Award-winning children's author Mac Barnett joins us to discuss his heartwarming new picture book Santa's First Christmas, beautifully illustrated by Sydney Smith.

In this fresh take on holiday storytelling, Santa experiences the magic of Christmas Day for the very first time, thanks to his thoughtful elves. Mac shares insights into the creative process and his collaboration with acclaimed illustrator Sydney Smith and reflects on how Christmas books create special yearly traditions for families. From the warmth of Christmas lights to sneaking tastes of cookie icing, discover how this charming story turns the traditional Santa narrative on its head while celebrating the joy of both giving and receiving during the holiday season.

Transcription: You can read the transcription on ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Children's Book Review⁠⁠ (coming soon).

Order Copies: Santa's First Christmas on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

About the Author: Mac Barnett is the New York Times bestselling author of many picture books, including the New York Times bestseller The Wolf, the Duck, and the Mouse; the Caldecott Honor Book and E.B. White Read-Aloud Award winner Sam and Dave Dig a Hole; and the Caldecott Honor Book and Boston Globe-Horn Book Award winner Extra Yarn. He also coauthors the bestselling Terrible Two series with Jory John. Mac lives in Oakland, California.

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, host Bianca Schulze sits down with author Holly Peppe to discuss her children's book, Sophie and the Swans. Peppe shares her experiences as a teacher and writer, her insights on addressing bullying, and her reflections on the power of kindness in children's literature.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• Holly Peppe's journey from teacher to children's book author
• The inspiration behind Sophie and the Swans and its real-life setting
• How the book addresses bullying and promotes kindness
• The importance of role models in children's literature
• Peppe's approach to writing and her daily journaling practice
• The impact of personal experiences on understanding children's behavior

This episode is a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone interested in children's literature, bullying prevention, and the power of kindness. Join us for an inspiring conversation about the impact of children's books, the importance of addressing bullying, and the enduring power of kindness to overcome challenges.

Transcription: You can read the transcription on ⁠⁠⁠The Children's Book Review⁠.

Order Copies: Sophie and the Swans on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

About the Author: Holly Peppe is an author and educator with a diverse teaching career spanning from elementary music to college-level literature. She is the author of Sophie and the Swans and co-author of Touch the Sky: My Solo Flight Around the World with Barrington Irving. Peppe's writing focuses on important themes such as kindness, empathy, and bullying prevention.

Be sure to explore the heartwarming story and valuable lessons on kindness and bullying prevention in Sophie and the Swans. This book offers an engaging narrative and important insights for young readers, parents, and educators alike.

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, host Bianca Schulze sits down with Holocaust survivor and renowned psychologist Dr. Edith Eger to discuss her young adult memoir, The Ballerina of Auschwitz. Dr. Eger, joined by her grandson Jordan Engle, shares her experiences, insights, and reflections on survival, healing, and the power of choice, offering profound wisdom that resonates across generations.

Listeners will gain insight into:

• Dr. Eger's experiences as a Jewish teenager in Hungary during World War II
• The role of hope, resilience, and sisterhood in surviving Auschwitz
• How dance and movement helped Dr. Eger through her darkest times
• The importance of forgiveness and not being defined by past trauma
• Dr. Eger's approach to psychology and healing, influenced by her experiences
• The power of choice in shaping our lives and responses to adversity

This episode is a must-listen for readers of all ages, educators, and anyone interested in history, psychology, and the triumph of the human spirit.

Join us for an inspiring conversation about hope, resilience, and the enduring power of the human spirit to overcome even the darkest circumstances.

Transcription: You can read the transcription on ⁠⁠⁠The Children's Book Review⁠.

Order Copies: The Ballerina of Auschwitz on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bookshop.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Resources: Visit Dr. Edith Eger online: ⁠https://dreditheger.com/

Edith Eger is an eminent psychologist and one of the few remaining Holocaust survivors old enough to remember life in the camps. A colleague of Viktor Frankl, Dr. Edith Eger has worked with veterans, military personnel, and victims of physical and mental trauma. She lives in La Jolla, California, and is the author of the bestselling and award-winning books The Choice and The Gift.

Be sure to explore the powerful message of hope and resilience in The Ballerina of Auschwitz, a young adult adaptation of Dr. Edith Eger's bestselling memoir The Choice. This book offers invaluable lessons on survival, healing, and the power of choice for readers of all ages.