Toddling the Stacks Thu, 28 May 2026 06:05:12 -0400 http://www.toddlingthestacks.com en-us © 2026 Toddling the Stacks yes 3e6f2a85-d144-5010-ba44-a475d62bad72 Sean Gill episodic false Toddling the Stacks is a children's literature podcast that helps you find new books to read with your kid! 

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) children’s books, kids book reviews, picture books, read aloud books, best kids books, children’s literature, books for toddlers, books for preschoolers, parenting books, Caldecott books, classic children’s books, bedtime stories Sean Gill https://storage.buzzsprout.com/ijkdou3c5e2cp69v5qfrxuq9e2ci?.jpg Toddling the Stacks http://www.toddlingthestacks.com THE GIFT OF RAMADAN S1E5 THE GIFT OF RAMADAN S1E5 How can children's literature teach lessons, provide representation for marginalized groups, and provide insight into different ways of living--all without being preachy or pedantic? 

Join us for our discussion on 2019's THE GIFT OF RAMADAN, a picture book that manages to do all these things beautifully. We'll address the recent Mac Barnett scandal, then do a bit of analysis to understand where this book succeeds.

We're experimenting with a new format this time, so let us know what you think!

Visit us at http://www.toddlingthestacks.com for previous episodes, info on the show, and what Adalyn is reading now! 

If you like the episode, please subscribe and share with friends!

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@ToddlingTheStacks

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/toddlingthestacks/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/toddlingthestacks.bsky.social

FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588725012180

Show graphics by Emily Tetrault. Theme and interstitials excerpted from Erik Satie's Gnossienne #1. All book images used under the Fair Use exceptions to exclusive copyright as defined under Title 17, subsection 107,  of US Code.

]]> How can children's literature teach lessons, provide representation for marginalized groups, and provide insight into different ways of living--all without being preachy or pedantic? 

Join us for our discussion on 2019's THE GIFT OF RAMADAN, a picture book that manages to do all these things beautifully. We'll address the recent Mac Barnett scandal, then do a bit of analysis to understand where this book succeeds.

We're experimenting with a new format this time, so let us know what you think!

Visit us at http://www.toddlingthestacks.com for previous episodes, info on the show, and what Adalyn is reading now! 

If you like the episode, please subscribe and share with friends!

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@ToddlingTheStacks

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/toddlingthestacks/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/toddlingthestacks.bsky.social

FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588725012180

Show graphics by Emily Tetrault. Theme and interstitials excerpted from Erik Satie's Gnossienne #1. All book images used under the Fair Use exceptions to exclusive copyright as defined under Title 17, subsection 107,  of US Code.

]]> Sean Gill Buzzsprout-19251869 Thu, 28 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400 1743 1 5 full false MEI LI S1E4 MEI LI S1E4 The second entry in our fortnightly Caldecott series focuses on Thomas Handforth's 1938 Mei Li. Books naturally fall in and out of the publication cycle: some get found and republished, others remain dead. Despite having won one of the most prestigious awards in children's literature, Thomas Handforth's stunningly illustrated picture book debut is today out of print and can be quite pricey on the used market. Fingers crossed that your library has it!

Join us for a quick lesson on lithography and printing, with some thoughts on how Handforth's background as a printer helped him to bring this tale to life in new and innovative ways! 

Visit us at http://www.toddlingthestacks.com for previous episodes, info on the show, and what Adalyn is reading now! 

If you like the episode, please subscribe and share with friends!

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@ToddlingTheStacks

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/toddlingthestacks/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/toddlingthestacks.bsky.social

FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588725012180

Show graphics by Emily Tetrault. Theme and interstitials excerpted from Erik Satie's Gnossienne #1. All book images used under the Fair Use exceptions to exclusive copyright as defined under Title 17, subsection 107,  of US Code.

]]> The second entry in our fortnightly Caldecott series focuses on Thomas Handforth's 1938 Mei Li. Books naturally fall in and out of the publication cycle: some get found and republished, others remain dead. Despite having won one of the most prestigious awards in children's literature, Thomas Handforth's stunningly illustrated picture book debut is today out of print and can be quite pricey on the used market. Fingers crossed that your library has it!

Join us for a quick lesson on lithography and printing, with some thoughts on how Handforth's background as a printer helped him to bring this tale to life in new and innovative ways! 

Visit us at http://www.toddlingthestacks.com for previous episodes, info on the show, and what Adalyn is reading now! 

If you like the episode, please subscribe and share with friends!

