🎧 The Reader's Heart Podcast | Guests: Emily Barth Isler and Vesper Stamper
- Jennifer LaGarde
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
As I work to publish this season of The Reader's Heart, I can't help but notice patterns. This probably has something to do with the routine I go through leading up to every episode: gathering all the books I have by the authors and illustrators, purchasing a few that I want to read (or read again) before the conversation, and then immersing myself, to whatever extent possible, in their work in the days just before pressing record.
Although I start each episode with the same (or a very similar) question, from there, I always let the conversation lead where it may. This season, however, I'm also seeing some thematic through-lines related to just how heavy the world feels right now, to how the places where we get information capitalize on that weight by exploiting our emotions for the sake of engagement, and to how books, story, and community feel like a balm we all really need right now.
When it comes to Three Pieces of Broken Glass and my conversation with Emily Barth Isler and Vesper Stamper, these connections seemed as inevitable as they did important. I knew going into the interview that I wanted to chat with them about what it feels like to be publishing books featuring Jewish stories right now, particularly as authors and illustrators whose work celebrates the reality that, despite the fact that our personal echo chambers seem bent on convincing us otherwise, what connects us is so much stronger and more important than what separates us.
I could feel these ideas bubbling throughout our conversation, and they are certainly what inspired the educator activity below. To be clear, this episode explores some tough topics, so be sure to take care of your heart as you listen. Still, I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.
ABOUT THIS WEEK'S GUESTS
Emily Barth Isler
Emily Barth Isler is the author of books for readers of all ages, including the picture book Three Pieces of Broken Glass and the middle grade novels AfterMath and The Color of Sound. A former journalist, Emily's work often explores difficult topics with honesty, empathy, and hope. In addition to writing, she co-founded the Burbank Book Festival, an annual celebration that connects young readers with authors and illustrators while celebrating the joy of children's literature.
Vesper Stamper
Vesper Stamper is an author, illustrator, and historical novelist whose work is known for its richly detailed artwork and deep commitment to historical research. She is the creator of the acclaimed novels What the Night Sings and Berliners, and the illustrator of numerous picture books, including Three Pieces of Broken Glass and A Knot Is Not a Tangle. Whether working in words or watercolor, Vesper creates stories that honor memory, history, and the enduring power of human connection.
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 Three Pieces of Broken Glass as it was inspired by two specific aspects of our conversation:
The idea that objects can hold memories.
Our conversation about the important ways that Three Pieces of Broken Glass is similar to (and different from) another of Vesper Stamper's books, A Knot Is Not a Tangle.
In this resource, students are invited to explore the memories and stories connected to meaningful objects in their own lives before comparing and contrasting Three Pieces of Broken Glass and A Knot Is Not a Tangle. Along the way, they'll consider how color can help us better understand big feelings and how those feelings sometimes (and sometimes unintentionally) influence our actions. 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 Three Pieces of Broken Glass 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!
Emily's books on Bookelicious
Connect with Emily
Vesper's books on Bookelicious
A Knot Is Not a Tangle with Daniel Nayeri
Amazing Abe: How Abraham Cahan's Newspaper Gave a Voice to Jewish Immigrants with Norman H Finkelstein
A Most Clever Girl: How Jane Austen Discovered Her Voice with Jasmine A Stirling
The Greatest with Veera Hiranandani
Sisterhood of Sleuths with Jennifer Chambliss Bertman
Connect with Vesper
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!
