101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up with Bianca Schulze

In this episode of The Growing Readers Podcast, publicist Mel
Schuit takes over hosting duties to interview Bianca Schulze
about her revised edition of 101 Books to Read Before You Grow
Up. They discuss the evolution of children's literature over the
past nine years, why Bianca switched out 30% of the original
titles, her journey from non-reader to reading advocate, and how
she curates books that prioritize joy and representation for
young readers.





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





Highlights:



The 30% Switch: How the children's book
landscape evolved between 2016 and 2025, leading to more
diverse voices, illustrated chapter books, and graphic novels
in the revised edition


From 101 to 500+: Each featured book includes
four additional "what to read next" recommendations, creating a
comprehensive reading roadmap


Reading Revolution: The push for diverse books
starting around 2015-2016 and how publishers have responded to
the call for representation


Non-Reader Origins: Bianca's surprising
admission that she wasn't a childhood reader, finding her love
of books only in her twenties through trusted recommendations


Joy as a Guiding Principle: How the focus has
shifted from just telling important stories to celebrating joy
across different backgrounds and experiences


Bridging the Gap: The rise of illustrated
chapter books that help kids transition from picture books to
novels without losing reluctant readers


Creative Beginnings: From making Barbie houses
out of Golden Books to a third-grade tooth-shaped writing
assignment that sparked her love of storytelling






Notable Quotes:


"Reading for joy and reading for pleasure—when you do that, you
become a wiser person. You are more empathetic." —Bianca Schulze


"We can't ever change what's happened to us. We can't alter the
past or control what's coming around the next corner, but we can
choose how we live now." —Dr. Edith Eva Eger, from The Ballerina
of Auschwitz


"Be kind, be brave, and make good choices. Remember the struggles
of those who came before you. Always dream of the fantastical
future ahead of you... Live your life like an epic adventure."
—From Bianca's author's note





Books Mentioned:


101 Books to Read Before You Grow Up (Revised Edition) by
Bianca Schulze: Amazon or Bookshop.org

The Ballerina of Auschwitz by Dr. Edith Eva Eger: Amazon or
Bookshop.org

The Choice by Dr. Edith Eva Eger: Amazon or Bookshop.org

Animalia by Graeme Base: Amazon or Bookshop.org

Where's Waldo? series: Amazon or Bookshop.org

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien: Amazon or Bookshop.org

A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park: Amazon or
Bookshop.org






About Bianca Schulze: Bianca Schulze is the
founder of The Children's Book Review and host of The Growing
Readers Podcast. A former bookseller turned author, she has
published eight books and has been championing children's
literature for over 16 years. As a mother of three and passionate
literacy advocate, she believes in the transformative power of
reading for joy.





Connect and Follow: Learn more about Bianca
Schulze: https://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/Follow on
Instagram: @thechildrensbookreview





Credits: Guest Host: Mel SchuitGuest: Bianca
SchulzeProducer: Bianca Schulze





Episode Sponsor: Cody's Whisper by Mailia Grace. For more
information, visit https://www.the-whisper-way.com/