Robots, Werewolves, and Wonder: Picture Books that Celebrate Imagination and Culture
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode, “Robots, Werewolves, and Wonder: Picture Books that Celebrate Imagination and Culture,” Jed welcomes two sets of brilliant guests who show just how magical—and meaningful—picture books can be. First, author Jose Lourenco and illustrator James Braithwaite join us from Toronto to celebrate their best-selling debut picture book, Billie Builds a Robocorn. Jose explains that Billie, a kid navigating a move and new school, builds a homemade robotic unicorn—“Robocorn”—to ease her loneliness. James shares how their early idea started as a bedtime book and evolved into...
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From Monet to Blue Butterflies: Picture Books That Celebrate Curiosity and Inclusion
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two picture book creators who celebrate children’s creativity, curiosity, and the beauty of our differences. First, Jed chats with Jean Huxtable Hamerski, author of Marley’s Masterpiece. Inspired by her art‑loving granddaughter and a great‑nephew who once painted the house during nap time, Jean’s story follows Marley, a young artist who can’t stop thinking about Monet’s towering water lily paintings. After visiting a museum, Marley decides to create her own “masterpiece” on the walls, hallways, bathroom, and coffee table...
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Ethical Ed Tech: Putting Students Before Screens
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this thought-provoking episode, Jed welcomes Priten Soundar Shah, author of Ethical Ed Tech, to explore how schools can make wiser choices about technology in the classroom. Drawing on his background in philosophy, policy, classroom teaching, and ed tech development, Priten explains that we’ve let the tools drive our decisions instead of starting with the core question: What do we really want for our students? He and Jed talk about the mixed results of laptops and AI in schools, and how test scores haven’t magically improved just because districts spent more on devices. Priten shares...
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Love Runs Through Everything: Picture Books About Loss and Finding Your Place
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this powerful episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two picture book creators whose work helps families navigate some of life’s hardest—and most beautiful—truths. First, Shannon Gibney joins from Minnesota to talk about her picture book “Where Is My Sister?”, inspired by the stillbirth of her daughter. Shannon shares the shattering experience of losing a baby late in pregnancy and the long emotional healing that followed. As a writer, she went searching for honest, non‑sugar‑coated books about infant loss and found almost nothing, especially for families who aren’t...
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Wrapped With Love: Ashley Lam on Grandma, Wontons, and AAPI Heritage
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this inspiring episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes debut picture book author and Wall Street executive Ashley Lam, here to celebrate her new children’s book “Wrapped With Love: Wonton Noodle Day With Grandma.” Ashley shares how the story was inspired by watching her young daughter cook wontons with her grandmother during COVID. Those long days in the kitchen became a powerful reminder of intergenerational love, AAPI family traditions, and the importance of slowing down in a “go, go, go” world. She talks about how food is her mother’s love language, and...
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It’s Okay to Feel: Shannon Stocker on Boys, Big Emotions, and The Roach King of Raleigh
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this powerful episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes back Shannon Stocker, author of the new YA novel The Roach King of Raleigh, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Shannon shares the deeply personal inspiration behind Quill, a high school sophomore who’s juggling a painful mix of family addiction, financial hardship, sibling tension, and crushing loneliness. To help his struggling family, Quill starts breeding dubia roaches to feed his bearded dragon and sell to a local pet store – and those thousands of hidden insects become a vivid metaphor for the dark, buried...
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Small Acts, Big Ripples: Lin Oliver on Kindness, Kid Power, and SCBWI
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes legendary author, producer, and SCBWI co‑founder Lin Oliver to celebrate her new middle grade novel, The After School Kindness Crew: Pooch on the Loose, co‑written with Goldie Hawn. Lin shares how Goldie’s MindUP foundation and its focus on mindfulness, brain science, and helping kids self‑regulate inspired the series, which follows three “outlier” kids—Mia, River, and Tony—who secretly perform acts of kindness at school and in their community. Lin explains why she chose neurodiverse and artsy, non‑“typical” kids as...
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Listen to the Girls: Chrystal D. Giles on Protecting and Empowering Kids
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this powerful and heartfelt episode of Reading With Your Kids, we welcome Chrystal D. Giles to talk about her new middle grade novel, “Listen to the Girls.” Chrystal introduces us to Calla, a seventh grader whose carefree start to summer is shaken when rumors surface about her favorite teacher’s inappropriate behavior with students. The story follows Calla as she navigates confusion, fear, and uncertainty, learning how to sort through information, trust her feelings, and—most importantly—listen to the girls who are bravely speaking up. Chrystal shares the real-life inspirations...
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Mirrors, Windows And Moonlit Roads
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this heartfelt episode, Jed welcomes author Julie Leung and illustrator Angie Kang to celebrate their new picture book “Navigating Night,” a moving father–daughter story that beautifully coincides with AAPI Month. Julie shares that Navigating Night grew out of her memories of riding along on Chinese food deliveries with her dad in rural Georgia in the 1990s. The book is part memoir, part homage to her father and to the often-invisible workers in the food service industry who “make sure the food shows up at your doorstep on time”. It also explores the loneliness and...
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Sour, Sweet, and Adventurous: Inspiring Journeys in Children’s Books
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, we’re celebrating three very different – but beautifully connected – picture books and their creators. First, Dr. Candice Childs joins us to talk about her autobiographical picture book “CC, Sour and Sweet Journey to Medical School.” She shares how the “sweet” parts of her journey are actually the moments of growth, resilience, and purpose that came from repeated failure and perseverance. The “sour” moments include painful setbacks and even an advisor bluntly telling her she’d never get into medical school. Candice explains how she...
info_outlineIn 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, problem-solving, and the importance of embracing failure as a learning opportunity.
The conversation explores the challenges of modern parenting, particularly the overwhelming screen time children experience today. Bean offers insights into encouraging creativity and meaningful interactions with kids, emphasizing the power of simple, engaging activities that spark imagination.
Next, the episode welcomes Neil Sharpson, author of the hilarious picture book "Don't Trust Fish." Born from a pandemic-era birthday party, Sharpson's book showcases how quick wit and creativity can transform unexpected moments into delightful storytelling. With influences ranging from Monty Python to The Goon Show, Sharpson brings a unique comedic touch that appeals to both children and parents.
Both authors highlight the critical role of children's literature in developing imagination, resilience, and a love of reading. They discuss the importance of creating books that not only entertain but also provide valuable life lessons and spark meaningful conversations between parents and children.
Whether you're a parent looking to inspire your child's love of reading, an educator seeking engaging book recommendations, or simply someone who appreciates creative storytelling, this episode offers something for everyone. It's a heartwarming reminder of the magic that happens when creativity, humor, and storytelling come together.
Tune in and discover how these amazing authors are changing the landscape of children's literature, one page at a time!
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