Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Reading With Your Kids is all about encouraging parents to read with their kids, and cook with their kids, and do activities with their kids, and experience tv, movies and music together. In other words, our podcast is all about helping parents build stronger relationships with their kids.
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Listen to the Girls: Chrystal D. Giles on Protecting and Empowering Kids
05/03/2026
Listen to the Girls: Chrystal D. Giles on Protecting and Empowering Kids
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 behind the book, including disturbing cases in her own school district and her experiences as both a parent and a survivor of peer harassment. She talks about wanting to give kids language, signs, and emotional tools to recognize grooming, understand boundaries, and know they deserve to be believed. Chrystal also discusses how writing this story has made her more intentional as a parent, and how she balances tough topics with care, levity, and love. She even reveals that her next picture book, “We Are Joy,” is a bright, uplifting counterbalance to the heaviness of “Listen to the Girls.” In the final segment, we’re joined by author Michelle S. Kennedy and illustrator Bonnie Bright to talk about their picture book “Cell Phone Itis,” a fun, insightful look at kids’ (and adults’!) attachment to their phones. Bonnie shares the real-life moments that inspired the story and how the book opens up honest, sometimes humorous conversations in classrooms and families about screen time, safety, and being present in the real world.
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Mirrors, Windows And Moonlit Roads
05/01/2026
Mirrors, Windows And Moonlit Roads
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 dislocation of being a child of immigrants, driving through other families’ “normal” evenings while her own family worked late and ate at odd hours. Julie explains how the story was originally a multigenerational epic including her grandfather’s escape during the Cultural Revolution, but her agent helped her refine it to the emotional core focused on her and her dad. Angie describes her powerful emotional reaction to Julie’s manuscript and the parallels with her own relationship with her father and her family’s Cultural Revolution history. She breaks down her art process, including using gouache and table salt on wet paint to create rain textures that mirror the story’s emotional storms, clearing as father and daughter reconnect and the moon comes out. Both Julie and Angie reflect on being only children, the quiet intimacy of car rides, and their hopes that the book serves as both a mirror and window into immigrant family life. In the final segment, Jed travels (virtually) to Australia to chat briefly with Amelia Tonta about “Neil, the Amazing Sea Cucumber,” inspired by her love of snorkeling and the overlooked, “boring” creatures on the ocean floor. Amelia discusses giving a seemingly dull character surprising heart and humor, and hints at more playful, visually driven stories to come.
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Sour, Sweet, and Adventurous: Inspiring Journeys in Children’s Books
04/30/2026
Sour, Sweet, and Adventurous: Inspiring Journeys in Children’s Books
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 turned that discouragement into fuel, and how her parents’ unwavering belief in her – especially her late mother’s message, “Don’t let anyone tell you what you can and can’t do” – continues to guide her. She also talks about why parents’ words matter so deeply for kids’ mental health, and how books can spark the most powerful family conversations. Next, Margaret Proctor shares the delightful backstory behind “Cousins, What’s Next?” Inspired by her great-granddaughter and youngest grandson getting into everything together, Margaret explores the joy, chaos, and blessings of intergenerational relationships. She reflects on being rejected by traditional publishers years ago, what it felt like to finally hold her own book (“I danced for ten minutes!”), and encourages aspiring writers to honor their ideas and just start. Finally, Tricia Gardella introduces us to Mouse, star of the Mouse Traveler series, including “Mouse Visits Everglades National Park.” Tricia talks about falling in love with this little character, weaving real national park facts into fun adventures, and why she hopes her books help kids love – and fight to protect – our national parks for generations to come.
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Inside The Endless Game
04/28/2026
Inside The Endless Game
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, we spend most of our time in the joyful, high‑energy world of JD Amato and Sophie Morse, the creative team behind the middle grade graphic novel The Endless Game. JD shares how the story grew out of his own childhood in the Chicago suburbs—moving around a lot, finally landing in one neighborhood where kids knocked on his door and pulled him into a world of street games, friendships, and long summer evenings. That sense of kid freedom and community became the heart of the book’s epic, town‑wide game of capture the flag. Sophie explains how the manuscript instantly clicked with her own memories of neighborhood play in Boston, especially capture the flag, and how that nostalgia drove her visual storytelling. She talks about the challenge of illustrating a nearly 250‑page full‑color graphic novel over four and a half to five years, keeping the art consistent and dynamic, and collaborating closely not only with JD but also with colorist Sarah Calhoun. Together, JD and Sophie describe a highly collaborative process—unusual in traditional publishing—where they constantly bounced ideas, problem‑solved scenes, and supported each other through creative highs and lows. We also meet Jacquelyn Boylan, whose picture book A Broken Twig Can Sprout draws on her own profound losses in childhood to comfort kids facing trauma and adverse experiences. Finally, Christine Ricci McNamee returns to the show with Logan and the Disappearing Document, the latest in her Logan series, sending a magic‑bone‑powered pup on a patriotic, cross‑country mystery adventure.
