MATTHEWCWINNER

Kaz Windness, author illustrator of Worm and Butterfly are Friends Always (Simon Spotlight), joins Matthew to talk about constantly dealing with loss and change.

Laurel Snyder, author of The Book of Candles: Eight Poems for Hanukkah (Clarion Books), illustrated by Leanne Hatch, shares what is giving her hope today:  watching neighbors come together and support each other in the city of Minneapolis.

Introducing the winners and honors of the Sydney Taylor Book Award (2026), presented annually by the Association of Jewish Libraries to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience.

Abby White, author of D.J. Rosenblum becomes the G.O.A.T. (Levine Querido), shares what is giving her hope today: pockets of people are taking wonderful care of each other, despite the world being bad in a thousand ways right now.

George Brown, executive director of the Boyds Mills, shares what is giving him hope today: the storytellers, and the stories they are dreaming of and creating to bring a little optimism and joy to children.

Aron Nels Steinke, cartoonist of Speechless (Graphix) and the Mr. Wolf’s Class series (Graphix), joins Matthew to talk about verbal expression, anxiety, and wanting to communicate.