
E219: Food, Family & Identity: TOVA’S SWEET SOLUTION by Melissa Taylor
From Kidlit Love: Conversations with Picture Book and Middle Grade Authors by Stephanie Affinito
April 27, 2026 · 21 min
About this episode
In this episode, Stephanie Affinito interviews Melissa Taylor about her book 'TOVA’S SWEET SOLUTION' and discusses themes of food, family, and identity.
Happy Monday! Our little corner of Substack is growing and more and more kidlit-lovers are finding their way to this space. I couldn’t be happier! I’m so grateful for the conversations I have and the incredible people I meet here and want to continue to nurture and grow it. I’ve included a poll a bit further down this post and invite you to share your wants and wishes for a community of kidlit love! Keep scrolling to see the new books that caught my attention this week and then press play on my most recent podcast episode with Melissa Taylor. It’s exactly the sweet treat you need to read right now. =) Happy reading and listening! Stephanie Book Birthdays and Other Book Reviews🎈🎁📖🎂📚🎉 Here are the newly released books that have made their way to me along with other books that I have read and reviewed: 🎉FIRST NIGHT AT DAD’S by Elizabeth Rudnick ( Amazon / Bookshop ) This is an absolutely beautiful book that many families will feel comforted by. It’s a heartfelt picture book about one of the big milestones kids in the midst of a divorce or separation face…spending their first night at the other parent’s house. But while the house may be different, the love, the rules (!) and…
People in this episode
Host: Stephanie Affinito
Guest: Melissa Taylor
Topics covered
- food
- family
- identity
- picture books
- kidlit
Keywords
- kidlit
- picture books
- family
- identity
- food
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: TOVA’S SWEET SOLUTION, FIRST NIGHT AT DAD’S, CHERNOBYL, LIFE, AND OTHER DISASTERS
More episodes of Kidlit Love: Conversations with Picture Book and Middle Grade Authors
- E229: Finding Your Way: FIFTH GRADE TOP DOGS by Jerry Spinelli · June 11, 2026 · 18 min
- E228: Listen to Your Heart, Find Your People & Say Yes: REALLY RUBIE by Maddie Frost · June 8, 2026 · 34 min
- E227: Connection & Community: IN THIS CLASSROOM by Andrew Hacket · June 1, 2026 · 49 min
- E226: Love, Acceptance & Reassurance: MAMA SAYS I’M FINE by Brittney Cooper · May 25, 2026 · 18 min
- E225: Friendship, Fun & Medical Mysteries: DEEPA, M.D. by Priya Swaminathan · May 21, 2026 · 28 min
- E224: Unforgettable Verse: MY BROTHER OLIVER by R.L Toalson · May 18, 2026 · 35 min
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