Tune in to hear Nicole and Nusrah talk about excellent children’s literature in verse, alongside a conversation with the wonderful Charles Waters, the co-author of Can I Touch Your Hair?: Poems of Race, Mistakes, and Friendship. For even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter! This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Charles Waters Recommendations Crossover by Kwame Alexander  The Land of the Cranesby Aida Salzaar You Can Fly by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Jeffery Boston Weatherford  Garvey’s Choice by Nikki Grimes  Bronx Masqueradeby Nikki Grimes (Young Adult)  Forget Me Notby Ellie Terry  Under the Mesquite by Guadalupe Garcia Mccall (Young Adult) Books Discussed Dictionary for a Better World: Poems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Z by Irene Latham and Charles Waters, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: A Muslim Book of Colors by Hena Khan, illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini Starfish by Lisa Fipps What Are You Glad About? What Are You Mad About? Poems for When a Person Needs a Poem by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Lee White The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi, illustrated by Lorena Alvarez Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhhà Lai  One Last Word: Wisdom from the Harlem Renaissance by Nikki Grimes  The Red Pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Shane W. Evans Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kidlit These Days

E52: Children's Books In Verse

Tune in to hear Nicole and Nusrah talk about Asian American femme authors, in conversation with the wonderful Kelly Yang, author of Front Desk and Parachutes. For even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter! Books Mentioned Any Day With You by Mae Respicio Insurrecto by Gina Apostol – adult recommendation Stargazing by Jen Wang Eyes That Kiss in the Cornersby Joanna Ho Prairie Lotus by Linda Sue Park Lalani of the Distant Seaby Erin Estrada Kelly Crab Cake: Turning the Tide Togetherby Andrea Tsurumi Asian-Americans Who Inspire Us by Analiza Quiroz Wolf, illustrated by Tuire Suirainen Paper Son: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist, written by Julie Leung  From the Stars in the Sky to the Fish in the Sea by Kai Cheng Thom, illustrated by Kai Yun Ching You can find Nicole on Twitter @ittybittyNY You can find Nusrah on Twitter @JavedNusrah Until next time! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Books by Asian American Femme Authors

This week Nicole and Nusrah are back to talk about some excellent middle-grade books with non-binary and trans leads. For even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter! Resources to curate more middle-grade books with non-binary and trans leads https://lgbtqreads.com/middle-grade/ https://www.lambdaliterary.org/2021/03/2021-lambda-literary-award-finalists Books Mentioned The Strangeworlds Travel Agency* by LD Lapinski The Witch Boy by Molly Ostertag Ana on the Edge by A.J. Sass Cattywampus by Ash Van Otterloo Spin with Me by Ami Polonsky The Moon Within by Aida Salazar Both Can Be True by Jules Machias Zenobia July by Lisa Bunker King and The Dragonflies by Kacen Callendar I am Jazz* by Jessica Herthel and Jazz Jennings Who Are You? The Kids’ Guide to Gender Identity by Brook Pessin-Whedbee Don’t forget to check out some excellent lists over at Book Riot that mention more reads to help you start a conversation about gender identity. Titles with an asterisk (*) denote an own-voices author. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E50: Middle Grade Books with Non-Binary and Trans Leads

Nicole and Nusrah discuss empowering board books in honor of Women’s History Month! For even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter! This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Resources for curating an inclusive selection Vilissa Thompson, Social Worker, Writer, Disability activist compiled this Black Women’s syllabus compilation. Little Feminist Bookclub is a great resource for intersectional, feminist children’s literature. Non-Board Books Discussed Malala’s Magic Pencil by Malala Yousufzai, illustrated by Kerascoët Board Books Discussed honoring Womens’ history month Dream Big Little One written and illustrated by Vashti Harrison Baby Young Gifted and Black by Jamia Wilson, illustrated by Andrea Pippins Hats of Faith by Media Cohan, illustrated by Sarah Walsh ABC for Me: ABC What Can She Be?: Girls can be anything they want to be, from A to Z by Sugar Snap Studio (Author), Jessie Ford (Author) Baby Feminists Board book by Libby Babbott-Klein , illustrated by Jessica Walker The Life of / La vida de Dolores by Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein, illustrated by Citlali Reyes A is for Activistwritten and illustrated by Innosanto Nagara Lady Legends Alphabet written and illustrated by Beck Feiner  Little Feminist Board Book Set from Mudpuppy and illustrated Lydia Ortiz I Like Myself by Karen Beaumont  and illustrated by David Catrow Happy Hair written and illustrated by Mechal Renee Roe If you have a story idea, reach out to us on social media using hashtag #kidlitthesedays or email us at KidlitTheseDays@bookriot.com. We would love to hear what you’re thinking about and what you would like to hear on the show.  You can find Nicole on Twitter @ittybittyNY You can find Nusrah on Twitter @JavedNusrah Until next time! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E49: Empowering Reads In Honor Of Women's History Month

