Are you ready for Summer? 

Are you ready for Lemonade?

Are you ready for a Lemonade WAR!?

In this latest episode of the podcast, Joe sits down with author Jacqueline Davies to discuss the graphic novel adaptation of her book, 'The Lemonade War'. Joe and Jacqueline get into a fabulous conversation about the book that you won't want to miss!

Enjoy!

About Jacqueline Davies

Jacqueline Davies has lived more places than she has fingers and toes. She moved six times before fifth grade, and she credits all that moving around with making her an excellent observer of people and life. (She’s also very good at packing.) She discovered her love of writing when she was young, penning her first illustrated book in the third grade. It was called The Sad Shape, and although it never got published, she still enjoys sharing it with young readers and writers today. Jacqueline has three grown children and way too many houseplants. She divides her time between a town just outside of Boston and a cabin on the wild coast of Maine. She writes picture books, early chapter books, middle-grade novels, and young adult novels. In addition, she almost always has a suitcase that is in the process of being packed or unpacked.

About 'The Lemonade War'

Evan Treski is people smart. He’s good at talking to people, even grown-ups.

His younger sister, Jessie, on the other hand, is math smart—but not especially good at understanding people. She knows that feelings are her weakest subject.

With just five days left of summer vacation, Evan and Jessie launch an all-out war to see who can sell the most lemonade before school starts. As the battleground heats up, there really is no telling who will win—and, even more important, if their fight will ever end.

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

Have you always considered yourself a 'storyteller' but don't consider yourself a writer?

That was the conundrum Alyson Gerber found herself in when Molly Ringwald (yes, THE Molly Ringwald) convinced her she needed to write!

After Alyson wrote several books which her inner self needed to read, she turned her attention to mystery!

Alyson, today (no foolin'!) released the second book in her best-selling 'The Liars Society' series, 'A Risky Game'!

Alyson goes into detail about The Liars Society, her writing process, and how her love of storytelling guiding her through all the impostor syndrome which tried to come home to roost.

Enjoy!

About Alyson Gerber

Alyson Gerber is the bestselling author of The Liars Society, a middle grade mystery set at a New England prep school. The Liars Society is a USA Today bestseller, Barnes & Noble Bookseller Favorite, B&N Most Anticipated Book of the Month, and B&N Best Book of the Year (So Far), as well as an American Booksellers Association’s Best Books for Young Readers, Roku's Best Book of the Month, Bookshop's Favorite New Books. It's also a nominee for the Texas Bluebonnet Award and Indiana's Young Hoosier Award. The Liars Society #2: A Risky Game will be in stores April 1.

About 'The Liars Society: A Risky Game'

Weatherby is a fish out of water. When she lands a scholarship to the prestigious Boston School, she’s excited to be in the same world as her dad, whom she’s never met, and make real friends. But Weatherby has a secret she’ll risk everything to protect, one that could destroy her new life.

Every member of Jack’s wealthy and privileged family has made their mark at the Boston School. Everyone, that is, except for Jack, who is entirely mediocre. He’s desperate to prove his worth to his influential father. But Jack has a secret of his own . . . one with the power to ruin everything.

When the money for their school trip to a private island―exclusive to Boston students―is stolen, Jack and Weatherby are invited to play a high-stakes game and solve the mystery of the missing money. If they win, they’ll be selected to join the oldest, most powerful secret society in the world―and they’ll be Boston royalty forever. If they lose . . . well, they better not lose.

Beloved author Alyson Gerber crafts an unforgettable mystery that asks―are some secrets and lies impossible to overcome?

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

What do YOU really know about Climate Science?

What if your kids could explain it to you in an easy-to-understand way?

That's the premise of Ruth Spiro's latest book 'How to Explain Climate Science to a Grown-Up" and her entire 'how to explain' series!

Ruth stops by the show this week to discuss her latest books and how we can empower kids and use their love of knowledge to help explain things to us, grown-ups, which we typically might not be able to wrap our mind around.

It's a great conversation and I can't wait for you to hear it, enjoy!

About Ruth Spiro

Ruth Spiro is the author of more than 30 children’s books, with over one million copies in print worldwide. Her bestselling Baby Loves Science board books are the groundbreaking originals that introduce big ideas to the littlest listeners in an age-appropriate and engaging style. The series has been praised by the Los Angeles Times, NPR, TODAY, Popular Science, Working Mother, and more. Fans who have publicly shared their love of her books include former U.S. Representative Gabby Giffords, Chelsea Clinton, and Chance the Rapper.

The enthusiastic response to the Baby Loves Science books inspired a new picture book series perfect for early elementary readers, How to Explain Science to a Grown-Up. In addition, Ruth is the author of picture books including Made by Maxine, Maxine and the Greatest Garden Ever, Love Grows, and One Small Spark: A Tikkun Olam Story, which received starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus.

Ruth graduated with a B.S. in Communications from the University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign and earned an MBA from Loyola University of Chicago. She worked for advertising agencies in both account management and broadcast production, and coordinated a large-scale research grant at DePaul University funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Her articles and essays have been published in FamilyFun, The Writer, CHILD, and Chicago Parent. Ruth’s stories have also been included in popular anthologies, notably The Right Words at the Right Time, edited by Marlo Thomas, and several Chicken Soup for the Soul titles.

