Reading With Your Kids Podcast

Latest Episodes:

It's Not Easy Being a Leprechaun… Or a Little Engineer! Mar 18, 2025

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The Reading With Your Kids Podcast has been named the # 2 in Feedspot.com's 100 Best Children's Book Podcast List!

The "Reading with Your Kids" podcast is a must-listen for parents looking to spark their child's imagination and love of learning. In this episode, host Jed Doherty has engaging conversations with two creative entrepreneurs making a difference in kids' lives. First, Jed chats with author Marilyn Sadler about her delightful new picture book "It's Not Easy Being a Leprechaun." Marilyn shares the story of Connor O'Connor, a leprechaun who struggles to accept what makes him unique. It's a heartwarming tale about self-discovery that kids and parents are sure to enjoy. Marilyn also discusses her impressive career, including writing and producing children's TV shows like the "Xenon Girl of the 21st Century" series, which is now being developed into a live-action Disney show. She even shares the serendipitous way the original "Xenon Girl" book was discovered. Jed and Marilyn also dive into the challenges kids face in finding their place and accepting themselves, and Marilyn offers great advice for young aspiring authors on tapping into their imagination. In the second half of the episode, Jed introduces Jenny Young, the founder of Brooklyn Robot Foundry. Jenny shares how her business provides hands-on engineering experiences for kids, combining art and real-world STEM concepts in a fun, creative way. Jenny's passion for making, problem-solving, and embracing failure shines through as she discusses her own background and the inspiration behind Brooklyn Robot Foundry. She also outlines the franchise opportunities available for those interested in bringing this unique educational experience to their own community. Whether you're looking for a new bedtime story or an exciting way to get your kids building and exploring, this episode of "Reading with Your Kids" is a must-listen. Be sure to check out the websites for both Marilyn Sadler and Brooklyn Robot Foundry to learn more.

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A Story Born From Friendship, Love & Courage Mar 16, 2025

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If you're looking for an inspiring new children's book that teaches important lessons about resilience, kindness, and courage, you'll want to check out "Brave Buzzy Bee." In this episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty chats with the delightful co-authors, Rima Fakih and Theresa Alhayek, about how this charming picture book came to be. Rima and Theresa's collaboration started when Theresa's previous book, "Dream Big Little Princess," caught Rima's eye. Rima, a busy mom, former Miss USA and UN influencer, was inspired to write her own children's book, and she reached out to Theresa. The two hit it off immediately, bonding over their shared experiences of raising large families and even having preemie babies on the same day! As Rima and Theresa describe their writing process, it's clear they have a wonderful, supportive partnership. They worked together remotely, going back and forth on every word to craft the perfect rhyming story about the brave little buzzy bee. And when an editor suggested flipping the ending, the co-authors embraced the challenge, ultimately creating an even stronger, more empowering tale. Throughout the conversation, Rima and Theresa's passion for the project shines through. They're excited to see how kids and parents react to "Brave Buzzy Bee" and are already dreaming up ideas for future collaborations - perhaps even a book for moms and dads! We also welcomed back author George Neeb to celebrate his new children's book Hot Cocoa and Courage. This delightful story was inspired by George's experience of building a cabin in the wilds of Ontario with his sons, If you're looking to inspire courage, kindness, and a love of reading in the young readers in your life, be sure to check out "Brave Buzzy Bee." With its delightful characters, catchy rhymes, and valuable lessons, this picture book is a must-read.

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Want to Raise a Happier, Kinder, and More Curious Child? Start with Awe! Mar 14, 2025

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Wow, what an inspiring chat with Deborah Farmer Kris! This parenting expert really knows her stuff when it comes to helping kids (and us grown-ups!) keep things in perspective. Deborah started out as a K-12 teacher, but soon realized her true passion was parent education. She saw how modern families often lack the support networks that used to be more common, and wanted to find new ways to share practical parenting wisdom. That's why she created the "all the time" children's book series - picture books that tackle important topics like emotions, with tips for caregivers in the back. But the real eye-opener was learning about Deborah's upcoming book, "Raising Awe Seekers." Turns out, the emotion of awe has some amazing benefits for kids' development, like boosting curiosity, academic success, and even generosity. Deborah shared all kinds of fascinating research on where we can find awe in everyday life - from nature and music, to simply witnessing acts of kindness. We also had a listen back to a conversation we had with Ben Feller, the author of Big Problems, Little Problems.

