The Reader's Heart | Guest: LeUyen Pham

Can a book be a hug for a child's mind?

In this episode of The Reader's Heart, Jennifer talks with beloved author and illustrator LeUyen Pham about the books that shaped her, the libraries that gave her refuge, and the readers she hopes to reach through her work. Together they explore childhood poverty, finding yourself in stories, the magic of graphic novels, and why collaboration can be both challenging and transformative. LeUyen also shares a behind-the-scenes look at her creative process, from crafting visual narratives in picture books to using color, symbolism, and hidden clues in her stunning graphic novel, As I Dream of You, written by Jennifer Longo. Along the way, the conversation becomes a powerful reminder that books can create safety, connection, and understanding in ways few other things can.

Show notes, episode transcripts, educator activities, and other goodies can be found here.

Chapters

• 00:00:00 – Books, Libraries, and Being Understood + Welcome To The Reader's Heart

• 00:02:05 – Hugging a Kid’s Mind

• 00:05:56 – The Apple, the Cabbage Soup, and the Ream of Paper

• 00:16:47 – Collaboration Is Hard

• 00:25:20 – The Story Behind the Story

• 00:29:54 – As I Dream of You

• 00:41:23 – Why Graphic Novels Matter + Closing Credits