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Every Child Deserves To Be Seen
04/26/2026
Every Child Deserves To Be Seen
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes author Kristen Mei Chase and illustrator Basia Tran to celebrate their Gracie Wei chapter book series. Kristen explains that Gracie is a mixed-race Asian American fourth grader with “a lot of opinions and a heart of gold,” designed to reflect many real kids and offer representation she didn’t see for herself or her own children growing up. She clarifies the difference between chapter books (often ages 6–10, transitional early readers) and middle grade (roughly grades 4–8), noting that Gracie Wei bridges those spaces with accessible text and some bigger ideas. Basia shares how she brings humor and heart to the black‑and‑white illustrations and describes the joy of revisiting the same cast over three books until they felt like “old friends.” She talks about working through an art director rather than directly with Kristen, and the particular challenge of drawing specialized items like a wheelchair‑bicycle combination. Kristen discusses crafting a diverse ensemble—including characters with different bodies, abilities, and backgrounds—so that any one of them could be a main character. She highlights the series’ core themes: social‑emotional learning, empathy, bravery, and “pivoting” in life, supported by caring adults who model kindness and firm, loving guidance. She also hints at a possible fourth Gracie Wei book and other projects in the works. In the final segment, Jed talks with Pam Ehrenberg about her rhyming board book Planting Parsley, which introduces young children to the Jewish holiday Tu Bishvat and connects families to nature. Pam reflects on writing from a child’s perspective, the precision required for rhyming picture books, and how diverse cultural traditions can deepen kids’ sense of connection to the earth and to one another.
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Celebrating The Cozy And Creepy Sides Of Kidlit
04/24/2026
Celebrating The Cozy And Creepy Sides Of Kidlit
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, we’re celebrating both the cozy and the creepy sides of kids’ lit! First, we welcome Alyssa Satin Capucilli, creator of the beloved Biscuit series, as she celebrates 30 years of her small yellow puppy who has helped millions of children become independent readers. Alyssa shares the heartwarming real-life moment that inspired Biscuit, explains the difference between picture books and first readers, and talks about why pattern, repetition, and those famous “woof woofs” are so powerful for young readers. She also reflects on generations of kids—and now teachers—who grew up with Biscuit, and offers thoughtful advice for aspiring children’s authors. Then we shift from puppies to paranormal with Melanie Dale, author of the middle grade gothic novel Girl of Lore. Melanie introduces us to Mina Murray, her lore-obsessed heroine in small-town London, Georgia, where vampire legends might be more than just tourist bait. Melanie shares how her love of Dracula, classic horror, and even her work writing for Creepshow all fed into this spooky, funny, emotionally rich story. She also opens up about weaving mental health, friendship, and mother–daughter dynamics into the book, and suggests ways families can read and discuss it together. Whether you’re snuggling up with Biscuit or turning pages with the lights turned low, this episode celebrates the joy of reading with kids at every age and stage.
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Celebrating Night Owls And Night Markets
04/23/2026
Celebrating Night Owls And Night Markets
In this episode, Jed welcomes Emily Sun Li, debut picture book author of Mister Chow’s Night Market, for a warm and lively conversation about creativity, culture, and doing life a little differently. Emily shares how living in Taiwan for two years—zipping around on a moped, drinking fresh juice, and visiting night markets almost every evening—inspired her story of a sleepy grocery store and its equally sleepy, grumpy owner, Mister Chow. When they can’t manage mornings, they reinvent the store as a night market, celebrating night owls, Taiwanese snacks, and the courage to pivot instead of forcing yourself to fit a schedule that doesn’t work for you. Emily and Jed talk about adaptability as a crucial skill for kids today, the joy and community of Taiwanese night markets, and the importance of stories that are immersively rooted in a culture rather than told through an outsider’s gaze. Emily also reflects on intergenerational relationships, explaining why she loves that older characters are central to her book and how picture books can show that growth and self-discovery don’t stop when you become an adult. She describes her path from teaching in Connecticut to teaching in Taiwan, then studying writing for children, discovering picture books as a poetic form, and learning how to leave space for the illustrator’s storytelling. Later in the episode, Jed is joined by Andrea Wang, author of the Newbery Honor–winning picture book Watercress, who talks about growing up as one of the only Asian American kids in rural Ohio, finding refuge in books, and writing emotionally honest stories about family, belonging, and heritage.
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The Mystery Of The Stolen World Cup Trophy
04/21/2026
The Mystery Of The Stolen World Cup Trophy
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes author Angela Cervantes to celebrate her new middle-grade mystery, The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy. Angela shares her lifelong love of soccer and mysteries, rooted in her childhood in a Mexican American community in Topeka, Kansas, where soccer wasn’t yet a big organized sport. She talks about how the game connected her family and community, bringing both joy and heartbreak, and why she still follows teams like USA, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, England, and Croatia so passionately. Her novel centers on 12-year-old Diaz Espada, named after the number ten worn by Lionel Messi. Diaz is caught between his soccer-loving dad, a former college player, and his mystery-loving mom, a librarian who raised him on Agatha Christie and classic whodunits. When the World Cup trophy is stolen during a VIP reception in Miami—right as a tropical storm knocks out the lights—Diaz can’t resist the case, even when adults tell him to step aside. Angela weaves in real history about the original World Cup trophy disappearing multiple times, including the famous story of Pickles the dog finding it in 1966, and the later theft in Brazil where the trophy was never recovered. That blend of real soccer lore and twisty mystery is what inspired her book—and she’s eager to write more Diaz stories if kids love this one. The episode also briefly features Darshana Khiani, who shares Building a Dream, her picture book about Thai boys who build a floating soccer pitch, highlighting persistence and creativity in the face of challenges.
