Best Rajani LaRocca Podcasts (2024)

1
The Joy of Novels in Verse with Jamie Sumner 37:40

2M ago37:40

37:40

And We're Back! We could not think of a better person to 'ring the bell' for season three of our podcast than the talented middle grade author, Jamie Sumner! This conversation celebrates the release (April 9th, 2024) of Jamie's seventh middle grade novel and first novel in verse, Deep Water.

1
Harold and the Purple Crayon: Exploration and Play are Just a Stroke Away 30:29

3M ago30:29

30:29

Harold and the Purple Crayon: Exploration and Play are Just a Stroke Away (ft. Chris Van Allsburg & Brian Pinkney)-Do you remember reading Crockett Johnson's Harold and the Purple Crayon? To his friends and family Crockett was Dave Leisk. You might know him best for the bold purple line that gives shape to the spare illustrations of Harold and Purp…

1
The Polar Express: A Magical Ride of Belief and Reality (ft. Chris Van Allsburg & Leo Landry) 35:40

6M ago35:40

35:40

Do you remember reading The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg? As its 40th anniversary approaches, the book is nothing short of a Christmas classic. Before winning the Caldecott Medal in 1986, before the animated movie, and the Polar Express train rides Chris Van Allsburg had already garnered quite a reputation. He’s the author and illustrator be…

1
Grandfather’s Journey: 30th Anniversary of a Real-Life Folktale (ft. Allen Say & Melissa Iwai) 40:34

7M ago40:34

40:34

There are many ways that we build our histories. Certain particulars might be largely out of our power, our parentage, or parts of our personalities, but how we choose to remember our histories tends to create something real and true, however fictional, like an old folktale. Our histories, whether real or imagined, memory or fiction, give us a grea…

1
When Heroines, Not Heroes, Tell the Story (ft. Veronica Roth & Mindy McGinnis) 28:03

9M ago28:03

28:03

Fictional dystopias don’t create fear as much as they validate it. And isn’t that what we want as young people and even later as adults? To be validated, whether in our fears, our pain, or our happiness? Young Adult books let us explore, without the threat of rejection, what we most wish to understand or even accept, ourselves. In this episode, we …

1
Episode 14: The Joy of Achieving a Life-Long Dream with Matt McMann 19:55

1y ago19:55

19:55

Melissa is in conversation with middle grade DEBUT author, Matt McMann. He speaks about his journey of becoming a published author, and how the journey goes all the way back to middle school. On the day this episode goes live, Matt will celebrate his BOOK BIRTHDAY for the first two books in his Monsterious Series, Escape from Grimstone Manor and Th…

1
Episode 13: The Joy of Novels in Verse with Chris Baron 27:58

1y ago27:58

27:58

Melissa is in conversation with author Chris Baron. Chris is the award winning author of Novels for Children including ALL OF ME, an NCTE Notable Book, THE MAGICAL IMPERFECT a Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable Book/ a SLJ Best Book of 2021 & the forthcoming novels, THE GRAY (23) FOREST HEART (24) from Feiwel & Friends/Macmillan, and SECRET OF THE DR…

1
Episode 12: The Joy of Novels in Verse with Reem Faruqi 25:16

1y ago25:16

25:16

Melissa is in conversation with author Reem Faruqi. Reem is an award winning author who enjoys writing lyrical stories that reflect her own experiences. When Reem Faruqi taught second grade, her favorite time was “Read Aloud” time. Now, her favorite time at home is reading with her daughters. Reem Faruqi is the award-winning author of “Lailah’s Lun…

1
Episode 11: The Joy of Novels in Verse with Author Rajani LaRocca 24:21

1y ago24:21

24:21

Melissa is in conversation with award winning author Rajani LaRocca. Rajani was born in India, raised in Kentucky, and now lives in the Boston area, where she practices medicine and writes award-winning books for young readers, including the Newbery Honor winning middle grade novel in verse, Red, White, and Whole. She’s always been an omnivorous re…

1
Episode 10: The Joy of Novels in Verse with Award-Winning Author K. A. Holt 27:45

1y ago27:45

27:45

Joyful Leaning Podcast host, Melissa Thom joins up with her mentor and friend, Shannon McNeice to interview Kari Anne Holt, the award-winning author of many middle grade novels-in-verse including Ben Bee and the Teacher Griefer, Redwood & Ponytail, Knockout, House Arrest, and Rhyme Schemer. She has also published several middle grade fantasy advent…

