I've always been a little bemused by the saying, "don't judge a book by its cover." Of course, I get the metaphor and, I know it's never a good idea to judge things, or people, based solely on their outward appearance. And yet... when it comes to books, WE ALL JUDGE THEM BY THEIR COVERS! The cover of a book can make or break its popularity. Some book covers are so iconic that they become lodged in our collective memories. One glance at the cover, and readers decide, almost instantly, if that book is for them. And look... I'm not saying this is a best practice, y'all. I'm merely saying that despite a well-worn maxim, telling us to do the exact opposite, books are a thing that we still very much judge by their covers.
All of that said, I love the cover of Allie Millington's Olivetti. The color story, the subject matter and even the typeset all speak to me. (I loved the cover so much, I recreated it out of Lego!) What's more, hearing Allie share the ways she has incorporated typewriters into her school visits and how connecting with this technology with a bygone era has brought her readers closer to her book and to one another, just made me love its cover even more. I know... I know... we're not supposed to judge books by their cover. But I'm glad I decided to pick up Allie Millington's debut as a result of my connection to the illustration on the front, because Olivetti has become a forever book of my heart.
ABOUT THIS WEEK'S GUEST
Allie Millington is the author of heartfelt books for the young and young at heart. Her debut middle grade novel, Olivetti, was an instant USA Today Bestseller and Indie Bookstore Bestseller, received a glowing review in the New York Times by Tom Hanks, and made several Best of 2024 Lists including School Library Journal, NPR, and The Boston Globe.
Allie started her writing career all the way back in third grade, when she won a reflections contest with a story about a heroic pencil. From there, with the help of encouraging teachers and a steady diet of waffles, she began her long journey of sharing stories told from unique perspectives and chasing wild What If ideas.
As with most journeys, there were bumps and stubbed toes along the way—including receiving hundreds of rejection letters which she turned into her Rejection Collection. It was around this time that her husband gifted her a special typewriter, who turned out to have quite a lot to say.
When Allie isn’t writing, she’s likely thrifting for treasures, foraging in the woods, or hanging out with elementary and middle schoolers (the best kinds of humans around). She’s worked with students in England, Brasil, and the U.S., and loves spending time in classrooms.
In Spring of 2025, she’s releasing her middle grade novel, Once For Yes (a Junior Library Guild selection) and the start of her picture book series, When You Find A Hope.
Allie lives near Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, their dog Crumpet, and a collection of clacking machines.
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
Note: episode transcripts are generated by AI and are likely imperfect. Still, I hope you find them useful.
RESOURCES & LINKS
Please enjoy a special discount of 20% off the titles mentioned in this episode (or others of your choice) by visiting Bookelicious and using the code JENNIFERLAGARDE. Note: I do not make any money from the sales, but I am delighted that you get to save some!
Olivetti by Allie Millington
Once For Yes by Allie Millington
When You Find a Hope by Allie Millington and Anne Lambelet
Connect with Allie
MORE ABOUT THE READER’S HEART
Rooted in the belief that our world needs the magic of children’s literature now more than ever, the Reader’s Heart podcast captures conversations with authors and illustrators about children's literature as a vehicle for empathy and joy in a dark world. I'm so excited about this project and it's my wish that it brings you as much light and hope as it has brought me.
Special thanks to Corinna Luyken for creating the beautiful illustration that will serve as the show's logo. I've always found Corinna's art so moving and she perfectly captured the spirit of what I am trying to do, which is to put warmth and love into the world during a time when so many are working to limit kids' access to the warmth and love inherent in children's literature. (Also, don't forget, you can use the discount above to buy Corinna's books from Bookelicious, too!)
Weekly episodes will drop on Tuesdays. Once you've had a chance to listen, I hope you will consider leaving The Reader's Heart a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ review! Podcast reviews are one of the best ways to support your favorite shows and help others find these conversations.
WHERE TO LISTEN:
Wherever you listen to podcasts!