Ruth’s work has won awards and recognition from the National Science Teaching Association, the Mathical Book Prize, Junior Library Guild, Science Friday, Bank Street College of Education, Illinois Reads, Purdue Engineering, Willamette Writers, and Writer’s Digest.

A frequent speaker at schools and conferences, Ruth’s previous appearances include Windy City Live on ABC-TV, Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, World Science Festival, Chicago Tribune Printer’s Row LitFest, Children’s Festival of Stories, and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. She hopes her books inspire kids to observe the world, ask questions, and when it comes to their futures, DREAM BIG!

About 'How to Explain Climate Science to a Grown-Up'

We're back and we're kicking off the NINTH season of The DTALKS Podcast with a wonderful conversation about one's own adolescence and the advice we would give ourselves if we could do it again. That's the topic we get into with this week's guest, Maria Scrivan.

Maria is the author and illustrator of the fabulous "Nat" book series. This series started with 'Nat Enough' about a girl named Nat, who believes she isn't good enough. Through the book she discovers what makes her unique and see that she is in fact 'enough'.

Maria has now written 6 total books and her latest release 'Nat a Chance' is the topic of our conversation today.

Enjoy!

About Maria Scrivan

Maria Scrivan is a New York Times bestselling author and award-winning syndicated cartoonist.

The first book in her graphic novel series, Nat Enough (Scholastic/Graphix), launched on April 7th, 2020, became an instant New York Times bestseller. It was followed by: Forget Me Nat, Absolutely Nat, Definitely Nat, Nat for Nothing, and All is Nat Lost. Nat a Chance will be available in Spring 2025. She is also a contributor to Marvel’s Super Stories which released in October 2023. Her books have been translated into Italian, French, German, Spanish, Catalan, Hebrew, Korean, Russian, Turkish, and Greek.

Maria's comic, Half Full, is syndicated by Andrews McMeel and available on GoComics.com/half-full, and it appeared daily in newspapers nationwide including the LA Times for the last ten years.

Her cartoons have appeared in many publications including MAD Magazine, Highlights, American Bystander, Prospect Magazine, Parade Magazine, and Wired, and licenses her work for hundreds of greeting cards.

Maria lives in Connecticut, close to New York City.

About 'Nat a Chance'

The sixth book in the New York Times bestselling series that began with Nat Enough!

You don't know until you try...

Nat doesn't think she's an athlete, but after a series of painfully embarrassing moments, she's determined to build her confidence and signs up for a triathlon with her best friend, Zoe. As training begins, Nat realizes she's in way over her head, facing so many setbacks and challenges that she wonders why she ever signed up! Can Nat get out of her own way and complete the triathlon, or will she convince herself that she's not cut out for it and quit?

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

Ok, so you've had a great career in Finance and are ready to start the next chapter of your life. What's the first thing you dive into? Professional Wrestling!

At least, that's the story for today's guest: Don Richmond!

Don found out the best way to get involved in something he loved was just...to ask! Cut to, now Don is the owner/operatory of an Independent Wrestling Promotion (Dragonslayer Wrestling) with their first show set to kick things off on Thursday, January 16!

Enjoy!

About Dragonslayer Wrestling

An exciting new chapter in Indie Professional Wrestling! Dragonslayer Pro presents RENAISSANCE January 16, 2025 at The Warehouse 1125 E Berry St, Fort Worth, TX

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

What does an NHL franchise, a defunct wrestling promotion, and a professional Volleyball team have to do with each other? They were ALL stops that today's guest, Ralph Strangis, made on his way to the top!

Yes, that's right, THE definitive voice of the Dallas Stars, Ralph Strangis, is on today's episode to share his story about how he navigated all of the twists and turns to stay true to himself and always be in the right place at the right time.

I was truly honored to have Ralph on the show and the truth is, we didn't even come close to scratching the surface of his career, I sense future episodes about both the AWA and the Volleyball league are in our future.

For now, let's sit back, relax, and let Ralph guide the story!

Enjoy!

About Ralph Strangis (via Ralph Statck)

We’re coming up on 10 years since I left the Dallas Stars booth after 25 years at the mic. Spent recent years calling hockey and freelancing and teaching and acting and writing. I work for me.

I’m going to write about hockey like almost no one else before.

You’ll get honest, unfiltered, sarcastic and satirical content when it comes to the NHL and the hockey culture. Buckle up…

I’ll teach you how to BET HOCKEY MY WAY. We’re gonna make money.

I’ll have live chats during hockey games, special content for paid subscribers, contests, games, prizes, special guests and lots more.

You’ll see musings on lots of other stuff too. And we’re gonna build a new kind of community here you and me. I’m looking forward to meeting old and new fans alike.

Be happy, stay well -

Ralph

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

Are you ready to fall in love with a high octane thrill ride that's ALREADY been optioned for a motion picture!?

Are you ready to read a book that's been described as a cinematic thriller that combines The Inheritance Games and Ocean's Eleven!?

Then look no further, as Kayvion Lewis has the books you need!

Kayvion is on the show today to discuss her latest book, 'Heist Royale'. She also discusses the unique circumstances where she even started writing and how wild it was to have your book optioned for a movie BEFORE it's even published!

Enjoy!

