What would you do if you found out you accidentally bought a priceless work of art?

Would you sell it?

Would you donate it?

Would you get rid of it?

Or would you keep it secret?

In Dan Gutman's latest book, 'The Picasso Curse', Edwin discovers he's bought a Picasso original piece of art hidden behind a $10 Kobe Bryant poster. Little does he know this discovery is about to change his whole life!

We're thrilled to welcome back Dan Gutman to the podcast to discuss all things about art, Picasso, and a lot of 'what ifs!?'

Enjoy!

About Dan Gutman

New York Times best-selling and award-winning author Dan Gutman has written more than 190 books for readers from kindergarten through middle school. Dan’s My Weird School series includes 100+ titles, and has sold more than 35 million copies globally over the past 20 years. Dan also is the author of the best-selling Genius Files series, the Baseball Card Adventure series, and many more.

Dan’s books have been named Junior Library Guild Selections and Bank Street College’s Best Children’s Books of the Year, and have been awarded numerous state book awards, including: The California Young Reader Medal, the Massachusetts Children’s Book Award, and the Iowa Children’s Choice Award, among others. When he’s not writing books, Dan loves to ride his bike, play pickleball, throw Frisbees, and explore New York City where he lives with his wife Nina. To find out more, follow Dan on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

About 'The Picasso Curse'

What would happen if you accidentally bought a doodle worth millions? Edwin Hodge finds out in this middle grade novel by Dan Gutman, bestselling author of My Weird School series.

There were so many things Edwin Hodge didn’t know when he paid $10 for a cool poster of Kobe Bryant at the local flea market.

He didn’t know that hidden within the frame of the poster was an original drawing by Pablo Picasso, one of the most famous artists in history. He didn’t know the Picasso might be worth millions of dollars. He didn’t know that kids at school were going to treat him differently, or that he would become a world famous social media superstar.

And he sure didn’t know that people would tap his phone, follow him home, break into his house, or threaten to burn it down. He didn’t know the Picasso was going to ruin his life.

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

Do you like fractured fairy tales?

You know, when the story you think you know gets flipped turned upside down!?

Yeah you do, you know you do and today's guest has got a fun one!

On this episode of the podcast author Patrick Horne stops by to share his debut release, "Bear and the Three Goldilocks" and what path he took to get to this point.

It's a fun conversation we think you'll really like so pull up a chair and enjoy!

About Patrick Horne

I've worn many hats throughout my adult life. I've been a tennis coach, a teacher and more recently a children's book author. Every experience that I have had has made a great impact on my life and I'm so happy to be able to share those experiences here.

About 'Bear and the Three Goldilocks'

You’ll laugh out loud at this funny fractured folktale with pictures by a popular artist!

The Goldilocks family leave their campsite to go on a hike while their s’mores cool off . . . when along comes Bear.

“What’s that yummy smell?” Bear wonders. S’mores, of course: too gooey, too chocolatey . . . and just right! Bear eats them all.

Bear continues to wreak havoc by breaking a chair, smashing musical instruments, and extinguishing the fire. When the Goldilocks return, they are flabbergasted. They try to make a lot of noise to shoo away the bear . . . when Mama Bear and Papa Bear show up. Mama and Papa apologize profusely for the behavior of their naughty offspring, but the Goldilocks don’t speak “Bear.” They just hear a lot of LOUD GROWLING. So they decide to hightail it out of there, and the Bear family gets to enjoy the tents and snacks that are left behind.

This hilarious story, a perfect readaloud, and its hilarious pictures will delight children and parents alike.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

What do guys talk about?

How do male friendships work?

How can you be vulnerable in an environment where you've been conditioned to "bottle it up" and not share what's really on your mind?

That's the topic of this episode of the podcast as we welcome back former guest, Ben Feller, to the show to discuss his latest project, the new podcast "Pour It On".

Joe and Ben get into a great conversation about Ben's podcast, how much it means to him, and what he hopes listeners of the podcast get out of it.

Enjoy!

About Ben Feller

Ben Feller is an award-winning writer who covered two presidents and now helps people and organizations tell their own stories. He is also a writing coach, moderator, media adviser and public speaker on parenting, politics and the power of communications.

