“Only those who try can achieve the impossible.” In this episode, we spotlight Stillwater, a new animated children's series from Apple TV Plus. Inspired by the beloved Zen shorts book series by Jon J Muth, the new series follows the adventures of three siblings whose neighbor happens to be a giant panda named Stillwater. Through his beautiful stories, the wise Stillwater helps the children cope with life's disappointments and sorrows, and hold onto their sense of joy and wonder. Host Suzanne McCabe talks with Mallika Chopra, an author, speaker, and wellbeing expert who serves as the mindfulness consultant on the TV series, and award-winning children's book illustrator and artist, Jon J Muth. Resources: You can learn more about Jon J. Muth here (https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/authors/jon-j-muth/) and about Stillwater, the new animated TV series from Apple TV+ here (https://tv.apple.com/us/show/stillwater/umc.cmc.3czcagetjq31vvbgkkyp1xiao). Special thanks: Music composer: Lucas Elliot Eberl Producer: Bridget Benjamin Sound engineer: Daniel Jordan Coming Soon: Antiracism Resources for the Classroom

Scholastic Reads

Stillwater: Marvel in the Moment

Today, we're celebrating Scholastic's 100th anniversary with President, Chairman, and CEO Dick Robinson. Dick's father, Maurice R. Robinson, known affectionately to generations of staffers as Robbie, founded the company in 1920, a venture that started with a small weekly newspaper has since grown into the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books. Generations of readers have fond memories of attending a Scholastic Book Fair on an autumn afternoon, or checking off a list of books to purchase on one of the many Scholastic Book Club order forms that arrived in classrooms. Kids have grown-up with, and obsessed over Clifford the Big Red Dog, Goosebumps, The Baby-Sitters Club, Harry Potter, and Captain Underpants. Stories by Suzanne Collins, the late Walter Dean Myers, Raina Telgemeier, Pam Muñoz Ryan, and Kelly Yang, to name a few, still captivate young readers. Scholastic News and Junior Scholastic are still staples in classrooms across the country, and Scholastic Kid Reporters are still out there getting stories that matter to them and their young readers. Last, but not least, young people still receive coveted Scholastic Art & Writing Awards each year, as they have done for nearly a century. Past recipients include Andy Warhol, Bernard Malamud, Kay WalkingStick and Mozelle Thompson. The list goes on, but we wanted to hear from Dick about his memories of his father, the early years at the company, and how he has remained true to his father's vision, that few things are more magical than children discovering themselves in the pages of a book.

100 Years of Reading: Celebrating Scholastic’s Legacy

In this episode, we’re celebrating Hispanic Heritage with two of our favorite Latinx authors. First, host Suzanne McCabe talks with Aida Salazar about how one word, “deportation,” led to her heart-wrenching new novel, Land of the Cranes. Aida is also the author of The Moon Within, which won an International Latino Book Award for middle-grade fiction in 2019. Then Francisco Stork, the author of such acclaimed YA titles as The Memory of Light and Marcelo in the Real World, talks about his latest novel, Illegal. This page-turning thriller follows Sara Zapata and her brother, Emiliano, and their desperate escape from Mexico to the U.S. Illegal is a sequel to Francisco’s earlier novel, Disappeared. You can learn more about Land of the Cranes, Illegal, and all of our latest fiction and nonfiction at scholastic.com/kids. For a catalog of diverse books for readers of all ages, click here. To check out the Scholastic Student Vote, a virtual mock-election that has been running since 1940, visit scholastic.com/election.

Immigrant Stories: A Conversation With Latinx Authors Aida Salazar and Francisco Stork

