Warm, Fuzzy & Full Of Adventure
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Looking for an inspiring peek behind the scenes of children's literature? Our latest podcast episode is a treasure trove of creativity, featuring two incredible authors who are transforming how kids understand friendship, adventure, and personal growth. Scott Rothman and Brian Won join host Jed Doherty to discuss their delightful new picture book, "Warm and Fuzzy" - a heartwarming story about two characters with completely different approaches to adventure. The book explores how friends can support each other despite having contrasting personalities, offering a powerful message for children...
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Girl Bosses!
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Get ready for an inspiring journey into the world of innovative solutions for children! In this exciting episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty sits down with two remarkable female entrepreneurs who are changing the game for kids' reading and dental hygiene. First up is Lea Anne Borders, the brilliant mind behind Bookelicious, a groundbreaking website that makes finding the perfect book as fun as playing a video game. Struggling to get your kids to read? Bookelicious creates personalized book recommendations through an engaging emoji-building game that matches kids with...
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From Vampires To Lullabies, Christina Perri Is On Reading With Your Kids
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In a touching interview, singer-songwriter Christina Perri reveals the inspiration behind her debut children's book, A Thousand Years, transforming her iconic love song into a tender narrative about parental devotion. Known for her emotional ballad that became a wedding and pop culture phenomenon, Perri has now reimagined the song's lyrics to celebrate the unconditional love between a parent and child. Perri explains her careful approach to adapting the song, recognizing the need to soften the dramatic original lyrics into something more appropriate for young listeners. The book,...
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Fires of Identity, Rituals of Love
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this rich episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty explores two remarkable books that celebrate family, identity, and connection. First, he sits down with author Nancy McCabe to discuss her powerful middle-grade novel, "Fires Burning Underground" - a book that delves deep into the complex world of teenage emotions and self-discovery. McCabe's novel isn't just another coming-of-age story. It's a nuanced exploration of a young girl's journey through grief, identity, and personal growth. Drawing from her own childhood experiences, McCabe crafts a narrative that speaks directly to...
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I Am Not Alone: Helping Teens Navigate Parents' Mental Health Challenges
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In a heartwarming and insightful episode, Reading With Your Kids host Jed Doherty explores the incredible ways books can heal, support, and strengthen family bonds. The conversation dives deep into two groundbreaking resources that are changing how families approach reading and mental health. First up is Michelle Sherman's powerful book "I Am Not Alone," a game-changing guide for teens navigating the challenges of having a parent struggling with mental health. Sherman reveals a shocking statistic: about 20% of young people live with a parent experiencing mental health issues. Her book fills a...
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Friendship Knows No Boundaries
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In a captivating exploration of middle-grade storytelling, authors Mary Rose Wood and Catharina Steel offer young readers profound insights into friendship, self-discovery, and the power of imagination. Mary Rose Wood's "Bad Badger" introduces readers to Septimus, a unique badger who doesn't quite fit in with traditional badger expectations. This heartwarming tale follows Septimus and Gully, a seagull, as they navigate the complexities of friendship despite their differences. Wood's narrative beautifully illustrates that true connection transcends surface-level distinctions, encouraging...
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Leaping Together: Exploring Creativity, Grief, and Imagination in Children's Books
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Get ready for an incredible literary journey that'll make you fall in love with children's books all over again! Meet Kate Messner, the mastermind behind "The Trouble with Heroes," a middle-grade novel that's way more than just a hiking adventure. Set in the breathtaking Adirondacks, the book follows Finn Connolly, a seventh-grader facing a unique challenge: climbing 46 mountain peaks instead of facing legal trouble. But here's the real magic - it's a powerful story about grief, resilience, and healing, especially poignant for kids who experienced loss during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the...
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Muck, Honey & Villainous Fish
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this exciting episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty takes listeners on a delightful journey through the magical realm of children's literature, featuring two incredible authors who are reimagining storytelling for young readers. First up is Brett Bean, creator of the innovative hybrid chapter book "Muck and Honey: Tree House Trouble." Bean shares his unique approach to bridging the gap between picture books and traditional chapter books, perfectly designed for children aged 6-9. Drawing inspiration from his own children, Bean crafts a story that celebrates creativity,...
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Mr Tiffens Classroom; A Recipe For Civic Engagement
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Ever wondered how to make government exciting for children? In this delightful episode of "Reading with Your Kids," author Daniel Bernstrom reveals how a classroom cookie competition can teach kids the ins and outs of state legislation. In his new book, "The Cookie Vote," part of the Mr. Tiffins Classroom series, Bernstrom transforms the complex world of government into a fun, digestible story that children can understand and enjoy. The book follows a classroom as they navigate the legislative process, proposing and debating their very own state cookie. What makes this book special is its...
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Brushstrokes of Emotion: Angie Kang's Debut Picture Book Our Lake
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids our host Jed Doherty sits down with author / illustrator Angie Kang to celeebrate her debut Picture Book Our Lake. Imagine a picture book that tackles big feelings in the most beautiful way possible. Angie Kang, who's super talented and has this incredible art background, created a story about two brothers dealing with losing their dad. But here's the cool part - it's not sad in a heavy way, it's actually kind of hopeful. The whole book started as a random poem Kang wrote after reflecting on a painting. Her husband was like, "Hey, this could be an...
info_outlineMistakes? Bring 'em on! In this delightful episode, Jed Doherty chats with author and illustrator Eliza Kinkz about her charming new picture book, "MISTACO" - a celebration of imperfections and the beauty of embracing our flaws.
Eliza shares how the book was inspired by her own experiences growing up, where she struggled to open up about her mistakes. She wanted to create a "safe space" for families to share their slip-ups without judgment. And what better way to do that than with a silly, taco-themed character named "MISTACO" - a nod to the Spanglish words Eliza grew up with.
As an artist, Eliza's vibrant, chaotic style is the perfect match for this playful story. Jed praises her use of "joy, color, and chaos" - qualities that Eliza says were heavily influenced by the legendary Disney artist Mary Blair. It's a style that perfectly captures the unpredictable, messy nature of childhood.
But "MISTACO" isn't just about the laughs. Eliza and Jed dive deep into the importance of teaching kids (and adults!) to embrace their mistakes. They share personal stories of how parental reactions can deeply impact a child's self-esteem, and why it's crucial to model self-compassion.
Whether you're a parent, educator, or just a kid at heart, this episode is a delightful reminder that perfection is overrated. So grab a taco, get cozy, and get ready to celebrate your inner "MISTACO"!
We also have a fun time speaking with Brenda Do, author of It's OK Not To Know. Brenda shared how the inspiration for the book came from observing her young nephew's hard reaction to making a mistake. This led her to explore the important lesson of embracing failure and uncertainty as a path to growth. Brenda emphasized the need to teach self-compassion to children, rather than pushing them to be perfect. She drew parallels to her own upbringing in the Asian-American community, where mistakes were often harshly judged. Brenda's book aims to celebrate curiosity and the freedom to not have all the answers - a message that resonates for readers of all ages. Jed and Brenda's discussion highlighted the power of using children's literature to promote empathy, resilience and the joy of learning.
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