How Fantasy and Realism Can Educate and Inspire Young Readers
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Release Date: 04/26/2024
All Aboard The Book Bus!
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Let's hop on the Book Bus! Brian Wray and Mike Helm are on this episode of #ReadingWithYourKIds to celebrate The Book Bus, their new children's book.which tells the story of Tilly the book bus who delivers books to children. They told us the book was inspired by the real life book bus organization. Taylor Hintermann then discussed her debut picture book "Kipps Funny Little Feet" about a boy learning to walk with leg braces. She talked about how she wanted to promote inclusion for children with disabilities or special needs. Next, Joren Cull celebrated his book "I Am Book" about a book...
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Addressing The Root Cause Of Teen Substance Use
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
This episode of Reading With Your Kids takes a deep dive into a wide range of topics related to parenting, education, and children's health. Richard Capriola, an expert in adolescent substance abuse, discussed the importance of educating parents on the warning signs of drug and alcohol use in teens with our RWYK intern Kayla Nuehlen. He emphasized that knowledge is key to early intervention. Richard and Kayla discussed how schools could incorporate neuroscience into drug education to make it more engaging for students. Teen drug use rates in the US were examined, noting that many teens...
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If Fish Could Bark
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
On this episode of #ReadingWithYourKids we answer wie explore puppy love and Bubble troubles. Alexandra Horowitz, celebrates her new book The Year of the Puppy. She discussed her career studying dog behavior and cognition. She explained how dogs were domesticated from wolves over thousands of years through selective breeding. Horowitz also talked about common misconceptions people have about dogs, like thinking they form dominance hierarchies like wolves. Later in the episode Ellwyn Autumn returns to celebrate her new picture book, A Fish Named Fancy. The book is about a boy fish named...
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How NOT To Bubble Wrap Your Kids
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
On this episode of #ReadingWithYourKids we celebrate the stories from Tyra Juliette Schwartz, Kalle Sudoof & Jenna Margon. We begin our celebration with a powerful conversation with Tyra Juliette Schwartz about her new kids' book "The Sky is Red". Tyra tells us this book teaches self-trust through a fun superhero story. She emphasized the importance of instilling inner strength and resilience in children to believe in themselves despite challenges. We then speak with . Kale Sudoff and his book "Stuart Quills and his Explosive Emotions" that explores a character dealing with change...
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Discover Your Inner Strength: Authors Share Journeys of Healing from Trauma
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
This episode of Reading with Your Kids features conversations about children's literature, mental health, and self-acceptance. Guests William Hartwick and Francine Davila discuss their memoirs exploring personal journeys of healing through difficult life experiences. Hartwick shares how writing helped him process trauma and find self-love, represented through the metaphor of an "Invisible Backpack" carrying emotional burdens. Helen Wu of Yeehoo Press discusses selecting books appealing to audiences in both the US and China, noting cultural differences in topics. Her company focuses on themes...
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How Fantasy and Realism Can Educate and Inspire Young Readers
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Rajani LaRocca, Shannon Hitchcock and Amie Darnell Specht are on this episode of #ReadingWithYourKids to celebrate the power of story. We begin the episode by welcoming Rajani LaRocca back to the show. She is celebrating her new middle grade fantasy novel, Sona and the Golden Beasts. Rajani explained the setting and characters, including Sona who discovers an injured wolf pup and goes on a quest to save her mentor. Jedlie asked Rajani about her writing process. She said she started with the emotions of indignation and affection for marginalized people. They discussed how media has agendas and...
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Journey to the Jungle of Individuality
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Three fascinating guests on this epsiode of Reading With Your Kids. First up is Jennifer Nestor, author of "Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality". This book uses animal characters to help a young girl embrace her unique traits. Jane Smith's book "Teddy's Bear Takes a Tumble" shows a boy caring for his stuffed bear like his caring father cares for him, passing kindness through generations. Both authors emphasized the importance of embracing individuality and positive role models. We discussed creating children's books that address difficult topics through enjoyable...
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Finding Magic In Books, Inspiring Kids' Imaginations
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
This episode of Reading with Your Kids featured conversations with several authors celebrating books and literacy. Jenna James discussed her Mozzarella book series, which draws inspiration from her travels between Ireland and Italy. The stories follow cheese-named characters on adventures throughout the world in search of happiness. James emphasizes exposing children to other cultures through her bilingual books and interactive activities. Jenny Murray joins us from the International Children's Book Festival in Bologna, Italy. She has been attending the festival for over twenty years,...
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Spakring Meaningful Conversations With Kids Through Stories
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
This episode of #ReadingWithYourKids features author and animator Sean Charmatz and Rawandan author and publisher Gasani Mutesi, Sean Charmatz joins us to celebrate his Bubble Cat series of picture books. Sean discusses how his character Bubble Cat learns strength, confidence and resilience despite appearing fragile. He reflected on how becoming a father influenced his storytelling perspective. We met Gasana Mutesi at the International Children's Book Festival in Bologna, Italy. Gasana emphasized how reading with children is important for building character, bonding and sparking conversations...
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Reading Aloud, A Tradition Reimagined To Help Families Grow Closer
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
This is a fun episode of Reading With Your Kids. We first chat with Bob Shea and Jarvis, author & illustrator of the #ChildrensBook "Oh, Are You Awake?". They discuss their creative process, from initially connecting online in 2019 to illustrate the story, despite never meeting. Jarvis shares enjoying the freedom of illustration in children's books compared to more realistic work. They emphasize writing simply to entertain themselves first. We then literally travel to the International Children's Book Festival In Bologna, Italy to meet Melissa Wakhu, founder of Soul Kids Africa publishing...
info_outlineRajani LaRocca, Shannon Hitchcock and Amie Darnell Specht are on this episode of #ReadingWithYourKids to celebrate the power of story. We begin the episode by welcoming Rajani LaRocca back to the show. She is celebrating her new middle grade fantasy novel, Sona and the Golden Beasts. Rajani explained the setting and characters, including Sona who discovers an injured wolf pup and goes on a quest to save her mentor.
Jedlie asked Rajani about her writing process. She said she started with the emotions of indignation and affection for marginalized people. They discussed how media has agendas and the importance of parents talking with their kids about the media they consume. Rajani also shared details about the magic system in her book being collective magic formed through music and connection.
Next, Shannon Hitchcock and Amie Darnell Specht joined to discuss their new novel Dancing in the Storm. Shannon explained the story is about 12-year-old Kate who has been diagnosed with Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva (FOP). Amie further described FOP as a rare genetic disorder where the body forms sheets of bone over muscles, joints and ligaments.
Amie shared her experience growing up with FOP, including adaptations her parents allowed to let her be a kid as long as possible. Shannon then told how she learned of Amie's condition and decided to write a book together about a girl learning to live with FOP. They discussed the challenges of collaborating virtually during COVID-19.