Reading With Your Kids Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Royal and Ancient Oct 24, 2023

Show notes

Amanda Lauer is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new #YoungAdult #Novel "Royal and Ancient." Amanda talks about her passion for writing in the young adult genre, focusing on clean and sweet romances set in historic settings. Amanda's latest book, "Royal and Ancient," is a time travel tale that takes place in the year 1691 in the highlands of Scotland. The story follows a 17-year-old girl from modern-day America who is struck by lightning during a golf outing and transported back in time. She finds herself surrounded by Scottish clans and becomes entangled in their lives, including their hidden practice of Catholicism, which was banned during that era. The conversation highlights the importance of discussing history, faith, and cultural differences with young readers. Amanda also shares her love for rich and antique language in historical fiction and encourages parents to read and discuss books with their teenagers. She emphasizes the value of open communication and finding common ground, even with different viewpoints.

Click here to visit Amanda's website - www.AmandaLauer.com

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

The National Children's Museum Oct 22, 2023

Show notes

Crystal Bowyer, the Director of the National Children's Museum, is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #POdcast to celebrate the institution's mission and challenges in a recent interview. The National Children's Museum, based in Washington, DC, is dedicated to providing hands-on STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) learning experiences for children under the age of 12. The museum's goal is to inspire children to care about and change the world. One of the key challenges facing the National Children's Museum is the need for growth and expansion. While the museum has a federal space, it has faced difficulties in securing additional space to accommodate the growing demand for its programs and exhibits. Crystal emphasized the importance of legislation to enable the museum's growth, which can be a complex process in the federal capital. She also discussed the critical role of hands-on play in childhood development and the need for children to have opportunities to explore, learn, and solve problems through creative play. She highlighted the museum's climate change education initiatives, emphasizing the importance of empowering children with knowledge and solutions rather than creating fear. The National Children's Museum offers a range of programs, including virtual field trips and at-home learning resources, to support children's education and engagement with STEAM topics. To address its growth challenges, the museum encourages support from the community and suggests reaching out to members of Congress to advocate for its expansion.

Click here to visit the National Children's Museum's website - https://nationalchildrensmuseum.org/

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Do More To Stop Hate Oct 21, 2023

Show notes

Dana Kramaroff is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her debut #MiddleGrade #NovelInVerse "The Do More Club." Dana tells us the book explores themes of anti-Semitism, identity, and the power of kindness. The story follows a young boy named Josh, the only Jewish student in his school, who must confront his identity and the challenges that arise after his school is targeted by an anti-Semitic attack. He decides to form the "Do More Club" with the goal of promoting kindness and fighting hate. The conversation also touched upon the prevalence of anti-Semitism, the importance of teaching children about different cultures and religions, and the power of literature to act as windows, mirrors, and sliding glass doors for readers. Dana explained why she chose to write her novel in verse, highlighting how verse novels can be a bridge for young readers transitioning from graphic novels to traditional prose. The book aims to inspire empathy, understanding, and action, making it a valuable read for all, regardless of their background.

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

The Spirit Glass Oct 19, 2023

Show notes

Roshani Chokshi is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate "The Spirit Glass," Roshani tells us this book is a middle-grade novel drawing from Filipino mythology and folklore, at its core a ghost story perfect for spooky season. It explores the themes of grief and recognizing what's right in front of you to save you from the unknown. Chokshi explained how her personal experiences, including the loss of a pregnancy, influenced the book, emphasizing that incomplete grief and the fear of the unknown are universal experiences for both children and adults. The conversation delved into the impact of colonialism on Filipino culture and how these hidden stories become part of folklore and mythology. Chokshi also discussed the importance of fostering curiosity in children and how family discussions about hidden stories in literature can be enriching. She shared her experience of being part of the Rick Riordan Presents imprint and the impact it had on her career. The interview wrapped up with a playful discussion about her next creative project involving vultures named Pomp and Circumstance.

Click here to visit Roshani's website - https://www.roshanichokshi.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Sunday Ha Ha! Oct 18, 2023

Show notes

en de Oliveira and Mika Song are on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate their collaborative project, "Sunday Haha." "Sunday Haha" is a newsletter that was initiated during the pandemic, serving as a platform to share their weekly comics with a kid-friendly focus. Both Jen and Mika create comics aimed at children, such as Jen's "Reggie" series and Mika's "Norman Belly" series. To make these comics accessible to a wider audience during the pandemic, they invited fellow comics creators with similar all-ages content to join in, resulting in a weekly "kids comics party." The project initially provided free weekly comic strips, but they recently introduced a subscription service through Substack, offering bonus content to subscribers as a way to support the initiative and the artists behind it. The podcast discussion also touched on their creative processes, the challenges of creating comics for kids, and the importance of having a supportive audience. Both Jen and Mika emphasized the joy and comfort they find in working with familiar characters while encouraging aspiring cartoonists to keep practicing and find their own audience to share their stories with. They highlighted the value of communicating through drawings and the power of laughter in family reading experiences.

