Adventures in the Heart of Children's Book Authors Podcast

byPapa Rick Harris

ArtsBooksKidsFamilyStoriesScience

"Adventures in the Heart of Children's Book Authors" is an award-winning podcast that, first and foremost, introduces children's book readers to published children's book authors and their heartfelt stories — while also empowering aspiring children's book authors to learn the art of publishing and the business behind children's book authorship. Podcast Overview The podcast demystifies the journey of becoming a children's book author by featuring self-published, hybrid, independently and traditionally published who share their experiences writing, illustrating, editing, formatting, publishing, distributing, marketing, and selling their books — along with the broader business experiences behind building a career as a children's book author. Each...

Episodes(40 episodes)

How to Navigate the Landscape of Children's Publishing with Joe Licari

Episode Show Notes:Joseph L. Licari — affectionately known as Joe — is a children's book author whose work includes the enchanting Mia's Marvelous Farm Adventure. In this episode, Joe shares what it means to him to be a children's author: engaging young minds through joyful, curiosity-driven storytelling that makes learning feel like an adventure rather than a chore.Joe opens up about his upbringing on Long Island, where a mix of urban life and nearby farms shaped the way he sees the world — and planted the seeds for Mia's story. His character Mia is a composite of his...

Published: Oct 20, 2026Duration: 1h 7m 32s

Storytelling in Early Childhood Education: Using Songs and Puppets to Engage Young Learners

Episode OverviewIn this episode, we sit down with Mary Jo Huff, a distinguished children's book author and early childhood educator whose lifelong love of storytelling has shaped generations of young readers. With four published books to her name — and another already in progress — Mary Jo shares the story behind her journey from classroom storyteller to published author, and how her years of teaching continue to inform every book she writes.We dig into her newest release, "The Predictable Persimmon," a story rooted in folklore, community, and her personal experience at the annual persimmon festival in M...

Published: Oct 13, 2026Duration: 1h 6m 25s

How to Self-Publish and Market Children’s Books: Mary-Jean Harris on Creativity, Community, and Storytelling

Mary-Jean Harris, the esteemed author of "Pixie Dusted Ottawa," graces our podcast today to elucidate the inspiration and creative process behind her enchanting children's book.At the heart of this episode lies the intent to cultivate a sense of wonder and exploration in children, as Mary-Jean aims to inspire young readers to engage with their surroundings in Ottawa through the delightful adventures of her fairy protagonist, Calla.We delve into the thematic elements of the narrative that encourage imagination and creativity, while also highlighting the significance of local landmarks and businesses that enrich the story's...

Published: Oct 6, 2026Duration: 53m 24s

Episode 102: The Audiobook Wizard: Bridging the Gap for Blind and Visually Impaired Children

The Audiobook Wizard: How Richard Rieman Is Making Children's Literature Accessible for AllGuest: Richard Rieman, "The Audiobook Wizard"Episode SummaryRichard Rieman has pioneered a transformative approach to children's literature: enhanced audiobooks that include audio descriptions of illustrations. His work is rooted in a deep commitment to inclusivity, especially for children who are blind or visually impaired.In this conversation, we trace Richard's journey — including how his years volunteering in the blind community opened his eyes to a significant gap in the audiobook market — and dig into why audio descriptions can...

Published: Sep 29, 2026Duration: 47m 57s

Adventures in Storytelling: Commemorating 100 Episodes of Insights into Children's Book Authorship

Episode 100: Celebrating a Milestone in StorytellingThis episode marks a huge milestone — our 100th episode of Adventures in the Heart of Children's Book Authors! We look back at how it all began, the guests who've shaped this community, and what's coming next.Where It All StartedThe podcast began with a simple idea: everyone has a story worth telling, especially those who dream of becoming children's book authors. It started with a personal story — writing an adventure with my granddaughter, Kyra, and a bear named kaboose. That single story opened the door to a bi...

Published: Sep 22, 2026Duration: 22m 9s

Ep. 101: Ella's Way — How One Children's Book Sparked a Kindness Movement (Sherry Cerino)

Episode SummarySherry Cerino is a children's book author and founder of Ella's Way, a nonprofit built on a simple but powerful mission: teaching kids kindness, diversity awareness, and acceptance through storytelling.Sherry traces her journey from writing her debut book, Ella and the All Stars — where Ella navigates her world alongside a cast of unique underwater friends — to growing Ella's Way from a small passion project into a full nonprofit that supports authors and equips schools and community programs with resources.She shares what it actually takes to build a children's book busi...

