The Reader's Heart | Guests: Emily Barth Isler and Vesper Stamper

What role can books play in helping young people navigate an increasingly divided world?

In this episode, Jennifer chats with author Emily Barth Isler and illustrator Vesper Stamper about their picture book, Three Pieces of Broken Glass, a story inspired by Emily's grandmother's experiences fleeing Nazi Germany. Together, they explore the power of family stories, the importance of preserving historical memory, and the unique collaboration between authors and illustrators. Their conversation also examines emotional regulation, misinformation, intergenerational relationships, and the role books can play in helping readers build empathy, ask difficult questions, and find human connection in uncertain times.

Show notes, episode transcripts, educator activities, and other goodies can be found here.

Chapters

• 00:00:00 – Finding Light in Broken Things + Welcome to The Reader's Heart

• 00:02:00 – Our Reader's Hearts

• 00:08:43 – The Story Behind Three Pieces of Broken Glass

• 00:16:32 – How Authors and Illustrators Collaborate

• 00:27:07 – Trusted Stories in Uncertain Times

• 00:37:05 – Books as an Antidote to Division

• 00:43:54 – Emotional Regulation, Real Connection, and What Comes Next

• 00:52:24 – Closing Credits and Farewell