BookHuddle with Readgab

Karen Reeder
  • 5.0 (15)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to Book Huddle with Readgab where you get to hear from authors of children's books and others having to do with children's literacy. We chat not only about what inspired these amazing authors, but also time relevant themes in their books and how kids can benefit from these themes. Each guest also recommends one of their favorite children's books at the end of the episode so you will constantly be building a wonderful list of books for the kids in your life. 

  1. 89: The Importance of Disability Representation in Books For Kids - Author Interview Diane Debrovner and Stacy Cervenka

    Jun 7

    89: The Importance of Disability Representation in Books For Kids - Author Interview Diane Debrovner and Stacy Cervenka

    When Diane Debrovner decided to write a middle grade book about a character with blind parents she decided that she would like a coauthor and so she approached her friend Stacy Cervenka. Stacy adds her unique perspective with her blindness and the experiences she knows about many other individuals. Diane also brings us an animal's point of view as many chapters in the book are told from the persective of a guide dog. While we sometimes get disability representation in the main character in middle grade books, Roxie in Color brings us disability representation in the parents of the main character. Find authors Diane Debrovner and Stacy Cervenka https://stacycervenka.com/ https://www.dianedebrovner.com/ https://www.instagram.com/diane.debrovner/ https://www.instagram.com/stacycervenka/ Roxie in Color by Diane Debrovner and Stacy Cervenka https://www.amazon.com/Roxie-Color-Diane-Debrovner/dp/1536246603/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0 Chapters 00:00 Meet authors Diane Debrovner and Stacy Cervenka 03:46 What is Roxie in Color about? 04:47 How Diane Debrovner and Stacy Cervenka become writing partners to coauthor Roxie in Color? 06:56 How Stacy and Diane decided to share their words through story? 12:13 What do the authors hope that sighted people will get from reading Roxie in Color? 13:59 What do the authors hope that a blind person will get from reading Roxie in Color? 18:18 What benefits do the authors hope that mixed families, where some members are sighted and some are blind, will get from reading Roxie in Color? 20:39 Is it appropriate to ask a blind person about their blindness? And how to go about these conversations? 30:28 Where can you get information about blind people? 32:25 How to help blind kids with their expectations for themselves? And how to help adults have high expectations for blind people as well? 35:12 A dog’s point of view in Roxie in color. Blind people and guide dogs. 42:55 Diane and Stacy’s book recommendations.

    45 min
  2. 88: The Power of Curiosity - Picture Book Author and Illustrator Interview Matthew Cordell

    Jun 5

    88: The Power of Curiosity - Picture Book Author and Illustrator Interview Matthew Cordell

    Caldecott Award Winning author and illustrator Matthew Cordell talks about the importance of curiosity and how this trait features in his newest picture book, 102. I was so surprised to discover that the brilliantly illustrated picture book was drawn with a multi-color pen. Learn more about this fascinating creator in today's interview.  Find Matthew Cordell https://www.matthewcordell.com/ https://www.instagram.com/cordell_matthew/ https://www.facebook.com/cordellmatthew 102 by Matthew Cordell https://www.amazon.com/102-Matthew-Cordell/dp/0316580953/ A Potion a Powder and a Little Bit of Magic or Like Lightning in an Umbrella Storm a Story Out of Order by Philip Stead https://www.amazon.com/Potion-Powder-Little-Bit-Magic/dp/0823458091/ Chapters  00:00 Meet picture book author and illustrator Matthew Cordell 05:21 What is the picture book, 102 by Matthew Cordell, about ? 09:30 How Matthew Cordell created the story and pictures for 102 15:28 How Matthew goes about writing the text for his picture books? 18:19 The multi-colored pen Matthew used to illustrate 102 29:28 Believe the Unbelievable - how to help kids do this 32:35 What is next for author and illustrator Matthew Cordell 34:20 Matthew’s book recommendation

    38 min
  3. 87: All the Worst and All the Best of Writing for Kids - PJ Gardner Middle Grade Author Interview

    May 30

    87: All the Worst and All the Best of Writing for Kids - PJ Gardner Middle Grade Author Interview

