Unseriously

This episode had lots of different titling possibilities, which made it clear that only one would suit. Settle in for the magic of Sophie Blackall as she discusses with Holly that moment you know when a book has been made for you, as well as working collaboratively with Kate DiCamillo. Oh yeah, and because this is Unseriously, they'll also discuss picking a favorite kid and how the most unexpected questions can lend the most horrifying results. Above all, it's an elbow toward more reading for all of us--not just kiddos.
Both Sophie's books Hello Lighthouse and Farmhouse are specifically mentioned, as well as her collaboration with Kate DiCamillo, Lost Evangeline.

Music for Unseriously was composed and produced by Adam Wright, founder of ⁠⁠The Corner Room⁠⁠, a ministry that sets the Bible to music as a tool for memorization and meditation. You can follow The Corner Room on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠.
Find podcast news, behind the scenes, and all things Unseriously ⁠⁠@hollymacklebooks⁠⁠.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brace for magic--she's just as wonderful as you'd hoped she'd be--today on Unseriously it's 2-time Caldecott medalist, the author and illustrator Sophie Blackall. Sophie joins Holly to regale her with tales of that time she accidentally drew the Pentagon, how she dumped a guy over a mango, and yeah, no, yeah...all about that column. As Unseriously's first Australian-born guest, it's only right that Holly incite the riot between Adelaide and Sydney, and help Sophie practice her new response, "What a great question--I'm so glad you asked." Nobody skirted the PG episode marker quite as hard as Sophie, and also recovers quite as hard--just wait til Sophie tells us about that time Kate DiCamillo offered to read to her. Come and tread the border between the edge of land and the beginning of sea with Sophie and Holly for this unforgettable episode.
Sophie is the illustrator of many, many books, among which are Holly's favorites Hello Lighthouse and Farmhouse. (Honestly, Holly won't stop talking about Farmhouse.) Sophie is also the author of the brand new picture book with Phoebe Wahl, Story Rug.
Sophie's heart for kiddos shines through, plus her support for working mom-creatives and her peers in the children's book community...except maybe you, Brian Floca...you'll dig out eventually, but for now Sophie still has beef with you...
The book Sophie references is called Principles of Uncertainty, by Maira Kalman, and you can find out all about the magical Milkwood Farm on their website, and follow Sophie on Instagram.
Cut yourself a big slice of cake and settle in for this episode--enjoy!

Music for Unseriously was composed and produced by Adam Wright, founder of ⁠⁠The Corner Room⁠⁠, a ministry that sets the Bible to music as a tool for memorization and meditation. You can follow The Corner Room on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠.
Find podcast news, behind the scenes, and all things Unseriously ⁠⁠@hollymacklebooks⁠⁠.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

If you loved the episode with cultural theorist, author, and super-reader Karen Swallow Prior, then this little lagniappe is for you. Holly and Karen will talk comfort reads, multi-reading, Barbara Kingsolver and Neil Postman--dizzy yet? Pop yourself out of that reading slump with these 5 minutes of an Unserious nudge--time to read!

Music for Unseriously was composed and produced by Adam Wright, founder of ⁠⁠The Corner Room⁠⁠, a ministry that sets the Bible to music as a tool for memorization and meditation. You can follow The Corner Room on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠.
Find podcast news, behind the scenes, and all things Unseriously ⁠⁠@hollymacklebooks⁠⁠.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Maybe you've heard her before, but have you ever heard her like this?? Join the fun as our favorite Karen kicks up those fancy shoes and puts the cool back in "Karen." She may be one of this country's most notoriously well-read, but did you know Dr. Karen Swallow Prior also gave that envelope to that guy? We'll hear about her days in organized crime, plus the devolution of one of her dog's nicknames, her feelings on the mockumentary Best In Show, and how she's in her Neil Diamond era. Brace yourself as she and Holly discuss both Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings...when the villagers come for Karen and Holly with torches, it'll be because of this episode. Maybe their kind friend Chris Davis will save them...or maybe not because he's so embarrassed by how much they talk about him here.
Karen is the author of many books including one of Holly's five-star reads from 2026, You Have a Calling, recommended for anyone discerning God's path for their life. You can find her on Instagram, @karenswallowprior, or on her Substack, The Priory, where you can actively support her work by becoming a paid subscriber.
Music for Unseriously was composed and produced by Adam Wright, founder of ⁠⁠The Corner Room⁠⁠, a ministry that sets the Bible to music as a tool for memorization and meditation. You can follow The Corner Room on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠.
Find podcast news, behind the scenes, and all things Unseriously ⁠⁠@hollymacklebooks⁠⁠.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

While Unseriously's on 2-week summer break it's another replay with yet another of our favorite Kates: why would we ever believe Symphony brownies to be the brain trust of anyone other than the lovely Kate Strickler of the Naptime Kitchen?! Of course she created them in her basement kitchen where she also happens to mass manufacture Symphony candy bars - spread the word.

Kate's new book, I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen, And Other Lies I Think Will Make Me Happy, released in August, 2025, and is now a NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!!

On this episode, Kate and Holly had such fun talking favorite sauces, favorite Instagram follows, and unfavorite family vacations. Ina and Ree will make appearances. (OKAY but only in shout-outs.) So will @raisingcades10, @the_car_mom, and @brunchwithbabs.

Recipes mentioned include:
Tate's Dulce de Leche Icebox Cake
Ree Drummond's Malted Milk Chocolate Chip Cookies
Symphony Brownies
No Churn Ice Cream
Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
And, of course, ICD. Recipe below!

Aunt Terri's Ice Cream Dessert, also known as ICD
you need:
1 family size roll Pillsbury Tollhouse chocolate chip cookie dough, baked as cookies (crunchy but not burned)
1 container Breyer's Natural Vanilla ice cream (the one with the visible vanilla beans)
1 jar Smuckers caramel topping

Set the ice cream on the counter to partly melt while you bake the cookies to crispy but not burned. Once cookies are baked, crumble about 2/3 into the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Drizzle about 2/3 of the jar of caramel sauce over the cookies, then scoop the entire container of melty ice cream over the caramely cookies. Spread this out smooth. Top with the rest of the crumbled cookies and drizzle with the remainder of the caramel sauce. Freeze for several hours--overnight is best. Before serving, set on counter for 5 minutes.

Find Kate on Instagram, @naptimekitchen, Symphony bars at your favorite grocer, and the Strickler family anywhere other than Disneyworld.

Music for Unseriously was composed and produced by Adam Wright, founder of ⁠⁠The Corner Room⁠⁠, a ministry that sets the Bible to music as a tool for memorization and meditation. You can follow The Corner Room on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠.
Find podcast news, behind the scenes, and all things Unseriously ⁠⁠@hollymacklebooks⁠⁠.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.