Read-Aloud Revival ®

Latest Episodes:

RAR #149: Keeping Up with Advanced Readers, Colleen Kessler Mar 09, 2020

Show notes

If you have a gifted, twice-exceptional, or advanced reader, this episode is for you. Today I’m chatting with Colleen Kessler of Raising Lifelong Leaners. A gifted specialist and mother of her own gifted and twice-exceptional kids, Colleen understands the challenges of connecting advanced readers with books…

… and the challenges that arise when your advanced reader can read anything, but isn’t emotionally ready to have free reign at the library.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

what to do when your kids can read “older” books, when you know they aren’t ready for the content
Book recommendations that feature gifted or twice-exceptional kids
The answer to whether your child can read too much (we know… it sounds like a good problem to have, but it can be a struggle!)

I also answer two listener questions about finding books for sensitive kids, and great book series for young, voracious readers.

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/149/.

RAR #148: 3 Books I Adore, Reading Curriculum, and What We’re Reading Aloud This Spring Feb 24, 2020

Show notes

I’ve got a brand new episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast for you, and it’s a good one.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

Which 3 books I’d bring with me to a desert island 🏝 (it was torture to answer this listener question!)
Whether or not we use reading curriculum at our house 🤓 (and what I recommend)
The skinny on what we’re reading aloud this spring at RAR (our book choices are just 😍 – scroll down to see what I mean)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/148/.

RAR #147: Our Favorite Math Read-Alouds Feb 11, 2020

Show notes

Math....are your palms sweating yet? 😅Yep, I know. But you’ve asked for books that will enrich and enliven math for your kids, and we took on the challenge.

In today’s episode, the Read-Aloud Revival team is talking about delighting and learning math together through great read-alouds.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

why you might want to add math read-alouds to your day
how to add them in when you already feel pressed for time (no need to dump your existing curriculum!)
our favorites. Of course, right? And yes – we actually all have FAVORITE math picture books… can you believe it?

I also tackle a listener question about stopping to look something up when you’re reading aloud to your kids. Is it a good idea?

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/147/.

RAR #146: The Astonishing Impact of Louisa May Alcott Jan 27, 2020

Show notes

In today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival, you’ll get to know why Louisa May Alcott, the author of Little Women, was such a wonder (and indeed, she was!).

And who could be a better guest for this conversation than Jan Turnquist?

Jan Turnquist is Executive Director of Orchard House, the home where Louisa wrote Little Women, and Co-Executive Producer, Director, and Host of the Emmy-Award Winning documentary, Orchard House.

She’s a true Louisa May Alcott expert, and has wonderful insight into the Alcott family, and why Little Women has endured.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

my own very favorite part of visiting Orchard House (hint: it has to do with drawing on the walls!)
the beauty in re-reading Little Women at different life stages
little known details about Louisa May Alcott, and the very unique and rather revolutionary Alcott family

I’ll also tackle a listener question about whether it’s worthwhile to have your kids watch movie versions of a book after reading it. (What I say here just might surprise you!)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/146/.

RAR #145: The Importance of Reading at Whim and Developing Your Own Taste, Alan Jacobs Jan 13, 2020

Show notes

I felt my brain waking up during this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast.

My guest is Alan Jacobs, Distinguished Professor of Humanities in the Honors Program at Baylor University, and author of The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction (goodness, I *love* that book).

It was such a delight to have him on the show to talk about those “shoulds” that often trip us up as readers, parents, and educators.

He invites us to read at whim, develop our own reading taste, and raise kids who do the same. Don’t miss this one!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

why it’s important to develop your own taste, and to let your kids do the same
the value of reading books that don’t bring you joy
and Alan’s answer to the question: What is reading for? (this part is SO good)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/145/.

RAR Special Edition: The Woman Who Gave us Miss Rumphius Jan 06, 2020

Show notes

I want to introduce you to a remarkable woman. She won two Caldecott Awards, illustrated more than 100 books during her career, raised four children, and lived life with unique zest and liveliness.

You may recognize her illustrations in any of the following books, including my own favorite, Miss Rumphius, and one of her Caldecott winners, The Ox-Cart Man.

Barbara Cooney was a gift to the world, and in this special edition podcast, I want to introduce you to the woman behind these magnificent books.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

how this mother of four managed to illustrate over 100 books
stories about what it was like growing up with Barbara as a mother (listen in for roosters in the kitchen and mice in the car!)
how Barbara made sure her legacy and love for books would continue after her death in 2000

Think you love Miss Rumphius? Just wait till you meet the woman who wrote her onto the page.

You’ll love these books even more after you meet the one and only Barbara Cooney.

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/barbara/.

RAR #143: Kate DiCamillo is Back! Dec 09, 2019

Show notes

That’s right … Kate DiCamillo is back! And what she has to say is so good, you might find yourself listening more than once.

In this new episode, Kate and I chat about her newest book, Beverly, Right Here, and we also discuss why parents and teachers so often try to quantify what our kids are getting from books.

We have some ideas about how we could better help kids develop their own robust reading life.

I also answer a listener question about how to read aloud with highly visual kids (kids who really want pictures to go along with their books).

In this episode, you’ll hear:

why the kinds of questions we ask our kids about books matter
how to keep joy in reading
what Kate really wants readers to get from her books

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/143/.

RAR #141: Why Re-Reading is Possibly the Best Reading Nov 11, 2019

Show notes

Why re-read? This is a question we get a lot at RAR, and I’m not going to beat around the bush…I’m convinced there is a lot to gain from rereading. Today, I’m going to tell you why.

If you have a child who re-reads the same book over and over, we’re going to talk about it.

And if you or someone you love has recently read the same picture book to a little one every night for months, I’ve got some good news for you.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

why re-reading may just be the very best kind of reading
what’s to gain from re-reading?
how our kids benefit from revisiting their favorite books (and the rewards are huge!)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/141/.

RAR #140: How to Fold Poetry into Your Routine, with Sally Thomas Oct 28, 2019

Show notes

Poetry is beautiful, captivating and (for a lot of us) a little intimidating, right? Our goal with this episode is to show you how simple and delightful sharing poetry with your kids can be.

My guest today says we can’t force poetry, but we can share it naturally… and that just might be the key to helping our kids develop a lifelong love.

If you want to help your kids fall in love with beautiful language, there’s no better (or simpler) way to start than with a poem.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

why and how to incorporate poetry into your routine
what to do if you feel intimidated
how to develop a true affection for poetry (it’s more fun than you think!)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/140/.

RAR #139: Kindness Over Curiosity: Favorite Books Featuring Differently Abled Characters Oct 14, 2019

Show notes

Is there a better way to nurture empathy and compassion than through books? That’s the question we address in this episode with special guest, Courtney Westlake.

Courtney’s daughter, Brenna, was born with a skin condition that makes her appear “different” to many people.

On today’s show, Courtney shares not just her family’s experience, but also how we can teach our kids kindness and understanding when it comes to differences.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

how to help kids grow in empathy
how books help us walk in another person’s shoes
our favorite books for teaching about differences and disabilities

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/139/.

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