Published: Sep 15, 2026Duration: 1h 1m 0s

From the Trails to the Page: Author Mark Villarreal on Raising the Next Generation of Nature Explorers

Mark Villarreal, the esteemed author behind the series "The Adventures of Park Ranger Brock Cliffhanger and His Junior Park Rangers," joins us to elucidate the profound significance of storytelling in children's literature.His commitment to fostering curiosity and a love for nature in young readers is evident as we delve into his latest installment, "Shenandoah National Park Exploration."Mark articulates his belief that educating children about the world is paramount, a philosophy inspired by his own upbringing and experiences.Throughout our discussion, he shares the enchanting origin story of Brock Cliffhanger, born from...

Published: Sep 8, 2026Duration: 55m 56s

"She Wrote the Book She Needed as a Little Girl — Now It's Helping Kids Feel Less Alone"

The central theme of this podcast revolves around the exploration of Amanda Ferris children's book, "Little Panda and the Sticky Thoughts."Throughout our dialogue, Amanda articulates her journey as a children's book author, emphasizing the profound significance of addressing children's emotional experiences through literature.She reflects on her personal motivations, which stem from a desire to reconnect with her younger self and to provide children with the tools to navigate their emotions effectively.The conversation delves into the intricacies of character development, the importance of meaningful relationships, and the strategies employed to market...

Published: Sep 1, 2026Duration: 1h 1m 13s

"She Never Left Home — But Her Students Were 7,000 Miles Away. Then She Wrote Them a Book."

The principal focus of this podcast episode is the exploration of Lillian Pagano's journey as a children's book author, specifically highlighting her recently published work, "Bao Bao the Baby Panda."Lillian shares her profound passion for inspiring children, rooted in her experiences as a retired teacher, and recounts the serendipitous moments that led her to write this enchanting tale.Throughout our discussion, we delve into the intricacies of her creative process, the significance of her connections with young readers, and the valuable lessons embedded within her narrative.Furthermore, Lillian reflects on the challenges...

Published: Aug 25, 2026Duration: 1h 5m 29s

How Storytelling Shapes a Career and Builds a Legacy

Lesley O'Brien, the esteemed author of the "Adventures of Captain Marco" series, engages in an enlightening dialogue about her literary journey and the thematic essence of her works.The central focus of this episode is "An Impawsible Predicament," the second installment in her series, which delves into the adventurous exploits of Captain Marco, a cat navigating the challenges of life aboard a sailboat.Lesley elucidates the significance of storytelling in shaping human experiences, emphasizing the dual role of legacy and service in her writing. Furthermore, she reflects on her motivations for becoming a children's author...

Published: Aug 18, 2026Duration: 1h 24m 36s

'Not Every Boat Is Yours to Fix': Teaching Kids Boundaries Before People-Pleasing Starts

The central theme of our conversation revolves around the profound insights encapsulated in my book, *Not Every Boat Is Yours to Fix*.This narrative seeks to impart the essential lesson that kindness does not necessitate self-abandonment; one can exhibit compassion while simultaneously establishing necessary boundaries.Karim has endeavored to share her personal journey, experiences, and reflections on the nuances of relationships, particularly the importance of discerning which burdens she to carries.The impetus for this work emerged from a pivotal moment in therapy, wherein Karim realized the significance of relinquishing the weight of...

Published: Aug 11, 2026Duration: 1h 5m 20s

How to Combine Music and Storytelling to Create Powerful Children's Books

This podcast episode revolves around the distinguished children's book, "UH, Ok Spaghetti, Oh!," authored by the multifaceted entertainer Susie O'Leary.In our conversation, we explore the genesis of this creative endeavor, which emerged during the tumultuous period of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting the innovative process that transformed a catchy phrase into a vibrant narrative.What if the secret to writing a children's book that kids actually remember....isn't just in the words?What is its music behind the story?Think about it before kids can even read, they respond to rhythm. melody, repetition...

Published: Aug 4, 2026Duration: 1h 6m 24s

"How a Jellybean, a Family, and a Little Persuasion Sparked a Children's Book Series"

The core focus of this podcast episode is an insightful dialogue with Amy Meislin Pollock, the esteemed author of the children's book series featuring the character Jelly Bean.Throughout our conversation, we delve into the creative journey that inspired the latest installment, "The Still Further Adventures of Jelly Bean."Amy reflects on her experiences as a children's book author, emphasizing the profound impact of her upbringing and the encouragement of her family on her writing endeavors. Notably, she shares anecdotes about her relationship with her mother-in-law, which ultimately served as a catalyst for her literary...

