Podcast Episodes

Was Graham Linehan's Arrest "Kafkaesque" and "Orwellian"?

Season 1 Episode 202

I am very nervous about publishing this episode, because it could bring me unwanted attention. But things have changed to the point where I no longer feel that simply doing my best to be decent will …

Published on 1 day, 2 hours ago

Fireside Fairy Tale: Tommelise (Thumbelina)

Season 1 Episode 201

This story comes to you by the fire pit at a family member’s house back home in California. The evening is warm, the sea breeze is pleasant, and the bright full moon is shining. So settle in and enjo…

Published on 1 week, 1 day ago

Our 200th Episode with YOUR Questions!

Season 1 Episode 200

This is the 200th audio episode of The Children’s Literature Podcast! All we can say is THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

Oh, and I suppose we can say a bit in response to your questions.

Published on 1 week, 3 days ago

The Original Three Bears Got Sweet Revenge

Season 1 Episode 199

The first recorded version of The Three Bears was a poem written and illustrated by Eleanor Mure for her little nephew’s birthday in 1831. It was never published, but was handed down through the year…

Published on 2 weeks, 4 days ago

Amazon's War of the Worlds Is a Waste of Ice

Season 1 Episode 198

I did not like this film.

Published on 1 month ago

Mists of Iga: Teen Ninjas, Cool Swords, and Abiding Friendships

Season 1 Episode 197

My brother, Kyle Mortensen, published a wonderful indie book shortly before he died in an accident. He intended to publish three more books in this exciting historical fiction series set during the W…

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

The Rainbow Fish is Dystopian Horror

Season 1 Episode 196

I am not a fan of The Rainbow Fish by Marcus Pfister. It’s a book that portrays mooching, bullying, and gaslighting as good things, but lots of people don’t notice that because, well, it’s really, re…

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

Two Reasons I Can't Love Superman

Season 1 Episode 195

Middling movies are the hardest to review!

Published on 1 month, 1 week ago

George Orwell Predicted AI Art

Season 1 Episode 194

This show starts with some hilariously wholesome news about how Fantastic Mr. Fox broke into the Twickenham Library, and of course Orkney Library had to weigh in.

Then it’s on to our main segment, wh…

Published on 1 month, 2 weeks ago

The Star Spangled Banner Explains Why Americans Love Big Flags

Season 1 Episode 193

Here’s the back story about how Francis Scott Key came to be trapped on a boat in Baltimore harbor for 25 hours, waiting to see if in the morning . . . the star-spangled banner would still be there!

Published on 2 months ago