The Reading Culture Podcast

Home
The Reading Culture Podcast

The Reading Culture Podcast
co-founder Jordan Lloyd Bookey hosts conversations with author

31/01/2025

If you have spent time with Vashti Harrison's work, then you know she is absolutely achieving this goal. And beyond. I'm forever grateful for her works to date that are so loved in our own home and for all of the good that is on her horizon!

Listen to our full conversation at thereadingculturepod.com/vashti-harrison or wherever you get your podcasts.

24/01/2025

While Vashti Harrison's picture book, "Big," may include some portrayals of her real life, the book is still a work of fiction. Vashti's own experiences, as well as a lot of research, underly the profundity of the book. For her reading challenge, The BIG Reading List, Vashti curated a list of books that inspired and helped her in the process of writing "Big." The titles are all about understanding and dismantling anti-fat bias and adultification bias, as well as celebrating of Black girlhood. This list is 🔥!

Read, learn, enjoy, and let us know what you think!

22/01/2025

Welcome to The Reading Culture podcast, Vashti Harrison Illustration!

Do you remember when "Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History" came out? We loved reading that book every night with our kids. It gave us a relatable, bite-sized way to introduce our kids to women in Black history on a daily basis. And the design! Who doesn't want to just cradle those sweet renderings of people like Flo-Jo (my daughter's favorite) and Sojourner Truth?

Vashti Harrison may have burst onto the scene with that title, but to hear her tell it, she still cannot believe that her entry point for kidlit was through nonfiction. Perhaps that it is why she took such care, such tenderness, in creating her first fictional picture book, “Big.” The book earned Vashti many accolades, including the Caldecott medal and the Coretta Scott King Award. But its profound effect on her personally was also a great gift and illuminating force for Vashti.

In this episode, Vashti reflects on her childhood in "Only Lonely," Virginia, where she immersed herself in books and films (and a lifelong love of "The Secret Garden") and first thought of herself as an artist. She also considers how she has navigated the complexities of beauty standards and body image over the years, and shares about the drawing contest she entered on a whim that led to a book deal in 24 hours!

****

In this episode we also hear from Kat Gatcomb, former librarian at Nashua Public Library and now somoene I am proud to call a colleague at Beanstack.

17/01/2025

We had a long discussion during the podcast about Yamile's thoughts on herself as a medium for others. That led to a deep conversation about her mom and the impact she had on Yamile throughout her childhood and beyond.

10/01/2025

If you have read Yamile's Saied Méndez's work, then I know the title of her reading challenge will not surprise you! "Indomitable Characters," celebrates protagonists go through difficult challenges to accomplish challenges they once thought were beyond their reach. This curated list includes some of Yamile's own favorite books and there were a few here that were new to me. Read, enjoy, and let us know what you think!

***

Listen to hear Yamile share her process for creating this challenge at thereadingculturepod.com/yamile-saied-mendez or wherever you get your podcasts.

08/01/2025

Welcome to The Reading Culture podcast, Yamile Saied Méndez!

Yamile's warm smile and positive outlook on life were so inspiring. Like that smile, Yamile's storytelling radiates warmth and resilience. Her books, including the titles "Furia," "The Beautiful Game," and "Where Are You From?" reflect the cycles of life’s challenges and triumphs. Born in Rosario, Argentina, in the midst and long shadow of the Dictatorship years, she learned early on the power of hope and the enduring strength of the human spirit. From mastering a second language to embracing life in a new country, Yamile’s journey is one of transformation and connection to her roots.

In this episode, Yamile reflects on the pivotal transitions that have shaped her life and work. She reflects on her experience as the eldest sister in a family facing constant scarcity of resources and on how her school life impacted her perspective on a young woman’s potential. Yamile shares how storytelling has grounded her through moments of turbulence and highlights how resilience has inspired the protagonists in her books.

And woohoo, because we once again hear from Mr. Billy (3kingvisions) about how he incentivized his library community to crush their summer reading goals!

03/01/2025

✨The Reading Culture: Yearbook 2024 Superlatives PART 3✨

1. Dhonielle Clayton is a queen and her insights on how she disrupts the canon were chef's kiss.

2. A.S. King totally shifted my perspective on teens. It was a gift to speak with her as both of my own kids are entering/in their teenage years.

3. Hena Khan shared a piece of literature that seemingly had little to do with her own childhood. But turns out it was everything.

4. Oh Mark Oshiro, such a cup of joy. This story about life coming full circle for him (with another podcast guest, Nina LaCour) was glorious.

5. My conversation with Minh Lê went everywhere, including to his lucid dreaming. But this story about dreaming of his grandma is spectacular.

30/12/2024

✨The Reading Culture: Yearbook 2024 Superlatives PART 2

1. Shannon Hale may cry even more than the previous number-one cryer on this show, Kate DiCamillo! Her sensitive soul was bared this time when talking about Anne of Green Gables...and her cat. :)

2. Word on the street is that Daniel Nayeri is an amazing chef and dinner party host, and I can see why. The world is too knowable, and Daniel shared his trick to keep the mystery alive and make any dinner party (or really conversation) better.