1
In The Night Kitchen (ft. Sergio Ruzzier & Antionette Portis) 31:58

1y ago31:58

31:58

You may be familiar with Maurice Sendak’s books like Where the Wild Things Are or Outside Over There, but do you remember reading In the Night Kitchen? Just over 10 years after the prolific author's passing, we are returning to his 1970s dreamscape of a picture book. In the Night Kitchen offers a dazzling portrait of creativity and the expansive im…

1
Episode 9: The Joy of Spreading Book Love with #BookPosse 35:06

1+ y ago35:06

35:06

Episode Summary: Melissa Thom is in conversation with Cindy Schwind, Jennifer Halbur, and Erin Bedell, all members of the ARC sharing group, #BookPosse. Learn more about what an arc sharing group is all about and take away some strategies for both reading more books and spreading #bookjoy. **Guest Bios: Cindy Schwind is a lifelong educator. She tau…

1
Episode 8: The Joy of Connecting with Author Torrey Maldonado 30:44

1+ y ago30:44

30:44

Episode Summary: Melissa is in conversation with author and educator Torrey Maldonado about his latest book, Hands. Guest Bio: Torrey Maldonado was born and raised in Brooklyn’s Red Hook projects. He has taught in New York City public schools for over 25 years and his fast-paced, compelling stories are inspired by his and his students’ experiences.…

1
Andrea Wang: Environmental Science & "Writing the Books We Needed" 1:00:26

1+ y ago1:00:26

1:00:26

Join children's book authors Rajani LaRocca and Artemis Roehrig as they talk to environmental scientist and children's book author Andrea Wang about Environmental Science & "Writing the Books We Needed." You can find books by all our guests in the STEM Women in KidLit bookstore! Support STEM Women in Kidlit! Books recommended on this episode: Smell…

1
Episode 7: The Joy of Junk Journaling 41:09

1+ y ago41:09

41:09

An introduction to junk journaling, or "artful memory keeping" with two enthusiastic members of the creative and generous junk journaling community. Junk Journaling YouTuber, Jill Daley and Thrift Artist, Shannon McNeice (both librarians by day) share how this affordable and accessible style of scrapbooking/mixed media art promotes artistic self-ex…

1
Lessons in Friendship:James Marshall’s George and Martha Series(ft. Raúl the Third & Breanna Carzoo) 35:13

1+ y ago35:13

35:13

Picture books, while they may be sparse in language, can pack in big and complex lessons about friendship, or difficult feelings. Their lessons often follow us into our adulthood. And, as for lessons, here is one for teachers — maybe hold off on telling students they can't draw. They may just grow up and turn you into an iconic mean character. If y…

1
Episode 6: The Joy of Hearing Our Voices with Kymberlee Powe 27:33

1+ y ago27:33

27:33

Melissa checks in with of her closest friends, fellow librarian and avid reader, Kymberlee Powe, about the work Kym is doing for Hear Our Voices (HOV), a unique company on a mission to "Nurture the Collective Heart of Voices of Color" through the hosting of digital/virtual book tours across multiple platforms for marginalized authors and readers. T…

1
Bonus Episode: The Invisible Spy (Forgotten Five Series, Book 2) Book Birthday Party Episode with Author Lisa McMann! 9:32

1+ y ago9:32

9:32

Happiest Book Birthday to Invisible Spy (Forgotten Five Series, Book 2) which released this week! This is Lisa McMann's 29th book! In this bonus episode, Lisa McMann gives an overview of the series, the stories behind the stories, and a fun book 3 teaser! If you have not already read Map of Flames (Forgotten Five Series, Book 1), that title is now …

1
Episode 5: The Joy of Author & Reader Connections with Lisa McMann 29:40

1+ y ago29:40

29:40

Melissa Thom and special guest episode co-host Jennifer Halbur have the great honor of interviewing author Lisa McMann during the "Summer Book Party" promotional tour for Lisa's New York Times bestselling middle grade book The Map of Flames published by Penguin Random House. Guest Bio: Lisa McMann lives in Tempe, Arizona. She is married to fellow w…

1
Episode 4: The Joy of Magical Realism with Natalie Lloyd 39:10

1+ y ago39:10

39:10

Episode 4: The Joy of Magical Realism with Natalie Lloyd [10/18/22]Follow the Joyful Learning Podcast on: Twitter Instagram FacebookEpisode Summary: Melissa Thom is in conversation with New York Times Bestselling middle grade author, Natalie Lloyd about her latest book Hummingbird, a special teacher who helped Natalie get through tough moments as a…

