Tours, Turkeys, and Tiny Towns

In this heartwarming episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast, Jed welcomes author Sara Amini and illustrator Juana Medina to celebrate their beautiful new picture book, “Luisa at Your Service.” Inspired by Sara’s mother’s childhood in the small Colombian town of Salento, the story follows young Luisa, a spirited girl who guides international backpackers through her beloved community, proudly sharing its culture, joy, and sense of togetherness.

Sara explains how her mother’s memories of an open, trusting town—where “everyone knew each other and nobody locked their doors”—sparked the book. Seeing Juana’s finished illustrations was an emotional moment: Juana not only captured the spirit of Salento but quietly slipped in visual tributes to Sara’s family and history. For Sarah, this book is also a gift to her eight‑month‑old son, a way to connect him to his Colombian roots and show him that his family’s stories matter.

Juana shares how meaningful it was to honor Sara’s mother’s life while still bringing her own artistic vision, creating a kind of love letter to Colombia and to all who feel nostalgic for home. Together, they and Jed talk about books as mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors—helping children see themselves, encounter other cultures, and recognize our shared humanity.

In the second half of the episode, Jed is joined by author Becky Cerling Powers to discuss her picture book “Wherever I Go,” a child-friendly retelling of Psalm 139. Becky talks about kids learning through play, the power of rhyme and movement in faith formation, and why honoring children’s development—rather than rushing it—is crucial for raising joyful readers.