"Harlem Honey," Handmade Gifts & Hope: How Stories & Service Change Lives
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Release Date: 03/25/2025
Bringing Water, And Hope, To Her Community
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
On this episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes Georgie Badiel Liberty to discuss The Water Princess Builds a Well, sequel to her picture book The Water Princess. Georgie shares that the first book draws on her childhood in Burkina Faso, where she walked for hours with her grandmother to fetch water. After becoming Miss Burkina Faso and Miss Africa, Georgie moved to Paris for an international modeling career. Visiting her pregnant sister brought her face-to-face with the continued struggle for water in her home community—and renewed her commitment to give back. Through...
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Big Feelings, Ghost Cats, and Dork Diaries
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
This episode of Reading With Your Kids brings together two conversations about books that spark imagination, laughter, and meaningful conversations with young readers. First, host Jed Doherty welcomes Dork Diaries creator Rachel Renee Russell and illustrator Nikki Russell to celebrate the full-color edition of Dork Diaries 2. Rachel reflects on the series’ remarkable success—more than 55 million books sold worldwide—and recalls that, at the beginning, she simply hoped the first book might earn enough for new furniture. Nikki describes the painstaking digital coloring process, with...
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Letting Kids Find Their Own Way: Anthony and Dr. Judy Robles
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
We’re celebrating episode 2500 of Reading with Your Kids with true champions: NCAA national wrestling champion Anthony Robles, his mom, Dr. Judy Robles, and author Dr. Jenny Trocchio. Anthony shared how his picture book, Unstoppable Anthony, was inspired by his son, Abel, and the lessons his mother taught him about perseverance. The story follows Anthony’s journey from being born without his left leg to discovering wrestling, finding ways to adapt, and winning the 2011 NCAA national championship. He described seeing challenges as puzzles to solve—and using other people’s doubts as...
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Finding The Spark: Creativity, Community & Kindness
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode, host Jed Doherty welcomes two picture-book authors to talk about imagination, family, and the kindness stories can inspire. First, R.J. Palacio shares The Haunted Playground, a playful tale in which Rex Magnificus, king of the ghosts, invites spirits from around the world to unwind at an annual post-Halloween gathering. When two living children stumble upon the party, they join the ghosts for a night of fun. Palacio explains that the idea began with a morning walk past a park scattered with discarded Halloween costumes. She reflects on noticing small sparks, trusting ideas...
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Ashley Belote on Mystery, Illustration, and Graphic Novels for Young Readers
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids Jed welcomes author-illustrator Ashley Belote to discuss her early-reader graphic novel, Squirrel Lock Holmes: Mystery at the Corny Maze. Ashley describes Squirrel Lock as a spirited woodland detective partnered with Mole Watson. The character grew from her childhood love of Nancy Drew, Junie B. Jones, and Spy Kids. The idea arrived during a playful “squirrel moment” while she was researching another project and sketching a flying squirrel. Chip the Chipmunk disappears in a corn maze, and more animals go missing, prompting Squirrel Lock and Watson...
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Celebrating Literacy, Representation, and Wildlife
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Jed Doherty welcomes listeners to two conversations about books and literacy. First, Mia Wenjen celebrates the third annual Newton Children’s Book Festival, taking place November 15 at the American Legion Nonantum Post 440. Its accessible venue will welcome 100 authors and illustrators, with young adult books included for the first time. After growing from 1,000 attendees in its first year, the festival offers more room, parking, and food options. Wenjen describes her goal of bringing children face-to-face with authors and showcasing creators from diverse backgrounds and genres. She also...
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Stories That Teach Kindness, Courage and Wonder
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Join host Jed Doherty for an episode featuring two authors whose books invite readers to lead with kindness and imagination. First, Janet Zappala introduces Guapo and the Mystery of Goodness Grove, a picture book inspired by Guapo, a steer weighing more than 3,000 pounds. Guapo is famous for his gentle nature, heart-shaped forehead marking, and friendship with Mabel, a pot-bellied pig. Janet explains how their bond sparked a story about celebrating differences and treating others with kindness. She believes children learn values by watching caring actions, not just hearing advice. She...
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Latkes, Learning and the Power of Movement
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
This episode brings together two authors whose work helps children connect with books and learning in different ways. Martha Seif Simpson joins Jed to talk about her easy-reader graphic novel, I Will Not Eat Latkes, designed for readers and the Hanukkah season. She explains how family latke-making traditions inspired the story: oxidized potatoes once prompted a guest to call them “rusty potato mush.” In the book, Nosh the koala encourages Potchki the ring-tailed lemur to try latkes by being brave like his hero, Judah Maccabee. Martha shares why easy readers use simple language, how...
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Stories That Help Us Laugh, Create and Heal
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode, host Jed Doherty welcomes picture-book creators Jonathan Stutzman and Heather Fox to talk about their new book, Beware the Sock Monkeys. The couple describes how they began making books together and how their close collaboration lets them shape both manuscript and illustrations. Jonathan shares the playful premise: a family’s missing socks may have been taken by sock monkeys. Inspired by folklore, family jokes, and an orange stuffed monkey, the story follows three sisters and a skeptical dad. They also discuss school visits, children’s unexpected questions, and Heather’s...
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Mirrors, Windows & Worlds Of Wonder
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
This episode brings together authors, artists, and a generous dose of imagination to explore how books connect generations and shape young readers. We first hear from author Tracy Todd and illustrator Vashti Harrison about That You Are Here Is No Small Thing. Todd says the title grew from her visit to Senegal and Ghana, where she reflected on the survival of ancestors and the lives of future generations. The deeply personal book honors this history as an affirmation, while Harrison describes its Afrofuturist, non-linear journey through memory, space, and time. Together, they hope it will...
info_outlineIn this episode of Reading with Your Kids, we had the pleasure of chatting with two inspiring guests - Tamron Hall and Terry Grahl.
Tamron Hall is the star of the Tamron Hall Show and the author of the new children's book, "Harlem Honey: The Adventures of a Curious Kid." Tamron shared the heartwarming story behind the book, which follows a young boy exploring his new home in Harlem, New York. She emphasized the importance of curiosity, empathy, and community in parenting, and how the book aims to inspire kids and adults alike to embrace new experiences.
We also spoke with Terry Grahl, the founder of Enchanted Makeovers, a nonprofit that transforms shelters into nurturing spaces for women and children. Terry shared the powerful story of how Enchanted Makeovers began with a simple request to paint a wall, and has since grown into a movement focused on serving others with love and compassion.
Terry discussed the organization's various programs, like the Capes for Kids initiative and the doll adoption project, which provide comfort and support to those in need. She highlighted the significance of handmade gifts and the impact they can have on people's lives.
Both Tamron and Terry shared their insights on the importance of media literacy for kids, and the need to have open conversations about navigating the digital world. They also touched on the role of empathy and connection in parenting, and how their work aims to foster those qualities.
It was a truly inspiring conversation, filled with heartwarming stories and valuable lessons for parents, educators, and anyone looking to make a positive impact in their community. Be sure to check out "Harlem Honey" and learn more about the incredible work of Enchanted Makeovers.
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