Reading With Your Kids Podcast

On this episode of Reading With Your Kids we welcome authors Kristin Peach, Rae Augustine and Tom Tracy. Kristen Peach talked about her book series Tales from Slacksville, focusing on the book "Slacksville's Worst Superheroes." She described creating silly characters like Speed Person and Samsung Man. Ray Augustine discussed their debut middle grade novel "Hang About Far From Home," which follows a dog and cat exploring themes of homelessness and belonging. Tom Tracy discussed his award-winning book "Some Families, All Families," which celebrates diverse families through illustrations of different structures and traditions. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Looking For A Fun & Thrilling Book To Read With Your Kids? This episode of Reading With Your Kids features three amazing authors you will be so glad to know. Our first guest is Brad Mason, author of the book "Charlie Chaloosy is Often Quite Choosy." Brad discussed how he was inspired to write the book after being challenged by a friend. He talked about his background as an educator for 34 years and how the book aims to encourage kids to try new things. We then take a listen back to our conversation with Grammy winning recording artist Mr G who asks how many squirrels are in the world. We then meet Charles O'Neill, author of the middle grade book series "The Adventures of Jafir." Chuck explained that the stories take place in 1830s Ethiopia and follow Jafir as he searches for his sister Butina after they get separated. Each chapter ends in a cliffhanger to keep readers engaged. Chuck discussed how the series will take Jafir to different locations around the world as he continues his search. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Super episode of Reading With Your Kids featuring four fascinating authors & illustrators. Susanna Lloyd and Patti Donnelly celebrated their book "Here Be Dragons," an interactive story where the text and illustrations tell different narratives. They described developing the hapless knight character and subverting stereotypes. Other authors discussed finding inspiration from everyday experiences. Dazzle Ng shared that her book "When an Elephant Hears No" came from saying no to her son at bedtime. T.L. Macbeth's book "I Am Not the Easter Bunny" was inspired by his mother's silly story idea. The authors emphasized the importance of writing down ideas when they strike. The conversation also touched on cultural differences in children's literature. Books from places like the Philippines and Latin America often incorporate local language and address challenges facing communities. Meanwhile, some authors enjoy playfully subverting expectations through characters like an angry elephant or insistent bunny. Overall, the discussion provided insight into diverse creative processes. The authors emphasized fostering children's creativity through involvement and materials. They look forward to future collaborations that continue exploring emotional intelligence and storytelling from around the world. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Leticia Ordaz and her son Bronx Baeza are on #ReadingWithYourKids to celebrate their new children's book Super Peanut and the Big Bully. Bronx came up with the idea for the book when he was 5 years old after witnessing bullying in his school. The book tells the story of Super Peanut, who is Bronx, and his encounter with Grulow, a boy who is seen as a monster by the other kids due to his bullying behavior. With Super Peanut's help, Grulow discovers his kindness and turns back into a boy. Leticia shared how proud she was of Bronx for sticking with writing the book for over 4 years. She supported Bronx throughout the process. They discussed the importance of addressing bullying and teaching kindness. Bronx was excited for the book's message to help other kids. Jed and Leticia emphasized the role bystanders can play in stopping bullying by speaking up. They hoped the book and Leticia's outreach efforts will inspire kindness among children and a movement of empowering kids to address bullying situations. Leticia is passionate about increasing access to books for underrepresented communities and inspiring young people to pursue their dreams, like Bronx did in writing his first book. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

This episode of Reading with Your Kids featured conversations with two fascinatingauthors. Dr. Tony Keith discussed his memoir "How the Boogey Man Became a Poet," sharing his experience navigating college as a first-generation student and coming out. He emphasized the importance of education and integrating hip hop culture into teaching. Kathleen Davis then joined to talk about her middle grade novel "Dean's Magical Mix-Up." She drew inspiration from her son disliking school and wrote Dean's story to have meaningful discussions about identity and what kids would change. Both authors highlighted the value of reading with children of all ages and not clipping their wings. They encouraged continuing conversations around difficult topics and issues kids face using books. The episode celebrated storytelling's power to help kids feel seen and empowered. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Today's episode of Reading With Your Kids features two guests who share stories of imagination and loss. Author Andrew Hackett discussed his trio of books coming out this spring. In "Ollie the Acorn and the Mighty Idea," a boy eats an acorn hoping to transform and face his bully, embarking on a journey of self acceptance. "Curly Locks" follows a girl who dislikes her curls, finding her way into a magical hair salon run by three hairs. Hackett draws from his experience teaching children to infuse fun and silliness into learning. We also heard from Irma Prosser about her book "I Miss the Baby." She explored using picture books to help kids and families cope with grief over miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss. Both authors saw the power of reading to start important conversations and provide mirrors for children's emotions. Their works give tools for understanding difficult topics and supporting others through life's challenges. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

