Some of Us: A Story of Citizenship with Rajani LaRocca
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Release Date: 05/27/2025
Teaching Gratitude and Perseverance Through Sports and Stories
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Looking for a way to inspire your kids with meaningful stories that go beyond the playground? Our latest Reading with Your Kids podcast episode is a game-changer, featuring three incredible authors who are transforming how children learn valuable life skills through storytelling. Meet Brett Gunning, a former NBA coach, and Stacy Padula, an accomplished author, who have teamed up to create the "On the Right Path" book series. These aren't just basketball books - they're powerful narratives that teach kids about character, resilience, and personal growth. Each story takes place during a...
info_outline
So Over Sharing: Navigating Mommy Influencers and Online Privacy
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Are you a parent navigating the wild world of social media and its impact on family life? Then you won't want to miss this eye-opening episode of Reading with Your Kids featuring author Elissa Brent Weissman and parenting expert Sue Atkins! Weissman's latest middle-grade novel, "So Over Sharing," dives deep into the complex world of mommy influencers and their children's experiences. The book follows two 12-year-old girls dealing with very different but equally challenging online personas created by their mothers. From picture-perfect lifestyle blogs to brutally honest parenting content, the...
info_outline
Words, Space, and Self-Discovery
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Get ready for an incredible episode of Reading with Your Kids featuring two amazing authors who are transforming children's literature! First up, meet Jasminne Paulino and her groundbreaking middle-grade novel in verse, "The Extraordinary Orbit of Alex Ramirez" - a powerful story about a neurodivergent seventh-grader with astronomical dreams. Then, dive into Katherine Davis Gibbon's fascinating picture book "Words," where language literally comes to life! Gibbon explores how words can be friends, teachers, and powerful tools for understanding ourselves and others. Her innovative approach shows...
info_outline
Beat the Summer Slide: Books for Every Age
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Looking for the ultimate summer reading strategy? We've got you covered! In this jam-packed episode of Reading with Your Kids, experts from Bookalicious reveal how to prevent the dreaded "summer slide" and make reading an adventure kids will actually enjoy. Did you know kids can lose up to 20% of their school-year learning during summer break? Yikes! But here's the good news: reading just five books can totally turn that around. Lea Anne Borders and Lorien Hunter from Bookalicious share game-changing tips for parents looking to keep their kids' brains sharp and engaged. The secret weapon?...
info_outline
Exploring Kittybunkport: Imagination, Inspiration & a Whole Lot of Meow
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this heartwarming episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty takes listeners on a fascinating journey through the world of children's storytelling, featuring three incredible creators who are redefining children's literature. First up, Scott Rothman and Zachariah Ohora share the magical backstory of their hilarious picture book, KittyBunkPort. Born from a playful moment with Rothman's son in Maine, the book transforms a simple mispronunciation into a whimsical tale about a town full of scaredy cats and a haunted lighthouse. Their conversation reveals the beautiful, often unexpected...
info_outline
Creativity, Collaboration, and Community
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Get ready for an exciting episode that blends children's literature, artistic creativity, and family empowerment! We're exploring the world of "Don't Lose Mr. Cuddles" with author Dev Petty and illustrator Mike Boldt, while also diving deep into family dynamics with Lee Benson from Dinner Table. First up, Dev and Mike take us behind the scenes of their latest children's book featuring Chip, the enthusiastic dog. They share hilarious insights into the creative process, revealing how Mike builds characters using simple shapes (did you know Chip is essentially two potato chips?) and how Dev...
info_outline
Some of Us: A Story of Citizenship with Rajani LaRocca
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this heartwarming episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty sits down with two incredible authors who are changing the landscape of children's literature. First up is Rajani LaRocca, a physician & author who's making waves with her powerful new picture book, "Some of Us: A Story of Citizenship in the United States." LaRocca's book is more than just a children's story—it's a celebration of immigration, diversity, and the true meaning of being an American. Drawing from her own experience as a naturalized citizen, she explores how people from different backgrounds contribute to...
info_outline
Diverse Stories, Powerful Narratives: Authors Sharing Cultural Experiences
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this heartwarming episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty dives into two incredible children's books that explore identity, belonging, and the power of representation. First up are sisters Peace and Ndidi Amadi, authors of "Chi Chi and Didi Love Their Names," a delightful picture book that celebrates cultural heritage and the importance of embracing one's unique identity. The Amadi sisters share a powerful narrative about growing up as Nigerian-American immigrants, highlighting the challenges of having names that are difficult to pronounce. Their book isn't just a story - it's a...
info_outline
Learning Through Fun, Exploring New Ways To Engage Young Readers
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Get ready for an exciting journey into the world of children's literature with our latest podcast episode featuring two incredible guests who are transforming how kids experience reading! First up, we chat with Adam Rex, author and illustrator of the captivating new picture book "Echo". This heartwarming story explores the importance of genuine friendship and breaking free from echo chambers. Adam shares his personal journey of learning to embrace different perspectives, revealing how his own struggles with admitting mistakes inspired the book's central message. As a father, he's discovered...
info_outline
From Boredom to Breaking Free: Stories That Matter for Young Readers
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In this powerful episode of Reading with Your Kids, listeners get a two-part exploration of impactful storytelling for young adults. First, author Mike Bender and illustrator Chuck Dillon dive into "Bored Panda," a delightful children's book celebrating the magic of boredom. They argue that unstructured time isn't something to fear, but an opportunity for creativity. Drawing from childhood memories of limited entertainment, they show how imagination flourishes when kids aren't constantly stimulated by devices. The second half of the episode takes a more serious turn with Stacy Padula and David...
info_outlineIn this heartwarming episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty sits down with two incredible authors who are changing the landscape of children's literature. First up is Rajani LaRocca, a physician & author who's making waves with her powerful new picture book, "Some of Us: A Story of Citizenship in the United States."
LaRocca's book is more than just a children's story—it's a celebration of immigration, diversity, and the true meaning of being an American. Drawing from her own experience as a naturalized citizen, she explores how people from different backgrounds contribute to the rich tapestry of American society. The book has already garnered critical acclaim, including three starred trade reviews and an Indie Next Pick.
What makes LaRocca's work truly special is her ability to balance her medical career with her passion for writing. She sees both professions as opportunities to connect with people and tell meaningful stories. From addressing book banning controversies to creating narratives that spark important conversations, LaRocca is committed to writing books that matter.
The episode also features a fascinating conversation with Etienne Labuschagne, a High Court judge from South Africa who has written "Bedtime for Clever Kids." His collection of stories, inspired by his own grandchildren, showcases the power of storytelling to bridge generations and explore complex topics through a child's perspective.
Both authors demonstrate how children's literature can be a powerful tool for understanding the world, promoting empathy, and sparking meaningful conversations between parents and children.
Whether you're a parent looking for meaningful books to read with your kids, an educator interested in diverse storytelling, or simply someone who loves a good book, this episode offers something for everyone. It's a reminder that stories have the power to connect us, teach us, and help us understand each other a little better.
Don't miss this inspiring conversation that celebrates creativity, citizenship, and the magic of reading together!
Click here to visit our website – www.ReadingWithYourKids.com
Follow Us On Social Media
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/readingwithyourkids
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/readingwithyourkids/
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/reading-with-your-kids-podcast/
Please consider leaving a review of this episode and the podcast on whatever app you are listening on, it really helps!