The Healing Garden, Helping Kids Face Cancer With Courage And Hope
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
It’s been said that you spend the first forty years of your life looking forward, and the last forty looking back—from death toward your life. But what if you never get the chance to look forward? Imagine being young and told you may only have a year to live. All around you, you see people living the life you’ve been cheated out of. How would that feel? How could you find hope in that? These are the feelings and questions that children with cancer—and those who love and support them—face every day. Jed Doherty sat down with two powerful experts to discuss exactly that on a new...
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Writing From The Parts That Hurt
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode, Jed welcomes author James Ponti to talk about Europa, book seven in his bestselling City Spies series. James shares the irresistible premise: a British secret agent known as Mother adopts kids from around the world—each with a special talent and a code name based on their home city—and raises them as a family of spies. In Europa, explosives expert Sydney returns to the spotlight as the main character, caught between questions of trust and a terrifying villainous group called Umbra, whose leader is trying to hold Europe hostage from prison. James explains the challenge and...
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600% More Prescriptions: What’s Happening to Kids in the Age of GLP‑1s?
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
On this episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes Dr. Lauren Hartman, adolescent medicine physician and author of Freeing Children and Young Adults from Shame, Scales, and Stigma. Dr. Hartman dives deep into how diet culture, weight stigma, and even well‑meaning doctors can unintentionally harm kids and teens. She explains how a simple directive like “you need to lose weight” can trigger restrictive eating, eating disorders, and lifelong shame—especially in vulnerable young people. Dr. Hartman offers practical scripts parents can use with doctors, family members, and...
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Years of Frustration, One Daily Challenge Changed Everything
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Join us for a delightful episode featuring acclaimed picture book creators Marla Frazee and Julie Fogliano as they take us behind the scenes of their newest collaboration, “Because of a Shoe.” Host Jed Doherty leads a warm, insightful conversation exploring the magic that happens when author and illustrator unite to craft memorable children’s books. Julie shares the heartfelt inspiration behind her story—rooted in her own childhood and experiences as a mom dealing with the “shoe struggle”—and reveals how writing “Because of a Shoe” was both therapeutic and hilarious. Marla...
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Tina Turner’s Story Reimagined for Kids
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Dive into an inspiring episode celebrating the legacy of Tina Turner, the Queen of Rock & Roll, through the eyes of debut author Ebony Lynn Mudd. In this lively conversation, host Jed Doherty welcomes Ebony as she shares the story behind her picture book, “Just Like Tina,” inspired by Tina Turner’s extraordinary life and generational impact. Listeners will hear how music brings families together, with Ebony recalling childhood memories dancing to Tina’s hits alongside her son and mother, underscoring how iconic artists unite people of all ages. The episode delves into why Ebony...
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You Won’t Believe How a Tiny Mantis is Transforming Kids’ Lives!
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Dive into this inspiring episode featuring Mariana Gordon and Sondra Bakinde, the dynamic duo behind The Meditating Mantis—a captivating new children’s book series designed to teach mindfulness, breathing, and emotional resilience to kids and their families. With backgrounds in school psychology (Mariana) and art and storytelling (Sondra), these mindful moms created the character Mio the mantis to help children explore emotions, master calming techniques, and embrace the true power of stillness. Their mission? To make mindfulness magical, accessible, and fun for both children and adults,...
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Victorian Weirdness, Mobster Birds, and the Power of Comics
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Step into a world where mad scientists roam the foggy streets of Victorian London! In this engaging episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes acclaimed author and illustrator S.H. Cotugno to dive into the hit graphic novel series, The Glass Scientists. Cotugno takes listeners behind the scenes of her creative process, revealing how classic Gothic fiction, quirky 19th-century science, and a mother’s passion for English literature inspired the tale of Dr. Jekyll and his band of eccentric inventors. Discover how The Glass Scientists explores themes of identity, weirdness, and...
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How One Woman Turned Little Women Into A Murder Mystery
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Join us for a vibrant episode packed with creativity, inspiration, and innovation! First, we welcome YA author Katie Bernet as she shares the behind-the-scenes story of her debut novel, “Beth is Dead.” Katie’s book delivers a thrilling, modern-day twist on the classic “Little Women,” reimagining the March sisters in a murder mystery set in contemporary Massachusetts. Katie reveals her creative process, how her real-life sisters inspired key moments, and the unexpected challenges of bringing these beloved literary characters to life for a new generation. Plus, discover what’s next...
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The Magic Of Diwali
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Join host Jed Doherty on this special episode as he welcomes acclaimed author Annie Agarwal to discuss her celebrated picture book, “The Magic of Diwali with Sarah.” Annie shares the inspiration behind her book and explains the significance of Diwali, a major festival of lights celebrated across South Asia. Listeners will gain insight into how Diwali symbolizes the victory of good over evil through the lighting of traditional clay lamps (dias) and the storytelling passed down through generations. Annie also candidly discusses the challenges and joys of celebrating Diwali and preserving...
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Creativity & Pancakes
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
On this special episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes two inspiring guests—Cheri Sterman, Senior Director of Education for Crayola, and celebrated children’s author Carrie Finison. Together, they spark a lively conversation about nurturing creativity in children through reading, art, and family traditions. Cheri dives into Crayola Creativity Week, a free global celebration that encourages families, schools, and libraries to blend literacy and art. She shares practical tips for making storytime interactive—like designing new book covers or staging a puppet show...
info_outlineLooking 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 www.ChiTag.com 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, a young witch struggling to harness her powers. When all the witches in her town, including her own family, are stolen by a witch hunter, Esme and her best friend Thiago embark on a quest to find the four original witches and save the day. But with no one having seen these legendary figures in centuries, it's an impossible task.
As JC explains, crafting this magical system and origin story from a Latino perspective was both a passion project and a major challenge. She wanted to shine a light on the rich traditions of brujería (witchcraft) in Mexico and how it has influenced her own family's beliefs. From the importance of connecting to a greater spiritual source to the everyday practice of magic, JC's personal experiences infuse the story with authenticity and heart.
Beyond the magical elements, JC also delves into the power of sisterhood and the unique perspective that children can bring to the table. She encourages young readers to embrace their creativity, let their imaginations run wild, and not be afraid of a little fear and judgment along the way.
We also had a chance to speak with Sandy Green. Sandy Green's new middle-grade novel "The Haunting of Lake Lucy" takes readers on a spooky adventure at a lakeside resort. When Jake and his twin sister Evie arrive for summer vacation, they encounter mysterious stories about the lake's haunted past. Inspired by Sandy's own family trips, the book follows the siblings as they attempt to communicate with the ghost through letters in a mailbox, leading to a thrilling exploration of the haunted house next door. Sandy explains how she cleverly crafted the story in verse to engage reluctant readers, using different poetic forms to match the mood and themes. With a focus on the power of imagination and the mysteries that lurk beneath the surface, "The Haunting of Lake Lucy" is a delightfully chilling middle-grade read.
Whether you're a longtime fan of JC's work or discovering her for the first time, "The Daggers of Ire" is a must-read middle-grade fantasy that celebrates Latino culture, the strength of friendship, and the magic of the unknown. Be sure to connect with JC online to stay up-to-date on her future projects!
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