Reading With Your Kids Podcast

Chip Colquoun is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate the art of storytelling. He discusses the differences between telling stories live versus writing them down. While live storytelling allows for body language and audience engagement, writing opens up opportunities for reader participation. Chip talks about learning this through his first unsuccessful children's book. He explains the importance of including conflict, hope, and relatable characters according to the BME survival model of stories. Chip recommends techniques for parents to engage kids through reading, like having a conversational style instead of performing. He promotes his new story collection and online storytelling workshops at epic tales.co.uk to help more people experience the empowering benefits of stories. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Sherri L Smith and Elizabeth Wein are on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate their new book American Wings. They discuss how they came together to write the nonfiction book for young adults about a group of black pilots in Chicago in the 1930s who built their own airfield and helped integrate civilian pilot training before World War 2. Smith and Wein describe the research process, including arguing over historical facts and realizing the truth often lies somewhere in the middle. They encourage using multiple sources to find the truth. The authors hope the book inspires kids of all backgrounds and hope families will discuss its themes of overcoming adversity through community and dreaming big. Smith and Wein believe continuing to dream Dr. King's dream and the dreams of the early aviators will help progress, though it requires constant work to shore up achievements against backsliding. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com  Click here to buy American Wings on Amazon - https:/

Christine Lewington is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate women in stem. She is the founder and CEO of PIP International, which develops plant-based proteins using yellow pea. Christine discussed the challenges she faced as a woman in engineering., She persevered with the help of mentors. Christine encourages supporting girls interested in STEM from a young age through engaging activities like coding toys. Parents should encourage math skills and not let discouragement stop dreams. Christine overcame obstacles through determination and seeing things from others' perspectives. She advises finding a mentor to help navigate STEM careers. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Kim Farrell is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new #childrensbook Proud To Be Me. The book follows a bumblebee named Buzz who helps his animal friends overcome feelings of self-doubt about their appearances. Farrell discusses how she wrote the book to promote self-esteem in children and address issues like body image that some struggle with from a young age. She and the host discuss how the book's message is important for adults too and how reading it with kids can spark important conversations. They also explore how kids can relate to different characters and how being a role model like Buzz can positively impact others. Farrell hopes the accompanying activity book and journal help facilitate these family discussions. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Tzivia Gover is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new #ChildrensBook How To Sleep Tight Through The Night. Jed Doherty interviews Tzivia about her book and career as a certified dream work professional. Tzivia explains that dreams have meaning and can provide guidance, though some elements are random. She encourages exploring dreams to reduce fear and find insight. Jed shares a dream reflecting a past injury. Tzivia analyzes how dreams reflect body and mind. They discuss kids' sleep needs, creating positive sleep routines, and making beds cozy. Tzivia's book provides activities for bonding over sleep and understanding dreams. The conversation promotes healthy sleep habits and attitudes to help kids feel safe and look forward to bedtime. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Jill and Phil Pietroburgo are on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate Jill's powerful new #ChildrensBook "Sometimes Grandma Calls Me Jean". Jill shares how she wrote the book to honor her mother's experience with dementia, and how reading it to her mother brought them both joy. She hopes it helps start important conversations about aging, empathy and compassion. Phil praises Jill for her strength in caring for her mother. Both discuss the book's ability to give kids a window into different lives and start family discussions. Jedlie agrees that representation matters and this book can help many families facing challenges. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Ani Castillo is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her children's book "People Are My Favorite Places". She shares how the idea came from her experience during the pandemic, realizing she missed people more than places. She wrote daily in her journals and found the line "People are my favorite places". Ani knew this had to be her next book. She discusses how the book explores this idea through different situations. Ani and the host discuss how the pandemic made us appreciate human connection and take people for granted less. They hope this book will inspire families to have meaningful conversations by asking each other questions like "How does it feel to be you?". Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Shannon Anderson is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new children's book Heroes Don't Have to Fly. She discusses how the book was inspired by a drawing her daughter made of a bird named Scooter. Shannon shares how she taught kindness in her classroom through acts like writing positive notes about each student. Jed commends Shannon for teaching kindness as a habit and they discuss how being mean can sometimes come from feeling powerless. Shannon talks about enjoying visiting classrooms for her author visits now that she has left teaching full-time. She updates Jed on the success of her previous book I Love Strawberries. Shannon encourages listeners to find her website shannonandersonteaching.com to learn more about her books. Click here to visit Shannon's website - www.ShannonIsTeaching.com  Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Rob Sayegh and Claire Tattersfield are on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate their delightful #PictureBook Cupig.  Rob explained that the idea for Cupig came from an illustration he drew for his wife for Valentine's Day. His agent saw it and thought it would make a good book. Claire then wrote the story. They discussed how Claire, as an editor, understands what makes a good story structure for picture books from experience. Both Claire and Rob talked about enjoying adding humor and details to the illustrations to enhance the story. They gave advice for aspiring authors and illustrators - draw what you love and share your passions. Overall it was an insightful discussion about the creative process behind this new punny picture book. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Mohini Pollack is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her website Reading is Elementary and discuss the importance of reading with children. She started the website to provide personalized literacy lessons to children and empower parents to support their kids' reading and writing skills through simple activities. Mohini believes that developing strong relationships between children, parents and teachers is key to helping struggling readers. She encourages parents to make reading fun through child-led book browsing and emphasizes that reading to children in any language helps develop literacy. Mohini also runs the Reading and Writing Partners program to help parents become literacy partners for their kids through online lessons and activities. Click these links to connect with Mohini - readingiselementary.com instagram.com/mohinipollock Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Lisa Zupan is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her children's book Rexie Was Here. She discusses how Rexie, a dog they fostered and adopted, helped her family adjust to moving from California to Italy. Rexie made them feel more at home in their new country by understanding the language and culture. The book aims to teach kids about finding home and family wherever they are through Rexie's adventures. Lisa hopes it will spark conversations about welcoming immigrants. She shares her own experience moving to better understand other cultures and perspectives. Jed encourages seeing immigrants as humans and using books to develop empathy and appreciation for diversity. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Mark Cheverton is on the Reading With Your Kids Podcast to celebrate his children's book facing the beast within. He explains that the story is about a group of kids who must stop a demon from invading and destroying New Orleans. Mark shares that the story was inspired by his own son's struggles with severe anxiety in school. He discusses how removing his son from the traditional school environment helped alleviate his anxiety symptoms. Mark also talks about including anxiety coping techniques from child psychologists in the book to help other anxious children. He provides the example of "box breathing" and has the host and himself demonstrate it. Mark discusses his son's ongoing success in college now and how facing the beast within aims to help kids know they are not alone in their struggles. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Janelle Harper is on the Reading With Your Kids Podcast to celebrate her children's book My Block Looks Like. She discusses how the book is a love letter to her hometown of the Bronx and celebrates the community and Hip hop culture there. She talks about growing up in the Bronx and her experiences teaching dance to students there. Janelle explains how hip hop started in the Bronx in 1973 and shares some of the history. She describes the characters and story of My Block Looks Like, which follows a young girl exploring her neighborhood. Janelle discusses the importance of representation in books for children and allowing them to dream. She enjoys working with her illustrator to bring the story to life. #Bronx #HipHopCulture #Family Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Kris Tarantino is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new picture book Be My ValentineSLIME. She discusses how the book was inspired by her own experiences feeling invisible or excluded by people who lacked kindness. She talks about developing the story idea of loveable monsters who don't understand love, with the character of Snoodle teaching friendship and kindness. Tarantino explains working with her editor and agent to strengthen the story through revisions like developing secondary characters.  It was an enjoyable conversation where Tarantino shared the creation of her debut picture book aimed at teaching valuable lessons to kids. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Veronica DeStefano is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her children's book Lucy Lemon and the Brave Bubbles. This book was inspired by her daughter Lucy who was diagnosed with selective mutism at age 4. Selective mutism is a severe social anxiety disorder where children are unable to speak in certain situations. Lucy came up with the idea of "brave bubbles" as a way to encourage herself to complete small tasks like walking into school. Veronica explained how selective mutism affects Lucy differently in different environments. While outgoing at home, she was unable to speak at school. The book helped Lucy's classmates understand her condition. Veronica hopes the book and activity book can help other children coping with anxiety. Jed and Veronica discussed increasing awareness of anxiety disorders in children and the need for more specialized support and individualized education plans. Veronica shared resources for learning more about selective mutism and finding support groups. Click here to v