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Magic, Mystery & The Incredible Phyllis Wong
04/19/2026
Magic, Mystery & The Incredible Phyllis Wong
In this episode, Jed welcomes back Australian author Geoffrey McSkimming, creator of the much‑loved Phyllis Wong and Cairo Jim series. Geoffrey joins from Sydney to celebrate Phyllis Wong and the Lure of the Lighthouse, the eighth book in the series, and talks about why Phyllis remains one of his favorite characters—resourceful, brilliant, magical, and deeply inspired by his wife, Sue-Anne Webster, a renowned stage magician. Geoffrey explains how magic and mystery writing overlap: both rely on misdirection, red herrings, and staying several steps ahead of the audience. He shares how he loves constructing mysteries that feel surprising but satisfying, so readers say, “That got me!” instead of feeling let down at the end. He also reveals he’s working on a new collection of interrelated, humorous mystery short stories for young and young-at-heart readers. Language is at the heart of Geoffrey’s writing. He talks about using rich but accessible vocabulary, giving kids context clues instead of talking down to them. He recalls how acting in Shakespeare plays immersed him in great language and how many of his early readers grew up to become professionals—some even crediting his books and their sophisticated language as an influence. Later in the episode, Jed chats briefly with Barbara Brown, an elementary music teacher and author of I Am Musical: Adventures with Waffles. Barbara shares how her picture book—starring her real-life dog Waffles—aims to remind kids that being musical isn’t about perfection or virtuosity; it’s about how music makes you feel, connect, and communicate.
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Catitude At The Pool
04/17/2026
Catitude At The Pool
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed Doherty welcomes author Matthew Burgess and illustrator Robin Rosenthal to celebrate their charming new picture book, Serafina Makes Waves. Serafina is no ordinary cat—she’s full of catitude, completely confident on land, but absolutely terrified of water. When her parents sign her up for swim lessons before a family vacation, she’ll do just about anything to avoid getting in the pool. Robin shares how Serafina began as a single sketch of a cool, sassy beach cat with big goggles and a stuffed bunny named Noodles. The character existed before there was any story or even a name. During a critique group meeting, Robin showed the drawing to Matthew and asked how writers come up with stories. Pressed to give a real example, Matthew spontaneously suggested a cat who is deathly afraid of water but forced into swim lessons. Robin chuckled—and that reaction convinced Matthew there was something special there. From that moment, they began improvising the story together, volleying ideas back and forth. They talk about the unusual nature of their collaboration: in traditional publishing, authors and illustrators often never even meet. Here, the illustration sparked the story, and the two creators stayed in close conversation, refining both text and art so Serafina’s voice, attitude, and emotional journey truly matched Robin’s visual vision. Both Matthew and Robin reflect on their hopes that this book will help kids see their own confidence, bravery, and big feelings reflected on the page. Later in the show, Jed also chats briefly with Cedella Marley about her picture book Marley and the Family Band, inspired by her own childhood move from Jamaica to Delaware and her father Bob Marley’s musical legacy of unity, joy, and resilience.
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Raffi Riffs On Love, Chores & Children's Music
04/16/2026
Raffi Riffs On Love, Chores & Children's Music
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes back legendary children’s singer, songwriter, and author Raffi to celebrate his new picture book “Mama Loves It.” The book is based on a song Raffi recorded with Canadian trio The Good Lovelies, all about kids pitching in with household chores. Through joyful lyrics and warm illustrations, it encourages children to see chores not as burdens, but as chances to help their families and feel like part of a team. Raffi talks about his long creative journey—over 50 years of making music for children—and what keeps him energized: the pure magic of songwriting and the knowledge that millions of fans are waiting for new music. His upcoming album centers on the power of love, which he describes as the most powerful, infinite energy we know—something the world needs more of, especially in turbulent times. He reflects on his audience of “Beluga Grads”—the adults who grew up with his music and now share it with their own kids—and the joy of performing for children who come ready to sing, laugh, and enjoy his famously silly jokes. Raffi also shares his Child Honouring philosophy and the work of the Raffi Foundation for Child Honouring, which promotes principles like respect, nonviolence, and emotional intelligence, especially in the early years of life. In the final segment, Jed chats briefly with Dr. Rekha Rajan about her lively picture book “Can You Dance Like A Peacock?”, which invites kids and families to move, dance, and learn animal facts together, blending STEM learning with the arts and joyful, interactive reading.
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This Episode Is For The Birds! Celebrating America's State Birds & Curious Kids
04/14/2026
This Episode Is For The Birds! Celebrating America's State Birds & Curious Kids
On this episode, Jed welcomes author and neuroscientist Gail Martino, whose new picture book “Feathered and Famous: Meet America’s All Star Birds” celebrates the national and state birds of the United States and the stories behind them. Gail explains how her book helps kids (and parents) discover the unique traits that made each bird worthy of representing a state—from the clever chickadee of Massachusetts, which actually grows part of its brain in the fall to help remember where it hid seeds, to the hopeful, homey robin of Connecticut, often seen as a harbinger of spring. She also describes the engineering genius of birds’ nests, like robins using mud as “mortar” and the Baltimore oriole’s swinging, sock‑like nest that can withstand strong winds. Gail shares how her father’s backyard bird feeder sparked her curiosity as a child, eventually leading her into a career in neuroscience, product development, and innovation consulting—and now to writing books that connect kids to nature, geography, history, and STEM skills. She talks about the importance of teaching kids to observe the world, balancing screen time with real‑world curiosity, and using tools like eBird and Merlin to make birding fun and interactive for families. She also highlights how many state birds, like the brown pelican of Louisiana, have become powerful symbols of conservation success. Later in the episode, Jed chats briefly with author Jill Esbaum about her playful new picture book “Stink Bird Has a Superpower”, a story inspired by the wonderfully weird hoatzin of the Amazon and Jill’s passion for helping kids discover that everyone has a superpower.
