A Heartful of History

This weekly show invites listeners into the process of producing compelling historical literature for young readers. Host Selene Castrovilla speaks with creators about everything from concept to publication. Episodes drop on Wednesdays.

A Heartful of History is a society podcast hosted by Selene Castrovilla, with 13 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Selene Castrovilla hosts A Heartful of History, a society show with 13 episodes published.

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  Episode #12

  How Children's Books Bring Juneteenth to Life

  Jun 3, 20261h 20mS0

  <p>What does it take to transform a complicated chapter of American history into a children's book that informs, engages, and inspires?</p><p>In this episode of A Heartful of History, Selene Castrovilla welcomes award-winning author Alice Faye Duncan for a rich conversation about Juneteenth, historical storytelling, and the responsibility of bringing difficult truths to young readers with both accuracy and heart.</p><p>Together, they explore the history behind Juneteenth and discuss the real people whose stories shaped their books. Alice Faye shares the creation of Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free, the true story...

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  Episode #11

  Twice Enslaved: A Black History Book for Middle School

  Feb 11, 202637 minS0

  <p>This episode introduces listeners to Henrietta Wood, a woman who was enslaved twice and later secured the largest reparations award in U.S. history. Essential for Black History Month and Juneteenth, this conversation affirms that middle school readers deserve the full truth about American history.</p><p>In this powerful conversation, author Selene Castrovilla and illustrator Erin Robinson discuss the making of Twice Enslaved: Liberty and Justice for Henrietta Wood, their nonfiction book for middle school readers that tells the extraordinary true story of Henrietta Wood—a woman born into slavery, freed, kidnapped back into bondage, and ultimately won a...

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  A Heartful of History

  How A Black Unsung Hero Helped End Slavery in America

  Mar 6, 20251h 27mS0

  <p>In this conversation, Selene Castrovilla and E.B. Lewis discuss their collaborative book 'Seeking Freedom,' which explores the untold story of Fortress Monroe and the ending of slavery in America. </p><p>Seeking Freedom chronicles a pivotal, little-known Civil War event. It details how George Scott, an enslaved man, and General Benjamin Butler at Fortress Monroe in 1861 created the "contraband of war" policy, which saved escapees and accelerated the end of slavery. This story is a must-read for Black History and Social Justice curricula. It serves as a prime example of hidden American history, which has been pushed a...

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  A Heartful of History

  Washington & Lafayette: Selfless Revolutionaries

  Feb 14, 202529 minS0

  <p>Today I go solo, discussing the two selfless men in my nonfiction history picture book Revolutionary Friends: General George Washington and the Marquis de Lafayette. What can we learn about humanity and ourselves from these men without whom America wouldn't exist? How can we use history to effectively shape our youngest citizens to be empathetic and helps others? </p>

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  Episode #7

  Unique George Washington: A Chat with Sarah Albee

  Feb 6, 202545 minS1

  <p>We're celebrating President's Day with a look at two unexpected looks at George Washington in nonfiction picture books:</p> <p> The Painter and the President: Gilbert Stuart's Brush with George Washington by Sarah Albee </p> <p>and </p> <p>George Washington's Spectacular Spectacles: The Glasses That Saved America by Selene Castrovilla.</p> <p>In this lively and inspiring episode, Selene chats with her guest, the awesome Sarah Albee, about:</p> <p>how and why she wrote her book</p> <p>the brilliant illustrations by Stacy Innerst</p> <p>how art and words merge together</p> <p>the thrill of...

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