About Kayvion Lewis

KAYVION LEWIS is a young adult author of all things escapist and high-octane. Her THIEVES' GAMBIT duology has been published in over 25 languages, and is being adapted for film by Lionsgate. A former youth services librarian, Kayvion's been working with young readers and kidlit since she was sixteen. When she’s not writing, she's breaking out of escape rooms, jumping out of airplanes, and occasionally running away to mountain retreats to study kung fu.

Though she lives in Louisiana and often visits her family in The Bahamas, Kayvion never really knows when she'll take off on her next adventure, which could take her anywhere in the world.+

About 'Thieves' Gambit'

The Inheritance Games meets Ocean’s Eleven in this cinematic heist thriller where a cutthroat competition brings together the world’s best thieves and one thief is playing for the highest stakes of all: her mother's life.

At only seventeen years old, Ross Quest is already a master thief, especially adept at escape plans. Until her plan to run away from her legendary family of thieves takes an unexpected turn, leaving her mother’s life hanging in the balance.

In a desperate bid, she enters the Thieves’ Gambit, a series of dangerous, international heists where killing the competition isn’t exactly off limits, but the grand prize is a wish for anything in the world—a wish that could save her mom. When she learns two of her competitors include her childhood nemesis and a handsome, smooth-talking guy who might also want to steal her heart, winning the Gambit becomes trickier than she imagined.

Ross tries her best to stick to the family creed: trust no one whose last name isn’t Quest. But with the stakes this high, Ross will have to decide who to con and who to trust before time runs out. After all, only one of them can win.

About 'Heist Royale'

In this high-stakes, high drama sequel to Thieves’ Gambit, Ross must find a way to out-heist the boy who betrayed her to protect her family—and her heart.

It’s been six months since the end of the gambit. Instead of winning an impossible wish, Ross has the threat of her family’s execution hanging over her head. Devroe, the only person Ross thought she could trust, could wish the Quests into oblivion at any time. And shockingly, despite his betrayal and the two being forced to pull jobs together for the Organization, Devroe is still making a play for Ross’s heart. But Ross has learned her lesson. A Quest can only trust another Quest.

When Ross finds herself at the center of a power struggle within the Organization, she sees her chance to change her fortunes. As a new deadly Gambit develops for control of the criminal underworld, Ross strikes a risky deal to guarantee protection for herself and her family.

In this final clash, Ross will square off against a ruthless opponent who will stop at nothing to seize power, and in their corner will be not only Devroe, but his mother, who wants to destroy the Quests at any cost. The new Gambit takes Ross and her crew into the intoxicating casinos of Monte Carlo and across treacherous snow-covered slopes in Antarctica, as Ross competes against Devroe in a fight for her life. Loyalties will be tested, backs stabbed, hearts broken. May the best thief win.

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

Do you have trouble sharing your voice?

Do you want to be heard loud & clear?

These are some of the issues facing Xavier in the wonderful children's book 'Xavier's Voice'. This book is beautifully written by Ashley Franklin and wonderfully illustrated by Tatiana Gardel.

The two of them are on the show today to discuss this latest project, what excited them about the work, lessons they hope people take away from the book, and what's next!

Enjoy!

About Ashley Franklin

Ashley Franklin is an Arkansas-based author whose work centers characters with big hearts and even bigger imaginations. She believes everyone, especially kids, deserves to see themselves reflected within the pages of a book.

Some of her most popular works include the picture books Disney’s The Little Mermaid: Make a Splash and NOT QUITE SNOW WHITE and her middle-grade short story “Creative Fixes” from the anthology ONCE UPON AN EID.  

Ashley received her M.A. from the University of Delaware and B.A. from Albright College, both in English Literature. In 2021, The Highlights Foundation selected Ashley to be a part of its first-ever Muslim Storytellers Fellowship cohort. Her picture book, The Masjid Kamal Loves, was a Kirkus Reviews pick for one of the Best Picture Books of 2023 That Celebrate Community.

When she is not writing, Ashley’s time is filled with being a mother and adjunct college professor. Most recently Ashley has begun her journey as a graduate student at Southern New Hampshire University.

About Tatiana Gardel

Tatiana Gardel is a New York City-based illustrator and teaching artist whose work has been recognized by the Society of Illustrators and American Illustration. Books she illustrated include THE FIRST DAY OF PEACE (Candlewick Press, 2023), ABUELO, THE SEA, AND ME (Roaring Brook Press, 2024), XAVIER’S VOICE (The Innovation Press, 2024), and PAINTING THE SKY WITH LOVE (Feiwel & Friends, 2024).

Born and raised in Brazil, she received her BFA in Painting from Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro and her Art Education License from Universidade Candido Mendes. She began her career as a painter and later discovered a passion for visual storytelling while studying animation at Anima Mundi/Campo 4 Estúdio in Rio. 

Tatiana works digitally and traditionally. Watercolors and colored pencils are her favorite traditional mediums. She loves to tell her own stories through her work as well as to contribute to other projects. She is specially drawn to heartfelt stories that explore children’s emotions and imagination. 

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

What do you do when your parents bring home a loud, smelly, bald, brother!?

How RUDE!

At least, that's what Sophie thinks!

Sophie is the protagonist dog in author/illustrator Brian Anderson's latest Sophie graphic novel releases!

Brian stops by the show today to discuss his background in writing/illustrating, the origins of the Sophie book, and what's next.

Enjoy!

