Unforgetable Stories Of Love & Survival
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this heartfelt and adventurous episode, Jed welcomes Jessica Collins and Lisa Malamed to celebrate their upcoming picture book Where’s Big Dog: A Story of Loss and Love. Inspired by Jessica’s beloved golden doodle Lucy, the book gently helps children and adults navigate the loss of a pet. Jessica and Lisa share sweet, funny memories of Lucy—like how she’d jingle her collar instead of barking to wake Lisa up—and talk about how deeply pets become part of the family. They explain that the dogs in the book aren’t named or gendered so any reader can see their own pet in the story....
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Your Dog Is The Best Children's Book Critic
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Reading With Your Kids” welcomes two wonderful guests who celebrate the magic of stories, family, and imagination. First, New York Times bestselling author Tracy Wolff joins Jed to talk about her new middle grade fantasy, The After Myth. Tracy shares how the excitement of a new book release never fades, especially when a story is as personal as this one. She reveals that her heroine Penelope and sidekick Fifi are secretly based on her real-life college best friend and herself. Tracy describes The After Myth as a Greek‑mythology‑inspired adventure set at Naximanders Academy, where...
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Get Off The Bench & Play!
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
On this episode, I welcome Andrea Goldner, affectionately known as Nanni Andi, to talk about her picture book Nanni Andi and Our Adventure to All Friends Park and her lifelong work as a nanny. Andrea shares how, after raising her own kids, she went “back” into childcare because it’s what she truly loves and does best. Calling herself a “new wave Mary Poppins,” she explains why reading to children from newborn age is so powerful: it builds vocabulary, confidence, and, most importantly, a deep emotional bond. Andrea describes how her stories prepare kids for real-world...
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Why Reading With Your Kids Still Matters In A Divided World
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode, Jed welcomes third grade teacher and debut picture book author Alex Friedrichs to talk about his heartwarming new book, Sweet Rescue. Alex shares how the story was born in the most surprising way—a 4 AM dream that sent him and his wife straight to the coffee pot so he could get the idea down before it disappeared. That dream later became the basis for a story his team created on the Amazon kids’ show Play-Doh Squished, where judges said it “sounds like a movie,” and eventually evolved into his published picture book. Alex introduces us to Hungry Joe, a ravenous little...
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History, Harmony & Hope
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
On this episode of Reading With Your Kids, we’re celebrating two very different – but wonderfully complementary – books for young readers. First, Jed talks with Maria Dolores Aguila, author of the middle grade novel in verse “The Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez.” Maria shares the powerful true story behind her book: the 1931 Lemon Grove incident in California, when Mexican and Mexican American children were illegally segregated into a makeshift “school” in a converted barn. Their families organized, chose Roberto Alvarez as the lead plaintiff, and won a court...
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Seeking The Light In A Dark World
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
On this episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast, host Jed Doherty welcomes two amazing middle grade authors who explore how stories can help kids find light, courage, and connection in a complicated world. First, Jed talks with Emily Bain Murphy, author of the new middle grade fantasy “Light Seekers, A Kingdom of Shadows.” Emily shares the inspiration behind her richly imagined world of Wildfell Hall, where darkness is growing stronger after an event called The Great Betrayal. We meet Finn, his sister Lydia, and best friend Adrian, three kids with few adults in their lives who are...
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The Cost of Sacrifice: Parenting, Trauma, and YA Fantasy
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes Cliodhna O’Sullivan, author of the YA romantasy Her Hidden Fire, and Steph Carse, creator of the picture book I Am Awesomely Made. First, Jed chats with Cliodhna O’Sullivan about her powerful new YA romantasy that blends magic, romance, and sharp social commentary. We meet Aya, a girl with a rare magical gift who secretly gives her power to her best friend to save his family’s status. That one choice pulls her into a darkly enchanting magic academy on remote islands inspired by Ireland’s castles and misty landscapes....
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What Happens When A Wish Breaks Your Family?
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this inspiring episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes author Celesta Rimington to talk about her powerful new middle grade novel “Reach.” Centered on a boy named Denver, Reach explores the complicated emotions that come with blended families, sibling tension, and the grief of losing the “old” version of your family. When a mysterious magical forest and an ancient talking tree transform Denver’s younger stepbrother into a tree, Denver is forced to confront his unspoken wishes and big feelings about change, loss, and love. Celesta shares how her own...
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Can Astronauts Be Black?
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this inspiring episode of the Reading With Your Kids podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with former Major League Baseball player turned artist and author Micah Johnson to talk about his powerful new middle grade novel, Aku: Journey to Ibra. Micah shares how a casual comment during spring training with the Los Angeles Dodgers unexpectedly launched his art career, eventually leading him to create Aku, a Black kid in an astronaut helmet inspired by his nephew’s question, “Can astronauts be Black?” What began as a painting grew into 3D art, public sculptures, and now a fast‑paced,...
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Love Over Blood
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this heartwarming episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed Doherty welcomes Brooklyn teacher and award-winning author Torrey Maldonado to celebrate his debut picture book “Just Right.” Torrey shares the deeply personal story behind the book: his relationship with his niece, whom he helped raise and who later asked him to walk her down the aisle because he had been “the only dad” she’d ever known. That love and chosen-family bond lives at the center of Just Right. Torrey and Jed talk about how love doesn’t have to be biological to be real or powerful, and how kids can find their...
info_outlineJoin us for an engaging episode where we welcome acclaimed children’s authors Chris Grabenstein and Joy Stephenson Laws to discuss their latest inspiring books—Ms. Penny Pickles Puzzle Quest and Secrets That Sparkle, Secrets That Sting. Host Jed Doherty leads a lively conversation packed with insights on igniting children’s love of reading, boosting literacy, and creating strong family connections through storytelling.
Chris Grabenstein, bestselling author known for the Mr. Lemoncello series, shares the inside scoop behind his new middle grade adventure, Ms. Penny Pickles Puzzle Quest. Explore how puzzles, humor, and relatable characters captivate even the most reluctant readers, and discover how family themes are woven into exciting journeys across Route 66.
Joy Stephenson Laws opens up about her heartfelt picture book, Secrets That Sparkle, Secrets That Sting. She reveals the importance of emotional safety for kids, the challenges parents face in supporting open communication, and practical tips for fostering trust at home. Joy’s personal experiences as a parent and attorney shine through as she guides listeners toward healthier conversations with their children.
Whether you’re a parent, educator, or children’s book lover, this episode is packed with actionable advice on literacy, parenting, and emotional wellness. Discover tools and strategies to nurture young readers and help children express their feelings safely. Don’t miss this vibrant discussion with Chris Grabenstein and Joy Stephenson Laws—perfect for anyone passionate about supporting children’s growth.