The Reader’s Heart Podcast

Can a book be a hug for a child's mind?
In this episode of The Reader's Heart, Jennifer talks with beloved author and illustrator LeUyen Pham about the books that shaped her, the libraries that gave her refuge, and the readers she hopes to reach through her work. Together they explore childhood poverty, finding yourself in stories, the magic of graphic novels, and why collaboration can be both challenging and transformative. LeUyen also shares a behind-the-scenes look at her creative process, from crafting visual narratives in picture books to using color, symbolism, and hidden clues in her stunning graphic novel, As I Dream of You, written by Jennifer Longo. Along the way, the conversation becomes a powerful reminder that books can create safety, connection, and understanding in ways few other things can.
Show notes, episode transcripts, educator activities, and other goodies can be found here.
Chapters
00:00:00 – Books, Libraries, and Being Understood + Welcome To The Reader's Heart
00:02:05 – Hugging a Kid’s Mind
00:05:56 – The Apple, the Cabbage Soup, and the Ream of Paper
00:16:47 – Collaboration Is Hard
00:25:20 – The Story Behind the Story
00:29:54 – As I Dream of You
00:41:23 – Why Graphic Novels Matter + Closing Credits

What does it mean to create stories that remind readers they belong, not just to a community, but to one another?
In this episode, Jennifer chats with acclaimed author and Heartdrum co-founder Cynthia Leitich Smith about the books, relationships, and communities that have shaped her life as a reader and writer. Together, they explore the importance of authentic Indigenous representation, military family experiences, found family, regional identity, and the power of stories to help young people see themselves and one another more fully. They also discuss the creation of Legendary Frybread Drive-In, the origins of Heartdrum, and why connection, rather than isolation, remains at the heart of healing.
Show notes, episode transcripts, educator activities, and other goodies can be found here.
Educators can also download a free student activity inspired by this conversation and designed to help readers engage more deeply with the themes explored in Legendary Frybread Drive-In.
Chapters
00:00:00 Opening Reflection and Welcome to The Reader's Heart
00:02:40 The Reader's Heart and Seeing Yourself in Stories
00:06:12 Representation, Storytelling, and the Limits of Stereotypes
00:10:40 Indigenous Futures and the Power of Contemporary Stories
00:21:50 Building Heartdrum and Creating Space for Native Voices
00:36:05 Firefly Season, Found Family, and Hopeful Endings
00:38:54 Choosing a Sister and Honoring Children's Hearts
00:40:44 The Drive-In Will Find You
00:50:24 True Connection in a Digital Age
00:53:13 Looking Ahead and Closing Credits

What does it mean to help young people carry burdens they didn't create?
In this episode, Jennifer chats with Newbery Medal-winning author Tae Keller about her latest novel, When Tomorrow Burns. Together, they explore climate anxiety, online radicalization, toxic masculinity, and the pressure many young people feel to somehow fix the challenges they have inherited. Most importantly, they discuss why hope requires us to reject the idea that any one generation must carry these burdens alone and how stories can help readers imagine a more connected future.
Show notes, episode transcripts and other goodies can be found here.
Educators can also download a free student activity inspired by this conversation and designed to help readers engage more deeply with the themes explored in When Tomorrow Burns.
Chapters
00:00:00 Opening Reflection: A World on Fire
00:00:43 Welcome to The Reader's Heart
00:01:56 The Reader's Heart and the Magic of Story
00:05:19 Building When Tomorrow Burns
00:10:29 Inheriting the Fires We Didn't Start
00:22:16 Vi, Nomi, Identity, and Being Seen
00:32:02 Hope, Media Literacy, and Closing Reflections
00:39:16 Closing Credits

In this episode, Jennifer chats with Kate Messner to discuss her love for middle grade novels, her writing process, and her latest projects. Discover the inspiration behind Kate's popular series, "The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class," and her journey in writing her first verse novel, "The Trouble with Heroes."
Show notes, episode transcripts and other goodies can be found here. 
Chapters
Introduction and Welcome
Kate's Reading Preferences
The Joy of Paper Books
A Writer's Journey
The Kids in Mrs. Z's Class Series
Crafting Multimodal Texts
The Trouble With Heroes
The Role of Humor and Grief
Upcoming Projects
Conclusion and Farewell

