Reading With Your Kids Podcast

In this captivating episode of the "Reading with Your Kids" podcast, host Jed Doherty welcomes two talented children's authors, Leia Barrett and Abbi Lee, to celebrate their engaging book series. Leia Barrett shares the inspiration behind her debut children's book, "The Odd Dog," the first in a series featuring a quirky, lovable mutt. Leia explains how she wanted to create an "every dog" character that readers could easily see their own pets in. She also discusses the importance of the "3/3/3 rule" for welcoming rescue dogs into a new home, emphasizing the need for patience, space, and empathy during the transition. Next, Abbi Lee introduces her middle-grade series "Geocache Club," starting with the thrilling adventure "Ghost Town Treasure Hunt." Abbi delves into the fascinating world of geocaching, a modern-day treasure hunt using GPS coordinates, and how she seamlessly blends this activity with a real-life mystery set in an abandoned Kansas ghost town. Abbi's passion for inspiring families to explore nature

In this engaging episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes back beloved guests Nita Clark and her daughter Kathy Doherty to discuss their latest certified great read, "Danny's Reading Problem and the Fun He Had Fixing It."  Nita shares the personal inspiration behind the book, drawing from her own experiences helping her son overcome reading challenges in the 1960s. She emphasizes the importance of a balanced approach, combining phonics and visual recognition, to make reading more accessible for all children. Kathy, the illustrator, provides a unique perspective on the collaborative process and how Nita's passion for learning has influenced multiple generations of their family. The conversation then shifts to an innovative reading program called Flashcard Read, created by guest Kim Parra. Kim, who has personal experience with dyslexia and ADHD, explains how the strategic use of flashcards can help rewire the brain and improve reading, spelling, and even handwriting for neurodiverse learners

In this special episode of the "Reading with Your Kids" podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with Tim Cunningham, the Interim Executive Director of Clowns Without Borders, to discuss the organization's mission of bringing laughter and joy to children and families experiencing adversity around the world. Cunningham explains how Clowns Without Borders sends professional performers - including clowns, actors, acrobats, and magicians - to war-torn regions, refugee camps, and areas impacted by natural disasters to provide a much-needed respite for children. He emphasizes the importance of allowing children to simply be kids, even in the midst of profound hardship. Doherty and Cunningham explore the challenges and impact of this work, highlighting research that shows the healing power of laughter and play. The conversation delves into the organization's efforts to bring clowning back home to the United States, focusing on vulnerable communities in cities like New York, Boston, and Chicago. Cunningham stresses the ne

Hey there, fellow book lovers! This episode of Reading with Your Kids was jam-packed with some seriously awesome authors and their incredible books. Let me give you the scoop! First up, we had the delightful Lisa Maggiore, who's celebrating the release of the third book in her "Ava the Monster Slayer" graphic novel series. Ava and her friends are back for another adventure, this time taking on ghosts, monsters, and even a troop of gnomes during a sleepover at school. Lisa shared how her background as a social worker influenced the story, and how her talented cousin, Ross Felton, brought the vibrant illustrations to life. Next, we met the youngest author at the AuthorPalooza event, 15-year-old DeMarko Avant, and his mom, Robin. DeMarko wrote a super helpful book called "Teenage Boss" all about managing your money as a teen. He shared how his own struggles with spending led him to write this practical guide, and Robin told us about their nonprofit, Youth Money Management, which is working to get the book into t

Join us for an exciting episode of Reading with Your Kids as we dive into the wonderful world of children's books! We had the pleasure of chatting with three talented authors who are sharing their latest works and insights on engaging young readers. First up, we welcomed back the delightful Carrie Finison to discuss her new picture book, "Pigs Dig a Road." Carrie took us on a hilarious journey with a construction crew of pigs working to build a road to the county fair. We learned how Carrie drew inspiration from the iconic Richard Scarry books and made a conscious effort to feature a female pig as the leader of the pack. Carrie's passion for representation shines through, and she shared fascinating research on the intricacies of road building that will captivate young readers. Next, we met Kirsten Henry, a debut author whose picture book "Quieting Hazel's Heart" tackles the common challenge of separation anxiety. As an experienced early childhood educator, Kirsten provided valuable insights on the impact of t