When you hold a new book in your hands, the rest of the world seems to fade away. Lots of great titles from Scholastic are hitting the shelves this fall, bringing the promise of adventure to our young readers. We wanted to give you a preview of the books you can look forward to, so we invited some of our authors to read aloud. First, Tami Charles reads All Because You Matter (https://kids.scholastic.com/kids/book/all-because-you-matter-9781338574852/), her love letter to Black and brown children. (2:31) Next, Christina Soontornvat takes us inside the pages of Icing on the Snowflake (https://kids.scholastic.com/kids/book/icing-on-the-snowflake-by-christina-soontornvat/), the latest title in her popular chapter book series, Diary of an Ice Princess. Christina’s adventures for elementary school readers start with a simple premise: What if Frozen’s Elsa went to regular school? If you have any Elsa fans in your house, this is the series for them! (6:41) We also hear from Brazilian author Vitor Martins. He shares an excerpt from his new queer romance, Here the Whole Time. This story about the magic of first love explores the insecurities that many teens feel around body image. (11:12) Then, Kara McDowell reads from her new novel for young adults, One Way or Another. It’s a poignant story about a girl who learns to face her debilitating anxieties as she navigates a relationship with her best friend and longtime crush. (17:55) For 8- to 12-year-olds who enjoy horror and spooky mysteries, Daka Hermon reads from her suspense-filled debut, Hide and Seeker (https://kids.scholastic.com/kids/book/hide-and-seeker-by-daka-hermon/). (25:39) Last but not least, middle-grade favorite Kelly Yang reads the opening pages of Three Keys (https://kids.scholastic.com/kids/book/three-keys-by-kelly-yang/), the highly-anticipated sequel to her debut best-seller, Front Desk (https://kids.scholastic.com/kids/book/front-desk-9781338157826/). (31:52) You can learn more about these titles and all of our latest fiction and nonfiction at scholastic.com/kids. To check out the Scholastic Student Vote, a virtual mock-election, that has been running since 1940 visit scholastic.com/election. Special thanks: Music composer: Lucas Elliot Eberl Producer: Bridget Benjamin Associate producer: Mackenzie Cutruzzula Sound engineer: Daniel Jordan

Reading Aloud With Scholastic Authors: A Fall Preview

“It all started at the very beginning of seventh grade.” Sound familiar? To millions of Baby-Sitters Club fans, Kristy Thomas, Claudia Kishi, Mary Anne Spier, Stacey McGill, and Dawn Schafer are favorite childhood friends. In this episode, the breakout stars of the new Netflix TV show—Sophie Grace (Kristy), Momona Tamada (Claudia), Malia Baker (Mary Anne), Shay Rudolph (Stacey), and Xochitl Gomez (Dawn)—answer questions from our Scholastic Kid Reporters. We also spotlight author Ann M. Martin, who created the beloved book series. Host Suzanne McCabe spoke with Ann in 2016, amid celebrations of the 30th anniversary of the best-selling series, which began in 1986 with the publication of Kristy’s Great Idea. You can learn more about The Baby-Sitters Club book series, including the graphic novels, here and the Netflix TV show here (https://kids.scholastic.com/kids/books/baby-sitters-club/). Special thanks: Music composer: Lucas Elliot Eberl Producer: Bridget Benjamin Associate producer: Mackenzie Cutruzzula Sound engineer: Daniel Jordan

The Baby-Sitters Club Debuts on Netflix

On November 14, 1960, Ruby Bridges integrated the all-white William Frantz Public School in her New Orleans neighborhood. She was six years old. Ruby’s courageous journey helped pave the way for Black and brown students across the United States to gain access to educational opportunities that had been denied to them for centuries. Sixty years later, “Black Lives Matter” has become a rallying cry for an end to the systemic racism that continues to harm African Americans nationwide. Ruby is still speaking out and still speaking up. In 1995, she created the Ruby Bridges Foundation, which is dedicated to fostering respect and equality for people of all races and backgrounds. She talks with children everywhere about the disease of racism, which she says is “a disease of the heart.” In this episode, Ruby talks with host Suzanne McCabe about the events that led her parents to risk the hostility of segregationists for a better life and how her story can help today’s young people bring about lasting change and equality. To learn more about the Ruby Bridges Foundation, go to rubybridges.com, and follow Ruby on Instagram at @RubyBridgesOfficial. If you’d like to share Ruby’s story with your students, you can order her 1999 memoir, Through My Eyes, here. Click here to access the Power of Story, a catalog of diverse books for readers of all ages. Special thanks: Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl Produced by Bridget Benjamin Associate produced by Mackenzie Cutruzzula Sound mix, editing and recording by Colin Poellot

