E215: A POTION, A POWDER, A LITTLE BIT OF MAGIC OR LIKE LIGHTNING IN AN UMBRELLA STORM by Philip Stead
<p>Happy Monday!</p><p>There’s something magic about reading. We can get lost inside another world without ever leaving our home. We can escape to another time and location, connect with new friends, learn new information and feel seen by the page all within a single book.</p><p>This week, I’m chatting with Philip Stead about his whimsical middle grade novel that gives readers permission to sink in and enjoy themselves, not matter how old we are. Keep scrolling to find out more about the author, the book and the delightful conversation inside the episode.</p><p>Happy Reading!</p><p>Stephanie</p><p><strong>Book Birthdays and Other Book Reviews🎈🎁📖🎂📚🎉</strong></p><p>Here are the newly released books that have made their way to me along with other books that I have read and reviewed:</p><p>🎉AMAZING SHARK by Michael Stavaric and illustrated by Michele Ganser (<a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/4v7wHOG">Amazon</a> / <a target="_blank" href="https://bookshop.org/a/13963/9781782695530">Bookshop</a>)</p><p>Oh, goodness. This book is amazing. =) It has everything you’ve ever wanted to know about sharks….and much more. The cover is gorgeous and shimmering and the black and white illustrations are exquisite. Filled with facts, fun quizzes and more, this book will quench your curiosity for shark knowledge. Plus, if you like this one, there are more in the series!</p><p>🎉JUST ONE OAK by Maria Gianferrari and illustrated by Diana Sudyka (<a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/3POf7zc">Amazon</a> / <a target="_blank" href="https://bookshop.org/a/13963/9781665961042">Bookshop</a>)</p><p>This is truly one of the most gorgeous books I’ve read that instantly calmed my nervous system and brought me back to nature, to childhood and to ease and appreciation for the world around me. In it, readers will explore an oak tree, from its leafy crown to its roots underground, and learn all the amazing ways it supports the animals, plants, and habitat where it lives. From the incredible illustrations to the unique font and fact-filled end notes, this book will capture you, too. </p><p>🎉MIXED FEELINGS by Sara Amini & Shadia Amin (<a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/3NHGEBR">Amazon</a> / <a target="_blank" href="https://bookshop.org/a/13963/9781338797411">Bookshop</a>)</p><p>This is Sara’s semi-autobiographical graphic novel for middle grade readers about navigating life as a mixed-race girl. Hilarious and heartfelt, with family, friendship, and fuzz all at the forefront, this laugh-out-loud and painfully relatable middle-school memoir is sure to delight. </p><p>🎉WE ALL LOVE by Julie Flett (<a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/4c5BveT">Amazon</a> / <a target="_blank" href="https://bookshop.org/a/13963/9781778403279">Bookshop</a>)</p><p>This month, <a target="_blank" href="https://alitlife.substack.com/p/my-personal-book-apothecary-for-april">I’m looking at my life and daily actions purposefully through the lens of love</a> and this picture book is acting as a beautiful guide. It features poetic text, beautiful illustrations, and incorporates Cree words, highlighting the interconnectedness of all living things through acts of protection, guidance, and affection, making it a warm and affirming read-aloud. It’s a warm hug. </p><p>🎉LILIBET MAKES A FRIEND by Kersten Hamilton and illustrated by Shanda McCloskey (<a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/4dmMSRX">Amazon</a> / <a target="_blank" href="https://bookshop.org/a/13963/9781368104197">Bookshop</a>)</p><p>This is an adorable picture book about a young girl who has tools, a lab, and a notebook along with a host of imaginary friends, but desperately wants a real one. So she plans a new project, REAL FRIEND 1.0 and finds that real friends can be found in the most unlikely places. This illustrations are delightful!</p><p>🎉SOLVE YOUR OWN MYSTERY: THE MONSTER MAKER by Gareth P. Jones (<a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/3OjLPIg">Amazon</a> / <a target="_blank" href="https://bookshop.org/a/13963/9798217143313">Bookshop</a>)</p><p>I have fond memories of the Build Your Own Adventure series of my youth and this series brings we right back! Readers will travel to Haventry, a town where the ordinary and extraordinary collide! With ghosts, werewolves, and zombies living side by side, trouble is always brewing. And when a fiendish crime is committed, YOU are the detective in charge of the case. It’s reading magic at its best.</p><p>🎉HELLO BEAUTIFUL by Traci N. Todd and illustrated by Loveis Wise (<a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/3Ol9SXg">Amazon</a> / <a target="_blank" href="https://bookshop.org/a/13963/9780593352984">Bookshop</a>)</p><p>This book is stunning. It’s an inspirational love letter from caregiver to a child and reminds children that they should take up space, follow their own unique paths, and find humanity in everyone around them and, most importantly, in themselves…because that is beautiful. We all need this reminder. </p><p>On this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Philip Stead about his middle grade debut novel: A POTION, A POWDER, A LITTLE BIT OF MAGIC OR LIKE LIGHTNING IN AN UMBRELLA STORM.</p><p>It’s a middle grade story written completely out of order that’s full of whimsy and heart and will for sure make you laugh out loud and learn a thing or two…or 24. It’s delightful in the most magical way.</p><p>Come listen as we talk about the passage in the book that started it all, the delightful structure of the book and why it came to be and his hopes for the book to spark reading ownership and delight to remember. Plus, we talk about his thoughts on the current status of picture books and why all adult books should have illustrations, too. You won’t want to miss this episode!</p><p>Here is the book featured in this episode. You’ll find links to my Amazon and Bookshop affiliate stores below. Thanks for your bookish support!</p><p>A POTION, A POWDER, A LITTLE BIT OF MAGIC OR LIKE LIGHTNING IN AN UMBRELLA STORM by Philip Stead (<a target="_blank" href="https://amzn.to/3OUgITL">Amazon</a> /<a target="_blank" href="https://bookshop.org/a/13963/9780823458097"> Bookshop</a>)</p><p>Here’s where you can find Phil online:</p><p>Website: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.numberfivebus.com/">https://www.numberfivebus.com/</a></p><p>Instagram: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.instagram.com/number5bus">https://www.instagram.com/number5bus</a></p><p>I’d love to know what you think of this episode. Share your comments below!</p><p><strong>KidLit love is multiplied when it’s shared! 🩷</strong></p><p>Here are some free ways to support this newsletter and spread my love of chilren’’s literature far and wide:</p><p>🩷 Like and comment on this post so we can connect!🔄 Restack and add your favorite nugget from the podcast.📷 Take a screenshot of your favorite part and text it to a kidlit friend.💌 Forward this email to a fellow kidlit colleague so they can join the book love too!⌨️ Refer a friend and earn prizes….<a target="_blank" href="https://alitlife.substack.com/p/invite-your-friends-to-read-a-lit">including courses and coaching sessions with me!</a></p><p><p>Thanks for reading the KidLit Love newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work!</p></p><p></p> <br/><br/>This is a public episode. 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