Books, Kids & Creations with Tracy Blom
by Tracy Blom
Viewers will meet creative people of all ages who inspire future generations with their work. Guests have included Cartoonists, Olympic champions, NASA scientists, ballerinas, children's authors, and more!Hosted by Tracy Blom, awarding-winning author of over thirty books, plays, and screenplays.
Episodes
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Debut Author: Elysia Rourke | Whale Fall
In this episode of Books, Kids & Creations, Tracy sitsdown with debut author, Elysia Rourke to discuss her new middle grade book, Whale Fall. (Nancy Paulsen Books, Sept. 2026) We talk all things whales—including how they communicate,the way they see colors, how they function in families and of...
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Abbi Lee: Geocache Club Series
Did you know there is hidden treasure right in your home town? There is! And everyday people like you and me are using geocaching to find them. Geocaching is like using a digital treasure map to locate items that have been hidden. There are websites dedicated to these hometown treasure hunts…
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Astrophysicist & Author Emma Chapman
On this episode of Books, Kids & Creations, I sit down with Dr. Emma Chapman—astrophysicist, author, and science communicator—to talk about her fascinating journey from studying Egyptology to exploring the universe through radio astronomy.Emma shares how discovering a physics book completely...
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Katerina Spaeth: Dedushka: Memories of My Grandpa and Ukraine
In this heartfelt episode of Books, Kids & Creations, I sit down with author–illustrator Katerina Spaeth to talk about her beautiful new picture book, Dedushka: Memories of My Grandpa and Ukraine—a tender tribute to her childhood in Kharkiv and the grandfather who helped shape her life. Katerina...
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Author-Illustrator Duo, Wendi Silvano & Lee Harper: The Turkey Trouble Series
Gobble Gobble! In this interview Tracy sits down with author-illustrator duo Wendi Silvano and Lee Harper, the inspiring creators of the Turkey Trouble Series. We talk about creating lovable characters, the artistic process, and what it is like working together on such a fun series. This book is…
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Meet Owen Himfar: The Neurodivergent Star of The Short Game!
🎬 In this episode of Books, Kids & Creations, Tracy Blom chats with rising star Owen Himfar about his debut acting role in the feature film The Short Game. Owen shares what it was like stepping onto set for the first time, how he prepared for the role, and what he’s learned from the experience.…
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Interview with Colonel Chris Hadfield, Astronaut & Bestselling Author
In this inspiring episode of Books, Kids & Creations, award-winning author and host Tracy Blom sits down with Colonel Chris Hadfield — astronaut, fighter pilot, author, and the first Canadian to walk in space.You may know him as “the most social media savvy astronaut ever to leave Earth”…
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Louis Henry Mitchell, Creative Director of Character Design Sesame Workshop
How did Louis Henry Mitchell get to Sesame Street? The spark that started his creative journey began when he was just six years old, and saw Jim Henson on the Ed Sullivan Show. It was in that moment he realized that a person was behind creating his favorite characters, and if they could do it…
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Catharina Steel — The Vanishings: Fantasy Revisions & Character Craft
Catharina Steel on The Vanishings: beta readers, editing, and building braver fantasy characters. We dig into the world of fantasy writing with Australian author Catharina Steel—from beta readers and writing coaches to our beloved “Deleted Scenes” folders. We also explore how nature fuels ideas…
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Interview with Kyle Zimmer, CEO and Co-Founder of First Book
Imagine taking the leap from practicing attorney to wanting to start a literacy non-profit. Seems pretty scary right? Well, that' exactly what Kyle Zimmer did in 1992 just before co-founding First Book. Fast forward to 2025, First book serves 6.5 million children each year through its network of...
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High Yield, Small Space Organic Gardening | Christy Wilhelmi Interview
In this episode, I chat with gardener and author Christy Wilhelmi about her new book, High Yield, Small Space Organic Gardening. Whether you're planting on an acre or a porch, her book is a goldmine of organized planting plans, tasty recipes, and helpful resources to help you grow more food in…
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Interview with Vicky Fang | Inspiring Young Minds Through STEM & Storytelling
Former Google product designer Vicky Fang talks about turning a passion for tech and robotics into stories for kids! In this episode, we sit down with the brilliant author and illustrator Vicky Fang, whose creative books spark curiosity and laughter while introducing kids to the world of STEM,...