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Going to the Festival: Celebrating Community, Memories, and Art
04/12/2026
Going to the Festival: Celebrating Community, Memories, and Art
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, we’re celebrating two joyful, community-minded picture books that are perfect for creating memories with kids. First, Jed chats with Jodi Tatiana Charles, author of Going to the Festival. Inspired by her decade of volunteering—two years as president—at the Marblehead Festival of the Arts in Massachusetts, Jodi turned her experiences into a vibrant picture book that honors festivals, volunteers, and community life. She talks about how annual events bring neighbors together, support local businesses, and create multigenerational memories that last a lifetime. We meet her four main characters—Tanner, Sebastian, Beatrice, and Danielle—each reflecting different talents and personalities, and each carrying a bit of Jodi and her illustrator, Julia Potvin. Jodi also shares how Easter eggs hidden in the illustrations, intergenerational scenes, and a strong sense of place make the book relatable whether or not you’ve ever been to Marblehead. Then we welcome back Kris Tarantino, author of Bed Slime Blues, the follow-up to Be My Valent-Slime. Kris introduces us to her four monster characters—Snoodle, Iggy, ZZ, and Fleck—who stand in for kids facing classic bedtime battles: baths, toothbrushing, more snacks, more stories, and missing stuffies. She explains how she learned to let the illustrator tell half the story, how revision truly transforms a manuscript, and how her school visits use humor and interactivity to get kids excited about reading and writing. Kris also teases the third “slime” book, centered on the monsters’ first day of school. This episode is all about community, connection, and the magic of picture books.
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The Adventures Of Tubby Nugget
04/10/2026
The Adventures Of Tubby Nugget
In this joyful episode, Jed chats with creative couple Jeanine Pastores and Joshua Jackson, the team behind the beloved character Tubby Nugget and their middle grade graphic novel “The Adventures of Tubby Nugget: Nuggetville Escape.” Jeanine and Joshua share how Tubby Nugget began in 2016 as a private joke and love language between them. Jeanine called Joshua her “nugget,” and he started drawing a little, squishy nugget character to cheer her up—whether she was sad, needed a laugh, or they were apologizing after a fight. Those doodles became webcomics on Instagram, which unexpectedly went viral, turning Tubby Nugget into their full-time career. They talk about navigating health challenges, leaving traditional employment paths, and finding purpose in creating something joyful for others. Both emphasize how crucial supportive family, friends, and a great manager have been, especially as Asian artists whose parents bucked the stereotype and encouraged them to pursue the arts. Jeanine describes the story of Nuggetville Escape: Tubby lives in a town where everyone is expected to be dipped in gold and conform, but he loves his squishy brown coat, colors, and good food. With the help of his loving parents and friends, he chooses to be true to himself. The book celebrates self-acceptance, supportive relationships, and respecting different paths in life. They also discuss their creative collaboration as author and illustrator, the challenges of scope and workload, their thriving merch (especially plushies), and their hopes to expand Tubby Nugget into even more media to reach kids and families everywhere. We also share a listen back to a past conversation with author Emily Ettlinger
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Bedtime In The Black Forest
04/09/2026
Bedtime In The Black Forest
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes Kiersta Halseth, joining from Germany’s enchanting Black Forest, to celebrate her debut picture book, “Lolli Stromboli and the Mysterious Hole.” Kiersta shares her remarkable journey from a marketing and communications career in Florida and California, to a bold leap of faith that took her to Thailand, where she taught English, met her German partner, and eventually settled in the Black Forest with their daughter, Lola. Kiersta explains how Nighttype Books was literally born from a dream. Struggling to read tiny, low-contrast text in picture books during dim, cozy bedtime reading with her daughter, she imagined a series of easier-to-read, larger-font, visually calming books designed specifically for nighttime. That dream became Lolli Stromboli and the Adventures of Mouse House, with book one introducing Lolli and Mouse, whose magical mouse-hole portal takes young readers on gentle travel adventures around the world. The series blends soothing bedtime stories, immersive illustrations by Keziah Crossley, and a growing collection of free parent resources about nighttime reading and reducing screen use before bed. Kiersta and Jed dive into the science and magic of reading before sleep, the dangers of too much screen time, and the deep emotional connection that forms when parents read to their kids every night. In the second half of the episode, Jed invites Carolyn Watkins from New Hampshire to talk about her uplifting new picture book, “Trailblazer Shine.” Originally written as a song, the book encourages kids to face life’s ups and downs with kindness, courage, and a positive mindset, reflecting Carolyn’s 35-year career teaching preschool, kindergarten, and first grade.
