You May Contribute A Verse

Our guest today is Melody Plan, author of Inside the Compost Bin illustrated by Rong Pham and Vinh Nguyen. We talk birds and animal care, how Melody got her agent, and saying no to an opportunity when it doesn’t line up with your goals. You can find Melody here. DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: If you want to be a part of the #KidlitForKamala movement or want more information click here. I VOTED: MAKING A CHOICE MAKES A DIFFERENCE by Mark Shulman and Serge Bloch LUNCH EVERY DAY by Kathryn Otoshi BITZY BAT SCHOOL STAR by Kaz Windness The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Our guest Steph Henson is great! As summer wanes and the school year waxes, we catch up with Steph on her recent release No School, My Rules with Tielmour Press! ------- DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: MONSTER HANDS by Karen Kane and Jonaz McMillan, illustrated by Dion MBD DEEP, DEEP DOWN: THE SECRET UNDERWATER POETRY OF THE MARIANA TRENCH by Lydia Lukidis, illustrated by Juan Calle Velez POPI'S ALL SOULS SONG by C.K. Malone, illustrated by Shelly Swann The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Our guest for this conversation was Laura Gehl author of Robot Shabbat, Snow Is..., Saving Delicia and many more. We chat about being prolific, how she gets her good news, and using neuroscience in picture books! You can find Laura here. DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: DONUTS FOR EVERYBODY by Jerrold Connors MY MAMA IS A WORK OF ART written by Hana Acabado THIS BOOK IS DEFINITELY NOT CURSED written by Megan Woodward and illustrated by Risa Rodil The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

In which Josh says 'inspirational' a lot because he was excited about the conversation. Author T.F. Sabin is great and we can't wait for you to hear all about her journey, what drives her, and how she's driven to be the best she can be. Here is T.F. Sabin's picture book journal, by the way: GOALS ------- DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: SCORCH, HEDGEHOG OF DOOM by Cate Berry, illustrated by Margherita Grasso FARMHOUSE by Sophie Blackall SYDNEY'S BIG SPEECH by Malcolm Newsome, illustrated by Jade Orlando The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Our guest for this conversation was Maddie Frost–friend of the pod, artist behind Versey the podcast mascot and author illustrator of Smug Seagull, Just Be Jelly and the GN series Wombats. We chat illustrating, switching agents, and working on multiple projects at once. You can find Maddie on Instagram. DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: VROOM by Barbara Mcclintock TATE’S WILD RESCUE written by Jenny Turnbull and illustrated by Izzy Burton SILLY BOOBIES A LOVE STORY written by Ame Dyckman and illustrated by Christopher Weyant The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Life hacks and tangents and accidental nonfiction, oh my! Lots of potential episode titles in this one. Our conversation with Chloe Ito Ward is here! Grab her book Love Grows Here... here! Our podcast service auto-transcribed my intro with the name You Make a Drip Be Diverse. Should we change it to this AI-generated alternative?? (I apologize for the noise on my solo recording that sounded like I was recording from inside an airplane engine!) ------- DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: MILLIE FLEUR'S POISON GARDEN by Christy Mandin LUIS AND TABITHA by Steph Campisi (hi Steph!), illustrated by Hollie Mengert EVERY DOG IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD by Philip C Stead, illustrated by Matthew Cordell The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

The vibes are strong with James McGowan! Agent, author, YouTuber, and great guest! ------- DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: CAN I BE YOUR DOG by Troy Cummings BUILDING A BEAK: HOW A TOUCAN'S RESCUE INSPIRED THE WORLD, written by Becca McMurdie, illustrated by Diana Hernandez EMERGENCY QUARTERS, written by Carlos Matias, illustrated by Gracey Zhang The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Papa J Funk is here and he's taking no questions. Luckily for us, Josh Funk IS taking questions! ------- DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: TOUCH THE SKY by Stephanie Lucianovic, illustrated by Chris Park THE MESS THAT WE MADE by Michelle Lord, illustrated by Julia Blattman DUCK AND MOOSE: DUCK MOVES IN and MOOSE BLASTS OFF by Kirk Reedstrom The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children’s lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children’s lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man. Our guest for this conversation was Jacob Sager Weinstein. You can find Jacob on Twitter and Bluesky. DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: STAY WILD MY CHILD by Mandy Archer, with illustrations by Shane Crampton A SPOONFUL OF FROGS by Casey Lyall’s illustrated by Vera Brosgol SUMMER: A SOLSTICE STORY written by Kelsey Gross and illustrated by Renata Liwska The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

