The Reading Bug Podcast - Original Adventures, Bedtime Stories and Music for Kids

Author and Illustrator, Mike Lowery, joins Lauren and the Reading Bug. Mike Lowery is an illustrator whose work appears in everything from greeting cards to children's books. He is the creator of the Doodle Adventures series and the Everything Awesome About series, and the illustrator of the Gingerbread Man on the Loose and Mac B., Kid Spy series, and more.

Tui Sutherland, the award-winning author of the Wings of Fire chapter book and graphic novel series, and many others, joins Lauren and the Reading Bug at the bookstore to talk about her books and her path to becoming an editor and published author! Tui is a lot of fun, just like her writing, and you won't want to miss this interview. Find Tui's books at www.thereadingbug.com/authors/tui-sutherland

Filmmaker, teacher, and author of the fantastically silly picture book, Dragons Eat Noodles on Tuesdays, Jon Stahl joins Lauren and the Reading Bug to talk about how he became an author (and what you can do if you want to be an author too!).

Kevin Henkes, the award-winning author and illustrator of beloved titles that include: Kitten's First Full Moon, Chrysanthemum, Owen, Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, and many, many more, joins Lauren and the Reading Bug at the bookstore. Listen as he speaks about his work as an author and illustrator and about the traits of the many memorable characters from his stories.

Internationally acclaimed author, David Shannon, who wrote the Caldecot-winning No David!, A Bad Case of the Stripes, Duck on a Bike, Too Many Toys and many, many more, joins Lauren and the Reading Bug to talk about his newest book, Mr. Nogginbody Gets A Hammer.

Parts 1 & 2 combined into a full story. Join Lauren and the Reading Bug for a magical adventure and learn about how to write your own story! When the Reading Bug discovers a mysterious, large egg in the middle of the bookstore, our adventure to find which story it tumbled out of begins. Meet princes, monsters and, of course, dragons as we create a story that's all our own. Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/dragon

Part 2 of 2. Lauren and the Reading Bug are back to help their new friend, Sparkles, finish her story! Through a series of exciting adventures, join us to help Sparkles find her very own original story. Experience the adventure and learn how to create a story that's all your own, too. Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/dragon

Part 1 of 2. Join Lauren and the Reading Bug for a magical adventure and learn about how to write your own story! When the Reading Bug discovers a mysterious, large egg in the middle of the bookstore, our adventure to find which story it tumbled out of begins. Meet princes, monsters and, of course, dragons as we create a story that's all our own. Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/dragon

Parts 1 & 2 combined into a full story. What are you thankful for? Lauren and the Reading Bug are thankful for a reunion with their good friend Spelling Bee! Join them as they travel back in time to celebrate Thanksgiving with a village of Pilgrims and the native people living nearby. When the magic book bag goes astray, we'll get an adventure we didn't expect - and an opportunity to celebrate our differences! Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/thanksgiving

Part 2 of 2. What are you thankful for? Lauren and the Reading Bug are thankful for a reunion with their good friend Spelling Bee! Join them as they travel back in time to celebrate Thanksgiving with a village of Pilgrims and the native people living nearby. When the magic book bag goes astray, we'll get an adventure we didn't expect - and an opportunity to celebrate our differences! Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/thanksgiving

Part 1 of 2. What are you thankful for? Lauren and the Reading Bug are thankful for an all-new adventure and for a reunion with their good friend Spelling Bee! Join them as they travel back in time to celebrate Thanksgiving with a village of Pilgrims and the native people living nearby. When the magic book bag goes astray, we'll get an adventure we didn't expect - and an opportunity to celebrate our differences! Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/thanksgiving

Join Lauren and the Reading Bug and other characters for a special live episode, performed from The Reading Bug children's bookstore in San Carlos, CA. In this all-new adventure, the Spelling Bee has been captured by a villain from a past adventure and we have to jump back into several stories (and songs!) to save her. Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/live2019

Parts 1 & 2 combined into a full story. Take a magical, mystical journey back in time with Lauren and the Reading Bug to visit ancient Egypt. The sights are stunning, but, beware of the mummy's curse! Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/egypt

Part 2 of 2. Back in ancient Egypt, we're in a race against time to stop the tomb robbers from looting King Tut's tomb! Hurry through the dangerous landscape to give those thieves the fright of their lives - and save the day - alongside, Lauren, the Reading Bug and our new friend, Dr. Anderson. But will we be able to break the mummy's curse and return home? Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/egypt