Click here to visit Sunday Ha Ha - www.sundayhaha.com

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

The Magnificent Mischief of Tad Lincoln Oct 17, 2023

Show notes

#NYTimes #BestSelling Author and national television personality Raymond Arroyo is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate his new #ChildrensBook The Magnificent Mischief of Tad Lincoln. Raymond tells us this is a fun picture book biography of Tad Lincoln, his relationship with his father President Abraham Lincoln, and a story about a parent's love for his son and the wisdom of a child. Full of humor, this romp through history will teach children about the power of curiosity, imagination, friendship, empathy, determination…and even a little mischief! We also hear from Christopher Arsenault. He is on the podcast to celebrate his debut #ChildrensBook Mr Thoughtful Gets Into Trouble. Christopher tells us Mr. Thoughtful takes us on an exciting adventure as he steps outside the safety of his thought bubble and into a world of mischief. It's a delightful journey that reminds young readers that even the most mischievous moments can lead to valuable life lessons.

Click here to visit Raymond's website - https://raymondarroyo.com/

Click here to find Christopher's book on amazon – https://amzn.to/46qywd5

Click here to visit our website – www.readingwithyourkids.com

Flubby Does Not Like Snow Oct 15, 2023

Show notes

Jennifer E. Morris is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate Flubby Does Not Like Snow, the latest title in her Flubby series. Jennifer has illustrated children's magazines, greeting cards, partyware and educational materials as well as numerous picture books. She is also an author and has written several children's books including the Maud the Koala series and the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor book, Flubby is Not a Good Pet! Her best-selling title, May I Please Have a Cookie?, has sold over one million copies.

Click here to visit Jennifer's website - https://jemorris.com/books

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Paula's Patches Oct 14, 2023

Show notes

Gabriella Alderman is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her debut picture book, "Paula's Patches." The book, illustrated by Rocio Arriola Mendoza follows Paula, who starts her school day with a rip in her pants and spends the day trying to hide it in creative ways. Along the way, she discovers that others also have embarrassing mishaps, leading her to offer patches to her classmates, fostering a sense of connection and empathy. The conversation also touched on translating children's books into Spanish, where Gabriella emphasized the importance of understanding the target audience and considering the regional dialects within the Spanish-speaking world. She shared her love for translating rhyme and the need to see the book's illustrations to capture the essence of the story. Gabriella also talked about her Panamanian background, describing Panama City's unique blend of modernity, beautiful landscapes, and friendly people. She encouraged others to explore Panama, a diverse and vibrant country. Finally, she mentioned her upcoming picture book, "Squats of Spanish," set for release in 2024, which will be simultaneously available in both English and Spanish.

Click here to visit Gabriella's website - https://www.writebetween.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Road Trip Rescue Oct 12, 2023

Show notes

Becca Wierwille is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her debut middle-grade novel "Road Trip Rescue." Becca tells us about her book, her personal experiences, and the importance of representation in children's literature. "Road Trip Rescue" is an adventurous tale about Kimmy, a girl who embarks on a journey to find her missing dog. Along the way, she learns about friendship, differences, and the power of faith. Becca's book is not only a captivating story but also brings awareness to limb differences, promoting inclusivity and empathy among young readers.

Click here to visit Becca's website - https://beccawierwille.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Creating New Ways To Educate Our Village Oct 11, 2023

Show notes

Max Brooks, the New York Times best-selling author, is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate his latest book, "Minecraft: The Village." In the interview, Brooks emphasizes the need for parents to prepare their children for a changing job market that requires flexibility, problem-solving skills, and innovation. He critiques the traditional education system, rooted in the Prussian model, for its focus on standardization and memorization, stating that it no longer adequately prepares students for the modern workforce. Brooks highlights the value of the popular video game, Minecraft, as a tool for teaching creative problem-solving and adaptability. He describes Minecraft as a game that fosters individual creativity and allows players to approach challenges in their own unique ways, mirroring the skills needed in the 21st-century workplace. The conversation also touches on the themes explored in "Minecraft: The Village," where the characters learn life lessons such as teamwork, democracy, and the consequences of war. Brooks emphasizes that the book offers opportunities for parents and children to engage in meaningful discussions about real-world topics, making it an excellent choice for shared reading and learning. Ultimately, Brooks encourages parents to embrace their children's unique learning styles, advocate for their needs in the education system, and promote adaptability as a crucial life skill for success in an ever-changing world.

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Click here to visit Max's website - https://www.maxbrooks.com/

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