Reading With Your Kids Podcast

Katie Zhao is on the #podcast to celebrate her debut middle grade novel The Dragon Warrior. This is the first in a series of books inspired by Chinese Mythology.

Today we welcome Stephen Wunderli to celebrate his #ChildrensBook Dear Moon. Stephen is the author of six books for children and young adults. He believes adventure is always the best medicine and that curiosity is the best teacher.

Nikkii Bergstresser joins us to celebrate her new #ChildrensBook Seasons For Stones. This is a wonderful conversation about a book that reminds kids about the power of small acts of kindness.#Kindness #SmallActsOfKindness

This is a special republication of an episode that was first heard in December of 2018. Nine members of the Spooky Middle Grade Authors group come together to create and read an original short story just for the Reading With Your Kids audience. This was an especially fun experience for everyone involved. Check out www.spookymiddlegrade.com

Josh Roberts is a member of the Spooky Middle Grade authors group. His latest novel, The Witches of Willow Cove, was inspired by the Salem Witch trials. Josh also tells us what is was like growing up in a funeral home near the site of those witch trials.

Lorien Lawrence is on the #Podcast to celebrate her debut middle grade novel "The Stitchers". Lorien is a member of the Spooky Middle Grade Authors group. In addition to writing Lorien is a middle school English teacher from Connecticut. She has creative writing degrees from Wheaton College and Bath Spa University. When she's not reading or writing, she can be found hunting ghosts with her family.

Kim Ventrella returns to the podcast to celebrate "Hello Future Me" & "The Secret Life of Sam." Kim tells us she has always been a little on the weird side. She tells us that she once ate part of a giant cockroach (not on purpose) and that she has held many different jobs, including working as a 'scare actor' in a haunted house.

Spooky Middle Grade author Jacqueline West helps us celebrate Halloween Week with a chat about her Books of Elsewhere series and so much more. Jacqueline tells us she believes reading spooky books can be empowering for kids!

We kick off our Halloween Week Celebration with two not so scary authors. Paige Lawrence celebrates Gobblin' Ghouls. And Erica D Allen celebrates Cairo's First Halloween, a book inspired by a series of social media posts that went viral!

Trevor Lai is an award-winning author, illustrator and entrepreneur who has published more than 15 books for readers of all ages. He is also the founder and CEO of UP Studios, which is dedicated to creating, developing and producing content and merchandise based on original properties for kids and families.Today he talks about creating his iconic character Boomi and the need for creators, and all of us, to be fluent in both languages and culture.

Mrs. Sapp is President and CEO of Informed Families/The Florida Family Partnership, an agency she helped to create 37 years ago, transforming it from a six-volunteer organization into a multi-million dollar agency with state and national outreach to families, schools, and communities. The mission of Informed Families is "helping kids grow up safe, healthy and drug-free." Mrs. Sapp is a recognized leader in drug prevention through grassroots involvement and is the recipient of numerous honors and community service awards. She has served on the Advisory Councils of The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, the National Institute of Drug Abuse and the Florida Governor's Drug Control Policy Council.

Kerry Gallagher, JD is an innovative teacher, school administrator, lawyer, TEDx speaker, keynote speaker, education consultant, downhill skier, hiker, mom, and wife. She currently serves as Director of K-12 Education at ConnectSafely, an internet safety non-profit in Palo Alto, California. Kerry is co-author of several ConnectSafely award-winning guidebooks for parents and teachers on topics that include social media, data privacy, education technology, copyright, and more.

Tam Warner Minton loves the ocean. She loves scuba diving in the ocean and photographing all of the creatures that call the ocean their home. Today she celebrates her beautiful photo books All Fish Faces (a Reading With Your Kids Certified Great Read) & More Fish Faces.

Zack Bush & Laurie Friedman are on the show to celebrate their Little Book of Presidential Elections. This is the latest in their series of books that helps generate great family conversations about important topics. This non partisan picture book is a great tool to help answer question that may arise during the upcoming US election season

Everyone knows that all sloths are slow. Well, all sloths except for Sam, the speedy sloth. Being different is hard for Sam, as he doesn't seem to fit in anywhere. Matthew Ralph celebrates his wonderful new picture book that reminds kids that comparing yourself to others won't get you far, you are pretty wonderful, just the way you are.

