Navigating Loss, Friendship, and the Supernatural in Middle-Grade Fiction
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Release Date: 08/01/2024
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Today on Reading with Your Kids, we had the pleasure of chatting with not one, but two talented children's authors - Paolo Mazzucato and Jay Foreman. These guys really know how to spin a yarn that'll capture the hearts and imaginations of kids (and kids-at-heart) everywhere. First up, we welcomed back our old friend Paolo, who's celebrating the release of his middle-grade novel "AJ and the Incredible Fish." This heartwarming story follows a young boy named AJ who's not too thrilled about spending the weekend with his grandpa. But as you might expect, Grandpa's got some pretty wild fish tales...
info_outline Ghosts, Games & Growing Up!Reading With Your Kids Podcast
If you're a fan of interactive storytelling, pick-your-own-adventure books, or just good old-fashioned spooky tales, this episode of Reading with Your Kids is a must-listen! We had the pleasure of chatting with two talented authors who are bringing these genres to life for middle-grade readers. First up, we welcomed back PJ Hoover, the mastermind behind the "Pick Your Own Quest" book series. PJ shared the scoop on her latest release, "Castle of Doom" - a game book that lets readers choose their own path through a haunted castle, complete with inventory management and puzzle-solving. As an...
info_outline Meet The Cast Of Guardians Of The GameReading With Your Kids Podcast
In this special episode of "Reading with Your Kids," host Jed Doherty introduces listeners to the talented cast of the brand new podcast "Guardians of the Game." Set to debut on September 18, 2024, this show is the latest addition to the "Reading with Your Kids" family and promises an epic adventure for listeners of all ages. The cast includes Dungeon Master Josh, who explains the collaborative storytelling experience of Dungeons & Dragons, as well as players Chris, Ethan, Carpenter, and the absent but electric Nicole. Each character brings a unique personality to the game, from the...
info_outline Overcoming Challenges & Finding HopeReading With Your Kids Podcast
Hey there fellow book lovers! In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, we had the pleasure of chatting with two amazing authors who are using their books to make a real difference. First up, we spoke with Dagmara Sitek, the author of the Courage Tale series. Dagmara shared the inspiring story behind these books, which follow the journeys of resilient foster children. We learned how the tragic case of a young boy in Poland motivated Dagmara to create these uplifting tales, aiming to raise awareness about the challenges faced by kids in the foster system. Dagmara walked us through...
info_outline Rescue Dogs & Buried TreasureReading With Your Kids Podcast
In this captivating episode of the "Reading with Your Kids" podcast, host Jed Doherty welcomes two talented children's authors, Leia Barrett and Abbi Lee, to celebrate their engaging book series. Leia Barrett shares the inspiration behind her debut children's book, "The Odd Dog," the first in a series featuring a quirky, lovable mutt. Leia explains how she wanted to create an "every dog" character that readers could easily see their own pets in. She also discusses the importance of the "3/3/3 rule" for welcoming rescue dogs into a new home, emphasizing the need for patience, space, and empathy...
info_outline A Multigenerational Exploration Of ReadingReading With Your Kids Podcast
In this engaging episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes back beloved guests Nita Clark and her daughter Kathy Doherty to discuss their latest certified great read, "Danny's Reading Problem and the Fun He Had Fixing It." Nita shares the personal inspiration behind the book, drawing from her own experiences helping her son overcome reading challenges in the 1960s. She emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach, combining phonics and visual recognition, to make reading more accessible for all children. Kathy, the illustrator, provides a unique perspective on the...
info_outline Bringing Laughter to the Darkest Places: An Inside Look at Clowns Without BordersReading With Your Kids Podcast
In this special episode of the "Reading with Your Kids" podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with Tim Cunningham, the Interim Executive Director of Clowns Without Borders, to discuss the organization's mission of bringing laughter and joy to children and families experiencing adversity around the world. Cunningham explains how Clowns Without Borders sends professional performers - including clowns, actors, acrobats, and magicians - to war-torn regions, refugee camps, and areas impacted by natural disasters to provide a much-needed respite for children. He emphasizes the importance of allowing...
info_outline Monsters, Money & Military Moms!Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Hey there, fellow book lovers! This episode of Reading with Your Kids was jam-packed with some seriously awesome authors and their incredible books. Let me give you the scoop! First up, we had the delightful Lisa Maggiore, who's celebrating the release of the third book in her "Ava the Monster Slayer" graphic novel series. Ava and her friends are back for another adventure, this time taking on ghosts, monsters, and even a troop of gnomes during a sleepover at school. Lisa shared how her background as a social worker influenced the story, and how her talented cousin, Ross Felton, brought the...
info_outline Overcoming Anxiety, Building Confidence: Children's Books that EmpowerReading With Your Kids Podcast
Join us for an exciting episode of Reading with Your Kids as we dive into the wonderful world of children's books! We had the pleasure of chatting with three talented authors who are sharing their latest works and insights on engaging young readers. First up, we welcomed back the delightful Carrie Finison to discuss her new picture book, "Pigs Dig a Road." Carrie took us on a hilarious journey with a construction crew of pigs working to build a road to the county fair. We learned how Carrie drew inspiration from the iconic Richard Scarry books and made a conscious effort to feature a female...
info_outline Pumpkins, Pigs and Serving OthersReading With Your Kids Podcast
On this episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty had the pleasure of speaking with two talented children's book authors - Jean Huxtable Hammersky and Tina Neely. Jean shared the delightful story behind her book Parker's Pumpkin. She described how a young boy named Parker and his grandma plant a mysteriously large seed, only to watch it grow into a gigantic pumpkin that takes over their whole living room! Jean highlighted the intergenerational and community-building themes in the story, as the town comes together to celebrate the oversized gourd with a big pumpkin pie...
info_outlineIn this episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast, host Jed Doherty chats with three children's book authors about their latest works. First up is Kimberley Lovato, who discusses her new picture book "Pisa Loves Bella." The story follows the story of Bella, the beloved tower in Pisaa who learns to embrace her unique qualities after hearing unkind words about her appearance. Lovato shares how her own experiences with teasing inspired the book's themes of kindness, empathy, and the impact of words on children.
Next, Jed speaks with Frank Payne about his "Webster the Beagle" book series. Payne's latest installment, "Webster the Beagle and his Adventures at the River," focuses on the therapy dog's encounters with various river-dwelling creatures like ospreys, crabs, and oysters. Payne explains how he uses these animal interactions to educate young readers through fun facts and illustrations.
Finally, Jed interviews debut middle-grade author Lindsay Hobson about her spooky novel "The Girl in the Window." Hobson's 12-year-old protagonist, Izzy, must confront a mysterious girl after accidentally breaking a window. Hobson discusses the appeal of middle-grade horror, as well as the themes of loss, grief, and family dynamics that are explored in the book.
Throughout the episode, the guests share insights on the joys and challenges of traveling with kids, the importance of learning new languages, and the power of children's literature to foster empathy, curiosity, and meaningful conversations. Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply a lover of great storytelling, this episode of Reading with Your Kids is sure to inspire you to pick up a new book and share it with the young readers in your life.
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