A family podcast about classic children’s books and the impact they have on us long into adulthood. In each episode, we talk about one popular children's book from the past, uncovering the unique story behind the story. While sitting down with famous, award-winning authors, we investigate the timeless themes in kids’ books.

We use stories to understand and navigate the world. It&#039;s stories like Howl’s Moving Castle that give us a lens through which we view the world and ourselves. It is a story rooted in character-driven magic that dares us to find our true identity. 
 
In this episode, we explore Diana Wynne Jones’ brilliant Howl’s Moving Castle across all of its forms—including its 2025 collector’s deluxe edition with new illustrations. Authors Megan Whalen Turner, Stefan Bachmann, and Devin Elle Kurtz reveal how Howl’s influence is reflected in their work and their experience contributing to the newest edition. 
 
To learn more about Diana Wynne Jones’, Megan Whalen Turner’s, Stefan Bachmann’s, and Devin Elle Kurtz’s books, visit: 
 
harpercollins.com/search?q=Diana+Wynne+Jones 
harpercollins.com/search?q=Megan+Whalen+Turner 
harpercollins.com/search?q=Stefan+bachmann 
harpercollins.com/search?q=Devin+elle+kurtz 
 
Learn more at rememberreading.com. And, leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. 
 
 
[2:44] Published in 1986, Howl’s Moving Castle remains a cornerstone of cozy fantasy, resonating as deeply with readers today as it did forty years ago. 
 
[7:29] While a bit of a drama queen, Howl is an eclectic, mysterious, and fun character readers adore. 
 
[13:06] Much like Diana Wynne Jones, Megan Whalen Turner created a new mythology when she wrote her Queen’s Thief series. 
 
[22:49] When illustrating the deluxe edition of Howl’s Moving Castle, Devin Elle Kurtz’s visual art remained true to the book. 
 
[26:46] From books to movies to podcasts, Howl’s Moving Castle is a well-told tale that transcends time and media. 
 
 
Continue Your Journey: 
Diana Wynne Jones 
Megan Whalen Turner 
Stefan Bachmann 
Devin Elle Kurtz 
 
 
 
Shareables: 
 
“We have a huge trend of cozy fantasy right now, and cottage core and all of these things that focus on small menial tasks, and I think that Howl&#039;s Moving Castle was maybe the OG of that.” — Stefan Bachmann, Author of The Peculiar 
 
“It feels so magical and mysterious for our world to be the other dimension.” — Devin Kurtz, Author of The Bakery Dragon 
 
“He is a total drama queen. I think that Howl has harnessed his deficit to his benefit.” — Megan Whalen Turner, Author of The Queen’s Thief series 
 
“[On Diana Wynne Jones] She invented her mythology, but the cloth that she made it out of is woven from everything she knows about history, and language, and storytelling. I wanted that feeling for my own mythology when I sat down to write The Thief.”— Megan Whalen Turner, Author of The Queen’s Thief series 
 
“I think it&#039;s the mark of a good book if it can be translated into different mediums and the core can really be felt in all of those different mediums. I feel Diana Wynne Jones is especially great at that.” — Stefan Bachmann, Author of The Peculiar 
 
“The fundamental message in Diana&#039;s work is that we use stories to understand the world.” — Megan Whalen Turner, Author of The Queen’s Thief series 
 
“We literally understand our world through story. Think about that being in a book written for kids. It&#039;s brilliant. Dian&#039;s book is brilliant.” — Megan Whalen Turner, Author of The Queen’s Thief series

Remember Reading Podcast

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