Childsplay / Tempe, AZ

A scene from The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane.

Word is a KJZZ podcast about the literary arts in Arizona and the region.

In this second episode of Season 2, we explore children's and young adult literature in Arizona.

First, we talk to fellow podcaster Pamela Rogers, creator and host of "Buttons & Figs," a show that uses "nonsense" to make sense. Pamela is a descendant of E. Lowell Rogers who has an amphitheater named after him in Glendale. She just moved back to the Phoenix metro area two years ago.

We also take a trip to Childsplay to talk to Dwayne Hartford, artistic director and creator of the stage adaptation of "The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane" playing at Herberger Theater until Oct. 13, 2019. The play is based on the book of the same name and written by Kate DiCamillo. 

Plus, budding young writers from the Valley get the skinny on how Arizona authors get inspired to write and bring their works to market. We feature interviews with authors Ginger Scott, Jeff Mariotte, Sharon Skinner as well as Kyrene Middle School literature teacher and writer Deb Rosenblum. She spearheaded the Student Writing Conference which took place Sept. 7, 2019.

In October, we're focusing on literature about the road and also on the spooky season. If you have ideas on who we should talk to or a contribution of your own, reach out to [email protected].

To hear more, visit word.kjzz.org.