    Have you ever wondered about the greatest aspects about being an author? Or about the lowest moments? While discussing PJ Gardner's newest book I thought it was the perfect time to delve into some of these questions since the title of this book is: Worst in Show. Find author PJ Gardner https://www.pjgardnerswitzer.com/ https://www.instagram.com/pjgardnerswitzer/ Worst in Show by PJ Gardner https://www.amazon.com/Worst-Show-PJ-Gardner/dp/0063134764/ Reach by Celesta Rimington https://www.amazon.com/Reach-Celesta-Rimington/dp/0593860306/ Monster Tree by Sarah Allen https://www.amazon.com/Monster-Tree-Sarah-Allen/dp/0374390975/ Chapters 00:00 Meet middle grade author PJ Gardner 07:22 What is Worst in Show by PJ Gardner about? 11:26 What was the worst part about writing the book Worst in Show? 12:55 The best part about writing Worst in Show? 13:44 What is the worst part about being a writer? 14:54 What is the best part about being a writer or author? 15:38 What is the worst review someone has given one of your books? 20:20 The best feedback or review you have ever received on a book you wrote? 22:03 Worst and best things about dogs? Worst and best things about ferrets and weasels? 25:03 The worst and best things about friendship? 26:13 The worst and best things about fashion? 27:45 The worst and best things about food? 29:39 What was the worst thing about starting a career as a traditionally published author? 32:21 The worst and best things about starting a brand new book? 35:05 The worst and best things about attending writers conferences? 37:05 What is next for author PJ Gardner? 38:53 PJ’s book recommendations

    42 min

  4. May 14

    86: Accidentally Becoming an Illustrator with Carmen Mok

    Chapters 00:00 Meet illustrator Carmen Mok 02:48 How did Carmen Mok get into illustrating books 05:15 What made Carmen want to stay in illustration? 08:39 Carmen’s process from start to finish for when her illustrations are in a published work 12:16 How the art directors feedback effects Carmen’s illustrations 13:53 After Carmen receives the manuscript what does she do to enhance the story through illustrations? 15:14 What is Carmen’s hope that readers notice about images throughout Orris and Timble? 17:26 Working with Kate DiCamillo 19:56 One of Carmen’s favorite images she created for Orris and Timble 22:17 Has anything surprised Carmen in her journey as an illustrator? 25:10 How does Carmen continue to grow as an artist? 30:38 What is next for creator Carmen Mok? 28:40 Carmen’s book recommendation

    31 min
  5. 85: Teens Crave Mysteries and Thrillers - Interview with YA Author April Henry

    May 13

    85: Teens Crave Mysteries and Thrillers - Interview with YA Author April Henry

    Bring on the high stakes tension! April Henry is a New York Times bestelling author of young adult and adult fiction books. In this episode we discuss her 32nd book, In the Blood. What is it like to go all in researching for these thrillers and what are some of April's experiences with writing them.  Find author April Henry https://www.aprilhenry.com/ https://www.instagram.com/aprilhenrybooks/ In the Blood by April Henry https://www.amazon.com/Blood-April-Henry/dp/0316586218/ That's Not My Name: A Pulse-Pounding YA Thriller of Secrets, Lies, and Betrayal by Megan Lally https://www.amazon.com/Thats-Not-Name-Megan-Lally/dp/1728270111/ Chapters 00:00 Meet author April Henry 04:42 What is In The Blood by April Henry about? 06:33 Researching for In the Blood 14:27 Are April’s stories ever based on real stories? 16:53 The main character is a writer, how is April’s writing like her own character’s experiences  19:00 Who is April’s first reader when she finishes a draft? 20:37 Reader’s reactions that April loves? 21:46 Why do readers love thrillers and books with high tension? 23:57 When April was a child she sent a story to Roald Dahl and it was published in a magazine 28:08 What is next for author April Henry? 29:59 April’s book recommendation

    32 min
  6. 84: Hawaiian Legend Turned Into a Middle Grade Fantastical Adventure - Malia Maunakea Author Interview

    May 10

    84: Hawaiian Legend Turned Into a Middle Grade Fantastical Adventure - Malia Maunakea Author Interview

    Do your readers love fantastical shapeshifter books? Werewolves? Vampires? Sharks? Malia Maunakea joins us to talk about her newest middle grade fantasy based on Hawaiian legends. The Shark Prince is about a boy cursed to transform into a shark. You decide if it is a curse or a blessing.  Find author Malia Maunakea  https://www.maliamaunakea.com/ https://www.instagram.com/maliamaunakea/ https://www.tiktok.com/@maliamaunakea The Shark Prince by Malia Maunakea https://www.amazon.com/Shark-Prince-Malia-Maunakea/dp/0593890728/ Lei and the Fire Goddess by Malia Maunakea https://www.amazon.com/Lei-Fire-Goddess-Malia-Maunakea/dp/0593522036/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0 Lei and the Legends book 2 Lei and the Invisible Island https://www.amazon.com/Lei-Invisible-Island-Legends/dp/0593522052/ Clairboyance by Kristiana Kahakauwila https://www.amazon.com/Clairboyance-Kristiana-Kahakauwila/dp/0063045362/ Chapters 00:00 Meet author Malia Maunakea 05:28 What is the Shark Prince about? 07:10 Did you know you wanted to be a writer? Did you know you wanted to write fantasy? 09:01 Is the Shark Prince based on a real Hawaiian legend? 11:41 Pitching the Shark Prince to people who aren’t familiar with the legend or aren’t fantasy lovers. Using books to talk to your kids. 21:52 Themes of friendship 25:02 What is next for author Malia Maunakea 28:28 Malia’s book recommendation

