David Henry Sterry

Author, activist, performer, muckraker, book doctor

We first met Tegan Tigani a few years ago while we were on tour in Seattle. She was so excited to give us the grand tour of her kingdom: the Queen Anne Book Company kids section, where she is the book buyer.

Lauren Cahn

'Yoga Chickie'

When children's literature is done right, it connects with us on some visceral, primal level -- somewhere beyond conscious thought -- delivering foundational life lessons that shape us into the people we become and remain imprinted on us throughout our lives.

Meg Waite Clayton

Bestselling Novelist, 'The Wednesday Sisters' and 'The Wednesday Daughters'

Mac and I spent several weeks in the English Lake District -- home of poet William Wordsworth and Peter Rabbit author Beatrix Potter, among others -- as an escape from the empty nest left when our youngest set off for college.

Sue Shanahan

Artist

And why are children the most beautiful flowers of all? Because they allow themselves to be who they are. Without agendas, they flourish in the now. Whether the sun shines or buckets of rain pour, it's a good day.

Matthue Roth

Author; Video Game Designer

A boy who changes into a giant insect. Talking jaguars who debate the philosophical implications of hunting -- and then go hunting anyway. A girl who runs away and becomes the leader of a group of monsters. That's the Kafka my kids discovered and made me realize the scariness, and the beauty, that had been there all along.

Cory Silverberg

sexuality educator and author

When I sat down to write What Makes a Baby, I didn't think gender would be the most controversial part. I thought that if anyone had a problem with the book it would be because I don't put a married heterosexual couple in the middle of the story. I should have known.

Katie Davis

Small Business Person, Video Teacher, Consultant, Author/Illustrator and Napper

Episode #135 In today's episode you hear: our monthly segment, Julie Hedlund Gets All Grateful on Your A** an interview with ...

Emma Jenner

Child development and behavioral specialist

They say that those who fight the hardest are those who are the most alike, so perhaps it shouldn't have surprised me that when it comes to parenting, the English and the French have quite a bit in common.

Monica Edinger

Teacher, Writer, Critic

After seeing many tantalizing mentions of Tara Books over the last few years, I was delighted to receive Joydeb Chitrakar and Gita Wolf's The Enduring Ark and get a firsthand look at one of their creations.

Lisa Parkin

Social Media Consultant, YA Book Blogger

With The Selection sequel The Elite currently on the New York Times bestseller list, Kiera Cass is an author to be reckoned with.

Cory Silverberg

sexuality educator and author

When we stop talking about sex education as this sliver of an experience and start talking about it as telling stories, we open up possibilities for everyone to play a part. Everyone can tell stories.

Cory Silverberg

sexuality educator and author

If we want to actually focus on what's best for kids, we should stop talking about when we start sex education and start talking about what we say and how we say it.

Rachael Berkey

Bookish Booze Enthusiast

A lot of my bookworm qualities and habits stem from a childhood surrounded by and bolstered by the stacks of books my mother read. While the whole family was distinctly bookish -- we really have more books than is healthy -- my mom was book hoarder in charge.

Rocco Staino

Chair, Empire State Center for the Book and the Empire State Book Festival

Each year over 500 writers and lovers of mysteries gather in New York City for a black-tie evening to celebrate the winners of the Edgar Awards. However, few lovers of children and young adult books realize that the awards also honors authors in those fields.

Rabbi Menachem Creditor

Editor, 'Peace in Our Cities: Rabbis Against Gun Violence'

The children's classic "The Runaway Bunny" might seem an odd place to begin a theological reflection. But for a child who has ever tested the strength of a parent's love, this story offers both reassurance and challenge.

Sue Shanahan

Artist

Twenty years ago a dream was planted in my heart. I wanted to create a picture book. Over time, it was put on the back burner as "real life" took over. Finally, finally my longing is being realized.