1
Episode 3: The Joy of Nature with Jo Watson Hackl 26:05

1+ y ago26:05

26:05

Nationally recognized and award-winning Teacher Librarian, speaker, and host of the Joyful Learning Podcast, Melissa Thom in conversation with middle grade author, Jo Watson Hackl the author of Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe and the founder of Outdoorosity, a free resource for information and inspiration about nature. (The interview took place du…

1
Hauntingly Good Stories: Wait Till Helen Comes(ft. Mary Downing Hahn, Chantel Acevedo, & J.A. White) 32:35

1+ y ago32:35

32:35

There is much to be learned from stories, whether they feature ghosts, witches, or monsters, even when they scare us. It is the lessons learned in the face of darkness that make supernatural stories important for young readers. And, it is telling, that stories of ghosts and graveyards stay with us. They might cause us a bit of grief, but when we fa…

1
Episode 2: #TryThisOnMonday with Barbara Johnson 29:36

2y ago29:36

29:36

Nationally recognized and award-winning Teacher Librarian, speaker, and host of the Joyful Learning Podcast, Melissa Thom chats with Barbara Johnson, a influential school library media specialist, Maker, wife and mother of four—with a long list of interesting hobbies and diverse paying side jobs—about collecting, curating and sharing ideas in a dig…

1
Episode 1: The #Joy of New Endeavors 23:48

2y ago23:48

23:48

Nationally recognized and award-winning, Teacher Librarian, speaker, and host of the Joyful Learning Podcast, Melissa Thom shares an overview of the brand new Joyful Learning podcast. Topics of this inaugural episode include information about the guests and interviews featured in Season One, and an invitation to take part in the Joyful Learning Pod…

1
Official Joyful Learning Pod Trailer 1:42

2y ago1:42

1:42

Welcome to the Joyful Learning Pod–a new podcast and online community whose mission is to highlight and celebrate examples of joyful lifelong learning, both inside and outside of the classroom. Join host, Melissa Thom, and her personal and professional learning network of friends (or soon-to-be friends)— that include educators, authors, librarians,…

1
Crossing Cultures: Inside Out and Back Again (ft. Thanhhà Lại, Rajani LaRocca, & Jasmine Warga) 22:43

2y ago22:43

22:43

Middle grade is a time when readers can be especially moved by the books they pick up. Books can center kids marginalized by conflict, can inspire other readers to decenter themselves, to listen better, and to be more intentional with welcome signs. In one sense, borders are fiction, lines made up by winners of wars. In another sense, borders have …

1
The Forbidden Truth: The Giver (ft. Lois Lowry, Karina Yan Glaser, & Anne Ursu) 33:28

2y ago33:28

33:28

Children’s literature offers a rehearsal for the real world. A safe place for young readers to practice seeing beyond the easy narratives that are handed to them by their communities or that they might see in the media or even that they are taught in schools. It is the foundation for critical thinking. Children come to books already having a deep a…

1
Amitha Knight: Writing Through Residency 38:43

2y ago38:43

38:43

Join children's book authors Rajani LaRocca and Artemis Roehrig as they talk to doctor and children's book author Amitha Jagannath Knight about Writing Through Residency. You can find books by all our guests in the STEM Women in KidLit bookstore! Support STEM Women in Kidlit! Books recommended on this episode: ADA Byron Lovelace & the Thinking Mach…

1
Leslie Bulion: SCUBA, "Golly-Gee Science", & The Hazards of Poetry Research 59:17

2+ y ago59:17

59:17

Join children's book authors Rajani LaRocca and Artemis Roehrig as they talk to children's book author with a degree in oceanography, Leslie Bulion about SCUBA, "Golly-Gee Science," & The Hazards of Poetry Research. Books recommended on this episode: Hear the Wind Blow Doe Boyle (Author) Emily Paik (Illustrator) How to Build an Insect Roberta Gibso…

1
Songju Ma Daemicke: STEM Across Cultures 37:23

2+ y ago37:23

37:23

Join children's book authors Rajani LaRocca and Artemis Roehrig as they talk to software engineer and children's book author Songju Ma Daemicke about STEM Across Cultures. Books recommended on this episode: Whole Whale Karen Yin (Author) Nelleke Verhoeff (Illustrator) Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom Teres…