In his first career as a journalist, which spanned 20 years, Ben distinguished himself as one of the finest reporters in the nation. He ultimately served as the Chief White House Correspondent for The Associated Press, a role in which he led presidential coverage for the largest news organization in the world.

Ben spent more than six years covering President Barack Obama and President George W. Bush, traveling aboard Air Force One across the United States and to more than 25 other countries. He often asked the first question at press conferences and was honored as a “master of deadline reporting.”

Ben then pivoted to business, becoming a communications adviser who specializes in guiding companies, universities, foundations and leaders on their messaging and their biggest strategic decisions. He is now a partner at maslansky + partners, the world’s leading language strategy firm, where the power of story is used to achieve goals and solve problems.

A native of State College, Pa., Ben graduated with distinction from Penn State in 1992 with a degree in journalism, and he has been honored as an Alumni Fellow of the university for success across his communications careers.

About "Pour It On"

Pour It On is a podcast hosted by Shaun Emerson, Ben Feller and Chris Lozier about male friendship, life’s challenges and joys, and making the most of our time here. When the chaos of life makes you want to bottle it in, don’t let it. Grab your drink of choice, enjoy the moment, and let’s pour it on!

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

Are you ready for the next YA book series to completely obsess over!? That's what's in store for you when you pick up Lauren Magaziner's latest book, The Incorruptibles!

Lauren stopped by the show this week to share her background as an author, working on this (among many other) projects, and some of her favorite memories writing this book.

Check it out!

About Lauren Magaziner

Lauren is the internationally bestselling author of the Case Closed series, The Mythics series, the upcoming series The Incorruptibles (June 10, 2025), and three other stand-alone books for middle grade readers. Her books are available in 12 languages, have been Junior Library Guild selections, have been on the Indie Next List, been an Amazon bestseller, earned starred reviews, been on state lists, and have been optioned for a TV movie with Nickelodeon. She has also contributed short stories to Storyworks magazine and a middle grade mystery anthology called Super Puzzletastic Mysteries.

Lauren grew up in New Hope, Pennsylvania. After receiving a B.A. in Creative Writing and Philosophy at Hamilton College, Lauren Magaziner worked on two delightful Scholastic magazines, where many of her coworkers didn’t believe her last name was real. She currently lives in Philadelphia, where she writes full time.

About 'The Incorruptibles'

Fiora Barrowling lives in a world where sorcerers rule over humans. After surviving an encounter with The Radiance—the very worst of the sorcerers—she’s whisked away to the incredible Incorruptibles (“Inc”) Academy, a school for resistance fighters in training.

But most of the other students think Fiora hasn’t earned her place there, and when things start to go wrong and it seems the sorcerers have a spy in the academy, all eyes are on Fiora. With all odds stacked against her, can Fiora prove that she belongs?

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast:

Are you ready for Summer?

Are you ready for Lemonade?

Are you ready for a Lemonade WAR!?

In this latest episode of the podcast, Joe sits down with author Jacqueline Davies to discuss the graphic novel adaptation of her book, 'The Lemonade War'. Joe and Jacqueline get into a fabulous conversation about the book that you won't want to miss!

Enjoy!

About Jacqueline Davies

Jacqueline Davies has lived more places than she has fingers and toes. She moved six times before fifth grade, and she credits all that moving around with making her an excellent observer of people and life. (She’s also very good at packing.) She discovered her love of writing when she was young, penning her first illustrated book in the third grade. It was called The Sad Shape, and although it never got published, she still enjoys sharing it with young readers and writers today. Jacqueline has three grown children and way too many houseplants. She divides her time between a town just outside of Boston and a cabin on the wild coast of Maine. She writes picture books, early chapter books, middle-grade novels, and young adult novels. In addition, she almost always has a suitcase that is in the process of being packed or unpacked.

About 'The Lemonade War'

Evan Treski is people smart. He’s good at talking to people, even grown-ups.

His younger sister, Jessie, on the other hand, is math smart—but not especially good at understanding people. She knows that feelings are her weakest subject.

With just five days left of summer vacation, Evan and Jessie launch an all-out war to see who can sell the most lemonade before school starts. As the battleground heats up, there really is no telling who will win—and, even more important, if their fight will ever end.

Make sure to check out the Dtalkspodcast.com website!

Thanks to Empire Toys for this episode of the podcast!

AND Thanks to Self Unbound for this episode of the podcast: