Ways to connect with Trudy: Website, Twitter, Instagram
Below you will find the Amazon affiliate links for the books mentioned in this episode. Just click to purchase.
The invisible Boy
Quite Please, Owen McPhee
Brave Every Day
Calling the Wind
Counting By 7s
Open The Magic,
Ramonarecommends.com
Magic Wear Shop
A True Wonder: The Comic Book Hero Who Changed Everything
Wood, Wire, Wings
One Wish: Fatima al-Fihri and the World's Oldest University
Ways to connect with Kirsten: Instagram, Website, Twitter
This week you are going to love getting to meet former elementary school teacher Tami Charles who is the author of All Because You Matter. We talk about who she was as a reader growing up and who inspired her to become a picture book author. We really connect over our thoughts on the importance of picture books. She shares some of the authors she looks up to as a writer and the influence they had on her students. We also discuss her growth as a writer and her habits of writing. You will learn all about her book All Because You Matter and where the story came from. We also discuss the author/illustrator relationship and how that influences the outcome of a book. Tami is a treat and you are going to love this episode. Click here to listen to this week's episode.
Below you will find the Amazon affiliate links for the books mentioned in this episode. Just click to purchase:
Madame Saqui: Revolutionary Rope Dancer
Being a Dog: A Tail of Mindfulness
Luli and the Language Of Tea
Where the Wild Things Are
Open The Magic,
Courtney Hinshaw
-------Come hang out!--------
@ramonarecommends {instagram}
Ramonarecommends.com
Magic Wear Shop
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This week it is my pleasure to introduce you to Margaret Greanias—a busy mom of three and a picture book author. She shares how someone with an MBA found themselves as a picture book author. We talked about our favorite genres of books and how books that show different cultures are so important. We also shared our love of reading and book conferences. You get to hear about her newest book Amah Faraway and the memories that inspired it. Margaret shares about where her ideas come from for her stories and how they develop. She has such a kind and easygoing manor and was a joy to interview. Click here to listen to this week's episode.
Amah Faraway
Maximillian Villainous
I Don't Care
The Book of Mistakes
-------Come hang out!--------
@ramonarecommends {instagram}
Ramonarecommends.com
Magic Wear Shop
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Today is a special treat- It is my birthday and believe it or not, it is also my guest Shelley Johannes’ birthday! Can’t believe it. She is the author and illustrator of the Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker series and the More Than Sunny picture book. She was originally an architectural designer and never imagined that she could be an author and illustrator, too. She discusses the special combination of words and images that picture books offer and how it is a unique reading experience with magical results. She shares the inspiration for her picture book and where she gets her ideas for writing. You will love learning about her creative process. I was inspired by her carefree approach to life. Please connect with Shelley on Instagram and Twitter and reach our for an author visit! Click here to listen to this week's special episode.
Beatrice Zinker, Upside Down Thinker
More than Sunny
This Joy!
The Upside Down Hat
A Story is to Share
Fraidy Zoo
The Vanderbeekers Series
Open The Magic,
Courtney Hinshaw
-------Come hang out!--------
@ramonarecommends {instagram}
Ramonarecommends.com
Magic Wear Shop

This week I had the pleasure of talking to Charlotte Offsay, the author of A Grandma's Magic. Charlotte talks about her move from the corporate world to her dream job as a picture book writer. She talks about the importance of picture books and the influence her love of reading had on her job today. You will also learn the inspiration for her newly released book called A Grandma's Magic. It was a joy to get to know Charlotte. Be sure to connect with her on her website or Instagram or Twitter. Click HERE to listen to this week's episode.
A Grandma's Magic
How to Return a Monster
The Big Beach Cleanup
First Notes of Spring
-------Come hang out!--------
@ramonarecommends {instagram}
Ramonarecommends.com
Magic Wear Shop