In this episode, Jennifer chats with Rex Ogle to talk about his journey from working behind the scenes in publishing to becoming one of the most beloved authors writing for young readers. Their conversation explores the importance of normalizing discussions around mental health, and why it's crucial to have more books that help boys navigate what it truly means to “be a man” in a world that too often rewards toxic masculinity.
Show notes, episode transcripts and other goodies can be found here. 
Chapters
Introduction and Friendship Goals
Reading Preferences and Habits
Writing Process and Organization
Community and Support in Kidlit
Exploring Difficult Topics in Writing
Understanding Complexity in Human Behavior
Lessons from Family and Personal Growth
The Journey of Writing and Rejection
Connecting with Readers and Their Experiences
The Impact of Sharing Personal Stories
Navigating Mental Health and Personal Healing
The Importance of Representation in Literature
Creating Stories for Boys and Challenging Norms

In this episode, Jennifer LaGarde and Natalie Lloyd explore their shared love for literature, the impact of childhood reading experiences, the importance of authentic representation in books and, of course, Dolly Parton. They discuss the joys of audiobooks, the challenges of writing about disability, and the significance of creating relatable characters. Natalie shares insights into her writing process and upcoming projects, emphasizing the power of storytelling to connect with young readers.
Show notes, including episode transcripts and information about connecting with this episode's guest, can be found here. 
Chapters:
Friendship and Literary Connections
Reading Preferences and Habits
The Joy of Audiobooks
The Reader's Heart: Personal Stories
The Impact of Childhood Reading
Creating Authentic Characters
Exploring Disability in Literature
The Importance of Representation
Upcoming Works and New Formats

In this episode, Jennifer chats with two-time Newbery Medalist Erin Entrada Kelly. Their conversation delves into themes of anxiety, character development, and the importance of positive adult figures in children's literature. Erin reflects on her journey as a writer, her influences, and her background in journalism, which has shaped her writing style. The conversation concludes with a glimpse into her upcoming projects, showcasing her continued dedication to creating meaningful literature for young audiences.
Show notes, including episode transcripts and information about connecting with this episode's guest, can be found here. 
Chapters
Celebrating Newbery Success 
The First State of Being: A Book Overview
Anxiety and Relatability in Literature
Character Development: Mr. Mosley
The Role of Adults in Children's Literature
Exploring Moral Ambiguity
The Reader's Heart: Erin's Journey
Meeting Literary Heroes
The Impact of Journalism on Writing
Upcoming Projects and Future Works

In this episode, Jennifer chats with Allie Millington about the profound impact of literature, particularly middle grade books, on identity and connection. They discuss the themes of loneliness and bravery in Millington's book Olivetti,'and the importance of fostering authentic connections in a hyper-connected world. Millington shares her experiences with young readers during school visits, the significance of endorsements from figures like Tom Hanks, and her upcoming projects, including a new middle grade novel and a picture book.
Show notes, including episode transcripts and information about connecting with this episode's guest, can be found here. 
Chapters
Books became an escape and a safe place for me.
I want to write books that touch young people's lives.
Middle schoolers are my favorite age group.
The antidote to loneliness is connection.
Olivetti is a story about bravery.
Middle grade is not just for 9 to 12 year olds.
Empathy and acceptance are important in storytelling.
I want to encourage conversations about loneliness.
Tom Hanks' endorsement changed everything for me.
Typewriters connect different generations.

In this engaging conversation, Padma Venkatraman chats with Jennifer about her new novel in verse, Safe Harbor, exploring themes of belonging, empowerment, and mental health representation. They delve into Padma's personal reading journey, her experiences as a writer, and the significance of music and nature in her storytelling. The discussion also touches on Padma's future projects and the importance of diverse representation in children's literature.
Show notes, including episode transcripts and information about connecting with this episode's guest, can be found here. 
Chapters
00:00 Getting to Know Padma
05:07 Exploring Safe Harbor
11:48 Themes of Belonging and Empowerment
18:01 Mental Health Representation
23:58 The Role of Music and Nature
33:08 Looking Ahead: Future Projects

Summary:
New York Times best selling author, Dashka Slater, joins Jennifer LaGarde to explore the profound impact of literature on young readers, the journey of becoming a writer, and the intersection of journalism and storytelling. Dashka shares her early reading experiences, her path to writing for young people, and the challenges of addressing complex social issues through her work. The discussion highlights the importance of empathy, understanding, and the role of educators and parents in guiding young readers in today's digital landscape.
Show notes, including episode transcripts and information about connecting with this episode's guest, can be found here. 
Chapters: 
00:00 Introduction to Reader's Heart
06:55 The Reader's Journey: Dashka's Early Reading Life
10:59 The Path to Writing for Young People
14:46 The Intersection of Journalism and Young Adult Nonfiction
23:02 Exploring Humanity in Complex Stories
30:38 Engaging Educators and Parents in Conversations
36:08 Looking Ahead: New Projects and Lighter Themes