Reading With Your Kids Podcast

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

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

Sarah Arthur is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #podcast to celebrate her new YA novel Once a Queen. Jed and Sarah discussed Sarah's background in youth ministry and 20 years of writing books exploring faith through popular stories. Sarah explained how she uses stories to have meaningful conversations with kids about life's challenges. They talked about the importance of experiencing media together as a family and using it to discuss values. Sarah provided an overview of Once a Queen, about a teenage girl visiting her estranged grandmother in England and sensing fairy tales may be real. She enjoyed developing the protagonist's emotional journey. Sarah and Jed agreed parents should read this book with their kids to have important discussions. Overall, this was an engaging discussion about using stories to build understanding between generations and bring families closer through open conversations. Click here to visit Sarah's website - www.saraharthur.com Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Christmas is here, and we are blessed once again to be able to share with you an original short story, written and read by members of CatholicTeenBooks.com. This heartwarming story reminds us how wonderful it is to be able to share our blessings with others. The story was written and read by Antony Kolenc, Leslea Wahl, Carolyn Astfalk, Corinna Turner and Marie Keiser. Sit back with a cup of coco and enjoy this heart warming story.

Fahad Siddiqui is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate his publishing company Our Story. Fahad started Our Story to tell stories of important historical figures that are often left out of mainstream education, like Mansa Musa, the richest man in history from Mali. Fahid tells us these books aim to show kids positive representations of people from all over the world and what's possible. Jed and Fahid discussed how media focuses too much on negativity and how Our Story shares positive stories from the past. Fahad talked about a woman named Fatima al-Fihri who founded the first university in the world in the 9th century in Morocco. They hope these stories can inspire kids about what they can achieve regardless of gender or background. Click here to visit the Our Story website - www.Ourstory.media Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Ricky Adams is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate his debut children's book, Tumbleweed the Cowboy Flamingo. The book tells the story of Tumbleweed who travels from the East Coast to the West during the California Gold Rush of 1849. Adams wrote the book originally as a Christmas gift for his son, who he describes as highly sensitive. He discusses how highly sensitive children can deeply empathize with characters and be affected by conflicts in stories. Adams wanted to provide content for children like his son that didn't include violence or intense conflicts. The conversation explores the benefits of reading together as a family and how choosing the right books can provide an empowering experience before bedtime. Adams shares his journey from getting the idea to publish the book for others and hopes Tumbleweed may become a series of adventures. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Aaron Airmet is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate his newly created card game called Dad Ventures. This game is the perfect tool to help busy fathers find easy ways to spend quality time with their kids. The game consists of "Dad Cards" with activity ideas like going on a bike ride, and "Kid Cards" that add a fun twist. Airmet came up with the idea after feeling guilty about not spending enough time with his own kids due to work obligations. The cards are meant to provide spontaneous activities that require no planning so dads can quickly engage with their children. Airmet shared stories of playing Dad Ventures with his family, which sparked imaginative adventures like pretending to be superheroes. Other dads who tested the game also bonded more closely with their kids through silly outings. Now Airmet is running a Kickstarter campaign to mass produce Dad Ventures. The goal is to encourage millions of fathers worldwide to strengthen their relationships by enjoying simple activities together drawn from the cards. Research shows spending time with children is very rewarding for dads but also exhausting, so the convenient card format aims to make bonding achievable for busy families. Click here to learn more about dadventures - www.adventures.dad Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Jeff Nelligan joins Jed Doherty to discuss his new book "Four Lessons from My Three Sons." Jeff shares the valuable life lessons he imparted to his sons, including the importance of building strong family relationships, being on time, greeting people properly, developing confidence through challenging experiences, cultivating resilience in the face of adversity, and inspiring ambition. Jed agrees these lessons served him and his kids well too. Though some may dismiss their advice as "old school," Jeff argues what has endured is often worth keeping. They discuss how these lessons can benefit all kids in building character and preparing them for success. It's a lively discussion of practical wisdom for parenting that's sure to give listeners a renewed appreciation for timeless guidance and new ideas to strengthen their own families. Click here to visit Jeff's website - https://www.nelliganbooks.com/ Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Storyteller Ray Chesny is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her