Dr Kimberly Berens is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate the power of behavior science for accelerating reading skills. She discusses common myths around learning, including the myth that children learn to read based on their age and development rather than through instruction. She explains how this myth has negatively impacted students. Dr. Berens also talks about using the science of learning, including behavior science, neuroscience, and epigenetics, to understand that reading is a skill that must be taught. She emphasizes using phonics and decoding strategies with students of any age who have gaps in foundational reading skills. Dr. Berens promotes taking a scientific approach to education by closely tracking student progress and making data-driven instructional changes. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Carl Safina is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcasts to celebrate "Alfie and Me: What Owls Know and What Humans Believe". Carl discussed how he came to care for and observe a screech owl named Alfie during the COVID pandemic. He shared insights into screech owl behavior and sounds. Carl explained the inspiration for his book's title, which comes from the idea that animals know things based on their experiences in the world, while humans often believe things they have not directly experienced. The conversation touched on teaching media literacy to help kids discern true information. Carl suggested encouraging kids to be open but skeptical of claims until they can investigate further. He also discussed the importance of experiencing nature firsthand and cultivating a sense of wonder and care for the natural world. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Robert Provan is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate his new book "Kiki and Slugger's Magic Spring Adventure", The story features the characters Kiki, a small endangered Key deer, and Slugger, a large playful black lab that kids will love. Robert drew inspiration for the story from observing wildlife like Key deer in the Florida Keys. He discussed how he developed the characters based on real animals he observed. Robert also talked about how he got into writing children's books after answering his young daughter's many questions about nature. Both Robert and Jed agreed on the importance of spending time outside with kids and nurturing their curiosity about the natural world. Robert shared details about his writing process and future projects. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Shyreen Lowe is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her children's book "The Cozy Cozy Cardigan". Shireen discussed how the book tells a story about a young boy dealing with separation anxiety from his mother, and how a cardigan knitted with love by his mother helps comfort him. The story shows how the cardigan is passed down through generations in the family. Shyreen wanted to write a book that could help both children and parents deal with these difficult emotions.. They discussed the importance of portraying fathers and emotions in a positive light in children's media. Shyreen shared that she aims to make a difference in children's lives through her writing and nannying work, despite struggling with anxiety herself Click here to visit Shyreen's website - https://splowe.com/  Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Steve Erickson is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate his children's book "Where Do Animals Go on Vacation?". Steve discussed how he came up with the idea for the book over 15 years ago and finally wrote and published it after retiring from his career in advertising. He explained the premise of animals going on vacation to places that suit their abilities and interests. Steve enjoyed reading the book to school classes and engaging the children to think about where different animals might vacation. Both guests agreed on the importance of reading with children and fueling their imagination through books and travel. Steve shared that writing children's books allows him more creative freedom than his past career creating advertising. The conversation highlighted how reading can open children's minds to new places and cultures. Click here to visit Steve's website - www.steveaerickson.com  Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com