ABOUT THIS WEEK'S GUEST
This week's episode of The Reader's Heart is so special to me. I've known Corinna Luyken for a few years now, thanks to our mutual friend, John Schu, who connected us when he realized that we live in the same town. Since then, Corinna has been a conduit between me and the thriving kidlit community in the place we call home. Naturally, when I started The Reader's Heart, I knew Corinna had to be a guest AND I knew that our conversation would be joyful and fun. What I didn't know is just how inspiring it would be to chat with my friend about what inspires her work. I shouldn't have been surprised, of course. After all, so many of Corinna's books center a theme of interconnectedness. Still, I was so moved to hear her unpack how her desire to make the world better drives the projects she chooses. I'm so grateful that Corinna Luyken is making books for young people and I can't wait to see what she creates next. But, most of all, I can't wait for you to hear our conversation!
EPISODE DETAILS:
EPISODE NUMBER: 009
GUEST: Corinna Luyken
Corinna Luyken is the author-illustrator of some of my favorite picture books including, ABC and You and Me, The Tree In Me, My Heart and The Book of Mistakes, she is also the illustrator of books written by other people like, In the Dark and Nothing in Common, by Kate Hoefler, Patchwork by Matt de la Peña and Something Good and Adrian Simcox Does Not Have a Horse by Marcy Campbell. Her picture book, My Heart, was selected to be part of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library for 2022 and 2023. Corinna was raised in Oregon, California, and Hawaii; and studied dance improvisation, poetry, and printmaking at Middlebury College in Vermont. She now lives in Western Washington, near the Salish Sea, where she also likes to dig in the dirt, surf, and read with a cat (or two) on her lap.
EPISODE TRANSCRIPT
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!
ABC and You and Me by Corinna Luyken
The Tree In Me by Corinna Luyken
My Heart by Corinna Luyken
The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken
In The Dark by Kate Hoefler and Corinna Luyken
Patchwork by Matt de la Peña and Corinna Luyken
Something Good by Marcy Campbell and Corinna Luyken
Nothing In Common by Kate Hoefler and Corinna Luyken
Adrian Simcox Does Not Have a Horse by Marcy Campbell and Corinna Luyken
Weird Little Robots by Carolyn Crimi and Corinna Luyken
Connect with Corinna:
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!