In this episode of Reading with Your Kids we welcome authors Julie Whitney and Nancy Tupper Ling. We begin with Julie who discussed her new book "Astra and Hollywood," the sequel to her first book about a lonely airplane named Astra. She talked about Astra making her way to Hollywood and meeting new airplane friends. Julie also discussed the process of writing the books and bringing them to schools. Next, Nancy Tupper Ling discussed her book "One Perfect Plan," which tells Bible stories through short poems. Each poem starts with the word "one" to represent the themes of what one person or thing can do. Nancy explained how she chose which Bible stories to include and worked with an illustrator to bring the stories to life. Both authors emphasized the importance of sparking conversations with children about themes of friendship, loyalty, and making a difference in the world. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

This episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast featured two authors celebrating new books. The first guest was Yobe Qiu, who discussed her debut chapter book called The Missing Red Envelopes. She explained the cultural significance of red envelopes in Asian traditions and told the story of two sisters collecting envelopes for Lunar New Year. The book follows what happens when one of the sisters loses the bag containing all the envelopes. The second guest was Connor Derelioglu who discussed his middle grade novel Kili and Nakoa. The story follows a boy named Kili who goes surfing one day and is impressed by an older man's surfing skills. Throughout their interactions, the man teaches Kili how to embrace challenges. Both authors discussed the importance of portraying diverse cultures and intergenerational relationships in children's literature. We also hear a highlight from our 2018 conversation with LeVar Burton. Clikc here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

This episode of #ReadingWithYourKids featured two guests discussing self-publishing children's books. Jay Miletsky shared his experience successfully self-publishing over 600,000 copies of his books. He emphasized treating book publishing like a business by understanding costs, profit margins, and marketing strategies. The second guest, Larry Daley, introduced his debut picture book "Float." The story follows a girl who causes chaos in an aquarium. Daley said the book explores learning to stay calm during unexpected events. Larry's book is being published by Booking Media, a publishing company that is very unique in that the author-illustrator keeps their rights to their creations. Booking Media and Daley chose are using Kickstarter to allow families to pre-order Float. The host and guests discussed the importance of marketing when self-publishing. Traditional routes like agents and large publishers involve high costs and compromises. Alternative models like crowdfunding and smaller presses give more opportunities for diverse stories. The episode highlighted treating books as small businesses requiring entrepreneurial skills. It encouraged aspiring authors to view writing as one part of a larger publishing process. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Jessica Stremer is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate two new children's books - Lights Out about the light pollution movement to help migrating birds, and The Great Barrier Reef about the USS Risky aircraft carrier that was intentionally sunk to become an artificial reef. She explains how lights distract and endanger birds during migration and how organizations like Audubon work together for conservation. Jed is amazed at bird navigation abilities and enjoys learning with his kids. They discuss challenges of writing accessible nonfiction and using pictures to introduce complex STEM topics. Jessica also worked to turn complicated subjects into understandable concepts for young readers. Both agree exposing kids to science through books can expand their worlds and interests. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Jessa McLean is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new children's book series called "The Lonely Series." She discusses her first book, "The Lonely Side of the Christmas Tree," which tells the story of the side of the Christmas tree that faces the wall and doesn't get decorated from its perspective. She aims to use these books to help children who feel lonely by relating them to the characters. Jessa McLean and the host discuss the issue of loneliness among children and the importance of inclusion. They also talk about the benefits of virtual schools like flexibility and work-life balance while still building connections. Jessa provides details about her upcoming book in the series called "The Lonely Vegetables," which will give vegetables a voice to discuss why they are important from their perspective. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Michelle Knudson and Kevin Hawkes are on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate their new children's book, Luigi, the spider who wanted to be a kitten. Michelle shares how the story was inspired by a real spider she met while staying in a friend's country home. Kevin discusses the challenge of illustrating a spider in a way that would make it appear cute and cuddly. He had to think creatively about how to use Luigi's extra legs to create kitten-like features. Both the author and illustrator enjoyed collaborating on bringing Luigi to life. They hope the story will teach children that it's okay to be yourself and not pretend to be something you're not. Michelle and Kevin appreciate the feedback they received throughout the creative process from editors, art directors, and each other. Listeners are encouraged to check out Luigi, the spider who wanted to be a kitten and other books by these talented creatives. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

