Hosted by Charnaie Gordon, Here Wee Read: A Bookish Podcast celebrates diverse and inclusive books for kids and adults. In addition to interviewing kid lit and adult writers and illustrators on occasion, you’ll be updated on the latest bookish headlines and hear 30-second book reviews. This podcast is especially good for parents, caregivers, homeschoolers, librarians, and teachers who have the desire to diversify their bookshelves.
I Am Smart, I Am Blessed, I Can Do Anything! Interview with Alissa Holder & Zulekha Holder-Young
Alissa Holder is a graduate of the State University of New York at Albany, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology. She has always had a passion for working with children and works as a teacher at a childcare center in New York City. She is the mother of two children, Ayaan Diop and... read more
William Still and His Freedom Stories: Interview with Don Tate
Don Tate is an award-winning author, and the illustrator of numerous critically acclaimed books for children. He is also one of the founding hosts of the blog The Brown Bookshelf – a blog designed to push awareness of the myriad of African American voices writing for young readers, with book reviews, author and illustrator interviews.... read more
Celebrating 10 Years of Chocolate Me!: Interview with Shane W. Evans
Shane W. Evans is a multi-talented artist and visionary who combines his world travels with his art to influence creative expression in others. Evans studied at Syracuse University School of Visual and Performing Arts and graduated in 1993 and began traveling the world. In addition to contract work in illustration, graphic design and web design... read more
Thank You, Omu!: Interview with Oge Mora
Oge Mora is a storyteller residing in Providence, RI. Her picture book, Thank You, Omu!, was a Caldecott Honor, Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award winner, Ezra Jack Keats Book Award recipient, and a New York Times Notable Book and Editors’ Choice. Her second book, Saturday was a Parent’s Magazine, Publishers’ Weekly, Kirkus Reviews,... read more
The Magnificent Makers: Interview with Dr. Theanne Griffith
Meet Dr. Theanne Griffith, a neuroscientist and the author of the STEM-themed chapter book series, The Magnificent Makers. Since she was a little girl, she has loved both storytelling and science. Her books blend these two passions, taking young readers on out of this world adventures they will never forget. The first two books in... read more
We All Have a Voice: Interview with Cozbi A. Cabrera
In this episode, Charnaie gets up close and personal with author-illustrator Cozbi A. Cabrera. In addition to being a wife and mom, Cozbi is also an author, illustrator and doll maker of the most beautiful handmade dolls. Cozbi A. Cabrera received a BFA from Parsons School of Design. Her cloth dolls (Muñecas) have garnered the... read more
Ty’s Travels: Interview with Kelly Starling Lyons and Nina Mata
In this episode, Charnaie chats books with author Kelly Starling Lyons and illustrator Nina Mata. Listen to find out what the inspiration behind the Ty’s Travels series was and learn the upcoming projects both Kelly and Nina are working on. Kelly Starling Lyons is a founding member of The Brown Bookshelf (http://thebrownbookshelf.com). Her acclaimed picture... read more
Roxy The Last Unisaurus Rex: Interview with Eva Chen
In this episode, Charnaie chats with Eva Chen. Eva Chen went from being a former pre-med student to the director of fashion partnerships at Instagram. She’s also a wife, mom and children’s book author. Previously she was editor-in-chief of Lucky and beauty and health director at Teen Vogue. Eva’s books include: Roxy the Last Unisaurus... read more
Meeting Michelle Obama: Interview with Parker Curry and Jessica Curry
In this episode, Charnaie chats with five-year old Parker Curry and her mother Jessica Curry. Parker is a precocious, charismatic, and talkative five year old, who loves ballet, books and learning Mandarin Chinese. She is the New York Times Bestselling author of the picture book Parker Looks Up which received an NAACP Image Award nomination.... read more
Eyes That Kiss in the Corners: Interview with Debut Author Joanna Ho
In this episode, Charnaie interviews New York Times Bestselling author Derrick Barnes and illustrator Gordon C. James. Derrick Barnes wrote the New York Times bestseller The King of Kindergarten, as well as the critically acclaimed picture book Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut (illustrated by Gordon James), which received a Newbery Honor, a Coretta... read more
I Am Every Good Thing: Up Close and Personal with Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James
In this episode, Charnaie interviews New York Times Bestselling author Derrick Barnes and illustrator Gordon C. James. Derrick Barnes wrote the New York Times bestseller The King of Kindergarten, as well as the critically acclaimed picture book Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut (illustrated by Gordon James), which received a Newbery Honor, a Coretta... read more
I’m Not a Fan of Diverse Books, I’m a Fan of Diverse Thinking People, a conversation with Kwame Alexander
In this episode, Charnaie interviews New York Times Bestselling author Kwame Alexander. Kwame is also a poet, educator, author of 37 books, including THE UNDEFEATED, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, HOW TO READ A BOOK, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, SWING, REBOUND, which was shortlisted for prestigious Carnegie Medal, and, his NEWBERY medal-winning middle grade novel, THE... read more
