Shows
Picture Book PodcastFrom Chalkboard to Chapter: An Interview with Jude LennonIn this episode, Chris sits down with former teacher turned award-winning author and storyteller, Jude Lennon. From her early days in the classroom to the creation of her beloved storytelling mascot Lamby, Jude shares her inspiring journey into the world of children’s literature and beyond.Chris and Jude dive into the stories behind her popular picture books, explore the themes of kindness, mindfulness, and adventure that run through her work, and offer an exclusive peek at what’s coming next — including her upcoming titles and a return to fiction for older readers.Whethe...2025-06-2138 minPicture Book PodcastSpeech, Reading and Everything In Between: Interview with Marie RobertChris chats with speech and language therapist Marie Robert to discuss bilingualism, dyslexia, phonic awareness and dyslexia. 2025-04-0450 minPicture Book PodcastTop 10 Picture Books of 2024Happy New Year! Chris starts the year off by revealing his top 10 picture books of 2024.These books are:1. The Dictionary Story by Oliver Jeffers & Sam Winston2. The Search for Carmella by Chloe Savage3. The Bridges by Tom Percival4. The Big Bad Wolf Investigates Fairy Tales by Catherine Cawthorne5. Grey by Laura Dockrill6. Flower Block by Lanisha Butterfield7. How to Hide. star by Oliver Jeffers8. Let’s All Say Yes! By Nia Roberts 9. I Follow the Fox by Rob Biddulph10. The Girl at the Front of the Cla...2025-01-0120 minPicture Book PodcastReflections on a Reading Year: Teaching, Learning, and Sharing StoriesIn this episode, Chris reflects on a year filled with reading. From exploring picture books on the podcast to helping older children develop their reading skills in the classroom, and sharing the joy of stories with his daughter, Chris dives into the lessons learned and moments that made this year special. Join him as he celebrates the power of reading in teaching, learning, and family life.2024-12-2317 minPicture Book PodcastSanta’s Baby: Interview with Author Mindy BurksAfter being absent fo over a month, Chris is thrilled to be back with a brand new episode.In this week’s episode, Chris chats with author Mindy Burks who talks about her debut book ‘Santa’s Baby’, a story with a concept that is sure to intrigue many readers. As the title suggests, the book is about Santa’s baby daughter who learns how to live amongst the many elves in the North Pole environment and how to stay off the naughty list. Throughout the story, Santa’s baby learns how Christmas is a time where we give joy...2024-12-1625 minPicture Book PodcastDream Big: Interview with Paula BanksChris chats with author Paula Banks about her new book, ‘Dream Big: Peyton’s Hip-Hop Adventure’. The story follows Peyton, an energetic young girl with a love for hip-hop music, who discovers the courage and bravery to overcome fear and self-doubt. Paula shares her inspiration for the book and what she hopes readers will gain from Peyton’s journey.You can purchase your own copy of ‘Dream Big: Peyton’s Hip-Hop Adventure’ https://amzn.eu/d/58lUcEYFind Paula on Instagram @authorpaulabanks (https://www.instagram.com/authorpaulabanks?igsh=bnhweTEyNzh2MmF4)2024-11-0126 minPicture Book PodcastHow Have Fairy Tales Evolved?After a being absent for a few weeks, Chris is back with a brand new episode of Picture Book Podcast. In this episode Chris talks about fairy tales and how they have evolved over time but still stay appealing to young readers. Chris particularly focuses on how fairy tales are an important part of a child’s reading progress and how both original and modern versions of these tales have morals that readers can learn from.2024-10-1113 minPicture Book PodcastA Knight with a Shining…Hairbrush?: Interview with Sara H FowlerChris chats with author Sara H Fowler to discuss her debut book ‘Castle of Knots’. When a beautiful young princess is trapped within a castle of knots---a mighty fortress covered in brambles, tangled weeds, and underbrush---a brave knight, also known as Mom, must cross the Valley of Dollies and Laundry Lake to take on the impossible task of freeing the princess...just in time for school.Sara talks about how this idea came about and how she embedded themes of a fairy tale and adapted it to fit with the story of a mother helping brush her daug...2024-08-3025 minPicture Book PodcastUniquely You: Celebrating Individuality in Picture BooksThis week, Chris chats with author Jennifer Nestor to talk about her debut