Nikki Grimes, author of A Cup of Quiet (Bloomsbury Children's Books), joins Matthew to talk about creating an entryway to discussion.

Visit Nikki Grimes online at nikkigrimes.com

Other helpful links:

• Nikki Grimes at the Highlights Foundation

• Nikki Grimes Scholarship - Honoring the contributions of Nikki Grimes to the field of children's literature through her advocacy and writing. This scholarship celebrates Black and Afro-Indigenous female writers and poets.

• The Nikki Grimes Cottage at the Highlights Foundation - New York Times bestselling author Nikki Grimes is a long-time friend of this organization and our community. This cabin honors her, and features some of her awards and copies of most of her published work. The Nikki Grimes Scholarship at the Highlights Foundation supports Black and Afro-Indigenous Women Writers and Poets.

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.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.

Stacy Wells, co-author of Stronger Than (Heartdrum), with co-author Nikki Grimes and illustrated by E.B. Lewis, shares what is giving her hope today: people out in the world who are doing good things.

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 the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.

Visit Stacy Wells online at stacywellswrites.com

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.

Yuyi Morales, author illustrator of Little Rebels (Neal Porter Books), joins Matthew to talk about the voices of people fighting to protect our world, our rights, and our people.

Visit Yuyi Morales online at yuyimorales.com

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.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.

Jessie Sima, author illustrator of Snow Kid (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers), joins Matthew to talk about the constant journey each of us takes to become ourselves.

Visit Jessie Sima online at www.jessiesima.com

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.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 March 22, 2025.

Padma Venkatraman (Safe Harbor) shares what is giving her hope today: the nature of hope itself. Even when we're in dire circumstances, it's something that keeps us going.

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.

For a full transcript, episode takeaways, quotes, and more, visit DeepCast.fm and search "The Children's Book Podcast" or click on the link in the show notes.

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.

Visit Padma Venkatraman online at padmavenkatraman.com

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.

Laurel Snyder, author of The Book of Candles: Eight Poems for Hanukkah (Clarion Books), illustrated by Leanne Hatch, joins Matthew to talk about lowering all the barriers and modeling yourself on something you love.

Visit Laurel Snyder online at laurelsnyder.com

Other helpful links:

• Laurel Snyder at the Highlights Foundation

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.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 March 15, 2025.

Lesléa Newman (Joyful Song: A Naming Story) shares what is giving her hope today: being in community with like-minded people who want to make the world a better place.

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 the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.

Visit Lesléa Newman online at lesleanewman.com

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.

Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie and Aaron Becker, author and illustrator of We Go Slow (Atheneum Books for Young Readers), join Matthew to talk about the wise ones who know to take time.

Visit Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie online at ekeretallie.com

Visit Aaron Becker online at storybreathing.com

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.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 May 3 2025.

Rachel Michelle Wilson (To Catch a Ghost) shares what is giving her hope today: the small moments in our every day.

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 the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.

Visit Rachel Michelle Wilson at www.rachelmichellewilson.com

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.

Valerie Bolling, author of A Flea for Justice: Marian Wright Edelman Stands Up for Change (Charlesbridge), illustrated by TeMika Grooms, joins Matthew to talk about a person worth writing about.

Visit Valerie Bolling online at valeriebolling.com

Other helpful links:

• Valerie Bolling at the Highlights Foundation

• Marketing Opportunities for Storytellers: A Two-Night Mini - The story is at the heart of all we do, even when we switch from crafting the story to getting the story to readers. Join award-winning writers Valerie Bolling and Janae Marks to engage and build your knowledge of marketing and promotional opportunities that you can do as a book creator in order to get your book to kids.

Learn more about the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.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 March 29, 2025.

Zetta Elliott (The Oracle's Door) shares what is giving her hope today: art. Art has always been not just an expression of hope, but an act of resistance.

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 the Highlights Foundation and their upcoming programs by visiting www.highlightsfoundation.org.

Visit Zetta Elliott online at zettaelliott.com

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.