Embracing Diverssity & Imagination
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In the latest episodes of the "Reading with Your Kids" podcast, host Jed Doherty had the pleasure of chatting with two talented children's authors, Laura Lee Rittman and Helen Rogoson. Their insightful discussions touched on themes of diversity, emotional intelligence, and the power of storytelling to connect and inspire young readers. First, Jed welcomed Laura Lee Rittman, who shared the heartwarming story behind her book "Lucky Ruby." This delightful tale celebrates the richness of interfaith families, as Ruby invites a classmate to experience the joys of both Christmas and Hanukkah....
info_outline
Turning Bystanders Into Upstanders
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Jed Doherty sat down with Rebecca and Dan Burd, the brilliant minds behind the "Speak Life" program, and let me tell you, these two are on a mission! The Speak Life musical was born out of the aftermath of the Columbine tragedy, when the Burds realized bullying was a serious issue that needed to be addressed head-on. They didn't just want to slap a band-aid on it - they wanted to create something that would really empower students and make a lasting difference. The key? Targeting not just the bullies and victims, but the often-overlooked bystanders who make up the majority of the student...
info_outline
Magical Creatures & Cultural Connections
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast, host Jed Doherty chats with two talented authors who are bringing diverse stories and cultural perspectives to young readers. First up, Jed introduces Deeba Zargarpur,, the author of the new middle-grade novel "Farrah Noorzad and the Ring of Fate." Deeba shares how her own Afghan heritage inspired the story of a 12-year-old girl who discovers her jinn (supernatural being) lineage and goes on an epic quest. Deeba discusses the cultural significance of jinn in her upbringing and how she wanted to create a fun, magical world that also...
info_outline
Exploring Empathy & Kindness
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
If you're a fan of thought-provoking young adult fiction that tackles big themes, you'll want to check out our latest episode of Reading with Your Kids. We had the pleasure of chatting with author Andrea Torrey Balsara about her urban fantasy novel "The Great and the Small," which blends elements of dystopia and features some fascinating animal characters. Andrea shared the fascinating backstory behind her decision to center the story around rats - she was intrigued by the historical impact of the bubonic plague and saw rats as a formidable "opponent" for humanity. But beyond the unique...
info_outline
Inspiring Kids To Make A Difference
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Wow, what an inspiring conversation we had with Jesse Bennett and Joana Pastro! These two children's book authors are doing such amazing work to empower kids and celebrate diverse cultures. First, we chatted with Jesse about her book "Ripple," which is all about the power of small actions to make a big difference. She shared how her own yoga and mindfulness practice has helped her connect with herself and find that inner light, and how she wants to pass that on to kids through her stories. Jesse had some great tips for parents on simple breathing exercises and ways to help kids slow down in...
info_outline
The Power Of Perspective
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this captivating episode, host Jed Doherty sits down with children's book authors Kari Lavelle and Megan Perry to explore the powerful narratives behind their latest works. Kari Lavelle shares the inspiring story of how James Earl Jones, the iconic voice of Darth Vader, overcame a childhood stutter to find his remarkable voice. As a speech pathologist, Kari has long been fascinated by Jones' journey and was determined to bring his story to life in "Ode to Grapefruit." Jed and Kari discuss the challenges of stuttering, the importance of supportive educators, and the impact of...
info_outline
Unlocking The Magic Of Everyday Moments
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode of Reading with Your Kids, we had the pleasure of chatting with two amazing children's book authors - Morgan Christie and Sarah H. Fowler. Buckle up, because these conversations were packed with insights on the power of literature to bring us together. First up, we met Morgan Christie, the author of the beautiful picture book "I Too Am Here." Morgan shared how this story was inspired by a poem from the legendary Langston Hughes, exploring themes of identity, belonging, and the immigrant experience. We had a great discussion about the importance of recognizing our shared...
info_outline
Embracing Adventure & Overcoming Fears
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Today on Reading with Your Kids, we had the pleasure of chatting with not one, but two talented children's authors - Paolo Mazzucato and Jay Foreman. These guys really know how to spin a yarn that'll capture the hearts and imaginations of kids (and kids-at-heart) everywhere. First up, we welcomed back our old friend Paolo, who's celebrating the release of his middle-grade novel "AJ and the Incredible Fish." This heartwarming story follows a young boy named AJ who's not too thrilled about spending the weekend with his grandpa. But as you might expect, Grandpa's got some pretty wild fish tales...
info_outline
Ghosts, Games & Growing Up!
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
If you're a fan of interactive storytelling, pick-your-own-adventure books, or just good old-fashioned spooky tales, this episode of Reading with Your Kids is a must-listen! We had the pleasure of chatting with two talented authors who are bringing these genres to life for middle-grade readers. First up, we welcomed back PJ Hoover, the mastermind behind the "Pick Your Own Quest" book series. PJ shared the scoop on her latest release, "Castle of Doom" - a game book that lets readers choose their own path through a haunted castle, complete with inventory management and puzzle-solving. As an...
info_outline
Meet The Cast Of Guardians Of The Game
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this special episode of "Reading with Your Kids," host Jed Doherty introduces listeners to the talented cast of the brand new podcast "Guardians of the Game." Set to debut on September 18, 2024, this show is the latest addition to the "Reading with Your Kids" family and promises an epic adventure for listeners of all ages. The cast includes Dungeon Master Josh, who explains the collaborative storytelling experience of Dungeons & Dragons, as well as players Chris, Ethan, Carpenter, and the absent but electric Nicole. Each character brings a unique personality to the game, from the...
info_outlineThis episode of Reading With Your Kids featured two authors introducing us to their children's books that celebrate human-animal bonds and culture.
Bethany Murgia, author of "Wagnificent", shared how her graphic novel was inspired by her dog. She discussed researching dog behavior and domestication to portray the dog's perspective accurately through illustrations. Murgia described creating a series to focus on empathy and understanding between species.
Jedlie brought up experiences growing up with many dogs and interviewed Murgia about the challenges of writing graphic novels. They imagined families enjoying "Wagnificent" through read-alouds and conversations about nonverbal communication.
A N Stewart, author of "Bill Bailey, Please Come Home", discussed how her New Orleans-based children's book series highlights the city's culture, music, and strong neighborhood ties. She reflected on the impact of Hurricane Katrina and COVID-19, including business closures and a growing disconnect among residents.
Stewart emphasized the role of art and music in bridging divides and promoting critical thinking across generations and cultures. Both authors celebrated finding community and making connections through shared experiences, even with differences in beliefs.
The conversation provided insight into the authors' personal inspirations and journeys to publication.
Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com
Follow Us On Our Socials - www.Facebook.com/readingwithyourkids
@ReadingWithYourKids on Instagram & Tik Tok
@jedliemagic on X