Part 1 of 2. Take a magical, mystical journey back in time with Lauren and the Reading Bug to visit ancient Egypt. The sights are stunning, but, beware of the mummy's curse! Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/egypt

Parts 1 & 2 combined into a full story. The Reading Bug's magic book bag is ready to whisk us away to the North Pole - at the very top of the globe - to see the amazing sights and animals there. But when a new friend arrives, the adventure takes an unexpected turn! Travel with Lauren and the Reading Bug on this spectacular journey! Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/arctic

Part 2 of 2. Back in the North Pole, join Lauren, the Reading Bug and Tapeesa on a dog-sled adventure through Alaska, seeing amazing sights and endangered animals along the way! Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/arctic

Part 1 of 2. The Reading Bug's magic book bag is ready to whisk us away to the North Pole - at the very top of the globe - to see the amazing sights and animals there. But when a new friend arrives, the adventure takes an unexpected turn! Travel with Lauren and the Reading Bug on this spectacular journey! Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/arctic

Sharon Robinson, daughter of baseball great, Jackie Robinson and author of several widely praised fiction and non-fiction books , including The Hero Two Doors Down, Jackie Robinson: American Hero, Under the Same Sun, and Child of the Dream (A Memoir of 1963), joins Lauren to discuss her career, her father, and the civil rights movement and other stories from her childhood.

Parts 1 & 2 combined into a full story. Join Lauren, the Reading Bug, and our new friend, Shane, on a very special trip to see a very special baseball player - Jackie Robinson! As batboys in the ballgame, we'll need to work with all the legendary baseball players and, of course, root, root, root for the home team as they try to pull out a win! Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/baseball

Part 2 of 2. Get back into the action and join Lauren, the Reading Bug, and our new friend, Shane, as we visit baseball great, Jackie Robinson, for a game at Ebbets Field! As batboys in today's game, we'll need to work with all the legendary baseball players and, of course, root, root, root for the home team as they try to pull out a win! Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/baseball

Part 1 of 2. Lauren and the Reading Bug start season 4 with a very special trip to see a very special baseball player. Along with a new friend, Shane, they zip through Brooklyn, New York on their way to Ebbets Field! Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/baseball

Author of the epic Last Kids on Earth series, Max Brallier, joins Lauren and the Reading Bug to talk books, zombies, adventure and more! Max is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than thirty books and games, and The Last Kids on Earth is heading to Netflix as an animated series this fall. Max writes stuff, reads stuff, plays too many videogames, watches too many movies, and eats too many nachos.

Science expert and author of more than 40 titles for kids and grown-ups, Jack Challoner, joins Lauren and the Reading Bug to discuss his newest science project book, STEM Lab. Other science project titles by Jack include Maker Lab: Outdoors: 25 Super Cool Projects, and Maker Lab: 28 Super Cool Projects, and are a huge hit with staff and customers at The Reading Bug Bookstore. Learn about how Jack became an author and hear about some of his very favorite projects! Find a list of all Jack Challoner's books at thereadingbug.com/authors.

Parts 1 & 2 combined into a full story. When The Great Bug-ini's magic tricks go awry, Lauren and the Reading Bug are visited by two new friends... from the magical land of New Alchemy! Join to help them get back home and save their school from an evil witch. But getting back may not be as easy as hopping into the book bag this time! We may need the help of a great and powerful magician. Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/magic

Part 2 of 2. Lauren and the Reading Bug, and their new magical friends, Easton and the Spelling Bee, are seeking help from the world's greatest magician, Harry Houdini! But can he help them return to New Alchemy in time to save the day? Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/magic

Part 1 of 2. When The Great Bug-ini's magic tricks go awry, Lauren and the Reading Bug are visited by two new friends... from the magical land of New Alchemy! Join to help them get back home and save their school from an evil witch. But getting back may not be as easy as hopping into the book bag this time! We may need the help of a great and powerful magician. Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/magic

Parts 1 & 2 combined into a full story. We're on an epic trip to Antarctica with Lauren and the Reading Bug, to work alongside Dr. Miller - a marine biologist living at the McMurdo station. Join us as we search for lost penguins, and travel through the desolate, snow-covered land! But don't stay outside too long. It's really, really c-c-cold at the South Pole. Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/antarctic

