Bringing Laughter to the Darkest Places: An Inside Look at Clowns Without Borders
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Release Date: 09/05/2024
Fostering Belonging & Confidence
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Looking for a fun family activity? Be sure to check out the Chicago Toy & Game Fair, November 9 & 10! Save on tickets by visiting and use the promo code READ! In this episode of Reading With Your Kids Jedlie welcomed children's author Kim Larson to chat about her early reader book, "Goats Boat Won't Float." Kim explained the key differences between picture books and early readers - picture books have more complex vocabulary, while early readers focus on simple, engaging stories that new readers can tackle on their own. Kim shared the inspiration behind her hilarious tale of a...
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Remembering Our Roots; Dia de los Muertos Comes to Life
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode, host Jed Doherty chats with two talented authors who are bringing diverse cultural traditions to life through their heartwarming children's books. First up, Jed welcomes Mariana Rios Ramirez, author of the picture book "Abuelita's Gift: A Dia de los Muertos Story." Mariana shares the inspiration behind her book, which follows a young girl named Julieta as she prepares to honor her beloved grandmother during the vibrant Dia de los Muertos celebration. Jed and Mariana dive into the rich history and traditions of this Mexican holiday, discussing how it provides a beautiful...
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Graphic Novels, Seaweed Soup & the Power of Shared Experiences
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Looking For A Fun Family Activity? Join the Reading With Your Kids Podcast at the 2024 Chicago Toy & Game Fair! Please visit and use the promo code READ to save on tickets. If you're a parent looking to ignite a passion for reading in your kids, this episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast is a must-listen! Host Jed Doherty sits down with two talented creators who are using the power of storytelling to celebrate diverse cultures and inspire young minds. First up, Jed chats with Brian Anderson, the author and illustrator behind the beloved Sophie Jurassic Bark and Sophie...
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Fostering Literacy, Inclusion and a Love of Learning
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Join the Reading With Your Kids Podcast at the 2024 Chicagor Toy & Game Fair! Super fun family event. Visit and use the promo code READ at check out to save on tickets. If you're looking for some inspiring stories about the importance of reading, representation, and getting kids involved in diverse activities, you'll love this episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast. Host Jed Doherty sits down with two amazing guests - Dr. Trude Haecker, the chairperson of the board for Reach Out and Read, and Nia, the author, creator of the "Exploring All I Can Do" book series. First, Dr....
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Empowering Female Voices in Scripture & Movement
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Reading With Your Kids Is Coming To The 2024 Chicago Toy & Game Fair - use the promo code READ at to save on tickets On this episode of Reading With Your Kids Jed Doherty has a great chat with the author and illustrator of the new book "The Book of Belonging: Bible Stories for Kind and Contemplative Kids." Mariko Clark and Rachel Eleanor shared how they created this special collection of Bible stories that highlight the courage and stories of the amazing women in Scripture. They wanted to provide a resource that would inspire young readers, especially girls, to see themselves in these...
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Unleashing Imagination With Stinky Stories
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
This episode of Reading with Your Kids is a must-listen for anyone who loves imaginative stories, hilarious character voices, and the magic of co-authoring. We're joined by the dynamic duo behind the "Stinky Stories" series, Chris Grabenstein and JJ Grabenstein, who take us on a delightful journey through their creative process. From the origins of their talking stuffed animal narrator, Stinky the skunk, to the irresistible charm of their fable retellings, these two creators clearly have a blast bringing their whimsical world to life. But it's not just the kids who will get a kick out of...
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How One Girl With Down Syndrome Is Changing The Narrative
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Hey there, fellow parents and book lovers! Jed Doherty is back with another great episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast, and this time he's got some truly inspiring guests to share. First up, Jed welcomes Shirley Lopez, the author of the children's picture book "Liz and the Heart Doctor." Shirley's daughter, Liz, was born with Down syndrome, and Shirley's books are all about celebrating Liz's journey and sharing her story in a positive, relatable way. Shirley opens up about the initial shock of Liz's diagnosis and the challenges they faced, like Liz's open-heart surgery as a...
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Snoodle Shenanigans and Heartwarming Mysteries
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Hey there, fellow book lovers! If you're looking for some fun and engaging reads for the kiddos, you're in the right place. The Reading with Your Kids podcast just had a blast chatting with two awesome authors - Steven Joseph and Meira Rosenberg. First up, we welcomed back Steven Joseph to talk about the latest book in his Snoodle series, "Snoodles in Space Escape from Zultraz." This wacky and imaginative series follows the adventures of Herbie Snoodleman and his trusty Snoodle vehicle, which runs on noodles instead of gas. In the new book, the Snoodle-verse gets even crazier as the kids try...
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Embracing Diversity & Imagination
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In the latest episodes of the "Reading with Your Kids" podcast, host Jed Doherty had the pleasure of chatting with two talented children's authors, Laura Lee Rittman and Helen Rogosin. Their insightful discussions touched on themes of diversity, emotional intelligence, and the power of storytelling to connect and inspire young readers. First, Jed welcomed Laura Lee Rittman, who shared the heartwarming story behind her book "Lucky Ruby." This delightful tale celebrates the richness of interfaith families, as Ruby invites a classmate to experience the joys of both Christmas and Hanukkah....
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Turning Bystanders Into Upstanders
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Jed Doherty sat down with Rebecca and Dan Burd, the brilliant minds behind the "Speak Life" program, and let me tell you, these two are on a mission! The Speak Life musical was born out of the aftermath of the Columbine tragedy, when the Burds realized bullying was a serious issue that needed to be addressed head-on. They didn't just want to slap a band-aid on it - they wanted to create something that would really empower students and make a lasting difference. The key? Targeting not just the bullies and victims, but the often-overlooked bystanders who make up the majority of the student...
info_outlineIn 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 children to simply be kids, even in the midst of profound hardship. Doherty and Cunningham explore the challenges and impact of this work, highlighting research that shows the healing power of laughter and play.
The conversation delves into the organization's efforts to bring clowning back home to the United States, focusing on vulnerable communities in cities like New York, Boston, and Chicago. Cunningham stresses the need to address the root causes of forced migration and provide laughter as a form of relief. Doherty underscores the positive impact of clowning on children, allowing them to experience joy and simply be kids.
The episode also features an interview with author Katie Lockwood, who shares the inspiration behind her children's book "Everyone's Invited" and its focus on representing different disabilities. Lockwood discusses the importance of inclusive representation, the need for more disability-focused children's books, and her upcoming projects that aim to celebrate diversity and spread awareness.
Throughout the episode, listeners are encouraged to support the work of Clowns Without Borders and Katie Lockwood's mission through donations and volunteering. The discussion emphasizes the power of laughter, play, and representation in fostering empathy, understanding, and healing for children and families facing adversity.
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