On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Huda Al-Marashi about her newest release: HAIL MARIAM.

This middle grade novel is a heartfelt and humorous interfaith and coming of age story that follows Mariam as he navigates the challenges of being the only Muslim student at her Catholic school. It balances faith, family and friendship and is everything you hope for in a middle grade novel.

Come listen as we talk about Huda’s personal experiences that connect to the themes of the book, the balancing act the main character faced and the ways she learned and grew throughout the arc of the story and the promise of curiosity and conversation this book will offer readers and those around them. It’s the perfect book for a caregiver-child book club!

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2026/02/23/sparking-curiosity-conversation-hail-mariam-with-huda-al-marashi/

Join me inside my Facebook community for bookish people! There, we talk about all things books and reading and writing and notebooking, too! You'll get updates for this podcast, along with my other Get Lit(erate). podcast and build your literate community for adult and children's literature: https://www.facebook.com/groups/getliterate

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some KidLit Love merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

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On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Steph Littlebird about her newest picture book: YOU ARE THE LAND.

This stunning picture book is a moving love letter to indigenous community and culture and is Steph’s debut as an author-illustrator. The format of the book is exquisite and conveys such beauty, emotion and connection.

Come listen as we talk about the role that art has played in Steph’s life since childhood, how this book originated from her work with adults and the powerful call to action the book invites us to consider.

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2026/02/16/beauty-emotion-connection-you-are-the-land-by-steph-littlebird/

Join me inside my Facebook community for bookish people! There, we talk about all things books and reading and writing and notebooking, too! You'll get updates for this podcast, along with my other Get Lit(erate). podcast and build your literate community for adult and children's literature: https://www.facebook.com/groups/getliterate

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some KidLit Love merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

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On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Sandra Magsamen about her newest board book: 100 WORDS TO SAY I LOVE YOU.

This delightful board book celebrates 100 words of love in all kinds of locations and situations and reminds us that love is around us, especially perfect for this Valentine’s Day episode release!

Come listen as we talk about the poetic structure of this beautiful book, the expansive definition of love celebrated on the pages and the tsunami of love Sandra hopes will arrive (it will!) as caregivers and young readers interact with the text. This is a book for everyone as we can never have enough love in the world, especially now.

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2026/02/14/a-tsunami-of-love-100-words-to-say-i-love-you-by-sandra-magsamen/

Join me inside my Facebook community for bookish people! There, we talk about all things books and reading and writing and notebooking, too! You'll get updates for this podcast, along with my other Get Lit(erate). podcast and build your literate community for adult and children's literature: https://www.facebook.com/groups/getliterate

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some KidLit Love merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

Follow Stephanie:

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On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Megan McDonald about TWO of her newest releases: FAIRY DOOR DIARIES: ALIZA & THE HOBGLOBINS and BUNNY & CLYDE ON THE LAM.

FAIRY DOOR DIARIES: ALIZA & THE HOBGLOBINS is the second book in an enchanting series that will happily be devoured by readers who believe in fairies and all other magical folk….like me.

BUNNY & CLYDE ON THE LAM is the newest book in the series that follows two adorable characters who couldn’t be outlaws when they tried, but are not being framed as the Fall Guys.

Come listen as we talk about the set of puppets that launched Megan’s writing career, why you’ll want to create a fairy door for your UnderStairs, the real-life nods to Bonnie and Clyde in Bunny and Clyde and her hopes for readers: a bit of escape and magic in what can be a tough world.

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2026/02/09/a-magical-escape-fairy-door-diaries-bunny-clyde-with-megan-mcdonald/

Join me inside my Facebook community for bookish people! There, we talk about all things books and reading and writing and notebooking, too! You'll get updates for this podcast, along with my other Get Lit(erate). podcast and build your literate community for adult and children's literature: https://www.facebook.com/groups/getliterate

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some KidLit Love merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

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On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Pooja Makhijani about her newest picture book: BREAD IS LOVE.

This beautiful picture book explores family rituals, baking and eating good food and it is sure to bring you all the feels while reading, Plus, there’s a bread recipe in the back of the book and a gluten free option, too!

Come listen as we talk about the connection between baking bread and mindfulness and mental health, the beautiful illustrations that add to the coziness of the book and Pooja’s hopes for readers around their own bread-making adventures.

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2026/02/02/cozy-family-rituals-bread-is-love-by-pooja-makhijani/

Join me inside my Facebook community for bookish people! There, we talk about all things books and reading and writing and notebooking, too! You'll get updates for this podcast, along with my other Get Lit(erate). podcast and build your literate community for adult and children's literature: https://www.facebook.com/groups/getliterate

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some KidLit Love merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

Follow Stephanie:

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On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Tracy Wolff about her newest middle grade novel: THE AFTERMYTH.

This dark academia fantasy middle grade novel is a bold and magical tale about forging your own path and is gripping from the very first page to the last.

Come listen as we talk about how Tracy is hoping to redefine history into ‘herstory’, the beautiful themes that will envelope readers as they read and her hopes for readers…and the upcoming series that’s to come, too!

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here:

Join me inside my Facebook community for bookish people! There, we talk about all things books and reading and writing and notebooking, too! You'll get updates for this podcast, along with my other Get Lit(erate). podcast and build your literate community for adult and children's literature: https://www.facebook.com/groups/getliterate

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some KidLit Love merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

Follow Stephanie:

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On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Kao Kalia Yang & Jen Shin about their newest picture book together: THE BLUE HOUSE I LOVED.

In this stunning picture book, a Hmong girl tells the story of her beloved aunt and uncle's first home in America, long gone but still alive in the family’s memories. It’s both lyrical and ethereal and captures themes around family, what makes a home and the legacy that surrounds both.

Come listen as we talk about the real-life inspiration behind the book, the brilliant way the emotional words are brought to life in multiple formats and the beautiful hopes they both have for this book. We talk about memories and the importance of them, the timelessness of this book and the beauty that awaits readers.

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2026/01/26/finding-home-inside-the-blue-house-i-loved-by-kao-kalia-yang-jen-shin/

Join me inside my Facebook community for bookish people! There, we talk about all things books and reading and writing and notebooking, too! You'll get updates for this podcast, along with my other Get Lit(erate). podcast and build your literate community for adult and children's literature: https://www.facebook.com/groups/getliterate

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some KidLit Love merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

Follow Stephanie:

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On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Nadine Presley about her newest picture book: A RAMADAN NIGHT.

This beautiful picture book celebrates the beginning of Ramadan with a young boy and his father exploring the wonder, excitement and peace of the holiday. It's a book you can feel in your heart and truly experience.

Come listen as we talk about Nadine’s journey into the world of children’s literature, her reasoning behind the breathtaking format of the book and who A RAMADAN NIGHT is for. Spoiler alert: It’s for EVERYONE!

You’ll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here: https://www.alitlife.com/2026/01/19/immersive-emotional-a-ramadan-night-by-nadine-presley/

Join me inside my Facebook community for bookish people! There, we talk about all things books and reading and writing and notebooking, too! You'll get updates for this podcast, along with my other Get Lit(erate). podcast and build your literate community for adult and children's literature: https://www.facebook.com/groups/getliterate

If you’d like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some KidLit Love merchandise from my Zazzle store: https://www.zazzle.com/store/alitlife

All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support!

Follow Stephanie:

Website: http://www.alitlife.com/

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