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Every Child Deserves to Belong Mar 13, 2025

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In this episode of Reading With Your Kids Jed Doherty had enlightening discussions with two experts dedicated to supporting children in the foster care system. In speaking with children's book author Natasha Tripplett, Jed learned about her new picture book "Planted with Love," which draws from Tripplett's own experiences as a foster care social worker and her family's decision to foster her sister long-term. Tripplett emphasized the importance of making foster children feel seen, valued and worthy of love, even when they display challenging behaviors. Jed also connected with foster care veteran Dr John DeGarmo, who has fostered over 60 children, adopting 3. DeGarmo shared that while fostering is a major commitment, there are many ways the community can support these families beyond just becoming foster parents themselves. He urged faith-based organizations in particular to get involved, as the foster care crisis represents a key "mission field" right in people's own backyards. DeGarmo suggested providing meals, supplies, mentorship and more as meaningful ways to make a difference. Both Tripplett and DeGarmo highlighted the heartbreaking realities of the foster care system, with over 370,000 children currently displaced. However, their passion for uplifting these vulnerable youth and inspiring others to get involved was palpable. Readers will be moved to open their hearts and homes after learning from these two dedicated advocates.

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What Can a Goose & a Swamp Monster Teach Us? Mar 11, 2025

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On the latest episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast, host Jed Doherty had the pleasure of chatting with two talented children's book authors - Lela Nargi and Riley Cross. Lela Nargi joined the show to celebrate the release of her new picture book, "The Lonely Goose." Jed and Lela discussed the unique bond between Canada geese, and how Lela's story explores themes of love, loss, and resilience in the animal kingdom. Lela shared her passion for wildlife and nature, and how she hopes the book will inspire families to appreciate the beauty of the natural world, even in urban environments. Later, Jed welcomed Riley Cross to the program to talk about her new middle-grade novel, "The Swamp of Doom." Riley explained how she collaborated with her own kids to design the quirky characters, including a half-alligator, half-shark creature named Alacarte. The two discussed the importance of encouraging creativity and imagination in both children and adults, and how Riley's background as a high school language arts teacher informs her approach to storytelling. Throughout the conversation, Jed and the authors explored the ways that books can help kids (and grown-ups!) face their fears, build empathy, and find joy in the unexpected. Whether it's a Canada goose navigating the loss of her mate or a young girl with the "superpower" of bad luck, these stories offer a unique window into the human (and animal) experience. Listeners are sure to be inspired to pick up "The Lonely Goose" and "The Swamp of Doom" - and maybe even start their own family reading adventures in the process.

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The 139-Year-Old House That Took a Road Trip—And the Memories It Carried Mar 09, 2025

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If you're a parent or grandparent looking for a delightful new picture book to share with your little ones, you'll want to check out "Moving Day" by Teri Roach Drobnick. In this charming debut, Teri takes readers on a whimsical journey as a Victorian house in San Francisco embarks on a big move across town. As Jed and Teri discuss, the story was inspired by a real-life event where a 139-year-old house was painstakingly relocated to make way for new development. Teri was captivated by the news and quickly got to work crafting a kid-friendly narrative from the house's perspective. With her daughter's own resistance to moving fresh in her mind, Teri was able to tap into the emotional turmoil a home might feel during such a big transition. What really makes "Moving Day" special, though, is the collaboration between Teri and her talented illustrator, Jennifer Black Reinhardt. The two connected over Instagram, and Jennifer's vibrant, hand-drawn artwork perfectly complements Teri's lyrical text. In a touching tribute, Jennifer even incorporated Teri's late father, who loved running, into one of the scenes. Jed also speaks with author Sandra Salisbury about her new picture book, "The Baby Who Stayed Awake Forever." This humorous tale follows a baby who just can't seem to fall asleep, no matter how hard the parents try. Sandra shares how her own experiences with her young children inspired this story, and how she approached the illustrations to match the book's lively tone.

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The Man Who Traveled The World On His Friends' Back Mar 07, 2025

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This episode of Reading with Your Kids is all about celebrating some truly exceptional people and their stories. First up we meet Kevan Chandler, the driving force behind the nonprofit "We Carry Kevan." Kevan shares an incredible story about how he and his friends carried him in a backpack during a trip to Europe, and how that sparked the creation of their organization. They make these special backpacks to help families of kids with disabilities get out and explore the world together. It's all about building community and friendship, which is so inspiring. Next, we chat with Lindsey Larson about her picture book "Meeting Exceptional Friends." Lindsey wrote this book to help teach kids about human differences and the importance of acceptance. She's got some great insights on how books can empower children and foster understanding, even for parents and caregivers. Throughout the episode, we dive into the challenges of traveling and integrating with a disability, and the power of asking questions and inviting people into your life. These guests are doing such important work to break down barriers and bring people together. I walked away from this conversation feeling motivated to be more open, curious, and supportive of the exceptional people in my own life. Definitely check out these books and resources - they're sure to spark some meaningful discussions with your kids.

