Books, Kids & Creations with Tracy Blom

Tracy Blom

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Kids & Family

Viewers will meet creative people of all ages who inspire future generations with their work. Guests have included Cartoonists, Olympic champions, NASA scientists, ballerinas, children's authors, and more! Hosted by Tracy Blom, awarding-winning author of over thirty books, plays, and screenplays.

Jul 6

Abbi Lee: Geocache Club Series

Did you know there is hidden treasure right in your home town? There is! And everyday people like you and me are using geocaching to find them. Geocaching is like using a digital treasure map to locate items that have been hidden. There are websites dedicated to these hometown treasure hunts, which is also the topic of this week's podcast. In this interview, Tracy sits down with author Abbi Lee to talk about the latest book in the Geocache Club Series: Hometown Treasure Hunt. The book follows sixth graders, Sixth graders Layton and Sherry as they start a geocache club at their school and transform a hiking trail into a geocaching adventure.Buy the book: https://abbileebooks.wordpress.com/pu...Want to take part in the geocaching fun? Visit the Official Geocaching Website: https://www.geocaching.comAbout the Author: Abbi Lee is a treasure hunter at heart, except instead of gold, she collects stories. As the author of the Geocache Club trilogy, she weaves adventure, mystery, and a dash of history into tales that keep young readers turning pages. Outside of reading and writing, Abbi enjoys cooking, baking, geocaching for hidden treasures, and going on adventures with her husband and two daughters. Abbi has been published in multiple magazines and is an active member of the Kansas Authors Club and the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators.
May 10

Astrophysicist & Author Emma Chapman

On this episode of Books, Kids & Creations, I sit down with Dr. Emma Chapman—astrophysicist, author, and science communicator—to talk about her fascinating journey from studying Egyptology to exploring the universe through radio astronomy.Emma shares how discovering a physics book completely changed the direction of her life. What drew her from archaeology to astrophysics was the realization that looking at stars is like looking back in time—something she loved so much about studying ancient civilizations.We talk about her beautiful new book, The Echoing Universe, which she calls a “love letter to radio astronomy.” Emma has a gift for making complex ideas like black holes, light, radio waves, and space communication feel accessible and exciting for everyone.She explains how radio waves act like a kind of superpower—traveling vast distances through space without being disrupted by clouds or rain. Whether we’re observing stars light years away or communicating with missions like Artemis near the moon, radio waves make it possible.One of my favorite examples she shares is Venus: through a regular telescope, it looks like a planet covered only in clouds—but through radio astronomy, we can see its hidden surface, including volcanoes and an entirely different landscape.Emma also talks about the writing process behind the book. What she thought would take just a few weeks turned into a full year of research, travel, interviews, and discovery. She fully immersed herself in the world of radio astronomy, using the book as an opportunity to ask questions, learn deeply, and connect with brilliant people along the way.The Echoing Universe releases on May 19th and it is her hope that readers will come away from the book feeling a refreshed sense of awe and wonder for the cosmos. I know I did!Buy the book! https://www.amazon.com/Echoing-Univer...
12/29/2025

Katerina Spaeth: Dedushka: Memories of My Grandpa and Ukraine

In this heartfelt episode of Books, Kids & Creations, I sit down with author–illustrator Katerina Spaeth to talk about her beautiful new picture book, Dedushka: Memories of My Grandpa and Ukraine—a tender tribute to her childhood in Kharkiv and the grandfather who helped shape her life.Katerina shares precious memories of growing up in Ukraine in the 1990s, and how the everyday magic of her relationship with her Dedushka became the emotional backbone of this book. Through soft gouache paintings, embroidery textures, and wide-eyed prose, she honors the joy, love, and resilience of Ukrainian family life. Buy the book: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dedushka-katerina-spaeth/1146186689
11/18/2025

Author-Illustrator Duo, Wendi Silvano & Lee Harper: The Turkey Trouble Series

Gobble Gobble! In this interview Tracy sits down with author-illustrator duo Wendi Silvano and Lee Harper, the inspiring creators of the Turkey Trouble Series. We talk about creating lovable characters, the artistic process, and what it is like working together on such a fun series. This book is a fun read, no matter what time of year it is! https://www.amazon.com/Turkey-Trouble-Wendi-Silvano/dp/0761455299/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Xzi0IApcWPXkFdeWO78cHh5ZB-plkc-ULEpa_8mfiVjD3RJOHcJARXbz9mEMVME3NbbaIsGMXGYeOgLtlMYmBev8MzWMFOF1YF_okfldajyhd6w1q5lyP5hsBdwKR8Ihi3rLid7IaOcchVXjkFN8kRODEQO2xVH-byGAQ9S0AbfaskfsXsUK8xc11lkqcMN1zcGV3ds2dnUS6lvr6ZtcXZmLzEthVoH8v3N56rXwMQk.70eTAGTuUsUP_fIjHglOu6JpCvDnMcFaoAMQCRSvmSE&dib_tag=se&keywords=turkey+trouble&qid=1763430598&sr=8-1
10/24/2025

Meet Owen Himfar: The Neurodivergent Star of The Short Game!

