EPISODE · Aug 24, 2026 · 27 MIN
E242: THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO BEING A WIZARD by Keith Negley
from Kidlit Love: Conversations with Picture Book and Middle Grade Authors · host Stephanie Affinito
Happy Monday!This post is a bit later in the day than I usually share it, but personal scheduling difficulties got the best of me this week. Hopefully, this interruption to your afternoon gives you a well-deserved break into my bookish world. =)This week, I’m sharing a long list of newly-published books that truly exemplify the heart of children’s literature: the beauty of a picture book, the inspiration of a graphic novel (or two!) and the invitation into a new perspective in the pages of a novel. I hope you’ll take a look at them all!Then, I hope you’ll press play on my conversation with Keith Negley about his fantastic new picture book: THE BEGINNERS GUIDE TO BEING A WIZARD. It’s a true delight!Keep scrolling to press play on that episode and to see other new books that have made their way into my reading life!StephanieBook Birthdays and Other Book Reviews🎈🎁📖🎂📚🎉Here are the newly released books that have made their way to me along with other books that I have read and reviewed:🎉RASIE THE BAR by Fernanda Frick H. (Amazon / Bookshop)I was so eager to get my hands on this one! Books provide all sorts of role models for readers and this one celebrates one girl’s weightlifting dreams and how far she’ll go for them. This graphic novel will immerse you in the pages and inspire you in real life.🎉THE THING ABOUT PIE by Amy Hest & Illustrated by Christopher Thornock (Amazon / Bookshop)This book truly embodies the beauty, love and power of a picture book. It’s about the perfect day: a morning in the kitchen baking, a bike ride across town with a fresh pie in the basket, and Grampa waiting to share warm slices in the park. It’s an ode to what I want my life to look and feel like. 🎉EARTH TO CHRIS CLEEVY by Cristof Bogacs, Hannah Krieger & Sammy Savos (Amazon / Bookshop)This is a quintessential middle grade graphic novel providing multiple entry points for readers: Aliens have invaded Earth - or so it would seem - in this contemporary middle grade graphic novel that follows 11-year-old Chris Cleevy as he navigates the emergence of his OCD and his mom’s new boyfriend. 🎉CREEPY KID by Caleb Roehrig (Amazon / Bookshop)Poe has spent his whole life wishing he could meet a ghost, but when he moves into a real-life haunted house, he discovers that communing with the other side might be a little more than he bargained for. This is a hilariously creepy middle grade novel you won’t want to put down this spooky season!🎉FARAWAY FAMILY by Padma Venkatraman & Illustrated by Nicole Wong (Amazon / Bookshop)Padma is one of my absolute favorite authors and she’s been on the KidLit Love podcast multiple times: On episode 1 to kick off the podcast with BORN BEHIND BARS and episode 104 to discuss SAFE HARBOR. FARAWAY FAMILY is her debut picture book and it has mt heart. In this book, readers learn how making friends with faraway relatives you’ve never met can be a little daunting at first, but this family finds a unique way to connect. There’s such beauty inside. 🎉SPOOKY SCOUTS by Kimberly Shrack (Amazon / Bookshop)When a camping trip falls under the full moon, wolf girl Luna schemes to hide her transformation from her fellow Spooky Scouts, until revealing her secret becomes impossible and allows others to share their true selves, too. Oh, this book MUST be read and read and read. =)E242: THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO BEING A WIZARD by Keith NegleyOn this episode of the KidLit Love podcast, I’m talking with Keith Negley about his newest picture book: THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO BEING A WIZARD.This delightful picture book is the first in a new series focused on silly how-to themes. It enchants readers with a step-by-step guide to being a wizard and teaches readers about perseverance, too. Just wait until you get lost in these illustrations!Come listen as we talk about the parenting spark that launched Keith into the world of picture books, the humor found on the pages that will not only appeal to young readers, but their caregivers too, and his hopes for inviting readers into a shared reading experience that will be remembered and enjoyed.Here is the book featured in this episode. You’ll find links to my Amazon and Bookshop affiliate stores below. Thanks for your bookish support!THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO BEING A WIZARD by Keith Negley (Amazon / Bookshop)Here’s where you can find Keith online:Website: https://keithnegley.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keith_negleyI’d love to know what you think of this episode. Share your comments below!KidLit love is multiplied when it’s shared! 🩷Here are some free ways to support this newsletter and spread my love of children’s literature far and wide:🩷 Like and comment on this post so we can connect!🔄 Restack and add your favorite nugget from the podcast.📷 Take a screenshot of your favorite part and text it to a kidlit friend.💌 Forward this email to a fellow kidlit colleague so they can join the book love too!⌨️ Refer a friend and earn prizes….including courses and coaching sessions with me!Thanks for reading the KidLit Love newsletter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit kidlitlove.substack.com
Embed this episode
NOW PLAYING
E242: THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO BEING A WIZARD by Keith Negley
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.
Similar Podcasts
No similar podcasts found.