Adam Gidwitz

Adam Gidwitz is the creator and narrator of the #1, award-winning podcast for kids Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest. He is also a Newbery Honor winning author of bestselling books for kids, and the producer of an Emmy-nominated animated series based on his book A Tale Dark & Grimm.

Can you explain the show in 10 words or less?
Real, funny, scary Grimm fairy tales told live to kids. (Nailed it!)

Why are you the perfect host for this show?
There is nothing about me that’s perfect. But as a teacher for seven years, I found that the only way I could get kids to be quiet and listen to me was to tell them stories. When you’re a teacher, if you can’t control the kids, you might as well quit. Then, when I became an author of books like A Tale Dark & Grimm, I traveled around the country speaking at a hundred schools a year, telling them fairy tales. And when you have two hundred fourth graders in a cafetorium, you have to keep them, quiet or soon there will be a riot and you will be found three days later floating lifeless in a vat of sloppy Joe. So keeping children’s attention through a story is really a matter of life-or-death for me. And the best way to keep a kid’s attention with a story is to make it equally funny and scary. That is, for me, the magic combination.

Which kinds of stories do kids love the most?
They love stories that are scary and funny at the same time. Scary stories make them feel brave, allow them to test their own boundaries. Funny stories make kids see things in a different way: when a kid is laughing—not passively smirking, like at most TV shows, but actually laughing out loud—it’s because they’re learning something new about the world. And delighting in it.

What have the kids taught you?
I have encountered some fierce and inspiring young feminists. There are some girls out there who listen to my stories about princesses and heroines, princes and heroes, and can point out every injustice in that fairy tale world—especially the gender inequities. They are not afraid to shout things like: “We are women and we are terrifying!” Which was one of my favorite moments of Season 4.

What’s your favorite podcast that everyone already knows about?
The Dan LeBatard Show with Stugotz. Actually smart, truly funny sports talk.

What’s your favorite podcast that not enough people know about?
The History of Rock in 500 Songs. Maybe it’s starting to get some buzz, but most people don’t listen to it—perhaps because it’s insanely detailed. But this telling of the history of music through songs and stories is unparalleled.

Self-care ritual?
Writing outside, first thing in the morning, every day. It is both meditative and productive! And it gets me away from the internet, which is eeeeevil. Except, of course, for this excellent website!

Thanks, Adam!