Read-Aloud Revival ®

Latest Episodes:

RAR #85: Reading “Messy” Books About Hard Topics with Kids Jan 22, 2018

Show notes

I think this is one of the best conversations we’ve had so far at The Read-Aloud Revival.

Today we’re talking “messy” books. Parents – you probably know just what I mean.

Messy books are those books that tackle hard topics. Or maybe they just have stuff in the background that makes us a little nervous about our kids reading them.

Today I’m talking with Betsy Farquhar of Redeemed Reader about how best to handle these kinds of books, and why we shouldn’t just ignore them – even if they make us a little uncomfortable.

I enjoyed this conversation so very much, and came away with a ton of confidence and a lot of great books to read with my kids!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

why as parents, WE need to be the ones to have big conversations with our kids, and how books can provide hooks to start those conversations
why controversial books are so popular
‘read-alones’ vs ‘read-alouds’
various ways we can navigate the tough stuff with our kids

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/85/.

RAR #84: Books for Kids Who Don’t Love Reading (Yet) Jan 15, 2018

Show notes

What can we do about our kids who don’t love reading?

Today I’m sharing a few ideas, as well as a few books that just might turn your reluctant reader into a reader who stays up past bedtime, sneaking books under the covers with a flashlight.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

what’s more important than helping our kids fall in love with reading (it’s not what you think)
what we can do when a child says he’s not a reader
some books that are bound to grab and hold even the most reluctant readers’ attention

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/84/.

RAR #83: Why Read Picture Books with Older Kids? Jan 08, 2018

Show notes

Do you read picture books with older kids? Could this be a picture book year for your family?

Today, the whole RAR crew is chatting picture books – and why it’s a great idea to read them with your bigger kids too!

In today’s episode, you’ll hear:

Kortney’s simple and systematic approach to reading picture books
how to do “classroom book a day” with your kids at home
where to find great picture books recommendations

This episode is just what you need to kick-start a picture book habit this year!

Find the rest of the show notes athttps://readaloudrevival.com/83/.

RAR #82: Why Fidgeting is a Good Sign (and what brain science has to say about reading aloud), Dr. Michael Gurian Nov 28, 2017

Show notes

Parents of wiggly kids – the proof is here. In this episode with author Dr. Michael Gurian, you’ll hear scientific evidence demonstrates that many kids not only need to move while being read to, they actually retain information better when they are allowed to do so.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

why boys might prefer to read non-fiction, and why we should let them
why we don’t need to worry about our kids reading graphic novels
how we can help resistant kids fall in love with reading

You’ll love all the research in this episode and how it will help you to know how best to support the children in front of you.

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/82/.

RAR #81: Eavesdropping on the Soul, a conversation with Katherine Paterson Nov 20, 2017

Show notes

I think it’s fair to say this is my favorite episode of the podcast we’ve ever done.

You probably know Katherine Paterson as the author of books like Bridge to Terabithia, Jacob Have I Loved and the Great Gilly Hopkins, but if you’re not familiar with her essays about writing for children, you’re about to have your socks knocked off.

The way Ms. Paterson thinks about reading and writing books for kids blows me away. I’m in awe.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

what she really thinks when she hears that parents/teachers are using books to improve or help their kids
how to figure out what a book actually “means”
how reading allows us a unique privilege to ‘eavesdrop on the soul’

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/81/.

RAR #80: Fantastic Gifts for Young Readers Nov 13, 2017

Show notes

What do you give as gifts for young readers? (Besides books, of course!) Here’s a whole list of gift ideas for the young readers in your life.

In this episode, you’ll hear

Great gift ideas for babies through teens
Ideas beyond books – games, book accessories, puzzles, posters, shirts and more
Ways to help kids make books their own, and begin to identify as readers

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/80/.

RAR #79: Qualities of Great Books for Kids, with Sarita Holzmann of Sonlight Curriculum Nov 06, 2017

Show notes

What should we look for when we’re choosing books for our children?It’s as easy at 7 points, as you’ll hear in this episode with Sarita Holzmann of Sonlight Curriculum.

Sarita is a veteran homeschool mom and book lover.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

how her son went from struggling reader to Valedictorian
all about her 7-point all-star test for books
book recommendations that your kids will love and remember long after they leave home

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/79/.

RAR #78: Favorite Picture Book Treasuries Oct 30, 2017

Show notes

Once upon a time, I said we didn’t love treasuries at our house. Welllll … its time to eat some crow.

Lately, we’ve been reading lots of picture book treasuries, and we are LOVING THEM. They are perfect for longer reading sessions, for taking on errands when you know you’ll be sitting in waiting rooms, and for building your family’s library with quality books on a budget.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

our very favorite collections – which treasuries we’re loving most (and which have added extras like audio downloads, CDs or even recipes!)
gift ideas for your favorite young readers
my biggest tip for choosing treasuries that your family will love

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/78/.

RAR #77: What the Scholastic Reading Report Means for You, Andrea Pinkney Oct 23, 2017

Show notes

Scholastic’s Kids and Family Reading Report is a national survey of children ages 6–17 and their parents that explores attitudes and behaviors around books and reading.

In this episode, I’m joined by author, Vice President, and Editor-at-Large at Scholastic, Andrea Davis Pinkney. We talk about what the most recent report means for us as parents–and there’s a lot for us in there!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

why we need to build home libraries, and how to do that without breaking the bank
what kids are really hoping they’ll find in the books they read
how to make our kids readers for life (listen until the end for five ‘Reading Resolutions’)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/77/.

RAR #76: How to make reading aloud the best part of the day Oct 16, 2017

Show notes

What do you do when reading aloud doesn’t work out exactly how you hoped?

Maybe your kids are arguing or you’re falling asleep …

But you know how valuable it is to read aloud, so what can you do?

In this episode, you’ll hear:

5 ways to make reading aloud enjoyable for everyone (even you! even if you normally get tired!)
how to keep sibling bickering at bay and toddlers busy so that you can read more
why 10 minutes of reading aloud is enough (it really is. promise.)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/76/.

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