The Healing Garden, Helping Kids Face Cancer With Courage And Hope
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
It’s been said that you spend the first forty years of your life looking forward, and the last forty looking back—from death toward your life. But what if you never get the chance to look forward? Imagine being young and told you may only have a year to live. All around you, you see people living the life you’ve been cheated out of. How would that feel? How could you find hope in that? These are the feelings and questions that children with cancer—and those who love and support them—face every day. Jed Doherty sat down with two powerful experts to discuss exactly that on a new...
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Writing From The Parts That Hurt
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode, Jed welcomes author James Ponti to talk about Europa, book seven in his bestselling City Spies series. James shares the irresistible premise: a British secret agent known as Mother adopts kids from around the world—each with a special talent and a code name based on their home city—and raises them as a family of spies. In Europa, explosives expert Sydney returns to the spotlight as the main character, caught between questions of trust and a terrifying villainous group called Umbra, whose leader is trying to hold Europe hostage from prison. James explains the challenge and...
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600% More Prescriptions: What’s Happening to Kids in the Age of GLP‑1s?
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
On this episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes Dr. Lauren Hartman, adolescent medicine physician and author of Freeing Children and Young Adults from Shame, Scales, and Stigma. Dr. Hartman dives deep into how diet culture, weight stigma, and even well‑meaning doctors can unintentionally harm kids and teens. She explains how a simple directive like “you need to lose weight” can trigger restrictive eating, eating disorders, and lifelong shame—especially in vulnerable young people. Dr. Hartman offers practical scripts parents can use with doctors, family members, and...
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Years of Frustration, One Daily Challenge Changed Everything
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Join us for a delightful episode featuring acclaimed picture book creators Marla Frazee and Julie Fogliano as they take us behind the scenes of their newest collaboration, “Because of a Shoe.” Host Jed Doherty leads a warm, insightful conversation exploring the magic that happens when author and illustrator unite to craft memorable children’s books. Julie shares the heartfelt inspiration behind her story—rooted in her own childhood and experiences as a mom dealing with the “shoe struggle”—and reveals how writing “Because of a Shoe” was both therapeutic and hilarious. Marla...
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Tina Turner’s Story Reimagined for Kids
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Dive into an inspiring episode celebrating the legacy of Tina Turner, the Queen of Rock & Roll, through the eyes of debut author Ebony Lynn Mudd. In this lively conversation, host Jed Doherty welcomes Ebony as she shares the story behind her picture book, “Just Like Tina,” inspired by Tina Turner’s extraordinary life and generational impact. Listeners will hear how music brings families together, with Ebony recalling childhood memories dancing to Tina’s hits alongside her son and mother, underscoring how iconic artists unite people of all ages. The episode delves into why Ebony...
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You Won’t Believe How a Tiny Mantis is Transforming Kids’ Lives!
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Dive into this inspiring episode featuring Mariana Gordon and Sondra Bakinde, the dynamic duo behind The Meditating Mantis—a captivating new children’s book series designed to teach mindfulness, breathing, and emotional resilience to kids and their families. With backgrounds in school psychology (Mariana) and art and storytelling (Sondra), these mindful moms created the character Mio the mantis to help children explore emotions, master calming techniques, and embrace the true power of stillness. Their mission? To make mindfulness magical, accessible, and fun for both children and adults,...
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Victorian Weirdness, Mobster Birds, and the Power of Comics
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Step into a world where mad scientists roam the foggy streets of Victorian London! In this engaging episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes acclaimed author and illustrator S.H. Cotugno to dive into the hit graphic novel series, The Glass Scientists. Cotugno takes listeners behind the scenes of her creative process, revealing how classic Gothic fiction, quirky 19th-century science, and a mother’s passion for English literature inspired the tale of Dr. Jekyll and his band of eccentric inventors. Discover how The Glass Scientists explores themes of identity, weirdness, and...
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How One Woman Turned Little Women Into A Murder Mystery
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Join us for a vibrant episode packed with creativity, inspiration, and innovation! First, we welcome YA author Katie Bernet as she shares the behind-the-scenes story of her debut novel, “Beth is Dead.” Katie’s book delivers a thrilling, modern-day twist on the classic “Little Women,” reimagining the March sisters in a murder mystery set in contemporary Massachusetts. Katie reveals her creative process, how her real-life sisters inspired key moments, and the unexpected challenges of bringing these beloved literary characters to life for a new generation. Plus, discover what’s next...
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The Magic Of Diwali
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Join host Jed Doherty on this special episode as he welcomes acclaimed author Annie Agarwal to discuss her celebrated picture book, “The Magic of Diwali with Sarah.” Annie shares the inspiration behind her book and explains the significance of Diwali, a major festival of lights celebrated across South Asia. Listeners will gain insight into how Diwali symbolizes the victory of good over evil through the lighting of traditional clay lamps (dias) and the storytelling passed down through generations. Annie also candidly discusses the challenges and joys of celebrating Diwali and preserving...
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Creativity & Pancakes
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
On this special episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes two inspiring guests—Cheri Sterman, Senior Director of Education for Crayola, and celebrated children’s author Carrie Finison. Together, they spark a lively conversation about nurturing creativity in children through reading, art, and family traditions. Cheri dives into Crayola Creativity Week, a free global celebration that encourages families, schools, and libraries to blend literacy and art. She shares practical tips for making storytime interactive—like designing new book covers or staging a puppet show...
info_outlineIn this engaging episode of the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast we meet Shannon Hale, author of the graphic novel trilogy memoir consisting of "Real Friends," "Best Friends," and "Friends Forever." Hale explains that her autobiographical books delve into the challenges she faced growing up, focusing on friendships and her struggle with undiagnosed anxiety and OCD. The trilogy covers different phases of her childhood, providing insights into the intricate dynamics of friendships during various stages. The audio version of "Best Friends" is celebrated as an innovative approach to sharing these stories, offering a unique opportunity for families to listen together and spark meaningful conversations about mental health, friendship, and growing up. Hale discusses the transformational age of sixth grade, highlighting the significant changes in social dynamics, power shifts, and emotional intensity that occur during this transitional period. She emphasizes the importance of stories in helping kids understand that their experiences are shared by others, creating a sense of empathy and validation. Jedlie and Hale delve into the complexities of OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), detailing how it generates persistent, distressing thoughts and compulsive behaviors. They also reflect on how times have changed in terms of discussing mental health openly and seeking help, as compared to Hale's own experience as a child when such conversations were scarce. The episode also touches upon the power of audiobooks in family settings, as the full cast narration of "Best Friends" provides a shared experience that leads to insightful discussions between children and adults. It explores how audiobooks offer a convenient way to consume stories together while encouraging conversations on important topics like mental health, friendship struggles, and the challenges of adolescence. In addition to sharing information about Hale's work, the episode showcases the value of audiobooks as a tool for fostering family connections and promoting open dialogue about real-life experiences.
Click here to visit Shannon's Website - https://shannonhale.com/
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