MATTHEWCWINNER

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.

Torrey Maldonado, author of Just Right (Nancy Paulsen Books), illustrated by Teresa Martínez, joins Matthew to talk about finding and sticking to your places.

Stacy Wells, co-author of Stronger Than (Heartdrum), co-authored by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by E.B. Lewis, joins Matthew to talk about never giving up because those that came before us never gave up.

Nikki Grimes, author of A Cup of Quiet (Bloomsbury Children's Books), joins Matthew to talk about creating an entryway to discussion.

Yuyi Morales, author illustrator of Little Rebels (Neal Porter Books), joins Matthew to talk about the voices of people fighting to protect our world, our rights, and our people.

Jessie Sima, author illustrator of Snow Kid (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers), joins Matthew to talk about the constant journey each of us takes to become ourselves.

Laurel Snyder, author of The Book of Candles: Eight Poems for Hanukkah (Clarion Books), illustrated by Leanne Hatch, joins Matthew to talk about lowering all the barriers and modeling yourself on something you love.

Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie and Aaron Becker, author and illustrator of We Go Slow (Atheneum Books for Young Readers), join Matthew to talk about the wise ones who know to take time.

Valerie Bolling, author of A Flea for Justice: Marian Wright Edelman Stands Up for Change (Charlesbridge), illustrated by TeMika Grooms, joins Matthew to talk about a person worth writing about.

Corinna Luyken, author illustrator of The Arguers (Rocky Pond Books), joins Matthew to talk about the silly, the absurd, and seeing yourself in every single character.

Aaron Becker, author-illustrator of Return, his final book in the Journey trilogy, stops by the podcast to talk about the power and limits of the imagination, his parable for growing up, and how a parent can be saved by their own kid.

Michael Slack, illustrator of Pirasaurs, written by Josh Funk, stops by the podcast to talk about being inspired by the “Convoy” trucker song, find the characters of your story and realizing them, and that point in his drawing career when he erased the tail of his monkey drawing and instinctually drew a pick-up truck instead.

Randy Cecil, author-illustrator of Lucy, stops by the podcast to talk about a little lost dog named Lucy, breaking a story into acts and scenes, and requiring so much to tell so little.

Deborah Marcero, author-illustrator of Ursa’s Light, stops by the podcast to talk about attending nErDcamp, failure and how having a big dream is always good, and assuring that every detail points to the story moving forward.

Natasha Khan Kazi, author illustrator of Bela and Lily (Kokila), joins Matthew to talk about bravery through being a multi-language learner.

Evan Turk, author-illustrator of The Storyteller, stops by the podcast to talk about the thousand-year-old tradition, what happens in the moment when you aren't drawing, and capturing life as it happens.

Lucy Ruth Cummins, author-illustrator of A Hungry Lion, or a Dwindling Assortment of Animals, stops by the podcast to talk about knowing when to stop, playing it close to your chest, and the essential role of predators when make-believe playing as animals.

Esme Shapiro, author-illustrator of Ooko, stops by the podcast to talk about creating art intuitively, the many rebirths of her protagonist fox, and feeling connected to what she’s doing.

Minh Le and Isabel Roxas, author and illustrator respectively of Let Me Finish!, stop by the podcast to talk about writing yourself into a corner, putting an idea out into the world to fail, and how much the interplay between text and illustration makes or breaks the book.

Kelly Light, author/illustrator of Louise and Andie: The Art of Friendship, the sequel to 2014’s Louise Loves Art, stops by the podcast to talk about drawing from her imagination, what happens when a teacher really notices and supports, and having similar interests, but seeing things differently.