Part 2 of 2. Continue the epic trip to Antarctica with Lauren and the Reading Bug, and work alongside Dr. Miller to rescue the young penguins from an Antarctic storm! But don't stay outside too long. It's really, really c-c-cold at the South Pole. Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/antarctic

Part 1 of 2. The Reading Bug's magic book bag is full of books about penguins and the South Pole, but when an unexpected visitor arrives, will she get to take the adventure she was planning? A spectacular journey awaits - and a trip to the remote McMurdo station may be our next stop! Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/antarctic

Parts 1 & 2 combined into a full story. Lauren and the Reading Bug are off on another exciting adventure - this time, in search of the mysterious and elusive Loch Ness Monster, Nessie! But finding a sea creature that has been hidden in the Scottish highlands for hundreds of years is no easy task. But does she want to be found? Join Lauren and the Reading Bug as they meet new friends and show Nessie the true meaning of friendship. Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/lochness

Part 2 of 2. Could that really be Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster?! We've been searching through the Scottish Highlands for the mysterious and elusive beast, and we may have found her. But does she want to be found? Join Lauren and the Reading Bug as they show Nessie the true meaning of friendship. Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/lochness

Part 1 of 2. Lauren and the Reading Bug are off on another exciting adventure - this time, in search of the mysterious and elusive Loch Ness Monster, Nessie! But finding a sea creature that has been hidden in the Scottish highlands for hundreds of years is no easy task. Join the adventure as we meet some rowdy highland cattle, learn a Scottish dance and make new friends. Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/lochness

Parts 1 & 2 combined into a full story. Join Lauren and the Reading Bug for a turbulent trip back in time, trying to get a glimpse of the Wright brothers (and sister!) on their first manned airplane flight! Experience triumphs and failures - and the hard work of getting things right (or... Wright!). Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/airplane

Part 2 of 2. The trip back in time to see the Wright's first flight continues to be a turbulent one! Inventing a manned airplane isn't an easy task and neither, it seems is finding the Wright brother's (and sister) on the fateful day of their first flight into the history books. Experience triumphs and failures - and the hard work of getting things right (or... Wright!). Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/airplane

Part 1 of 2. Join Lauren and the Reading Bug as they journey back in time to a special date - to experience the Wright brothers' very first flight! Experience their bumpy ride to success through a series of triumphs and failures - and meet the Wright sister, Katherine, too! Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/airplane

Parts 1 & 2 combined into a full story. Look what the Reading Bug caught in her leprechaun trap! It's a tricky little leprechaun who is looking for a way back to the Emerald Isle! Follow the rainbow in the Reading Bug's magic bookbag all the way to Ireland where a magical journey to an enchanted kingdom of fairies awaits... but be careful of tricky leprechaun magic - and of ballybogs and pookas, too! Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/Irish.

Kenneth and Sarah Jane Wright visit with Lauren and the Reading Bug to discuss their beautiful and creative Lola Dutch books - the latest is Lola Dutch, When I Grow Up. Sarah Jane Wright opened an online shop in 2008 that has since grown into a worldwide business with art prints, fabrics, wallpaper, puppets, and illustrated children’s books. Kenneth is a full-time educator and history teacher. They have 4 children and write and illustrate beautiful picture books together. Find a list of all their books at thereadingbug.com/authors.

Part 2 of 2. The trip to the enchanted fairy kingdom of Tír na nÓg is even more treacherous than we expected - and our ne leprechaun friend's tricky magic isn't helping matters! Follow the rainbow in the Reading Bug's magic bookbag all the way to Ireland where a magical journey to an enchanted kingdom of fairies awaits. Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/Irish.

Part 1 of 2. Look what the Reading Bug caught in her leprechaun trap! It's a tricky little leprechaun who is looking for a way back to the Emerald Isle! Follow the rainbow in the Reading Bug's magic bookbag all the way to Ireland where a magical journey to an enchanted kingdom of fairies awaits... but be careful of tricky leprechaun magic - and of ballybogs and pookas, too! Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/Irish.

