Mixed Feelings
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Get ready for an inspiring and insightful conversation on raising healthy, mindful kids! In this episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty sits down with two remarkable guests - author and illustrator Liana Finck, and the dynamic duo behind the "Live Well, Lead Well" lifestyle, Melissa Collier Coulier and Melanie Samuels. First up, Liana Finck shares the story behind her delightful new children's book, "Mixed Feelings." As Liana explains, the book explores the complex, layered emotions that kids (and adults!) often struggle to put into words. From "shy, but not sure why" to...
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Books As Catalysts For Change
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes author Elly Swartz to discuss her new middle grade novel "Same Page." Elly shares the inspiring story behind the book, which follows a determined young girl named Bess who forms a group of "book warriors" - a team of rock star librarians - to fight a book ban at her school. Elly explains how the visual of books being removed from a school book vending machine was a key part of the story, as she wanted to empower kids to take action and make a difference. The conversation then turns to the vital role of libraries and...
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Hazel Has Her Hands Full
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Grab your pencils and get ready for an artistic adventure as Jed Doherty welcomes back the dynamic duo behind the beloved Paws series - Nathan Fairbairn and Michelle Assarasakorn. These two creative powerhouses take us on an inspiring journey, revealing the challenges and triumphs of bringing their latest installment in their PAWS graphic novel series, "Hazel Has Her Hands Full," to life. Jed and the guests dive deep into the importance of representation, as they discuss Hazel's visible disability and the meticulous research undertaken to ensure an authentic and respectful portrayal. Michelle...
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Exploring Faith, Fantasy & the Teenage Experience
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
If you're a fan of young adult fantasy or heartwarming children's stories, this episode is a must-listen! We had the pleasure of chatting with two talented authors who are using their craft to inspire and connect with readers of all ages. First up, we welcomed back Sarah Arthur, the author of the "Once a Queen" and "Once a Castle" YA fantasy novels. Sarah shared the fascinating backstory behind her latest novel, "Once a Castle," and how it evolved from the "book of her heart" to the "book of her sweat and blood." We learned about her creative process, including the challenges of juggling...
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Exploring the Magic of Fairies, Leprechauns, and Women's History
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
What a treat we had on the latest episode of Reading with Your Kids! Jed Doherty welcomed back beloved author Kate Korsh to chat about her new chapter book "Oona BrambleGoops: Sideways Magic, Fairies vs. Leprechauns." Kate shared the sophisticated themes she wove into this delightful story, like the imperfections of mentors and the unexpected kindness of leprechauns. As an former elementary school teacher, Kate has a knack for creating characters kids can really connect with, like the enthusiastic and sometimes clumsy Oona. But the real highlight was when Jed introduced the dynamic duo behind...
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Unlocking the Power of Vocabulary
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
If you're a parent looking to give your kids a major boost in reading and overall academic success, this episode is a must-listen. We sit down with the one and only Dr. Joe Lockavitch, a reading expert with over 35 years of experience and a doctorate from Boston University. Dr. Joe shares some truly eye-opening insights about the critical role of vocabulary in a child's development. Did you know there's a "million word gap" between kids who are read to daily versus those who aren't? That gap in language exposure can have a huge impact on a child's future. But it's not just about reading...
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Elephants, Empowerment & Extraordinary Adventures
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Get ready to dive into the wonderful world of children's books. Our guest, R.G. de Rouen, shares the inspiring story behind his new picture book "Mother to Elephants" - a lyrical tale about the legendary Daphne Sheldrick and her groundbreaking work rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned elephants in Kenya. You'll be amazed to learn about the incredible intelligence and family bonds of these gentle giants. Rico takes us on a virtual safari, describing the thrill of observing elephants in the wild and the valuable lessons they teach about community, connection, and welcoming strangers. We also...
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I Move A Lot & That's OK
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
If you've ever wondered what it's like to be a part of a military family, this episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast is a must-listen. We had the pleasure of chatting with Shermaine Perry-Knights, the author of the "I Move a Lot, and That's Okay" children's book series, and she shared some truly eye-opening insights. Shermaine, who comes from a military family herself, wrote these books to help kids navigate the challenges of frequent moves and adjusting to new environments. As she explained, military children often change schools 6-9 times between kindergarten and graduation - that's...
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New Year, New Perspectives: Celebrating Neurodiversity and School Bus Safety in 2025
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
As we kick off the new year, this episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast is packed with valuable insights and heartwarming stories that will have you seeing the school bus in a whole new light. First, we chat with Valerie Higley, a seasoned school bus driver who's bringing her real-world expertise to life in her new children's book, "Shaman Rides the School Bus." Valerie shares the inspiring tale of Shaman the goat, who's navigating the ins and outs of riding the big yellow bus for the first time. But this book is about so much more than just a fun story - it's a crucial tool for...
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Best of 2024
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Get ready for an all star end oof the year episode of Reading with Your Kids! We had a really impressive lineup of guests, starting with 13-year-old author Orion Jean. Orion wrote a book called "Race to Kindness" about a young boy who uses kindness to inspire his community. Orion is wise beyond his years - he talked about how kindness can make a big impact, even in small conversations. It was awesome to hear how he's already making a difference through projects like donating toys, meals, and books. Next up was comedian Joe Ghetto, who wrote a new children's book called "Where's Bearry?" about...
info_outlineIn this captivating episode of "Reading with Your Kids," host Jed Doherty delves into two fascinating topics - the latest insights on autism and the inspiring Harmony Meets the World book series.
First, Jed sits down with Taiba Bajar, the driving force behind Autism Brain Empowerment and the author of "Unlock Autism." Taiba shares her personal journey, from her unexpected career change after being diagnosed with autism and dyspraxia, to her determination to find holistic solutions for her own son's autism journey.
Taiba explains the alarming rise in autism diagnoses, attributing it to both increased awareness and a true increase in prevalence. She passionately discusses her "Seven-Step Autism Action Plan," which covers everything from optimizing oxytocin to detoxifying the body and strengthening the cerebellum. Listeners will be inspired by Taiba's dedication and the remarkable progress her son has made through her innovative, personalized approach.
The conversation then shifts to the delightful Harmony Meets the World book series, created by twin sisters Erin and Jamie Schonauer. Harmony, the series' young protagonist, uses magical binoculars to travel the globe and explore diverse cultural festivals, from Peru's Inti Raymi to India's Diwali.
Erin and Jamie share their love for research and their mission to open children's hearts and minds to new cultures. Listeners will be captivated by the sisters' enthusiasm and the educational yet entertaining nature of their books.
Whether you're a parent, educator, or simply someone who cares about the well-being of children, this episode of "Reading with Your Kids" offers a unique blend of insights, inspiration, and cultural exploration. Tune in to discover new perspectives on autism and the power of literature to celebrate our shared humanity.
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