Make sure to catch Sleepytime with Grandpa D. this Tuesday at 7pm. Grandpa D. will read the Shadow Stevens Sleeptime classic "The Big Galoot" and then play some sweet, sweet music til 8pm. So tune in kids.

New author Wendy Henrichs had two children’s books released in 2011.  With pictures by award-winning illustrator Yoshiko Jaeggi, "I Am Tama, Lucky Cat" (Peachtree) retells the 17^th-century Japanese legend behind the beckoning cat figurines commonly displayed in Japanese shops and restaurants.  Illustrated by accomplished artist John Butler, "When Anju Loved Being an Elephant" (Sleeping Bear Press) reveals how a lonely elephant no longer young enough to work in a circus or reside in a zoo finds friendship at last.  Always an animal lover, Wendy lives in Iowa City with her husband, two sons, two cats, one dog, and whatever stray wildlife manages to slip into their 88-year-old home.

On Writers' Voices this week, Cheryl Fusco Johnson talks with children's book illustrator, Jeni Reeves. Since 1998, Jeni has been illustrating children’s picture books, range from American biography and history to world culture and folklore, for the Lerner Publishing Group. She recently began illustrating for a new series for them, ‘History Speaks’ which dramatizes important events in U. S. history. Jeni has worked in the fields of photography, film-making, television, graphic design and illustration both in the States and in England. 

Tune in to hear a fascinating conversation!

Children's book author, Kathy Brodsky, makes a visit to Writers' Voices this week. Her most recent book, "The Winner Is...", tells the humorous story of a dog who tries to be someone else in order to win a contest. Her other books include, "My Bent Tree", "The Inside Story", "Just Sniffing Around" and "Purrsnikitty". Having worked as a psychotherapist for almost 40 years, Kathy has a wealth of material to draw upon for her work.

Joseph Tiefenthaler will also be a guest on this Writers' Voices. He will be discussing the many literary events that are part of the Mission Creek Festival, currently happening in Iowa City. 

On this week's Writers' Voices, Cheryl Fusco Johnson talks with children's book author, Rebecca Janni. Despite having four young children at home, Rebecca recently sold four books.  Dutton Children’s Books released her first picture book, "Every Cowgirl Needs a Horse", in 2010 and has purchased two sequels, including "Every Cowgirl Needs Dancing Boots", slated for publication in June 2011.  Also slated for publication is Rebecca’s book "Jammy Dance", which was purchased by Farrar Straus & Giroux.  Rebecca currently lives in Des Moines.

Make sure to tune in for this delightful interview!

Join us on Writers' Voices as Monica Hadley and Cheryl Johnson talk with Sarah Prineas about her books, "The Magic Thief" and "The Magic Thief: Lost". Sarah Prineas is being called the next big fantasy author. She lives in the midst of the corn in Iowa City, Iowa, and can usually be found writing fantasy novels and stories on a stealthy silver MacBook called Pip. The Magic Thief and The Magic Thief: Lost, Sarah's first two novels, introduced readers to the irascible wizard Nevery and his gutterboy apprentice, Connwaer, whose adventures continue here. Sarah holds a PhD in English literature and recently taught honors seminars on fantasy and science fiction literature at the University of Iowa. She has an amazing dragon action-figure collection and occasionally bakes biscuits (although she says hers never seem to turn out as tasty as Benet's do in The Magic Thief: Lost). Sarah is married to John Prineas, a physics professor, which comes in handy when she's writing about magic prisoning devices and pyrotechnics. They are the parents of Maud and Theo.

Did you see Steve Martin playing the banjo on TV recently? Well, Tuesday March 24 we'll present a live version of "Late For School," which he wrote, from his new album "The Crow."

We will also read some fun and funny poetry and hear from Patti Soderberg at the public library. A great way to chill out.

Children's stories, poetry and laid-back music from 7-8pm. - Grandpa D.

Sharon Rexroth, author and former Mrs. Iowa 1981, was looking for a book about Iowa to read to her grandchildren. She wanted a book that would be fun and informative. She decided to write the book herself. So named for its narration by Iowa's State Bird who takes us on a tour, Iowa From the Sky was so popular that it sold out in two months. Since then, four other books have been written, and plans are in the works to do all 50 states!

Tune into Writers' Voices this Friday, December 19, to hear why Sharon Rexroth was inspired to include Bethlehem from the Sky. This collection is a delightful, rhyming tour of the geography, history, people, and resources of each state. Illustrated by original watercolors, these books are as beautiful as they are informative.

Tonight is a great night. Mickey and I are celebrating Mick's Grandma's birthday. We will be playing some great music in the second half hour of the show. In the first half, we will read The Greatest Story Never Told by Ray Negron and then have Ray talk with us for a while.

Ray Negron is from New York. His first job as a New York Yankee batboy came when Yankee owner George Steinbrenner caught young Ray scrawling a Yankee logo on a Yankee Stadium wall. Steinbrenner hired him in the 70's and propelled him into a “dream job”. Despite his young age, Ray was a positive influence in the fiery clubhouse that included manager Billy Martin, superstar Reggie Jackson, the legendary Thurman Munson, and more.

Sleepytime with Grandpa D. goes bilingual tonight as Susana Liberona visits and reads some beautiful children's books. Then we will finish with some wonderful Latin music including a song from Luis Miguel.

This show is dedicated to our friend Jill Miller.

All love to you and your family, Bruce.

Our prayers and our love are with you.