Session Two! - Get away for five days at our Summer Camp for fiction and nonfiction storytellers who are looking for inspiration, guidance, mentorship, community, fun, creativity, and…a place to dream!

Steve Light Scholarship - Steve Light and Christine Cincotta have established a scholarship to support attendance at our Summer Camp in Illustration. 

Steve light & Christine Cincotta Cabin (Whiskers Hollow) at Boyds Mills - Honoring Illustrators. Steve Light and Christine Cincotta are frequent visitors to our Retreat Center and Steve has been part of our faculty for illustration workshops.

 
Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by visiting www.boydsmills.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.

*This episode is a rebroadcast. The original episode aired April 26, 2025 .
 
Lil Miss Hot Mess (Make Your Own Rainbow: A Drag Queen's Guide to Color) shares what is giving her hope today: drag. Drag is all about changing how we look and how we show up in the world as a way of making the world more fabulous and more just and joyful for everyone in it. 
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. 
Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by visiting www.boydsmills.org. 
Visit Lil Miss Hot Mess online at lilmisshotmess.com

Matthew Burgess and Cátia Chien, author and illustrator of Fireworks (Clarion Books), join Matthew to talk about becoming a mirror for feelings and experiences in their ode to a summer day.
 
Visit Matthew Burgess online at matthewjohnburgess.com 
 
Visit Cátia Chien online at catiachien.com 
 
Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by visiting www.boydsmills.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.

Jordyn Taylor, author of The Rebel Girls of Rome (HarperCollins), shares what is giving her hope today:   remembering that even small acts of bravery can make a big difference. 
 
This is an ongoing miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today. 
 
Visit Jordyn Taylor online at jordynhtaylor.com
 
Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by visiting boydsmills.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.