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
Listen for free

About this listen

 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
  • E222: Celebrating a Beloved Character: BISCUIT RIDES THE FERRY by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

    E222: Celebrating a Beloved Character: BISCUIT RIDES THE FERRY by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
    May 11 2026
    Happy Monday!I’m thrilled to share my conversation with Alyssa Satin Capucilli with you this week! Biscuit is a beloved character for many and we talk about all the things related to this long-standing series in today’s episode. It’s a treat!Keep scrolling to see the new books that caught my attention this week, too. There are A LOT of amazing books celebrating their book birthdays!Book 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:🎉LITTLE HELPER by Regina Linke (Amazon / Bookshop)There’s something about Regina’s books that instantly make me feel centered, focused and calm. The combination of rich, lyrical storytelling and soothing images creates a joyful reading and learning experience. This picture book features an original folktale about a little boy who must use his big imagination to help solve big problems. I chatted with Regina about her earlier release, BIG ENOUGH, if you’d like to listen!🎉AMINA BANANA AND THE FORMULA FOR FAIRNESS by Shifa Saltagi Safadi (Amazon / Bookshop)Are you ready for the next book in the AMINA BANANA series? I am! In this newest book, Amina is ready for the science fair, but everything becomes UNfair when she’s paired with someone unexpected. What formula might help? This continues the delightful series. Here’s a link to the episode I recorded with Shifa if you’d like to learn more about the series and earlier releases!🎉UH-OH, HUGO by Jonathan Stutzman (Amazon / Bookshop)Do you love dogs too? Then you’ll love this adorable pug with an indomitable spirit and a nose for trouble. It’s absolutely delightful!🎉NOTRE-DAME: THE WORLD’S CATHEDRAL by Lynn Curlee (Amazon / Bookshop)This is a stunning, oversized picture book exploring the visual history of Notre-Dame and highlights the burning and reconstruction of the cherished building. It’s a feast for the eyes AND the mind. 🎉THE UNDERWEARWOLF by Gideon Sterer (Amazon / Bookshop)Oh, this book is a true delight and one I laughed out loud reading on more than one page! This wolfish picture book romp follows a kid who finds himself in a hairy situation when he dons a pair of not-so-normal undies under the light of the full moon. You must read this one and prepare for the giggles!🎉THAT WHICH FEEDS US by Keala Kendall (Amazon / Bookshop)Are you ready for a YA supernatural thriller? In this novel, native Hawaiian teen travels to a luxury island resort in search of her missing twin and uncovers the dark side of paradise. It’s a true page-turner!🎉 COLOR ME COUNTRY by Rissi Palmer (Amazon / Bookshop)Multitalented Grammy Award winner Rhiannon Giddens paints women of color up-front and center-stage in this vibrant homage to some of country music’s first and finest. It even features a coloring sheet on the back of the jacket!E222: Celebrating a Beloved Character: BISCUIT RIDES THE FERRY by Alyssa Satin CapucilliOn this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Alyssa Capucilli about her newest book in her beloved Biscuit series: BISCUIT RIDES THE FERRY.With over 100 books in the BISCUIT series translated into 12 different languages, there’s a BISCUIT book for everyone. In this newest book, Biscuit’s family ferry ride is full of fun surprises aboard a big boat from seagulls, to dolphins, to meeting the captain, and more!Come listen as we talk about the origin story behind the Biscuit series, the unhurried and longform way the stories come to fruition, the delightful way she met her longtime illustrator and her beautiful hopes for readers.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!BISCUIT RIDES THE FERRY by Alyssa Satin Capucilli (Amazon / Bookshop)Here’s where you can find Alyssa online:Website: https://alyssasatincapucilli.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alyssasatincapucilli/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
  • E221: Kindness & Mindfulness: POOCH ON THE LOOSE with Lin Oliver

    E221: Kindness & Mindfulness: POOCH ON THE LOOSE with Lin Oliver
    May 7 2026

    I’m back with another bonus episode of the KidLit Love podcast!

    This episode truly captures what I think books and reading can do for us: help us feel seen, help us feel better and help us learn how to make life better, too. You’re in for a treat with Lin Oliver!

    Happy listening!

    E221: Kindness & Mindfulness: POOCH ON THE LOOSE with Lin Oliver

    On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Lin Oliver about her newest middle grade book: POOCH ON THE LOOSE.