1
Myths, Magic, and Fantasy Worlds (ft. Megan Whalen Turner, Roseanne A. Brown, & Garth Nix) 24:26

2+ y ago24:26

24:26

Magic and fantastical elements can get kids reading. Young adult fantasy novels construct portals readers can get sucked into, and when they emerge, they often have more nuanced and keen insights for making or remaking the world around them. The parallels to contemporary society can even give kids another way to see themselves. In this episode, Meg…

1
Padma Venkatraman: Oceanography & Compassion 56:04

2+ y ago56:04

56:04

Join children's book authors Rajani LaRocca and Artemis Roehrig as they talk to oceanographic researcher and children's book author Padma Venkatraman about Oceanography & Compassion. Books Recommended on this Episode: Usha and the Big Digger Amitha Jagannath Knight (Author) Sandhya Prabhat (Illustrator) Why Do We See Rainbows? by Melissa Stewart Al…

1
Hannah Holt: Connections (Roundabouts, Writing, and Underwear) 47:43

2+ y ago47:43

47:43

Join children's book authors Rajani LaRocca and Artemis Roehrig as they talk to transportation analyst (with a degree in civil engineering) and children's book author Hannah Holt about Connections (Roundabouts, Writing, and Underwear). Books recommended on this episode: Mae Among the Stars Roda Ahmed (Author) Stasia Burrington (Illustrator) The Oce…

1
Coming-Out Stories (ft. Becky Albertalli, Abdi Nazemian, & Jason June) 28:07

2+ y ago28:07

28:07

Books help young people wrap their minds around who they are, how they fit into the world and give them the language to demand the world make space for them. Queer Young Adult books can guide young readers through the myriad of experiences of coming out in different contexts and cultures. And, love stories can help young gay kids imagine themselves…

1
Margarita Engle: Plants, Poetry, and Persistence 43:00

2+ y ago43:00

43:00

Join children's book authors Rajani LaRocca and Artemis Roehrig as they talk to agronomist and Newbery Honor-winning author Margarita Engle about Plants, Poetry, and Persistence. Books recommended on this episode: Sniffer Dogs: How Dogs (and Their Noses) Save the World Nancy Castaldo (Author) The Boy Who Dreamed of Infinity: A Tale of the Genius Ra…

1
Tackling Real-life Challenges in Books: Pax (ft. Sara Pennypacker, Colby Sharp, & Philippe Cousteau) 31:02

3y ago31:02

31:02

There is a magical age, somewhere between eight and twelve, where young people’s wonder at the natural world can be galvanized into meaningful engagement with the threats and challenges that humans bring to bear on nature. It is within this window that the right book at the right time can help a young person make sense of the big feelings that come…

1
Behind the Curtain of The Princess Diaries & Happily Ever Afters (ft. Meg Cabot & Elise Bryant) 24:49

3y ago24:49

24:49

Meg Cabot’s bestselling series, The Princess Diaries spans almost two decades. The main character of the series, Mia, shares her unfiltered, innermost thoughts as private diary entries. Young adult readers of the books are privy to and captivated by Mia’s internal and external landscape as she morphs from an awkward teen and into a royal princess. …

1
A Deep Dive into Body Positivity with Dumplin’ (ft. Julie Murphy & Angie Manfredi) 28:59

3y ago28:59

28:59

The right book at the right time can provide kids with models of self-love that can guide them through growing pains. Today on Remember Reading, host Katie Dutton unpacks a book that does just that for young readers. Join us as we head to West Texas, where we enter a beauty pageant, do some Dolly Parton fan-folking, and talk drag and self-love thro…

1
Darshana Khiani: From Semiconductors to Saris 49:56

3y ago49:56

49:56

Join authors Artemis Roehrig and Rajani LaRocca as we talk with computer engineer and children's book author Darshana Khiani about everything from semiconductors to saris . Find out more about Darshana on her website. Books recommended on this episode: The Truth about Bears: Seriously Funny Facts about Your Favorite Animals Maxwell Eaton (Author) T…

1
Sarah Lynne Reul: Food, Dollhouses and Drawing Animals 49:12

3y ago49:12

49:12

Join authors Artemis Roehrig and Rajani LaRocca as we talk with science educator and children's book author/illustrator Sarah Lynne Reul about Food, Dollhouses, and Drawing Animals. Find out more about Sarah on her website. Books recommended on this episode: Friendbots: Blink and Block Make a Wish Vicky Fang (Author) Our House Is on Fire: Greta Thu…

