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Remembering Our Roots; Dia de los Muertos Comes to Life

Reading With Your Kids Podcast

Release Date: 10/11/2024

Whimsical Worlds & Authentic Affirmations show art Whimsical Worlds & Authentic Affirmations

Reading With Your Kids Podcast

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids host Jed Doherty had a chance to  catch up with he queen of whimsy, Sheri Fink. Sheri told us all about her latest children's book, Magenta. This 17th book from Sheri is truly special - it features elaborate illustrations and a mesmerizing holographic rainbow gold cover that dances in the light.  Sheri shared the creative process behind Magenta's stunning visuals, explaining how she collaborated with her printer to bring her vision to life. "I wanted something really special, not just a basic gold foil," Sheri told us. After seeing samples,...

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Sailing The Seas Of Literacy show art Sailing The Seas Of Literacy

Reading With Your Kids Podcast

Ahoy, mateys! This episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast is a treasure trove of inspiration and adventure. We're setting sail with two incredible guests who are using their passions to inspire the next generation of readers and STEM enthusiasts. First up, we've got the one and only Jennifer Swanson, our "Admiral of Adventure" and the "Dean of all things STEM and STEAM." Jennifer is here to tell us all about her brand new book, "Up Periscope," which shines a light on the incredible story of Ray Montague - a pioneering female engineer who revolutionized ship design for the Navy....

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Helping Your Kids Uncover and Embrace Their Remarkable Selves show art Helping Your Kids Uncover and Embrace Their Remarkable Selves

Reading With Your Kids Podcast

On this episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty had the pleasure of speaking with three talented children's authors - Jackie Cano, Emily Jenkins, and Abigail Samson.  Jackie Cano shared the heartwarming story behind her book "Sabella Can Sew." Inspired by her own daughter, Jackie wanted to teach kids that they can overcome obstacles and try new things, even if they're challenging at first. She spoke about her own journey of learning to sew and how it sparked a love of the craft in her daughters. Jackie also discussed the unique sacrifices military families make, emphasizing...

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Jason Gray on Finding Faith and Overcoming Adversity show art Jason Gray on Finding Faith and Overcoming Adversity

Reading With Your Kids Podcast

In this episode, Jed Doherty had the pleasure of chatting with acclaimed singer-songwriter Jason Gray about his debut children's book "Sparrows." Jason shared the heartwarming story behind the book, which follows a young girl named Ellie who is learning to overcome her speech impediment and bullying.  Jason explained how the book's themes of faith, compassion, and finding inner strength were inspired by his own life experiences growing up with a speech handicap. He beautifully described how music first helped him connect with God's love, and how he hopes "Sparrows" can provide that same...

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Bringing Stories To Life For Readers Of All Abilities show art Bringing Stories To Life For Readers Of All Abilities

Reading With Your Kids Podcast

On this episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty had the pleasure of chatting with two passionate creators making waves in the children's book world.  First up was Richard Reiman, also known as the "Audiobook Wizard." Richard shared his mission to make children's books accessible to all, including those with visual impairments or other disabilities. He described how he adds rich audio descriptions to children's picture books, allowing blind and low-vision kids to fully experience the stories and illustrations.  "It's a whole different experience," Richard explained. "We...

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Underdogs, Resilience, and Mental Health show art Underdogs, Resilience, and Mental Health

Reading With Your Kids Podcast

In this uplifting episode, host Jed Doherty chats with two authors about their powerful new books that celebrate underdogs and shine a light on mental health challenges. First up is James Stafford, the author of "Unbelievable Underdogs and Rebellious Role Models." James shares how his book features 26 captivating stories of sports heroes from around the world who defied the odds and achieved remarkable feats. From the shocking 2015 Rugby World Cup upset by Japan to the inspiring tale of Paralympic athlete Kathleen Thomas, these tales are sure to motivate young readers. James explains how he...

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Dork Diaries! show art Dork Diaries!

Reading With Your Kids Podcast

If you're a fan of the beloved Dork Diaries series, you're in for a real treat! In this episode, host Jed Doherty sits down with the dynamic duo behind the books - Rachel Renee Russell and her daughter Nikki Russell.  Rachel and Nikki share the incredible journey of Dork Diaries, which has now reached 16 books and been translated into 45 languages across 52 countries. Jed even shares a fun story about stumbling upon the series in a bookshop in Ireland - talk about global reach! The two dive into the inspiration behind the latest book, "Tales from a Not So Bratty Sister," which explores...

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Inspiring Kids to Explore the World Through Reading show art Inspiring Kids to Explore the World Through Reading

Reading With Your Kids Podcast

The Chicago Toys And Game Fair is happeing this weekend! Visit and use the promo code READ to save big on tickets! If you're looking for a children's book that will spark your kid's imagination and love of reading, you'll want to check out "American Stonehenge: The Adventures of Jimmy and Andrew" by Mike Goldstein. In this delightful interview, Goldstein shares the inspiration behind his new fantasy series and how he's making history and geography fun for young readers. Goldstein explains that the book follows a young boy named Jimmy and his 3,000-year-old telepathic dog, Andrew, as they...

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Taming the Amygdala and Sparking Imagination show art Taming the Amygdala and Sparking Imagination

Reading With Your Kids Podcast

Join the Reading With Your Kids Podcast at this year's most exciting family event - The Chicago Toy & Game Fair! November 9 & 10. Visit and use the promo code READ to save big on tickets! In this episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast, host Jed Doherty had engaging conversations with two guests who are making a big impact in children's literature.  First, Jed spoke with Dr. Anna Housley Juster about her new picture book "How to Train Your Amygdala." As the former Sesame Street Content Director, Anna has a deep understanding of how to communicate complex topics to young...

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Failabrations, Behaavoir Savoirs and Jokey Jokes show art Failabrations, Behaavoir Savoirs and Jokey Jokes

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 at checck out to save big on tickets! Hey there, fellow book lovers! In this jam-packed episode of Reading with Your Kids, we had the pleasure of chatting with some amazing authors who are shaking up the KidLit  world. First up, we met Brad and Kristy Montague, the creative minds behind the delightful book "Failabration." This book was inspired by a real-life party the Montagues hosted, where successful people shared their stories of failure. As Brad and Kristy...

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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 way for families to remember and celebrate their ancestors. 
Mariana also opens up about her own experience immigrating to the US and the importance of passing down cultural heritage to her children. She beautifully describes the collaborative process of translating the book into Spanish, highlighting the nuances of working across languages.
Next, Jed chats with Jolene Gutierrez, co-author of "The Ofrenda We Built" - a touching story she created with her daughter Cheyenne during the pandemic. Jolene shares how the loss of her own father and the challenges of that time inspired them to craft a cumulative tale celebrating the layers of an ofrenda, or Dia de los Muertos altar. 
The mother-daughter duo's creative partnership shines through, as Jolene describes Cheyenne's musical ear and knack for rhythm helping to shape the rhyming text. Jed and Jolene also discuss the power of books that authentically represent diverse cultures, and the transformative experience of collaborating with family on a meaningful project.
Whether you're looking to introduce kids to new traditions or simply want an uplifting story about the bonds of family, this episode of Reading with Your Kids is sure to leave you feeling inspired.

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