The world lost one of the brightest lights in the kidlit sky last week with the passing of author Katey Howes. Today we're remembering Katey and honoring her memory with a reshare of a conversation Josh first had with her in July 2021. If you have a memory of Katey you'd like to share, please consider doing so via this Google Form. A memory book will be created and gifted to each of her three children, containing photos and remembrances from those of us in the kidlit community who were fortunate enough to know her. Katey's work is beautiful, sincere, encouraging, and timeless. To further support her family, if you're able, order one of her books or request them from your local library. Katey's published work can be found on her website. Katey's latest book, Reindeer Remainders, is just a few weeks away from release. Please also consider ordering it from Amazon or your local bookseller.

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children’s lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children’s lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man. Our guest for this conversation was Charles Santoso. You can find Charles on Twitter and Instagram. DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: SOMETIMES: A DAY FULL OF FEELINGS by Stephanie Stansbie, illustrated by Elisa Paganelli TOO MUCH SLIME by Frances Gilbert illustrated by Vin Vogel NANCY BESS HAD A DRESS by Claire Noland illustrated by Angela C. Hawkins The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Pants vs Cake. Pantsing vs archaeology. The Mental Snack Drawer. Flax Eggs. Blogs on Saturday. The meh shelf. Betsy Bird pops into the co-host chair as we grill Brenna on her debut The Law of Birthdays in what turned out to be quite the conversation! Get The Law of Birthdays here! ------- DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: I DO NOT EAT CHILDREN by Matthew Cutler I AM NOT A CHAIR by Ross Burach EVERGREEN by Matthew Cordell The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

A generous helping of Adam Rex awaits you. No cause for alarm, the episode title is merely a play on the title of one of Adam's three 2023 book releases! Catch these books in order of age group: Oh No, the Aunts are Here, The Story of Gumluck the Wizard, and A Little Like Waking! Guess what? YOU MAY CONTRIBUTE A VERSE IS FIVE YEARS OLD. Thank you for listening! I wish this milestone would have coincided with our 100th episode, but we're ALMOST THERE. ------- DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: HOW TO MAKE A PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICH IN 17 EASY STEPS by Bambi Edlund A LITTLE LIKE WAKING by Podcast Guest Adam Rex! KATHI Q BUILDS A TIME MACHINE by Jo-Anne Scranton, illustrated by Gabi Moraes The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children’s lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children’s lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man. Our guest for this conversation was Andrew Hacket. You can find Andrew on Twitter. Check out his blog The Backstory and make sure to pre-order or add his books to Goodreads here. DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: THE DOOR THAT HAD NEVER BEEN OPENED BEFORE BY by Mrs. & Mr. MacLeod BOO BOOS OF BLUEBELL ELEMENTARY by Chelsea Lin Wallace and Alison Farrell HARRIET’S REFLECTIONS written and illustrated by Marion Kadi The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Well that aged poorly. We recorded this in October and were very sneaky about dancing around things that haven't been announced yet. But go and check our guest's social media or website and you'll find that Jessica Stremer has - within two calendar years - a full six books announced and in the pipeline. WHEW! Out now are the delightful Great Carrier Reef and Lights Out, and her middle grade Fire Escape releases in just a couple months. I, for one, don't know how she does it and am in awe. Congrats, Jessica! ------- DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: MY CAT LOOKS LIKE MY DAD by Thao Lam LIGHTS OUT by - yep! - Jessica Stremer, illustrated by Bonnie Pang BUFFALO FLUFFALO by Bess Kalb, illustrated by Erin Kraan The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children’s lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children’s lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man. Our guest for this conversation was Jon Seymour. You can find Jon on Twitter along with Tielmour Press. DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Our second-ever two-guest episode extravaganza happens now, featuring our buddies Gennie Gorback and Audrey Perrott! These two powerhouse pals have produced a perfect loaf of kidlit goodness for your eyes, ears, and taste buds. I wouldn't spoil the reveal except that I desperately want you to have the link handy so you can bookmark it. VerseShow is proud to reveal Audrey and Gennie's The Joys of Booking! Now go listen to them talk, laugh, cry, and feel joy all about it <3 ------- DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: THE BIG BED by Bunmi Laditan and Tom Knight HOW TO COUNT TO ONE by Caspar Salmon and Matt Hunt WORDS TO MAKE A FRIEND: A STORY IN JAPANESE AND ENGLISH by Donna Jo Napoli and Naoko Stoop The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children’s lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children’s lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man. Our guest for this conversation was Marisa Cleveland. You can find Marisa on Twitter. DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: LA PRINCESA AND THE PEA by Susan Middleton Elya, illustrated by Juana Martinez Neal BUFFALO WILD written by Deidre Havrelock and illustrated by Azby Whitecalf HOW TO EAT A BOOK written and illustrated by Mr. and Mrs. MacLeod The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

