🎧 The Reader's Heart Podcast | Guest: John Schu
Once, when John Schu and I were presenting together, I introduced each of the five other panelists as my "best friend." When we got to John, who was sitting at the far end of the table, he stood up and said, "I'm John Schu, and I really am Jennifer LaGarde's best friend!" He's not wrong!
John and I have been friends for nearly fifteen years now, which means I've had a front-row seat to his journey from an incredible school librarian, to Scholastic's Ambassador for School Libraries, to an award-winning and New York Times bestselling author. What a joy it's been to watch the rest of the world discover what I've known all along: there's no one quite like Mr. Schu.
John Schu was the very first guest on The Reader's Heart, and I hope this is just one of many times he returns for a thoughtful conversation about all the ways story connects us. Until the next time he's my guest, I hope you love this conversation as much as I do!
ABOUT THIS WEEK'S GUEST
John Schu is the author of books for readers of all ages, each celebrating the power of stories, imagination, and human connection. His picture books include Lily-May's Joyful Day and Ruthie Rose's Big Idea: A Poetry Story, both illustrated by Holly Hatam; This Is a School, illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison; and This Is a Story, illustrated by Lauren Castillo.
John is also the author of the New York Times bestselling novel in verse Louder Than Hunger, which received a Schneider Family Book Award Honor in 2025. His professional book for educators, The Gift of Story: Exploring the Affective Side of the Reading Life, was published in 2022. Whether writing for children, young people, or educators, John's books invite readers to embrace curiosity, empathy, and the joy that can be found in sharing stories together.
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
EDUCATOR ACTIVITY
One of my goals for this season of The Reader's Heart is to create resources that help readers continue thinking about the ideas explored in each episode. Whenever possible, I'll be creating student activities inspired by my conversations with authors and illustrators and sharing them here as a free resource for educators. While The Reader's Heart is a podcast for adults, the books we talk about are written for kids. My hope is that these activities will serve as a bridge between the two. I'm excited to share the activity for Lily-May's Joyful Day because it was inspired by two specific aspects of my conversation with John Schu:
Our conversation about the idea that joy and anxiety can exist at the same time, and why helping children recognize and name complex emotions creates space for empathy, self-understanding, and meaningful conversations.
Our discussion around joy walking as a mindful practice, and how slowing down to notice the people, places, sounds, colors, and tiny details around us can help us better connect with both the world and one another.
In this resource, students begin by creating their own "Bag of Y-O-U" before exploring the BIG butterfly feelings that can come with experiencing more than one emotion at the same time. Along the way, they'll write an original poem, enjoy a joy-themed brain break, and head out on a joy walk of their own before reflecting on what they discovered. Whether used in a classroom, library, book club, or at home, I hope this free activity encourages thoughtful conversations for readers.
To make these activities as useful as possible, I've created them as Canva templates. That means you can make your own copy, adapt them for your learners, and customize them to fit your classroom, library, or book club needs.
That said, although this should go without saying, while I very much hope you'll use these resources with the readers you serve, you are not allowed to sell them. Please feel free to share them (with credit), but I absolutely do not want to find them on Teachers Pay Teachers, y'all.
👉 Download the Lily-May's Joyful Day Educator Activity
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 these sales, but I am delighted that you get to save some!
John's books on Bookelicious
This Is A School with Veronica Miller Jamison
This Is A Story with Lauren Castillo
Ruthie Rose's Big Idea with Holly Hatam
Lily-May's Joyful Day with Holly Hatam
Connect with John
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!)
If all goes to plan, episodes will drop every two weeks through September 2026. 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!
