Kids’ Media Book Club: May Edition 📚 | Let’s Get Started!
Our first full newsletter is here: Book of the Month reveal, industry trends, and community updates!
Welcome to the very first edition of the Kids’ Media Book Club newsletter. During the first week of each month, I’ll be sharing the Book of the Month, community highlights, and quick bites of news and trends you might have missed.
Here’s what you’ll find inside this month’s kickoff:
📚 Book of the Month: What we’re reading together (and why I picked it).
🎤 Show & Tell: Creative projects from our community.
📰 ICYMI: News, trends, and updates from the kids’ media industry.
Most importantly: Read what you want, skip what you don’t, and jump into the conversation whenever you feel like it.
I’m so excited to build the community together and can’t wait to see where this goes. :)
📚 Book Of The Month - May 2025
How come nobody warned me that picking the first book for a book club is VERY stressful!?
What if everyone has already read it? What if it’s not something they’re interested in? What if it’s not what they expected this Substack to be?
I wanted to choose a theme general enough that anyone - writers, creators, producers, parents, execs - could approach with their own point of view and that could set the tone for what I want this community to be.
With that goal in mind, the pick was a no-brainer.
The Book of the Month is……drumroll please!
When You Wonder, You’re Learning by Gregg Bahr + Ryan Rydzewski
When You Wonder, You’re Learning feels like the perfect place to start.
Written by children’s advocate Gregg Behr and former teacher
, this book explores how Fred Rogers nurtured the “tools for learning” now deemed essential for school, work, and life. With insights from thinkers, scientists, and teachers — many of whom worked with Rogers himself — When You Wonder, You’re Learning helps kids and the people who care for them do what Rogers taught best: become the best of whoever they are.What I love about it is that even if you’ve read it before, it’s one of those books that has a new takeaway every time you pick it up. It’s full of Mr. Rogers wisdom, grounded in research, and packed with valuable insight—whether you’re making media, teaching kids, parenting, or just trying to show up a little more fully in your everyday life.
When I picked it back up last month, I figured I’d just catch up on the chapters I missed. Instead, I found myself re-reading the parts I already had. It’s clear this book isn’t just about raising curious kids, there are important life lessons in here that are worth revisiting, too.
With so much change happening in our industry (and let’s face it, in our everyday lives), the lessons in this book are more important than ever. New tools and trends are arriving each day, and it’s easy to default to fear or cynicism. But what happens when we approach them with curiosity, optimism, and a deep focus on what inspires us to make meaningful content in the first place?
As you dive into When You Wonder, I encourage you to find ways to infuse that mindset not only into your work, but into your everyday life.
📚 Here’s How to Join In:
1. Read (or Listen!) Along
Support your local library or bookstore! (If you’re ordering online: you can buy it here using my affiliate link — I get a very small kickback.)
Listen to the audiobook on Spotify with your Premium Subscription during your commute, while folding laundry, or walking the dog.
Read at your own pace. Dive in and take notes, skim the parts that interest you, or just follow the conversations here on Substack.
2. Join the Conversation
I’ll pop into the Substack Chat throughout the month — Please jump in!
The chat is open and accessible for all subscribers and is an awesome way to connect.
Share your thoughts & reactions or just leave a “like” on a post to show you’re here.
3. What To Expect
Each month, I’ll share an essay tying the book’s themes to the world of kids’ media.
At the end of the month, look out for a book recap including discussion questions (if you want to start an IRL club) and maybe a few surprise interviews and bonus discussions 👀
- What do you think?
4. Stay in the Loop
Follow along on Instagram for quick bites and reflections @kidsmediabookclub
I’ll also be reacting to industry trends and kids’ media news throughout the month on Substack. (Pro tip: Download the Substack app so you don’t miss a thing!
🎤 Show + Tell
Show & Tell is a space to celebrate what we’re making: new shows, books, podcasts, projects, ideas, anything you’re proud of! Each month, I’ll highlight a few members of our community. If you’ve got something to share, send it my way!
May Spotlight: ✨New Series Alert!
Meet Suzie Hicks The Climate Chick and Sprout!
In my last article, I wrote about the power of creators leaning into what makes them unique and just going for it. Suzie Hicks is doing exactly that.
Suzie is an environmental educator with a passion for environmental justice and community activism. They recently partnered with industry experts to create a high-quality, engaging, and timely series for kids.
Their new channel just launched (perfectly timed with Earth Day!) and already has several videos and chapters live.
It’s definitely one to watch. Go Suzie!!
📣 Check ‘Em Out:
Here’s what else our community launched in April. Take a look, cheer them on, and support your fellow kids’ media creators!
Book Launches:
A Guide to Developing Animated Shows by Emily Brundige (She’s also currently producing a pilot animatic for her original series Strawberry Vampire - fully funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign!)
On Again, Awkward Again by Kwame Mbalia and Erin Entrada Kelly
Apps & Games:
Hiro Stories, founded by David Sokoler, transforms young readers into the stars of their favorite stories.
YouTube Channels:
Written By:
Hillary Van Hoose - Segments from Nickelodeon's Barnyard Daycare (part of their YouTube first strategy!), featuring submarine adventures, skateboarding fun, and dress-up play!
If you’ve got something coming up and want to be featured next month, I’d love to share it! You can DM me on Instagram @kidsmediabookclub, message me on Substack, or reply to the chat when the next call goes out.
📰 ICYMI
NYT - When A Child’s Life Becomes The Family Business - Interesting read, especially in light of the latest Netflix Documentary “Bad Influence: The Dark Side of Kidfluencing”. How can we protect kids when their parents are directing the show?
Hollywood Reporter - Vimeo Helps Creators Launch Their Own Subscription Based Streamers - This could be a big game changer for kids’ content creators. If a parent trusts a specific creator, paying for a safe and curated channel could be a no-brainer.
Kidscreen - FTC Releases COPPA Updates Something to keep an eye on if you’re building your own digital product for kids.
👋 Before You Go...
Have a friend or coworker who might enjoy the Kids’ Media Book Club? Share this newsletter with them. The more, the merrier!
Working on something for kids and families? Let’s connect! I’m open for freelance and consulting work. I help teams develop original kids’ series, build character-driven worlds, and bring stories to life across TV, digital, and emerging platforms. Learn more about my work and reach out to collaborate here 👉: www.julietmenz.com
If you have thoughts, ideas, or feedback on this newsletter, hit reply or DM me @kidsmediabookclub here or on IG. I’d love to hear from you!
Thanks for being part of this from the beginning. ✨
just put in my request at NYPL!
This is amazing! Thank you so much for choosing us, Juliet. We'd love to join you – will send a PM.