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This week you will have the pleasure of meeting Scott Rothman. He is a former screenplay writer turned picture book author. He talks about his early love of reading and the picture book he wrote when he was only 12 years old. He discusses the camaraderie of the picture book community and some of his proudest moments as an author. There may be a few rabbit trails where we discuss our favorite sports teams, how we like our hamburgers, and left-handed people. Scott has a natural humor and easy-going personality that makes him a joy to get to know. This is such an entertaining and informative episode! Click here to listen to this week's episode.
Attack of the Underwear Dragon
Return of the Underwear Dragon
Mako and Tiger: Two Not-So-Friendly Sharks
Parfait, Not Parfait!
Blue Bison Needs a Haircut
The Sweetest Scoop
Escargot
A Book for Escargot
Love, Escargot
-------Come hang out!--------
@ramonarecommends {instagram}
Ramonarecommends.com
Magic Wear Shop
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HERE to listen to this week's episode.
Below you will find the Amazon affiliate links for the books mentioned in this episode. Just click to purchase.
You are in for a treat this week as I introduce you to the remarkable Giles Andreae, author of the ever-popular Giraffes Can’t Dance and many more titles. Giles lives in the UK, and we had to get creative to coordinate our schedules in order to find an ideal time to chat in spite of the time zone differences. Giles is not only a picture book author but also an illustrator and cartoonist and songwriter. Giles shares his journey to becoming a picture book author, some of his upcoming projects and why picture books are such a gift to people of all ages. You need to listen to find out what his next book is called and his thoughts on the impact that Social and Emotional Learning books have on people today. You can connect with Giles @giles_andreae on Instagram. Click here to listen to this week's episode.
Below you will find the Amazon affiliate links for the books mentioned in this episode. Just click to purchase.
Giraffes Can’t Dance
Free to Be Elephant Me
Be Brave, Little Penguin
Brave Dave
The Pig of Happiness
Open The Magic,
Courtney Hinshaw
-------Come hang out!--------
@ramonarecommends {instagram}
Ramonarecommends.com
Magic Wear Shop

Below are Amazon affiliate links to the books mentioned in this episode.
Revolutionary Prudence Wright
The Inconvenient Alphabet
Franz's Phantasmagorical Machine
Tad Lincoln's Restless Wriggle
Lizzie Demands a Seat!
"Smelly" Kelly and His Super Senses
Cloaked in Courage: Uncovering Deborah Sampson, Patriot Soldier
Open the Magic-
This week you get to hear the genius behind The Pumphrey Brothers book-making process. Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey are authors of the books The Old Truck and The Old Boat and the upcoming Somewhere in the Bayou. You will enjoy hearing the brothers recall their journey to becoming collaborative picture books authors/illustrators. They also talk about the connection between their reading lives as children and their current professional work. You can connect with them through their individual Instagram accounts (linked in their names above) or their shared website: thepumphreybrothers.com. You will be happy to know that they do both virtual and in-person school visits. It was a joy to get to know these men, and I hope you enjoy our chat, too. Click here to listen to this episode.
Below are Amazon affiliate links to the books mentioned in this episode.
The First Cat in Space Ate Pizza
Open The Magic,
Courtney Hinshaw
-------Come hang out!--------
@ramonarecommends (Instagram)
I cannot tell you what an honor it was to do this week’s episode. I am proud to introduce you to Andrea Wang, who is the 2022 Newbery Honor Book Award recipient and the Asian-Pacific American Award for Literature recipient for the book Watercress (this book also won the Caldecott medal). She shares the story behind this semi-autobiographical book that has received such acclaim. You will learn more details about the story and its impact on the literary world and those who have read it. A special moment is when she recounts the day that she learned about winning the Newbery Honor. Andrea also shares such wisdom about her life as an author which was a second career for her. Her wish is that listeners or readers who might have felt “othered” will find hope and connection to her story. Her love of reading and picture books is contagious— this is a special episode. I hope you enjoy getting to know Andrea better.
Click HERE to listen to this week's episode.
Below you will find the Amazon affiliate links for the books mentioned in this episode. Just click the title to purchase.
Ways to connect with Andrea:
andreaywang.com (website)
@andreaywang (Twitter)
@andreawhywang (Instagram)
andreawangbooks@gmail.com (for author visits)
@ramonarecommends (Instagram)