From Chihuahuas to Calabash: Stories of Creativity and Compassion
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Release Date: 06/08/2025
Creating Spaces of Belonging
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
In a heartwarming episode of Reading with Your Kids, two remarkable authors share their unique approaches to storytelling that celebrate diversity, inclusion, and the power of imagination. New York Times bestselling author Heather Avis leads the conversation with her powerful book "I Like You So Much," challenging societal narratives about disability. As a mother of three adopted children, two with Down syndrome, Heather crafts a love letter that affirms every child's inherent value, regardless of their abilities or achievements. Complementing Heather's mission, Teresa Argenbright brings her...
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Heroes In Unexpected Places
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Hey there, book lovers! This episode of Reading with Your Kids was a total blast, packed with two incredible authors who are changing the game in children's literature. First up, we met Lauren Magaziner, the brilliant mind behind "The Incorruptibles," a middle-grade novel that turns the typical magic story on its head. Imagine a world where magic isn't all sparkly and wonderful, but actually a tool for oppression. Lauren's main character, Fiora, is a resistance fighter who's learning to fight magic with technology. It's like a superhero origin story, but with a twist that teaches kids about...
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From Chihuahuas to Calabash: Stories of Creativity and Compassion
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Calling All Book Lovers and Parents! Get ready for an incredible journey into the world of children's literature with our latest Reading with Your Kids podcast episode featuring two extraordinary authors: Margo Sorenson and Sylvia Greif. Dive into the delightful world of "Calvin Gets the Last Word," where a young boy and his trusty dictionary embark on a hilarious quest to find the perfect word to describe his annoying older brother. Margo Sorenson brings humor and heart to this charming story, showcasing how words can be both powerful and playful. But wait, there's more! Travel to Hawaii with...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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?...
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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...
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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...
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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_outlineCalling All Book Lovers and Parents! Get ready for an incredible journey into the world of children's literature with our latest Reading with Your Kids podcast episode featuring two extraordinary authors: Margo Sorenson and Sylvia Greif.
Dive into the delightful world of "Calvin Gets the Last Word," where a young boy and his trusty dictionary embark on a hilarious quest to find the perfect word to describe his annoying older brother. Margo Sorenson brings humor and heart to this charming story, showcasing how words can be both powerful and playful.
But wait, there's more! Travel to Hawaii with "Little Calabash," another of Margo's enchanting picture books that brings kitchen appliances to life with personality and pizzazz. Her storytelling magic will have kids and parents alike giggling and imagining their own kitchen adventures.
Sylvia Greif takes us on a different path with "Lester's Planet," a heartwarming true story about her courageous Chihuahua that tackles important themes like pet adoption and responsible pet ownership. Her young adult novel "Ela Green" offers an inspiring tale about a girl who can communicate with nature, encouraging readers to connect with the world around them.
Both authors share fascinating insights into their creative processes, the importance of reading with children, and how storytelling can spark imagination and empathy. From Margo's experiences teaching in Hawaii to Sylvia's multilingual background, their stories are as diverse and engaging as the books they write.
Parents, this episode is your ultimate guide to finding new, meaningful books that will entertain, educate, and inspire your children. Whether you're looking for a laugh-out-loud picture book or a thought-provoking young adult novel, Margo and Sylvia have something special waiting for you.
Grab a cozy blanket, cuddle up with your little ones, and get ready to explore new literary worlds that will make reading time the best time of the day!
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