You May Contribute A Verse

Jenna Elyse Johnson's Kidlit Joy

It's Brenna, Jenna, and Josh. Oh my. Jenna Johnson joins us today for discussion of her debut books EVERY BODY MOVE! (out in September 2025, and a singalong!) and I SPARK LIKE LIGHTNING (out in winter 2026).
And believe us when we say there's more goodness to come from Jenna soon! 
Our chat with Jenna goes way beyond her debuts to permission, persistence, passion, and the agonizing roller coaster that is the publishing industry. We hope you enjoy!
 
This episode was proudly sponsored by Tielmour Press.
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This episode’s book reviews:
CARSON CROSSES CANADA, written by Linda Bailey and illustrated by Kass Reich
THE BABY WHO STAYED AWAKE FOREVER, by Sandra Salsbury
SAFE CROSSING, by Kari Percival
 
The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com 
 
Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes. You can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com  
 
Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! 
 
Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur and as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

You, Me, Danielle Turmaud, the Writing Journey, and Being Bravely Vulnerable (A Crossover Episode!)

Today we cross into uncharted realms! It's a podcast head-to-head-to-head as we talk to Danielle Render Turmaud, picture book author, therapist, and host of the podcast You, Me, and The Writing Journey! (check out this same conversation and all her others over on her feed!)
Danielle's virtual event Take Your Kid to Publishing Day is Saturday, July 19, and registration is still open through late June! This event will introduce kids to the business of publishing, and maybe help some of our kids understand what the heck we spend so much time doing. Sign up today!
This episode is an emotionally honest doozy and a great one for those of us (meaning all of us) who sometimes have to build a little resilience to withstand the waiting, frustration, and rejection.
 
Show note: early in the chat we reference Michele Ziemke's Mighty Kidlit community. Check it out!
 
This episode was proudly sponsored by Tielmour Press.
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This episode’s book reviews:
PRAIRIE BOY: FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT TURNS THE PRAIRIE INTO A HOME by Barb Rosenstock, illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
JIM! SIX TRUE STORIES ABOUT ONE GREAT ARTIST: JAMES MARSHALL by our own friend of the pod Jerrold Connors
STINKBIRD HAS A SUPERPOWER by Jill Esbaum, illustrated by Bob Shea
 
The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com 
 
Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes. You can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com  
 
Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! 
 
Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur and as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

My So-Called Niche Clue with Katie Venit

I don't think we've ever talked about Jared Leto on the podcast before. Or the board game Clue for that matter. Katie Venit is here with the niche hits!
FORTS and CASSINI'S MISSION are out, respectively, in July and August and to be perfectly honest it's a crime you can't get them now, because they're great and Katie is amazing. We all vibed!
 
This episode was proudly sponsored by Tielmour Press.
Shoutout this week from Brittany Pomales to Elayne Crain for her debut There's Something Odd About the Babysitter!
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This episode’s book reviews:
SPARKLE PIGS by Kit Holliday
MUNCHPIE MORGAN by Merry Lorenz, illustrated by Kenneth Anderson
CACTUS QUEEN by Lori Alexander, illustrated by Jenn Ely
 
The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com 
Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes. You can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com  
Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! 
Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur and as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Bonni Goldberg on Duality, Identity, and... Arting

This episode gets philosophical! As you listen, stand up, spread your arms wide, and tell yourself you are a writer (if you in fact identify as such)!
Bonni Goldberg is a poet, author, public speaker, teacher, and really great podcast guest. Check out her picture book Doña Gracia Saved Worlds and her books on writing! This was a wonderful chat!
 
This episode was proudly sponsored by Tielmour Press.
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Help support Trenise and Travis after a devastating theft here. 
 
This episode’s book reviews:
CAMILLA, CARTOGRAPHER by Julie Dillemuth, illustrated by Laura Wood
THE PHONY BALONEY OF GRETA MALONEY by Karla Clark and illustrator Emma Clements
THE GHOST WITH THE SMELLY OLD UNDERWEAR by Jose Carlos Andres illustrated by Gomez 
 
The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com 
Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes. You can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com  
Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! 
Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur and as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

The P Word with Brittany Pomales!

Proudly portraying professionalism per perennial plans, presenting: Prittany Pomales... I mean Brittany!
It Started with a P just released in April! (But obviously it hadn't yet when we first recorded this chat last year) 
Enjoy - she is a pleasure!
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Our sponsor is Tielmour Press! Check out Fungi Are More than Mushrooms, out March 2025, AND Jon's new kids' show, Hook Book Barrel!
Our reviews this week:
I ROCK MY HAIR by Angel Tate
BEING A DOG: A TAIL OF MINDFULNESS by Maria Gianferrari, illustrated by Pete Oswald
THE BAKERY DRAGON by Devin Elle Kurtz
 
DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here!
The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com 
Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com  
Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! 
Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Vicky Fang Entertains, Educates, and Enlightens

Our response to meeting Vicky Fang? Charmed, I'm sure. 
Check out Vicky's chapter book series Ava Lin, the latest installment, Ava Lin, Super Duper Happy, out June 2025!
 
