A podcast to help elementary teachers incorporate more picture books into their school day by using read alouds across the curriculum. Each week, I'll share picture book titles to guide you in your teaching. You'll find practical tips, innovative ideas, and a collection of handpicked picture books perfect for each subject. Get ready to inspire, educate and empower your students with the captivating world of picture books. Happy reading!
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This is a podcast for emerging writers who want to improve the quality of their work and learn more about the publishing industry. Your one host, Bianca Marais (the bestselling author of 'The Witches of Moonshyne Manor') interviews authors, agents, editors and just about anyone and everyone who's involved in bringing a book to market. She's joined by her cohosts, literary agents Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra from P.S. Literary Agency, who read and critique query letters as well as opening page ...
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For the past 25 years, Karadi Tales has been one of India's leading children's publishers. Several of our titles have won awards and recognition internationally and have been translated into numerous languages around the world. Over the years, Karadi has explored many different formats - audiobooks, picture books, animated books, and even a movie! Now Karadi is on a brand new venture. Listen to some of the most prominent names in Indian children's publishing including authors, illustrators, ...
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Between 1865-73 the tumultuous American Revolution rages on in different battlefields. The air is thick with hatred and suspicion as the Continental and British armies clash in bloody warfare. In Westchester County, New York, an area is considered a neutral ground for both forces, Harvey Birch plies his dangerous mission. An innocuous peddler by day, he is in fact an American spy, though he does nothing to correct anyone who assumes he is a British spy. In a magnificent country mansion, The ...
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For over 5 years Ultima Final Fantasy took you on a journey through the entire Final Fantasy series; from the main games that you know and love, to obscure titles such as "My Life as a Darklord". Every game was played and reviewed, every major media release was touched on, and you got to hear all the stories, tangents, and life struggles of the hosts who went through it. For years the show was supported on Patreon, and you got to see goals reached such as multiple "Megadeth" Song Covers of c ...
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As teachers, we dream of creating magical reading moments in our classrooms, but let's be honest - finding time for "one more thing" can feel impossible! In this episode, I'm sharing 10 practical ways to celebrate Read Aloud Week that won't add hours to your already packed schedule. From mystery readers and book tastings to simple themed days, thes…
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The Stories We Tell Ourselves to Make Them More Palatable
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33:06In today’s author interview, Bianca chats with Sarah Chihaya about her memoir, Bibliophobia. During the conversation, they explore the profound impact of literature on identity and mental health. Sarah also reflects on her journey as a reader and writer, the complexities of navigating personal narratives, and the challenges of writing about trauma.…
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5. Using Read Alouds in those Small Moments of Time
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13:00Do you ever feel like there just isn't enough time in the day for read alouds? You're juggling a packed schedule, trying to fit in all your required curriculum, and those magical reading moments seem to slip away. I hear from teachers all the time about their struggle to incorporate more read alouds, especially when they only have 5-7 minutes to sp…
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4. New Picture Books! February 2025 New Releases
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21:53In this episode, I'm sharing my curated list of brand new picture books being released in February 2025. I know how hard it can be to stay on top of new releases while juggling all your other teaching responsibilities, so I've done the research for you. From Brad Meltzer's latest "I Am" biography about Sally Ride to heartwarming stories about frien…
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What is Literary Burlesque and Can You Perform It?
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48:08In this segment of Books with Hooks, Bianca, Carly and Cece discuss a memoir submission as well as a speculative thriller submission. They highlight the importance of balancing plot points with emotional depth; the significance of character development through interior monologue; how character arcs are crucial in memoir writing; the importance of b…
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3. How to Make Read Alouds a Non-Negotiable in the Classroom
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11:32It's late afternoon, and that familiar wave of guilt washes over you as you realize - you haven't done your read aloud today. Again. Between administrative demands, packed schedules, and constant interruptions, it feels impossible to protect that precious read aloud time. If you're nodding your head right now, you're not alone in this daily struggl…
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Picture this - you're walking through Barnes & Noble, dreaming of building your classroom library, when those price tags stop you in your tracks. $18.99, $21.99, $24.99 per book! If you're like me, you quickly realize that creating that dream read aloud collection could empty your bank account. But don't worry - I've got you covered. In this episod…
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As a teacher, you know the power of a great read aloud, but like so many others, you might be struggling with finding time, knowing which questions to ask, or keeping your whole class engaged. After years of sharing book recommendations on YouTube, I realized teachers needed more than just titles - they needed comprehensive support for making read …
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Picture books are magical, but let's be honest - sometimes getting through a read aloud feels more chaotic than magical, doesn't it? Between managing wiggly students, finding the perfect questions to ask, and trying to squeeze it all into your already packed schedule, read alouds can feel overwhelming. That's exactly why I'm so excited to announce …
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Capturing Your Character’s Voice by Deeply Immersing Yourself in Their Perspective
