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Magical Creatures & Cultural Connections

Reading With Your Kids Podcast

Release Date: 09/24/2024

Exploring Native American Experiences Through Children's Books show art Exploring Native American Experiences Through Children's Books

Reading With Your Kids Podcast

Hey Families! Join the Reading With Your Kids Podcast at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair - November 9 & 10. Use promo code READ to save big on tickets! On the latest episode of the "Reading with Your Kids" podcast, host Jed Doherty had the pleasure of speaking with two talented authors about their new children's books that explore important cultural themes. First up was Violet Duncan, author of the middle-grade novel "Buffalo Dreamer." Violet shared how the book was inspired by the recent discoveries of unmarked graves at former residential schools in Canada, which deeply impacted her and...

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Resilience, Empathy, and Hope show art Resilience, Empathy, and Hope

Reading With Your Kids Podcast

Join The Reading With Your Kids Podcast At The Chicago Toy & Game Fair - November 9 & 10. Use the promo code READ to save big on tickets! On the latest episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast, host Jed Doherty had the pleasure of chatting with three inspiring guests - author Shannon Stocker, her daughter Cassidy, and children's book writer Amulya Veldanda Vadali. The conversation covered some heavy but important topics, all delivered with warmth and authenticity.   Shannon joined Jed to discuss her new young adult novel "Stronger at the Seams," which tackles themes of...

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The Daggers Of Ire show art The Daggers Of Ire

Reading With Your Kids Podcast

Looking For A Family Event You and Your Kids Will Love? Be sure to join the Reading With Your Kids Podcast at the 2024 Chicago Toy & Game Fair, Nov. 9 & 10! Please visit and use the promo code READ to save on tickets! If you're a fan of middle-grade fantasy with a unique cultural twist, you'll love chatting with author JC Cervantes about her latest book, "The Daggers of Ire." JC is no stranger to the "Reading with Your Kids" podcast, and it was a delight to have her back on the show to dive into the magical world she's created. "The Daggers of Ire" follows the story of Esme Santiago,...

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Bridging Cultures, One Book at a Time show art Bridging Cultures, One Book at a Time

Reading With Your Kids Podcast

Join the Reading With Your Kids Podcast at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair, November 9 & 10. Go to and use the pormo code READ to save on tickets! In this delightful episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty chats with the dynamic duo behind Bitty Boa - Lulu Cheng and Lacey Benard. These former elementary school teachers have embarked on a fascinating journey, creating Chinese bilingual books and toys that celebrate culture and language. Lulu and Lacey share the unexpected origins of Bitty Boa, which started with a late-night text about a "no-time hobby" and blossomed into a...

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Passion, Perseverance, and Parenting show art Passion, Perseverance, and Parenting

Reading With Your Kids Podcast

Join The Reading With Your Kids Podcast at the 2024 Chicago Toy & Game Fair, November 9 & 10. Use the promo code READ at checkout to save on tickets! Hey there, fellow book lovers! If you're looking for some heartwarming and inspiring stories from the world of children's books, you've come to the right place. On this episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast, host Jed Doherty had the pleasure of chatting with three amazing authors who are making waves in the industry. First up, we met Rachel Loftspring, the author of "Mila the Maker and the 200 Piece Jigsaw Puzzle." Rachel shared...

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Laughter, Heart and Hands On Learning show art Laughter, Heart and Hands On Learning

Reading With Your Kids Podcast

Hey there fellow book lovers! In this episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty had the pleasure of chatting with two talented children's authors - Bruce Hale and Anne Marie Riley Guertin.  First up, Jed welcomed  Bruce Hale, the author of the delightfully goofy "Outer Space Mystery Pizza Club" book series. Bruce shared the fun premise behind these illustrated chapter books, which follow a brother and sister chasing their mischievous dog through a portal to an alien planet. As a former reluctant reader himself, Bruce explained his passion for writing silly, action-packed...