Nicole and guest Jenn Northington discuss the results of the 2021 Rainbow List, fantasy chapter books, and hear from BB Alston, author of Amari and the Night Brothers. For even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter! Relevant Links The ALA’s 2021 Rainbow List BB Alston Books Discussed Amari and the Night Brothers by BB Alston Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste Aru Shah and the End of Time by Roshani Chokshi Storm Runner by JC Cervantes (cw: ableism) The Serpent’s Secret (KIRANMALA AND THE KINGDOM BEYOND) by Sayantali Dasgupta Bayou Magic by Jewell Parker Rhodes The Dragon Egg Princess by Ellen Oh Forest of Souls by Lori M. Lee Root Magic by Eden Royce Blackblood by Phu Vuong Rick Riordan Presents See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E48: The Changing Face Of Fantasy Chapter Books

Nicole and Matthew discuss the results of the 2021 Youth Media Awards and celebrate some of their favorite books honored by the awards. For even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter! This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. RELEVANT LINKS: ALA announces 2021 Youth Media Awards (press release) BOOKS DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW: All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat (Newbery Honor Book) A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat (Newbery Honor Book) We Are Water Protectors written by Carole Lindstrom; illustrated by Michaela Goade (Randolph Caldecott Medal) Me & Mama illustrated and written by Cozbi A. Cabrera (Caldecott Honor Book) (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book) Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration by Samara Cole Doyon; illustrated by Kaylani Juanita (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book) All the Days Past, All the Days to Come by Mildred D. Taylor (Coretta Scott King Book Award, Author) (Children’s Literature Legacy Award) When Stars are Scatteredby Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed, narrated by Faysal Ahmed, Barkhad Abdi and a full cast (Odyssey Honor Audiobook) I Talk Like a River by Jordan Scott; illustrated by Sydney Smith (Schneider Family Book Award) ¡Vamos!: Let’s Go Eat by Raúl the Third (Pura Belpré Award) Legendborn by Tracy Deonn (Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award) We Are Little Feminists: Families by Archaa Shrivastav (Stonewall Book Award) Closing Note: Let us know what books or topics you’ve been sharing this week, or if you have a suggestion or book recommendation for an upcoming episode. Find us on email (kidlitthesedays@bookriot.com) or Twitter (@MatthewWinner and @ittybittyny). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E47: Celebrating the 2021 Youth Media Awards

Nicole and Matthew talk about current awareness of the Holocaust among Millenials and Gen Z individuals as well as antisemitic images and language present at the January 6 insurrection event at the Capital in Washington, DC. Joining us is Susan Kusel, synagogue librarian, book buyer for an independent bookstore, and author of The Passover Guest, illustrated by Sean Rubin. For even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter! This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Relevant Links: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (website) We Decoded The Symbols From The Storming Of The Capitol | Beyond The Headlines (Insider News, YouTube) “First- Ever 50-State Survey on Holocaust Knowledge of American Millennials and Gen Z Reveals Shocking Results” (The Claims Conference, website) Susan Kusel (website) Sydney Taylor Book Award (Association of Jewish Libraries, website) BOOKS DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW: The Journey That Saved Curious George: The True Wartime Escape Of Margret And H.A. Rey by Louise Borden and Allan Drummond Games Of Deception: The True Story Of The First U.S. Olympic Basketball Team At The 1936 Olympics In Hitler’s Germany by Andrew Maraniss A Light In The Darkness: Janusz Korczak, His Orphans, And The Holocaust by Albert Marrin Broken Strings by Eric Walters and Kathy Kacer Louder Than Words by Kathy Kacer The Assignment by Liza Wiemer Closing Note: Let us know what books or topics you’ve been sharing this week, or if you have a suggestion or book recommendation for an upcoming episode. Find us on email (kidlitthesedays@bookriot.com) or Twitter (@MatthewWinner and @ittybittyny). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E46: Remembrance