Through My Eyes: Ruby Bridges on the Struggle for Racial Justice

Change is in the air, and we're delighted to bring a fresh new voice to the podcast. Debut author Leah Johnson is here to talk about You Should See Me in a Crown, her joyful, hilarious young adult novel about the irrepressible Liz Lighty. As a queer, Black teen in a prom-obsessed Midwestern town, Liz thinks that it’s impossible to fit in. But when she meets the new girl at school—who is also her competition for prom queen—everything changes. In this episode, Leah talks with host Suzanne McCabe about growing up in Indiana, becoming a fiction writer, and “giving queer folks the happy ending they deserve.” Learn more about Leah and You Should See Me in a Crown. Special thanks: Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl Produced by Bridget Benjamin Associate produced and edited by Mackenzie Cutruzzula Sound mix and recording by Daniel Jordan

Celebrating Pride Month With Debut Novelist Leah Johnson

During the pandemic, many of us have experienced feelings of fear, anxiety, and loss. These feelings extend to children, too, who are learning new lessons at home and wondering what the future holds. They may be worried about family members and their own safety while trying to keep up with schoolwork, which is looking very different these days. What can parents and educators do to help kids cope with uncertainty and continue to learn and thrive? In this episode, host Suzanne McCabe talks with Dr. Eli Lebowitz, an associate professor at the Yale Child Study Center and director of their Program for Anxiety Disorders. In 2018, Scholastic and the Child Study Center formed a collaborative to explore how literacy can be used to foster resilience among children and families. You can find additional information about the collaborative and explore their coronavirus resources here. Special thanks: Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl Produced by Bridget Benjamin Associate produced and edited by Mackenzie Cutruzzula Sound mix and recording by Daniel Jordan

Helping Kids and Parents Cope With Covid-19 Anxiety

In this episode, host Suzanne McCabe, who is the editor of Scholastic Kids Press, talks with five Kid Reporters about life during the coronavirus pandemic. She asks young journalists in Louisiana, New York, North Carolina, Texas, and the Philippines how they are coping with the global health crisis and what “the new normal” means to them. Scholastic Kids Press, which was founded in 2000, is an award-winning program of journalists between the ages of 10 and 14 who write "news for kids, by kids." The program is open to students around the world.   Special thanks: * Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl * Produced by Bridget Benjamin * Associate produced and edited by Mackenzie Cutruzzula * Sound mix and recording by Daniel Jordan

Listening to Kid Reporters: Life During the Pandemic

In her latest novel, Furious Thing, Jenny Downham discusses the insidious nature of gaslighting, the power of one 15-year-old girl’s anger, and the risk of speaking up about those feelings. Downham is also the author of Unbecoming, You Against Me, and Before I Die, which was made into a 2012 movie, Now Is Good, starring Dakota Fanning.

Furious Thing: YA Author Jenny Downham on the Power of Gaslighting

In this episode, we chat with Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden about the importance of representation for our young readers. Dr. Hayden is the first woman and first African American to serve as the Librarian of Congress, the world’s largest library. She also discusses the Library’s Rosa Parks exhibit that immerses visitors in Parks’ reflections, handwritten notes, and photos. Additional Resources: Rosa Parks: In Her Own Words (https://www.loc.gov/exhibitions/rosa-parks-in-her-own-words/about-this-exhibition/) exhibit features rarely seen materials that offer an intimate view of Rosa Parks and documents in her life and activism. Special thanks: Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl Produced and edited by Bridget Benjamin Associate produced by Mackenzie Cutruzzula Sound mix and recording by Daniel Jordan

The Librarian of Congress: Why Representation Matters

World Read Aloud Day is annual celebration that encourages kids, parents, and educators everywhere to grab a book, find an audience, and read aloud. On today’s episode, we’ll be talking with two literacy experts, Pam Allyn and Lester Laminack about the many benefits of reading aloud. Plus, you’ll hear exciting read alouds from authors like, Dav Pilkey, Carmen Agra Deedy, and Peter Reynolds. Don’t forget to read aloud on February 5! Special thanks: * Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl * Produced and edited by Bridget Benjamin * Associate Produced by Mackenzie Cutruzzula * Sound mix and recording by Daniel Jordan * *Suzanne McCabe is the Editor of Scholastic Kids Press

