A family podcast about classic children’s books and the impact they have on us long into adulthood. In each episode, we talk about one popular children's book from the past, uncovering the unique story behind the story. While sitting down with famous, award-winning authors, we investigate the timeless themes in kids’ books.
We use stories to understand and navigate the world. It's stories like Howl’s Moving Castle that give us a lens through which we view the world and ourselves. It is a story rooted in character-driven magic that dares us to find our true identity. In this episode, we explore Diana Wynne Jones’ brilliant Howl’s Moving Castle across all of its forms—including its 2025 collector’s deluxe edition with…
Growing up is an experience of small wonders and worries. It is in the smallest slices of everyday life that we get to encounter the big feelings that hide in quiet moments. Our favorite books are filled with characters that compel us to reflect on our early experiences and recognize the profound influence of the teachers who shaped us. In this episode, we explore the extraordinary aspects of…
Some stories don't just entertain—they show us how to grow up, challenging the limiting narratives we may have been told. Much like magic, a powerful story can bring us back to our true selves and help us discover who we might choose to be. The best stories become enduring classics, like Terry Pratchett's The Wee Free Men. In this episode, we explore the world of fantasy novels and what it means…
The holidays are a chance to connect with loved ones, share stories, and laugh. The enduring appeal of holiday books lies in their ability to connect with us on a deeply personal level. They invite us to see Christmas through a child’s eyes with their unmatched curiosity, and unfiltered honesty. And, the best Christmas stories transcend cultural boundaries. In this episode, we explore the comedic,…
Books have the power to inspire young people to take action and make a difference in the world. They open doors to understanding, creating awareness of real-world challenges while fostering a deep, personal connection to these struggles. In this episode, we explore stories that motivate and encourage action. Linda Sue Park and Salva Dut describe the journey that inspired A Long Walk to Water,…
Harold and the Purple Crayon: Exploration and Play are Just a Stroke Away (ft. Chris Van Allsburg & Brian Pinkney) - Do you remember reading Crockett Johnson's Harold and the Purple Crayon? To his friends and family Crockett was Dave Leisk. You might know him best for the bold purple line that gives shape to the spare illustrations of Harold and Purple Crayon, published in 1955. In this episode,…
Do you remember reading The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg? As its 40th anniversary approaches, the book is nothing short of a Christmas classic. Before winning the Caldecott Medal in 1986, before the animated movie, and the Polar Express train rides Chris Van Allsburg had already garnered quite a reputation. He’s the author and illustrator behind The Garden of Abdul Gasazi, Jumanji, Zathura,…
There are many ways that we build our histories. Certain particulars might be largely out of our power, our parentage, or parts of our personalities, but how we choose to remember our histories tends to create something real and true, however fictional, like an old folktale. Our histories, whether real or imagined, memory or fiction, give us a greater understanding of who we are and our place in…
Fictional dystopias don’t create fear as much as they validate it. And isn’t that what we want as young people and even later as adults? To be validated, whether in our fears, our pain, or our happiness? Young Adult books let us explore, without the threat of rejection, what we most wish to understand or even accept, ourselves. In this episode, we explore a new era of female protagonists and the…
You may be familiar with Maurice Sendak’s books like Where the Wild Things Are or Outside Over There, but do you remember reading In the Night Kitchen? Just over 10 years after the prolific author's passing, we are returning to his 1970s dreamscape of a picture book. In the Night Kitchen offers a dazzling portrait of creativity and the expansive imaginations of children contending with an adult…
