Jenan Matari wrote a powerful book about the connection of her Jiddo's to his garden and how he was forced to flee Palestine, important for Palestinians, other indigenous children, and their friends to understand. She also talks about Palestine pre and post October 7th 2023. Finally, she gives recommendations for how one can help Palestinians. You can find information about Dr. Elisabeth Paige at www.mindfulhappykids.com.

It’s the tail end of Latinx Heritage Month and we’re approaching Halloween and Los Dios de Los Noches the perfect time to highlight “Lost on Doll Island,” by Cassandra Ramos-Gomez. In this conversation, middle grade, Mexican American, horror author Cassandra talks about her writing journey, her debut novel and her future. The book is spooky, creepy and loads of fun. You’ll find plenty of spooky dolls, spiders, and even Mexican magic. You can find information about Dr. Elisa...

Taqwa Ahmed Al-Wawi is a 19-year-old journalist born and raised and currently living through the horrors of Gaza. She's written over 40 articles and 25 poems for international publications. As she says, she went from her writing being her private therapy to a "duty" to portray the struggles of her people. This powerful interview is intense, heartbreaking and can bring tears to your eyes. You can find information about Dr. Elisabeth Paige at www.mindfulhappykids.com.

Welcome to Mindful Happy Kids! I’m Dr. Elisabeth Paige, and today we have a truly special guest—award-winning author Dana Alison Levy. In this episode, we dive into the world of banned books, explore the importance of diversity in science, and discover how hope can empower young readers. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or book lover, you won’t want to miss this inspiring conversation. Let’s get started! You can find information about Dr. Elisabeth Paige at www.mindfulhappykids.com.

In our busy world, finding moments of calm can be a challenge—especially for children. But what if mindfulness could be as simple as spending time with a beloved pet in a structured way set to relaxing music? Enter the Petting Petitation, a gentle meditation practice that combines the soothing act of petting an animal with the principles of mindfulness. What Is the Petting Petitation? The Petting Petitation is a playful, accessible way to introduce mindfulness to kids (and adults!). The idea ...

Welcome to this episode of "Mindful Happy Kids: Embracing Diversity, Equity and Inclusion," hosted by Dr. Elisabeth Paige! In this interview, Dr. Paige sits down with AnneMarie Mazotti Gouveia, a middle grade fantasy author and creator of the Drifter’s Realm trilogy. AnneMarie shares her inspiring journey from a career in Silicon Valley to becoming an author, discusses the creative process behind her magical worlds, and explains the importance of friendship, family, and non-violence in her st...

Join us for an inspiring interview with acclaimed middle grade author of 15 books Barbara Dee! In this episode, Barbara shares her journey from English teacher and lawyer to full-time writer, discusses her latest book "Tear This Down," and explores the powerful themes she weaves into her stories—empowering young readers, tackling social issues, and giving voice to complex characters. We dive into Barbara’s writing process, the importance of strong female protagonists, and the real-life inspir...

In this episode, we welcome Sonja Thomas, an acclaimed author renowned for her middle-grade novels featuring diverse characters and compelling stories. Sonja takes us through her literary journey from her childhood fascination with storytelling to becoming a published author. She shares the inspirations behind her celebrated books, 'Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence' and 'Olive Blackwood Takes Action.' We delve into themes such as financial insecurity, faith, anxiety, and the sign...

Join us as we talk with the incredible Sasha Saidman, a children's book author who brings joy, laughter, and important messages to every page. She tackles big topics like adoption, postpartum depression and neurodivergence. Listen to how her personal experiences shape her stories for kids and parents/guardians alike. You can find information about Dr. Elisabeth Paige at www.mindfulhappykids.com.

Join us as we welcome Erin Entrada Kelly, acclaimed author and Newbery Medalist, to our show. Erin dives into her multifaceted writing career, discussing her award-winning middle grade fiction, picture books, and nonfiction work. She shares her journey from writing Sweet Valley High knockoffs as a child to becoming a celebrated author. Erin talks about her forthcoming books, writing challenges, and her passion for teaching other writers. A highlight includes an in-depth discussion about her m...

Join us in this captivating episode as we chat with Muslim author and illustrator Huda Fahmy, who shares her journey from teaching English to creating beloved comics and graphic novels. Huda discusses her career beginnings, challenges faced with memoirs, and how she transitioned to writing for young adults inspired by her own life experiences. She explains the importance of representation in literature, her use of humor to address serious topics, and the process she follows for creating her g...

Kick off Mental Health Awareness Month with an insightful interview featuring Christine Webb, author of 'The Art of Insanity.' In this episode, Christine talks about her journey as a young adult author and teacher, the inspiration behind her book, which centers on a young girl dealing with bipolar disorder, and the personal experiences that shaped her writing. The conversation dives into themes of mental health, the importance of transparency and support, and the role of creativity in coping ...

In this episode, Elisabeth Paige interviews Maria Van Lieshout, a Dutch American author and illustrator whose latest graphic novel, 'Song of the Blackbird,' is critically important for today's youth. Maria delves into her personal history, growing up in Amsterdam, and how the resistance efforts in the Netherlands during WWII inspired her work. She emphasizes the pivotal role of women and artists in the resistance movements and discusses her novel's two interwoven plots set in 1942 and the pre...

Elisabeth and Deb delve into an engaging conversation. Deb, a native New Yorker, is a freelance illustrator including independent movie posters and the illustrations for graphic novels and the illustrations and writing of her own graphic novel, "In Limbo." They highlight their challenges and learnings in writing, their unique approach to drawing and the compelling themes in their works, "The Other Side of Tomorrow" and "In Limbo". The discussion also touches on Deb's non-binary identity, thei...

In this episode, we delve into a conversation with Sonora Reyes, acclaimed author of young adult and adult books such as 'The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School,' 'The Luis Ortega Survival Club,' and 'The Broposal.' Reyes shares their writing journey as an autistic writer, starting with fanfiction and evolving into published novels centered on queer Mexican characters. They discuss the importance of representation in literature, touching on themes of mental health, complicated familial relat...

Join us for an engaging conversation with Hanna Khan, a prolific Pakistani-American children's book author from Rockville, Maryland. In this episode, Hanna talks about her life journey, growing up with Pakistani immigrant parents, and her extensive career in writing children's literature over the past 24 years. Discover her writing process, how she finds inspiration from her family and cultural heritage, and the challenges and joys of writing for young readers. Hanna also delves into her expe...

Byron Graves, author of the middle grade novel "Rez Ball," talks with Elisabeth Paige about his experiences playing basketball on the Ojibwe reservation. According to Byron, basketball is everything on the reservation with standing room only crowds and players who turn into heroes. The book deals with grief, alcohol abuse, and emotional dysregulation along with joy and fun play by play action. You can find information about Dr. Elisabeth Paige at www.mindfulhappykids.com.

This video podcast features an in-depth interview with acclaimed author T.J. Klune, known for his vibrant queer, diverse, and fantastical characters. Klune discusses his journey as an author since 2011 and his notable works, including "The House in the Cerulean Sea," "Under the Whispering Door," and the "Green Creek" series. He delves into his latest projects, such as "Somewhere Beyond the Sea,” the sequel to “The House in the Cerulean Sea” and the re-release of "The Bones Beneath My Skin," e...

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Brian Anderson, creator of the beloved 'Dog Eat Doug' comic strip, as he shares his journey from a young artist to a celebrated author and illustrator. Brian discusses his inspirations, including personal anecdotes involving his pets, and how they influence his work. Dive into the evolution of his characters across various mediums, including his 'Sophie' graphic novels and the middle-grade fantasy series 'The Conjurer'. Discover the creative process b...

This script provides an in-depth look at Dan Gutman's successful career as a children's author, detailing his journey from aspiring photographer to writer of over 200 books. Gutman shares his transition from nonfiction sports journalism to crafting engaging children's literature, discussing series such as 'My Weird School' and 'The Genius Files’ as well as his many other series and his stand-alone books. He reflects on using historical settings and humor to engage young readers, particularly ...