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
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
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
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
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
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!
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
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
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
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...
info_outlineIf 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 schools have, which allows them to tailor their curriculum and approach to best serve their students.
One of the biggest challenges facing Legacy College Prep is the high number of students who are performing two or more grade levels behind when they enroll. But Summer and her team are laser-focused on building reading habits and providing extra support to help these students catch up and thrive.
Beyond academics, Summer also discusses the importance of rebuilding the partnership between schools and families, especially after the pandemic disrupted in-person interactions. She shares how Legacy College Prep is working to bring parents back into the school community.
Jed and Summer also touch on the nationwide teacher shortage and Legacy College Prep's efforts to ensure they're fully staffed and able to provide the best possible education.
But the real heart of this episode lies in Legacy College Prep's commitment to college preparation and making higher education accessible and affordable for their students. Summer explains the school's partnerships with universities and their focus on guiding families through the financial aid process. The episode takes an exciting turn when Jed welcomes back Antony Kolenc and Leslea Wahl, from the Catholic Teen Authors group. They discuss their latest anthology, "Shadows, Visible and Invisible," which explores the Catholic traditions surrounding All Hallows' Eve, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day. Tony and Leslea share the collaborative process of creating these anthologies and the importance of preserving and sharing these rich cultural and faith-based stories with young readers. They encourage listeners to check out the Catholic Teen Books website to discover more inspiring, wholesome books for teens, and to support local independent bookstores by requesting the anthology. It's clear that the Catholic Teen Authors are on a mission to provide teens with literature that nourishes both the mind and the spirit.
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