I've never seen Perfect Man and Troy Wilson in the same room together. Have you? Could they be the same...? Troy's on the podcast this week, true believers! Excelsior! Between the 1st and 14th of February (of 2024, for those of you living in the future), share this episode on socials and tag us for a chance to win a copy of Perfect Man, in celebration of Perfect Man's 20th anniversary! This episode's reviews: JUMP IN by Shadra Strickland ISLAND GIRLS: FREE THE SEA OF PLASTIC, written by Blair Northen Williamson and illustrated by Svitlana Holovchenko JULIAN IS A MERMAID by Jessica Love FRED GETS DRESSED by Peter Brown The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children’s lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children’s lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man. Our guest for this conversation was Susan Johnston Taylor. You can find Susan on Twitter. DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: DON’T CALL ME GRUMPYCORN by Sarah McIntyre A GIFT FOR NAI NAI by Kim-Hoa Ung TENACIOUS: FIFTEEN ADVENTURES ALONGSIDE DISABLED ATHLETES by Patty Cisneros Prevo and illustrated by Dion MBD The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Steph Campisi sells caravans by the seashore. So you can camp easy. Enjoy this first chat of 2024 with Steph sounding erudite, Brenna sounding energetic and engaged, and Josh sounding like he had a spring 2023 cold. If you're not already a member of our shared Discord PB Workshop, managed by Nathan Christopher and mentioned herein, join here! DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! We have a Patreon! Check it out here. Just launched - more to come, but there are STICKERS. Thanks to #TeamVersey member Steena Hernandez for her shoutouts this week of Jessica Milo and Jenna Johnson, and congrats to Steena on her upcoming 2024 debut PB LUPITA'S BROWN BALLET SLIPPERS. Our reviews were Maddie Frost-flavored this week! Go check out her WOMBATS series (Wizard's Wharf releases in February 2024!) and all her other work at Maddie-Frost.com. Maddie also did our quokka mascot Versey! Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Don’t forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode! WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here! Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Team Versey is Brenna Jeanneret, children’s lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children’s lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster and Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man. Our guest for this conversation was Brian Gehrlein. You can find Brian on Twitter. DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: TOWN IS BY THE SEA by Joanne Schwartz illustrated by Sydney Smith BLOOM by Julia Seal and MARY WEARS WHAT SHE WANTS by Keith Begley PARKER PETERZAK by Angel Tate illustrated by Brittany Moodie The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Don’t forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode! WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here! And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and his new venture The Kidlit Hive. Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

An XL-sized episode gift for the holidays follows! Our chat with Federico Erebia about his debut novel Pedro and Daniel (and WAY beyond) is so great. This episode's book reviews: LOU by Breanna Carzoo SEALS ARE JERKS by Jared Chapman THE BEAR ATE YOUR SANDWICH by Julia Sarcone-Roach The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot, Versey (holiday version!), and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Don’t forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode! WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here! And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and his new venture The Kidlit Hive. Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

I’m Brenna Jeanneret, children’s lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster joined by Josh Monken, children’s lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster. Josh and I found that with our powers combined, we could make Captain Planet. Maybe not, but at least our powers combined can make a pretty rad podcast with the help of behind-the-scenes wizardry from Jon Seymour. Our guest for this conversation was Jilanne Hoffmann. You can find Jilanne on Twitter on Instagram and Blue Sky. DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: GRUMPY MONKEY by Suzanne and Max Lang NO PANTS written and illustrated by Jacob Grant I AM MY ANCESTOR’S WILDEST DREAMS written by Tanisia Moore and illustrated by Robert Paul Jr. The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Don’t forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode! WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here! And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and his new venture The Kidlit Hive. Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

The one where Josh embarrasses himself. On purpose. We talk to Maria Dismondy and Adam Blackman of Cardinal Rule Press this week about how CRP came to be, AND why and how they came to choose and publish Brenna's debut, The Law of Birthdays, out in May 2024 (add it on Goodreads today!)! DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: RUDELY interrupted by an interloper. Our apologies. The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Don’t forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode! WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here! And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and his new venture The Kidlit Hive. Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur, and as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

