Messages of Hope: October 2025

More hope. From the kidlit community, to you.  

No matter where you are. No matter what’s going on around you. No matter what is pulling your attention or competing for space in your mind. May these next few minutes offer you rest, peace, and hope.

Hope Ep. 28 - October 4, 2025

Heidi E.Y. Stemple, author of The Avian Adventurers #1: Snowy Owl Rescue; Raptor Recovery (Charlesbridge Moves), illustrated by Natasha Donovan, shares what is giving her hope today:  the curious, hope-filled readers with wide open minds who are building a foundation of compassion and service.

Listen along:

About the Book: The Avian Adventurers #1: Snowy Owl Rescue; Raptor Recovery by Heidi E.Y. Stemple with illustrations by Natasha Donovan. Published by Charlesbridge Moves.

Birdwatching! Borrrring, right? Not to these avian adventurers from Maynard Elementary as they fight a snowstorm in order to save a rare snowy owl.

An adventurous read for 7 to 10 year olds about forging long-lasting friendships in this new chapter book series about a junior birdwatching club.

Michael, the star of the soccer team, is about to kick his first practice shot when he hears a noise from behind him. Jet, a bird nerd and member of the Junior Birdwatching Club, appears and shows Michael what he would have missed by being so singularly focused on the ball—a rare snowy owl on the goal post. While they watch, the owl captures a rat and devours it.

The next day, a hoard of birders arrive and Michael thinks he may never get his soccer field back. But Jet has discovered that the owl is not well and the Junior Bird Club enlists Michael to help get the bird help during a snowstorm.

Michael promised his parents he'd be home before the snow started, but with a hurt owl, will he? Join Michael and his new friends as they use all their talents and knowledge to rescue the snowy owl.

Transcript:

Heidi: "Hi, I'm Heidi EY Stemple. Kidlit author of books, including Janie Writes A Play, She Sells Seashells, and the upcoming Avian Adventurers series.

Hope. It's the common denominator in children's books because it's the most important building block for the future.

What gives me hope these days, despite what some adults proclaim and preach, our young readers are compassionate, engaged, and cued into what will make the world a better place.

For the next generations and also for our planet where it's easy to wallow, I think, in despair, I always look to the curious, hope-filled readers with wide open minds who are building a foundation of compassion and service. And I try to see that that brighter future beyond the divisiveness and closed-mindedness that we seem to be stalled in today.

So keep looking for hope."

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Hope Ep. 29 - October 11, 2025

Tami Charles, author of Remember Her Name!: Debbie Allen's Rise to Fame (Charlesbridge), illustrated by Meredith Lucius, shares what is giving her hope today: the resilience of children’s dreams.

Listen along:

About the Book: Remember Her Name!: Debbie Allen's Rise to Fame by Tami Charles; illustrated by Meredith Lucius. Published by Charlesbridge.

Young Debbie Allen is destined for fame and everyone will know her name! A poetic, uplifting biography of a Black icon for kids ages 5-8.

New York Times best-selling author Tami Charles tells Debbie Allen’s inspiring story of perseverance and growing up during the Civil Rights Movement and Jim Crow South.

Young Debbie Allen was blocked from the local dance school in the 1950s Jim Crow American South. In order to allow Debbie to pursue her dream, Debbie's mother moved with her to Mexico where Debbie studied at the Ballet Nacional de Mexico. When they returned to Texas, Debbie was admitted to the Houston Ballet Foundation as the company’s first Black dancer, and a legendary career began.

Inspired by award-winning and NYT best-selling author Tami Charles’s interviews with living legend and dancer/actor Debbie Allen, this is an ode to creativity and perseverance, as well as an amazing history of a pivotal time in Debbie's life.

Transcript:

Tami: "What gives me hope is the resilience of children's dreams.

In Remember Her Name: Debbie Allen's Rise to Fame, I write about a little girl who was once told no because of the color of her skin. During the Jim Crow era in Texas, doors were closed to her, but in Mexico, those same doors opened and she danced without limits.

As an author, that image stayed with me: A child living out her dance dreams. Finally, free to move and free to shine.

Debbie Allen's story reminds me that even in the face of injustice, there will always be spaces where possibility breaks through.

My hope is that today's young people carry that lesson forward, that they'll know their gifts are worthy. Their voices matter and that no barrier is stronger than their determination to rise."

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Hope Ep. 30 - October 18, 2025

Mary Reaves Uhle, author illustrator of The Flock We Found (Magination Press), shares what is giving her hope today:  all the parents and kids posting pictures of bright faces and shiny new outfits to start the year.

Listen along:

About the Book: The Flock We Found by Mary Reaves Uhle. Published by Magination Press.

Can winning field day fix everything at home? Baby Bird hopes so--but learns something even more powerful.

In The Flock We Found, Baby Bird lives with Mama Bird, Papa Bird, and a lot of worry. Sometimes Papa Bird comes home too loud, too quiet, or just. . . different. Baby Bird believes that if he wins the tree's field day games, Papa will come home happy. But when things don't go as planned, Baby Bird feels crushed--until his neighbors and Mama help him see that love and support can come from unexpected places.

Key Features:

• Helps kids understand anxiety and emotional unpredictability in family life

• Offers a comforting message about belonging, resilience, and found family

• Includes a reader's note by psychologist Ellen Braaten, PhD, with guidance for caregivers with addiction; alcoholism; drug abuse in their family

• Perfect for ages 5-9--great for classrooms, therapists, and family reading

• Created by Magination Press, the children's imprint of the American Psychological Association--trusted experts in children's emotional well-being

Transcript:

Mary: "In the middle of this back to school season, the thing that's giving me hope is all the parents and kids posting pictures of bright faces and shiny new outfits to start the year. Engaging in this ordinary ritual means we believe a better world is still coming.

How can we not have hope when we see that?"

Be well. Read on. And don’t lose hope.