Show Notes
“This is what awe always does: it’s the zoom out. All of a sudden, you can see how tiny and insignificant you are, and you plug into that bigger thing” - Kate DiCamillo When was the last time you were so captivated by the beauty of the world around you that it stopped you in your tracks? Kate DiCamillo intentionally has those moments daily. In a world that can feel dark and hopeless, she maintains a sense of awe. It’s the force that helps her move through both joy and loss. It’s what allows her to keep noticing the miraculous in the ordinary. One of the most beloved voices in children’s literature, Kate is a two-time Newbery medal winner and author of more than 25 books—from Because of Winn-Dixie to The Tale of Despereaux to The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.
In this episode, Tender Heart: Kate DiCamillo on Awe and Grief, Kate returns to the show for the first of “The Second Chapter” conversations with previous guests. This time, Kate reflects on awe, grief, and the beauty that connects them. She shares the moments that have gobsmacked her across decades—from childhood discoveries of “protective coloration” to the painting she has revisited at every stage of her life. Kate also opens up about coping with tragedy and how the best way through those moments in life is “the doing of it.” Settle in for an honest, hard, and still uplifting conversation with one of the most cherished voices of a generation. *** https://www.thereadingculturepod.com/kate-dicamillo-second-chapter This week's Beanstack Featured librarian is Chelsea Pisani, a rockstar children's librarian at Maple Valley Branch Library in Akron, Ohio. She returns to share her secret sauce for igniting a love of reading in all kids. Show Chapters Chapter 1: The Art of Noticing Chapter 2: The Hem of the Garment Chapter 3: Charlotte’s Web Chapter 4: Ramona the Great Chapter 5: Then and Now Chapter 6: Beanstack Featured Librarian
Links The Reading Culture The Reading Culture Newsletter Signup Follow The Reading Culture on Instagram (for giveaways and bonus content) Kate DiCamillo Repast in a Garden Painting Charlotte’s Web The Accidental Tourist Beanstack resources to build your community’s reading culture Jordan Lloyd Bookey
Host and Production Credits
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey Producers: Mel Webb and Lower Street Media Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Mel Webb, Jordan Lloyd Bookey
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Three years strong, y’all! We’re back with our favorite tradition: The Reading Culture Yearbook.
“When we are making books, we are making little homes for our readers that they can return to hopefully again and again and again, just as we return to books and find a sense of home, we return to the person we once were, when we were reading that book.” — Sophie Blackall
“The library is where I felt, I'm safe here. I have friends in Encyclopedia Brown, Junie B. Jones, Amelia Bedelia, Stanley Yelnats, and all these various characters. I think that's the beauty. That's the sanctuary, the sacredness of that physical space.” – Mychal Threets Mychal Threets grew up among the stacks and, from a young age, experienced the magic and shelter of the library. Today, he is a librarian, a social media sensation, a mental health advocate, and the new host of the beloved show Reading Rainbow.
“It's important that my perspective stays flexible because my perspective could need updating, it could need to be changed based on new information.” — Nic Stone
“It’s that old expression that I love, which is ‘wherever you go, there you are.’ So you never really get out of the limbo, because the limbo is you.” — Erin Entrada Kelly There are seasons when life slows down, even as our minds continue to race. When we find ourselves caught somewhere between motion and stillness, haunted by what came before and reaching for what’s next.