Reading With Your Kids Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Connecting And Healing Together Sep 26, 2023

Show notes

Ines Oliveira is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her debut #MiddleGrade #Novel "Calvin and the Sugar Apples," Ines tells us the book revolves around a 10-year-old girl named Amelia and her grief over the loss of her beloved chinchilla, Calvin. Ines drew inspiration from her own experiences and the emotional journey her family went through when they lost their pet. The story beautifully explores the complex emotions children experience when dealing with grief and the unique bond they share with their pets. The conversation highlighted the importance of open communication between parents and children, especially during challenging times. Ines emphasized the value of taking the time to listen to children and allowing them to express their feelings, even if it means delaying other tasks. She also touched on the significance of acknowledging and commemorating the loss of a pet to provide closure and healing. Ines shared how writing the book was a personal process of dealing with her own grief over Calvin's loss and a tribute to their cherished pet. She hoped that her book would not only help children navigate the difficult terrain of grief but also encourage parents to prioritize meaningful conversations with their kids. Overall, "Calvin and the Sugar Apples" serves as a heartwarming and relatable resource for families to discuss grief, emotions, and the enduring impact of cherished pets. Ines Oliveira's storytelling offers a platform for children and parents to connect and heal together.

Click here to visit Ines' website - https://inesfoliveira.com/

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

Adventures In Storytelling Sep 24, 2023

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Two fantastic authors celebrate their books with us on this episode of the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast. First, Laura Leone shares how her son experienced success in school only after he learned how to harness some of his energy through meditation. This experience is the inspiration for Laura's debut #PictureBook Conscious Kid-Adventures with Zane: Imagine & Create. Later in the eisode William Stevenson celebrates how he was inspired by his grandson to create his Ricky's Dream Trip series that makes learning history fun.

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

The Monsters Of Marymount Mansion Sep 23, 2023

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Gregory G. Allen is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate his #Spooky #ChapterBook "The Monsters of Marymuont Mansion," The book centers around a young monster named Toby who lives in the basement of the Marymont mansion and longs to venture out into the world beyond Halloween. Through Toby's journey, the book explores themes of self-acceptance, diversity, and chosen family. Gregory shared that he has a passion for telling stories that encourage children to embrace their differences and accept others who may be different as well. Gregory's engaging school presentations are dynamic and interactive, aimed at capturing the attention of young readers. He emphasizes the importance of being quick on his feet and engaging with the audience, even running around the auditorium to maintain energy and interest. Gregory believes that a static podium speech can bore children, so he prefers to be active and animated, keeping them enthralled. He also discussed his previous book, "Chicken Boy: The Amazing Adventures of a Superhero with Autism," inspired by his godson. Gregory shared how his godson initially didn't realize he was the inspiration for the book but later read it and identified with the character.

Click here to visit Grreg's website – https://gregsimagination.com/

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

I Love My Daddy Sep 21, 2023

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Juanita Banks-Whittington is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her debut #ChildrensBook "I Love My Daddy," Inspired by her daughter and husband, the book portrays the everyday moments of a little girl and her father. It highlights the importance of diverse representation in children's literature, aiming to reflect the experiences of diverse families. Juanita emphasized the significance of children seeing themselves positively portrayed in books, stating that it helps them relate and explore different perspectives. She also mentioned the lack of diverse authors in the children's book industry and shared statistics that show only 39% of children's books in 2022 featured diverse characters. Her own book, "I Love My Daddy," depicts relatable family moments, from morning hugs to bike rides and bedtime stories. The story resonates with parents and children alike, celebrating the unique bond between fathers and daughters.

Click here to visit Juanita's website - https://diversecbm.com/

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

Clowns Without Borders Sep 20, 2023

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Naomi Shafer is on the #ReadingwithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate Clowns Without Borders, a nonprofit organization that sends professional circus performers and clowns to perform in refugee camps, conflict zones, and areas affected by natural disasters. Naomi explains the organization's mission to bring laughter and play to children in distressing situations, emphasizing the importance of play and joy in a child's development. Naomi shares her personal connection to clowning and how she got involved with Clowns Without Borders. She also discusses their upcoming tours to Guatemala and El Salvador, where they will be performing for migrants, asylum seekers, and internally displaced people in partnership with UNHCR. She invites listeners to support the organization through financial donations, becoming "joy makers" by contributing $11 per month, or participating in their "Fill Our Tank" campaign to cover travel expenses. Additionally, Naomi encourages people to follow Clowns Without Borders on social media and explore volunteer opportunities, especially if they have skills in graphic design or video editing. The interview dispels common misconceptions about clowns and highlights the organization's child-centered approach, where children lead the interaction during performances.