🎬 In this episode of Books, Kids & Creations, Tracy Blom chats with rising star Owen Himfar about his debut acting role in the feature film The Short Game. Owen shares what it was like stepping onto set for the first time, how he prepared for the role, and what he’s learned from the experience. ⭐ Tune in for an inspiring look at chasing your dreams, staying humble, and finding joy in storytelling from a young actor on the rise! 🎧 Listen now on YouTube, SoundCloud, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. #BooksKidsCreations #OwenHimfar #TheShortGame #ChildActor #Inspiration
10/09/2025

Interview with Colonel Chris Hadfield, Astronaut & Bestselling Author

In this inspiring episode of Books, Kids & Creations, award-winning author and host Tracy Blom sits down with Colonel Chris Hadfield — astronaut, fighter pilot, author, and the first Canadian to walk in space.You may know him as “the most social media savvy astronaut ever to leave Earth” (Forbes), from his viral zero-gravity performance of David Bowie’s Space Oddity, or from his best-selling books and hit shows on NatGeo and the BBC. But today, he shares something deeply human: how to stay grounded in an overwhelming world.From commanding the International Space Station to writing his new thriller Final Orbit, Hadfield reflects on perspective — how seeing Earth from space reminds us of our smallness in the vast universe — and how taking small steps every day is the real key to achieving your biggest dreams.We also dive into his latest novel, Final Orbit, a pulse-pounding continuation of The Apollo Murders series, exploring Cold War tensions, espionage, and the true story of Tsien Hsue-Chen, the brilliant scientist once exiled from America who went on to found China’s space program.🚀 Topics Covered:Lessons from life in spaceThe power of daily progressThe story behind Final Orbit✨ Tune in for a conversation that blends science, storytelling, and soul.Pick up a copy of the book today and follow Colonel Hadfield's Book Tour: https://chrishadfield.ca/books/
09/13/2025

Louis Henry Mitchell, Creative Director of Character Design Sesame Workshop

How did Louis Henry Mitchell get to Sesame Street? The spark that started his creative journey began when he was just six years old, and saw Jim Henson on the Ed Sullivan Show. It was in that moment he realized that a person was behind creating his favorite characters, and if they could do it, why couldn't he?Today, Louis directs and oversees all aspects of character art for Sesame Workshop, the non-profit organization behind Sesame Street. He's designed Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade balloons and floats, directed Sesame Street Muppet photo shoots, and created iconic characters we've come to love. In this interview we discuss his amazing career and his debut book, QREATIVE EVOLUTION: How to Question Everything to Find Your Creative Fulfillment. (Out Now!)To buy the book https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJFYVDSX?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_ZNBE089W6YQ1V4ZGABF0&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_ZNBE089W6YQ1V4ZGABF0&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_ZNBE089W6YQ1V4ZGABF0&bestFormat=true&previewDoh=1To learn more about Louis: https://qreativeevolution.com/about-louis/Photo Credit Julian Waas
08/30/2025

Catharina Steel — The Vanishings: Fantasy Revisions & Character Craft

Catharina Steel on The Vanishings: beta readers, editing, and building braver fantasy characters. We dig into the world of fantasy writing with Australian author Catharina Steel—from beta readers and writing coaches to our beloved “Deleted Scenes” folders. We also explore how nature fuels ideas and practical ways to strengthen character arcs for kidlit and fantasy. What you’ll learn Getting useful feedback from beta readers (and what to ask them) When a writing coach helps Why a “Deleted Scenes” folder is a writer’s best friend (and when to resurrect a cut) Turning setting into story: using nature to deepen mood, stakes, and character growth Resources & links• The Vanishings — https://books2read.com/u/bM8DlX• Catharina Steel — https://catharinasteel.com/ Learn more about your host, Tracy Blom at www.theblomdotcom.com

Viewers will meet creative people of all ages who inspire future generations with their work. Guests have included Cartoonists, Olympic champions, NASA scientists, ballerinas, children's authors, and more! Hosted by Tracy Blom, awarding-winning author of over thirty books, plays, and screenplays.

Creator

Tracy Blom
Years Active

2021 - 2026
Episodes

77
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Tracy Blom
Show Website

Books, Kids & Creations with Tracy Blom