On this episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty had the pleasure of speaking with two talented children's book authors - Jean Huxtable Hammersky and Tina Neely.  Jean shared the delightful story behind her book Parker's Pumpkin. She described how a young boy named Parker and his grandma plant a mysteriously large seed, only to watch it grow into a gigantic pumpkin that takes over their whole living room! Jean highlighted the intergenerational and community-building themes in the story, as the town comes together to celebrate the oversized gourd with a big pumpkin pie party.  Jed and Jean also discussed the importance of grandparent-grandchild relationships, and how technology like FaceTime can help bridge the distance. As a former speech therapist, Jean offered great advice for parents on spotting speech delays in kids and getting them the help they need. Next, Jed chatted with Tina about her book Bacon's Very Important Christmas Job. Tina shared the real-life inspiration behind her main character

If you're looking to spark your child's love for numbers and data, you'll want to check out "Daphne Draws Data" - a charming new book from data visualization expert Cole Nussbaumer Knaflic. In this fun and engaging story, readers meet Daphne, a unique dragon who uses her artistic talents to bring data to life through colorful graphs and charts. As Jed and Cole chatted, it was clear that Cole has a true passion for making math and data accessible and enjoyable for kids. "Graphs are just a visual language of numbers," she explained, "and we can use them to help kids solve problems and understand the world around them."  Cole shared how she was inspired to create Daphne's adventures after years of teaching data communication skills to adults. "I figured, why not bring these concepts to the younger crowd in a fun, story-driven way?" And that's exactly what she's done, weaving Daphne's journey of self-discovery and problem-solving into a tale that seamlessly incorporates key data visualization principles. Beyond t

If you're a parent who's ever struggled to help your child learn to read, you'll definitely want to check out this episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast. Jed Doherty sits down with Dr. Irene Daria, author of the memoir "I Didn't Believe Him," to discuss her personal journey of helping her son overcome reading difficulties in school. Dr. Daria shares a relatable story that many parents can probably identify with. When her son came home from kindergarten, frustrated that the school wasn't teaching him to read, she initially brushed off his concerns, trusting that the teachers knew what they were doing. But as time went on, it became clear that her son was falling behind, and Dr. Daria realized the school was using a flawed teaching method called "balanced literacy." Through her own research and determination, Dr. Daria learned about the importance of phonics-based instruction, and she set out to teach her son how to read using a more effective approach. Her son went on to become a stellar student, and D

In this episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty had the pleasure of speaking with two talented children's book authors - Michelle Schaub and Ty Trotter.  Michelle Schaub shared insights into her two latest books, "A Place for Rain" and "Leafy Landmarks: Travels with Trees." "A Place for Rain" is a lyrical story about a classroom that comes together to build a rain garden, teaching kids about the importance of green infrastructure and capturing rainwater to prevent pollution. Michelle emphasized her goal of empowering young readers to take small, impactful actions to help the environment.  "Leafy Landmarks" is a unique poetry collection that takes readers on a family road trip to visit historic and remarkable trees across the United States. Michelle drew from her own childhood memories, like climbing a beloved sycamore tree in college, to inspire the book's warm, personal tone. Listeners were fascinated to learn about "Moon Trees" - tree seeds that were sent to space and then planted back on Earth.

In this captivating episode, we had the pleasure of chatting with acclaimed author Angie Cruz about her delightful new children's book, Angelica and La Guira. Angie shared the inspiring story behind her book, which follows a young girl named Angelica who receives a special family heirloom - an instrument called the La guira - from her grandfather in the Dominican Republic.  Angie passionately described the unique La guira instrument, a tin can-like percussion tool with a cheese grater-esque surface, played with a metal comb. She explained how the La guira is deeply rooted in Latin American culture, and how incorporating it into her book was a way for Angie to celebrate her Dominican heritage and share it with young readers. Angie also discussed the importance of representation in children's literature, and how she was driven to create a story that would resonate with Latin kids and families. She beautifully captured the themes of family, community, and the power of music to bring people together, even when fa

