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🎧 The Reader's Heart Podcast | Guest: Rex Ogle

Updated: May 3

A promotional graphic for 'The Reader’s Heart' podcast, Season 2, Episode 004, featuring guest Allie Millington. The background has a textured design with sunburst-like rays in gray and beige tones. The title 'The Reader’s Heart' is displayed in a whimsical handwritten-style font, with 'with Jennifer Lagarde' written in a delicate cursive font below it. In the lower-left portion, a circular frame contains a photograph of Allie Millington, who is smiling and leaning on a vintage typewriter. She is wearing a cream-colored blouse, and the background is a simple, neutral-colored wall. Below this frame, the cover of her book 'Olivetti' is displayed, featuring an illustration of a vintage typewriter adorned with colorful flowers. To the right of the circular frame, an illustrated child in a yellow sweater and black pants leans against the background, eyes closed and hands in their pockets. At the top, a yellow banner contains the text 'Season 2 | Episode 004 Guest: Allie Millington' in a simple sans-serif font.

I often joke that I didn't start The Reader's Heart, because I thought the world needed more podcasts. Rather, just like every other project I tackle, I started this podcast because, with all my heart, I believe the world does need more readers. With that goal in mind, the thing I *always* hope for when someone agrees to chat with me, is that our conversation will be authentic and that it will tackle important things (note: important doesn't have to mean heavy or sad!) What I didn't realize, going into this journey, was just how much this podcast would prove to be a balm for my own heart. I'll be honest, there are a lot of days when I find myself wondering what the point of my work is - particularly in the face of *gestures wildly at all the things.*


And then... someone like Rex Ogle accepts my invitation and it's like my internal compass magically recalibrates.


If you've read any of Rex's books, you already know he doesn't shy away from sharing his heart - scars and all. In fact, I would say that at least part of why his books are so popular (and critically acclaimed!) is because Rex is infinitely respectful of his readers: he tells them the truth. And he does it in a way that, while not sugar coated, is wrapped in the kind of care that can only come from someone who hasn't forgotten what it's like to live in the moments he writes about. I've said this before, but it's worth repeating here: kids are capable of carrying heavy things, but gosh... it sure is easier if you've got friends and allies around to help. Rex Ogle writes in a way that makes him feel like both. I'm so grateful for the work he does and I absolutely loved chatting with him for this episode. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.


ABOUT THIS WEEK'S GUEST

Book cover of Olivetti by Allie Millington. The cover features an illustration of a vintage typewriter with intricate detailing. From the typewriter emerges a lush bouquet of vibrant flowers in shades of yellow, red, and orange, with green foliage, set against a dark black background. The title, Olivetti, is prominently displayed in large white serif font. Above the title, a quote from Tom Hanks reads, 'Millington’s writing does us a great favor.' At the top, 'National Bestseller' is written in orange capital letters. Below the title, the tagline reads, 'A boy, a typewriter, and the stories they hold.' The author's name, Allie Millington, is positioned at the bottom in white capital letters.

Rex Ogle is an award-winning author of more than a hundred books, comics, graphic novels, and memoirs—most notably Free Lunch (winner of the ALA/YALSA award for Excellence in Non-Fiction), Abuela Don’t Forget Me (ALA/YALSA award for Excellence in Non-Fiction finalist), Road Home (a Micheal Printz Honor and Stonewall Honor book), and middle grade graphic novels Four Eyes and Pizza Face.  


Under his pseudonym Rey Terciero, he also re-imagines classics as modern and diverse graphic novels, including Meg, Jo, Beth, & Amy, Northranger (nominated for both Harvey and GLAAD Media Awards), and Dan in Green Gables (coming in June 2025). 


Born and raised in Texas, Rex now lives in Los Angeles where he writes every day—when he’s not reading X-Men, gaming with friends, or chasing his dog, Toby, trying to score a hug.


EPISODE TRANSCRIPT

Note: episode transcripts are generated by AI and are likely imperfect. Still, I hope you find them useful.


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!



Connect with Rex


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 on the 1st and the 15th of the month. 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:

 
 
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