    It’s the first book released in the After-School Kindness Crew series she’s co-written with Goldie Hawn and explores friendship, community and the power of kindness. It’s full of real-life relationships, hilarious classroom shenanigans and practical tips to support students’ mental health off the page, too.

    Come listen as we talk about how Lin started her journey in children’s literature from a help wanted posting and over time, has written over 65 books for children AND co-founded the prestigious SCBWI, the ultimate organization for the field of children’s literature. We’ll explore how the new series came to be, talk about the humor and heart found on the pages and uncover the behind-the-scenes magic that makes the book (and the series!) so special.

    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!

    POOCH ON THE LOOSE by Goldie Hawn & Lin Oliver (Amazon / Bookshop)

    Here’s where you can find Lin online:

    Website: https://www.linoliver.com

    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
    42 mins
  • E220: Safety, Comfort & Fun: BAD BADGER: A FAMILY STORY by Maryrose Wood

    E220: Safety, Comfort & Fun: BAD BADGER: A FAMILY STORY by Maryrose Wood
    May 4 2026
    Happy Monday!It’s the start of a new month, a new season and a whole new set of picture book and middle grade novels to share with you!This week, I’m sharing TWO episode with you. The first is an episode with a treasured author making her second appearance on the podcast (scroll down!) and the second will release on Thursday with an episode introducing a new middle grade series that is not only good for your reading life, but for your actual one, too. Keep scrolling to see the new books that caught my attention this week and then press play on my most recent podcast episode with Maryrose Wood. You’ll leave feeling better than when you started, I promise. Happy listening!Book 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:🎉PIET FINDS A HOME by Carina & Peter Wohlleben (Amazon / Bookshop)Piet the squirrel needs a new home. Peter the forester suggests he move into an old beech tree, but Piet is nervous—the tree is VERY big! As he settles in, he soon finds that his new home is full of surprises: it can drink water with its roots, make sugar from sun, air and water, and sweat through its leaves. Piet learns more and more about his home as the year and seasons pass. Could Piet’s new home be something more? Ah, this book feels like a warm hug. 🎉AYA HAS NEVER SEEN A BEAR by Gerelchimeg Blackcrane (Amazon / Bookshop)This oversized picture book must be read in order to truly understand the quiet magic inside. It’s a tender story about Aya and her grandfather as they take a walk through the forest in the mountains of northern China. You MUST see the end papers!🎉NORTHWOODS LULLABY by Mary Casanova (Amazon / Bookshop)This book is stunning. Lyrical writing with gorgeous collage invites readers to explore the world of nature and discover the unexpected along the way. Caregivers will want to add this one to their bedtime routine. =)🎉INSPIRING STORIES OF SOCCER GREATS by Chris Navalta (Amazon / Bookshop)Get ready for World Cup season with this collection of 12 inspiring stories of soccer’s greatest stars. Readers will learn about the athletes AND the lessons that go beyond the game, too. It’s perfect for the middle grade reader who loves sports!🎉MAMI’S MAGIC WORDS by Kiara Valdez (Amazon / Bookshop)When Karena shares a favorite word from home with her class, she’s told it’s not a real word. How can that be when her mother lovingly whispered ¡Poloché! to her that morning? This beautiful book celebrate the different ways that families keep language alive by bringing their own history and traditions to the table.Safety, Comfort & Fun: BAD BADGER: A FAMILY STORY by Maryrose WoodOn this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Maryrose Wood about her newest middle grade novel: BAD BADGER: A FAMILY STORY.This book continues the story of Septimus the badger and his friend Gully from BAD BADGER: A LOVE STORY and introduces you to their new family of hatchlings. It’s gentle, heart-warming and affirming and provided me with a sense of safety that I truly relaxed into.Come listen as we talk about the safety, comfort and fun found on the pages of both books, the complexities of friendship and family that readers and their caregivers will likely connect with and Maryrose’s hopes that readers will not only have a rollicking good time, but will feel a balmy respite from our busy world and savor the quiet beauty of existence. It’s a gift that all of us deserve.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!BAD BADGER: A LOVE STORY by Maryrose Wood (Amazon / Bookshop)BAD BADGER: A FAMILY STORY by Maryrose Wood (Amazon / Bookshop)Here’s where you can find Maryrose online:Website: https://www.maryrosewood.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maryrose.wood/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
    42 mins
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_c
No reviews yet