Published: Jul 28, 2026Duration: 59m 32s

How Life Experiences and Friendships Inspired a Children's Book Author

The profound essence of this podcast episode lies in the exploration of vulnerability and the transformative power of friendship, as articulated by our esteemed guest, Veronica O'Sullivan.She elucidates the inspiration behind her children's book, "Glory B," which is intricately woven from her enduring friendship with Lisa Olson, a remarkable individual born without limbs.Veronica reflects on the significance of sharing heartfelt stories that resonate deeply with others, encapsulating the dual themes of caregiving and mutual support that permeate her narrative.Throughout our enlightening conversation, we delve into her creative process, the role...

Published: Jul 21, 2026Duration: 1h 8m 34s

From Classroom to Author: Teaching Kids Empathy, Diversity & Acceptance Through Storytelling

Kevin Cripe, an accomplished author of three children's books, shares his insights on the process and inspiration behind his latest work, "Princess Max Conquers the World."With a background in education spanning 27 years, Kevin's passion for storytelling was ignited during his teaching days, where he found joy in reading to children and witnessing their reactions to stories. He recounts the pivotal moments that motivated him to write, including his observations of societal issues and the unique experiences of his adopted children.His experience with his adopted children from Guatemala profoundly influenced his writingallowing him to...

Published: Jul 14, 2026Duration: 1h 5m 4s

Why Fables Still Matter: Timeless Lessons for Today's Kids

Why Fables Still Matter: Timeless Lessons for Today's KidsPatti Bonesteel, an accomplished author of six children's books, articulates her journey of writing and the profound significance it holds in her life.Central to our discussion is her book, "The Flamingo with Two Left Feet," which not only showcases her storytelling prowess but also emphasizes the themes of perseverance and self-acceptance.The narrative revolves around Fernando, a flamingo grappling with self-doubt due to his unique predicament, and his eventual realization that individual differences can be celebrated rather than shunned.We delve...

Published: Jul 7, 2026Duration: 52m 46s

Can Children's Books Heal Trauma? Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences

Episode 88Jacqueline K. Boylan's profound work, "A Broken Twig Can Sprout," serves as the focal point of our discussion, encapsulating her journey from personal trauma to literary creation.As a children's author, Jacqueline articulates the vital message that adverse childhood experiences do not have to define one's future; rather, they can cultivate resilience and growth.Throughout the episode, we delve into Jacqueline's inspiring background, which includes overcoming significant childhood challenges, including the loss of both parents and the impact of familial abuse.Her narrative not only provides insight into her creative...

Published: Jun 30, 2026Duration: 48m 52s

"Why This Children's Book Author Is Having the Conversations Parents Don't Know How to Start"

Why This Children's Book Author Is Having the Conversations Parents Don't Know How to StartWhat happens when a child can't find themselves in the books they're handed? For Brandon D. Campbell, that question wasn't hypothetical — it was personal. Growing up in a blended family, navigating the emotional complexity of childhood, and searching for representation in literature shaped him into the author of Oh Brother, My Brother. And in a recent episode of the Adventures in the Heart of Children's Book Authors podcast, he shared why that mission matters more than ever."Being a children's bo...

Published: Jun 23, 2026Duration: 58m 53s

Chinese Zodiac for Kids: 12 Animals, One Powerful Story

Peter Cotton, a distinguished author of children's literature, joins us to illuminate the journey of his literary career, focusing particularly on his latest work, "What Fred the Snake and His Friends Learn about the Chinese Zodiac and the Great Race." This episode delves into Peter's evolution from a medical professor to a celebrated children's book author, sparked by the inspiration of his grandchildren and the whimsical character of Fred the Snake. We explore the profound significance of storytelling in fostering curiosity and imparting subtle lessons to young readers. Peter shares insights into the creative process behind his books, the...

Published: Jun 16, 2026Duration: 44m 42s

How Working With Blind Children Inspired Richard Rieman's Children's Unique Book Series

Richard Rieman's journey as a children's book author is an inspiring testament to the idea that it is never too late to pursue one's passions. In this podcast episode, we engage in a profound discussion regarding his two children's books, with particular emphasis on "The Day the Clouds Went Away."Richard elucidates the significance of crafting narratives that resonate with children while also addressing essential themes, such as the importance of clouds in our ecosystem.He shares insights into his creative process, which is deeply influenced by his experiences and desire to create accessible literature...

Published: Jun 9, 2026Duration: 54m 59s