
Dads on Steins: Grabenstein, Frankenstein, Einstein, and other Stinky Stories
From Dads on Books by Michael Walker & David Patrick
March 2, 2026 · 30 min · Episode 42
About this episode
The episode features an interview with author Chris Grabenstein discussing his writing process and influences.
DoB welcomes our third author and first non-daughter, non-Dan guest! None other than the perfectly paraphrasing prosaist of Ms. Pennypickle’s Puzzle Quest multiple award-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author Chris Grabenstein . We get to the bottom of the meaning and pronunciation of his name (nom de plume); how he writes; and how his writing was influenced by his experience in improv (back when he was Chris “The Banker” Grabenstein, chilling with Bruce “The Bartender” Willis and Robin "Yes, THAT one" Williams), radio, the ad game, and even banking (a guy's gotta eat). Chris loves alliteration, imagination, and collaboration with authors like James Patterson, the G. T. Carber, and even his very own wife JJ. who is best first read and unofficial editor. We talk about Ms. Pennypickle’s Puzzle Quest , and many of his other books, including The Island of Dr. Libris , Shine , The Crossroads , Mr. Lemoncello’s Library , Murdle Jr.: Sleuths on the Loose , Stinky's Stories#2: Jack and the Beanstink , and The Smartest Kid in the Universe . Why so many books? Because Chris writes a lot, and we love his books a lot, and because we are Dads on Books. It's what we do. And that’s…
People in this episode
Hosts: Michael Walker, David Patrick
Guest: Chris Grabenstein
Topics covered
- children's literature
- author interview
- improv influence
- book writing
- storytelling
Keywords
- Chris Grabenstein
- Ms. Pennypickle’s Puzzle Quest
- children's books
- improv
- storytelling
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Ms. Pennypickle’s Puzzle Quest, The Island of Dr. Libris, Shine, The Crossroads, Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, Murdle Jr.: Sleuths on the Loose, Stinky's Stories#2: Jack and the Beanstink, The Smartest Kid in the Universe
More episodes of Dads on Books
- Matilda the Builda or how I learned to hate the Trunchbull · June 8, 2026 · 37 min
- Martha saves her parents from "what should have been brussel sprouts in a mushroom cream sauce cuz thats gross" · June 1, 2026 · 37 min
- Out of the Dust, another episode, another classic, another opening, another show · May 25, 2026 · 51 min
- Rip Van Winkler, or the one where Fonzie takes a quick nap · May 18, 2026 · 43 min
- Pimples of the Goosiest Kind, or Goosebumps & Monster Blood by R'L Stine · May 11, 2026 · 41 min
- Mysteries and Dogs: Pink Piggy and Stories and Squeeze Toys · May 4, 2026 · 41 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Dads on Books podcast page.