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How to Protect Kids from Harmful Online Content Mar 06, 2025

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In this episode of Reading With Your Kids we dove into a much heavier topic than usual - talking to our kids about online adult content. I know, not the most fun conversation, but Greta Eskridge, the author of "It's Time to Talk to Our Kids About P*rn," really drove home why it's so crucial that we don't shy away from this. The reality is, kids are getting exposed to hardcore, violent content at shockingly young ages, often completely by accident. And that can have some really messed up effects on their brains and development. Greta gave some great tips on how to approach this with our kids - keeping it simple, making sure they know they can come to us if they see something sketchy, and emphasizing that it's not their fault. And she also talked about the rise of sextortion, where kids are being blackmailed with compromising photos, and how important it is to educate them on that too. Then we switched gears a bit and talked about AI - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Our guest, Kerry Gallagher, broke down how AI can actually be super helpful for busy parents, like with meal planning and trip itineraries. But she also warned about the potential for bias and misinformation in AI-generated content. The key is using it wisely and teaching our kids to be critical consumers of what they see online. Lots to unpack, but I'm so glad we dove into all of this. Our kids are navigating a wild digital landscape, and as parents, we've gotta be proactive about keeping them safe. Time to put on our tech-savvy superhero capes!

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Exploring Latin American Culture Mar 04, 2025

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Get Ready to Crack Open the Tradition of Cascarones with Author Sarah Fajardo! If you're looking to add a little extra fun and cultural flair to your family's reading time, you'll love learning about the vibrant tradition of cascarones from children's book author Sara Fajardo. In this delightful episode, Sara takes us on a journey through the history and origins of these confetti-filled eggshells, tracing their roots all the way back to China before making their way to Mexico and beyond. As a dual immersion teacher and Peruvian-American, Sara shares her personal connection to the cascarone tradition, recounting cherished memories of her family's Carnaval celebrations back in the Andes. She explains how this playful custom eventually made its way to the United States, where her own mother reintroduced it to their family, sparking Sara's lifelong love for the unique tradition. We also hear from Dave Bush, who is using multimedia elements to bring a new kind of storytelling experience to life with his web novella "Stonecallers." Dave shares how he and his wife co-created this interactive project, drawing inspiration from early CD-ROM experiments in the 90s to engage reluctant readers in a captivating mystery. And we take a listen back to our past conversation with mother - daughter team Norma Roth and Shana Penn who tells us how a tiny rainbow on a mailbox got their book banned in Florida.

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Embracing The Complexities Of Teenage Experiences Mar 02, 2025

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If you're a fan of YA fiction with a touch of the fantastical, you'll want to tune in as we chat with author Hayley Chewins about her new novel in verse, "I Am the Swarm." Hayley takes us on a journey into the life of Nell, a 15-year-old living in Cape Town, South Africa, who's about to inherit some unique magical powers. But these aren't your typical fairy tale abilities - Nell's emotions manifest as swarms of insects around her, which she struggles to control. As Hayley explains, the story explores themes of loneliness and the importance of connection, drawing from her own experiences as a teenager. She shares how writing has been a therapeutic outlet, allowing her to express what she couldn't say aloud. We also dive into the creative process behind "I Am the Swarm," including how Hayley chose to write it in verse to be playful with language. And Hayley offers insights on the conversations families can have while reading the book, from tackling difficult topics to empowering young readers. Beyond "I Am the Swarm," Hayley gives us a sneak peek at her upcoming middle grade novel project, sparking our curiosity for what's next.

We also have a listen back to our 2023 conversation with NY Times Best Selling Author Kate DiCamillo. Whether you're a fellow writer, an avid YA reader, or a parent looking to inspire your kids, this episode is packed with inspiration. Hayley's passion for storytelling and her insights on the power of words are sure to leave you eager to dive into her magical world. So grab a pen and paper, and get ready to be swept away by the swarm of creativity that is Hayley Chewins.

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