Best Of 2025 - Part Two
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Best of 2025 – Part Two celebrates the joy of stories that bring families closer, spotlighting creative voices and practical wisdom in a warm, listener-friendly mix. We open with a quick tour of themes—creativity, confidence, and connection—before diving into highlights that parents and young readers can use right away. Our first guest is Hayley Chewin who celebrated her YA title The Swarm. Hayley's episode was the most downloaded episode of RWYK in all of 2025. Hayley shows how curiosity powers great plots, turning everyday “what-ifs” into page-turning adventures. We then...
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Best Of 2025 - Part One
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Celebrate the year’s most inspiring moments with our Best of 2025 episode of Reading With Your Kids! We’re revisiting five unforgettable conversations that reminded us of the power of stories to spark empathy, courage, and connection. Beloved author and comedian Anh Do shares heartwarming reflections on resilience and joy, showing families how humor and hope can light even the toughest paths. Music legend Ziggy Marley invites us to move, sing, and think together, exploring how rhythm, kindness, and curiosity can shape compassionate kids. Singer-songwriter Christina Perri opens up about...
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Books, Bodyslams, and Backseat Bingo
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
If you’re looking for a show that packs in suplexes and scavenger hunts in equal measure, you’re going to love this episode! We kick things off in the ring—or actually, the library—with the creators behind Lucha Libros, an innovative program that brings the excitement of professional wrestling right into your local library. Host Jed Doherty chats with Paul Val Massey and Llama Jack, who share the story of how this one-of-a-kind family-friendly wrestling show started as storytime, evolved into body slams among the bookshelves, and became a vibrant community event. You’ll hear about...
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The Christmas Staff
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Get ready for holiday magic in this special episode of "Reading With Your Kids: The Christmas Staff!" Host Jed Doherty welcomes a talented team from CatholicTeenBooks.com—including authors Tony Kolenc, Corinna Turner, Andrea Jo Rogers, Carolyn Astfalk, and Leslea Wahl—for a merry, multi-author storytelling adventure you won’t want to miss! Discover the heartwarming tale of Joe Grant, a foster child spending Christmas with the Carters, who stumbles on a mysterious wooden staff left at the church. Joined by new friend Annie, they set off on a quest across town, piecing together clues and...
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Tales of Friendship, Faith, and Holiday Cheer
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Join us for an inspiring episode of the Reading With Your Kids podcast, where host Jed Doherty welcomes two remarkable guests: Dr. Peter Cotton, the celebrated author of the “Fred the Snake” children’s book series, and Donna VanLiere, bestselling author of “Looking for Christmas: The Search for Joy and Hope of the Nativity.” This family-friendly episode is perfect for parents and kids eager to discover new children’s books and traditions to bring them closer together during the holidays. Dr. Peter Cotton shares the delightful origins and adventures of Fred the Snake, introducing...
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Raising Money-Smart Kids
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode of "Reading with Your Kids," host Jed Doherty sits down with Scott and Victoria Kyle, authors of the insightful book "The Other Birds and Bees: The Financial Facts of Life, Money Secrets No One Ever Taught You." Discover how to empower your children with essential financial literacy skills as the Kyles share practical advice for teaching kids about money and creating healthy family financial habits. From explaining the basics of saving and budgeting to fostering a mindset for long-term financial success, Scott and Victoria offer relatable stories, transparent conversations, and...
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Books, Family & Faith
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Join us for a captivating episode where we dive deep into the world of family reading and values-driven storytelling! In this heartfelt conversation, host Jed Doherty welcomes two inspiring authors: Candace Jalili, author of the new YA romance "Seeing Stars," and Amanda Jass, creator of the engaging children’s devotional "Adventures in the Friendly Forest." Candace Jalili shares the story behind "Seeing Stars," a young adult romance filled with real-life inspiration, celebrity culture, and the importance of making mistakes and learning from them. Discover how Candace brings her characters to...
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The Language Of Birds
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode, host Jed Doherty welcomes acclaimed author Jon Erik Lappano to discuss his latest picture book, "The Language of Birds." Lappano shares the inspiration behind the story, which centers on Mira, a solitary child who forms a deep connection with birds while struggling to communicate with people. Through their conversation, Lappano reflects on the importance of honoring quieter, introverted children in literature, drawing from his experiences as a parent and observer of childhood dynamics. He emphasizes the value of imagination, unstructured time, and engagement with the natural...
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Creativity, Curiosity, and Critical Thinking
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this engaging episode of the "Reading with Your Kids" podcast, host Jed Doherty welcomes two inspiring guests: Sara Schroter, author of the children’s book "Max the Gemstone Finder," and Daniel Harmon, creator and showrunner of the educational TV series "Tuttle Twins." Sara Schroter shares her family's remarkable journey relocating from Bermuda to Italy and how her son’s fascination with rocks led to the creation of Max, a character encouraging children and parents alike to nurture childhood passions. Listeners learn how supporting kids’ interests boosts confidence, fosters learning,...
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Beyond the Sash: Erin Chapman’s Advocacy in Sports and Accessibility
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Step into an inspiring conversation "Beyond the Sash" with Erin Chapman, the reigning Ms United World, children’s book author, and champion of accessibility and inclusion in sports. In this episode, Erin shares her journey from competitive dancer to award-winning pageant queen, as well as her passion for encouraging girls to embrace non-traditional sports and adventure. Discover the story behind her debut children’s book, "Ronnie the Rock Climber," which follows a young girl’s quest for confidence and new experiences. Erin explains why introducing girls to sports before age 10 can shape...
info_outlineEver wondered why you turn into a grumpy monster when you're hungry? Katherine Pryor's hilarious new children's book "Attack of the Hangries" explores exactly that! In this fun-filled episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty chats with Pryor about the science behind being "hangry" and how she's turned this relatable experience into a laugh-out-loud picture book for kids.
Pryor reveals that "hangry" isn't just a made-up word - it was officially added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2018. The book explains how dropping blood sugar levels trigger stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, causing those infamous mood swings. But here's the twist: Pryor transforms this scientific concept into adorable monsters that kids will love!
In the same episode, Jed also speaks with Cristina Garcia, a teacher at a Department of Defense school in Germany, about her debut children's book "The Pesky Problem." Garcia's charming story follows a group of pumpkins and gourds dealing with pesky crows, teaching children valuable lessons about teamwork and collaboration. Drawing from her Romanian roots and experiences working on her grandparents' farm, Garcia crafted a delightful tale that resonates with young readers.
Garcia shared her inspiration for the book, which came from a Halloween costume shopping trip, and discussed her future writing projects, including a touching story about a goose with a missing webbed foot. Her background as an educator shines through in her approach to storytelling, focusing on social-emotional learning and creating engaging narratives for children.
As a mother of eight-year-old twins and an experienced children's author, Pryor knows how to make learning fun. She's written multiple books about science and nature, including a fascinating book about monarch butterfly migration. Her goal? Make complex topics accessible and enjoyable for kids.
Parents and educators will love how "Attack of the Hangries" tackles a real-life issue with humor and heart. It's a perfect read for families looking to understand nutrition, emotions, and teamwork - all while having a great time together.
Want to learn more? Check out Katherine Pryor's website and grab a copy of this must-read picture book!
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