I’m Brenna Jeanneret, children’s lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster joined by Josh Monken, children’s lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster. Josh and I found that with our powers combined, we could make Captain Planet. Maybe not, but at least our powers combined can make a pretty rad podcast with the help of behind-the-scenes wizardry from Jon Seymour. Our guest for this conversation was Laurel Snyder. You can find Laurel Snyder on Instagram. DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: THE BAD SEED written by Jory John illustrated by Pete Oswald THE PERFECT SEAT written by Minh Le and Gus Gordon THERE’S A ZOMBIE IN THE BASEMENT by Stan Yan The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Don’t forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode! WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here! And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and his new venture The Kidlit Hive. Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

"There's a big contract, there are a lot of words in it, and none of them rhyme..." Ah, the perennial conflict with us picture book writers looking to break through. Thankfully for our guest this week, Rebecca Gardyn Levington, she seems to have managed to figure it out, with her 2022 debut Brainstorm quickly followed by this year's Whatever Comes Tomorrow, and apparently many more to come! And hey illustrators, or authors if you're feeling bold, stay tuned (or fast forward if you're pressed for time?) for an illustration challenge at the end of the episode! Tag your entry on social with #PingPongPattyVerse! DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: MY DAD IS A TREE by Jon Agee THE UNBUDGEABLE CURMUDGEON by Matthew Burgess, illustrated by Fiona Woodcock A PIZZA WITH EVERYTHING ON IT by Kyle Scheele, illustrated by Andy J. Miller (not Pizza, but maybe Pizza? it's very mysterious) The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Don’t forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode! WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here! And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and The Kidlit Hive. Find us on the socials at @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

I’m Brenna Jeanneret, children’s lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster joined by Josh Monken, children’s lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster. Josh and I found that with our powers combined, we could make Captain Planet. Maybe not, but at least our powers combined can make a pretty rad podcast with the help of behind-the-scenes wizardry from Jon Seymour. Our guest for this conversation was Malcolm Newsome. You can find Malcolm on Twitter and Instagram. DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: IT’S FALL by Renee Kurilla HUGO AND THE IMPOSSIBLE THING by Renée Felice Smith and Chris Gabriel illustrated by Sydney Hanson THE MONSTER ABOVE THE BED by Kailei Pew illustrated by Steph Lew The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Don’t forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode! WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here! And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and his new venture The Kidlit Hive. Find us on Twitter @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

We recorded this during a break in Josh's workday. Please ignore his work phone buzzing incessantly in the background! Chelsea Lin Wallace is incredible and we hope you enjoy this chat! Chelsea's mom is a psychologist, but it's only here that we really delve into the deepest recesses of her mind and our writing inspiration. DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: Humphrey the Egg-Splorer by Nadia Ali, illustrated by Valenti Gubianas Vampenguin by Lucy Ruth Cummins Donuts for Everybody by Jerrold Connors! The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Don’t forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode! WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here! And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and The Kidlit Hive. Find us on the socials at @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

I’m Brenna Jeanneret, children’s lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster joined by Josh Monken, children’s lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster. Josh and I found that with our powers combined, we could make Captain Planet. Maybe not, but at least our powers combined can make a pretty rad podcast with the help of behind-the-scenes wizardry from Jon Seymour. Our guest for this conversation was Kate Allen Fox. You can find Kate on Twitter BlueSky and Threads. DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: FOLLOW THAT FROG by Philip C. Stead and illustrated by Matthew Cordell HIDDEN GEM by Linda Liu BANANA written and illustrated by Zoey Abbott The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Don’t forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode! WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here! And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and his new venture The Kidlit Hive. Find us on Twitter @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

The one where Josh makes Tara Lazar cry with his questions, and the state of the publishing industry makes us all cry. Tara's Flat Cat, illustrated by Pete Oswald, releases today (as of episode publication, September 19th, ALSO unrelatedly Talk Like A Pirate Day)! Check it out! DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: The Smart Cookie by Jory John and Pete Oswald (of Flat Cat fame!) Goldilocks and the Three Knocks by Gregory Barrington Louis by Tom Lichtenheld The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Don’t forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode! WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here! And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and The Kidlit Hive. Find us on the socials at @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