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Author Interview: Christopher Shaw Myers
Calling all JAWS fans!! In this episode of Books, Kids & Creations, I sit down with Christopher Shaw Myers to talk about the incredible new book he’s written about his uncle, Robert Shaw, and the impact of legacy and storytelling across generations. 🎬 With the 50th anniversary of JAWS upon us,...
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Wildlife Photographer Ursula Clare Franklin on Mission Penguin | Author Interview
In this episode of Books, Kids & Creations, host Tracy Blom interviews wildlife photographer and author Ursula Clare Franklin about her captivating new book, Mission Penguin.Ursula shares how her passion for wildlife photography led her on an unforgettable mission to photograph all 18 species of...
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Stephanie Booth: Libby Lost & Found
New Episode! Author Stephanie Booth joins Books, Kids & Creations to talk about her powerful new novel Libby Lost and Found — the story of a bestselling fantasy writer facing early-onset Alzheimer’s and the 11-year-old superfan who helps her finish her final book. With a rich background in...
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Diana Renn - Ecomystery Author of the Owl Prowl Mystery
Diana Renn is a fantastic author, creating environmental mysteries that both kids and adults can enjoy. Her latest book, the Owl Prowl Mystery is like Sherlock Holmes for environmentalists and is a real HOOT. The first book in the series, Trouble at Turtle Pond was named a 2023 Green Earth Book...
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Wendy Perkins: Award-Winning Author & San Diego Zoo Storyteller | Behind the Books & Wildlife Magic
🌟 Author Spotlight: Wendy Perkins! 🌟 We’re thrilled to share an exciting interview with Wendy Perkins, a talented author and creative powerhouse who has enchanted readers and animal lovers alike! 🐾✨ 📚 Beyond her captivating books (which you can explore here 👉 Wendy Perkins on Amazon), Wendy...
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Jessie Sima - Cookie Time
Do you love cookies so much that you'd build a time machine to bypass waiting for them to cook in the oven? Author / illustrator Jessie Sima sits down with Tracy to talk about their new book Cookie Time. About Jessie: Jessie Sima is an author and illustrator of picture books. They grew up in a...
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Simone Amelia Jordan, Hip-Hop Journalist
On this episode of Books, Kids & Creations, host Tracy Blom sits down with Australian hip-hop journalist Simone Jordan to discuss her journey as an author and her love for hip-hop, which started at a very young age. Simone's new memoir, Tell Her She's Dreamin', is packed with passion and shows…
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Janet Zappala: Emmy-Award Winning Journalist & Children's Author
It's All Guapo All the Time! Guapo's Great Rescue and Guapo's Giant Heart are two charming books inspired by a REAL rescue steer named Guapo. These books teach important lessons about rescuing animals, caring for others, and forming friendships in unexpected ways. Listen to this incredible...
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Bryan Chick - The Wayfinders - a magical mythical book
A mermaid in the bathtub a unicorn in the barn—these are just some of the magical problems young Chloe must solve in Bryan Chick's newest book, The Wayfinders. Bryan Chick is the author of The Secret Zoo Series which has sold almost a million copies and been translated into numerous foreign...
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Patrick Carmen - NYT Best-selling Children's Author
Ever want to listen to how a NYT best-selling children's author writes and comes up with story ideas? Well, this is the interview for you! Patrick Carman is a bestselling children’s author with over four million books in print, including perennial favorites Skeleton Creek, Atherton, 39 Clues,...
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Jack Pine: Glass Artist
Tracy Blom goes to Hocking Hills to interview the legendary glass a, Jack Pine at his one-of-a-kind studio! Jack grew up in Southern Ohio and studied art at the Columbus College of Art and Design. He refined his skills at the famous glass houses of Seattle. Drawn to nature and inspired by its...
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Erin Winick - Tour of the Joides Resolution Science Ship!
WHAT IS THE JOIDES RESOLUTION? The JOIDES Resolution (JR) is a research vessel that drills into the ocean floor to collect and study core samples. Scientists use data from the JR to better understand climate change, geology, and Earth’s history. It is a part of the International Ocean Discovery...
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Interview with Author Glenn Somodi
Do you like nature, lore, and magical creatures? If so, then you will want to read Olly & the Spores of Oak Hill!! About the Book Olly and his new friend, Ember, fight off school bullies, greedy mall developers, and nosey townspeople to protect their secret – that there’s a community of...