3. I was changed for good (get it?!) after my conversation with Gregory Maguire. The man has words for days and days...and this story about how that came to be is one-of-a-kind, just like Gregory!

4. Cece Bell is such a bright, hilarious spirit. But the weight of our conversation was in the moments she shared about owning who she is...completely. (although still with a funny story...she is Cece, of course!)

28/12/2024

✨The Reading Culture: Yearbook 2024 Superlatives PART 1✨

1. Nicola Yoon, bless you for sharing the best most vulnerable story from your teenage years. If only we could have let you know what was coming down the road!

23/12/2024

Hi everyone and Happy (almost) New Year!

If you do something twice, does that make it a tradition? I think so! Drumroll, please...our second Yearbook Edition of The Reading Culture is now live!

We have everything from “The [Not] Meet Cute” award to “Most Likely to Rewrite the Stars.” Once again, we scoured past episodes for some of our very favorite moments. So take a walk down memory lane and enjoy some of the best stories from the beloved authors who joined the podcast this year.

And I also want to THANK YOU to everyone who has listened to and shared The Reading Culture podcast this year. All of your encouraging notes and comments really keep me going. Truly, truly, thank you.

During this time when many people are trying to silence the stories we give to our kids, it gives me great joy to be able to shine the light on these authors who should be celebrated by all of us!

#2024

19/12/2024

Andrea Davis Pinkey is a masterful storyteller, and from the way she tells it, her parents (especially her dad) helped her hone that craft at the dinner table. We currently ask everyone to share a rose, a thorn, and a bud for the day, but I think we may pivot to storytelling for a little while and see what emerges ;) Listen to the full episode to hear some of the stories Andrea remembers hearing and telling growing up!

12/12/2024

If you’ve read her renowned story “Sit-In”, you’ve likely noticed Andrea’s gift for weaving verse-like prose and rhythm into her writing. That style inspired her reading challenge, Rhythm and Muse—a curated collection of stories that celebrate the same lyrical flow, make wonderful read-alouds, and also make us think!

Learn more and download Andrea’s recommended reading list at https://bit.ly/4ixB0MT

10/12/2024

Andrea Davis Pinkney wastes no time. Yes, yes, she wakes up at 4am, so I do mean actual time, but I also mean that she is busy with the business and creation of children's books. At just 4’11,” Andrea still feels larger than life. In her writing, she has what she refers to as, “the page one pact,” a commitment to get her readers’ attention right away. As an interviewee, she does the same. Andrea’s passion, commitment to adding to the canon of Black children's literature, and desire to inspire all kids to love reading comes through from the moment you hear her voice.

Andrea Davis Pinkney is a New York Times bestselling author known for her books for children and young adults, including “The Red Pencil,” “Because of You, John Lewis,” “Duke Ellington,” “Let It Shine,” and so many more. She is the winner of many awards, including the Coretta Scott King Book Award. A four-time NAACP Image Award nominee, Andrea is also a beloved editor (yes, she has a major day job!), a librettist, and an industry leader. The only thing she may not overachieve in is, well, sleep!

In this episode, Andrea tells the story of her own introduction to the Civil Rights movement through her parents, explains how her writing career began by winning a contest she never even entered, and how changing a burger into a donut became a matter of journalistic integrity in one of her books. Settle into an uplifting conversation that goes from John-Boy of the Waltons to the dining room chairs at Faith Ringgold's home with the indefatigable Andrea Davis Pinkney!

Join us for an episode you don’t want to miss at https://bit.ly/4iuL2i4 or wherever you get your podcasts.

04/12/2024

Gregory Maguire's use of the English language is spectacular. ICYMI, he named his reading challenge "Arresting Strangeness," after a Tolkien quote that he had at the ready. Gregory's reading list includes a delightful group of books in which the stories display arresting strangeness. As he says, "they rearrange the world in such a way as to make one examine the world more closely, as if one hadn’t seen it before." Can you spot the seeming outlier? You have to listen to the episode to figure out why it's included! Also, we hope you enjoy this updated, Wicked forward ;) version of the reading list!

Download Gregory's reading challenge (and all of our author challenges) at https://bit.ly/4ifBveD

03/12/2024

Now brought to you in Elphaba green...another favorite quote from my interview with Gregory Maguire. Gregory found his writing magic when he looked more deeply at the anti-heroes of our stories. And in this season of gratitude and generosity, are we able to extend that sentiment to those we view as enemies?

Visit this 🔗 for the full episode: https://bit.ly/3BbaRCS

26/11/2024

For those of us in the US, it's Thankgiving week. And that means we are airing a favorite episode...in case you missed it. Gregory Maguire is the author of the novel that has everyone dressing up in green and pink these days. Yes, Wicked! In this episode, Gregory regales us with stories of his youth and reflects on his long (and legendary) career as an author. Truly this man is one-of-a-kind. And I challenge you to find another person who uses the English language as precisely as he does.

