Read-Aloud Revival ®

Latest Episodes:

RAR #117: Christmas Novels to Read Aloud with the Whole Family Nov 19, 2018

Show notes

You’ve been asking for one, and this year, we made it for you: a booklist of Christmas novels to read aloud.

If you’re looking for stories that will shape and form your Advent and Christmas season, you’re in exactly the right place.

On this brand new podcast episode, I’m sharing my favorite Christmas novels (and short stories, too) to read with your kids.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

which books to read with your kids all through December
books that will appeal to the youngest kids and the “biggest kids” (you? Grandpa?) ;)
one absolute favorite series that you should just grab right this minute

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/117/.

RAR #116: Reading Aloud to Babies, Connection Parenting, and Getting Books into the Hands of Every Child Nov 12, 2018

Show notes

We say it often here at the Read-Aloud Revival: sharing books with our kids is all about connection. This is true for all ages, but today we’re especially going to talk about the importance of reading aloud to babies.

Our guest today goes so far as to say that our effectiveness as parents is in direct proportion to the strength of the bond that we have with our child. This is good stuff!

In this new episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, Pam Leo shares her wisdom about connecting with babies and toddlers through books.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

How connection = effectiveness in parenting
Whether reading to babies really matters (spoiler alert: It does… a lot!)
Favorite books for babies and toddlers

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/116/.

RAR #115: Are you Making this Mistake When you Read Aloud With Your Kids? Nov 05, 2018

Show notes

There’s a common mistake that most of us make while reading aloud. The good news is that it’s actually pretty easy to fix!

There’s one very simple thing you can do right away that will make your read-alouds better. Not only will it help your kids understand books better, it will also make you enjoy the reading more.

Don’t believe me? Give a listen and see what you think!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

The quickest, simplest way to improve your read-alouds
Why this tip is so powerful – I’m sharing an example so you can hear it for yourself
A little bit about why so many of us fall into this mistake trap and how we can dodge it from now on

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/115/.

RAR #114: Writing the Book You Needed as a Child, a conversation with Susan Tan Oct 29, 2018

Show notes

I met author, Susan Tan, face to face on my summer trip to Boston. Her middle-grade books about Cilla Lee-Jenkins have become favorites of mine to recommend, and she was every bit as fun as I thought she’d be!

She’s also incredibly smart, and she’s writing wonderful books for our kids. On today’s Read-Aloud Revival podcast, Susan Tan and I talk about living a reading and writing life.

This episode is for aspiring writers, those who want to see more kids reflected in literature, and anyone who loves a good story.

(And pssst: If you and your kids love Ramona Quimby, you’re going to especially enjoy getting to know Cilla Lee-Jenkins.)

In this episode, you’ll hear:

her experience learning to read and how that impacted her future career
why kids need books that reflect their reality
her writing process … and you don’t want to miss this. It’s… quirky. 😅

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/114/.

RAR #113: Why Reading Aloud to a Wide Range of Ages is Difficult (and How to Do It Without Losing Your Mind) Oct 20, 2018

Show notes

We picture all of our darling children curled around us, listening happily as we share a story together…

BUT … What if we have toddlers and teens? Or just lots of kids with strong opinions?!

Is there ANYTHING we can do?

YES! Today’s episode is all about finding the read-aloud sweet spot when you have a wide range of ages in your family.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

why you should ignore common advice when it comes to reading to a wide age span
whether it’s OK to read under some of your kids’ reading level
15+ crowd-pleasing books that you and kids of varying ages will enjoy

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/113/.

RAR #112: How an Audio Book is Made, with audio book narrator and producer, Lyssa Browne Oct 13, 2018

Show notes

You might have heard us say this before, but here at The Read-Aloud Revival, we believe that audio books count. Today we’re going behind the scenes to talk about how an audio book is made.

In fact, we often prefer reading books on audio. Listening to a good book, well-read, is a wonderful way to fill your child’s life with beautiful language.

In this episode of the podcast, I’m chatting with Lyssa Browne of Cedar House Audio Productions, about the process of making an audio book, voice acting and more.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

how to keep your voice strong when reading to your kids
some of the tricks narrators use to create interesting voices
all about my experience recording The Read-Aloud Family

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/112/.

RAR #111: When You’re Constantly Interrupted During Read-Alouds Oct 08, 2018

Show notes

Do your kids ever interrupt during read-aloud time? No? Just mine? 😉

Today we’re talking all about how to handle interruptions–whether they’re coming from the phone, the doorbell, the 2-year-old, or the chatty middle schooler.

We’ll consider what’s really causing those interruptions in the first place, as well as how to set ourselves up for success. We’re breaking it all down and sharing solutions on this newest episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

why interruptions are not a sign you’re doing things wrong
ideas for dealing with interruptions from newborns through teens
what to do if read-aloud time doesn’t look how you think it should

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/111/.

RAR #110: S.D. Smith Live Oct 01, 2018

Show notes

You might know S.D. Smith as the author of the Green Ember series of books. He also happens to be hilarious – which makes this episode so much fun!

At all five Great Homeschool Conventions in 2018, Sarah Mackenzie interviewed S.D. Smith live on stage. At one point, he flipped the whole thing on its head and interviewed Sarah. Hilarity ensued, and somehow they even managed to have a bit of serious conversation.

Plus a secret is revealed: Did you know that S.D. named a character in his books after Sarah?

You get to hear the whole thing on today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast. You’ll hear:

what it really means to write for children
why the Read-Aloud Revival changed the name of its tagline
what happened when Sarah met her “other favorite author” (scroll down for the photo that goes with that story!)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/110/.

RAR #109: How to Take Your Kids Around the World through Picture Books Aug 27, 2018

Show notes

Most of us can’t travel the world with our kids. But that shouldn’t keep up us from traveling the world with them through books. Today on the Read-Aloud Revival Podcast, Rea Berg and I are talking about how to take your kids (of all ages) around the world through picture books.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

why no one ‘grows past’ picture books
the joy and accomplishment that comes with sharing a book with all ages
how we can give our kids a heart for the world through carefully chosen books

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/109/.

RAR #108: Favorite Picture Books for Ancient History Aug 20, 2018

Show notes

If you’re looking to read books for ancient history studies with your kids this year, this booklist is for you. It’s a short list of delightful picture book read-alouds for the whole family.

Why only picture books?

Well… because picture books are worthwhile for everyone. Your high schooler is likely to enjoy these books every bit as much as your first grader. And I bet you’ll learn a thing or two, as you’re reading along. ;)

If you happen to be short on time (am I the only one raising my hand here?), committing to reading aloud from a picture book is a whole lot easier than sitting down to read a novel or even a chapter book.

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/108/.

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