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Artwork for Kidlit Love: Conversations with Picture Book and Middle Grade Authors

Kidlit Love: Conversations with Picture Book and Middle Grade Authors

Stephanie Affinito
Middle Grade
The Mystery Of the Stolen World Cup Trophy
The Blue Dress
Hope Rode
Hafsa's Way
Girl Of Lore
Tova's Sweet Solution
BISCUIT
Deepa, MD
Pack Horse Librarians
Family
Amal Unbound
Climate Change
Gothic Horror
OCD
Food Allergies
World Cup
Soccer
New York City
Be Yourself and Other Bad Advice

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.com

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes236Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsEducationBooks

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Artwork for Kidlit Love: Conversations with Picture Book and Middle Grade Authors

Latest Episodes

Happy Monday!

I’m not sure how it happened, but the month of June is coming to a close and July is almost here! Time is moving so quickly and I am determined to better enjoy the coming month more than I did the last one.

Enter books.

I’ve got a c... more

Happy Monday!

Monday always feels better after a weekend full of books, bookstores and bookish friends. Lucky for me, this feeling will continue as I release an episode that will wrap you in love, too. Pooja is a repeat guest on the podcast and we h... more

Hello Everyone,

This. This book. This book is the quintessential middle grade book for middle grade readers, adult readers with an inner child and ANYONE who loves books.

I’m so excited about the surprise I share at the end. If you’re interested ... more

Happy Monday!

In upstate New York, summer feels like it has arrived! The weather is warmer, the days are longer and there’s more time for reading books we love. I’ve had a couple of listeners/readers reach out to ask if I’m offering any summer book ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Brittney Cooper
New York Times bestselling author, author of Mama Says I'm Fine
Author
Episode: E226: Love, Acceptance & Reassurance: MAMA SAYS I’M FINE by Brittney Cooper
Priya Swaminathan
Author of Deepa, MD
Author
Episode: E225: Friendship, Fun & Medical Mysteries: DEEPA, M.D. by Priya Swaminathan
Rachel Toolson
Author of My Brother Oliver
Author
Episode: E224: Unforgettable Verse: MY BROTHER OLIVER by R.L Toalson
Meredith Walker
Author of Be Yourself and Other Bad Advice, co-founder of Smart Girls
Smart Girls
Episode: E223: BE YOURSELF AND OTHER BAD ADVICE with Meredith Walker
Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Best-selling and award-winning author of the BISCUIT series
BISCUIT publisher and author
Episode: E222: Celebrating a Beloved Character: BISCUIT RIDES THE FERRY by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Mary Rose Wood
Author of The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place and Bad Badger series
Author
Episode: E221: Kindness & Mindfulness: POOCH ON THE LOOSE with Lin Oliver
Maryrose Wood
Author of The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place and Bad Badger series
Self-employed/Author
Episode: E220: Safety, Comfort & Fun: BAD BADGER: A FAMILY STORY by Maryrose Wood
Angela Cervantes
Award-winning author; collaborated with American Girl; wrote junior novelizations for Disney's Coco and Encanto
Author
Episode: E219: THE MYSTERY OF THE STOLEN WORLD CUP TROPHY by Angela Cervantes
Melissa Taylor
Author of Tova's Sweet Solution; founder of Imagination Soup
Imagination Soup / Red Comet Press
Episode: E219: Food, Family & Identity: TOVA’S SWEET SOLUTION by Melissa Taylor

Host

Stephanie Affanito
Host of Kidlit Love Podcast

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 14 ratings
  • Love this podcast!

    As a reader and middle grade author, I enjoy Stephanie’s interviews so much. Such book joy!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DDebrovner
    United States8 months ago
  • This is the podcast I have been looking for

    This is one of the most helpful resources that I’ve found if you want to write or develop content for a middle grade audience. The topics are on point, the advice is actionable and they interview a variety of authors and experts.

    Audible
    5
    Sabrina
    United States9 months ago
  • This is one of the most helpful resources that I’ve found if you want to write or develop content for a middle grade audience. The topics are on point, the advice is actionable and they interview a variety of authors and experts.

    Audible
    5
    Sabrina
    United States9 months ago
  • I look forward to each episode!

    This is must-listen for teachers, librarians, or parents or anyone who wishes kids would step away from the screens and spend more time with books. Stephanie’s conversations are insightful and fun.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DDebrovner
    United Statesa year ago
  • Five stars

    I love listening and learning from kidlit love and Stephanie. It never ceases to inspire me in my own writing!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    All nicknames taken!😊
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Smart and in-depth conversations with book-loving hosts.
The host keeps conversations warm and insightful, with strong guests.
.High-quality discussions that explore craft and impact of children's literature.
Engaging interviews that are great for teachers and librarians.

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Fantasy Fangirls
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The Currently Reading Podcast
The Currently Reading PodcastMeredith Monday Schwartz and Kaytee Cobb

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

E213: Navigating Complicated Relationships: THE BLUE DRESS by Rebecca Morrison
Q: What do you hope readers take away from Yasmin's story and her relationship with her mother?
I hope girls and moms see themselves in the book, feel understood, and are inspired to have conversations about body image, immigration, and family healing, with teachers and counselors also seeing its potential as a dialogue starter.
E213: Navigating Complicated Relationships: THE BLUE DRESS by Rebecca Morrison
Q: Did you always know you would write for this age group, or did it come from your memoir writing experience?
I didn't expect to write for teens or pre-teens; it evolved when a publisher encouraged turning my personal story into a middle-grade novel, and I realized the themes would resonate with young readers and their families.
E215: A POTION, A POWDER, A LITTLE BIT OF MAGIC OR LIKE LIGHTNING IN AN UMBRELLA STORM by Philip Stead
Q: What is the book about at its core?
The book centers on a 12-year-old girl Bernadette who keeps a castle balanced on the back of 24 goats, with an intertwined meta-narrative about the author writing the story in real time; it explores the book's whimsical, out-of-order structure and its morals.
E223: BE YOURSELF AND OTHER BAD ADVICE with Meredith Walker
Q: How do you envision someone approaching the book—starting at one chapter or jumping around with topics?
Readers can start anywhere, use chapters that address their immediate concerns, and revisit sections as needed, making it a flexible, ongoing self-reflection tool.
E223: BE YOURSELF AND OTHER BAD ADVICE with Meredith Walker
Q: What is this next phase, what does this next season look like for me, is there a practical path the book offers to readers?
The book provides concrete, actionable steps, prompts, and prompts to name your heroes, reflect on what you value, and build a life that fits you, not the pressures of others.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A lively series of conversations with authors who create picture books and middle grade fiction. Episodes commonly explore backstories, writing journeys, and the craft behind beloved titles, with a consistent focus on representation, empathy, and meaningful themes for young readers and the adults who share books with them. Notable throughlines include the impact of family, community, and education on storytelling, as well as practical insights for schools, libraries, and parents when sharing books with children. A standout quality is the host's warm, curious interviewing style that elicits personal anecdotes and behind-the-scenes processes, making it appealing to teachers, librarians, authors, and book-loving families seeking thoughtful rec... more

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Middle Grade Matters
2. Writers With Wrinkles
3. You May Contribute A Verse
4. Picture Book Summit Podcast
5. 12 x 12 Picture Book Podcast

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 3 years ago and published 236 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Brittney Cooper
2. Priya Swaminathan
3. Rachel Toolson
4. Meredith Walker
5. Alyssa Satin Capucilli
6. Mary Rose Wood
7. Maryrose Wood
8. Angela Cervantes

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