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Creativity, Community & Civic Duty show art Creativity, Community & Civic Duty

Reading With Your Kids Podcast

Join the Reading With Your Kids Podcast at the Chicago Toy and Game Fair - November 9 & 10. Use promo code READ at check out to save on tickets! On the latest episode of the Reading With Your Kids podcast, host Jed Doherty had the pleasure of speaking with two talented children's book authors and illustrators - Jacob Grant and Wade Hudson.  Jacob Grant shared the inspiration behind his delightful new picture book "Umami," which follows a penguin who ventures out to try all kinds of exciting new foods. Jacob drew from his own experiences as a parent, noting how his kids' diverse tastes...

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Overcoming Self Doubt and Finding Your Voice show art Overcoming Self Doubt and Finding Your Voice

Reading With Your Kids Podcast

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed Doherty chats with children's book author Jodi Meltzer about her latest release, "Your Face Lights Up the World." Jodi shares the inspiring story behind this certified great read, which focuses on themes of self-esteem and self-acceptance. Jodi explains how this book was a departure from her previous works, which were rooted in grief. This time, she let her imagination run free, resulting in a heartwarming tale about fraternal twins Harper and Hunter. When Hunter makes an insensitive comment about Harper's freckles, it sets her on a journey of...

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Breaking Barriers & Building Futures show art Breaking Barriers & Building Futures

Reading With Your Kids Podcast

If you're passionate about education and supporting underserved communities, you'll love this episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast. Jed Doherty sits down with Summer Schneider, the head of school at Legacy College Prep, a charter school in the South Bronx that's making a big difference in the lives of its students. Summer shares the inspiring mission of Legacy College Prep - to ensure all students have access to opportunities after high school, whether that's college or other paths like trade schools or the military. She explains the unique autonomy and flexibility that charter...

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Howl-ingly Good Fun: Exploring the Chicago Toy and Game Fair and the Trumpet the Wolf Pup Series show art Howl-ingly Good Fun: Exploring the Chicago Toy and Game Fair and the Trumpet the Wolf Pup Series

Reading With Your Kids Podcast

Hey there, reading fans! If you're looking for a fun-filled family weekend, you won't want to miss the upcoming Chicago Toy and Game Fair. Our good friend Mary Couzins, the founder of this amazing event, joined us on the show to give us all the exciting details.  But that's not all - we also had the pleasure of chatting with author Leokatia George about her Trumpet the Miracle Wolf Pup book series. Leokatia shared the inspiring true story behind the main character, Trumpet, a critically endangered Mexican gray wolf who was a surprise addition to the Wolf Conservation Center's breeding...

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More Episodes

In this episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast, host Jed Doherty chats with two talented authors who are bringing diverse stories and cultural perspectives to young readers. 
First up, Jed introduces Deeba Zargarpur,, the author of the new middle-grade novel "Farrah Noorzad and the Ring of Fate." Deeba shares how her own Afghan heritage inspired the story of a 12-year-old girl who discovers her jinn (supernatural being) lineage and goes on an epic quest. Deeba discusses the cultural significance of jinn in her upbringing and how she wanted to create a fun, magical world that also explores deeper themes of family, identity, and moral complexity.
Next, Jed welcomes David Flores, author of "The Boy Who Cried Falta." As a soccer coach, David was inspired by the common tendency of players to fake injuries, which led him to put a creative spin on the classic "Boy Who Cried Wolf" tale. David shares his own passion for the sport, which took root in his childhood in El Salvador and continued to be a source of community and belonging after he immigrated to the US as a teenager. 
Both Deeba and David emphasize the importance of representation in children's literature, and how their books provide windows into diverse cultures while also serving as mirrors for young readers to see themselves reflected. They discuss the value of co-reading with families and the meaningful conversations that can arise around themes of morality, identity, and the immigrant experience.
With engaging storytelling and a focus on cultural connections, this episode of Reading with Your Kids is a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone who appreciates the power of diverse, imaginative children's literature.

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