About Brian Anderson

In addition to being the creator of DOG EAT DOUG, Brian Anderson is the author of several children’s books, including The Conjurers trilogy (Rise of the Shadow, Hunt for the Lost, and Fight of the Fallen), as well as the picture books Nighty Night, Sleepy Sleeps, The Prince’s New Pet, and Monster Chefs. He lives in North Carolina with his family, which includes a herd of rescued dogs and cats.

Brian has also partnered with “Reading is Fundamental” to explore ways comics and graphic novels can help their mission to ensure every child can read.

About Sophie

Based on the much-loved webcomic, “Dog Eat Doug,” Sophie is a hilarious new graphic novel series, a sendup of family life from the perspective of one snarky dog who wants nothing more than to have everything—without ever having to share. Full of mini adventures, pop culture spoofs, sharp jokes, adorable illustrations, and a sneaky dose of heart, Jurassic Bark and Frankenstein’s Hound are the perfect introduction to these characters and their world. Just right for the pet-obsessed among us no matter the age, while simultaneously appealing to the kids who love to giggle at Big Nate, Dog Man, Garfield, and Snoopy. 

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

We're back AND we're bringing a magical creature with us!

Is that a cat? No, it's a unicorn? WRONG, it's UNICO!!!

Yes, we know we took a bit of a summer break but we're back with some new episodes starting with this fabulous interview with author Samuel Sattin discussing his latest book "Unico: Awakening".

Joe and Samuel get into a great discussion about writing graphic novels, adapting a beloved manga series for a new generation of children, and what's on the horizon.

Enjoy!

About Samuel Sattin

What do you do if you're tryiong to reverse-engineer a popular children's book? 

How about, if your goal is to create a series to help reluctant readers?

You might follow the path of today's guest, Dan Gutman, when he created the "My Weird School" series over 20 years ago!

Dan created the phenomenal book series to help solve for reluctant readers and create something he wish existed back when he was a reluctant reader himself!

Joe and Dan get into a conversation about creating a book series from scratch, how to help reluctant readers, and some advice for those young aspiring writers in our households.

Enjoy!

About Dan Gutman

New York Times best-selling and award-winning author Dan Gutman has written more than 190 books for readers from kindergarten through middle school. Dan’s My Weird School series includes 100+ titles, and has sold more than 35 million copies globally over the past 20 years. Dan also is the author of the best-selling Genius Files series, the Baseball Card Adventure series, and many more.

Dan’s books have been named Junior Library Guild Selections and Bank Street College’s Best Children’s Books of the Year, and have been awarded numerous state book awards, including: The California Young Reader Medal, the Massachusetts Children’s Book Award, and the Iowa Children’s Choice Award, among others. When he’s not writing books, Dan loves to ride his bike, play pickleball, throw Frisbees, and explore New York City where he lives with his wife Nina. To find out more, follow Dan on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

About the 'My Weird School' series

With more than 100 titles and 35 million copies sold, Dan Gutman’s My Weird School series follows the day-to-day life of wisecracking A.J., his loyal pals Ryan and Michael, and his archenemy, smarty-pants Andrea, as they face a set of wacky teachers at Ella Mentry School—the weirdest school ever.

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

What do you do when you feel stuck between two worlds?

How do you navigate the spaces you're in, when you're both part of and separate from, two worlds?

This is the situation Kathy finds herself in at the beginning of the book 'Continental Drifter'. 

In this episode of the podcast, Joe sits down with author/illustrator Kathy MacLeod to discuss her autobiographical graphic novel about her time growing up in both Thailand and Maine. 

Joe and Kathy get into a lovely conversation about navigating spaces and places while growing up to find one's one place in this world.

Enjoy!

About Kathy MacLeod

Kathy MacLeod is the author of Continental Drifter, a Winter/Spring 2024 Indies Introduce middle grade selection.

MacLeod is an illustrator and cartoonist whose work has appeared in The Believer, Catapult, The Hairpin, and Lucky Peach. After spending most of her life in Bangkok, Thailand (with a four-year interlude at Wesleyan University), she is currently living in Berlin, Germany.

About 'Continental Drifter'

With a Thai mother and an American father, Kathy lives in two different worlds. She spends most of the year in Bangkok, where she’s secretly counting the days till summer vacation. That’s when her family travels for twenty-four hours straight to finally arrive in a tiny seaside town in Maine.

Kathy loves Maine’s idyllic beauty and all the exotic delicacies she can’t get back home, like clam chowder and blueberry pie. But no matter how hard she tries, she struggles to fit in. She doesn’t look like the other kids in this rural New England town. Kathy just wants to find a place where she truly belongs, but she’s not sure if it’s in America, Thailand . . . or anywhere.

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

How does one go about navigating a world at odds with each other?

Heading into another contentious political cycle, is there hope?

What can we do to navigate this feeling of doom in our relationships with each other AND the planet?

These are just a few questions asked in the latest episode of The DTALKS Podcast!

Joe welcomes back good friend of the podcast, author & theologian Brian McLaren to the show!

Brian and Joe get into a fascinating conversation about Brian's latest book 'Life After Doom' and what people can do to navigate what's just around the corner and keep some humanity intact. 

It's an important conversation, tune in!

About Brian McLaren

Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity” – just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. He is a core faculty member and Dean of Faculty for the Center for Action and Contemplation. and a podcaster with Learning How to See. He is also an Auburn Senior Fellow and is a co-host of Southern Lights. His newest books are  Faith After Doubt (January 2021), and Do I Stay Christian? (May 2022). His next release, Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart, is available for pre-order now and will release in May 2024.