Author Kathy MacMillan & Illustrator Julia Castaño are on the Reading With Your Kids Podcast to celebrate thier new picture book The Runaway Shirt. This is a wonderful tale that turns a chore into a delightful journey of imagination. The team also talk about how much fun they had working together.

Joana Pastro is on the podcast to celebrate her fun & empowering Children's book A Damsel Not In Distress. When she's captured by one villain after another, LillyBelle will need to use her charm and her wit to save herself and prove once and for all that damsels don't have to be in distress--all in time for tea!

NY Times Best Selling author Brad Meltzer is on the #Podcast to celebrate his acclaimed Ordinary People Change The World children's book series. Brad tells us how he was inspired to create the series to introduce his kids to real heroes. He also tells us why the latest book in the series, "I Am Anne Frank" is so special to him.

Carole Lindstrom is on to help us celebrate Indigenous People's Day and her critically acclaimed children's book We Are Water Protectors. Carole shares her inspiration for the book and also talks about what it is like growing up as a Native American.

We have a great time speaking with one of the World's most accomplished illusionists Lyn Dillies. In addition to being passionate about magic Lyn is passionate about voting. She is here to remind everyone that your vote is magic!

Circus Performer Leah Orleans is here to motivate us to turn fitness into a habit, for good! Leah's A, B, C's of Fitness Program is a fun way for families to spend quality, active time together. Check out Leah's A, B, C's of Fitness website - https://theabcsoffitness.com/abcs-info You can see Leah in action as one half of Acrobatrix - https://www.acrobatrix.com/

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. Dr Kathryn Garforth helps us raise our awareness & understanding of this learning challenge. Dr. Garforth has professional expertise in Educational Psychology and a personal understanding of the frustrations children and adults with learning difficulties experience at home, school, work, and in extracurricular activities.

Author & educator Luke Reynolds returns to the podcast to celebrate Even More Fantastic Failures. This is a wonderful collection of stories that help kids understand that failure is often a first and needed step towards success.

Gina McMurchy Barber is on the podcast to help us acknowledge Downs Syndrome Awareness Month. Gina is the author of two wonderful novels that feature characters with Downs Syndrome. Both books are in part based on her experiences growing up with a sibling who had Downs Syndrome

Sarah Kathryn Frey is on the podcast to celebrate Alice Eloise's Silver Linings. This is the story of a silly, playful Double Doodle pup named Alice Eloise who dreams of becoming a service dog for her best friend, Sarah Kate. No matter how hard she tries, she just can't tame her natural silliness into the serious respectability that service dogs so often possess. The story is based on Sarah's relationship with her silly service dog. Be sure to check out her Kickstarter page - go to kickstarter.com and search for Alice Eloise's Silver Linings

How would you spend 5 million dollars in thirty days? Stacy McAnulty celebrates her new middle grade novel Millionaires for the Month. This is a thought-provoking story about friendship, privilege, and the value of a penny.

We have a fascinating time speaking with author & film maker Mathew Klickstein. Mathew is on the podcast primarily to help us acknowledge Disabilities Awareness Month & to celebrate his new middle grade novel The Kids Of Widney Junior High. We also talk about life, travel and so much more. Don't miss our visit with "the geek guru of the 21st Century."

October is disabilities awareness month. We are getting ready to kick things off by inviting Arielle Hobbs to celebrate her heart warming picture book Sully the Racoon. This book is based on Arielle's son Sullivan. This is a wonderful conversation about love, courage and the beauty of family.

Tommy Balaam is the fantastic founder of Captain Fantastic, voted the UK's no. 1 children's entertainment company. The Captain Fantastic series of books was inspired by the success of the children's entertainment franchise. Both are dedicated to captivating young audiences with bold characters, plenty of laughter, an emphasis on children's well being and, above all, exciting stories.

Author & educator Tina Shepardson returns to the podcast to celebrate her new children's book WALKOUT! Inspired by a true story, WALKOUT shows democracy in action as Maddie organizes a safe school's anti-violence walkout.

When should we start speaking with our kids about money & finances? Candace Okin says now! Helping our kids become financially literate is one of the best gifts we can give to our kids. Her new book Mason Makes Money can ignite some great lessons about finance.