To get in that Wicked spirit, we updated Gregory's show image and reading challenge to reflect the colors of Elphaba and Glinda. 💚🩷

Learn more here: https://www.thereadingculturepod.com/gregory-maguire

21/11/2024

This is Mac Barnett's thesis on kids as readers. One piece of our interview that ended up on the cutting room floor was Mac's discussion about his thesis in college. He wrote about difficult poetry. For example, is there benefit to writing and reading difficult works (besides bragging about doing it!)? Throughout the years, Mac has seen that very young kids are incredibly attentive, diligent, and wise, especially when they are reading or listening to a story.

14/11/2024

Mac Barnett is deeply devoted to picture books, both as a creator and as a conoisseur of them. It will come as no surprise that his reading challenge centers on them. Mac shares a list of books that show the capaciousness of the format.

Learn more and download Mac's recommended reading list, "The Possibilities of Picture Books" at thereadingculturepod.com/mac-barnett

Address

Website

https://www.thereadingculturepod.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when The Reading Culture Podcast posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Videos

Since we are in award season for children's books, I thought you would enjoy this reflection from @vashtiharrison when I asked her about the opening acknowledgments in her #caldecott acceptance speech. In the episode, she speaks more in depth about the runway created by her predecessors and contemporaries that allowed her to fly. 🩷🤩 #readingculture #vashtiharrison #blackillustrators #kidlit #big #bookish #weneeddiversebooks

In my conversation with @yamilesmendez she shared that she didn't actually know many of her favorite authors until she was much older. Yamile read excerpts, but many of their full works were banned. Like so many kids, she was resilient. And wrote herself, her own endings, into existence. #readingculture #yamilesaiedméndez #author #argentina #kidlit #weneeddiversebooks #bookish #writersgonnawrite #bookban #freedomtoread

At the end of every episode, we always feature words of wisdom from a @zoobean librarian. What a joy to speak with Mr. Billy @3kingvisions . He will make you believe in all things that are good and true. ❤️ Here is a little snippet about what goes into his secret sauce as a librarian @lvccld #readingculture #kidlit #librarian #librariansofinstagram #3kingvisions

Andrea Davis Pinkney is inspiring for many reasons. The one that gets me the most is how she doesn't take "no" for an answer without questioning WHY. And follows that up with action! Listen to this little gem of a story about her picture book bio of Alvin Ailey that encapsulates that quintessential Andrea spirit. #Andreadavispinkney #readingculture #picturebooks #kidlit

A fun Thanksgiving week giveaway for you! 🤩To enter: comment on this post, follow @thereadingculturepod, and subscribe to our newsletter at thereadingculturepod.com/newsletter! We will select our winners on December 6 💚🩷💚🩷💚🩷💚🩷💚🩷 #readingculture #giveaway #wicked #gregorymaguire #funkopop

I loved so many moments in this episode, and here is one of my favorites. Mac draws a parallel between kids inhabiting or reimagining tiny spaces and writers who do the same on the page. 💗📚#readingculture #macbarnett #kidlit #picturebook #imagination

Eliot Schrefer is a gem, and I absolutely adored our conversation about the importance of Howards End and E.M. Forster in his own life. And the power of reading to make us better humans. #readingculture #eliotschrefer #emforster #empathy #bookstagram #kidlit #bookssavelives

Every author on the podcast reads from one piece of writing that deeply impacted them. @katherinemarshauthor chose a picture book from her childhood that perfectly encapsulates her writer goals. Tune in wherever you get your podcasts to hear her read and to find out the title! #readingculture #katherinemarsh #authors #kidlit #picturebook

Zoraida Córdova says it straight. I love this self-reflective moment in which she considers why she fought her urge to write romance or fantasy. How she had to defy conventional wisdom to find her voice. This also reminds me of something @sabaatahir said at an event yesterday about authors of color needing to "bleed on the page" to win awards. Zoraida's comments here are incisive and funny, just like her 💜 #zoraidacordova #readingculture #genre #romance #youngadultauthor #yaauthor

Tammy M. was our featured librarian in this most recent episode of The Reading Culture. She shares a moving but common story about creating a safe space for her students, and one in particular, at her library. Thank you #librarians for continuing to protect and nurture all of our kids. And they are ALL our kids. #bookssavelives #schoollibrary

I asked this week's guest, Elizabeth Acevedo, if she still I calls on her chorus of ancestors. This answer was really unexpected (as you can see when I need to fix my face). P.S. I'm thinking "Broken Prose" can be the name of a forthcoming collection 🤔 #elizabethacevedo #poet #poetry #belonging #readingculture #weneeddiversebooks

Shortcuts

Address
Alerts
Videos
Claim ownership or report listing
Want your business to be the top-listed Media Company?

Country:

City: