Cuddly Pandas & Chaotic Chickens
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Welcome to a heartwarming episode of Reading With Your Kids! Join host Jed Doherty as he sits down with talented authors CS Jennings and Nancy Tavares to explore the creative magic behind their latest children’s books, Whoa Panda and Chicken Coop Chaos. Discover how CS Jennings found inspiration in his sister’s larger-than-life dog and meaningful moments with children to create a lovable panda character, learning how the illustration process and story evolved together. Next, meet Nancy Tavares as she shares her experiences from 30 years teaching reading and how those lessons led to the...
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From Christmas Trees to Ospreys: Celebrating Imagination in Children’s Books
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Join us for a heartwarming episode of the Reading With Your Kids podcast, where we dive into the magic and legacy of beloved children’s books! First, host Jed Doherty welcomes John Barry, son of Robert Barry, the creative mind behind the timeless classic “Mr. Willoughby’s Christmas Tree.” John shares touching memories of his father’s artistic journey and introduces “Mr. Willoughby’s Head Over Heels, Christmas,” a delightful new holiday story sure to enchant families for generations. Next, we meet children’s author Adrienne Palma, creator of “Oakley the Osprey” and the...
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Navigating Screens & Skies
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Join us for a captivating episode of the Reading With Your Kids podcast featuring two inspiring authors who empower families through knowledge and storytelling! First, Dr. Brad Marshall, a leading expert on childhood screen and gaming disorders, shares actionable advice from his new middle-grade book, “Do Not Disturb.” Dr. Brad discusses the dangers of excessive screen time, the importance of healthy digital boundaries, and practical tips for parents navigating technology with their kids. Learn how his evidence-based approach helps families build healthier tech habits. Next, children’s...
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From Courage To Compassion
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Join us on this heartwarming episode of Reading With Your Kids as we welcome two inspiring children’s authors! Paige Murray stops by to celebrate her picture book, “Rosie’s Ranch Rescue.” Paige shares stories straight from her Texas ranch, featuring real animals and adventures that teach kids about compassion, bravery, and the value of family. Discover how Paige’s daughter, Oakley, and their gentle giant, Rosie the Clydesdale, sparked this fun-filled, meaningful series. Next, we’re joined by Ta'Shay Mason, a veteran, social worker, and author of the “A Child’s Journey...
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Bionic Boy & Book Loving Ghosts
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this captivating episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty explores the transformative power of children's literature through conversations with two remarkable authors who are reshaping storytelling for young readers. First, award-winning author Lynn Plourde discusses her groundbreaking middle-grade novel, "The Bionic Boy." The book follows Benji, an 11-year-old adopted boy born without hands, who discovers the true meaning of heroism and self-acceptance. Inspired by her 21-year career as a speech therapist, Plourde crafts a compassionate narrative that celebrates children with...
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Parenting Without The Bubble Wrap
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this heartwarming episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty explores the power of children's literature with two remarkable authors who are changing how we understand personal challenges and differences. First, Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt shares her touching picture book "Kat and Brandy," a story inspired by her own childhood experience with horseback riding. After being thrown from a horse, Katherine learned the transformative power of patience, healing, and animal therapy. Her book celebrates overcoming fears and building confidence, offering parents a beautiful tool to...
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A Tale Of Two Species
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this delightful episode of "Reading with Your Kids," host Jed Doherty explores two fascinating children's books that go far beyond simple storytelling. First, Leokadia George shares the incredible story of Trumpet, a Mexican gray wolf from the Wolf Conservation Center. Trumpet isn't just any wolf - she's a critically important member of a species that was once down to just seven wolves worldwide. George's book series follows Trumpet's life, highlighting conservation efforts and the importance of protecting endangered species. Her latest book, "Trumpet Becomes a Mom," chronicles Trumpet's...
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Reading Beyond Boundaries: Stories of Courage and Imagination
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this delightful episode of "Reading with Your Kids," host Jed Doherty sits down with two remarkable authors who are changing the landscape of children's literature through powerful storytelling. First up is Christie Mandin, who introduces her charming character Millie Fleur. In her latest book, "Millie Fleur Saves the Night," Mandin explores themes of community, difference, and courage through the lens of a quirky character living in Garden Glen, a neighborhood where conformity is king. Mandin shares her own experiences of not fitting into traditional "boxes" and how this inspired her...
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Coloring Outside Of The Lines
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Get ready for a double dose of middle-grade magic! In this exciting episode of Reading with Your Kids, Jed Doherty takes listeners on two incredible literary adventures. First up, Rachel Renee Russell and her daughter Nikki dive into the colorful world of Dork Diaries. What started as a black and white series in 2009 has transformed into a vibrant, eye-catching experience. Nikki shared the mind-blowing coloring process, which involves up to 300 layers per image, creating a Pixar-style visual feast that took three years to complete. Then, Jed switches gears to chat with Max Braillier about The...
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I Can Make A Difference With My Stories
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In an exciting episode of Reading with Your Kids, filmmaker Morgan Stevenson Cooper shares a powerful message about children's creativity and empowerment through his debut picture book, "I Can Make a Movie". This inspiring conversation explores how modern technology and storytelling can transform young minds. Cooper's book follows Nora Rose, a young girl making her first film with her brother and cousins, highlighting the incredible opportunity children now have to create movies using devices in their pockets. Beyond just filmmaking, the book teaches critical life skills like decision-making,...
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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