    30 min
  7. 83: A Story Out of Order with Caldecott Medal Winning Philip Stead Middle Grade Author Interview

    May 7

    83: A Story Out of Order with Caldecott Medal Winning Philip Stead Middle Grade Author Interview

    Philip Stead is best known for his writing and illustrating of picture books, but after a little convincing from others and a lot of creativity on his part he recently published his first middle grade novel. "A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic or Like Lightning in an Umbrella Storm a Story Out of Order" quickly became a New York Times bestseller for children and in this episode you get to hear about how he came up with this unique writing style and how to work morals into middle grade books. Find author and illustrator Philip Stead https://www.numberfivebus.com/ https://www.instagram.com/number5bus/ A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic Or Like Lightning in an Umbrella Storm a Story Out of Order by Philip Stead https://www.amazon.com/Potion-Powder-Little-Bit-Magic/dp/0823458091/ The Purloining of Prince Oleomargarine by Mark Twain, Philip Stead, and Erin Stead  Bambert's Book of Missing Stories by Reinhardt Jung Chapters 00:00 Meet author and illustrator Philip  Stead 01:40 What is A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic or Like Lightning in an Umbrella Storm a Story Out of Order about? 03:20 Does Philip Stead represent the author in his book? 04:25 What inspired Philip Stead to write his first middle grade book, A Potion, a Powder, a Little Bit of Magic or Like Lightning in an Umbrella Storm a Story Out of Order? And finishing a children’s book that Mark Twain started? 13:05 Did life go like you expected it to as a child? 14:20 Enjoyment vs fulfillment in life? 16:16 Why 10 year old Philip Stead would like a story out of order? 18:00 An interview out of order - author ice breaker in the middle - what is Philip’s will power struggle? 19:20 24 morals in Philip Stead’s books and why Philip decided to put morals in? 22:14 What significance some of the morals hold for Philip personally? 32:31 This or that based on Philip’s book? 34:21 What is next for author and illustrator Philip Stead and wife Erin Stead? 36:45 Philip Stead’s book recommendation.

    40 min
  8. 82: Poetry Is For Everyone! John Schu Children's Book Author Interview

    Apr 26

    82: Poetry Is For Everyone! John Schu Children's Book Author Interview

    Poetry is not something that should be dreaded by students or adults. John shares how poetry can be found in multiple forms and can be a benefit to children and teens in many ways. Not only has John written a number of beautiful picture books, but John has a New York Times bestselling novel in verse, Louder than Hunger.  Find author John Schu https://www.johnschu.com/ https://www.instagram.com/mrschureads/?hl=en https://bsky.app/profile/mrschureads.bsky.social https://x.com/MrSchuReads Lily-May's Joyful Day by John Schu https://www.amazon.com/Lily-Mays-Joyful-Day-John-Schu/dp/1536238627/ Chapters 00:00 Meet author and poet John Schu 04:35 How poetry can be encouraged for all ages? 20:00 What has poetry done for John Schu personally? 24:16 How a child shared how a poem of John Schu’s helped them? 26:44 Why is Louder than Hunger for someone who doesn’t struggle with a disorder? 28:08 How can adults use John’s books to share poetry? 30:16 The place picture books have for all ages, particularly upper grades. 33:38 A time where John Schu remembers being read aloud to and felt loved. 33:55 Reading aloud is love- is writing love too? How can adults use poetry as a form of love? As a form of writing? 39:36 John Schu’s book recommendation

    42 min
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5
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About

Welcome to Book Huddle with Readgab where you get to hear from authors of children's books and others having to do with children's literacy. We chat not only about what inspired these amazing authors, but also time relevant themes in their books and how kids can benefit from these themes. Each guest also recommends one of their favorite children's books at the end of the episode so you will constantly be building a wonderful list of books for the kids in your life. 

Information

  • Creator
    Karen Reeder
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    89
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 BookHuddle with Readgab
  • Show Website
    BookHuddle with Readgab

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