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@ToddlingTheStacks

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/toddlingthestacks/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/toddlingthestacks.bsky.social

FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588725012180

Show graphics by Emily Tetrault. Theme and interstitials excerpted from Erik Satie's Gnossienne #1. All book images used under the Fair Use exceptions to exclusive copyright as defined under Title 17, subsection 107,  of US Code.

]]> Sean Gill Buzzsprout-19204723 Wed, 20 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400 692 1 4 full false PAPER CHASE S1E3 PAPER CHASE S1E3 Julia Donaldson is one of the biggest names in children's literature, but her work with illustrator Victoria Sandøy--shall we call it The Tree Trilogy?--has gone largely unnoticed in the U.S. But who doesn't want a children's book filled with specialist knowledge about industrial paper making practices of the 20 and 21C? Adalyn is all about it!

Join us for our discussion on PAPER CHASE. I'll bring to bear some of the frankly frightening amount of knowledge I have around the history of paper and its ability to form discourse networks. And just like a real college English class, you can show up in your pajamas! 

Visit us at http://www.toddlingthestacks.com for previous episodes, info on the show, and what Adalyn is reading now! 

If you like the episode, please subscribe and share with friends!

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@ToddlingTheStacks

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/toddlingthestacks/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/toddlingthestacks.bsky.social

FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588725012180

Show graphics by Emily Tetrault. Theme and interstitials excerpted from Erik Satie's Gnossienne #1. All book images used under the Fair Use exceptions to exclusive copyright as defined under Title 17, subsection 107,  of US Code.

]]> Julia Donaldson is one of the biggest names in children's literature, but her work with illustrator Victoria Sandøy--shall we call it The Tree Trilogy?--has gone largely unnoticed in the U.S. But who doesn't want a children's book filled with specialist knowledge about industrial paper making practices of the 20 and 21C? Adalyn is all about it!

Join us for our discussion on PAPER CHASE. I'll bring to bear some of the frankly frightening amount of knowledge I have around the history of paper and its ability to form discourse networks. And just like a real college English class, you can show up in your pajamas! 

Visit us at http://www.toddlingthestacks.com for previous episodes, info on the show, and what Adalyn is reading now! 

If you like the episode, please subscribe and share with friends!

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@ToddlingTheStacks

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/toddlingthestacks/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/toddlingthestacks.bsky.social

FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588725012180

Show graphics by Emily Tetrault. Theme and interstitials excerpted from Erik Satie's Gnossienne #1. All book images used under the Fair Use exceptions to exclusive copyright as defined under Title 17, subsection 107,  of US Code.

]]> Sean Gill Buzzsprout-19164608 Wed, 13 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400 738 1 3 full false ANIMALS OF THE BIBLE S1E2 ANIMALS OF THE BIBLE S1E2 Every other week, we'll be reviewing Caldecott winners--so we decided to start in the beginning, a very good place to start! The internet is replete with blogs, podcasts, and social media projects undertaking precisely this challenge. ANIMALS OF THE BIBLE, the first "children's book" to win the Caldecott, marks the beginning and end for those projects more often than not.  

Join us for our discussion on this divisive text, as we try to figure out exactly for whom it's written. With gorgeous Illustrations by Dorothy Lathrope, and compelling selections from the KJV made by Helen Dean Fish, ANIMALS OF THE BIBLE sought to engage children in biblical texts by leveraging what the authors saw as children's innate interests in animals. Its publishers say the appropriate age is 4-8. Do we agree? Tune in to find out!

Visit us at http://www.toddlingthestacks.com for previous episodes, info on the show, and our socials! If you like the episode, please subscribe and share with friends!

Show graphics by Emily Tetrault. Theme and interstitials excerpted from Erik Satie's Gnossienne #1. All book images used under the Fair Use exceptions to exclusive copyright as defined under Title 17, subsection 107,  of US Code.

Visit us at http://www.toddlingthestacks.com for previous episodes, info on the show, and what Adalyn is reading now! 

If you like the episode, please subscribe and share with friends!

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@ToddlingTheStacks

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/toddlingthestacks/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/toddlingthestacks.bsky.social

FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588725012180

Show graphics by Emily Tetrault. Theme and interstitials excerpted from Erik Satie's Gnossienne #1. All book images used under the Fair Use exceptions to exclusive copyright as defined under Title 17, subsection 107,  of US Code.

]]> Every other week, we'll be reviewing Caldecott winners--so we decided to start in the beginning, a very good place to start! The internet is replete with blogs, podcasts, and social media projects undertaking precisely this challenge. ANIMALS OF THE BIBLE, the first "children's book" to win the Caldecott, marks the beginning and end for those projects more often than not.  

