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Kidlit Love: Conversations with Picture Book and Middle Grade Authors cover art

Kidlit Love: Conversations with Picture Book and Middle Grade Authors

Kidlit Love: Conversations with Picture Book and Middle Grade Authors

Written by: Stephanie Affinito
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This podcast celebrates all things children's literature for the adult reading to their inner child AND connecting the young readers in their lives with books. Each week, I host bookish conversations with children's literature authors to learn about their backstory, their journey to writing, their books and their hopes for readers.

kidlitlove.substack.comStephanie Affinito Art
Episodes
  • E233: The 250th Anniversary: THE DECLARATION DECODED by Katie Kennedy

    E233: The 250th Anniversary: THE DECLARATION DECODED by Katie Kennedy
    Jun 29 2026
    Happy Monday!I’m not sure how it happened, but the month of June is coming to a close and July is almost here! Time is moving so quickly and I am determined to better enjoy the coming month more than I did the last one.Enter books. I’ve got a collection of picture books to share that will help you sink into a lovely summer season and make the most of the days ahead. They’re beautiful and delightful!Keep scrolling to get all the details on the new episode too!Happy reading!StephanieBook Birthdays and Other Book Reviews🎈🎁📖🎂📚🎉Here are the newly released books that have made their way to me along with other books that I have read and reviewed:🎉MABEL’S MUSEUM OF WONDERS by Dana Wulfekotte (Amazon / Bookshop)As someone who adores miniature things, this delightful book about collections and friendship went straight to my heart. Mabel is a wombat who loves collecting tiny treasures. But after a recent move, the one thing she doesn’t have is a friend to share her treasures with, so she decides to open her very own “Museum of Wonders!” But will anyone show up who will appreciate her collections like she does? I know I would and now, I want to open a museum for the childhood collections I saved, too!🎉STUBBY: A PENCIL’S JOURNEY by Sydra Mallery (Amazon / Bookshop)Every single person who enjoys reading and writing needs to have this book on their shelf! As a child, I could watch the video about how crayons were made over and over and over again and as an adult who loves to write, I’ll be reading this book over and over and over again. It’s a humorous and informational account of a pencil’s journey from cedar tree to classroom as told by a stubby little pencil himself. =)🎉A COZY SUMMER DAY by Eliza Wheeler (Amazon / Bookshop)New York Times bestselling author Eliza Wheeler’s companion to A Cozy Winter Day welcomes readers into sun-dappled scenes of a cozy summer in Acorn Village, bringing the joys of summertime to refreshingly vivid life. Do you want to slow down and really embody the beauty and presence of summer? Start with this book!The 250th Anniversary: THE DECLARATION DECODED by Katie KennedyOn this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Katie Kennedy about her newest book: THE DECLARATION DECODED.This inviting book goes through the Declaration of Independence sentence by sentence idea by idea, and gives readers not only a deep understanding of the language, but also the historical background against which it was written and the powerful arguments it makes some of which we are still having 250 years later.Come listen as we talk about exactly how Katie makes American history so accessible and interesting, the key aspects of the Declaration that are most misunderstood and the importance of the document in today’s world, too.Here is the book featured in this episode. You’ll find links to my Amazon and Bookshop affiliate stores below. Thanks for your bookish support!THE DECLARATION DECODED by Katie Kennedy (Amazon / Bookshop)Here’s where you can find Katie online:Website: https://katiekennedybooks.com/Bluesky: https://blueskydirectory.com/profiles/katiewritesbks.bsky.socialI’d love to know what you think of this episode. Share your comments below!KidLit love is multiplied when it’s shared! 🩷Here are some free ways to support this newsletter and spread my love of chilren’’s literature far and wide:🩷 Like and comment on this post so we can connect!🔄 Restack and add your favorite nugget from the podcast.📷 Take a screenshot of your favorite part and text it to a kidlit friend.💌 Forward this email to a fellow kidlit colleague so they can join the book love too!⌨️ Refer a friend and earn prizes….including courses and coaching sessions with me!Thanks for reading the KidLit Love newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kidlitlove.substack.com
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    24 mins
  • E232: Caring in Community: TOGETHER FOR MAMA by Pooja Makhijani

    E232: Caring in Community: TOGETHER FOR MAMA by Pooja Makhijani
    Jun 22 2026

    Happy Monday!