O'Brien McMahon is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate his new picture book "How You Become You." He discusses how the book aims to provide guidance for both children and parents on figuring out who you are and what you love. It presents a framework of trying new things, reflecting on your experiences, and finding ways to pursue your interests and live according to your beliefs. While entertaining kids with imaginative illustrations, O'Brien hopes the book also resonates with adults. He encourages making reading a collaborative family experience and having meaningful conversations about life lessons from books. The podcast host appreciates O'Brien's message and believes both children and parents can benefit from being fully present and open to wisdom in kids' literature. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids

Jessica Gold and Brian Werts are on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate Jessica's children's book "The Winner at Being Me." Jessica discusses how the book explores children finding their hidden talents. Brian shares how he brought the characters to life through illustration. Jed reflects on challenges raising two different children and their interests. The guests discuss the importance of finding hobbies to build confidence and self-esteem in kids. Brian emphasizes practicing art daily. Jessica shares her next project with Brian about connecting generations through stickball and technology. They emphasize the value of direct collaboration between authors and illustrators. The conversation concludes with Jessica and Brian promoting literacy and exploring future events together. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Claire Noland is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate the release of her new children's book "Nancy Best Had a Dress." She discusses the story, which takes place during the Great Depression and features illustrations by Angela Hawkins. Claire talks about how the book can spark conversations about sustainability and reusing materials. Host Jed Doherty provides marketing tips for authors, suggesting Claire target niche venues like quilt museums. Claire shares her volunteer work promoting literacy in Nicaragua and building a library. Both encourage supporting libraries and emphasize their importance for communities. They discuss Claire's other works, including "The Raven's Gift" and "Ev's Field Day," now available in Spanish. Claire invites listeners to learn more about her books and literacy efforts on her website and Instagram. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Erica Richmond is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate the release of her debut children's book, Pixie and the Bees. She discusses how the story came from her own experience with anxiety, which she describes as feeling like buzzing bees inside her body. Erica shares strategies she uses to manage anxiety, such as exercise, breathwork, and mindfulness. Jed Doherty and Erica discuss the importance of teaching children these self-care strategies proactively. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Barbara Dee is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new middle grade novel Unstuck. She discusses how the novel explores the challenges a 7th grader named Lila faces with family turmoil as her older sister resists college and the loss of her best friend. Barbara emphasizes using humor to make serious topics more palatable for middle grade readers. She reflects on how her own children's experiences with changing friendships influenced the story. Both Barbara and host Jed Doherty agree that reading books together allows parents and children opportunities for important conversations about resilience when dealing with difficult situations. They encourage sharing the reading experience as a way to build stronger relationships and foster communication between parents and kids. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Katie Kennedy is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her books "US Presidents Decoded" and "US Constitution Decoded". She discusses how the books use primary sources like letters and documents to help readers understand American history. Kennedy explains key concepts like primary, secondary, and tertiary sources to the host. They discuss the founding fathers and Constitution, with Kennedy arguing against replacing the document. Kennedy encourages learning local history and one's family roots. She shares interesting facts about presidents like Ulysses S. Grant's love of horses. The host praises how the books can educate both children and parents. Kennedy hopes the books will spark curiosity in history and encourages exploring primary sources to think critically about issues. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Anandamayi Baker is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her award winning #ChildrensBook Bee Coming Strong. The book tells the story of a tiny little bee and her journey of overcoming bullying and low self-esteem with the help of her queen bee. Baker was inspired to write the book after observing how disconnected children have become from nature, and the anxiety many experienced during the pandemic. Jedlie and Baker discussed the importance of connecting children to nature to help reduce anxiety. They emphasized slowing down and paying attention to small things in nature. Baker shared how observing bees' curiosity inspired her book to teach kindness to those seen as different. Both felt empowering children's sense of self-worth and creativity is important. Baker plans to write more books and start a nature-focused newsletter to continue sharing these messages. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Connie Schultz is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her debut children's picture book, Lola and the Troll. The book addresses the themes of bullying and self-esteem through the story of a little girl named Lola who is bullied by a neighborhood troll. With the help of her friend Mrs. B, Lola learns to embrace her uniqueness. Schultz drew inspiration for the book from her experiences battling trolls on social media. Both speakers emphasized the importance of having conversations with children about topics like bullying, self-esteem, love, and media literacy. They agreed that girls especially are negatively impacted by online abuse. Schultz discussed the challenges of writing her first children's book but enjoyed the process of learning something new. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com Click here to buy Lola and the Trolls on our Amazon store - https://amzn.to/49zfdiH