Author & illustrator, Jennifer L. Holm, stops by The Reading Bug bookstore for a chat with Lauren and the Reading Bug. Jennifer is the bestselling author & illustrator of the graphic novel series Babymouse and Squish, which she collaborates on with her brother Matthew Holm. She is also a New York Times bestselling children's author and the recipient of three Newbery Honors for her novels Our Only May Amelia, Penny from Heaven, and Turtle in Paradise. Oh! And did we mention, she's one of the first authors to ever visit our bookstore?! Find a list of all Jenni's books at thereadingbug.com/authors.

Author, Daniel José Older, joins Lauren and the Reading Bug at The Reading Bug bookstore to discuss his epic new series Dactyl Hill Squad! Daniel José Older is also the New York Times bestselling author of Salsa Nocturna, the Bone Street Rumba urban fantasy series from Penguin’s Roc Books and the Young Adult novel Shadowshaper (Scholastic, 2015), which won the International Latino Book Award. Learn about Daniel's writing process with us - and, importantly, find out which is his favorite dinosaur! Find a list of all Daniel's books at thereadingbug.com/authors.

Author, Mac Barnett, snuck into The Reading Bug bookstore for a visit with Lauren and the Reading Bug to chat about his hilarious new series, Mac B, Kid Spy! Mac is a New York Times-bestselling author whose books have sold more than one million copies! His award-winning picture books include two Caldecott-Honor-winning collaborations with Jon Klassen: Sam & Dave Dig a Hole and Extra Yarn, and Leo: A Ghost Story, illustrated by Christian Robinson, and The Skunk, illustrated by Patrick McDonnell, which were named two of the Ten Best Illustrated Books of 2015 by The New York Times. Mac's novels include the Brixton Brothers mysteries and The Terrible Two series. Hear from Mac in this hilarious interview and learn about his childhood adventures - as a SPY! Author Visits are suitable for all ages, but may appeal most to children with an interest in art or writing, or to families or anyone interested in hearing from great children's authors and discovering new titles to read together. Find a list of Mac's great books at thereadingbug.com/authors.

Parts 1, 2 & 3 combined into a full story. Our last story of season 2 begins with a legendary trip to the magical kingdom of Camelot! Hop into the Reading Bug's book bag for a trip back in time to become part of the Camelot legend, with King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, the Knights of the Round Table and much, much more. But beware, dangerous trolls and serpents lurk around every corner. Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/royal.

Part 3 of 3. King Arthur and Queen Guinevere are searching the kingdom for a prince and they need help from their newly-knighted Round Table Knights, us! Who will win the contest and help the King and Queen break Camelot's curse? Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/royal.

Part 2 of 3. With the Trowbridge Troll defeated, it's time to continue on to the kingdom of Camelot to find King Arthur, Queen Guinevere and the Knights of the Round Table. But, hark, there's a strange magic here. Could the kingdom be... cursed? Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/royal.

Part 1 of 3. Our last story of season 2 begins with a legendary trip to the magical kingdom of Camelot! Hop into the Reading Bug's book bag for a trip back in time to become part of the Camelot legend, with King Arthur, Queen Guinevere, the Knights of the Round Table and much, much more. But beware, dangerous trolls and serpents lurk around every corner. Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/royal.

Parts 1 & 2 combined into a full story. The Reading Bug has been working on a special talent and we're off to visit P.T. Barnum's Greatest Show on Earth to see other talented performers - acrobats, elephants, daredevils and more! But things get exciting when someone develops a case of stage fright. The show must go on, but how can it when the star performer won't perform? Join Lauren and the Reading Bug on this high flying adventure and maybe you'll find yourself performing in the circus, too! Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/circus.

Part 2 of 2. The Reading Bug has been working on a special talent and we're off to visit P.T. Barnum's Greatest Show on Earth to see other talented performers - acrobats, elephants, daredevils and more! But things get exciting when someone develops a case of stage fright. The show must go on, but how can it when the star performer won't perform? Join Lauren and the Reading Bug on this high flying adventure and maybe you'll find yourself performing in the circus, too! Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/circus.

Part 1 of 2. The Reading Bug has been working on a special talent and we're off to visit P.T. Barnum's Greatest Show on Earth to see other talented performers - acrobats, elephants, daredevils and more! But things get exciting when someone develops a case of stage fright. The show must go on, but how can it when the star performer won't perform? Join Lauren and the Reading Bug on this high flying adventure and maybe you'll find yourself performing in the circus, too! Explore the books in the Reading Bug's magic book bag at www.thereadingbug.com/adventures/circus.