Selina Alko, illustrator of The Keeper of Stories (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers), written by Caroline Kusin Pritchard, shares what is giving her hope today:   the power of communities to come together..

This is an ongoing miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.

Visit Selina Alko online at www.selinaalko.com

Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by visiting boydsmills.org.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. Read on. And don't lose hope.

Kaz Windness, author illustrator of Worm and Butterfly are Friends Always (Simon Spotlight), joins Matthew to talk about constantly dealing with loss and change.

Visit Kaz Windness online at www.windnessbooks.com/

Other helpful links:

• Kaz Windness at Boyds Mills

• Early Readers and Chapter Books: A Creative Retreat - Kids who are starting to read on their own need to find the books that meet them creatively, inspirationally, and more! This engaging retreat will help you understand the needs of this market and how to create with these transitional readers in mind.

Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by visiting www.boydsmills.org.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. And read on.

Laurel Snyder, author of The Book of Candles: Eight Poems for Hanukkah (Clarion Books), illustrated by Leanne Hatch, shares what is giving her hope today:  watching neighbors come together and support each other in the city of Minneapolis.

This is an ongoing miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.

Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by visiting boydsmills.org.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. Read on. And don't lose hope.

Introducing the winners and honors of the Sydney Taylor Book Award (2026), presented annually by the Association of Jewish Libraries to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience.

Links:

• Sydney Taylor Book Award Website - https://jewishlibraries.org/sydney_taylor_book_award/

• 2025 Sydney Taylor Book Award Blog Tour - https://jewishlibraries.org/2026-blog-tour-sydney-taylor-book-awards/

Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by visiting www.boydsmills.org.

You can pick up your own copy of any of the titles featured today wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.org. You can support this show in the process by using my affiliate link by clicking on the book's name in our show notes.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. And read on.

I have a favor to ask you. Could you please write us a review wherever you listen to the show?

Tell us what you like about the podcast and who you'd love to hear next!

Maybe you love when we feature young adult authors. Maybe your favorite episodes are when we dig deep on craft. Maybe you find yourself looking forward to the Hope mini-episodes each week.

Whatever it is, we want to know! Are you going to recommend we interview your favorite author? Or will you suggest that one illustrator who inspired you when they spoke at your conference? Or maybe you'll give us the name of your best book pal so that even more folks can hear their stories.

I cannot wait to hear what you share! Write us a review wherever you listen to podcasts.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. And read on.

Abby White, author of D.J. Rosenblum becomes the G.O.A.T. (Levine Querido), shares what is giving her hope today: pockets of people are taking wonderful care of each other, despite the world being bad in a thousand ways right now.

This is an ongoing miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.

Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by visiting boydsmills.org.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. Read on. And don't lose hope.

Sara Andrea Fajardo, author of Crack Goes the Cascarón: An Eggcellent Not-Just-for-Easter Shellebration! (Knopf Books for Young Readers) and Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka con la Papa: Join the Quest with Peru's Famed Scientist and Potato Expert (Roaring Brook Press), joins Matthew to talk about bringing out a little bit of mischief.

*This is a rebroadcast of an episode that originally aired on April 8, 2025.

Visit Sara Andrea Fajardo online at https://sarafajardowrites.com

Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by visiting boydsmills.org.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. And read on.

George Brown, executive director of the Boyds Mills, shares what is giving him hope today: the storytellers, and the stories they are dreaming of and creating to bring a little optimism and joy to children.

This is an ongoing miniseries of indefinite length in which I invite my friends from the kidlit community to share what is giving them hope today.

Learn more about Boyds Mills and their upcoming programs by visiting boydsmills.org.

Our podcast logo was created by Duke Stebbins (https://stebs.design/).

Our music is by Podington Bear.

Podcast hosting by Libsyn.

You can support the show and buy me a coffee at matthewcwinner.com or by clicking the link in the show notes.

Be well. Read on. And don't lose hope.