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32:28In this engaging conversation, Bianca interviews Allegra Goodman about her latest novel, Isola, exploring themes of storytelling, character development, and the writing process. Goodman discusses her journey as a writer, the importance of writing what interests you, and the challenges of crafting a historical narrative. The discussion delves into t…
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Get your students pumped for the Super Bowl with these engaging football picture books! This video features a collection of fun and informative reads perfect for sharing with your elementary students. Let's make learning about football exciting and interactive! 🌟 FREE SCOPE & SEQUENCE BOOK LIST 📗 JOIN THE BOOK CLUB 📚 FOOTBALL PICTURE BOOKS: - Dino …
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January Bonus Episode Comp Titles Segment
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48:53In January’s bonus episode, Bianca and Emilie Sommer from East City Book Bookshop tackle a variety of book recommendations based on listener comp requests. If you’re looking for our usual Q&A segment, that now gets published as part of our end of the month Substack newsletter. Subscribe to get access to that, and so much more: https://theshitaboutw…
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In this Books with Hooks segment, hosts Bianca, Carly and CeCe delve into two query letters from aspiring authors. The hosts discuss how negotiation can leak tension in storytelling; why character relationships should drive the narrative; how world-building should enhance character development; why queries for retellings need to focus on unique sto…
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63. Read Aloud Toolkit for Elementary School Teachers
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13:35Struggling to plan your interactive read alouds? The Read Aloud Toolkit is just what you need! Grab these organized binders to help you plan any read aloud lesson in your classroom. 📚 READ ALOUD TOOLKIT (50% off!) 📚 Read Aloud Toolkit on TpT The Read Aloud Toolkit includes: - picture book titles - tips for choosing a book - sample discussion questi…
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Exploring How a Single Choice Can Define an Entire Life
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34:45In this engaging author interview, Bianca chats with Karissa Chen about her debut novel, Homeseeking. During the conversation, they explore the inspiration behind the story, the extensive research that was required before Karissa could begin writing, and the challenges of navigating language and cultural identity in literature. Karissa shares her j…
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It's that time again - the Children's Book Awards for 2025! I'm sharing my predictions for which books might win the Caldecott award this year. I even have a freebie for you to host your own Mock Caldecott award ceremony in your classroom. 📗 JOIN THE BOOK CLUB 🌟 FREE CALDECOTT ACTIVITY 📚 CALDECOTT PREDICTIONS 2025: - Being Home - Home in a Lunchbox…
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A Query That Ticks all of CeCe’s Psychological Acuity Boxes
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42:52In this Books with Hooks segment, hosts Bianca, Carly and CeCe welcome listeners to a new year of writing while they reflect on their critiquing journey over the past four years. They dive into the critique of two query letters, focusing on the importance of connection, character motivations, and cinematic elements in storytelling. The conversation…
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Check out these new picture books released in January 2025! Each of these books make a great read aloud for the classroom. It's hard to choose which January 2025 picture book to read first! 🌟 FREE SCOPE & SEQUENCE BOOK LIST 📗 JOIN THE BOOK CLUB 📚 JANUARY PICTURE BOOKS: - All in a Year - Greatness - And, Too, the Fox - Don’t Push the Button - Girls …
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In today’s episode, Bianca interviews Emmy award-winning journalist and bestselling author, Kate Fagan, about her debut novel, The Three Lives of Cate Kay. Kate shares how she originally came to listen to the podcast, as well as the details of her journey to publication (which included querying podcast host, Carly Watters). Bianca and Kate go on to…
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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Can An Agent Picture a Movie Trailer After Reading Your Query Letter?
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36:41In today’s Books with Hooks segment, hosts Bianca, Carly, and CeCe provide feedback on two query letters, one for historical fiction and the other for historical fantasy. They discuss the importance of character development, plot clarity, and the balance between world-building and emotional engagement. The conversation emphasizes the need for speci…
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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Techniques for Fully Dramatizing Scenes or Bringing Memories to Life
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33:13In today’s author interview, Bianca interviews Jessica Waite about her memoir, The Widow's Guide to Dead Bastards. Jessica discusses her writing journey as a form of healing, the challenges of the publishing process, and the complexities of grief. They also discuss the intentional choices behind the book's structure, the use of present tense, and t…
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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What were the best read aloud books of 2024? Check out all these picture books that were released this year! I'm sharing my favorite read aloud books from 2024. There are some amazing books in this collection! 📗 JOIN THE BOOK CLUB! 🌟 FREE BOOK LIST 📚 2024 FAVORITE PICTURE BOOKS: - Too Much - My Great Big Native Family - A Happy Place - Tricky Chops…
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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In today’s Books with Hooks segment, hosts Bianca, Carly, and CeCe analyze two query letters, one for an upmarket novel and one for women’s fiction, providing insights on character development, prologues, and the importance of clarity in storytelling. The discussion emphasizes the need for movement in narratives and the balance between internal con…
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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59. Picture Books for National Cookie Day
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10:05Get ready to crumble with delight! This video features a collection of scrumptious picture books perfect for celebrating National Cookie Day. These sweet stories are ideal for read-alouds, sparking imaginations and inspiring young readers. Watch to discover titles that will leave your students craving more than just cookies! 🍪📚 📗 JOIN THE BOOK CLUB…
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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More great books at LoyalBooks.comBy James Fenimore Cooper
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