The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast · Full episode

How Children’s Books Find Readers with Carl Lennertz

How can authors help their books reach young readers? Carl Lennertz of the Children’s Book Council and Every Child a Reader joins us to talk about literacy, book discovery, and author visibility.

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Inside this conversation

Carl shares his experience in bookselling and publishing and discusses the people who connect children with books: teachers, librarians, booksellers, families, and fellow creators.

• Literacy initiatives and helping books reach young readers.
• Book lists, representation, and access to stories.
• Author marketing and building supportive relationships.
• Why promoting fellow authors can be part of your own platform.

Two moments to explore

6:10 — Sharing book lists throughout the year
14:05 — Visibility and partnerships for authors

A takeaway for authors

Carl encourages writers to use their platforms to celebrate other authors and the books that inspire them. His advice places kindness, mentorship, and community alongside promotion.

Keep exploring children’s publishing

Browse more author and publishing interviews with The Storyteller’s Shelf Podcast, hosted by Jackie Garcia-Morales and Theresa Maria Villarreal.

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