children's book Zora's Garden, inspired by her research into author Zora Neale Hurston. The book tells the story of little Zora learning about storytelling from her mother in their garden, much like Hurston's own upbringing. Ray discussed how the book came from time spent gardening with her son during the pandemic. She also shared insights into Hurston's pioneering life as one of the most prolific black women writers of her time and her determination to follow her dreams despite the challenges she faced. Ray explained how she became inspired by Hurston after initially being unfamiliar with her work. Listeners learned how Ray brings stories to life for audiences through dynamic storytelling techniques. The summary provides details on where to find Ray's work and get involved with preserving Hurston's legacy. Click here to visit Rae's website - https://raechesny.com/ Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Chaya Topas is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her two children's books - When We Visit You and Go Away Bad Dreams. When We Visit You came from a running joke Chaya had with her husband about visiting their grown kids and doing the annoying things they used to do. The book shows grandparents getting revenge in a fun way. Chaya said it worked to change some behaviors in her kids like replacing the toilet paper. Go Away Bad Dreams helps kids relax before bed by suggesting pleasant dreams. Chaya reads it to her daughters and puts positive images in their minds. Both books get great feedback from parents for their effectiveness. Chaya never intended to be a writer but has caught the bug and written four more books. She discussed the challenges of publishing but finds the creative process rewarding. Click here to visit Chaya's website - www.ChayaTopas.com Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Tim Wright is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate his new middle grade novel, Toby Baxter: River Home for the Holidays. Tim discussed how in this sequel, Toby returns to the magical world of River Home during the holidays but finds it dying without its source of energy. Toby and his friends go on an adventure to discover what happened and try to restore life to the land. Jed and Tim talked about the importance of instilling a sense of vision and purpose in middle grade readers through stories. They discussed the benefits of reading together as a family versus social media consumption. Tim enjoyed writing middle grade novels later in life and found it brought him joy. He hopes to continue Toby Baxter's story through 7 books total. Click here to visit Tim's website - www.TimWrightBooks.com Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Kevin Carey is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate his novel Junior Miles and the Junk Man and how it aimed to help a boy process his grief over losing his father through magical journeys involving creating art from recycled materials. Both Kevin and Jed reflected on how far we've come in openly discussing difficult emotions like grief. Kevin also provided insightful advice from his experience teaching writing, emphasizing the importance of being open to constructive criticism in order to grow. His perseverance in getting this story published after many years showed the dedication and resilience needed in the writing field. This discussion highlighted how expressing ourselves through writing and art can help us understand ourselves and others on a deeper level. It was inspiring to hear Kevin's passion for sharing stories that explore the human experience, even through fantastical elements, and for encouraging new writers to stay determined in pursuing their craft. Click here to visit Kevin's website - kevincareywriter.com Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Dr. Monica Schott is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her children's book "My Dad Built Me the Best and Wackiest Cubby Ever". Dr. Schott explained that the book tells the story of a child building a cubby house with their father, but as they build it the father becomes mentally ill and the cubby becomes more "wacky". Jed shared about growing up with a father who had mental health issues and how a book like this could have helped him understand better. Dr. Schott talked about how she was inspired to write the book to help explain mental illness to her own children. They discussed how important it is for both children and adults to have resources to understand and talk about mental health. Dr. Schott found resilience from believing in breaking down stigma, and was glad the book is now helping many adults as well as children. Click here to visit Dr Monika's website - www.monikaschott.com/about Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Jeanne DuPreau is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new middle grade novel Project F. Jeanne explained that Project F takes place hundreds of years in the future after climate change has drastically altered civilization. Humanity has survived but in a very different world. The main character is a 13-year-old boy named Keith who goes on a trip that connects him to a mysterious project. Jed and Jeanne discussed how this future world might look and function without many modern conveniences. They also talked about how reading this book could inspire important conversations for families about energy, climate change, and humanity's impact on the planet. While the future depicted may seem frightening, Jeanne believes discussing such issues is important for awareness and potential solutions. Overall, the interview provided an overview of Project F's setting and themes while exploring how the book could engage readers and families. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Anthony Kolenc returns to the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate Murder at Pinewood Manor, the fifth installment in his Harwood Mysteries series. Kolenc described that the books are aimed at middle school through high school readers and involve his protagonist Zan and friends solving mysteries in 12th century England. Kolenc provided a plot summary of Murder at Pinewood Manor and discussed how he balances accurate historical details with an engaging story. He also talked about how the series was inspired by his family's experience with homeschooling and how the books are popular educational resources. Kolenc connected his work as a law professor to the legal topics covered in the novels. He further explained how writing the series allowed him to sensitively portray other religions. Click here to visit Antony's website - http://www.antonykolenc.com/ Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Christine Carlucci Evans is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her book "Worry Cloud." Christine discussed how the book was inspired by a mindfulness technique she created for her kids during the pandemic to help them release worries. She explained that the technique involves saying worries aloud, imagining putting them in a cloud, watching the cloud float away, and affirming positive statements. Christine also discussed how the book introduces breathwork and its benefits for reducing stress and anxiety. She recommended specific exercises parents can do with kids like counting breaths. Christine discussed how introducing these mindfulness techniques early can help kids and parents dealing with anxiety. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Elliot Herland is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate his debut children's book "The Cloud Story". Elliot explained how the book came about through his daughter Katie Marquardt who illustrated it for her college portfolio. The book uses descriptive imagery of nature to teach children mindfulness techniques like breathing exercises. It takes readers on a journey through different landscapes while cueing them to breathe. Elliot discussed how he would tell the story to his kids as they fell asleep and how Katie encouraged him to write it down. He went through several revisions guided by her feedback. They worked with a publisher to edit and produce the book. Elliot hopes the book can help kids deal with anxiety and stress through meditation. He and Katie may collaborate on future books building off the characters and exploring new themes and stories. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Etaine Raphael returns to the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new children's book series called The Rumbly Tummy Adventures. The first book is called Rice to the Rescue. Etaine explains that the series was created in partnership with Edmundite Missions to teach children about nutrition in a fun way through stories featuring fairies, dragons, and adventures. Each book also includes easy recipes. Etaine discusses working with the community in Selma, Alabama to ensure the books and recipes are culturally relevant and use affordable ingredients. She acknowledges criticism may come from focusing less on health and more on accessibility, but feels it's important to start with small improvements. Etaine shares details about Rice to the Rescue's story and characters. Jed commends Etaine for her work with Edmundite Missions to address food insecurity through literacy and family engagement. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Victoria Smith returns to the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new book "Priscilla and Tux", the third book in her Tuxedo Baby series. She discusses the plot of the new book, which focuses on sibling love between Tuxedo Baby and his new sister Priscilla. Tux wants to be called Tux now that he has a sister. The story follows Priscilla bringing Tux to show and tell at school. Jed and Victoria discuss some of the themes in the books like learning limitations and accepting who you are. They also talk about Victoria's experience visiting classrooms to discuss the books. Victoria shares how the classroom experience differs from her 29 years of teaching. They discuss some changes in education over the decades like smaller class sizes. Victoria emphasizes the important role of the teacher in shaping the classroom experience. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Sally Alexander returns to the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her latest books: "The Missing Cats" and "The Wild Turkeys." The series follows the adventures of Caitlin and her Ragdoll cat, Rio, who gained superpowers after the world lost its colors. Each book presents standalone adventures while maintaining an overarching storyline. "The Missing Cats" involves a mystery about missing blue-eyed cats, drawing inspiration from lost pet notices in the suburbs. Sally emphasizes teamwork and friendship as themes throughout the series. The upcoming book, "The Wild Turkeys," is inspired by a group of wild turkeys invading a town. Sally introduces the idea of animals gaining unique powers due to the color loss event, bringing a tribe of turkeys seeking help to Caitlin and Rio. This book promises a unique Thanksgiving tale, blending unpredictable elements like a snowstorm and a turkey causing chaos. The conversation delves into creativity, vulnerability, and the importance of allowing oneself to fail and take risks. Sally encourages young aspiring writers to embrace their imagination and start writing without fear of making mistakes. Click here to visit Sally's website - https://www.sallyalexander.com/ Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com