Micha Archer is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new children's book "What's New Daniel". She discusses the challenges of writing picture books with very few words and having to choose each word carefully. Micha Archer also talks about the importance of listening to children and understanding their perspectives in order to write books that resonate with them. Both Micha Archer and host Jed Doherty reflect on fond childhood memories spent in nature and the enduring presence of trees and lakes. They discuss inspiring children's curiosity and appreciation for the natural world through books. Micha Archer shares her creative process and passion for finding just the right words to evoke feelings in readers. The conversation highlights the joy of reading, storytelling, and bringing families together through sharing experiences both real and imaginary. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Cynthia Harmony is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new children's picture book "A Flicker of Hope". She discusses how the book tells the parallel stories of a young girl in Mexico named Lucia who waits for her father to return from working in the fields, and the annual migration of monarch butterflies between Canada and Mexico. Cynthia shares how her sister's experiences with an indigenous community in Mexico inspired her to tell a story that also addresses the issues of immigration and family separation. Jed Doherty and Cynthia discuss the cultural and spiritual significance of monarch butterflies in Mexico as well as the challenges faced by migrants. They explore how "A Flicker of Hope" offers many opportunities for discussion through its exploration of themes like family, culture, science, and hope. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Three great authors join us on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast today, Pam Gittleman , E J Stelter and Lauren Chander-McCluskey. Pam is the author of Nursery Rhymes for Kinder Times. She tells us international children's recording artist Raffi used some of Pam's poems as lyrics for his songs. E J Stelter tells us about her wonderful book Poppys First Adventure, le pont de Papillion‌ and Lauren Chandler-McCluskey celebrates "Flowers from A to Z That We See" Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Dinah Johnson is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new #ChildrensBook Ida B. Wells Marches for the Vote. Johnson discussed how the book tells the story of Ida B. Wells' activism leading up to the 1913 Women's March in Washington D.C. fighting for women's right to vote. Doherty and Johnson discussed how shocking it was that women didn't have the right to vote not long ago. Johnson explained how Wells was a courageous activist who faced dangers standing up against lynching and fighting for many civil rights. They talked about how families can have conversations about current events and history when reading the book. Johnson recommended not underestimating what children can understand. Overall, the conversation provided an overview of Johnson's inspiration for the book and how it depicts an important moment in the fight for women's suffrage. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

