Building Worlds & Facing Fears

Dive into this episode for a double feature of creativity, heart, and inspiration as we welcome celebrated authors Shannon Messenger and Sarah Brannen! First, Shannon Messenger, the creative force behind the beloved "Keeper of the Lost Cities" series, chats about transforming her epic fantasy into a graphic novel. Shannon reveals what it's like to see her magical world—and heroine Sophie Foster—come alive in art, and shares insights on bravery, friendship, and what it takes to rewrite scenes for the visual page. Parents and young readers will appreciate Shannon's honest look at writing stories that continue to win new fans, even years after their debut! Next, join us as Sarah Brannen introduces "Lolly on the Ice," a touching picture book inspired by her own experiences with figure skating and stage fright. Sarah gives listeners a peek behind her process as an author-illustrator and discusses how stories like Lolly's can help kids overcome performance anxiety, no matter their passion. Whether your family loves fantasy adventures or heartfelt contemporary tales, this episode is packed with behind-the-scenes stories, encouragement for reluctant readers, and practical wisdom for anyone dreaming of writing or illustrating children's books. Don't miss inspiring conversations, laughter, and tips from two authors who know all about creating magic for young readers!