The Power of World Read Aloud Day

Happy holidays from all of us in the Scholastic Family! On this episode, we asked our employees to share their fondest holiday memories. You'll hear about Christmas read-alouds, a Chanukah grab bag, and even a fashion show on Eid al-Fitr.  Guests: Kevin Kirschner: Nephew of host Suzanne McCabe Mark Seidenfeld: Vice President and Deputy General Counsel Talia Seidenfeld: Assistant Editor Patti Vaughan: Convention Manager, Corporate Conventions Raisa Masood: Internal Communications Coordinator Amanda Erbe: Scholastic Kid Reporter Special thanks: Hosted by Suzanne McCabe Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl Produced and edited by Bridget Benjamin Associate produced by Mackenzie Cutruzzula Sound mix and recording by Daniel Jordan 

Scholastic Employees Share Their Holiday Traditions

Acclaimed author, Maggie Stiefvater describes Call Down the Hawk, the first book in a brand-new trilogy, as a “big, strange, weird novel” full of all of the things she likes in both novels and life. This includes art, magic, music, and mythology. Call Down the Hawk follows Ronan Lynch, a character who can take things out of his dreams and bring them into real life, and Jordan Hennessy, an artist, a thief, and maybe something else. If you’re a fan of young-adult literature, you’re probably familiar with Maggie’s work. She is the New York Times best-selling author of The Raven Cycle, The Shiver Trilogy, and The Scorpio Races. On this episode, we'll talk with her and award-winning author Scott Westerfeld about what it’s like to expand a fictional universe for eager fans. Scott is the author of The Uglies Series, The Leviathan Trilogy, and Impostors, among many other titles. Special thanks: * Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl * Produced and edited by Bridget Benjamin * Associate Produced by Mackenzie Cutruzzula * Sound mix and recording by Daniel Jordan * *Suzanne McCabe is the Editor of Scholastic Kids Press

Expanding an Existing World

You may remember Alyssa from her hilarious role on Who’s the Boss? In addition to being an actress, Alyssa is an activist, and now a children’s book author. She recently wrote Hope: Project Middle School. On this episode she joins us to discuss her new novel and the power of hope. We're also joined by Scholastic Kids Press reporter Alula Alderson who recently interviewed Alyssa on her book tour in Los Angeles. Alula also talks about what Hope: Project Middle School means to her as a current middle school student.  Guests:  Alyssa Milano: Actress and activist Alyssa Milano has spent almost her entire life in the public eye. A famous child actor, she has continued to work throughout her adulthood in both television and film, most notably starring in the wildly popular television series Who's the Boss? and Charmed. Alyssa is also a lifelong activist and is passionate about fighting for human rights around the world. In 2003, UNICEF invited Alyssa to become a National Ambassador in recognition of her charitable work on behalf of children. Ever since then, Alyssa has been a champion of children's rights, working closely with UNICEF to raise money and awareness and provide aid to the children who need it most all over the world. Alyssa also speaks to kids in schools around the country about the importance of voting and teaches them how to fill out a ballot because she believes it's never too early to be civic-minded. Most recently, Alyssa is known for popularizing the #MeToo hashtag on Twitter, sparking the massive viral movement. She was named one of the 2017 Persons of the Year in Time magazine alongside other prestigious activists. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two kids. Alula Alderson: A Scholastic Kids Press reporter since 2017, Alula Alderson covers a variety of topics including entertainment, the enviornment, and history.  Additional Resources: Learn more about Hope: Project Middle School by Alyssa Milano and Debbie Rigaud, illustrated by Eric S. Keyes here. Learn more about the Scholastic Kids Press here.  Special thanks: Music composed by Lucas Elliot Eberl Produced and edited by Bridget Benjamin Associate Produced by Mackenzie Cutruzzula Sound mix and recording by Daniel Jordan *Suzanne McCabe is the Editor of Scholastic Kids Press

Alyssa Milano on Hope and Middle School

Scholastic's podcast about the joy and power of reading, the books we publish for children and young adults, and the authors, editors, and stories behind them. We’ll explore topics important to parents, educators, and the reader in all of us.

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Scholastic Reads

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