The Reader’s Heart Podcast

What role can books play in helping young people navigate an increasingly divided world?

In this episode, Jennifer chats with author Emily Barth Isler and illustrator Vesper Stamper about their picture book, Three Pieces of Broken Glass, a story inspired by Emily's grandmother's experiences fleeing Nazi Germany. Together, they explore the power of family stories, the importance of preserving historical memory, and the unique collab...

Can a book be a hug for a child's mind?

In this episode of The Reader's Heart, Jennifer talks with beloved author and illustrator LeUyen Pham about the books that shaped her, the libraries that gave her refuge, and the readers she hopes to reach through her work. Together they explore childhood poverty, finding yourself in stories, the magic of graphic novels, and why collaboration can be both challenging and transformative. LeUyen...

What does it mean to create stories that remind readers they belong, not just to a community, but to one another?

In this episode, Jennifer chats with acclaimed author and Heartdrum co-founder Cynthia Leitich Smith about the books, relationships, and communities that have shaped her life as a reader and writer. Together, they explore the importance of authentic Indigenous representation, military family experiences, found family, r...

What does it mean to help young people carry burdens they didn't create?

In this episode, Jennifer chats with Newbery Medal-winning author Tae Keller about her latest novel, When Tomorrow Burns. Together, they explore climate anxiety, online radicalization, toxic masculinity, and the pressure many young people feel to somehow fix the challenges they have inherited. Most importantly, they discuss why hope requires us to reject the i...

In this episode, Jennifer chats with Kate Messner to discuss her love for middle grade novels, her writing process, and her latest projects. Discover the inspiration behind Kate's popular series, "The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class," and her journey in writing her first verse novel, "The Trouble with Heroes."

Show notes, episode transcripts and other goodies can be found here. 

Chapters

• Introduction and Welcome
• Kate's Reading Pre...

In this episode, Jennifer chats with Rex Ogle to talk about his journey from working behind the scenes in publishing to becoming one of the most beloved authors writing for young readers. Their conversation explores the importance of normalizing discussions around mental health, and why it's crucial to have more books that help boys navigate what it truly means to “be a man” in a world that too often rewards toxic mascu...

In this episode, Jennifer LaGarde and Natalie Lloyd explore their shared love for literature, the impact of childhood reading experiences, the importance of authentic representation in books and, of course, Dolly Parton. They discuss the joys of audiobooks, the challenges of writing about disability, and the significance of creating relatable characters. Natalie shares insights into her writing process and upcoming projects, emphas...

In this episode, Jennifer chats with two-time Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly. Their conversation delves into themes of anxiety, character development, and the importance of positive adult figures in children's literature. Erin reflects on her journey as a writer, her influences, and her background in journalism, which has shaped her writing style. The conversation concludes with a glimpse into her upcoming projects, showcasing...

In this episode, Jennifer chats with Allie Millington about the profound impact of literature, particularly middle grade books, on identity and connection. They discuss the themes of loneliness and bravery in Millington's book Olivetti,'and the importance of fostering authentic connections in a hyper-connected world. Millington shares her experiences with young readers during school visits, the significance of endorsements from fig...

In this engaging conversation, Padma Venkatraman chats with Jennifer about her new novel in verse, Safe Harbor, exploring themes of belonging, empowerment, and mental health representation. They delve into Padma's personal reading journey, her experiences as a writer, and the significance of music and nature in her storytelling. The discussion also touches on Padma's future projects and the importance of diverse representation in c...

Summary:

New York Times best selling author, Dashka Slater, joins Jennifer LaGarde to explore the profound impact of literature on young readers, the journey of becoming a writer, and the intersection of journalism and storytelling. Dashka shares her early reading experiences, her path to writing for young people, and the challenges of addressing complex social issues through her work. The discussion highlights the importance of em...

Summary

In this episode, Federico Erebia joins Jennifer for an engaging conversation in which they explore the profound impact of literature on personal identity and the importance of representation in children's books. They discuss Federico's journey as a reader and writer, the significance of first books, and how stories can help children navigate complex emotions and experiences, particularly around themes of abuse and identity....

Summary

In this conversation, Jennifer and chat's with Paula Yoo about her love for writing narrative non-fiction and how her background in journalism influences her work. They also explore the power of literature for young people in shaping their hearts and understanding the world. Paula shares her experience as a reader, starting with her childhood love for Charlotte's Web and how it influenced her writing style. They discuss the...

In this conversation, Jeff Zentner chats with Jennifer  about his reader's heart and his writing process. They discuss the power of literature written for young people to shape hearts and help readers navigate the world. They also explore the themes of found family and redefining masculinity in Zentner's books. They delve into Jennifer favorite Jeff Zentner book: Rayne and Delilah's Midnight Matinee, and the importance of depi...

In this episode Debbi Michiko Florence chats with Jennifer about her love for children's literature and the power of books to shape our hearts. She shares her own experiences as a reader, from her childhood memories of her parents reading to her and weekly trips to the library, to her rediscovery of reading for pleasure after college. Debbi emphasizes the importance of authentic representation in children's literature and the impac...

In this conversation, Jennifer LaGarde and Katherine Marsh discuss the power of children's literature and the influence it has on shaping readers' hearts. They explore Katherine's own reader's heart and how it informs her writing. They also delve into the themes and characters of Katherine's book, Medusa, and the importance of representation and empathy in literature. They discuss the challenges of getting kids to read and the need...

In this conversation, Jennifer chats with Elly Swartz discuss the power of children's literature to shape hearts and minds. They explore the importance of books in helping readers navigate life's emotions and connect with themselves and others. They also discuss the influence of social media on storytelling and the inclusion of themes like forgiveness in Swartz's books. Swartz shares her love for writing middle-grade books and the ...

In this conversation, Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey chat with Jennifer about story as an engine for empathy and ceativity. They discuss their reader's hearts and how childhood reading experiences shaped their love for storytelling. They also talk about their book, The Last Stand, with Antwan Eady and the process of illustrating it. The conversation concludes with a discussion of their upcoming projects and congratulations on their re...

In this conversation, Jennifer chats with Ann Braden, an author who writes books that empower kids to find their voice and make a difference in the world. Ann shares her journey as a reader and writer, highlighting the books that had a profound impact on her life. She discusses the importance of recognizing our own voice and the power it holds. Ann also explores the themes in her books, such as facing tough topics and finding hope ...