Joined once again by our guest Bridget Renshaw ( @BridgetRenshaw ), we read a story about a child who ASCENDS past the mere limits of his own fragile child-self and becomes a GOD!! At least, that's my theory. See, this kid discovers the Word. The true Word. The Magic Word. And by the power of Grayskull, he uses it. He uses it to the MAX. And just getting an amazing supply of sneakers isn't enough. He also commands an unholy army of walruses. FEAR AND WORSHIP PEYTON FOR HE IS YOUR NEW LORD AND MA...
May 29, 2017•42 min
There are monsters EVERYWHERE!! Well, not really, just one specific monster, but he IS on every page of this book! And sure, he's a monster, but he hates being called that. Floyd doesn't like labels. And we here at the podcast don't really like labels either. So here's out "friend" back again to join us for an episode, Bridget Renshaw ( @BridgetRenshaw ). We talk about books. We talk about food. We talk about all of those classic Rachel & Sam Read a Story classic topics, like Malka the dog! ...
May 22, 2017•39 min
Rachel, if you did not already know this, is a fan of yarn. Like, a pretty big fan. The number 1 fan? Maybe not, but she's up there. So when she saw on the shelves a book about someone who just wanted to be left alone so that they could knit. SOLD. Easy. So we sat down today and chatted about movies we've been watching/being made to watch and then got into the main event. This old lady just HAD to get some knitting done and she moved HEAVEN AND EARTH to do it! I mean, I'm pretty sure she's a tim...
May 15, 2017•45 min
If listeners of this podcast know one thing, it's that we LOVE Josh Funk ( @joshfunkbooks ). Also his books are pretty fun. This is the 4th Josh Funk installment and Rachel and I were DELIGHTED to sink our teeth into it. (GET IT?? BECAUSE FOOD!) Inspector Croissant is a food after my own heart. And not just because I love croissants. Especially chocolate ones. But ALSO because I, too, have no idea when/where to properly use a magnifying glass. Is now the time? WHO KNOWS?? But this book is great....
May 08, 2017•41 min
We all have our favorite animals. Mine happens to be the Peregrine Falcon because it is AWESOME. Well not all animals get chosen. Some of those animals are the Blobfish. But Blobfish needs love and friendship too! So Blobfish is going to throw a party! Using his INCREDIBLE SUPERPOWERS Blobfish saves the day and brings about the greatest party known to all of humanity and mermaid-ity and bird-anity and farmer-anity. This book is super fun and adorable and I can personally attest that it brought o...
May 01, 2017•39 min
It's a Nerdist School Network cross-promotion! Amanda Barnes ( @BarnesWrites and @C omicBookNovice ) co-hosts the super wonderful and fun podcast The Novice and Frank! It's all about the world of comic books and superheroes, but did we have the perfect book for her! Superheroes taught us a valuable lesson about controlling our emotions and not being a dick. And we had a wonderfully fun time trying to figure out what they're names/super powers are! Isn't it great when a lesson also turns out to b...
Apr 24, 2017•54 min
We are joined this week by the incredibly talented and wonderful person, Harry Valentine ( @hairyvalentine ). And together we read a book that took three years to complete and won an ACADEMY AWARD. So I think THAT means that it should be good enough for you! The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is a wonderful journey into fantasy and an exploration of the love of a really good book. That is, assuming it isn't just the story Morris's brain concocts as he lies dying in the streets. Um...
Apr 17, 2017•54 min
It's that time again. Passover! That time of year when we give up the sweet, sweet carbs we love and settle down to a nice, underwhelming book. This year's entry is Sesame Street themed! And boy, was it.... fine. Grover and Big Bird are visiting their friends in Israel, for some reason, because they don't know any Jews that live near them. For some reason. But WHATEVER! It's Passover! They don't need to explain anything! Just shovel out a new book so that they can cover that small part of the po...
Apr 10, 2017•32 min
It's the Three Pigs! (editor's note: Not Little Pigs) One builds a house out of straw, another out of sticks, and a third out of bricks! But they build their houses out of THE VERY FABRIC THAT KNITS THEIR WORLD TOGETHER. AND NOW THAT FABRIC HAS BEEN TORN ASUNDER AND THEY MUST JOURNEY THROUGH THE VOID!! But anyway, it's fun! Listen now! Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new and old, and also about how little sense these books make when you read them 20 yea...
Apr 03, 2017•24 min
Ladies and gentlemen, this is a fine example of children's literature. As you can tell from the careful brushstrokes, to the-HEY EVERYONE!! YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO INTERRUPTING CHICKEN!! IT'S AN ADORABLE STORY ABOUT A LITTLE CHICKEN (note: Not Chicken Little) WHO ALWAYS FEELS THE NEED TO SAVE EVERYONE IN THE FAIRY TALES HIS DAD IS TRYING TO TELL HER! IT'S SUPER ADORABLE! LISTEN NOW! -is why we recommend it. Thank you for your time. Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children'...