This is You May Contribute A Verse! I’m Brenna Jeanneret. Kidlit author, and co-host of this podcast, duh! I’m joined by my co-host, Josh Monken, kidlit author, dad, and science communicator. And Podcast Wizard Jon Seymour, an author-illustrator, family man, and data dude. If you’re in the query trenches, if you’re hearing crickets on sub, if you just started, keep going. Steph’s book WHAT IS HOPE illustrated by Kelsey Buzzell drops today and is the perfect button for Steph’s opening point–writing takes time and it’s ok to take a break, sometimes a long break, writing will be here and so will hope. Also, you’ll want to check Steph’s page to see Tara Hannon’s original illustrations that helped to inspire this beautiful and important book. Our guest for this conversation was Steph Lucianovic. You can find Steph on Twitter. DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: MINA by author-illustrator Matthew Forsythe THE ELDERS ARE WATCHING by David Bouchard illustrated by Roy Henry Vickers THE DAY I SWAPPED MY DAD FOR TWO GOLDFISH written by Neil Gaiman and illustrated by Dave McKean The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Don’t forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode! WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here! And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and his new venture The Kidlit Hive. Find us on Twitter @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

The title of this episode is, of course, a play on our guest Jess Townes's latest book Sometimes I Cry, due out in September (2023, for those of you in the future). Jess and Josh are Midwest neighbors! Josh thinks it's really cool that his new buddy Jess works at his own local bookstore. Brenna also thinks it's cool to feature cake in your books. In this episode we kind of unveil some things about cake in Jess's work. Josh is here, Brenna is here, and Jon is here! And our Linktree is here (please subscribe!). And Justin Colon's Kidlit Hive editorial services (and other upcoming events!) are here! ------ Our reviews this week: Negative Cat by Sophie Blackall Monet's Cat by Lily Murray, illustrated by Becky Cameron Superbuns! by Diane Kredensor

I’m Brenna Jeanneret, children’s lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster joined by Josh Monken, children’s lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster. Josh and I found that with our powers combined, we could make Captain Planet. Maybe not, but at least our powers combined can make a pretty rad podcast with the help of behind-the-scenes wizardry from Jon Seymour. Our guest for this conversation was Pat Z. Miller. You can find Jess on Twitter. Check out more about Sophie’s Squash here. DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: CLOVIS KEEPS HIS COOL written by Katelyn Aronson and illustrated by Eve Farb. RIBBIT: THE TRUTH ABOUT FROGS? written by Annette Whipple KEL GILLIGAN’S DAREDEVIL STUNT SHOW written by Michael Buckley and illustrated by Dan Santat. The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Don’t forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode! WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here! And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and his new venture The Kidlit Hive. Find us on Twitter @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Little Thoughts Issue 6 is officially open for submissions, and this episode is officially open for your ears to consume! Our guest this week is Claire Taylor, purveyor and proprietor of Little Thoughts Press Magazine. We get a great glimpse into how Little Thoughts came to be and where things stand today. At the time of recording, the theme reveal late in the episode was a real journalistic scoop! Claire's debut picture book, Benjamin's Sad Day, is also forthcoming from Golden Flece Press! Josh is here, Brenna is here, and Jon is here! And our Linktree is here (please subscribe!). And Justin Colon's Kidlit Hive editorial services (and other upcoming events!) are here! ------ Our reviews this week: Sometimes I Grumblesquinch, written by Rachel Vail and illustrated by Hyewon Yum Boop!, written by Bea Birdsong and illustrated by Linzie Hunter Chez Bob by... Bob Shea

I’m Brenna Jeanneret, children’s lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster joined by Josh Monken, children’s lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster. Josh and I found that with our powers combined, we could make Captain Planet. Maybe not, but at least our powers combined can make a pretty rad podcast with the help of behind-the-scenes wizardry from Jon Seymour. Our guest for this conversation was Jess Hernandez. You can find Jess on Twitter. DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here! This episode’s book reviews: Mr. S, by author-illustrator Monica Arnaldo THE BOOK OF RULES by Brian Gehrlein, illustrated by Tom Knight LITTLE FOX AND THE WILD IMAGINATION written by Jorma Taccone and illustrated by Dan Santat The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Don’t forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode! WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here! And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and his new venture The Kidlit Hive. Find us on Twitter @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Kristin Wauson is Josh's Disney hookup. Want to know more? Better listen! Also, Kristin Wauson's debut picture book Mr. Thatcher's House is wonderful! Josh is here, Brenna is here, and Jon is here! And our Linktree is here (please subscribe!). And Justin Colon's Kidlit Hive editorial services (and other upcoming events!) are here! ------ Our reviews this week: Carson Crosses Canada, written by Linda Bailey, illustrated by Kass Reich Facts vs Opinions vs Robots, written and illustrated by Michael Rex Woven of the World, written by Katey Howes, illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova

