Exploring the Outdoors and Healing Through Play
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In a captivating podcast episode, author Susie Spikol shares her passionate approach to reconnecting children with the natural world through her innovative book, Forest Magic for Kids. This non-fiction nature activity guide offers families a unique opportunity to explore the outdoors, spark imagination, and rediscover the joy of unstructured play. Spikol, a naturalist with over 30 years of experience, challenges traditional nature education by focusing on exploration and wonder rather than strict scientific identification. Her book provides families with over 50 activities that encourage...
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Music, Miracles & Meteorology
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this captivating episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty takes listeners on an extraordinary adventure with two incredible authors who are redefining storytelling for young readers. First up is Rayne Lacko, whose young adult novel "The Secret Song of Shelby Ray" introduces readers to a fascinating protagonist with an extraordinary gift: the ability to hear people's inner music when she touches them. This unique premise explores complex themes of mental health, personal growth, and the power of understanding one's authentic self. Lacko brilliantly weaves a narrative that speaks...
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Connecting Generations Through Literature With Pablo Cartaya
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this captivating episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty sits down with author Pablo Cartaya to explore the magic of middle-grade literature and the power of authentic storytelling. Cartaya's latest book, "A Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation," promises to be a heartwarming journey that will resonate with young readers and their families. The conversation delves deep into the art of writing for middle-grade audiences, a demographic Cartaya describes as a "sweet spot" of incredible potential. With humor and insight, he explains how sixth, seventh, and eighth graders are at a unique...
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Celebrating Diversity: Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month With Ha Dinh
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this heartwarming episode, we explore the power of children's literature in bridging cultural understanding through conversations with two incredible Asian American authors, Ha Dinh and Yobe Qiu. Ha Dinh takes us on a personal journey with her touching picture book, "The Jade Bracelet," which delves into the complex emotions of a young immigrant navigating cultural identity. Drawing from her own experiences of coming to America at seven years old, Ha shares how a simple jade bracelet from her mother became a powerful symbol of heritage and belonging. Her story resonates with anyone who has...
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The Power of Narrative: Connecting Through Stories
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Get ready for an exciting journey into the world of storytelling with our latest episode of Reading with Your Kids! We've got not one, but two incredible authors who are passionate about creating magical worlds that captivate young readers. We begin with an inspiring conversation with Jonathan Stroud, the brilliant mind behind "The Legendary Scarlet and Brown" series. Stroud takes us on a wild ride through a post-apocalyptic world where teenage outlaws become unexpected heroes. His passion for storytelling shines through as he shares how authors can truly impact young readers' lives. But wait,...
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Cats, Construction & Creativity
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this exciting episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty explores two incredible creative projects. First, he dives into the magical world of children's book creation with authors Sudipta Bardhan-Quillin and Leeza Hernandez, creators of the delightful "Cats and Construction Hats." This isn't just another children's book - it's a vibrant celebration of teamwork, creativity, and the power of collaboration. Sudipta and Leeza share their unique journey of bringing this colorful story to life, revealing how a simple conversation about cats in construction hats transformed into a...
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Creating Books That Spark Joy & Imagination
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Get ready for an inspiring episode that dives deep into the world of children's literature! Host Jed Doherty sits down with two incredible authors who are transforming how kids experience reading: Jacqueline Davies and Yesenia Moises. First up, Jacqueline Davies shares the fascinating story behind "The Lemonade War," a beloved middle-grade novel that's been captivating readers for over 15 years. The book's recent transformation into a graphic novel opens up exciting new possibilities for young readers. Davies reveals the intricate process of adapting a traditional novel into a graphic...
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Closing The Literacy Gap
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this eye-opening episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty sits down with Deb Mallin, the passionate founder of Mighty Doodle. What makes this platform unique? It's not just another educational app – it's a comprehensive learning experience designed to meet each child exactly where they are. Mighty Doodle uses cutting-edge AI technology to create a personalized, engaging learning environment for first through fourth-grade students. The platform incorporates the science of reading with a whole-child approach, meaning kids aren't just memorizing – they're truly understanding and...
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The Power Of Radical Love
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids Jed Doherty dives into the transformative power of storytelling, self-love, and acceptance through conversations with two incredible authors who are changing children's lives. First up is Bobbi Chegwyn, creator of the Radical Ray series, who shares her inspiring journey from school bus driver to children's author. Drawing from her experience driving the "Kind Bus," Bobbi developed a unique approach to teaching emotional intelligence to kids. Her books follow Ray, a young protagonist who learns about "radical love" - a powerful concept of seeing the...
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Moms On A Mission: Inspiring Young Readers Through Science and Service
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Looking for powerful children's books that spark curiosity, empathy, and environmental awareness? Our latest podcast episode dives into the incredible world of children's literature with two passionate authors who are changing how kids understand science, nature, and community. Meet Carolyn Armstrong, the creative mind behind the "Climate Kid Adventures" series. Her middle-grade novels, like "Echo Warriors," take readers on thrilling environmental journeys. From exploring the polar bear habitats of Svalbard to uncovering the mysteries of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, Armstrong transforms...
info_outlineIf you're looking for a heartwarming and inspiring conversation, you've come to the right place! In this episode of Reading with Your Kids, we had the pleasure of chatting with Frankie Thompkins, the new executive director of Clowns Without Borders USA, as well as authors Azizi Tuere and Kao Kalia Yang.
Frankie shared the incredible mission of Clowns Without Borders - providing relief through the power of laughter in areas of crisis, both internationally and right here in the US. As she explained, clowning has this unique ability to transcend language barriers and bring joy to people experiencing trauma and hardship. It's such a beautiful and impactful way to make a difference.
Azizi Tuere spoke about her "Because I Am" book series, which aims to redefine concepts like beauty, genius, and resilience for children in a positive, empowering way. She shared how her own multicultural upbringing and passion for community have inspired her writing.
The third guest, Kao Kalia Yang, revealed that it was her father, a Hmong "song poet," who modeled the practice of "collecting the beautiful" - the beautiful things people say to each other. This has been a guiding principle in Kao's own life and work as a writer.
Whether it's Clowns Without Borders bringing smiles to those who need it most, Azizi's empowering stories, or Kao's celebration of Hmong culture, this episode is a reminder of the power of connection, compassion, and finding joy in the world around us. So get ready to be uplifted, inspired, and maybe even a little teary-eyed (in the best way!). This is one conversation you won't want to miss.
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