Born in 1956, he graduated from University of Maryland with degrees in English (BA, 1978, and MA, 1981). His academic interests included Medieval drama, Romantic poets, modern philosophical literature, and the novels of Dr. Walker Percy. In 2004, he was awarded a Doctor of Divinity Degree (honoris causa) from Carey Theological Seminary in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and in 2010, he received a second honorary doctorate from Virginia Theological Seminary (Episcopal).

About 'Life After Doom'

For the last quarter-century, author and activist Brian D. McLaren has been writing at the intersection of religious faith and contemporary culture. In Life After Doom, he engages with the catastrophic failure of both our religious and political leaders to address the dominant realities of our time: ecological overshoot, economic injustice, and the increasing likelihood of civilizational collapse. McLaren defines doom as the “un-peaceful, uneasy, unwanted feeling” that “we humans have made a mess of our civilization and our planet, and not enough of us seem to care enough to change deeply enough or quickly enough to save ourselves.”

Blending insights from philosophers, poets, scientists, and theologians, Life After Doom explores the complexity of hope, the necessity of grief, and the need for new ways of thinking, becoming, and belonging in turbulent times. If you want to help yourself, your family, and the communities to which you belong to find courage and resilience for the deeply challenging times that are upon us — this is the book you need right now.

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

What would you do if you suddenly had a new best friends who moved in...on your head!?

That is the situation Moose is in when Duck moves in right on top of his head in 'Duck and Moose (Duck moves in)' by Kirk Reedstrom.

Kirk comes on the show to share all about how he was able to go from dreaming of having painting hanging in galleries to getting books published by Disney in 2024!

ALSO! Huge shout-out to former guest, Scout Underhill, for making this possible! It was their recommendation back when they were on the show which directly lead to Kirk coming on this episode.

Enjoy!

About Kirk Reedstrom

Kirk Reedstrom has spent most of his adult life surrounded by books. He currently works at a public library and used to be a bookseller at Blue Willow Bookshop, an independent bookstore in Houston, TX. He has led children's art workshops at the Kimball Art Museum, the R.W. Norton Art Gallery, and interned with William Joyce at Moonbot Studios. Kirk mixes his past experience with traditional and digital mediums to develop fun-filled characters with a lot of heart and a little bit of mayhem. Kirk enjoys creating books that make people laugh. 

About Duck and Moose

Moose loves peace and quiet, relaxing, living alone, and spring! He can’t wait for the arrival of sun, flowers, and…a new neighbor?! Duck just landed himself a new home. He loves parties, karaoke, and living with—and on—Moose’s head. Moose tries everything he can to send Duck away, but he soon finds that this persistent neighbor might just be the best thing spring could bring.

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

Do you know your history? 

How much do you see yourself represented in the history books today?

Dr. Seema Yasmin set out to provide education for both kids and adults with her latest book "The ABCs of Queer History".

In this episode of the podcast Joe and Dr. Yasmin get into a great conversation around representation and the importance of knowing all the various historical figures who helped shape history but may not be in your textbooks.

Enjoy!

About Dr. Seema Yasmin

Dr. Seema Yasmin is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, medical doctor, and professor. She is director of the Stanford Health Communication Initiative, clinical assistant professor in Stanford University’s Department of Medicine, and visiting professor at the Anderson School of Management at UCLA where she teaches crisis management and communications. Yasmin was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in breaking news in 2017 with a team from The Dallas Morning News, and she is the recipient of two awards from the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Dr. Yasmin has been featured in and contributed to The New York Times, Rolling Stone, WIRED, Scientific American, and other outlets. She is a medical analyst for CNN and a correspondent for Conde Nast Entertainment. Her books paint vivid pictures about ourselves and how we interact with the world around us and include What the Fact?!: Finding the Truth in All the Noise, Muslim Women are Everything, the poetry collection If God Is a Virus and more.

About 'The ABCs of Queer History'

Have you ever used your voice to stand up and speak out?

Are you a 'force of nature?'

In this episode of the podcast, fabulous author and photographer Kate T. Parker stops by the show to promote her latest book 'Force of Nature.' It's an incredible book about the power of Women and Girls.

The conversation between Kate & Joe covers all manner of individual perspectives and how everyone can learn something from these powerful women and girls.

Enjoy!

About Kate T. Parker

KATE T. PARKER is a mother, wife, Ironman, professional photographer/director and New York Times Bestselling author who shoots both personal projects and commercial work for her clients. Her STRONG IS THE NEW PRETTY book led to collaborations with brands such as Disney, Athleta, Kellogg’s, and NBC. It has also inspired Kate to launch a philanthropic arm of SITNP, partnering with organizations such as Girls on the Run, Girl Up, The Arthur Blank Family Foundation, Disney, Glam4Good, and The Bully Project by investing in childrens’ health and education. Kate is also the author of Strong is the New Pretty: The Guided Journal, The Heart of a Boy Play Like A Girl and Force of Nature

About 'Force of Nature'

I first picked up a camera not long after my oldest daughter was born, eighteen years ago.  I felt as if something clicked in me (almost literally).  I loved making images and sharing stories of what it was like to be young, confident and free.  I found my calling and means of expression in celebrating kids, especially girls, authentically.  My first book, Strong is the New Pretty, started as a project to encourage my own two girls to know that they are enough just as they are and that being who they are is enough.  I’ve been photographing with that in mind ever since.  My hobby soon turned into a passion and then into a career.  Yes, it took me until I was in my thirties to find my “thing”, but I am so grateful.  This is my fifth book that celebrates the voices and stories of my subjects alongside images of them being themselves. I love helping to amplify their stories, told in their own words. It’s the best part of what I do, and it is how I use my voice.

