An 8-year-old author’s book has become a must-read at his local library in Boise, Idaho. Librarians there officially added his book to their collection after he snuck it onto a shelf. They found his illustrations to be imaginative and sophisticated, and they appreciated how the young author’s writing incorporated many literary genres. Listen to hear more about the young author’s book and find out what advice he has for other aspiring writers.
Story Length: 3:37
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October 26, 2021
7:32
An author has put tracing paper, old photographs, and his imagination to work to write a picture book about a wandering ghost. The idea sprang from the mind of Oliver Jeffers, an author with a fascination for ghosts and a curiosity over what they might reveal about the energy of living things. Listen to hear Jeffers explain his creative process and why ghosts both attract and terrify people, and learn how turnips were used in Halloween traditions.
Read MoreSeptember 23, 2021
3:56
Calling all fantasy fans! In this audio story, an author – and fantasy writer himself – recommends some of his favorite fantasy titles for young adults. From Legendborn, a reimagining of the legend of King Arthur by debut novelist Tracy Deonn, to Leigh Bardugo’s King of Scars, set in the magical Grishaverse, and more, fantasy readers will find stories that intrigue. Listen to learn more about a recent new crop of exciting fantasy reads and the universal themes that they address.
Read MoreApril 4, 2019
2:45
Dr. Seuss is well known for his popular children’s books full of fanciful rhymes and whimsical illustrations. His earlier cartoons, however, include many racist and anti-Semitic images, which the artist later regretted. Listen to this commentary by another children’s book author and illustrator who reflects on the importance of explaining Dr. Seuss’s evolution as an artist and a person in an exhibit of his work at the Dr. Seuss Museum.
Read MoreMarch 17, 2016
3:41
Many of the characters in books written for students are white males. They don’t reflect everyone’s background. One girl became frustrated when she couldn’t connect to the characters. In response, she began to gather books about black girls and then give these books to schools. Now that she has exceeded her original goal and collected almost 4,000 books, the girl has started to consider how to impact schools in an even larger way. Listen to the story hear more about this remarkable campaign.
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