Everything You Need to Know About Writing Diverse Stories for Kids
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Release Date: 06/23/2024
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....
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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 discussions about children's literature, cultural identity, and the writing process. First, Jacqueline Christine discussed her book "Mommy's Day Off" and how growing up in a Puerto Rican household influenced her writing. The conversation then turned to the importance of representing diverse families. Next, Janet Sumner Johnson introduced her middle grade novel "The Winterton Deception," which follows twin siblings who enter a spelling bee and uncover secrets about their wealthy family heritage.
Jed Doherty and the guests discussed several themes. They emphasized the importance of cultural representation in books and knowing one's identity and history. They also talked about respecting different perspectives and the need for forgiveness and understanding. When speaking with Johnson, they explored her writing process, including how she developed characters through backstories before realizing the plot. Johnson recommended techniques for aspiring authors like free writing to unlock creativity.
Overall, the episode provided insights into children's literature and focused on cultural identity, family dynamics, the writing process, and bringing diverse voices and stories to readers. The discussions emphasized bonding through shared and differing human experiences as well as giving second chances and embracing what unites communities.
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