In this heartwarming episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, Bianca Schulze welcomes Newbery Medal-winning author Matt de la Peña and bestselling illustrator Loren Long to discuss their new collaboration, Home.
Building on the success of their #1 New York Times bestseller Love, the creators share intimate memories of their own childhoods and explore what home truly means beyond physical structures. Through thoughtful conversation, they reveal the creative process behind their lyrical text and evocative illustrations that celebrate the many forms of home—from family relationships to the natural world. The discussion highlights their commitment to inclusivity in storytelling, the emotional power of illustration, and how reading together creates its own sense of home and security for children. Perfect for parents, educators, and anyone interested in how picture books can help children process their place in our changing world.
Discussion Topics:
Transcription: You can read the transcription on The Children's Book Review (coming soon)
Order Copies of Home on Amazon or Bookshop.org
For more information about Matt de la Peña, visit https://mattdelapena.com/
For more information about Loren Long, visit https://lorenlong.com/
Keywords: home, children's books, Matt De La Peña, Loren Long, memories, emotional connections, illustrations, storytelling, family, illustration, empathy, children's literature, collaboration, emotional connection, nature, security