Join us for our discussion on this divisive text, as we try to figure out exactly for whom it's written. With gorgeous Illustrations by Dorothy Lathrope, and compelling selections from the KJV made by Helen Dean Fish, ANIMALS OF THE BIBLE sought to engage children in biblical texts by leveraging what the authors saw as children's innate interests in animals. Its publishers say the appropriate age is 4-8. Do we agree? Tune in to find out!

Visit us at http://www.toddlingthestacks.com for previous episodes, info on the show, and our socials! If you like the episode, please subscribe and share with friends!

Show graphics by Emily Tetrault. Theme and interstitials excerpted from Erik Satie's Gnossienne #1. All book images used under the Fair Use exceptions to exclusive copyright as defined under Title 17, subsection 107,  of US Code.

Visit us at http://www.toddlingthestacks.com for previous episodes, info on the show, and what Adalyn is reading now! 

If you like the episode, please subscribe and share with friends!

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@ToddlingTheStacks

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/toddlingthestacks/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/toddlingthestacks.bsky.social

FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588725012180

Show graphics by Emily Tetrault. Theme and interstitials excerpted from Erik Satie's Gnossienne #1. All book images used under the Fair Use exceptions to exclusive copyright as defined under Title 17, subsection 107,  of US Code.

]]> https://toddlingthestacks.com/animals-of-the-bible-s1e2/ Sean Gill Buzzsprout-19129181 Wed, 06 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400 623 ##ChildrensBooks, #KidLit, #ReadAloud, #PictureBooks, #ToddlerBooks, #Storytime, #EarlyLiteracy 1 2 full false FOOD TRUCK FEST! S1E1 FOOD TRUCK FEST! S1E1 Join us for a thoughtful discussion on a fantastic picture book for children who enjoy learning about food! It's a wonderful read that's become one of my toddler's favorites.

In our inaugural episode, we take a look at FOOD TRUCK FEST! written by Alexandra Penfold and illustrated by Mike Dutton. It tells the story of a young family attending the titular food truck festival, using a surprisingly advanced literary technique to craft a vast and vibrant world for you and your little to explore. 

Visit us at http://www.toddlingthestacks.com for previous episodes, info on the show, and our socials! 

Show graphics by Emily Tetrault. Theme and interstitials excerpted from Erik Satie's Gnossienne #1. All book images used under the Fair Use exceptions to exclusive copyright as defined under Title 17, subsection 107,  of US Code.

Visit us at http://www.toddlingthestacks.com for previous episodes, info on the show, and what Adalyn is reading now! 

If you like the episode, please subscribe and share with friends!

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@ToddlingTheStacks

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/toddlingthestacks/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/toddlingthestacks.bsky.social

FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588725012180

Show graphics by Emily Tetrault. Theme and interstitials excerpted from Erik Satie's Gnossienne #1. All book images used under the Fair Use exceptions to exclusive copyright as defined under Title 17, subsection 107,  of US Code.

]]> Join us for a thoughtful discussion on a fantastic picture book for children who enjoy learning about food! It's a wonderful read that's become one of my toddler's favorites.

In our inaugural episode, we take a look at FOOD TRUCK FEST! written by Alexandra Penfold and illustrated by Mike Dutton. It tells the story of a young family attending the titular food truck festival, using a surprisingly advanced literary technique to craft a vast and vibrant world for you and your little to explore. 

Visit us at http://www.toddlingthestacks.com for previous episodes, info on the show, and our socials! 

Show graphics by Emily Tetrault. Theme and interstitials excerpted from Erik Satie's Gnossienne #1. All book images used under the Fair Use exceptions to exclusive copyright as defined under Title 17, subsection 107,  of US Code.

Visit us at http://www.toddlingthestacks.com for previous episodes, info on the show, and what Adalyn is reading now! 

If you like the episode, please subscribe and share with friends!

YT: https://www.youtube.com/@ToddlingTheStacks

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/toddlingthestacks/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/toddlingthestacks.bsky.social

FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61588725012180

Show graphics by Emily Tetrault. Theme and interstitials excerpted from Erik Satie's Gnossienne #1. All book images used under the Fair Use exceptions to exclusive copyright as defined under Title 17, subsection 107,  of US Code.

]]> https://toddlingthestacks.com/animals-of-the-bible/ Sean Gill Buzzsprout-19104385 Fri, 01 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400 880 #ChildrensBooks, #KidLit, #ReadAloud, #PictureBooks, #ToddlerBooks, #Storytime, #EarlyLiteracy 1 1 full false