    Monday always feels better after a weekend full of books, bookstores and bookish friends. Lucky for me, this feeling will continue as I release an episode that will wrap you in love, too. Pooja is a repeat guest on the podcast and we had an important conversation for all.

    Keep scrolling to get all the details on the new episode!

    Happy reading!

    Stephanie

    Caring in Community: TOGETHER FOR MAMA by Pooja Makhijani

    On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Pooja Makhijani about her newest picture book: TOGETHER FOR MAMA.

    This beautiful picture book is a story about care and how it moves through family and communities, how children witness it and how they offer it in return. This is a beautiful story of hope and healing for all of us.

    Come listen as we talk about the deeply personal inspiration behind the book, the stunning fusion of words and images that bring the book to life and Pooja’s heartfelt hopes for collective care and understanding, not just for postpartum depression, but for anything we might face.

    Here is the book featured in this episode. You’ll find links to my Amazon and Bookshop affiliate stores below. Thanks for your bookish support!

    TOGETHER FOR MAMA by Pooja Makhijani (Amazon / Bookshop)

    Here’s where you can find Pooja online:

    Website: https://www.poojamakhijani.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laborofloaf

    I’d love to know what you think of this episode. Share your comments below!

    KidLit love is multiplied when it’s shared! 🩷

    Here are some free ways to support this newsletter and spread my love of chilren’’s literature far and wide:

    🩷 Like and comment on this post so we can connect!🔄 Restack and add your favorite nugget from the podcast.📷 Take a screenshot of your favorite part and text it to a kidlit friend.💌 Forward this email to a fellow kidlit colleague so they can join the book love too!⌨️ Refer a friend and earn prizes….including courses and coaching sessions with me!

    Thanks for reading the KidLit Love newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work!



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kidlitlove.substack.com
    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
  • E231: Friendship, Identity & Books: THE CHISMOSAS ONLY BOOK CLUB by Laekan Zea Kemp

    E231: Friendship, Identity & Books: THE CHISMOSAS ONLY BOOK CLUB by Laekan Zea Kemp
    Jun 18 2026

    Hello Everyone,

    This. This book. This book is the quintessential middle grade book for middle grade readers, adult readers with an inner child and ANYONE who loves books.

    I’m so excited about the surprise I share at the end. If you’re interested in joining my book club relay for this book, please reach out and/or comment below. Let’s bring the book club to life together!

    Keep scrolling to get all the details on the new podcast episode!

    Happy reading!

    Stephanie

    Friendship, Identity & Books: THE CHISMOSAS ONLY BOOK CLUB by Laekan Zea Kemp

    On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Laekan Zea Kemp about her newest middle grade novel: THE CHISMOSAS ONLY BOOK CLUB.

    This instant-classic, middle grade coming-of-age novel is filled with friendship, identity and the magic of bookstores. Say no more and add to cart, right?! Plus, the format is incredibly appealing: text message threads, comic panels and sketches and even a few spells and herbal concoctions for when you need them most.

    Come listen as we talk about the upper middle grade niche that this book speaks to, the varied themes, realities and formats that make the book so inviting and appealing and the role that this book could play in sparking a love of reading (and more reading!) for all that read it. You won’t want to miss this one!

    Here is the book featured in this episode. You’ll find links to my Amazon and Bookshop affiliate stores below. Thanks for your bookish support!

    THE CHISMOSAS ONLY BOOK CLUB by Laekan Zea Kemp (Amazon / Bookshop)

    Here’s where you can find Laekan online:

    Website: https://www.laekanzeakemp.com/

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laekanzeakemp/

    I’d love to know what you think of this episode. Share your comments below!

    KidLit love is multiplied when it’s shared! 🩷

    Here are some free ways to support this newsletter and spread my love of chilren’’s literature far and wide:

    🩷 Like and comment on this post so we can connect!🔄 Restack and add your favorite nugget from the podcast.📷 Take a screenshot of your favorite part and text it to a kidlit friend.💌 Forward this email to a fellow kidlit colleague so they can join the book love too!⌨️ Refer a friend and earn prizes….including courses and coaching sessions with me!

    Thanks for reading the KidLit Love newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work!



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kidlitlove.substack.com
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
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