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

"Said you wanna be a legend
Or a statement, or a star
Said you wanna be a legend said you wanna
Be a statement, said you wanna be a star
No, we're legendary!"

On the episode today is THE ICON Dashaun Wesley!

I've been a fan of Dashaun ever since I first saw him on Max's 'Legendary' ballroom competition show! I then went back and watched him on Pose! 

This was an incredible episode where we covered Ballroom, Dashaun's performance background, and how ballroom can be used to further the conversation around the LGBTQ+ community.

Enjoy!

About Dashaun Wesley

Have YOU ever had a unicorn horn sprout suddenly form your forehead!?

What about having to go into the underworld to retrieve your BFF!?

Did I mention the horn sings!?

All this and more is covered in Dave Roman's FABULOUS graphic novel 'Unicorn Boy'!

Dave is on the show today to discuss all things unicorn, how they got started writing and illustrating, and how kids can take lessons from 'the boy' and apply it to their own lives.

Enjoy!

About Dave Roman

Dave Roman is the author/illustrator of the Astronaut Academy series (winner of Maryland’s Black-Eyed Susan Book Award) and writer of the graphic novels Teen Boat! (with John Patrick Green) and Agnes Quill: An Anthology of Mystery. He has contributed stories to Comics Squad: Recess!, Explorer: The Mystery Boxes, Nursery Rhyme Comics, and Goosebumps Graphix: Slappy’s Tales of Horror. Roman is a professor at the School of Visual Arts, a former editor at Nickelodeon Magazine and is currently series editor for First Second’s Science Comics and History Comics series of nonfiction graphic novels. He lives in New York City and draws webcomics like Starbunny, Inc. and Pup & Duck that can be found on his website
yaytime.com

About 'Unicorn Boy'

The first few years of Brian Reyes’ life were unremarkable—nothing weird about this kid, no sir. Then, one day, a bump appeared on his head, and it grew…and grew…and grew until it was a full-blown, sparkling, SINGING unicorn horn. That’s absolutely the last thing a shy kid like Brian wants, but destiny waits for no unicorn boy.

Luckily, Brian has his reassuring pal Avery to keep him grounded as weird occurrences start stacking up, like Brian’s breakfast muffin talking to him, or a bizarre black cat offering him a business card. But when shadowy creatures from another realm kidnap Avery, Brian has to embrace his fate to rescue his best friend.

In the pages of Unicorn Boy, Dave Roman has created a cast of charming oddballs reckoning with normal, every day problems like heroic destinies and the fate of all magic in the universe. Readers of Narwal and Jelly, Grumpy Unicorn, and InvestiGators will also endear themselves to these lovable characters.

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

Do you ever find yourself consumed with the 'voice inside your head'?

How do you separate out what is helpful vs what is harmful? 

When do you speak up to obtain the necessary tools and resources to come out of a difficult situation?

These are some of the topics discussed in the latest episode of the podcast!

Author John Schu stops by the podcast to discuss his latest book 'Louder Than Hunger' and he and Joe get into a deep conversation about how to navigate some of life's most difficult times growing up.

Also, because John is a librarian there are plenty of discussions around libraries, enjoy!

About John Schu

John Schu has made a career out of advocating for the people and things he cares about most: kids, books, and the people that connect them. He was named a Library Journal Mover and Shaker for his dynamic interactions with students and his passionate adoption of new technologies as a means of connecting authors, illustrators, books, and readers. He is the children’s librarian for Bookelicious, a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University, and shares his love of reading with countless educators and students around the world. He served as the Ambassador of School Libraries for Scholastic Book Fairs for almost 6 years.

He is the author of This Is a School (Candlewick Press, 2022) illustrated by Veronica Miller Jamison, This Is a Story (Candlewick Press, 2023) illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Lauren Castillo, Louder Than Hunger (Candlewick, 2024) and The Gift of Story: Exploring the Affective Side of the Reading Life (Stenhouse, 2022). He is a contributor to The Creativity Project (Little, Brown, 2018), edited by Colby Sharp. John Schu lives in Naperville, Illinois.

About 'Louder Than Hunger'

Revered teacher, librarian, and story ambassador John Schu explores anorexia—and self-expression as an act of survival—in a wrenching and transformative novel-in-verse.

But another voice inside me says,
We need help.
We’re going to die.

Jake volunteers at a nursing home because he likes helping people. He likes skating and singing, playing Bingo and Name That Tune, and reading mysteries and comics aloud to his teachers. He also likes avoiding people his own age . . . and the cruelty of mirrors . . . and food. Jake has read about kids like him in books—the weird one, the outsider—and would do anything not to be that kid, including shrink himself down to nothing. But the less he eats, the bigger he feels. How long can Jake punish himself before he truly disappears? A fictionalized account of the author’s experiences and emotions living in residential treatment facilities as a young teen with an eating disorder, Louder than Hunger is a triumph of raw honesty. With a deeply personal afterword for context, this much-anticipated verse novel is a powerful model for muffling the destructive voices inside, managing and articulating pain, and embracing self-acceptance, support, and love.