Nicole and Matthew talk about the books they’re most looking forward to in 2021. Joining us is Sailaja Joshi, CEO and founder of Mango and Marigold Press. For even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter! RELEVANT LINKS: Mango and Marigold Press BOOKS DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW: PICTURE BOOKS Tag Team(El Toro & Friends) by Raúl the Third Training Day (El Toro & Friends) by Raúl the Third Zonia’s Rain Forest by Juana Martinez-Neal What You Don’t Know: A Story of Liberated Childhood by Anastasia Higginbotham Michelle’s Garden: How the First Lady Planted Seeds of Change by Sharee Miller I Sang You Down from the Stars by Tasha Spillett-Sumner; illustrated by Michaela Goade Laxmi’s Mooch by Shelly Anand; illustrated by Nabi H. Ali Middle Grade Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston Root MagicBy Eden Royce Red, White, and Wholeby Rajani Larocca Baseball’s Leading Lady: Effa Manley and the Rise and Fall of the Negro Leaguesby Andrea Williams Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance by Nikki Grimes CLOSING NOTE: Let us know what books or topics you’ve been sharing this week, or if you have a suggestion or book recommendation for an upcoming episode. Find us on email (kidlitthesedays@bookriot.com) or Twitter (@MatthewWinner and @ittybittyny). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E45: Our Most Anticipated Books of 2021

Nicole and Matthew talk about the collective pandemic experience and how, despite all going through this together, we can end up feeling awfully alone. Joining us is book creator LeUyen Pham, Caldecott Honor recipient and author and illustrator of Outside, Inside. For even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter! RELEVANT LINKS: LeUyen Pham (Author Page, Macmillan Publishers) Outside, Inside (Macmillan Publishers) BOOKS DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW: PICTURE BOOKS Germs: Fact and Fiction, Friends and Foes by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James Ransome A Kids Book About COVID-19 by Malia Jones Do Not Lick This Book by Idan Ben-Barak and Julian Frost Why We Stay Home: Suzie Learns About Coronavirus by Samantha Harris and Devon Scott; illustrated by Harriet Rodis CLOSING NOTE: Let us know what books or topics you’ve been sharing this week, or if you have a suggestion or book recommendation for an upcoming episode. Find us on email (kidlitthesedays@bookriot.com) or Twitter (@MatthewWinner and @ittybittyny). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E44: Stay Safe

Nicole and Matthew talk about working with children through challenging questions with truthful answers. Joining us is special guest Jelani Memory, author of A Kids Book About Racism and co-founder and CEO of A Kids Book About. For even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter! Relevant Links: A Kids Book About (homepage) Jelani Memory and Company on making books and leaving messages for their childhood selves (The Children’s Book Podcast) Kids Meet a Transgender Soldier (HiHo channel, YouTube) Kids Meet a Person with Cerebral Palsey Kids Meet a Person with Alopecia Kids Meet a Person with Tourette’s Kids Meet a Drag Queen Kids Meet a Young Adult in Hospice Kids Meet a Nurse on the Frontlines of COVID-19 Kids Meet a Virologist Down Syndrome Answers series (Canadian Down Syndrome channel, YouTube) “Really Long Distance” podcast episode (This American Life) How to Survive the End of the World (podcast) BOOKS DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW: PICTURE BOOKS The Phone Booth in Mr. Hirota’s Gardenby Heather Smith and illustrated by Rachel Wada Just Ask!: Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor; illustrated by Rafael López The End of Something Wonderful: A Practical Guide to a Backyard Funeralby Stephanie V. W. Lucianovic, illustrated by George Ermos Not So Different: What You Really Want to Ask about Having a Disability by Shane Burcaw; illustrated by Matt Carr This Is Your Time by Ruby Bridges MIDDLE GRADE Before the Ever Afterby Jacqueline Woodson When You Know What I Know by Sonja K. Solter The Science of Breakable Things by Tae Keller CLOSING NOTE: Let us know what books or topics you’ve been sharing this week, or if you have a suggestion or book recommendation for an upcoming episode. Find us on email (kidlitthesedays@bookriot.com) or Twitter (@MatthewWinner and @ittybittyny). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E43: How To Talk About the Hard Stuff

