Kids Ask Authors

Many in the children’s book world have moved quickly to develop programs to pump fun into distance learning. Authorillustrator Grace Lin launched her podcast “Kids Ask Authors” at the end of March.

On the 10-minute podcast, which airs Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Lin talks with a children’s book creator about a question a kid has submitted. She also features short book reviews, poems and jokes from her young listeners.

Initial plans called for a weekly podcast, but Lin stepped that up when the threat of the coronavirus outbreak began reducing social contact between people.

“It seems especially important now to connect kids with one another and to the authors and illustrators of the books they love,” she told KidsPost by phone from her home in Northampton, Mass. “And it helps make the writing they may be doing at home more purposeful. Now they can share it with others.”

Rather than interviewing guests face to face during the pandemic, Lin will rely on Skype and her smartphone. She uses a hand recorder and a sound screen to reduce background noise and then puts the recording on the computer.

Lin’s husband handles the editing and technical aspects. And 7-year-old Hazel contributes ideas and voices the questions submitted by kids online.

“The podcast has turned into a family affair,” Grace Lin said. It’s become a way to bond during a challenging time as well as to help create a community for kids around books.

“Kids Ask Authors” airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. You can subscribe and also submit questions, share your own poem or joke and listen to past podcasts at kidsaskauthors. com.