Children’s book author Mac Barnett has been named the Library of Congress' newest National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and during this appointment, he will be focusing on some really important literature: picture books.

Picture books can inspire young readers to make reading a habit, but don’t dismiss them as solely books for kids. Mac Barnett believes that picture books are real literature and can be enjoyed at any age.

Today, he joins us to talk about picture books and we also hear from picture book lovers locally. Kym Powe from the Connecticut State Library joins us.

And we want to hear from you: do you have a favorite picture book?

GUESTS:
Mac Barnett: U.S. National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature at the Library of Congress, and children's book author
Kym Powe: Children and Young Adult Consultant for the Connecticut State Library

Children&rsquo;s book author Mac Barnett has been named the Library of Congress' newest <a href="https://www.loc.gov/programs/poetry-and-literature/national-ambassador-for-young-peoples-literature/current-and-former-ambassadors/item/n2008020628/mac-barnett/">National Ambassador for Young People's Literature</a> and during this appointment, he will be focusing on some really important literature: picture books.
Picture books can inspire young readers to make reading a habit, but don&rsquo;t dismiss them as solely books for kids. <a href="https://www.npr.org/2025/02/06/nx-s1-5285442/childrens-author-mac-barnett-ambassador-for-young-peoples-literature?utm_source=pocket_discover_entertainment%27">Mac Barnett believes that picture books are real literature and can be enjoyed at any age.</a>
Today, he joins us to talk about picture books and we also hear from picture book lovers locally. Kym Powe from the Connecticut State Library joins us.
And we want to hear from you: do you have a favorite picture book?
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Mac Barnett: U.S. National Ambassador for Young People&rsquo;s Literature at the Library of Congress, and <a href="https://www.macbarnett.com/">children's book author</a></li>
<li>Kym Powe: Children and Young Adult Consultant for <a href="https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/prf.php?id=5d5376a7-7cdb-11ed-9922-0ad758b798c3">the Connecticut State Library</a></li>
</ul>

Produced by Connecticut Public, 'Where We Live' puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

Produced by Connecticut Public, '<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/about">Where We Live'</a> puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

Where We Live is a call-in talk show about who we are in Connecticut and our place in the world.

Where We Live

Connecticut Public's 'Where We Live' has curated a list of conversations featuring talks with your favorite authors and deep dives into literary themes and news from across Connecticut Public's talk shows.  

Connecticut Public's 'Where We Live' has curated a list of conversations featuring talks with your favorite authors and deep dives into literary themes and news from across Connecticut Public's talk shows.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Where We Read

Produced by Connecticut Public, '<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/about">Where We Live'</a> puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

Great literature can be found in picture books

It’s been four years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Recent peace talks concluded without bringing the region any closer to peace.

This war has displaced millions and killed thousands of civilians. Russian armed forces recently attacked district heating systems leaving thousands of civilians without heat. 2026 has been the coldest winter in Ukraine since the initial invasion.

Today, we get an update on this conflict. We hear from U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal about his recent visit toUkraine.

Plus, Connecticut residents with ties to Ukraine have organized to send aid overseas. We hear from them.

GUESTS:
Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.)
Larissa Babij: Connecticut native and writer, translator and dancer living in Kyiv, Ukraine. Her book is “A Kind of Refugee: The Story of an American Who Refused to Leave Ukraine”
Carl Harvey: Organizer with the New Haven Connecticut Ukrainian American Humanitarian Aid Fund
Myron Melnyk: Organizers with New Haven Connecticut Ukrainian American Humanitarian Aid Fund

It&rsquo;s been four years since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Recent peace talks concluded without bringing the region any closer to peace.
<a href="https://ukraine.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/2026-02/2026-02-16%20HRMMU_Four%20Years%20On_fact%20sheet_1.pdf">This war has displaced millions and killed thousands of civilians</a>. Russian armed forces recently attacked district heating systems leaving thousands of civilians without heat. 2026 has been the coldest winter in Ukraine since the initial invasion.
Today, we get an update on this conflict. We hear from U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal about his recent visit toUkraine.
Plus, Connecticut residents with ties to Ukraine have organized to send aid overseas. We hear from them.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Sen. Richard Blumenthal&nbsp;(D-Conn.)</li>
<li>Larissa Babij:&nbsp;Connecticut native and writer, translator and dancer living in Kyiv, Ukraine. Her book is&nbsp;<a href="https://bookshop.org/p/books/a-kind-of-refugee-the-story-of-an-american-who-refused-to-leave-ukraine-larissa-babij/e83da2acd118dae4?ean=9783838218984&amp;next=t">&ldquo;A Kind of Refugee: The Story of an American Who Refused to Leave Ukraine&rdquo;</a></li>
<li>Carl Harvey:&nbsp;Organizer with the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/1010601007077501/">New Haven Connecticut Ukrainian American Humanitarian Aid Fund</a></li>
<li>Myron Melnyk: Organizers with New Haven Connecticut Ukrainian American Humanitarian Aid Fund</li>
</ul>

Sen. Blumenthal on his recent trip to Ukraine, plus CT residents send aid to the region

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This hour, we’re exploring the history of tap dance in America.

