children's books

Granny is going on 'The Walk' to the polls — and the whole town is invited

7:00am October 26, 2024

"Leaders are not born," Granny says. "They're made through molding and modeling." That's why she and her granddaughter and putting on their hats and coats and walking to the polls.

Queue Listen Now

A little mouse sets sail on a big adventure in 'The Ship in the Window'

7:00am October 13, 2024

Author Travis Jonker and illustrator Matthew Cordell talk about the real model ship that inspired their picture book about a man, his son, a mouse, and the voyage that brings them together.

Queue Listen Now

Some babysitters are forever — just ask 'Señora Mimí'

7:00am September 08, 2024

Ana is so excited that her abuela is coming to live with her — until it means saying goodbye to her babysitter. No More Señora Mimí is an ode to caregivers from Meg Medina and Brittany Cicchese.

Queue Listen Now

'The Dictionary Story' is a kids' book that defies definition

7:00am August 31, 2024

Dictionary wants to bring her pages to life but then a hungry alligator chasing a donut crashes into a queen who slips on some soap and chaos ensues. Can Dictionary put herself back together again?

Queue Listen Now

To learn 'The Truth About Dragons,' go on a quest through this kids' book

7:00am July 27, 2024

by Samantha Balaban

A little boy must go on a hero's quest — through woods full of oak trees and a bamboo forest — to discover "The Truth About Dragons" in Julie Leung and Hanna Cha's Caldecott Honor children's book.

Queue Listen Now

'Emergency Quarters' are for pay phones (remember those?) in a new book by ‘90s kids

7:00am June 30, 2024

by Samantha Balaban

Ernesto's mom gives him a quarter every morning. "For emergencies," she says. "If you need me, look for a pay phone." Hey, it was the '90s! But how will Ernesto spend his Emergency Quarters?

Queue Listen Now

Mama in the Moon, written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Brian Cronin

When Baby Sloth tumbles out of a tree, Mama Sloth comes for him — s l o w l y

8:43am May 25, 2024

by Samantha Balaban

Did you know on average a sloth will fall out of a tree once a week for its entire life? It's true — and the inspiration for Brian Cronin and Doreen Cronin's new children's book, Mama in the Moon.

Queue Listen Now

Spider in the Well, written and illustrated by Jess Hannigan

Books
Arts

Hold on to your wishes — there's a 'Spider in the Well'

8:56am May 19, 2024

There's trouble in the town of Bad Göodsburg! A wishing well has stopped working! NPR's Tamara Keith talks with Jess Hannigan about her new children's book, "Spider in the Well."

Queue Listen Now

<em>My Lost Freedom</em>, written by George Takei and illustrated by Michelle Lee

George Takei 'Lost Freedom' some 80 years ago – now he's written that story for kids

8:00am April 20, 2024

by Samantha Balaban

When actor George Takei was 4 years old, he was labeled an "enemy" by the U.S. government and sent to a string of incarceration camps. His new children's book about that time is My Lost Freedom.

Queue Listen Now

Lindsey Anderson sits down to read Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina to her children Orion, 6, Arthur, 4, and Thora Hoke, 1, inside the exhibit inspired by the book inside The Rabbit hOle, an immersive museum dedicated to children's literature, in North Kansas City, Mo.

Books
Arts

An immersive museum in Kansas City allows kids to explore their favorite books

5:00am April 17, 2024

by Katie Currid

A new museum in Kansas City is designed for kids to be immersed in their favorite books, including classics like Goodnight Moon.