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The Power Of Encouragement
04/07/2026
The Power Of Encouragement
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, we welcome back two wonderful creators who are helping families nurture kindness, courage, and curiosity. First, Ruth Maille joins us from Rhode Island to celebrate her new picture book, “The Power of Encouragement: Turning I Can’t into I Can.” Ruth introduces Orbit, a sweet Earth-shaped character with a bandage on his head, symbolizing both a healing world and the idea that everyone makes mistakes. Orbit travels the globe asking kids thoughtful questions about kindness, gratitude, respect, and encouragement, giving young readers a chance to “see themselves” in the stories. Ruth shares how this book was inspired by Natalie, a spirited nine‑year‑old former daycare student who suggested that encouragement deserved its own book. Together, they brainstormed real‑life examples—from sports to school challenges—that show how encouragement helps kids keep trying, feel proud, and turn “I can’t” into “I can.” Ruth also talks about 35 years of working with children, the importance of boundaries, and how practices like daily gratitude can genuinely transform kids’ outlooks. Then we head under the ocean with Janet Lawler, author of the new lift‑the‑flap board book “Who’s Hiding Under the Sea.” A nature lover and former lawyer, Janet describes how her early fascination with the shore and ocean life became a playful nonfiction book for the youngest readers. With sturdy flaps, bright, tactile art, short rhyming poems, and simple facts about six sea creatures, her book is designed to be both durable and delightful for curious little hands—and might just spark the next generation of ocean explorers.
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From the Cross to Our Kids’ Hearts: Teaching Emotions God’s Way
04/05/2026
From the Cross to Our Kids’ Hearts: Teaching Emotions God’s Way
In this powerful Easter-season episode, Jed talks with Pastor Sheldon Lee Stovall, a licensed counselor and pastor, about his new faith-based Sunday school series, “Faith and Feelings: God’s Ways for Every Age.” Drawing from years of working with dozens of children each week, Pastor Sheldon shares how he saw so many kids struggling with fear, loneliness, sadness, anger, and hopelessness—without parents or schools having the language or tools to help them. This burden led him to create age-appropriate lessons for K–4, 5–8, and 9–12, all built around Scripture, prayer, and practical emotional skills. He explains how his teacher/parent guides highlight trigger words and emotional red flags—like “Nobody would care if I was gone” or “I wish I wasn’t here”—so adults can recognize when a child might be in serious trouble. Pastor Sheldon also describes simple, faith-centered coping tools such as guided “God-breath” exercises for anger, interactive games for younger kids, journaling and role plays for teens, and testimonies from real kids to remind young readers they are not alone. Throughout the conversation, he connects emotional regulation with spiritual formation and talks candidly about the alarming suicide rate among young people, the impact of social media and drugs, and why parents need to slow down, listen, and intentionally build a spiritual foundation at home. In the final portion of the episode, Jed welcomes Korey Henkel, Senior Director of Marketing Communications at Centricity Records and editor of the children’s book “Beloved,” inspired by Jordan Feliz’s song. Corey shares how the book helps kids understand they are deeply loved by their parents—and even more deeply loved by God.
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Gardens, Grit & Growing Up
04/03/2026
Gardens, Grit & Growing Up
In this uplifting episode, we’re celebrating two powerful books that help kids grow—both in the garden and in their character. First, Jed welcomes Sharon Rose, landscape designer and debut picture book author of Through the Garden Gate. Sharon shares how her lifelong love of gardening began with her dad and the neighbors who mentored her in their San Jose backyard. Those intergenerational friendships inspired Miss Mary, the neighbor in her book who invites bored, screen‑tempted Miles into her garden. As Miles helps with “weeding” he doesn’t want to do, he discovers curiosity, problem‑solving, and the magic of plants. Sharon and Jed talk about getting kids outside, the healing power of nature, creating pollinator gardens instead of endless lawn, and how gardens can connect neighbors and families. Then Jed talks with David Farkas, author of the middle grade novel Can’t Never Could: A Child’s Guide to Perseverance. David explains the family saying behind the title—every time he said “I can’t,” his parents replied, “Can’t never could!”—and how that simple idea shaped his life. In the book, a boy is followed by a stubborn little sprite who appears whenever he says “I can’t,” pushing him to keep trying. David and Jed dive into why kids need to hear “I can’t…yet,” the dangers of quitting too quickly, and how youth sports, music, and other activities can build real confidence. They also take on participation trophies, cross‑training, and the importance of finishing a season—even when it’s hard. It’s a heart‑warming conversation about getting kids outdoors, helping them stick with challenges, and using stories to grow resilient, joyful humans.
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Wanting To Fit In, Learning To Stand Out
04/02/2026
Wanting To Fit In, Learning To Stand Out
In this heartfelt episode, Jed sits down with author and teacher Margaret Gurevich to talk about her middle grade novel, Yasha’s Amazing Bar Mitzvah. Set in 1986, with the New York Mets’ World Series win as a lively backdrop, the story follows Yasha, a Russian Jewish immigrant who moves from Brighton Beach to the New Jersey suburbs. Suddenly, he’s one of only two Russian kids in his grade, navigating Cold War stereotypes, rocky mania, wealth gaps, and classmates who think his Bar Mitzvah—and even his family—aren’t “American enough.” Margaret shares the real family history woven into the book: parents who left the former Soviet Union in 1979, a grandfather sent to the Gulag for owning prayer shawls, university quotas that nearly blocked her mother’s education, and letters home that arrived with whole sections blacked out. She and Jed talk about what it means when a country’s politics are used to judge its people, and how Yasha’s friendship with an elderly man named Bernie helps him find the courage to be himself. Margaret also reflects on her own journey—from hiding her Russian-Jewish identity as a teen to proudly writing it into her stories—and why she loves writing for middle graders who are still forming their views of the world. In the final part of the episode, Jed chats with cartoonist and author Jeffrey Brown about his graphic novel Once Upon a Space Time, where kids join an intergalactic mission with mostly robot supervision. They explore how today’s kids’ comics blend humor, heart, and big ideas to keep young readers hooked on stories.
