Episode 3

full
Published on:

9th Feb 2026

Kathi Appelt

Episode 3 – Kathi Appelt

How did a single question open the door to a lifelong career in children’s literature?

In this episode of My First Book Story, Meredith Davis talks with celebrated children’s author Kathi Appelt about the journey that led to her first published picture book, Elephants Aloft. Kathi shares how becoming a mother introduced her to the world of picture books, how reading aloud to her sons sparked a creative awakening, and how an unexpected conversation with a former professor changed everything. From writing to teaching, this conversation offers a generous, honest look at how perseverance, curiosity, and serendipity shaped the beginning of an extraordinary career.

Books mentioned

• Elephants Aloft (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Elephants-Aloft-Kathi-Appelt/dp/015225384X)

• Bayou Lullaby (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Bayou-Lullaby-Kathi-Appelt/dp/0688128564)

• Watermelon Day (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Watermelon-Day-Kathi-Appelt/dp/0805023046)

• A Red Wagon Year (Amazon – https://www.kathiappelt.com/board-books/a-red-wagon-year)

• The Underneath (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Underneath-Kathi-Appelt/dp/1416950591)

• Keeper (Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Keeper-Kathi-Appelt/dp/1416950613)

Links

• Kathi Appelt (https://www.kathiappelt.com)

• Meredith Davis (https://meredithldavis.com)

• Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (https://www.scbwi.org)

• Episode Webpage (https://meredithdavis.substack.com/p/kathi-appelts-first-book-story)

Theme music by Nate Davis

Produced by Clay Davis

Next Episode All Episodes Previous Episode

Listen for free

Show artwork for My First Book Story

About the Podcast

My First Book Story
Interviews with successful authors about their journeys to their first published book
Welcome to My First Book Story, where I interview successful authors about their journeys to their first published book. Whether you’re still chasing your first book contract, going after the next one, or pursuing some other dream, these short interviews will inspire you to keep going.

Have you ever wondered how to break through an editor’s slush pile and breach the publishing wall? There are many paths to success, and each one is different. Mine was more than a decade in the making, others happened almost overnight. But the one thing each of these stories has in common is that it ends with a published book in the hands of readers.

I’m Meredith Davis, a traditionally published children’s book author living in Austin, Texas, a hotbed of talented book writers and illustrators. I’ve been in this world for thirty years, I’ve heard some great stories, and I can’t wait to share them with you.

About your host

Profile picture for Meredith Davis

Meredith Davis

Meredith Davis is the author of THE MINOR MIRACLE and THE MINOR RESCUE, books one and two in THE AMAZING ADVENTURES OF NOAH MINOR series (Waterbrook, 2024/25) and co-author of HER OWN TWO FEET: A RWANDAN GIRL’S BRAVE FIGHT TO WALK (Scholastic, 2019). She once worked at an independent children’s bookstore, started the Austin Chapter of SCBWI, and earned her Masters of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adults at VCFA. Her superpowers include reading, grandmothering, and finding ways to fit more books in her Austin, Texas home.