Kidlit These Days

Karina and Matthew talk about the climate change, young activists, and a needed willingness for adults to listen, not just to these young voices, but also to one another. Joining is special guest Carole Lindstrom, author of Girls Dance, Boys Fiddle and the upcoming We Are Water Protectors.

Karina and Matthew talk about the booming graphic novel market, state book awards centering comics, and go-to resources for librarians and educators in support of reading comics. Joining is special guest Jen Wang, co-founder and organizer of the annual Comics Arts Los Angeles festival, and cartoonist of Stargazing and The Prince and the Dressmaker.

Karina and Matthew talk about why books get banned, what book titles appear on ALA's Most Challenged Books list, and why Banned Books Week is a great time for celebrating. Joining is special guest Sonali Kumar, a librarian in Washington, DC and the author of the Unschooled Librarian blog.

Karina and Matthew talk about looking honestly at history, tribal land acknowledgements, and engaging young people in the history going on today. Joining are special guests Debbie Reese and Jean Mendoza, authors of An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States for Young People, adapted from the book by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz.

Karina and Matthew talk about back-to-school anticipation, exceptional ways to get to school, and the resilience and determination each student possesses.

Karina and Matthew talk about identifying a publisher by its "voice", focusing on the specific in order to connect with the universal, and they highlight some imprints and independent publishers who are centering diversity in different ways.

Matthew and guest host Tirzah Price talk about the booming audiobook industry, the literacy benefits of audiobooks, and some of the stories and story narrators we can't stop thinking about.

Karina and Matthew talk about the trailblazers in children's literature, including recognizing some of the first authors of color and indigenous authors to have their books traditionally published.

Karina and Matthew talk about the LGBTQ representation in children's literature, anti-queerness and parallels with colorism and racism, and what LGBTQ-centered stories can mean for kids who have not yet encountered queer individuals.

In this bonus episode, Sharifah and Jenn discuss favorite kidlit from SF/F.

Karina and Matthew talk about the ripples from recent synagogue attacks, books that center the Jewish faith and culture, and we're reminded that we are all made of stories.

Karina and Matthew talk about the heart of the school, the disheartening trend of diminishing school libraries, and the inherent value of school libraries and school librarians in supporting a school, raising readers, and building global citizens.

Karina and Matthew talk about inclusive author visits, soft censorship, and one middle grade author's reflection on her experience speaking at a school to an audience greatly reduced in size after the host learned of the author's LGBTQ+ identity.

Karina and Matthew talk about the amazing and vibrant education community online, authors who started out as teachers teachers, and teachers we saw and loved in our favorite books.

Karina and Matthew talk about speaking to children on the danger of hate-laced speech toward Muslims, seeking understanding of hijab and the importance of hijab to some Muslim women, and the implications of a recent challenge to a public school staff dress code that would bar principals and teachers from wearing religious symbols.