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Smashed Avocados & Big Ideas
03/31/2026
Smashed Avocados & Big Ideas
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, we celebrate creativity, courage, and the power of stories to help families connect. First, Jed welcomes 12-year-old author and YouTuber Bella Olson, creator of the Avocado Awesomeness channel and debut middle grade novel “Trapped” (Simon & Schuster). Bella shares how she began writing the book at just seven years old, and how the story follows a girl imprisoned by the evil Dr. Heinous in a mysterious facility. Along the way, the heroine meets unforgettable characters like Luna, Maya, and Rocco the magic chicken—many inspired by Bella’s real-life friends. Bella talks about juggling school, dance, YouTube, and writing, her excitement at landing a major publisher, and how families can CO-read Trapped and talk about favorite scenes, inventions, and characters. Next, in our Story Keepers segment, Schuyler Minckler from Elm Street Books in New Canaan, Connecticut, gives listeners a tour of her cozy indie bookstore. She describes creaky floors, well-loved shelves, and a children’s section designed for browsing and discovery. Schuyler offers down-to-earth advice for nurturing a love of reading, from reading aloud well into the teen years to embracing graphic novels, series, and kid-led choices. Finally, returning guest Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw introduces her deeply moving middle grade novel “Decoding The Moon.” Drawing on her son’s real-life rock climbing fall and her own experience with loss, Suzanne weaves a story of two brothers navigating grief, autism, fear, and new beginnings in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. With secret codes, rock climbing, and super moons, Decoding The Moon becomes both an adventure and a compassionate guide for families facing big emotions and big changes.
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Seasons By The Lake - Adventures In Greenland
03/29/2026
Seasons By The Lake - Adventures In Greenland
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes Naja Lund Aparicio, author of the picture book Seasons by the Lake: Adventures in Greenland, for a rich conversation about childhood, culture, and the nation of Greenland, followed by a listen back to a chat with pastry chef and author Christina Tosi. Naja, a Greenlandic Inuit writer, shares how her book follows siblings Mimik and Nuka as they explore the changing seasons around a Greenlandic lake. She explains that many people think Greenland has only one season—winter—but her goal is to show the subtle but powerful shifts throughout the year and how kids play, gather, and live closely with nature in each one. Naja describes the Inuit worldview that everything—rivers, rocks, mountains—has a spirit and personhood, placing humans on the same level as nature rather than above it. This deep respect for land grew from the need to survive harsh climates, where reading the weather and seasonal signs was a matter of life and death. She also talks about Inuit migration from northern Alaska to Greenland, the ongoing importance of hunting and gathering, and shares a favorite myth about how the raven became black. Naja reflects on Greenlanders as peaceful, welcoming people and on the long-standing allyship between Greenland, Denmark, and the United States. She discusses her other Greenlandic-language books, current MFA work at the Institute of American Indian Arts, and upcoming picture books with Candlewick and Dial Books. In the final segment, Christina Tosi joins to celebrate her picture book Every Cake Has a Story and to talk about creativity, baking with kids, and embracing “failed” recipes as fuel for imagination and learning.
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A Black Girl And Her Braids
03/27/2026
A Black Girl And Her Braids
In this uplifting episode, Jed welcomes Jaylene Clark Owens, author of the new picture book A Black Girl and Her Braids, inspired by her viral 2021 poem of the same name. Jaylene shares how the poem—born while she was joyfully walking down Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles with fresh braids—grew into a children’s book published by Penguin Random House. The book celebrates Black girlhood, natural hair, and cultural pride, encouraging young readers to love their hair in all its styles: braids, afros, locs, twists, long, or short. Jaylene explains how the story also weaves in the CROWN Act, legislation designed to protect people from discrimination based on natural and protective hairstyles. She describes braids as more than a style: they’re deeply rooted in Black culture, historically used to signify status, store seeds, and even map routes. Jaylene also opens up about her own journey—being teased for her dark skin, feeling pressure to straighten her hair with damaging relaxers, and ultimately reclaiming and celebrating her natural beauty. She talks about the joy of seeing her poem go viral, celebrities like Tia Mowry using her sound, and the powerful experience of visiting schools, singing her “A Black Girl and Her Braids” song with children, and watching them light up as they celebrate their hair. In the final segment, we take a listen back to a conversation we had a few years back with Liz Leonard about her debut picture book Frizzy Lizzy, an autobiographical story about curly hair, self-acceptance, and navigating life in a nontraditional family.
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Reading, Rhythm, and Resilience
03/26/2026
Reading, Rhythm, and Resilience
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two wonderful guests who are using story to help kids feel seen, curious, and joyful—author Jamie Sumner and dance educator/author Teacher Terrel. First, Jed chats with Jamie Sumner about her new middle grade novel in verse, Glory Be. Jamie shares why she loves writing in verse for middle graders—it feels fast, accessible, and empowering for reluctant readers. Set in New Orleans, the book follows 11-year-old Glory as she searches for her lost dog over five days, only to uncover deeper questions about her dad, family dynamics, and what it means to grow up and realize no one is all good or all bad. Jamie also talks about representation and how her earlier novel Roll With It was inspired by her son, who has cerebral palsy, and the importance of kids seeing themselves—and others—on the page. She gives a sneak peek at her upcoming picture book A Fish Like Me and her next verse novel The Space Race. Then Teacher Terrel returns to the show to celebrate A Tale of Learning, part of her Once Upon a Dance series. She and Jed discuss how her books invite families to dance through stories, turning read-aloud time into movement, imagination, and play. Terrel talks about her advocacy for a kinder, more inclusive dance world, where all body types and abilities are welcome, and where competition is kept in perspective so kids can keep the joy of dance. She also shares how the pandemic nudged her from studio teaching into creating story-based dance books that will last for years to come.