Tap was first developed as a fusion of footwork styles with roots in Africa and Ireland. Over the decades, tap legends like Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, Eleanor Powell, and Gregory Hines popularized the artform and brought it to the national stage.

Local dancers, choreographers, and teachers join us to discuss how they are keeping the rich legacy of tap dance alive in their work today.

GUESTS:


Kevin Ramsey: Chair of the Theater Division, University of Hartford


Ralph Perkins: Associate Professor of Dance and Music Theater, University of Hartford 


Katie Cavenagh: founder of the Connecticut Tap Collaborative


Jillian McNamara: founder of the American Dance Collaborative

Where We Live is available as a podcast on Apple Podcasts,Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, TuneIn, Listen Notes, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.

This episode originally aired on December 2, 2024.

This hour, we&rsquo;re exploring the history of tap dance in America.
Tap was first developed as a fusion of footwork styles with roots in Africa and Ireland. Over the decades, tap legends like Bill &ldquo;Bojangles&rdquo; Robinson, Eleanor Powell, and Gregory Hines popularized the artform and brought it to the national stage.
Local dancers, choreographers, and teachers join us to discuss how they are keeping the rich legacy of tap dance alive in their work today.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.hartford.edu/directory/hartt/ramsey-kevin.aspx">Kevin Ramsey</a>: Chair of the Theater Division, University of Hartford
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.hartford.edu/directory/hartt/perkins-ralph.aspx">Ralph Perkins</a>: Associate Professor of Dance and Music Theater, University of Hartford&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Katie Cavenagh: founder of the <a href="https://tapdancectc.wixsite.com/thectc">Connecticut Tap Collaborative</a>
</li>
<li>
Jillian McNamara: founder of the <a href="https://www.americandancecollaborative.com/page1">American Dance Collaborative</a>
</li>
</ul>
Where We Live is available as a podcast on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/the-wheelhouse/id1123069986">Apple Podcasts,</a> <a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/0rdTqFfVu8e6TKMa5lWXsI">Spotify</a>, <a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cub21ueWNvbnRlbnQuY29tL2QvcGxheWxpc3QvYWMwYmU5NjktZDdkZi00NjBjLWE2NmMtYTZmOTAwZTFlYmQxLzI1M2YwNjY4LTA0NjMtNGFiNC04ZWIzLWE5ZmIwMDRjOTdlNy8wOTUwNDBkZS1hZjMyLTQ1Y2UtOTkwZi1hOWZiMDA0Yzk3ZjUvcG9kY2FzdC5yc3M">Google Podcasts</a>, <a href="https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/dd73c297-450d-4ea5-bb0b-64131d617ee0/the-wheelhouse">Amazon Music</a>, <a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/Government/The-Wheelhouse-p1207903/?topicId=264709829">TuneIn</a>, <a href="https://www.listennotes.com/podcasts/the-wheelhouse-connecticut-public-radio-mxksbjc_iJI/">Listen Notes</a>, or wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe and never miss an episode.
This episode originally aired on <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/2024-12-02/a-look-at-the-history-of-tap-dance-in-america">December 2, 2024.</a>

A look at the history of tap dance in America

Seeing yourself in a book can open a world of possibilities.

But diverse books need more than diverse characters, they need diverse stories.

Although many efforts have been made to expand the books and curriculum used to teach Black history, African American children’s literature can still be quite limited.

Today, Black authors join us to talk about expanding Black literature and Black stories.

GUESTS:
Nichole Hawkins: Youth and Family Services Early Literacy Coordinator, Hartford Public Library
Gwendolyn Wallace: children’s literature author, Ph.D. student and public historian
Dhonielle Clayton: Board Chair of We Need Diverse Books, a nonprofit working to improve literacy and turning diverse manuscripts into published books. She is also New York Times bestselling author
Valerie Bolling: long-time educator and author of books for children and educators

Seeing yourself in a book can open a world of possibilities.
But diverse books need more than diverse characters, they need diverse stories.
Although many efforts have been made to expand the books and curriculum used to teach Black history, African American children&rsquo;s literature can still be quite limited.
Today, Black authors join us to talk about expanding Black literature and Black stories.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/legacy.lineage/?hl=en">Nichole Hawkins:</a>&nbsp;Youth and Family Services Early Literacy Coordinator, Hartford Public Library</li>
<li><a href="https://www.gwendolynwallace.com/">Gwendolyn Wallace:</a>&nbsp;children&rsquo;s literature author, Ph.D. student and public historian</li>
<li><a href="https://www.dhonielleclayton.com/">Dhonielle Clayton:</a>&nbsp;Board Chair of We Need Diverse Books, a nonprofit working to improve literacy and turning diverse manuscripts into published books. She is also New York Times bestselling author</li>
<li><a href="https://www.valeriebolling.com/">Valerie Bolling:</a>&nbsp;long-time educator and author of books for children and educators</li>
</ul>

Great literature can be found in picture books

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