"Harlem Honey," Handmade Gifts & Hope: How Stories & Service Change Lives
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Release Date: 03/25/2025
Drawing Our Difficulties: David Soren on Turning Pain into Characters
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this heartfelt episode, Jed welcomes back filmmaker and author David Soren to celebrate Visible: The Sort of True Story of a Not So Hidden Disease, the powerful follow-up to his middle grade novel Invisible. Drawing from his own experience growing up with Crohn’s disease, David shares how his fictional stand-in, JJ Sugar, navigates life with his biker-beast disease, Norm, and how their relationship slowly shifts from fear and resentment toward understanding and even a kind of friendship. David and Jed talk about the many kids living with hidden diseases—conditions like Crohn’s,...
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If Kids Are Having Fun They're Learning
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this heartfelt episode of the Reading With Your Kids podcast, Jed welcomes Daria, musician, teaching artist, and author of the joyful new picture book Cicada Sing Along. Drawing on decades of performing in schools, Daria and Jed celebrate the magic that happens when kids aren’t just sitting and listening, but making music together—banging on drums, buzzing like cicadas, and discovering instruments from around the world. Daria shares how the so‑called “cicada apocalypse” inspired her to turn fear and “Ew, bugs!” into curiosity and delight. In Cicada Sing Along, kids learn real...
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Curiosity, Donuts, and Magic Shoes: Leah Wolf Hearst On Growing Brave, Present Kids
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode of the Reading With Your Kids podcast, Jed welcomes two inspiring picture book creators who are helping families nurture curiosity, confidence, and connection. First, Jed chats with Leah Wolf Hurst, an occupational therapist, yoga teacher, personal trainer, ergonomist, and mindfulness coach known as “The Wolf of Wellness.” Leah introduces her picture book “Bob’s Donuts for Breakfast,” a sensory-rich love letter to San Francisco that follows a carefree dog and an anxious squirrel on a delicious adventure through iconic city landmarks. Leah explains how these two...
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Trees, Tales and Armadillos: Nuturing Cultural Curiosity And Courage
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this lively episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast, Jed welcomes two wonderful guests whose picture books help kids feel seen, brave, and deeply connected to the world around them. First, Jed chats with Jalpa Vaidya Patel, licensed social worker and author of “Wizzy: The Worldly Tree: A Tale of Cultural Curiosity.” Jalpa shares how her background in social work and Native American studies shaped a gentle new way to talk about culture with kids. Instead of starting with “we’re all different,” Wizzy begins with the truth that we’re all interconnected and that every family...
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Skeletor In Therapy! And Other Ways To Hook Reluctant Readers
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this fun, fast-moving episode of Reading With Your Kids, we’re heading to Eternia—by way of your family’s favorite reading chair. Jed welcomes syndicated cartoonists Stephan Pastis and Will Henry to celebrate their hilarious new illustrated middle grade novel, The Adventures of He‑Man and Porter #1: Skeletor Ate My Homework. Stephan shares how Porter Avery’s obsession with Masters of the Universe action figures creates real trouble both at home and in Eternia—especially when Porter’s dad confiscates the Power Sword and He‑Man suddenly loses his in the other world. Stephan...
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Escape, Grief and Growth. How Stories Help Kids & Teens Cope
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
On this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two sets of guests whose books highlight just how powerful stories can be—for thrills, for connection, and for healing. First, Jed chats with Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss, co-authors of the YA murder mystery The Escape Game. Set on a reality TV escape-room competition, the book follows Sierra, returning to the show where her sister Alicia was murdered—determined to unmask the real killer. Marissa and Tamara share how the idea was born from an art-heist escape room, how their 20-year friendship began with Sailor Moon fan fiction, and...
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Hope in Messy Mourning: Jackie Baker’s Journey After Her Son’s Suicide
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this powerful episode, Jed Doherty welcomes Jackie Baker, author of Messy Mourning: Hope for Mothers Grieving the Loss of a Child to Suicide. Jackie shares the heartbreaking story of her firstborn, Sebastian—a bright, curious, book-loving boy who grew up in a home where reading, faith, and family were central. She recalls sweet memories, from anatomy books at home to anxiously awaiting new Harry Potter releases, painting a vivid picture of a joyful, inquisitive child. As Sebastian entered high school, Jackie and her family began to notice serious changes: depression, anxiety, poor...
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Dragons, Ghosts, and Librarians: Haley Neil Takes Us Inside Greta Grimsdark
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this joyful episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes librarian and debut middle grade author Haley Neil to celebrate her spooky-silly new book, Greta Grimsdark and the Normal New Neighbor. Haley shares stories from her work in the library, where she spends her days covered in slime, leading “Make and Play” programs, and helping kids discover books they truly love—especially those transitioning from graphic novels to more text-heavy stories. Haley and Jed shine a big spotlight on librarians as unsung heroes, describing libraries as hubs for early literacy, STEM, crafts, and...
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From Bangkok Shanties To YA Graphic Novels
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this inspiring episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast, Jed welcomes Renee Nault from Vancouver Island to celebrate her YA romance graphic novel Salvage. Set in a future reshaped by climate change, Salvage follows Paulo, a teen who lives on the tidal flats scavenging from drowned cities. When he discovers a suitcase full of designer clothes, he sneaks into the wealthy uplands for “just one night” and unexpectedly falls in love—forcing him to juggle class divides, secrets, and the ticking clock on his double life. Renee shares how living outside Bangkok, Thailand, riding past...
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The Beginner's Guide To Wonder: Magic, Puerto Rico & Picture Books
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Join host Jed Doherty for a joyful, imagination-filled episode featuring two wonderful picture book creators: Keith Negley, author-illustrator of “The Beginner’s Guide to Being a Wizard,” and Wanda Arlene Barajas, author of “Carina and Sabi: A Journey to the Heart of Cidra.” In the first half, Keith shares how a quirky old diary, The Journal of a Disappointed Man, inspired his hilarious new series, The Beginner’s Guide. He explains how he mixes the serious “voice” of a how‑to manual with completely ridiculous wizardly details—like emergency cheese, space pie, and strict...
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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