Korean Folk Tales & Big Feelings: Stories that Heal
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this warm and wide-ranging episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two guests who are using stories to nurture both imagination and emotional resilience. First, Julie Kim joins us from Washington State to celebrate her new book, Korean Folk Tales for Kids. Julie shares how she carefully chose ten tales—from hilarious trickster stories to thoughtful, heart-centered narratives—that feel both deeply Korean and universally human. She talks about “The Gratitude of the Zelkova Tree” and how it reflects our relationship with nature and the environment, and why she deliberately...
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Rare Genes, Big Hearts & Grouchy Groundhogs: Stories That Help Kids Shine
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this inspiring episode, Jed welcomes two wonderful guests whose work helps kids feel seen, valued, and excited about reading. First, Jed talks with Melissa White Boyer, author of I Am Rare: Discovering What Makes Us Shine. Inspired by her son’s diagnosis with the rare genetic disorder Weidman-Steiner syndrome, Melissa shares the long, emotional journey to finally getting a diagnosis and the shock of realizing there was no roadmap for what came next. She explains how that experience led her and her husband to found the Rare Genes Movement nonprofit, and how her picture book helps all...
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Hands, Hearts, and Habitats: ASL, Deaf Culture, and Rainforest Conservation
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this uplifting episode, Jed welcomes back Kathy McMillan, ASL interpreter, children’s librarian, and creator of the new picture book series “Sign the Seasons.” Kathy shares how the four-book series—starting with Sign the Seasons: Fall—invites kids and families to learn American Sign Language through everyday seasonal concepts like trees, squirrels, and weather. She explains how Familius Publishing partnered with her in a uniquely thoughtful way, involving her in every stage of illustration and bringing in both an ASL/Deaf culture advisor and an early childhood education advisor (a...
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Being Brave Even When You're Scared
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Join host Jed Doherty for a heartwarming, dog-filled episode of the Reading With Your Kids podcast, featuring two picture books that celebrate courage, love, and healing. In the first half, Jed chats with Jonathan Graziano, creator of the beloved Noodle “Bones or No Bones” videos, about his new picture book “Milton Makes a Move.” Jonathan shares Milton’s real-life journey from a hoarding situation in Korea to finding a forever home with him. They talk about how Milton’s anxiety and bravery mirror what many kids feel when facing big firsts—starting a new school, moving, or trying...
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Just Enough: The Tidy Dad’s Philosophy for Stuff, Space, and Sanity
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode, Jed welcomes Tyler Moore, better known as Tidy Dad, to talk about his book “Tidy Up Your Life.” Tyler shares how a season of overwhelm—upsizing his family and career at the same time—left both his apartment and his mental health in disarray. That experience pushed him to explore the deep connection between a cluttered home and a cluttered mind, and how small, consistent decisions can transform both. Living with his wife and three daughters in a 750-square-foot New York City apartment (plus a modest cottage), Tyler has been forced to define what is “just...
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Dark Thrills & Noble Quests: Using Story to Talk About Values with Kids
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two very different – but beautifully complementary – guests whose books open the door to big family conversations. First, Jed chats with Rachel Peterson, author of the YA thriller Killing Sadie. Rachel, who describes herself as “aggressively pleasant,” explains why such a cheerful person writes about murder, anxiety, and worst‑case scenarios. She shares how dark, campy thrillers and B‑horror movies helped her manage her own anxious teen years, and why today’s teens may find comfort and “self‑therapy” in scary stories...
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All the Ways We Learn and Love: Neurodivergent Kids & Brave Dogs
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this inspiring episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two wonderful picture book creators who are helping families talk about big feelings, different brains, and everyday courage. First, Jed chats with Chloe Ito Ward, author of All the Ways We Learn, a gentle, affirming picture book about neurodivergence in the classroom. Chloe shares how the story toggles between what we “think” learning should look like—sitting still, making eye contact, hands in laps—and the many valid ways kids actually learn, including kids with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia....
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Goooooooal! Soccer, Dopamine, and Dreams with Author-Comedian Ana Karina de Silva
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes Ana Karina de Silva, a neurodivergent author, comedian, and educator, to celebrate her new picture book Pedro’s Dream. The story follows Pedro, a passionate young soccer player with ADHD who learns to understand his brain, advocate for himself, and build strategies for success—like using checklists and visual cues, and working with a supportive coach and dad who also has ADHD. Ana shares how her own late ADHD diagnosis reshaped her understanding of “forgetfulness” and “not finishing tasks,” reframing them as brain-based...
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Modeling Curiosity for Kids: Michael J. Rosen on Science, Story, and Wonder
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this inspiring episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes back author Michael J. Rosen to celebrate How to Dive to the Deepest Place on Earth, his picture book collaboration with legendary astronaut and ocean explorer Dr. Kathy Sullivan. Michael shares the fascinating story of how he first met Kathy—before the Mariana Trench dive was even an idea—and how her lifelong curiosity led her to choose between charting the ocean floor and flying into space. Michael walks us through the mind‑bending reality of the Mariana Trench expedition: four hours sinking in a tiny sphere through...
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Secrets that Grow Claws, Farts that Wake Dinosaurs: Irresistible Reads for Reluctant Readers
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this warm and wide-ranging episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two powerhouse creators whose books are perfect for sparking big feelings, big questions, and big laughs. First, Jessica Khoury joins us to celebrate her middle grade fantasy Monster and Apprentice. She introduces us to Roland, a 13-year-old boy who’s been written off by almost every adult in his life—until the mysterious Arcanist takes him on as an apprentice monster hunter. In Roland’s world, monsters are born from secrets kids hold too long—shameful, scary, or painful truths that grow teeth and claws when...
info_outlineGet ready for an incredible journey through children's literature that will inspire, educate, and warm your heart! In this episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty sits down with three remarkable authors who are changing the landscape of children's books one page at a time.
First up is Wunneanatsu Lamb Cason, who shares the magical story behind "Grandmother Moon," a beautiful picture book that bridges generations and cultural understanding. Inspired by her own grandmother's teachings, Wunneanatsu creates a touching narrative that celebrates indigenous storytelling and the powerful bond between grandparents and grandchildren.
Next, we dive into historical fiction with Darlene Campos and her middle-grade novel "The Center of the Earth." This eye-opening book explores the little-known story of Jewish refugees who found safety in Ecuador during the Holocaust. Campos brings history to life through the eyes of young characters, proving that children's literature can be both educational and deeply moving.
Rounding out the episode is Jessica Marie, the creative mind behind the "Mess Monster" series. With humor and heart, Bell tackles relatable childhood experiences, showing kids that it's okay to be a little messy and imperfect.
What makes this episode truly special is the authors' shared commitment to representation, empathy, and storytelling. They demonstrate how children's books can be powerful tools for understanding different cultures, experiences, and perspectives. Whether it's exploring indigenous traditions, uncovering hidden historical narratives, or simply making kids laugh, these authors prove that children's literature is about so much more than just entertainment.
Parents, educators, and book lovers will walk away feeling inspired and excited about the incredible stories being told for young readers today. It's a reminder that every book is a potential window into another world, another experience, another way of understanding.
So grab your kids, pick up a book, and get ready to explore, learn, and connect through the magic of storytelling!
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