Our reviews this week:
LLAMAS GO BANANAS by Briony Britten, illustrated by Pauline Gregory
THE INTERPRETER, by Olivia Abtahi, illustrated by Monica Arnaldo
IT STARTED WITH A P, by Brittany Pomales, illustrated by Andrew Joyner
 
DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here!
The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com 
Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com  
Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! 
Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Judy Campbell-Smith's Sweet Spot

Judy Campbell-Smith is here! Check out her books Baseball for Breakfast (coming 2026), Ice Cream Everywhere, and AJ's Neighborhood, AND make sure and join PB Power Hour if you can. It's a great resource for the community.
Enjoy!
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Our sponsor is Tielmour Press! Check out Fungi Are More than Mushrooms, out March 2025, AND Jon's new kids' show, Hook Book Barrel!
Our reviews this week:
THE BAKERY DRAGON by Devin Elle Kurtz
ELWOOD BIGFOOT: WANTED: BIRDIE FRIENDS! by Jill Esbaum and Nate Wragg
KAT HATS by Daniel Pinkwater
 
DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here!
The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com 
Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com  
Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! 
Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

Carrie Finison’s Origin Story Or How She Got Her Powers

Today’s guest is picture book author Carrie Finison make sure to check out her newest release, Pigs Dig A Road illustrated by Brian Biggs to see her incredible rhyming skills in action!
We chat about Carrie’s start with Baby Bug magazine and writing short snippets, Latin scansion, of all things, and how rhyme has ruined radio for her! We also dove into the Rutgers conference and Carrie was kind enough to share the intro to a piece that landed her her agent along with the query letter! 
Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children’s lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children’s lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man. 
This episode was proudly sponsored by Tielmour Press
Our guest for this conversation was Carrie Finison. You can find Carrie here. 
DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here!
This episode’s book reviews:
TOO MUCH! AN OVERWHELMING DAY by Jolene Gutiérrez and illustrated by Angel Chang 
LITTLE LION GIRL by Olivia Hope and illustrated by Fiona Woodcock
A PINECONE! by Helen Yoon
The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com 
Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com  
Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! 
Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!
Thanks and see ya next time. 
You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.

Bitsy Kemper's Open House!

Do you know Bitsy Kemper? You should. She's fastidious, fanatical, and fantastic. If you've never seen it before, check out her List O'Publishers and all her books, especially her two upcoming books, Best Friends with Grandma and Best Friends with Grandpa!
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Our sponsor is Tielmour Press! Check out Fungi Are More than Mushrooms, out March 2025, AND Jon's new kids' show, Hook Book Barrel!
Our reviews this week:
THE CAFE AT THE EDGE OF THE WOODS by Mikey Please
RIDING THROUGH RICE FIELDS: A TRIP TO THE PHILIPPINES by Michelle Sterling, illustrated by Bianca Austria
CRANKY FRANKY: THE SELFISH SHELLFISH by Michelle Chu and Joseph Penner, illustrated by Sonya Abby
 
DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here!
The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our quokka mascot Versey, and was generously created for us by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com 
Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com  
Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! 
Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!

The Idea Doesn’t Care Who Has It With Alastair Heim

Team Versy is Brenna Jeanneret, children’s lit author, mother, rock climber, outdoors person, and podcaster, Josh Monken, children’s lit author, father, science communicator, and podcaster Jon Seymour, podcast wizard, author/illustrator and family man. 
This episode was proudly sponsored by Tielmour Press
Our guest for this conversation was Alastair Heim. You can find Alastair here. 
DON’T MISS AN EPISODE! Sign up for our newsletter here!
This episode’s book reviews:
OLLIE, THE ACORN, AND THE MIGHTY IDEA by Andrew Hacket and Kaz Windness
WHEN ISAAC HEARS THE RAIN by Julie Thompson and illustrated by Leah Giles
URSULA UPSIDE DOWN by Corey R. Tabor
The artwork for You May Contribute a Verse features our new quokka mascot, Versey, and was generously created by the great Maddie Frost! Find her on IG @hellomaddiefrost or on her website Maddie-Frost.com 
Our theme music is So Happy by Scott Holmes you can find more of his music at scottholmesmusic.com  
Love the podcast and wanna support more episodes like this? Find Community Shoutouts, Merch and our Patreon here!! 
Find us on Bluesky @joshmonkwords, @brennajeanneret, and @jonseym0ur as always, let us know what you think via a rating, review, or comment!
Thanks and see ya next time. 
You May Contribute a Verse is a homespun production, produced, edited, recorded, conceptualized, and marketed by Josh Monken, Brenna Jeanneret, and Jon Seymour.