Nicole and Matthew share a selection of the books they’ve recommended most this year.  This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life. , Spacebattle Lunchtime Vol. 3 by Natalie Riess from Oni Lion Forge Publishing Group, and Odessa by Jonathan Hill from Oni Lion Forge Publishing Group. To get even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter! BOOKS DISCUSSED ON THE SHOW: BOARD BOOKS: Lil Libros written by Patty Rodriguez and Ariana Stein, illustrated by Citlali Reyes ABC For Me: ABC What Can I Be?: YOU Can Be Anything YOU Want To Be, From A To Zby Sugar Snap Studio, Jessie Ford Our Little Adventures: Stories Featuring Foundational Language Concepts for Growing Minds by Tabitha Paige Future Baby (series) by Lori Alexander – Future President, Future Engineer, FutureAstronaut PICTURE BOOKS: Your Name is a Songby Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelowillustrated by Luisa Uribe We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, Michaela Goade Magnificent Homespun Brown: A Celebration by Samara Cole Doyon; illustrated by Kaylani Juanita Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away by Meg Medina; illustrated by Sonia Sanchez NONFICTION: Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Immigrant Women Who Changed the World by Elena Favilli Woke: A Young Poet’s Call To Justice by Mahogany L. Browne, Elizabeth Acevedo, and Olivia Gatwood; illustrated by Theodore Taylor, III Dictionary For A Better World: Poems, Quotes, And Anecdotes From A To Z by Irene Latham and Charles Waters; illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini Girls Who Build: Inspiring Curiosity and Confidence to Make Anything Possible by Katie Hughes A Kids Book About (series) – A Kids Book About Systemic Racism by Jordan Thierry, A Kids Book About Feminism by Emma Mcilroy, A Kids Book About Shame by Jamie Letourneau, A Kids Book About Depression by Kileah McIlvain, and more MIDDLE GRADE: Maya and the Rising Darkby Rena Barron From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks BenBee And The Teacher Griefer: The Kids Under the Stairs by K.A. Holt A Wish In The Dark by Christina Soontornvat Three Keys by Kelly Yang GRAPHIC NOVELS: Go with the Flowby Karen Schneemann, Lily Williams Twins by Varian Johnson and Shannon Wright Dungeon Critters by Natalie Riess and Sara Goetter Class Act by Jerry Craft Closing Note: Let us know what books or topics you’ve been sharing this week, or if you have a suggestion or book recommendation for an upcoming episode. Find us on email (kidlitthesedays@bookriot.com) or Twitter (@MatthewWinner and @ittybittyny). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E42: Kidlit Holiday Gift Guide

Kidlit These Days is your kidlit connoisseurs pairing the best of children’s literature with what’s going on in the world today. Join hosts Matthew and Nicole as they dig into current events and recommend books for kids from birth to middle school! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome To Kidlit These Days

Nicole and Matthew talk about the election, political leadership, and using your voice to bring about democratic change.  This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life, Julian at the Wedding by Jessica Love, and Emporia State University’s School of Library & Information Management. To get even more kidlit news and recommendations, sign up for our The Kids Are All Right newsletter! Relevant Links: PebbleGo Vote Scholastic’s “Elections” resource bank Teaching Tolerance “Voting and Voices” Books Discussed on the Show: Picture Books: Future President by Lori Alexander; illustrated by Allison Black A Kids Book About Votingby Next Up We Are the Change: Words of Inspiration from Civil Rights Leaders If You Go with Your Goat to Vote by Jan Zauzmer; illustrated by Andrew Roberts V Is for Voting by Kate Farrell; illustrated by Caitlin Kuhwald Vote for Our Future! by Margaret McNamara; illustrated by Micah Player Equality’s Call: The Story of Voting Rights in America by Deborah Diesen; illustrated by Magdalena Mora When Penny Met POTUS by Rachel Ruiz; illustrated Melissa Manwill Lift as You Climb: the Story of Ella Baker by Patricia Hruby Powell; illustrated by R. Gregory Christie She Was the First!: The Trailblazing Life of Shirley Chisholm by Katheryn Russell-Brown; illustrated by Eric Velasquez Shirley Chisholm Is a Verb by Veronica Chambers; illustrated by Rachelle Baker Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice by Nikki Grimes; illustrated by Laura Freeman Middle Grade: We the People: The United States Constitution Explored and Explained by Evan Sargent; illustrated by Aura Lewis Lifting as We Climb: Black Women’s Battle for the Ballot Box by Evette Dionne Twins by Varian Johnson; illustrated by Shannon Wright Closing note: Let us know what books or topics you’ve been sharing this week, or if you have a suggestion or book recommendation for an upcoming episode. Find us on email (kidlitthesedays@bookriot.com) or Twitter (@MatthewWinner and @ittybittyny). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E41: Talking to Kids about the Election

Kidlit These Days is your kidlit connoisseurs pairing the best of children’s literature with what’s going on in the world today.

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Kidlit These Days

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