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From Silly to Profound: Kobe Yamada on Writing Picture Books that Start Conversations
03/24/2026
From Silly to Profound: Kobe Yamada on Writing Picture Books that Start Conversations
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes Kobe Yamada to celebrate his new picture book, “Others.” Kobe shares that the book is all about empathy and perspective, inviting kids (and the adults reading with them) to think about how we see people we don’t yet know. The story is set up as a conversation between two characters on one side of a tall hedge—a hedge that acts as both a physical and psychological barrier. While the characters can’t see what’s on the other side, the reader can, thanks to illustrator Charles Santoso’s imaginative art. Kobe explains that “Others” starts off silly and absurd, mirroring how we often form opinions with very little real information. As the book goes on, the tone becomes more meaningful and sincere, opening the door to conversations about assumptions, fear, curiosity, and connection. He talks about how experiences like travel, new foods, and meeting neighbors from different cultures can help kids (and adults) expand their world. Kobe also describes his approach to picture books as writing for a dual audience—creating stories that encourage deep conversations between children and caregivers, and that gain new layers of meaning as readers grow up. In the final part of the episode, Jed chats briefly with Kate Korsch about her hilarious new chapter book “Una Bramblegoop, Sideways Magic: Newbie Fairy”—a fun, underwear-themed, magic-filled story perfect for kids who love silly humor and heartfelt friendships.
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Live In Louisville!
03/22/2026
Live In Louisville!
Recorded live at the COSSBA National Education Conference in Louisville, this special episode of Reading With Your Kids is a joyful tour through the people and ideas shaping public education today. Host Jed Doherty kicks things off with Dr. Kathy McFarland, Executive Director of COSSBA, who explains how this nonpartisan national association supports state school board groups so they can better serve local districts. She champions student voice, urging boards to put actual students at the table when making policy. Keynote speaker Ravi Hutheesing (author of Pivot) shares his wild journey from rock guitarist with Hanson to aviator to cultural diplomat, using his story to show why kids must learn to pivot, embrace lifelong learning, and see AI as an opportunity, not a threat. We hear about powerful literacy and kindness movements: Dr. Clifford Jones of Horry County Schools describes Rise With Reading, stadium “reading under the lights” nights, and a 1,000-pages-a-month superintendent’s challenge. Shaun Sweet introduces the United States of Kindness, inviting schools and communities to complete 250 acts of kindness to shift culture nationwide. There are delightful detours, too: Kentucky Derby bugler Steve Buttleman shares behind-the-scenes Kentucky Derby stories, and retired educator Dr. Donna McBride delivers an inspiring tribute to public schools and the life-changing power of a single caring teacher. Throughout, Jed and guests celebrate a simple, powerful idea: when families, educators, and communities read, listen, and act with kindness, kids win.
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A Haunted-Looking Castle, A Broken Heart, and One Magical Summer
03/20/2026
A Haunted-Looking Castle, A Broken Heart, and One Magical Summer
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed sits down with middle grade author Kimberly Behre Kenna to talk about her powerful new novel, Lola Gillette and the Summer of Second Chances. Kimberly introduces us to Lola, a 13-year-old girl still grieving the death of her twin sister. Determined to finish the “Perfect Pairs Collection” she started with her sister, Lola makes a desperate choice—trying to steal a pair of bobblehead dolls. Her punishment? A month at her reclusive uncle’s crumbling, castle-like mansion perched above the Connecticut River. Kimberly shares how her love of Gillette Castle State Park and her lifelong fascination with twins—rooted in her relationship with her own twin sisters—inspired the story. She and Jed explore themes of grief, guilt, and second chances, as well as the transforming power of intergenerational friendships. Lola arrives convinced she’s been banished, but slowly discovers a deep connection with her quirky, grieving uncle, Milo, and begins to shift from just trying to “fix herself” to wanting to help him heal too. Drawing on her experience as a fifth-grade teacher, Kimberly talks about writing “brave girl” stories that invite rich classroom and family conversations about empathy, belonging, and talking openly about hard things. In the final segment, Jed welcomes Dr. Anna Housley Juster, former Sesame Street content director and author of How to Train Your Amygdala. Anna explains how this picture book helps kids understand their brain’s alarm system and practice simple, playful strategies—like breathing, muscle relaxation, and imagination—to manage anxiety before big feelings take over.