This was a fun and insightful episode of the podcast! We got to chat with the creative duo behind the beloved "Princess in Black" book series, Shannon and Dean Hale. They shared the backstory on how they came up with the idea - it all started when their young daughter made a comment about princesses not wearing black. Shannon and Dean saw an opportunity to create a superhero princess who protects her kingdom, and the rest is history!  The Hales have such a great collaborative process, bouncing ideas off each other and letting their creativity flow. They emphasized the importance of making reading fun and engaging for kids, especially in that tricky transition from early readers to chapter books. Shannon and Dean wanted to fill that gap with a series that would captivate both younger and older readers through vibrant illustrations and compelling stories. We also heard from author Leah Cypess, who is putting her own spin on classic fairy tales in her "Sisters Ever After" series. Her latest book, "Braided," is a

This was a really special episode of Reading with Your Kids! We got to chat with two awesome children's book authors - Charlotte Cheng and Rami Jandali.  Charlotte shared the touching story behind her new book "I Miss You Most." It's all about a young girl who misses her grandfather in Taiwan after he passes away. Charlotte opened up about the personal grief she experienced when her own uncle died, and how writing this book in rhyme helped her process those emotions and teach her daughter about loss in a meaningful way. It was so heartwarming to hear how this book is now helping other families have important conversations about grief and cherishing loved ones. We also got to know Rami and his delightful new book "Blueberry Fairy." Rami has such a fun, imaginative storytelling style - he brought the blueberry fairy character to life in the most charming way! The book has great themes about acceptance, gratitude, and the power of kindness. Rami shared how he's tapping into his own inner child to craft these whi

Get ready for a captivating journey into the world of kid's books! In this episode, host Jed Doherty chats with two talented authors who are bringing their unique visions to life. First up, we meet Mary Trudeau, the brilliant mind behind the debut children's book "A Tale of Two Planets." Mary shares how her work in environmental conservation inspired her to create a story that celebrates the wonders of our incredible planet. As she describes the magical features of Earth that we often take for granted, you can't help but be in awe of the natural world around us. Mary also opens up about the challenges and joys of transitioning from her career in water management to becoming a published kids' author. Her passion for protecting the environment shines through, and you'll be inspired to appreciate the small miracles happening in your own backyard, just like the monarch butterflies and hummingbirds that captivate Mary. Next, we chat with Howard Pearlstein, the author of the delightfully mischievous picture book "T

On this episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast, host Jed Doherty had the pleasure of chatting with two talented children's book authors - Annie Wyatt and Chris Strassel.  Annie Wyatt joined us from Charlotte, North Carolina to discuss her new picture book "A Horse in the Castle." Annie shared how her love of horses, especially after volunteering at a therapeutic riding program, inspired her to write a story that educates kids about the daily life of these majestic animals. She wanted to create a fun, rhyming tale that would get kids excited to learn more.  Annie also talked about the importance of reading aloud to kids, and how the rhythmic nature of her book helps young readers develop important literacy skills. As a mom herself, she gets so much joy seeing kids connect with her stories. Next, Jed welcomed Chris Strassel, who is based in Delaware, to discuss her debut picture book "Courageous Clooney." Chris rescued her dog Clooney after he was flown to safety during Hurricane Ida, and she was inspire

In this episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast, host Jed Doherty has an engaging conversation with two very different guests - children's author Diana Renn and author Kevin M Hall. First, Jed speaks with Diana Renn about her "Backyard Rangers" eco-mystery series, which follows a group of young wildlife detectives investigating environmental crimes in their community. Diana shares how her own experiences living near nature spots like Walden Pond inspired the books, which aim to spark kids' curiosity about the natural world. She offers tips for parents on helping urban kids connect with the outdoors, even in small ways. Later, Jed welcomes author Kevin M Hall, whose new book "Signs" explores paranormal and unexplained phenomena. Kevin recounts a personal story about a mysterious earring that reappeared in an unexpected place, which prompted him to start researching and documenting similar uncanny experiences.  Throughout the conversation, Kevin delves into the historical and cultural significance of sign

