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Kidlit These Days

Kidlit These Days is your kidlit connoisseurs pairing the best of children’s literature with what’s going on in the world today.

Episode 12 Back to School

Karina and Matthew talk about back-to-school anticipation, exceptional ways to get to school, and the resilience and determination each student possesses.

Episode 11 Diversity-Focused Publishing

Karina and Matthew talk about identifying a publisher by its "voice", focusing on the specific in order to connect with the universal, and they highlight some imprints and independent publishers who are centering diversity in different ways.

Episode 10 Reading Audiobooks

Matthew and guest host Tirzah Price talk about the booming audiobook industry, the literacy benefits of audiobooks, and some of the stories and story narrators we can't stop thinking about.

Episode 9 Standing on Shoulders

Karina and Matthew talk about the trailblazers in children's literature, including recognizing some of the first authors of color and indigenous authors to have their books traditionally published.

Episode 8 Pride

Karina and Matthew talk about the LGBTQ representation in children's literature, anti-queerness and parallels with colorism and racism, and what LGBTQ-centered stories can mean for kids who have not yet encountered queer individuals.

Bonus: SFF Kidlit

In this bonus episode, Sharifah and Jenn discuss favorite kidlit from SF/F.

Episode 7 Honoring Jewish American Heritage

Karina and Matthew talk about the ripples from recent synagogue attacks, books that center the Jewish faith and culture, and we're reminded that we are all made of stories.

Episode 6 Save School Libraries!

Karina and Matthew talk about the heart of the school, the disheartening trend of diminishing school libraries, and the inherent value of school libraries and school librarians in supporting a school, raising readers, and building global citizens.

Episode 5 Change in Plans

Karina and Matthew talk about inclusive author visits, soft censorship, and one middle grade author's reflection on her experience speaking at a school to an audience greatly reduced in size after the host learned of the author's LGBTQ+ identity.

Episode 4 Hooray for Teachers!

Karina and Matthew talk about the amazing and vibrant education community online, authors who started out as teachers teachers, and teachers we saw and loved in our favorite books.