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

What would you do if your historic talent show performance was upstaged by GASP your crush!? 

And further what would you do if your "crush" then started telling people he saved you because of your disability!?

This is the premise for the fantastic book 'Shiny Misfits' writen by Maysoon Zayid. Maysoon joins the podcast today to share the background on writing this particular book and emphasizes the continued importantance of representation in children's books.

Enjoy!

About Maysoon Zayid

Maysoon Zayid is a comedian, actress, writer, and disability advocate. She is a graduate of Arizona State University and a Princeton Fellow. Maysoon is the co-founder/co-executive producer of the New York Arab American Comedy Festival and The Muslim Funny Fest. She was a full-time On Air Contributor to Countdown with Keith Olbermann and a columnist for The Daily Beast. She has appeared on 60 Minutes, CNN, ABC News, and Oprah Winfrey Networks. Maysoon had the most viewed TED Talk of 2014 and was thrilled to collaborate with Huda Beauty.

As a professional comedian, Maysoon has sold out top New York clubs and has toured extensively at home and abroad. She was a headliner on the Arabs Gone Wild Comedy Tour and The Together Live Tour. Maysoon appeared alongside Adam Sandler in You Don’t Mess With the Zohan and has written for Glamour magazine. She limped in New York Fashion Week and is a recurring character on General Hospital. She is the author of the best-selling memoir Find Another Dream and is collaborating with Scholastic on her debut comic book Shiny Misfits.

About 'Shiny Misfits'

A sparkling story about friendship, fame, and fighting to write your own narrative,  SHINY MISFITS spotlights Bay Ann, a young Arab American Muslim girl with two tap shoes and a dream of the stage who, despite her awe-inspiring routine is reduced to her disability—cerebral palsy—after her wobble on stage goes viral. Bay Ann refuses to have her talent cast aside and teams up with her best friends to take her power back… while getting into a few capers along the way.

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

Ooooh Natural 20!

oh nooooo crit miss!

Roll your initiative!

Which dice?

Your d20!

.....

What am I reading?

Oh, no big deal, it's just dogs playing a roleplaying game. 

Oh, ok. Wait, whut?

.....

Yes, this week's wonderful author/illustrator, Scout Underhill, created a wonderful book "DnDoggos" based on their wonderful webcomic which has been in existence since 2017!

Enjoy this fun interview about this super exciting debut novel from Scout!

.....

About Scout Underhill

Scout Underhill (they/them) is a nonbinary, queer author-illustrator and a life-long professional dog cuddler, creating stories in the woods near Nashville, TN. They started drawing comics as a wee child and never stopped. DnDoggos began as a webcomic in 2017 after the real life dogs were caught playing tabletop roleplay games. Having no thumbs of their own in which to hold pencils, the doggos enlisted Scout's help to make them famous. When not drawing dog comics, Scout can be found thinking about dogs, playing with dogs, and cuddling with dogs. Scout received the award “Best Person In The World” from their own dogs in 2010 and has held the title every year since. DnDoggos GET THE PARTY STARTED (Feiwel & Friends, 2024) is their debut graphic novel.

About DnDoggos

Four adorable dogs have picked their characters and favorite dice and are ready to save the day in this middle-grade graphic novel debut from online comic creator Scout Underhill.

Magnus is tail-waggingly excited to share his favorite role-playing game with his friends! They've picked their characters and favorite dice, and are ready to set off on the adventure Magnus has created for them.

Pickles, a rough-and-tumble fighter; Tonka, a playful and fun-loving bard; and Zoey, a wise and caring cleric, are given a quest to fetch a magical dog collar from a nearby swamp. But when they triumphantly return, they soon find that the collar isn't the only thing that has gone missing from Tail's Bend. All the squeaky toys in town have disappeared and Squish, the mayor's young son, has set off on his own to find them.

It's up to the Doggos to rescue Squish, track down the missing toys, and save the day!

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

Have you ever felt stuck?

How about feeling like you've hit a wall?

What did you do to overcome it?

How did you push through?

These questions and more are covered in the latest episode of The DTALKS Podcast!

About Barbara Dee

Barbara Dee is the award-winning author of fourteen middle grade novels, all published by Simon & Schuster. Her books have earned several starred reviews and have been named to many best-of lists, including The Washington Post’s Best Children’s Books, ALA Notable Children’s Books, ALA Rise: A Feminist Book Project List, School Library Journal’s Best Middle Grade Books, and the ALA Rainbow List Top Ten. Her books appear on numerous state awards lists as well.

Barbara graduated magna cum laude from Yale with honors in English. She has a MA degree from Middlebury College’s Bread Loaf School of English and a JD degree from the University of Chicago Law School, where she was an associate editor of the law review. She has taught high school English and has practiced law. Barbara is one of the founders and a former board member of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival, now the largest children’s book festival in the country.

About 'Unstuck'

Lyla is thrilled when her seventh-grade English language arts class begins a daily creative writing project. For the past year, she’s been writing a brilliant fantasy novel in her head, and here’s her chance to get it on paper! The plot to Lyla’s novel is super complicated, with battle scenes and witches and a mysterious one-toed-beast, but at its core, it’s about an overlooked girl who has to rescue her beautiful, highly accomplished older sister.