1
Stacy McAnulty: From Engineering Airline Seats to Engineering Books 50:06

3y ago50:06

50:06

Join authors Artemis Roehrig and Rajani LaRocca as we talk with mechanical engineer and children's book author Stacy McAnulty about how she went From Engineering Airline Seats to Engineering Books. Find out more about Stacy on her website. Books recommended on this episode: In the Shadow of the Moon: America, Russia, and the Hidden History of the S…

1
Sara Levine: Kid Books and Kids (Goats) 46:01

3y ago46:01

46:01

Join authors Artemis Roehrig and Rajani LaRocca as we talk with veterinarian and children's book author Sara Levine about Kid Books and Kids (Goats). Find out more about Sara on her website. Books recommended on this episode: On Beyond a Million: An Amazing Math Journey David M. Schwartz (Author) Paul Meisel (Illustrator) Counting Birds: The Idea T…

1
Theanne Griffith: Neurophysiology, Chapter Books, and Character Connections 40:43

3y ago40:43

40:43

Join authors Artemis Roehrig and Rajani LaRocca as they talk to children's book author and neurophysiologist Theanne Griffith! To find out more about Theanne and her books you can visit her website: https://www.theannegriffith.com/. Books recommended on this episode: Ada Twist, Scientist Andrea Beaty (Author) David Roberts (Illustrator) Baby Loves …

1
Representation Matters! (ft. Cynthia Leitich Smith & Ellen Oh) 36:33

3y ago36:33

36:33

Representation matters, especially in children’s literature and stories that represent Native American people. In this episode, we focus on Heartdrum, an imprint about stories by Native American creators who publish stories with an emphasis on the present and future of Indian Country, and on the strength of young Native American heroes. Author-cura…

1
Kirsten Larson: NASA, Invention, and Embracing Opportunities 46:35

3y ago46:35

46:35

Join authors Artemis Roehrig and Rajani LaRocca as they talk to children's book author and science communicator, Kirsten Larson, about NASA, Invention, and Embracing Opportunities. To find out more about Kirsten and her books, visit her website! Books recommended on this episode: Your Place in the Universe Jason Chin (Author) When the Whales Walked…

1
L.E. Carmichael: Wolves, Forensics & Writing Like A Scientist 45:06

3y ago45:06

45:06

Join authors Rajani LaRocca and Artemis Roehrig as they chat with wildlife population geneticist and children's book author L.E. Carmichael about wolves, forensics, and writing like a scientist. To find out more about L.E. Carmichael and her books, visit her website! Books recommended on this episode: Out of the Ice: How Climate Change Is Revealing…

1
I Can Read! Books (ft. Corey Tabor & Kelly Starling-Lyons) 12:10

3y ago12:10

12:10

The treasured I Can Read! collection began with the beloved Little Bear in 1957 and is still going strong today! On the show, we discuss the series’ origins, its stories, and what’s ahead for the books. You’ll hear from Tamar Mays, an editor at HarperCollins, as well as from authors Corey Tabor (Fox the Tiger) and Kelly Starling-Lyons (Ty’s Travels…

1
Gail Villanueva: From Web Design to Worldbuilding 1:16:06

3y ago1:16:06

1:16:06

Join authors Rajani LaRocca and Artemis Roehrig while they talk with web designer and middle grade author Gail Villanueva. For more information about Gail and her books, visit her website Books recommended on this episode: A Garden in Your Belly: Meet the Microbes in Your Gut (Masha D'Yans) What Miss Mitchell Saw (Hayley Barrett (Author) Diana Sudy…

1
Laura Gehl: From Brains to Board Books 42:55

3y ago42:55

42:55

Join authors Rajani LaRocca and Artemis Roehrig as we talk to neuroscientist and children's book author Laura Gehl. To find out more about Laura and her books check out her website Books recommended on this episode: Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years (McAnulty/ Litchfield) The Last Marshmallow (Lin) Girl Versus Squirrel (Barrett/ Adriani) Find out …

1
Dow Phumiruk: Pictures, Pediatrics, & 12-Color Pens 42:36

3+ y ago42:36

42:36

Join authors Rajani LaRocca and Artemis Roehrig while we talk to children's book author/illustrator and pediatrician Dow Phumiruk about pictures, pediatrics and 12-Color Pens! Learn more about Dow on her website! Books Recommended on this Episode: The Last Straw: Kids vs. Plastics (Hood/Engel) Ada Twist, Scientist (Beaty/Roberts) Can You Crack the …

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Rajani LaRocca Podcasts

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