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.
American Desi: Jyoti Rajan Gopal and Supriya Kelkar
Jyoti Rajan Gopal is a writer, mom, and Kindergarten teacher. Growing up, she lived in Thailand, Indonesia, Myanmar, India, and China. Twenty-eight years ago, she moved to New York and now lives in Yonkers in a quirky old Victorian, with her husband and two daughters. Her favorite place in the house is the wrap around... read more
The First and Only Openly Gay Strongman in the World: Rob Kearney & Eric Rosswood
Rob Kearney is an American Professional Strongman as well as the first and only openly gay professional strongman in the world. Rob decided to compete in the Heavyweight class where he took 1st place in the 2016 Log Lift World Championships and has gone on to compete at World’s Strongest Man. Rob is a Giants... read more
Why I’m Planning to Pivot on Social Media to Share Bookish Content
In response to a recent post in my Instagram stories, I’m talking about the positive and negative impacts social media has had on my life over the past seven years. read more
The Bad Guys: Live Interview with Aaron Blabey and Pierre Perifel
This episode is a recording of a live interview that took place on April 13th on the campus of DreamWorks Animation Studio in Glendale, California. I had the incredible opportunity to interview the author and executive producer of the movie The Bad Guys, Aaron Blabey and the director Pierre Perifel in-person after watching a private... read more
Twelve Dinging Doorbells: Book Chat with Author Tameka Fryer-Brown
Tameka Fryer Brown (a native of Miami, Florida) has called Charlotte, North Carolina home for over 20 years. Her first literary accomplishment as a children’s book writer came when she was awarded one of two First Prizes in the 2008 Cheerios® Spoonfuls of Stories® New Author Contest. Her debut picture book, Around Our Way on... read more
Mango and Marigold Press: Chatting Books and Diversity with CEO Sailja Joshi
Growing up, Sailaja was a voracious reader. From Leo the Lop to Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and Amelia Bedelia, she loved every book she read. If you were to ask her today what her favorite book is, she’d likely say either the Harry Potter series OR The Tao of Pooh. It really depends on the day. Sailaja has been a passionate volunteer... read more
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. read more
10 Children’s Books Publishing in 2022: JaNay Brown-Wood, PhD
JaNay Brown-Wood, PhD is an author, educator, literary advocate, and mother who is committed to nurturing the next generation of readers by writing stories with more diversity and representation. Among her books releasing this year is a collaboration with Grammy-winning pop star Ciara and Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson titled Why Not You? a picture... read more
Here Wee Read Live: Black Children’s Book Week Author Panel
This episode is a recording from a live author panel event that took place on February 28, 2022 as part of Black Children’s Book Week, a week-long literary event celebrating Black children in literature. This was an intimate couch conversation with author-illustrator Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Denene Millner, Schele Williams, and Ty Allan Jackson. Moderated by Charnaie... read more
We Got the Spirit: Up Close and Personal with Frank and Connie Morrison
Frank Morrison started his journey as a graffiti artist in New Jersey, tagging walls with spray paint. Frank’s work can be found in numerous award-winning children’s books including Coretta Scott King – John Steptoe Award winner Jazzy Miz Mozetta, NAACP Image Award winner Our Children Can Soar and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor, Little Melba... read more
When the World Feels Heavy: Children’s Book Recommendations
In response to all the troubling current events happening around the world, I’m sharing a few children’s book recommendations. You can join the conversation by sending me an email message to: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com. I’d love to know what books you’re reading in your schools or at home with your children or grandchildren. Books mentioned in this... read more
Blackout: Chatting Books with NYT Bestselling YA & Picture Book Author Tiffany D. Jackson
Tiffany D. Jackson is the NYT Bestselling, award winning author of YA novels Monday’s Not Coming, Allegedly, Let Me Hear A Rhyme, Grown, White Smoke, Santa in The City and co-author of Blackout. A Coretta Scott King — John Steptoe New Talent Award-winner and the NAACP Image Award-nominee, she received her Bachelor of Arts... read more
Marley and the Family Band with Author, Singer, & CEO Cedella Marley
Cedella Marley is a Grammy-winning singer, designer, entrepreneur, and the first-born daughter of reggae singers Bob and Rita Marley. She is the CEO of Bob Marley’s recording label, Tuff Gong International, and the author of multiple children’s books including One Love. A life-long advocate of philanthropy, Cedella is the director of the Bob Marley Foundation... read more
Saving the Day with Author, Actress, Comedian, and Founder Karyn Parsons
Karyn Parsons is best known for her role as Will Smith’s spoiled and quippy cousin Hilary Banks on NBC’s The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. After Fresh Prince, Karyn went on to found Sweet Blackberry, an award-winning series of children’s animated films and books sharing stories of unsung black heroes in history, featuring narration from stars... read more
Black History Month: Teaching Beyond Slavery, Racism, Oppression, and Struggle
In response to a recent post on my Instagram account, I’m talking about going beyond teaching children about slavery, racism, oppression, and struggle during Black History Month or anytime of the year. You can join the conversation by either leaving a comment on my Instagram post or sending me an email message to: hereweereadpodcast@gmail.com. I’d... read more
Everything is Figureoutable: Jumpstart the New Year with NY Times Bestselling Author & Thought Leader Marie Forleo
MARIE FORLEO is an entrepreneur, #1 New York Times bestselling author, and host of the award-winning show MarieTV and The Marie Forleo Podcast, with millions of fans worldwide. One of the leading voices in personal development, she’s been featured everywhere from The Today Show to Harper’s Bazaar to Inc Magazine among others. Marie runs the acclaimed... read more