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Why Kids Need Picture Books, Graphic Novels, and Tough Conversations
03/19/2026
Why Kids Need Picture Books, Graphic Novels, and Tough Conversations
In this episode of Reading with Your Kids, Jed welcomes two guests who celebrate the power of stories in very different – but equally inspiring – ways. First, picture book author Linda Ravin Lodding joins from Stockholm to talk about her new book, It Started with a Book Ban. Linda and Jed reflect on how reading aloud is a “performative” act that builds deep family bonds, invites questions, and helps kids think about causality and consequences. Linda explains that her story follows Edwin, a boy who discovers his favorite space book has vanished from the library. Soon, more and more things in the town are banned – even the color green and the letter “S” – until the world grows smaller, darker, and more absurd. Through vivid visuals and a palette that darkens as bans pile up, the book gently explores censorship, choice, and fairness for young children, while affirming that books can be both mirrors and windows for every child. In the second half, Jed talks with Matthew Loux, author–illustrator of the middle grade graphic novel My Journey to Japan: Escape to Yokai Mountain. Matthew shares how his love of manga, anime, and Japanese culture led to a fun, fast-paced adventure about twins visiting Japan who meet a young yokai and journey to a mountain full of mythical creatures. Along the way, the book weaves in kid-friendly pages on Japanese culture. Matthew also describes his process as a comics creator and art teacher, and encourages parents to fully value comics and graphic novels as real reading that powerfully engages kids’ imaginations.
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Art, Ancestors, and the Stories We Share With Kids
03/17/2026
Art, Ancestors, and the Stories We Share With Kids
In this warm and thoughtful episode of Reading With Your Kids, we’re treated to two beautiful celebrations of art, family, and our relationship with the world around us. First, Jed talks with Steph Littlebird, author-illustrator of You Are the Land. Steph shares how her debut picture book explores a child’s deep connection to the land, rooted in Indigenous, place-based identity in the Pacific Northwest. She explains that in her culture, the land is a relative, not a resource—mountains, hills, and rivers are family. By helping kids see themselves as part of nature rather than separate from it, Steph hopes to give young readers the emotional and cultural tools they’ll need to face the climate crisis with a sense of connection and responsibility. She also describes the challenge and joy of distilling big, abstract ideas into fewer than 500 words, relying on rich, colorful artwork to carry much of the meaning. Next, Jed welcomes Charnelle Pinkney Barlow, author-illustrator of Two Artists, Granddad and Me. This deeply personal picture book is a loving tribute to her grandfather, the legendary illustrator Jerry Pinkney. Charnelle invites listeners into his studio, where music always played and art supplies surrounded them, and where she first learned watercolor from him. She talks about growing up in a family of artists and authors, the magic of intergenerational friendships, and helping kids realize that they, too, are artists with their own stories to tell. Her process—mixing collage, watercolor, and even photos of her real art tools—honors her grandfather while expressing her own voice.
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What If Your Best Friend Moved Away… and Goldilocks Sued the Bears?
03/15/2026
What If Your Best Friend Moved Away… and Goldilocks Sued the Bears?
On this lively episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes two fantastic guests who are using story to spark big conversations with kids and families. First up is Shana Tartogsz, author of the middle grade fantasy The Under Wild: Relic of Thieves. Shana takes us deep into her richly imagined world, where the realm of the living and the realm of the dead are separated by wild, shifting landscapes and mythical creatures. We meet Anya, a living girl dealing with the heartbreak of her best friend moving away, and learn how her story connects with Senka, the underworld-dwelling apprentice from Book One. Shana shares how her childhood fascination with Greek mythology, from Cerberus to Pegasus to Persephone, inspired the series—and how she loves flipping classic myths on their heads to ask new “what if?” questions that families can explore together. Then Jed is joined by Tiffany Obeng, attorney, mom, and powerhouse behind Sugar Cookie Books. Tiffany introduces her clever chapter book series Fairy Tales Versus, where famous stories head to court. In The Three Pigs vs. The Wolf and Goldilocks vs. The Three Bears, kids see both sides presented before Judge Olivia Odemere, an owl who’s smart, thoughtful, and a little unsure of herself—just like real people. Through playful legal battles, Tiffany helps kids think about fairness, perspective, and the idea that there’s always more to the story. Together, these conversations celebrate the power of books to open doors: to ancient myths, to big ideas like justice, and to meaningful family discussions that go far beyond the final page.
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Teaching Empathy Through Birds & Books
03/13/2026
Teaching Empathy Through Birds & Books
Latin Grammy–nominated musician and debut picture book author Sonia de los Santos joins Jed to talk about birds, borders, and the magic of bilingual stories. Sonia shares the inspiration behind her new picture book La Golondrina, based on her song of the same name. The story follows a young girl who becomes fascinated with swallow birds while visiting her grandmother, and slowly begins to see her own migration story reflected in their long journeys. Sonia connects this to her real life, growing up in Monterrey, Mexico, then moving to the New York City area to pursue musical theater, eventually finding her calling making music for children and families. She and Jed swap bird stories (including a backyard turkey named Stella), talk about performing in less‑than‑glamorous multipurpose rooms, and celebrate the joy of seeing every child’s face during school concerts. Sonia explains how her music evolved into books, how it feels to let an illustrator “finish” her story visually, and why she’s committed to creating bilingual, welcoming spaces where all kids and families feel seen. They dive into big themes—migration, identity, empathy, and the courage to speak a second language (and make mistakes out loud!). Sonia also teases that La Golondrina is the first in a three‑book series, “Books That Sing / Libros que cantan”, complete with lyrics, chords, and a QR code so families can read and sing together. Plus, we take a listen back to a conversation we had with children’s music legend Raffi during his tour to promote his Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times project and his lifelong commitment to honoring and respecting children.
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