ABOUT THIS WEEK'S GUEST
Chris Barton is a gem, y'all. Even though we have never met, chatting with him for this week's episode felt like hanging out with an old friend. I loved learning about Chris' research process, his love of Judy Blume, our shared childhood obsession with Mad Magazine and the way that he uses his own childhood trauma to inform the way he creates books for young people. Chris is already the author of 24 (!) books for kids, but hopes to quadruple that number - a goal I am 100% here for! Chris has written so many incredible books, but All of a Sudden and Forever: Help and Healing After the Oklahoma City Bombing is a personal favorite. I'm so glad we got to talk a bit about that book along with some of the reasons why kids love nonfiction. I'm excited for you to hear our conversation! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
EPISODE DETAILS:
EPISODE NUMBER: 010
GUEST: Chris Barton
Chris Barton is the author of picture books including bestseller Shark vs. Train, Sibert Honor-winning The Day-Glo Brothers, and Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions, included on 21 state lists. His newest books include Glitter Everywhere! Where It Came From, Where It’s Found & Where It’s Going (2023) and Moving Forward (an SLJ Best Book of 2022). Other recent titles include How to Make a Book (About My Dog) and Fire Truck vs. Dragon. Chris and wife Jennifer Ziegler, author of Worser, live in Austin and co-host the children’s literature video series “This One’s Dedicated to…”
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
RESOURCES & LINKS
Please enjoy a special discount of 20% off the titles mentioned in this episode (or others of your choice) by visiting Bookelicious and using the code JENNIFERLAGARDE. Note: I do not make any money from the sales, but I am delighted that you get to save some!
Glitter Everywhere!: Where It Came From, Where It's Found & Where It's Going by Chris Barton and Chaaya Prabhat
Moving Forward: From Space-Age Rides to Civil Rights Sit-Ins with Airman Alton Yates by Chris Barton and Steffi Walthall
How to Make a Book (about My Dog) by Chris Barton and Sarah Horne
Fire Truck vs. Dragon by Chris Barton and Shanda McCloskey
Mighty Truck: Surf's Up! (I Can Read! Level 1: Beginning Reading) by Chris Barton and Troy Cummings
Mighty Truck: Zip and Beep (I Can Read! Level 1: Beginning Reading) by Chris Barton and Troy Cummings
Mighty Truck: The Traffic Tie-Up (I Can Read! Level 1: Beginning Reading) by Chris Barton and Troy Cummings
Mighty Truck on the Farm (I Can Read! Level 1: Beginning Reading) by Chris Barton and Troy Cummings
What Do You Do with a Voice Like That?: The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan by Chris Barton and Ekua Holmes
Dazzle Ships by Chris Barton and Victo Ngai
88 Instruments by Chris Barton and Louis Thomas
Whoosh!: Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton and Don Tate
The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch by Chris Barton and Don Tate
Shark vs. Train by Chris Barton and Tom Lichtenheld
The Day-Glo Brothers: The True Story of Bob and Joe Switzer's Bright Ideas and Brand-New Colors by Chris Barton and Tony Persiani
Connect with Chris:
MORE ABOUT THE READER’S HEART
Rooted in the belief that our world needs the magic of children’s literature now more than ever, the Reader’s Heart podcast captures conversations with authors and illustrators about children's literature as a vehicle for empathy and joy in a dark world. I'm so excited about this project and it's my wish that it brings you as much light and hope as it has brought me.
Special thanks to Corinna Luyken for creating the beautiful illustration that will serve as the show's logo. I've always found Corinna's art so moving and she perfectly captured the spirit of what I am trying to do, which is to put warmth and love into the world during a time when so many are working to limit kids' access to the warmth and love inherent in children's literature. (Also, don't forget, you can use the discount above to buy Corinna's books from Bookelicious, too!)
Weekly episodes will drop on Tuesdays. Once you've had a chance to listen, I hope you will consider leaving The Reader's Heart a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review! Podcast reviews are one of the best ways to support your favorite shows and help others find these conversations.
WHERE TO LISTEN:
Wherever you listen to podcasts!