We have a really fun time speaking with author/storyteller Antonio Sacre. His tales of growing up bilingually in a Cuban and Irish-American household have inspired children worldwide to gather their own family stories and become storytellers themselves.

Bollywood star Vaishnavi MacDonald is on the Reading With Your Kids Podcast to celebrate the release of her book The Invisible Hand Of God. This autobiography shares Vaishnavi's incredible life journey.

One of our favorite teachers returns to the program to celebrate the release of two new books. Shannon Anderson believes that one of the best ways to teach kids is to empower them with a growth mindset. Her picture book Y if for Yet & Middle Grade book Mindset Power inspires kids from Kindergarten through middle school

September is World Dementia Awareness Month. We are marking this important month with a moving interview with Rene Schultz. Rene's A Million More Kisses is a touching story that can help families have important conversations about this most difficult topic.

Alysson Bourque has led a fascinating life. She graduated from college with a teaching degree. After a few years in the classroom Alysson became a lawyer. She practiced law for 6 years, before turning her sights on the World of Children's Books. Her award winning Alycat series is a fun way to teach kids important life lessons

Prepare to fall in love. Paula & Rosie Quinn are the mother / daughter team behind the adorable Children's Book My hair Wen On Vacation. Rosie is an absolutely amazing 9 year old who lost all of her hair at a very young age to Alopecia. You are going to love her positive spirit and outlook on life.

Meghan Christensen is a mom who tells folks that she has the perfect ratios to make the best PB & J sandwiches in the World. Her life long dream to be a Children's author has been realized with the publication of Wally & the Sweet Mountain Candy Factory. We have a great time celebrating family and this her debut book.

I had so much fun interviewing author & entrepreneur Yobe Qiu. Yobe is on the podcast to celebrate her new #ChildrensBook Our Moon Festival. This is a beautiful book that celebrates diverse Asian cultures & encourages us to respect & celebrate all cultures.

Author Becky Cummings returns to the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her Magic of Me series. This is a wonderful series that parents can use to inspire their kids to love themselves and make great choices.

Two great authors equals one fantastically colorful podcast. We first meet Prue McDonell, author of Stargazer, a Reading With Your Kids Certified Great Read. Prue tells us that living in the Australian Rain Forest provided inspiration for her beautiful book. We also welcome back Deb Gruelle, author of Sleepy Time Colors

Illustrator Melanie Hall is on the podcast to celebrate A Winter Walk In The City. This is a beautiful #PictureBook that introduces kids to the many holidays celebrated by different cultures during the Winter months. Melanie also gives some great tips to young illustrators

Author & educator Corey Wolff is on the podcast to celebrate his award winning #middleGrade #Novel Journey of an Acorn. This is a sweet story that can inspire family conversations about struggle, joy and loss.

Illustrator Yuliya Pankratova joins us from the United Kingdom to share her experience illustrating No Matter What, A Foster Care Tale. We recently spoke with the author Josh Shipp. Yuliya tells us what it was like turning his words into lovely illustrations.

Mary Morgan Ketchel is on the podcast to celebrate the passing of the 19th amendment giving women the right to vote, and to celebrate her new Children's Book Camilla Can Vote. Mary Morgan wrote this book with her mom, Senator Marsha Blackburn

Hello Neighbor! That's the title of the latest book from our guest Matthew Cordell. Hello Neighbor is a picture book biography of the beloved Mr Rogers.

Powerful conversation with award winning author Josh Shipp. Josh was thrown into the foster care system at a young age. His new #PictureBook No Matter What is a mostly autobiographical tale about finding home.

Author Ann Gonzales is on the #RWYK #Podcast to celebrate "Beloved and the Pepper Tree" - A picture book for ages 3 to 6 with the theme of helping kids cope with change and saying good-bye, whether that be a military move, change in family dynamics, or an economic change

Brian Wray returns to the podcast to celebrate his new #ChildrensBook Maia & the Very Tall Wall. This is a great story that will help kids find their voice and learn that their thoughts, opinions and questions matter, and that finding one's voice is life changing.

This podcast will give you hope. Linda Marshall celebrates The Polio Pioneer, Dr Jonas Salk. Just a few decades ago the World was terrified of Polio, a potentially deadly virus that left many kids paralyzed. Knowing that Dr Jonas Salk created a vaccine that has virtually eliminated Polio from most of the planet should give us hope.