We have two great guests on the episode of the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast. Firs we speak with teenage author Mmanasi Vegnesna about her debut #ChildrensBook Maya's Tiny Warriors. Manasi tells us Tiny Warriors is a children's book on immunology. She believes it is important for STEM education and health awareness. Timo Kuilder is on the podcast to celebrate his #PictureBook Pablo Dreams Of Cats, a fun & funny story about a dog who loves to paint cats. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Mia Armstrong and her mom Cara are on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate Mia's new #PictureBook I Am A Masterpiece. Host Jed Doherty interviews Mia and Cara about the book, which tells Mia's empowering story of growing up with Down syndrome and aims to inspire inclusion and acceptance. Mia shares that Down syndrome is her "superpower" and that she wants kids who read her book to not be afraid of disability. Cara discusses their experience receiving Mia's prenatal diagnosis and wanting to share their positive journey. They also talk about Mia's voice acting role on a TV show and her hopes to write a graphic novel. The interview highlights the importance of representation and reframing perceptions of disability. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Gideon Sterer and Charlie Mylie are on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate their beautiful #PictureBook Treehouse Town. The author Gideon describes the magical world of treehouses in the woods where kids and animals live in harmony. Both Gideon and Charlie discuss how treehouses represent a place for imagination and creativity for both children and adults. They had a very collaborative process in bringing the book to life. Charlie shares how he learned to draw by doing quick portraits for people and tries to add humor to his work. Both had fond memories of climbing trees as children and being in awe of the world above. It's clear their love of treehouses and collaboration brought this special book to life for readers to enjoy. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Kate Korsh is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new children's book series "On a Brammo Goop Sideways Magic." She discusses how she got the idea for an underwear fairy character while showering and wanted to create a story celebrating girls' bodies and humor. Kate shares details about the first book in the series, including how the main character Ona accidentally gives her cousin magic underwear. She talks about writing the following books and where the story will go. Both Kate and the podcast host Jed Doherty emphasize the importance of continuing to read with children as they grow up. They offer tips for capturing creative ideas and advice for aspiring young authors. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Dr Charnetta Williams is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new children's book Penelope and the Power of Positivity. She discusses how the book teaches the importance of a growth mindset and believing in yourself through challenges with the help of phrases like "I can't yet." Dr. Williams drew inspiration for the book from helping her own daughter develop confidence and from being with her mother during a medical crisis. She hopes the book will help parents have important conversations with their kids about developing a positive outlook. Both Dr. Williams and the host discuss how scientific studies show benefits to mental and physical health from practicing gratitude and positivity. They encourage embracing challenges with resilience and not letting doubts like "fear" and "self-doubt" drive your decisions. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Kerry Gallagher is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to discuss keeping kids safe online and artificial intelligence. Kerry is an education director at Connect Safely, an internet safety nonprofit, and assistant principal at a boys' school. She talks about using AI tools like chatbots safely and discusses the benefits of AI, such as planning vacations and meals. However, she cautions that AI can spread biases and be used to generate deepfakes. Kerry emphasizes the importance of media literacy when using AI and warns of emerging threats like sextortion using manipulated images. She advises parents to have open conversations with kids and assure them they will not get in trouble for reporting problems. Kerry provides resources at ConnectSafely.org to help parents and educators discuss these issues. Click here to visit Kerry's website - www.connectsafely.org/wellnesstips Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Frederick Burns is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate his new illustrated chapter book called "And the Trees Talk Back". He discusses how the story is about a young girl who follows her cat into the woods and discovers that the trees can talk. One tree opens its eyes when she shines her flashlight on it, startling both of them. They have a friendly conversation where the tree shares it has been in the same spot for 150 years. Another tree interrupts and is less friendly towards humans. The girl works to befriend the other trees by listening to them and offering her help. Jed Doherty and Frederick Burns discuss how the book's themes of listening to different perspectives and finding common ground are especially relevant today. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Ruth Behar is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new middle grade novel called Across So Many Seas. She discusses how the novel follows four girls across different time periods as their stories interconnect. Ruth shares that she enjoyed the challenge of writing multiple character perspectives and wanted to write a story where all the pieces come together at the end. She and the host discuss the importance of family history and sparking conversations with kids about where their ancestors came from. Ruth also shares details about the Sephardic Jewish culture and history. The conversation provides ideas for how families can read the book together and discuss big topics like refugees and cultural identities. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Elisa Stad is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new children's book Mama's Love Language. She shares that the book is based on her experience growing up with an immigrant Vietnamese mother who showed love differently than her American father and other parents. Her son inspired her to finally publish the book after years of working on it. The book uses watercolor illustrations to tell the story of a girl named Jade who doesn't understand why her mother is more strict and less affectionate than the other parents. Elisa found the process of writing the book therapeutic as it helped her understand her relationship with her own mother better. Both her son and readers have connected deeply with the story and its exploration of cultural differences in expressing love and emotions. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Liana Finck is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new #Children's #PictureBook called "You Broke It". She discusses how the book explores feelings from a child's perspective through simple illustrations of animals in everyday situations. Finck shares how becoming a parent herself helped her understand these feelings better. She also opens up about being a shy child and how interventions for kids today are more kind and understanding. The conversation touches on expressing emotions through art and storytelling. Finck finds inspiration from emotions and simplifying ideas into visual symbols. She hopes families can find understanding reading this book together. Finck is working on more children's books and shares details on her process and upcoming projects. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Aimee Reid is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new children's book A World Of Love. Jedlie interviews Aimee about the inspiration for the book, which came while she was camping with her family and an idea came to her about different animals caring for their young. Aimee discusses how she chose various animals from around the world to represent different parenting behaviors. Jed and Aimee talk about why kids relate to stories about animals and the importance of unconditional love. They discuss the value of reading with children and being fully present. Aimee shares that parenting is an opportunity for self-growth and the importance of self-care. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

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://amzn.to/3SeqmP8

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 visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com