I’m Brenna Jeanneret, children’s lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster joined by Josh Monken, children’s lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster. Josh and I have embarked on this kidlit journey together this year, having become critique partners early in the year, only to find that our powers combined could make captain planet. Maybe not, but at least our powers combined can make a pretty good podcast. But we couldn’t do it without the behind-the-scenes wizardry from Jon Seymour. Our guest for this conversation was Audrey Perrott. You can find Audrey on Twitter. This episode’s book reviews: INSIDE MY IMAGINATION by Marta Arteaga illustrated Zuzanna Celej THE SWING by Britta Teckentrup Big by Vashti Harrison The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Don’t forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode! WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here! And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and his new venture The Kidlit Hive. Find us on Twitter @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

This week's conversation is with - according to their website - artist, author, aunt, and alliterator Anne Appert. And yes I had to re-record all those a-words a bunch of times to get this right. Anne's the author-illustrator of Blob, a book with which I hope you're familiar, which champions individual self-expression, even if it doesn't mean adhering to strict labels other than "I'm me." Their follow-up book comes in winter 2024 and is titled 'What If You Wish,' and really takes a hard look at that central, childlike question, exploring in a gentle way what it means to consider possibilities. There's a cautionary tale in here about leaving your work up on Instagram, but at least in Anne's case that turned out wonderfully. If you haven't before, visit Anne's website at anneappert.com and in particular, head over to their Ko-Fi (or coffee, however you say it) shop for some incredible sticker packs and prints that I've picked up, myself. Josh is here, Brenna is here, and Jon is here! And our Linktree is here (please subscribe!). (PS, listen to the first few minutes of our conversation, pause, and then check out the Sparkle Suit!) ------ Our reviews this week: I Just Ate My Friend by Heidi McKinnon I Am Me: A Book Of Authenticity by Susan Verde, illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds The Bread Pet by Kate Depalma, illustrated by Nelleke Verhoeff ------ Check out (something close to) Anne's amazing typewriter keyboard here! Check out our awesome quokka artist Maddie Frost! And finally, if you'd like to support the podcast and ALSO want to celebrate a friend, an achievement, or a friend's kidlit achievement, we'd love it if you'd purchase a Community Shout-Out to help keep the lights on!

I’m Brenna Jeanneret, children’s lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster joined by Josh Monken, children’s lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster. Josh and I have embarked on this kidlit journey together this year, having become critique partners early in the year, only to find that our powers combined could make captain planet. Maybe not, but at least our powers combined can make a pretty good podcast. But we couldn’t do it without the behind-the-scenes wizardry from Jon Seymour. Our guest for this conversation was Jonathan Hamlin. You can find Jonathan and Drag Story Time on Twitter. This episode’s book reviews: DON’T EAT BEES by Dev Petty illustrated by Mike Boldt. ALL THE BEATING HEARTS by Julie Fogliano and illustrated by Catia Chien. MISS RITA, MYSTERY READER by Sam Donovan and Kristen Wixted illustrated by Violet Tobacco. The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Don’t forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode! WE HAVE MERCH!! Check it out and support the show here! And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and his new venture The Kidlit Hive. Find us on Twitter @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Once upon a time (whoa-oh), we had a chat with Tara Trudel (wait a minute, wait a minute, there must be more to the story). Tara's take on music, entertainment, kidlit, marketing, and more is fresh and delightful. You know what else is fresh and delightful? Tara's album, FRACTURED: FAIRY TALES REMIXED, which debuted on May 5, just a few weeks ago! Tara Trudel is here. Josh is here, Brenna is here, and Jon is here! And our Linktree is here (please subscribe!). Go stream FRACTURED: FAIRY TALES REMIXED right after you listen to this ep! ------ Our reviews this week: FRIDAY NIGHT WRESTLEFEST by J.F. Fox, illustrated by Micah Player BOB THE TURTLE by Nathaniel Pommalai SPARKY! by Jenny Offill, illustrated by Chris Appelhans ------ Check out our sponsor The Kidlit Hive! Check out our awesome quokka artist Maddie Frost! And finally, if you'd like to support the podcast and ALSO want to celebrate a friend, an achievement, or a friend's kidlit achievement, we'd love it if you'd purchase a Community Shout-Out to help keep the lights on!