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Interview with NYT Best Selling Author Meghan March & Illustrator Josh Woods
n this interview Tracy sits down with tattoo artist Josh Woods and NYT best-selling Author Meghan March to discuss their wonderful collaboration--- a delightful children's book called Beatrice. Beatrice the cat is perfectly happy being who she is -- a hairless Sphinx cat who looks different than...
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Interview with Stephen White, Esq. of COSI Museum
Tracy sits down with Stephen White, Chief Strategy Officer at COSI (one of her favorite science museums!), and discusses Learning Lunchboxes, the power of STEM, and engaging exhibits that people love. Mr. Stephen White, Esq. is the Chief Strategy Officer, and serves as In-House Counsel at the...
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Interview with National Bestselling Author Shakir Rashaan
Shakir Rashaan has been “corrupting minds, one book at a time” and creating unique and lavish worlds for years, writing engrossing stories that revolve around strong-willed, complicated people. When he isn’t conferring with characters, new and old, inside of his “NEBU Universe,” he can be found...
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Interview with Jen Malia, Author of Neurodivergent Books for Kids
Tracy Sits down with author Jen Malia to discuss her book series, The Infinity Rainbow Club, geared towards neurodivergent kids. She writes the books that she wishes she had growing up, and works to inspire children to be more inclusive of others. About Jen: An autistic mom of three autistic…
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Interview with Mark Kistler, Emmy Award Winning Artist
Grab a pencil and a sheet of paper, and join us on this fun-filled drawing activity with Mark Kistler! Learn about creativity, drawing, and how anyone can become an artist. (yes, even you!) Over the past 44 years, Mark Kistler has taught millions of children how-to-draw on his Public Television...
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Interview with EMMY Award Winner Kathy Wade
Join me on a melodic journey as we celebrate the remarkable career of Kathy Wade, an EMMY-award-winning jazz singer and visionary co-founder of Learning Through Art, Inc. For over three decades, Kathy's passion has touched the lives of over a million participants, leaving an indelible mark on the...
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Interview with Award-winning Animator, Carlos Douglas Jr.
In this interview, Tracy sits down with award-winning animator and producer Carlos Douglas Jr. to discuss his incredible project, Kenya's Symphony. Carlos masterfully combines his love for music with his profound ability for storytelling and talks about the journey to create such a magical piece....
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Interview with Actor, Christopher Sean
You don't have to go to a galaxy far, far away to learn about Christopher Sean... you can do that right here! In this interview, Tracy sits down with actor Christopher Sean to discuss storytelling, manifestation, and his incredible journey as an actor. Christopher Sean is a versatile actor known...
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Interview with Author/Teachers Jade Greene-Grant and Barbara Magnotta
Barb Magnotta and Jade Greene-Grant are two teachers from New York who have taught at the same school for over a decade. They always wanted to publish a book to help their students with literacy but encountered several roadblocks along the way. It wasn’t until they decided to try their luck on…
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Interview with award-winning author Sophia Gholz
Sophia Gholz is an award-winning children's book author, music lover, magic seeker and avid reader. Sophia enjoys writing fiction with humor and heart. When writing nonfiction, she pulls on her love of science and her strong family background in ecology. Since 2017, Sophia has helped oversee the...
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Interview with Maria Dismondy, Author and CEO of Cardinal Rule Press
In this interview, Tracy sits down with children's author, founder, and CEO of Cardinal Rule Press, Maria Dismondy. When Maria Dismondy was a little girl she was teased for her curly hair and favorite lunch-box fare, spaghetti in a hot dog bun. Many moons later, these and other real-life moments...
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Interview with Author/Sailor Susea Spray
In this interview, Tracy sits down with children's author, world traveler, and sailor Susea Spray to discuss her children's book, A Big Blue Boat. Susea has always written in one form or another. A decade ago, she and her husband commenced on an around-the-world sailing odyssey. Their travels…
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Interview with Maxine Schur, Travel Journalist and Award-Winning Children's Author
In this interview, Tracy sits down with award-winning children's book author and travel journalist, Maxine Schur. Her stories convey the depth of her world travels and provide readers a glimpse into the rich, and enchanting world she has discovered. With decades of writing experience, Maxine is...
