The Children's Book Podcast

This week on the podcast:

JWith the recent passing of Jane Yolen, it has had me in my thoughts and my feelings about those in the kidlit space who have affected and moved me and so many others, not just with their works, but with how they showed up in our lives. I remember an episode of Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood where Mr. Rogers took us to meet his friend, Tomie DePaola. The warmth of his presence and the gentleness of his spirit made it feel like he was a person I could immediately trust.

Many, many years later, when I had grown and began a career as a teacher and school librarian, and had started this very podcast, I had the opportunity to interview Tomie for a book about finding the quiet in the world and in ourselves. Tomie was 83 at the time.

There were things about Tomie’s life that resonated with me deeply and unspoken truths about his identity and his life experiences that I connected with and will hold close. I can still feel a want to hold those details close and keep them just for me. I hope that the books I write one day can reach children the way that those of Leo Lionni and of Arnold Lobel and of Tomie DePaola reached me.

If you are not familiar with Tomie’s work, or if it’s been some time since you last read one of his books, I hope you’ll take this as an invitation to do just that.

Thank you endlessly for making this mark on me, Tomie. I am grateful to have known you, even if so very briefly.

Please enjoy this special encore of my conversation with Tomie DePaola.

Click on the link in my bio or listen wherever podcast are found! 🎧 📚 💕

@boydsmills