No written intro can do this week's conversation with Ame Dyckman justice! If we style ourselves a celebratory and joyous (and educational) kidlit podcast (which we do), this episode maybe sets a new high-water mark for ear-to-ear energy and joy bubbles throughout (except for when I - Josh - have to interrupt with intros and book reviews in my NPR voice, of course), as well as actionable and inspirational insights! Ame Dyckman is here. Josh is here, Brenna is here, and Jon is here! And our Linktree is here (please subscribe!). And make sure to check out Ame's HOW DINOSAURS WENT EXTINCT: A SAFETY GUIDE, illustrated by Jenn Harney! ------ Our reviews this week: THE BIG RED ROCK by Jess Stockham HOW TO EAT A BOOK by Mrs. and Mr. MacLeod BATHE THE CAT by Alice B. McGinty, illustrated by David Roberts ------ Check out our sponsor The Kidlit Hive! Check out our awesome quokka artist Maddie Frost! And finally, if you'd like to support the podcast and ALSO want to celebrate a friend, an achievement, or a friend's kidlit achievement, we'd love it if you'd purchase a Community Shout-Out to help keep the lights on!

I’m Brenna Jeanneret, children’s lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster joined by Josh Monken, children’s lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster. Josh and I have embarked on this kidlit journey together this year, having become critique partners early in the year, only to find that our powers combined could make captain planet. Maybe not, but at least our powers combined can make a pretty good podcast. But we couldn’t do it without the behind-the-scenes assistance from our editor Jon Seymour. Our guest for this conversation was Monica Acker. You can find Monica on Twitter. This episode’s book reviews: FLUBBY WILL NOT GO TO SLEEP by J.E Morris Dandelion Magic written by Darren Farrell, Illustrated by Maya Tatsukawa ODDBIRD by Derek Desierto The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Don’t forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode! And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and his new venture The Kidlit Hive. Find us on Twitter @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

This week we talk to an author and poet whose two books releasing in 2023 cover subjects so incredibly worthy of investigation and exploration. As of the episode drop date, Jessica Whipple's Enough Is... is a week away from release, and deals with a concept we all could stand to grasp a bit better. I Think I Think A Lot releases in August of this year and is similarly special and personal in its subject matter, drawing from Jessica's own personal journey through OCD. We'll cover with Jessica where these books come from and where she hopes they touch families' hearts, but first we'll talk about a cool vintage secretary's desk, and how Jessica misses querying? ------ Mentioned in this episode is Bitsy Kemper's resource on publishers open to unagented submissions in her blog! ------ Our reviews for the week: LINUS THE LITTLE YELLOW PENCIL by Scott Magoon MASTERPIECE by Alexandra Hoffman, illustrated by Beatriz Mello ELBERT IN THE AIR by Monica Wesolowska, illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey ------ Find more on our Linktree!

I’m Brenna Jeanneret, children’s lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster joined by Josh Monken, children’s lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster. Josh and I have embarked on this kidlit journey together this year, having become critique partners early in the year, only to find that our powers combined could make captain planet. Maybe not, but at least our powers combined can make a pretty good podcast. Our guest for this conversation was Elisa Boxer. You can find Elisa on Twitter. This episode’s book reviews: PLOTTING THE STARS BOOK 1: MOONGARDEN by Michelle Barry QUACKS LIKE A DUCK by StephCampisi illustrated by Maria Lebedeva LYRIC MCKERRIGAN, SECRET LIBRARIAN by Jacob Sager Weinstein illustrated by Vera Brosgol The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Don’t forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode! And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and his new venture The Kidlit Hive. Find us on Twitter @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

I’m Brenna Jeanneret, children’s lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster joined by Josh Monken, children’s lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster. Josh and I have embarked on this kidlit journey together this year, having become critique partners early in the year, only to find that our powers combined could make captain planet. Maybe not, but at least our powers combined can make a pretty good podcast. Our guest for this conversation was Pixel and Ink’s Acquisitions Editor Alison Weiss. You can find Alison on Twitter. This episode’s book reviews: THE CREATURE OF HABIT, by Jennifer E Smith, illustrated by Leo Espinosa. THIS IS THE BOAT THAT BEN BUILT, by Jen Lynn Bailey Illustrated by Maggie Zeng. WORM AND CATERPILLAR ARE FRIENDS, by Kaz Windness. The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Don’t forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode! And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and his new venture The Kidlit Hive. Find us on Twitter @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

