Soaring Imaginations: Exploring the Skyriders Series with Polly Holyoke

In this inspiring episode, award-winning children's author Polly
Holyoke joins us to discuss her enchanting middle-grade fantasy
series, Skyriders.


Polly shares her insights on the power of storytelling to ignite
imaginations and empower young readers to believe in their
ability to make a difference. From her creative process in
building immersive fantasy worlds to her unwavering commitment to
crafting characters that resonate with kids, Polly offers a
glimpse into the magic behind her beloved books. She also delves
into the importance of infusing stories with meaningful themes,
such as empathy, resilience, and the courage to effect change,
while never losing sight of the joy and excitement that keeps
young readers turning the pages.


Whether you're a fan of the Skyriders series, an aspiring writer,
or simply someone who believes in the transformative power of
children's literature, this episode will leave you inspired and
motivated to embrace the magic of storytelling in your own life.
Join us for a captivating conversation with Polly Holyoke, and
discover how books can truly change the world, one young reader
at a time.





Transcription: You can read the
transcription on The Children's Book Review.


Order Copies: The Skyriders series on
⁠Amazon⁠ and ⁠Bookshop.org⁠.


Resources: Visit her online at
pollyholyoke.com





Polly Hollyoke Talks About:


Writing exciting books that hook kids and keep them reading,
to help develop a love of reading and combat the many
distractions competing for kids' attention today

Balancing the creation of immersive, fantastical worlds with
grounding the stories in relatable themes and realistic character
development

Drawing inspiration from myths, history (like the Pony
Express), and other fantasy works to build unique worlds, like
the flying horses and telepathic bonds in Skyriders

Crafting animal characters, like the sky horses, who have
distinct personalities and meaningful relationships with the
human characters

Depicting difficult issues like grief, loss, and the cost of
battles in an age-appropriate way that doesn't shy away from the
realities

Empowering young characters, especially girls, to have
agency, make a difference, and change their world for the better,
even when they feel powerless in their daily lives

Hoping to inspire young readers that they can make a positive
impact, just like real kid activists such as Greta Thunberg and
local eco groups

The importance of authors visiting schools to connect with
young readers, share their passion, and inspire kids that they
too can tell meaningful stories