Best Of 2025 - Part Two
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Best of 2025 – Part Two celebrates the joy of stories that bring families closer, spotlighting creative voices and practical wisdom in a warm, listener-friendly mix. We open with a quick tour of themes—creativity, confidence, and connection—before diving into highlights that parents and young readers can use right away. Our first guest is Hayley Chewin who celebrated her YA title The Swarm. Hayley's episode was the most downloaded episode of RWYK in all of 2025. Hayley shows how curiosity powers great plots, turning everyday “what-ifs” into page-turning adventures. We then...
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Best Of 2025 - Part One
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Celebrate the year’s most inspiring moments with our Best of 2025 episode of Reading With Your Kids! We’re revisiting five unforgettable conversations that reminded us of the power of stories to spark empathy, courage, and connection. Beloved author and comedian Anh Do shares heartwarming reflections on resilience and joy, showing families how humor and hope can light even the toughest paths. Music legend Ziggy Marley invites us to move, sing, and think together, exploring how rhythm, kindness, and curiosity can shape compassionate kids. Singer-songwriter Christina Perri opens up about...
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Books, Bodyslams, and Backseat Bingo
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
If you’re looking for a show that packs in suplexes and scavenger hunts in equal measure, you’re going to love this episode! We kick things off in the ring—or actually, the library—with the creators behind Lucha Libros, an innovative program that brings the excitement of professional wrestling right into your local library. Host Jed Doherty chats with Paul Val Massey and Llama Jack, who share the story of how this one-of-a-kind family-friendly wrestling show started as storytime, evolved into body slams among the bookshelves, and became a vibrant community event. You’ll hear about...
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The Christmas Staff
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Get ready for holiday magic in this special episode of "Reading With Your Kids: The Christmas Staff!" Host Jed Doherty welcomes a talented team from CatholicTeenBooks.com—including authors Tony Kolenc, Corinna Turner, Andrea Jo Rogers, Carolyn Astfalk, and Leslea Wahl—for a merry, multi-author storytelling adventure you won’t want to miss! Discover the heartwarming tale of Joe Grant, a foster child spending Christmas with the Carters, who stumbles on a mysterious wooden staff left at the church. Joined by new friend Annie, they set off on a quest across town, piecing together clues and...
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Tales of Friendship, Faith, and Holiday Cheer
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Join us for an inspiring episode of the Reading With Your Kids podcast, where host Jed Doherty welcomes two remarkable guests: Dr. Peter Cotton, the celebrated author of the “Fred the Snake” children’s book series, and Donna VanLiere, bestselling author of “Looking for Christmas: The Search for Joy and Hope of the Nativity.” This family-friendly episode is perfect for parents and kids eager to discover new children’s books and traditions to bring them closer together during the holidays. Dr. Peter Cotton shares the delightful origins and adventures of Fred the Snake, introducing...
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Raising Money-Smart Kids
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode of "Reading with Your Kids," host Jed Doherty sits down with Scott and Victoria Kyle, authors of the insightful book "The Other Birds and Bees: The Financial Facts of Life, Money Secrets No One Ever Taught You." Discover how to empower your children with essential financial literacy skills as the Kyles share practical advice for teaching kids about money and creating healthy family financial habits. From explaining the basics of saving and budgeting to fostering a mindset for long-term financial success, Scott and Victoria offer relatable stories, transparent conversations, and...
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Books, Family & Faith
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Join us for a captivating episode where we dive deep into the world of family reading and values-driven storytelling! In this heartfelt conversation, host Jed Doherty welcomes two inspiring authors: Candace Jalili, author of the new YA romance "Seeing Stars," and Amanda Jass, creator of the engaging children’s devotional "Adventures in the Friendly Forest." Candace Jalili shares the story behind "Seeing Stars," a young adult romance filled with real-life inspiration, celebrity culture, and the importance of making mistakes and learning from them. Discover how Candace brings her characters to...
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The Language Of Birds
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode, host Jed Doherty welcomes acclaimed author Jon Erik Lappano to discuss his latest picture book, "The Language of Birds." Lappano shares the inspiration behind the story, which centers on Mira, a solitary child who forms a deep connection with birds while struggling to communicate with people. Through their conversation, Lappano reflects on the importance of honoring quieter, introverted children in literature, drawing from his experiences as a parent and observer of childhood dynamics. He emphasizes the value of imagination, unstructured time, and engagement with the natural...
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Creativity, Curiosity, and Critical Thinking
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this engaging episode of the "Reading with Your Kids" podcast, host Jed Doherty welcomes two inspiring guests: Sara Schroter, author of the children’s book "Max the Gemstone Finder," and Daniel Harmon, creator and showrunner of the educational TV series "Tuttle Twins." Sara Schroter shares her family's remarkable journey relocating from Bermuda to Italy and how her son’s fascination with rocks led to the creation of Max, a character encouraging children and parents alike to nurture childhood passions. Listeners learn how supporting kids’ interests boosts confidence, fosters learning,...
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Beyond the Sash: Erin Chapman’s Advocacy in Sports and Accessibility
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Step into an inspiring conversation "Beyond the Sash" with Erin Chapman, the reigning Ms United World, children’s book author, and champion of accessibility and inclusion in sports. In this episode, Erin shares her journey from competitive dancer to award-winning pageant queen, as well as her passion for encouraging girls to embrace non-traditional sports and adventure. Discover the story behind her debut children’s book, "Ronnie the Rock Climber," which follows a young girl’s quest for confidence and new experiences. Erin explains why introducing girls to sports before age 10 can shape...
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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