BookSmitten

Updated: 21 Oct 2025 • 66 episodes
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Seeing a hopeful, human world through children's literature. Hosted by authors Kelly J. Baptist, Jack Cheng, Patrick Flores-Scott, and Heather Shumaker – your book smitten crew. We cover the whole range of kidlit, from picture books to middle grade and young adult fiction, as well as writing, reading, and publishing. This season: We’re writing picture books!

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It’s 25 years since “Because of Winn Dixie” was published, which means 25 years of readers enjoying the heart and honesty of Kate DiCamillo. We’re delighted to share this conversation with one of kidlit’s most beloved authors, and chat with Kate about her unforgettable characters and craft. As Kate says, “Characters ar

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Robin's website  Far from the Tree Our Books for Children and Young Adults:Flying Lessons & Other Stories Edited by Ellen Oh; Kelly’s short story in this middle grade anthology is “The Beans and Rice Chronicles of Isaiah Dunn.”Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero by Kelly J. BaptistIsaiah Dunn Saves the Day by Kelly J. BaptistThe El

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Mentioned in this episode:Linda Sue Park’s WebsiteGracie Under the WavesA Long Walk to WaterWe Need Diverse Books Our Books for Children and Young Adults:Flying Lessons & Other Stories Edited by Ellen Oh; Kelly’s short story in this middle grade anthology is “The Beans and Rice Chronicles of Isaiah Dunn.”Isaiah Dunn Is

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We’re back with another of our Summer Breaks. In this episode our co-host Patrick gets the spotlight this time, as we talk about his new YA novel, No Going Back.Our Books for Children and Young Adults: - Flying Lessons & Other Stories Edited by Ellen Oh; Kelly’s short story in this middle grade anthology is “The Beans

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Introducing: Summer Breaks! We’ll be airing a couple of episodes this summer to tide you over as we regroup and plot out the next season. Here is our conversation with our very own Kelly J. Baptist about her new middle grade novel, Ready, Set, Dough!Our Books for Children and Young Adults: - Flying Lessons & Other Stor

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Mentioned in this episode:Writing Picture Books by Ann Whitford PaulLouder than Hunger by John SchuThe List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca SteadWriting with Pictures by Uri ShulevitzHow to Write Picture Books by Linda Ashman Our Books for Children and Young Adults:Flying Lessons & Other Stories Edited by Ell

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