Kidlit These Days

Nicole and Matthew discuss historically problematic statues, how legal does not always mean moral, and we reflect on the kidlit authors whose works have helped to secure space for underrepresented voices. 

Nicole and Matthew discuss racial literacy and implementing an anti-biased/anti-racist framework in schools, with help from a bookshelf playlist of stories to keep folks talking. Joining is special guest Tiffany Jewell.

Nicole and Matthew discuss doing the work of anti-racism, sitting with discomfort, and building children's aptitude toward empathy and social justice  with help from a bookshelf playlist of stories to keep folks talking.

Nicole and Matthew discuss representation of transgender voices of color, bravery in the face of survival choices, and the strength we already possess.

Nicole and Matthew discuss how this time of safe-at-home is giving readers and bookmakers opportunity to reimagine our world through activism, design, kindness, and mindfulness.

Nicole and Matthew discuss the creative ways books and bookmakers are connecting with readers during stay-at-home regulations.

Nicole and Matthew discuss food insecurity, how interconnected we are, and the capacity in all of us to be a helper.

Nicole and Matthew look back on a year of the Kidlit These Days podcast and highlight some of their favorite episodes and interviews.

Nicole and Matthew discuss the COVID-19 pandemic through the lens of racism and social media, how the virus is impacting school kids and families, and how the kidlit community is responding.

Nicole and Matthew discuss the need for more inclusive representation of all kids of bodies in children's literature, accepting how different does not equal wrong, and the idea of normalizing "normal". Joining is special guest Jessica Sanders, author of Love Your Body.

Matthew and Nicole discuss combatting xenophobia by adopting a stance of cultural humility and helping shape children’s understanding of a broader world, rich with hundreds of cultures, languages, and people both very similar and very different from their own.

Matthew and Nicole discuss the results of the 2020 Youth Media Awards, highlight some of their favorite books recognized, and how this awards year could impact the future of publishing. Joining is special guest Dr. Emily R. Aguiló-Pérez, who served on the 2018 Pura Belpré Award committee.

Matthew and Jenn discuss anti-bias education, understanding our own white privilege, and listening to and learning about the challenges that many marginalized communities face.

Karina and Matthew talk about the homelessness epidemic, how homelessness affects children, and the need for greater representation of poverty and homelessness in children's literature. Joining is special guest Alicia D. Williams, author of Genesis Begins Again.

Karina and Matthew talk about the Youth Media Awards, educators doing mock book awards with their students, and we look back on some of our favorite Kidlit These Days episodes of the year. Joining is special guest Colby Sharp, 5th grade teacher, co-host of The Yarn podcast, editor of The Creativity Project, An Awesometastic Story Collection, and the co-author with Donalyn Miller of Game Changer: Book Access for All Kids.