But writing a fantasy novel turns out to be harder than simply imagining one, and pretty soon Lyla finds herself stuck, experiencing a panic she realizes is writer’s block. Part of the problem is that she’s trying to impress certain people—like Rania, her best friend who’s pulling away, and Ms. Bowman, the coolest teacher at school. Plus, there’s the pressure of meeting the deadline for the town writing contest. A few years ago, Lyla’s superstar teen sister Dahlia came in second, and this time, Lyla is determined to win first prize.

Finally, Lyla confides about her writing problems to Dahlia, who is dealing with her own academic stress as she applies to college. That’s when she learns Dahlia’s secret, which is causing a very different type of writer’s block. Can Lyla rescue a surprisingly vulnerable big sister, both on the page and in real life?

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

How much do YOU know about local politics?

What would you do if you didn't like the way your city was being run?

Would you decide to step off the sidelines and throw your hat into the ring?

that's the situation Dan Cogan found himself in 6 years ago when he decided to help create a better town and community by running for Bedford City Council.

Situated firmly between Dallas and Fort Worth, Bedford Texas is a strong suburban community with deep roots and a warm environment. However, back 6+ years ago, this currently thriving city felt a bit tired and worn down. Deciding to do something about it, Dan Cogan ran (and won) City Council and together with the help of the other city council members and former Mayor Michael Boyter, helped turn Bedford into a THRIVING community in the DFW area!

Come listen in as Dan tells the story of how he got elected, some early city council struggles, and how he stepped into the Mayor role to become the youngest Mayor in all of Tarrant County!

Enjoy!

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

Are YOU ready to be the hero?

Do YOU think you can choose the correct path?

Will YOU be the Fifth hero?

All valid questions to ask yourself as you're getting ready to read the latest book from today's guest, author Bill Doyle!

Bill stops by the podcast to discuss his latest book, what brought him to writing in the first place, and how he hopes he can impart knowledge onto readers of any age!

It's a fantastic conversation, enjoy!

About Bill Doyle

With over 2,000,000 books in print, author Bill Doyle has written critically acclaimed and bestselling children’s books, including Scholastic’s Behind Enemy Lines series and Scream Team series; Chronicle Books’ "Worst Case Scenario Ultimate Adventure: Everest"; Little Brown’s six-book Crime Through Time series; and Random House’s Magic for Hire series, with titles including "Attack of the Shark-Headed Zombie" and "Invasion of the Junkyard Hog."

Bill is co-founder of Crab Hill Press, a developer of children’s interactive storybooks, including the top-ranked "Nash Smasher!'—named one of the 10 Best Children’s Books for iPad by The New York Times and recipient of a Kirkus Reviews Star. Bill’s second Crab Hill Press app, "My Dad Drives a Roller Coaster Car," recently topped USA Today’s list of best kids travel apps. His latest app, "Don’t Open Before Christmas," is a Kirkus Critic's Pick and was selected by USA Today as a Best Holiday App.

About 'The Fifth Hero'

FOUR KIDS. ONE EARTH. AND YOU ARE THE HERO THEY NEED. From the creator of the interactive Escape This Book! series, join the climate superheroes as they master the powers of earth, wind, sea, and creatures and use YOUR help to choose the right story line and save the planet!

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

Happy new year!

I hope you finished off 2023 in style and what better way to kickoff 2024 than with a FABULOUS guest, the one, the only, the hilarious Bo Johnson!

Joe caught some of Bo's stand-up online a few years ago, had the pleasure of seeing him live last year, and HAD to get him on the show to discuss his story.

Bo and Joe get into a conversation on how Bo first got into comedy, how he prepares to tour around the country, and some advice for folks just starting out. 

It's the best way to start off your year, come detox with DTALKS!

Enjoy!

About Bo Johnson

Bo Johnson is a comedian from Seattle, Washington. He can be found headlining clubs, breweries, and appropriately sized theaters across the United States and Canada. His stand up has been featured on Netflix is a Joke Radio, season two of Kevin Hart Presents: Hart of the City on Comedy Central, Don’t Tell Comedy Secret Sets, & LOL Live! at the prestigious Just For Laughs comedy festival in Montreal. He was a finalist in the 39th annual Seattle International Comedy Competition and is a regular at festivals including Bumbershoot, SF Sketchfest, the Double Down Comedy Experience sponsored by Zappos, Life is Beautiful in Las Vegas, Rifflandia in Victoria BC, Prizefest, and Big Pine Comedy Festival in Phoenix. With a growing online audience Bo’s jokes have been viewed millions of times online.

Separate from stand up comedy one time Bo and his best friend from high school snuck into a movie theater as one person. That video was broadcast on TV shows like the now cancelled Caught on Camera with Nick Cannon on NBC and lowest rated daytime talk show at the time, The Meredith Veira Show. Bo still gets messages each year from friends seeing the video go viral on different meme accounts. Numerous magazines and newspapers also wrote about the hijinks, including an article in Cosmopolitan titled, “Man Sneaks His BFF Into Movie Theater by Stuffing Him Into His Pants.” More recently Bo trained his roommates dog by walking her to Shania Twain's "Man! I feel like a Woman!" in a viral stunt earning over 7 millions views on Tik Tok and press coverage in  both major and incredibly minor publications.

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: