Some stories don't just entertain—they show us how to grow up, challenging the limiting narratives we may have been told. Much like magic, a powerful story can bring us back to our true selves and help us discover who we might choose to be. The best stories become enduring classics, like Terry Pratchett's The Wee Free Men.
In this episode, we explore the world of fantasy novels and what it means to be a witch with Rhianna Pratchett and Gabrielle Kent, co-authors of Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch, and Marieke Nijkamp, author of the popular Splinter and Ash series.
As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Pratchett’s beloved novel and his 41 Discworld novels, we immerse ourselves in worlds brimming with witches, politics, grief, and secrets.
To learn more about Terry Pratchett’s, Rhianna Pratchett’s, Gabrielle Kent’s, or Marieke Nijkamp’s books, visit
harpercollins.com/search?q=Terry+Pratchett
harpercollins.com/search?q=Rhianna+Pratchett
harpercollins.com/search?q=Gabrielle+Kent
harpercollins.com/search?q=Marieke+Nijkamp
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at readingpod@harpercollins.com. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
[3:30] The 20th anniversary of Terry Pratchett’s The Wee Free Men was the ideal time for Rhianna Pratchett and Gabrielle Kent to write Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch.
[7:52] In The Wee Free Men, the character Tiffany Aching challenges traditions and finds her path as she embraces her power.
[14:59] Marieke Nijkamp wrote Splinter and Ash for readers who often struggle to connect with characters in fantasy.
[20:06] Terry Pratchett’s novels are admired for tackling complex political themes and refusing to present a simplified view of the world.
[24:08] Readers can expect more stories about death and what it means to be a witch from Rhianna and Gabrielle.
Continue Your Journey:
Rhianna Pratchett
Gabrielle Kent
Marieke Nijkamp
HarperCollins
Remember Reading Podcast
@ReadingPod on Twitter
Shareables:
“We started working in video games in the ’90s when it was very rare for there to be women working in games.” — Gabrielle Kent, Co-author of Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch
“I have a Witches Abroad quote tattooed on my arm.” — Mareike Nijkamp, author of Splinter and Ash novels
“One of the things I love about Pratchett’s books in general, I think, is just that Tiffany discovers that one of the tools she has to deal with the world is stories.” — Mareike Nijkamp, author of Splinter and Ash novels
“I love telling stories about people who maybe fall through the cracks a little bit, maybe just exist on the edges, maybe don’t quite feel, quite, feel at home or are seen as fully part of their homes.” — Mareike Nijkamp, author of Splinter and Ash novels
“One of the great things about my father’s work for younger readers is it can be enjoyed by anyone, right? He doesn’t pander to younger readers.” — Rhianna Pratchett, Co-author of Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch, and daughter of Terry Pratchett
“We were basically reading the whole book to each other, and then we had to have whiskey for the hard chapters, then we were just sobbing at the end.” — Rhianna Pratchett, Co-author of Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch
“Reading those books has helped me think very differently about death as well. Sounds so weird, but seeing that kind of positive side of it and that it’s not something to be feared.” — Gabrielle Kent, Co-author of Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch
“Everyone should pick up at least one book. And I think Wee Free Men, if you’ve never read any Discworld books, is a great place to start.” — Mareike Nijkamp, author of Splinter and Ash novels
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Some stories don't just entertain—they show us how to grow up, challenging the limiting narratives we may have been told. Much like magic, a powerful story can bring us back to our true selves and help us discover who we might choose to be. The best stories become enduring classics, like Terry Pratchett's The Wee Free Men.
In this episode, we explore the world of fantasy novels and what it means to be a witch with Rhianna Pratchett and Gabrielle Kent, co-authors of Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch, and Marieke Nijkamp, author of the popular Splinter and Ash series.
As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Pratchett’s beloved novel and his 41 Discworld novels, we immerse ourselves in worlds brimming with witches, politics, grief, and secrets.
To learn more about Terry Pratchett’s, Rhianna Pratchett’s, Gabrielle Kent’s, or Marieke Nijkamp’s books, visit
harpercollins.com/search?q=Terry+Pratchett
harpercollins.com/search?q=Rhianna+Pratchett
harpercollins.com/search?q=Gabrielle+Kent
harpercollins.com/search?q=Marieke+Nijkamp
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at readingpod@harpercollins.com. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
[3:30] The 20th anniversary of Terry Pratchett’s The Wee Free Men was the ideal time for Rhianna Pratchett and Gabrielle Kent to write Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch.
[7:52] In The Wee Free Men, the character Tiffany Aching challenges traditions and finds her path as she embraces her power.
[14:59] Marieke Nijkamp wrote Splinter and Ash for readers who often struggle to connect with characters in fantasy.
[20:06] Terry Pratchett’s novels are admired for tackling complex political themes and refusing to present a simplified view of the world.
[24:08] Readers can expect more stories about death and what it means to be a witch from Rhianna and Gabrielle.
Continue Your Journey:
Rhianna Pratchett
Gabrielle Kent
Marieke Nijkamp
HarperCollins
Remember Reading Podcast
@ReadingPod on Twitter
Shareables:
“We started working in video games in the ’90s when it was very rare for there to be women working in games.” — Gabrielle Kent, Co-author of Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch
“I have a Witches Abroad quote tattooed on my arm.” — Mareike Nijkamp, author of Splinter and Ash novels
“One of the things I love about Pratchett’s books in general, I think, is just that Tiffany discovers that one of the tools she has to deal with the world is stories.” — Mareike Nijkamp, author of Splinter and Ash novels
“I love telling stories about people who maybe fall through the cracks a little bit, maybe just exist on the edges, maybe don’t quite feel, quite, feel at home or are seen as fully part of their homes.” — Mareike Nijkamp, author of Splinter and Ash novels
“One of the great things about my father’s work for younger readers is it can be enjoyed by anyone, right? He doesn’t pander to younger readers.” — Rhianna Pratchett, Co-author of Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch, and daughter of Terry Pratchett
“We were basically reading the whole book to each other, and then we had to have whiskey for the hard chapters, then we were just sobbing at the end.” — Rhianna Pratchett, Co-author of Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch
“Reading those books has helped me think very differently about death as well. Sounds so weird, but seeing that kind of positive side of it and that it’s not something to be feared.” — Gabrielle Kent, Co-author of Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch
“Everyone should pick up at least one book. And I think Wee Free Men, if you’ve never read any Discworld books, is a great place to start.” — Mareike Nijkamp, author of Splinter and Ash novels
In The Night Kitchen (ft. Sergio Ruzzier & Antionette Portis)
Remember Reading Podcast
31 minutes 58 seconds
2 years ago
In The Night Kitchen (ft. Sergio Ruzzier & Antionette Portis)
You may be familiar with Maurice Sendak’s books like Where the Wild Things Are or Outside Over There, but do you remember reading In the Night Kitchen? Just over 10 years after the prolific author's passing, we are returning to his 1970s dreamscape of a picture book. In the Night Kitchen offers a dazzling portrait of creativity and the expansive imaginations of children contending with an adult world.
In this episode, besides stirring about in the needless controversy that often surrounds Maurice Sendak’s classic, In the Night Kitchen, we talk with two picture book authors influenced by the master author and illustrator’s work. Author and Illustrator, Sergio Ruzzier describes the influence Sendak had on his career and books, including Fish and Sun and Fish and Wave. And Author and Illustrator, Antionette Portis, reflects on the revelatory impact of Sendak’s books on children’s literature, the human experience, and her own books, Not A Box, Not a Stick, and A Penguin’s Story.
To learn more about Maurice Sendak, Sergio Ruzzier, or Antionette Portis’ books, visit harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/maurice-sendak
harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/sergio-ruzzier
harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/antionette-portis
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at readingpod@harpercollins.com. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
[1:01] Sergio and Antionette identify the fragments of American culture floating through Sendak’s In the Night Kitchen.
[4:38] Still a point of contention, when In the Kitchen was released controversy erupted in the U.S. due to the main character, Mickey’s nudity.
[7:34] Sergio’s fourth-grade drawing of a monster had a similar censorship issue when it was included in a Jon Scieszka compilation.
[8:21] Antionette reminds us that Sendak felt insulted when people referred to his work as kiddie books.
[8:59] Like most adults and children, Sergio deeply felt the emotional complexities of Sendak’s words and pictures. As a visual storyteller, he was later invited to join the Sendak Fellowship.
[12:18] Antionette was also invited to be a part of the Sendak Fellowship’s inaugural class in 2010. She describes the experience.
[12:57] Antionette’s books, Not a Box and Not a Stick are a celebration of the imaginative lives of children.
[17:23] Sergio’s Fish and Sun, Fish and Wave, and his third book in the series, Fish and Worm, were inspired by the narrative art of his heroes and reflect his desire to have children think for themselves.
[22:43] Sergio was asked to lend his visually-mesmerizing illustrative abilities to Roar Like a Dandelion by the late Ruth Krauss.
[25:05] Edna, the main character in Antionette’s A Penguin’s Story, is on a spiritual search to find meaning in the universe, metaphorically.
[27:27] Antionette examines In the Night Kitchen looking to uncover hidden meanings baked into its dreamy joy.
Continue Your Journey:
Maurice Sendak
Sergio Ruzzier
Antionette Portis
HarperCollins
Remember Reading Podcast
@ReadingPod on Twitter
Shareables:
“I didn't set out to cause a scandal. I set out to do a very particular work where he had to be naked in order to confront a particular dream he was in. You don’t go into a dream wearing Fruit of the Loom underwear or PJs.” — Maurice Sendak, author of In the Night Kitchen
“You are calling for attention if you underline the thing you want to hide. It’s not going to work. It’s actually funny.” — Sergio Ruzzier, author of Fish and Sun
“He [Sendak] really felt insulted that people called his books kiddie books. ‘Cause he’s like, I make books for humans, and if children like them that's great.” — Antionette Portis, author of Not a Box
Remember Reading Podcast
Some stories don't just entertain—they show us how to grow up, challenging the limiting narratives we may have been told. Much like magic, a powerful story can bring us back to our true selves and help us discover who we might choose to be. The best stories become enduring classics, like Terry Pratchett's The Wee Free Men.
In this episode, we explore the world of fantasy novels and what it means to be a witch with Rhianna Pratchett and Gabrielle Kent, co-authors of Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch, and Marieke Nijkamp, author of the popular Splinter and Ash series.
As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of Pratchett’s beloved novel and his 41 Discworld novels, we immerse ourselves in worlds brimming with witches, politics, grief, and secrets.
To learn more about Terry Pratchett’s, Rhianna Pratchett’s, Gabrielle Kent’s, or Marieke Nijkamp’s books, visit
harpercollins.com/search?q=Terry+Pratchett
harpercollins.com/search?q=Rhianna+Pratchett
harpercollins.com/search?q=Gabrielle+Kent
harpercollins.com/search?q=Marieke+Nijkamp
Do you have a story about how a classic book changed your life? Tweet @readingpod or email us at readingpod@harpercollins.com. Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.
[3:30] The 20th anniversary of Terry Pratchett’s The Wee Free Men was the ideal time for Rhianna Pratchett and Gabrielle Kent to write Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch.
[7:52] In The Wee Free Men, the character Tiffany Aching challenges traditions and finds her path as she embraces her power.
[14:59] Marieke Nijkamp wrote Splinter and Ash for readers who often struggle to connect with characters in fantasy.
[20:06] Terry Pratchett’s novels are admired for tackling complex political themes and refusing to present a simplified view of the world.
[24:08] Readers can expect more stories about death and what it means to be a witch from Rhianna and Gabrielle.
Continue Your Journey:
Rhianna Pratchett
Gabrielle Kent
Marieke Nijkamp
HarperCollins
Remember Reading Podcast
@ReadingPod on Twitter
Shareables:
“We started working in video games in the ’90s when it was very rare for there to be women working in games.” — Gabrielle Kent, Co-author of Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch
“I have a Witches Abroad quote tattooed on my arm.” — Mareike Nijkamp, author of Splinter and Ash novels
“One of the things I love about Pratchett’s books in general, I think, is just that Tiffany discovers that one of the tools she has to deal with the world is stories.” — Mareike Nijkamp, author of Splinter and Ash novels
“I love telling stories about people who maybe fall through the cracks a little bit, maybe just exist on the edges, maybe don’t quite feel, quite, feel at home or are seen as fully part of their homes.” — Mareike Nijkamp, author of Splinter and Ash novels
“One of the great things about my father’s work for younger readers is it can be enjoyed by anyone, right? He doesn’t pander to younger readers.” — Rhianna Pratchett, Co-author of Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch, and daughter of Terry Pratchett
“We were basically reading the whole book to each other, and then we had to have whiskey for the hard chapters, then we were just sobbing at the end.” — Rhianna Pratchett, Co-author of Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch
“Reading those books has helped me think very differently about death as well. Sounds so weird, but seeing that kind of positive side of it and that it’s not something to be feared.” — Gabrielle Kent, Co-author of Tiffany Aching’s Guide to Being a Witch
“Everyone should pick up at least one book. And I think Wee Free Men, if you’ve never read any Discworld books, is a great place to start.” — Mareike Nijkamp, author of Splinter and Ash novels