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Interview with Award-winning Author Ritu Anand
In this interview, Tracy sits down with award-winning author, Ritu Anand to discuss her heartwarming children's book, Kara's Dreams. Ritu Anand draws her inspiration from nature around her and her scripture – Sri Guru Granth Sahibjee. When she sat down to write Kara’s Dreams, her pen flowed its…
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Interview with Emmy Award Winning Writer, Director Bonnie Macbird
Who doesn't love a good Sherlock Holmes Story? Well, how about five of them written by Emmy Award Winning writer, Bonnie Macbird? In this interview, Tracy sits down with Bonnie to discuss her incredible career as an author/director/producer and gets a rare glimpse into the world of Sherlock…
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Interview with Author Katie Otey
Katie Otey is an author and poet with a passion for spinning heartwarming tales laced with humor. When she’s not writing she’s singing, performing skits with her kids, practicing Spanish, traveling, and making her family laugh. Every Other Christmas is a nod to her children and her heartfelt…
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Interview with Ziggy Marley
In this interview, children's author Tracy Blom sits down with Ziggy Marley to discuss his incredible career as well as his newest children's book, Music is in Everything. ZIGGY MARLEY is an eight-time GRAMMY Award winner, Emmy Award winner, author, philanthropist, and reggae icon. He has…
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Books, Kids & Creations Interview with Helen and Thomas Docherty
In this interview Tracy sits down with Helen and Thomas Docherty to discuss the creative process, walking to your own beat, and their newest book, Blue Baboon Finds Her Tune, published by Sourcebooks. About The Authors Helen is a children’s author based in Swansea, Wales. Her picture books have...
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Books, Kids & Creations Interview with Author Kaela Rivera
Kaela Rivera grew up believing in will-o’-the-wisps and el chupacabra, but even ghost stories couldn’t stop her from reading in the isolated treetops, caves, and creeks of Tennessee’s Appalachian forests. She still believes in the folktales of her Mexican-American and British parents, but now she...
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Books, Kids & Creations Interview with Author Janet Sumner Johnson
Janet Sumner Johnson lives in northern Utah with her husband, three kids, and a dog. She is the author of both middle-grade novels and picture books, including The Last Great Adventure of the PB&J Society (Capstone, 2016), and Help Wanted: Must Love Books (Capstone, 2020), and the upcoming Braver...
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Books, Kids & Creations Interview with Lori Garver, Former NASA Deputy Administrator
Escaping Gravity: My Quest to Transform NASA and Launch a New Space Age The Authors on the Air Global Radio Network presents, Books, Kids & Creations with Tracy Blom a podcast that features people who inspire and uplift future generations with their work. In this episode we sit down with Lori...
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Interview with Creative Director of PBS Matthew Kennedy
Get ready to be inspired!! In this interview, Tracy sits down with Creative Director for PBS, Matthew Kennedy, and discusses his experience with branding, storytelling, toy creation, and more! As a Creative Director Matthew has developed video, interactive, print, and social marketing for brands...
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Books, Kids & Creations Interview with author/screenwriter Karol R. Silverstein
KAROL RUTH SILVERSTEIN (she/her/disabled) is a screenwriter and writer of various genres of children’s books. Karol’s debut young adult novel, Cursed (Charlesbridge Teen), was loosely drawn from her experience of being diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at thirteen. A funny, frank and...
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Interview with award-winning Author Laurie Wallmark
Award-winning author Laurie Wallmark writes picture book biographies of women in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) as well as fiction. Her books have earned multiple starred trade reviews, been chosen as Junior Library Guild Selections, and received awards such as Outstanding...
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Books, Kids & Creations Interview with Author and Dance Enthusiast Dianne Pede
In this episode, Tracy sits down with author, teacher, and theatre enthusiast Dianne Pede to discuss her newest book, My Dancing Feet. Dianne Koebel-Pede’s life-long calling is turning work into play. Whether teaching, writing, reading, or reviewing children’s books, her adventures have been...
About this show
Viewers will meet creative people of all ages who inspire future generations with their work. Guests have included Cartoonists, Olympic champions, NASA scientists, ballerinas, children's authors, and more!Hosted by Tracy Blom, awarding-winning author of over thirty books, plays, and screenplays.
Hosted by
Tracy Blom