Piper Thomas: The Magic of The Littlest Library

What happens when a child’s quiet creativity gets the attention it deserves? Children’s author and illustrator Piper Thomas joins Rich Bennett to explore why reading a child’s story can help them feel heard, valued, and ready to keep creating. Picking up a conversation that began at the Book Fair at Bel Air, Piper shares the inspiration behind The Littlest Library and its hands-on activity that helps readers make their own tiny books. She also discusses Black Bug Soup: A Tale of a Frog With Allergies and What If a Book Were a Balloon. Along the way, Piper opens up about the challenges of self-publishing, marketing as an introvert, and finding the confidence to call herself an author. She explains how thoughtful feedback from her former teacher, author Susan Muaddi Darraj, helped her grow. In this episode, you’ll hear: - How stories and activities can encourage children’s creative expression. - Why honest feedback matters alongside encouragement. - What book fairs teach independent authors about connection and marketing. - How business knowledge supports a sustainable writing career. - Where Piper hopes to take her creativity next, including voice acting and audiobooks. Explore Piper’s books and social channels: https://linktr.ee/Pipthomasbooks Find The Littlest Library at Odd Bird Bookshop: https://oddbirdbookshop.com/products/the-littlest-library This episode is sponsored by Freedom Federal Credit Union: https://www.freedomfcu.org/ Subscribe to Conversations with Rich Bennett, share this conversation with a parent or teacher, and leave a review wherever you listen. If you purchase one of Piper’s books, consider leaving an honest book review, too. Send us Fan Mail WHFC 91.1 FM | Harford Community College Freedom Federal Credit Union HELPING YOU REACH YOUR FINANCIAL DREAMS Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Support the show Rate & Review on Apple Podcasts  **Follow the Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast on Social Media:** Facebook – Conversations with Rich Bennett Facebook Group (Join the conversation) – Conversations with Rich Bennett podcast group | Facebook Twitter – Conversations with Rich Bennett Instagram – @conversationswithrichbennett TikTok – CWRB (@conversationsrichbennett) | TikTok Sponsors, Affiliates, and ways we pay the bills: Hosted on Buzzsprout SquadCast Subscribe by Email