We sit down this week for a fantastic chat with author Lisl Detlefsen, whose book Farm Boots releases from Feeding Minds Press in a scant couple of weeks as of our episode drop date! Lisl has a bunch of books out in the world, from jetpacks to kicking kittens, but this will be her third book specifically exploring the world of food. As I've covered in previous episodes, I work in agriculture science communications, so this material is really near and dear to my heart! My food bona fides are nothing compared to Lisl's, though. She is our first - and perhaps last, or only? - guest who married into a cranberry farm, leading to her 2015 debut, Time for Cranberries. We had such a fun chat with Lisl. ------ Lisl's upcoming book with Feeding Minds: Farm Boots, illustrated by Renee Kurilla ------ Our reviews for the week: Lost & Found by Oliver Jeffers ROAWR! by Barbara Joosse, illustrated by Jan Jutte Do Not Lick This Book by Iden Ben-Barak and Julian Frost (Special shout-out link to Kelly Swemba's Missing Violet!) ------ And finally, check back to our original discussion with Justin Colon, for a really great conversation that apparently appeals to preteens! Check out our sponsor The Kidlit Hive! Find more on our Linktree!

Not to play the "our next guest needs no introduction" card, but our next guest needs no introduction because he's been introduced on the podcast before! We talked to Special Agent Dan Cramer over a year ago, exploring his history and path to agenting. Since then I think we have also explored the majority of his client roster as the unofficial, unauthorized podcast of record for Page Turner Literary. Now a year wiser, with some incredible books published and in the pipeline, we sat down with Dan for a level of focus Brenna and I don't usually bring to the podcast, covering a subject matter near and dear to our creative hearts: impostor syndrome. ------ Books mentioned in this chat: How To Keep House While Drowning by K.C. Davis Indistractable by Nir Eyal ------ Our reviews for the week: Small Saul by Ashley Spires The Wolf Suit by Sid Sharp Dozens of Doughnuts and Lulu and Zoey: A Sister Story by Carrie Finison ------ Find more on our Linktree!

I’m Brenna Jeanneret, children’s lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster joined by Josh Monken, children’s lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster. Josh and I have embarked on this kidlit journey together this year, having become critique partners early in the year, only to find that our powers combined could make captain planet. Maybe not, but our combined powers can make a pretty good podcast. Our guest for this conversation was Madeleine Gunahart. You can find Madelin on Twitter, or her linktree. Tarot readings are listed there! This episode’s book reviews: MIDNIGHT AT THE BARCLAY HOTEL by Fleur Bradley Illustrated by Xavier Bonet THE SLIDY DINER By Laurel Snyder illustrated by Jamie Zollars The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com Don’t forget to get your Community Shout-Outs in for our next episode! And special thanks to our sponsor Justin Colon and his new venture The Kidlit Hive. Find us on Twitter @joshmonkwords and @brennajeanneret and as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment! Thanks and see ya next time. You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken and Brenna Jeanneret.

If you don't know today's guest, there's at least one easy way to remedy that. Go and listen to our conversation from one year ago, January 2022. Jerrold Connors is a delight and - you'll find - there's MORE than enough ground to cover in this follow up conversation. I daresay The Annual Jerrold is an achievable goal, should our commitment and creativity hold out. Speaking of creativity, you're going to hear only about a million potential title ideas in this episode, but I think we had it in one. Jerrold's House is truly one built of both ideas and the execution thereupon. If you're here for donuts, we get there eventually, and it's worth the wait. As of publication, I'm happy to report that Jerrold's #DonutsForEverybody Kickstarter has exceeded its fundraising goal. Listening to this lil' ol' conversation feels so quaint, even though we only had it a week and a half ago. We've come a long way since then, including through the beginning where I feel especially fortunate to have been both clued in AND available to be the first donor. There's a lot more in store: from James Marshall to Invisible Things, Jerrold's got a lot of irons in the fire. --- We have a sponsor! This year we're partnering with Justin Colon of The Kidlit Hive as he steers our community toward affordable and inclusive educational opportunities across the board. Check out upcoming classes at kidlithive.com! --- Our reviews of the week are Dan Yaccarino's CITY UNDER THE CITY and Stephanie Campisi's QUACKS LIKE A DUCK. Check them out!