Here Wee Read Live: New York Times Bestselling Author Derrick Barnes and Vanessa Brantley-Newton – The Queen of Kindergarten

This episode is a recording from a live author panel event that took place on March 8, 2022.

This was an intimate couch conversation with author-illustrator Vanessa Brantley-Newton and New York Times Bestselling Author Derrick Barnes. Moderated by Charnaie Gordon from Here Wee Read.

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One of the greatest gifts we can give our children in the early years is words. #ad

As a parent and an educator, I’ve seen firsthand how a child’s world opens up when they’re surrounded by books, stories, and rich conversations from the very beginning.

Reading is a doorway to curiosity, confidence, and connection. Whether we’re curled up on the couch reading their favorite bedtime story for the 100th time or heading to the library to pick out a new book adventure, I know these moments matter. They’re planting the seeds for a lifelong love of learning.

That’s why I’m proud to be a #BrandAdvocate for @theirworldorg, an organization advocating for greater investment in early childhood education and universal access to pre-primary education. I believe a child deserves the chance to build vital skills for the future and fall in love with books, with language, and with learning.

The early years are everything.

#ActForEarlyYears #Theirworld #teachersrock #teacherappreciationweek2025 #teacherfollowteachers #teachersforteachers #teachersfollowteachers #teachersofinstagram #teachergram #earlychildhoodeducator #earlychildhoodeducation #earlychildhoodlearning #earlychildhoodliteracy

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Still not over the magic that went down in Bridgeport, CT tonight at one of the J vs. K book tour events hosted by Kindred Thoughts Bookstore @kindredthoughtsbookstore.

Kwame Alexander @kwamealexander and Jerry Craft @jerrycraft are two literary heavyweights and real-life creative “rivals”. They had the room buzzing with laughs, stories, and wisdom as they brought their epic new book J vs. K to life. From friendly jabs to powerful gems about art, writing, and collaboration, it was pure gold.

Getting to hear them talk about the hilariously fierce showdown between fifth graders J and K made me appreciate the book even more. These characters may be fictional, but the energy between Kwame and Jerry? 100% real and unforgettable.

J vs. K is available now wherever books are sold. Grab it, read it, laugh out loud, and maybe even pick a side… Team J or Team K? #jvskbook #jvsk #kindredthoughtsbookstore #kwamealexander #jerrycraft #bridgeportct

#childrensbooks #childrensbookstagram #picturebookoftheday #picturebooks #picturebookstagram #readeveryday #readdaily #booksforkids #picturebooksforkids #hereweeread #bookstagram #kidsbookstagram #booksforchildren #readingismagic #readmorebooks #readingisfundamental

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Author Kwame Alexander @kwamealexander (and his Emmy) showed up at my school today for the ultimate Teacher Appreciation Week surprise for our teachers, students and administrators.

Y’all go out and support him and Jerry Craft’s @jerrycraft book J vs. K in stores now wherever books are sold. #TeacherAppreciationWeek

#childrensbooks #childrensbookstagram #picturebookoftheday #picturebooks #picturebookstagram #readeveryday #readdaily #booksforkids #picturebooksforkids #hereweeread #bookstagram #kidsbookstagram #booksforchildren #readingismagic #readmorebooks #readingisfundamental #jvsk #jvskbook #kwamealexander #jerrycraft #kwameshowedup #middlegradefiction #middlegradereads #middlegradebooks

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Mamas come in many forms and so does a mother’s love.

Whether it’s the way she says your name, the stories she tells, or how she somehow always knows when you need a hug…motherhood is magic.

This Mother’s Day, I’ll be spotlighting picture books that honor moms, grandmas, aunties, and chosen mamas the ones who show up with heart, patience, and love that lasts a lifetime.

Each book is great for snuggly storytimes or celebrating the special person who feels like home.

Books featured in this reel:

Our Mother’s Names: Love in Many Languages by Uma Menon
I Got It From My Mama by @tikasumpter
Mommy Time by @sweetpeabooks @artsyebby
Me and Mama by @cozbi
Just Like a Mama by @alicefayewrites @callmechartreuse
Who Will You Be? by @andreapippins

#childrensbooks #childrensbookstagram #picturebookoftheday #picturebooks #picturebookstagram #readeveryday #readdaily #booksforkids #picturebooksforkids #hereweeread #bookstagram #kidsbookstagram #booksforchildren #readingismagic #readmorebooks #readingisfundamental

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Summer’s calling and so are the books!

If you’re looking for fun ways to keep kids reading I’ve got you.

I have a variety of diverse coloring printables, reading games, and bingo challenges that sneak in learning while kids are having fun.

It’s all about beating the summer slide without the summer stress.

Browse the selection at the links in my bio.

#summerslide #summerreading #summerreadingchallenge #childrensbooks #childrensbookstagram #picturebookoftheday #picturebooks #picturebookstagram #readeveryday #readdaily #booksforkids #picturebooksforkids #hereweeread #bookstagram #kidsbookstagram #booksforchildren #readingismagic #readmorebooks #readingisfundamental

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If you enjoy books about books, words, and writing check out this stack.

From the magic of Dear Bookstore to the powerhouse legacy of A Crown of Stories about Toni Morrison, these picture books celebrate stories that shape us, words that lift us, and books that feel like home.

Whether it’s a wild imagination trip with Once Upon a Book, standing up for stories with The Great Banned-Books Sale, or dreaming about reading every book ever with I Want to Read All the Books, every page reminds us why we fell in love with books in the first place.

Which one are you adding to your TBR first?
(And yes, “all of them” is a perfectly acceptable answer.)

Books featured here:

Dear Bookstore by Emily Arrow @helloemilyarrow
A Crown of Stories: The Life and Language of Beloved Writer Toni Morrison by Carole Boston Weatherford @caroleweatherford
Once Upon a Book by Grace Lin @pacylin and Kate Messner @katemessner
The Great Banned-Books Sale by Aya Khalil @ayakhalilauthor
The Book That Almost Rhymed by Omar Abed @omarabedwrites
I Want to Read All the Books by @inkygirl Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Book Comes Home by Rob Sanders @robsanderswrites
Books Make Good Friends by Jane Mount @jane_mount
Words of Wonder from Z to A by @zailaavantgarde
Zaila Avant-Garde

#childrensbooks #childrensbookstagram #picturebookoftheday #picturebooks #picturebookstagram #readeveryday #readdaily #booksforkids #picturebooksforkids #hereweeread #bookstagram #kidsbookstagram #booksforchildren #readingismagic #readmorebooks #readingisfundamental

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Here Wee Read Live: New York Times Bestselling Author Derrick Barnes and Vanessa Brantley-Newton – The Queen of Kindergarten

More you’ll love

Mango and Marigold Press: Chatting Books and Diversity with CEO Sailja Joshi

10 Children’s Books Publishing in 2022: JaNay Brown-Wood, PhD

Here Wee Read Live: Black Children’s Book Week Author Panel

We Got the Spirit: Up Close and Personal with Frank and Connie Morrison

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More you’ll love

Mango and Marigold Press: Chatting Books and Diversity with CEO Sailja Joshi

10 Children’s Books Publishing in 2022: JaNay Brown-Wood, PhD

Here Wee Read Live: Black Children’s Book Week Author Panel

We Got the Spirit: Up Close and Personal with Frank and Connie Morrison

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