Click here to visit the Clowns Without Borders website – https://clownswithoutborders.org/

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

Are You Mad At Me? Sep 19, 2023

Show notes

Sisters Tyler and Cody Feder are on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate their children's book "Are You Mad At Me?" The story follows Opal, an anxious ostrich with a wiggly neck, as she embarks on a journey to pick up a dessert for her family's party. Along the way, Opal misinterprets the actions of various animals and believes they are mad at her. Through these encounters, Opal learns to consider alternative explanations for their behavior, helping her cope with her anxiety. The authors emphasize the importance of understanding and supporting children dealing with anxiety, highlighting that anxiety is a real and overwhelming experience for kids. They encourage parents to be curious and empathetic when their children exhibit anxious behavior, rather than dismissing it. The book provides a gentle and relatable way to start conversations about anxiety with children. It helps kids recognize that not everything is about them and that there are various factors influencing people's behavior. "Are You Mad at Me?" is a valuable resource for parents and educators to support children in managing their anxiety.

Click here to visit Tyler's website - https://www.tylerfeder.com/

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

Warrior Girl Sep 17, 2023

Show notes

Carmen Tafolla, is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate "Warrior Girl," a middle-grade novel in verse. Carmen tells us "Warrior Girl" revolves around Selena Pettis, a 12-year-old girl whose life takes a challenging turn when her father is deported, leaving her family in turmoil. The story highlights the importance of intergenerational friendships, as Selena finds solace and wisdom in her grandmother's guidance. The book explores themes of immigration, identity, poverty, and the power of human connections. Selena's journey leads her to question societal values, like materialism and the significance of friendships over material possessions. She learns the importance of celebrating diversity and fostering relationships with people of different ages and backgrounds. Carmen Tafolla also infuses history and culture into the narrative, emphasizing the shared human experiences that unite us all. The book encourages families to have meaningful conversations about these vital topics and prompts readers to consider the complexities of immigration and the humanity behind the headlines. Tafolla's personal experiences growing up in a Mexican-American neighborhood influenced the story's themes and messages.

Click here to visit Carmen's website - https://www.carmentafolla.net/

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

Rescuing Horses From A Wildfire Changed My Life Sep 16, 2023

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Mel Sobolewski is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her middle-grade novel titled "Second Chances," which focuses on animal rescue stories. Mel shares how the book's stories, while fictionalized, are rooted in real-life situations such as rescuing animals from wildfires, abandoned dogs, and animals facing various challenges. The stories touch on themes like bullying, disability, chosen families, and mental health, providing a platform for children to discuss and understand these important topics through the lens of animals. Mel also talks about her own journey into animal rescue, which began when she responded to a wildfire in Malibu, California. She recounts how that experience ignited her passion for animal rescue and led her to establish the Moonlight Mile Ranch, a real-life initiative aimed at helping animals and educating people about the connection between humans and animals. She emphasizes the power of using animals as examples to teach children about empathy, kindness, and acceptance, allowing them to relate to and discuss these issues more openly. Mel also mentions her plans to expand the Moonlight Mile Ranch and welcomes support and involvement from interested individuals. The interview highlights the profound impact that stories about animal rescue can have on children, encouraging them to become more compassionate and considerate individuals.

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

Shoes Filled With Magic Sep 14, 2023

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Author Dani Resh is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her middle-grade novel, "Compass to Vinland," the first book in her "The Magic Shoe" series. The series follows three middle school-aged children who grapple with feelings of isolation and loneliness in different ways. Their worlds collide when they discover three pairs of magical shoes, each granting them unique powers and abilities, leading them on a fantastical adventure. However, the heart of the story is about self-discovery and the struggles they face with labels and societal expectations. The magical shoes concept was inspired by classics like "The Wizard of Oz," emphasizing that the power was within the characters all along. While there are villains in the story, they aren't witches but rather entities from a mythological land trying to return. The monsters in the series aren't just mythical creatures; they also encompass the labels and judgments people place on the characters. Resh aimed to provide young readers with a fantastical adventure while addressing the theme of authenticity and the importance of forming genuine connections. She believes middle-grade readers are yearning for such adventures, and her series offers characters they can identify with as they navigate challenges in their lives. Resh was inspired to write these books because she noticed a growing need for authentic connections among young people in today's world.

Click here to visit Dabi's website – https://www.daniresh.com/

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

Warrior Sep 13, 2023

Show notes

Shannon Stocker and her daughter Cassidy return to the #ReadingWithYour Kids #Podcast to celebrate Shannon's new book, "Warrior." The book, published by Sleeping Bear Press, tells an allegorical tale of a girl who faces various challenges, including crossing a serpent sea, navigating a fear forest, and conquering monster mountain, with the ultimate goal of ringing the bell and ridding her kingdom of beasts. The story also touches on the theme that any child with a long-term illness or disability is a warrior because they are continually fighting their battles. Cassidy, who battled cancer as a young child, served as the inspiration for the book. She discusses her journey and how she found strength and determination in the face of adversity. She emphasizes the importance of doing the right thing and spreading joy and hope to others. The book is seen as a powerful and relatable story not only for children dealing with illness but for all families facing challenges in life. Shannon also hints at upcoming projects, including a debut novel and a memoir for someone well-known in the disability community.

Click here to visit Shannon's website – www.shannonstocker.com

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