picture book ‘Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality’. During the chat they discuss the importance of celebrating individuality and how we all must embrace and love who we are.Chris also recommends other picture books that celebrate individuality.You can purchase a copy of ‘Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality’ via Amazon. https://a.co/d/3WCa89iYou can learn more bout Jennifer by going to her website: https://www.jennestorauthor.com/2024-08-2334 minPicture Book PodcastPicture Books That Promote Acceptance and Tackle Anti-RacismIn this episode of the *Picture Book Podcast*, host Chris Marland explores the role picture books play in promoting anti-racism and acceptance. He discusses several impactful books that address themes of diversity, unity, and empathy, highlighting how they can shape young readers' understanding of the world.Here is the complete list of all the books Chris mentions in this episode 1. Here We Are Author:Oliver Jeffers Illustrator: Oliver Jeffers 2. Begin Again Author: Oliver Jeffers *Illustrator:* Oliver Jeffers 3. People Need People Author: Benjamin Zephaniah Illustrator: Nila Aye 4...2024-08-0908 minPicture Book PodcastChronic Health Conditions in Picture BooksChris chats with author MG Prezioso to talk about her book series Whole Wilde World. MG has released two books in this series so far, ‘Charlie’s Big Race’ and ‘Callie’s Birthday Surprise’, with the former focusing on asthma and the latter focusing on allergies.Chris and MG discuss the importance of promoting health conditions and how picture books can be used to help young readers understand the symptoms of them. Chris also recommends picture books that focus on different health conditions.You can find out more about the While Wilde World book series via the webs...2024-08-0232 minPicture Book PodcastKindness & Acceptance in Picture BooksThis week, Chris joins author Mia McGlynn to discuss the various picture books that she has released. During the interview Mia speaks a great deal about how she hopes her books that talk about acceptance, diversity and kindness will help improve how we treat each other and as a result improve mental health. So Chris decided to include some book recommendations at the beginning of this episode that promote kindness and acceptance. The books that Chris mentions are:Quiet by Tom Percival & Richard JonesMy Shadow is Purple by Scott StuartMy Beautiful V...2024-07-0530 min
Picture Book PodcastPod Swap with The Children’s Book PodcastIn this week’s episode you will hear an episode from the brilliant ‘The Children’s Book Podcast’ hosted by Matthew Winner. In this episode of The Children’s Book Podcast’, Matthew chats with author Katz Windness.Kaz Windness, Bitsy Bat, School Star (Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books) and Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends (Simon Spotlight), creates stories with themes of navigating relationships, building resilient friendships, and being accepted for the spicy little weirdo you are. You can discover more about Kaz through her website at https://www.windnessbooks.comYou can pick up your own copy...2024-06-2835 min
The Children's Book PodcastSummer Episode Swap with Picture Book PodcastIn this Summer Episode Swap, Picture Book Podcast host Chris Marland shares his “Teachers That Inspire Us” episode featuring Why Teaching?, written by Dr. Jen Mott and illustrated by Sara Relojo. Visit Picture Book Podcast online at Picture Book Podcast You can pick up your own copy of Why Teaching? wherever books are found. Consider supporting independent bookstores by shopping through Bookshop.org or by downloading the audiobook through Libro.fm. You can also use my affiliate link by clicking on the book’s name in our show notes. Our...2024-06-2535 minPicture Book PodcastRepeated Phrases in Picture BooksChris discusses how repetitive phrases in picture books is an important element in helping children with their reading. He later discusses this with author Linda Penisten and why she includes it in her ‘The Adventures of Granola Squatch’ books.Books mentioned in this podcast:1. ‘Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?’ by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle2. ‘We're Going on a Bear Hunt’ by Michael Rosen and Helen Oxenbury3 ‘Chicka Chicka Boom Boom’ by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault, illustrated by Lois Ehlert4. ’The Napping House’ by Audrey Wood, illu...2024-06-2137 min