In this episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty chats with debut children's book author Madison Caputi about her heartwarming picture book, Tiki Tim. Caputi shares the inspiration behind her story, which follows a young boy named Kai who befriends a magical tiki totem come to life. The two embark on a series of adventures that celebrate the beauty of Hawaii and the importance of friendship. Doherty and Caputi also discuss the author's own experiences growing up in Hawaii and traveling to other tropical destinations, noting the awe-inspiring natural landscapes that can sometimes be taken for granted. Caputi explains how her childhood memories and love of design ultimately led her to pursue her lifelong dream of writing and publishing children's books. The conversation then shifts to the challenges of making new friends, especially for young people, and how Caputi hopes her story will encourage empathy and bravery. Doherty and Caputi also explore the hybrid publishing model Caputi chose, highlightin

In this episode, host Jed Doherty engages in a thought-provoking discussion with experts Dr. Michelle Borba and Julia Cook about the importance of teaching children resilience through children's books. The conversation delves into the concept of "bibliotherapy," where books allow kids to step into the shoes of characters facing challenges and learn strategies for handling problems. Dr. Borba and Julia emphasize the value of equipping children with resilience skills from an early age, rather than shielding them from setbacks. They explain how books like "Bounce Back Superpowers" provide practical techniques, such as deep breathing and brainstorming, to help kids develop the mindset and tools to overcome obstacles. The experts also address the concerning trend of "risk-averse" college students, highlighting the need to instill resilience in children before they reach higher education. The second half of the episode shifts focus to Jed's conversations with authors Sally Kashner and Dottie Lee. Sally discusses he

In this episode of "Reading with Your Kids," host Jed Doherty welcomes a diverse lineup of guests, including author Dr. Autumn Swain and children's book author Heather Stigall. The discussion covers a wide range of topics, from the importance of modeling leadership and character development for children to the unique publishing process for children's books around the world. Dr. Swain shares her passion for helping families grow closer through reading and the inspiration behind her book "The Playground Leader." She emphasizes the significance of leading by example and the importance of giving children the space to ask questions and develop empathy. Co-host Rory Grady and Dr. Swain also explore the challenges of parenting stubborn 8-10 year olds and the value of patience and margin in addressing pushback. Later, Heather Stigall joins the conversation to discuss her new children's book, "Paisley's Big Birthday." Heather shares how the story was inspired by her own child's experience of expecting big changes on t

In this episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast, we dive into the world of middle grade novels in verse with author Shifa Saltagi Safadi. Shifa discusses her new book, "Kareem Between," which follows a Syrian American seventh-grader navigating the challenges of identity, belonging, and discrimination in 2017 America. Shifa shares how the novel's themes of political policies, like the "Muslim ban," directly impact young people like Kareem, who is torn between his Syrian and American identities. The host and Shifa explore the importance of diverse storytelling, using Kareem's love of football as a relatable way to connect with readers. We also hear from Candace Jones, who shares her personal journey of having two premature babies in the NICU. Candace's experiences inspired her to create the "Melody's Little Library" initiative, which collects donated books to provide comfort and connection for NICU families. Finally, we chat with author Angela Smith about her empowering children's books, "I Am Me, Unique

Alright, gather 'round folks, because we've got one heck of a conversation to dive into! First up, we've got Tapiwa, a real trailblazer in the world of children's books. This superstar author is on a mission to inspire kids to embrace their inner royalty, pairing affirmations with stories about real-life African kings and queens. And get this - she's even got her own little mini-business owners in the making, with her kids helping to bring her magical mermaid adventures to life. Talk about a family affair!   But Tapiwa's not the only one bringing the positivity and diversity to the table. We've also got Nonku, who's using her vibrant, inclusive books to teach kids the power of self-love and celebrating their differences. She's even got adults getting in on the action, with her books sparking tears, laughter, and a whole lot of self-reflection. Talk about a multi-talented author! And last but not least, we've got Uli Nagle, who's on a mission to get kids excited about energy conservation. Yep, you heard that r