Mar 27, 2017•27 min
Did you know that they sold bicycles from catalogs? And di you know that they are, like, RIDICULOUSLY cheap? Neither did we. But Clyde knows. And Clyde took full advantage! With the help of his trusty dog, Dawg, Clyde gives riding a bike a try! Rachel and I already know how to ride bikes. Completely. No training wheels for us anymore. No sir. Um.... WELL EITHER WAY WE DEFINITELY KNOW HOW TO PODCAST, YES WE ARE PODCASTING NOW HOORAY!! Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading chil...
Mar 20, 2017•31 min
Rachel and I are back to our old tricks! And by tricks, we mean reading awesomely adorable children's books! This week's picture book is NOT a picture book. Except that it is. And isn't? It's confusing. The important thing is that Rachel know about baking and watching TV, and Sam actually listened to an episode of this very podcast. NO WAY!! And this little book was just a strange journey into what the joy of reading can really be. It was great. Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of ...
Mar 13, 2017•33 min
Episode #150 It's our SESQUICENTENNIAL!! That means it's our 150th episode. And sure, with lost episodes, and bonus episodes, we may have hit this a couple weeks ago, but this is the podcast with the NUMBER 150!!! So we had to do something special! We were joined by special guests from across the Nerdist School Network: Mike Sellari (no twitter), Chris Lord (@Lordopher), and Ryan Mogge (@rmogge)!! And we had a BLAST!! Super fun hanging out with all these cool people talking about a kinda adorabl...
Mar 06, 2017•1 hr 13 min
Iiiiit's SATURDAY! Or it was when we recorded (and I uploaded) this episode! And who better to appreciate a Saturday then a wonderful child. Or an absolutely HORRIBLE child, in this case. Man, if I was this kid's parent, there is no WAY I would put with this level of shenanigans. But these parents do. Because they are saints. Like all parents are, RIGHT MOM?? Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new and old, and also about how little sense these books make w...
Feb 27, 2017•33 min
It ain't easy bein' a ninja. Especially when your family is, like, SUPER busy. But sometimes you have the best family. Ninja! is a fun little story about Maxwell, who is a self-made ninja which is REALLY hard to do, must take on the greatest foe he's ever faced.... a 5-year-old girl. NOOOooOOoOOOoOOooooO!! But luckily, Maxwell has what it takes. And aside from the waste of what looked like a really delicious meal, this little book is sweet and adorable. So check it out! Rachel & Sam Read a S...
Feb 06, 2017•24 min
Man, having a nice family is great. This week and next's podcast are all about just... the BEST families! Thunder Boy Jr., in particular, talks about a son living in the shadows of his Dad and wanting to find a way to find his own identity. It is adorable and beautiful! But I think that we can all agree that the absolute BEST part of this book is when they compliment the name Sam. Mr. Alexie was correct to compliment the greatest of names. We Sam's are humbled to have been gifted with such a goo...
Jan 30, 2017•35 min
Hoo boy, this book... The full title for this book is "Dante's Journey: An Infernal Adventure." And it... it is NOT good. I mean, if you're the sort of parent who wants to TERRIFY YOUR CHILD, then yeah sure, this book is for you. But if you're an parent who is in ANY WAY SENSIBLE, then DAMN. And if you're a millennial like us who takes delight in pointing out the hubris and foibles of hypocritical, then HOORAY! We're gonna have some fun! Because in this podcast.... YOU... will go... to HELL!!!!!...
Jan 23, 2017•39 min
Now, I don't know about you, but I play D&D. (I mean, I actually prefer the Savage Worlds play style, since it relies more on creativity and less on dice rolls, but since all I can get is D&D at the moment, it's fine.) And like anyone else who's played D&D, I have raided my share of dungeons and killed my share of Goblins. But what about those Goblins? What about those Dungeons? Don't they have feelings too? Yes. And also they are adorable. Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the ...
Jan 16, 2017•26 min
After almost two and a half YEARS, Rachel and I finally returned to Rachel's author crush Jon Klassen ( @burstofbeaden )! He wrote the books I Want My Hat Back and This is Not My Hat which are absolutely PHENOMENAL children's books. And now there is a third in the Klass-Hat-Based-Books! Hooray! This is the story about two turtles who find a hat. And all the WACKY hijinks that ensue! HAHAHAHAHA!!! What fun! Also, this book is great. Listen now! Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of re...
Jan 09, 2017•34 min
So last month I took a little trip to something in Pasadena called DesignerCon! While there, I found a little booth where a nice gentleman named Dane Ault (@monkeyminion) was selling children's cooks that he had illustrated himself! And he even had a parody of the Rachel & Sam classic: Are you my Mother? I had to buy it. And I had to surprise/give it to Rachel. It's a cute little book, but you can hear it for yourself! Because that's our final book for 2016! Rachel & Sam Read a Story is ...
Dec 26, 2016•28 min
We've all seen the movie. No, seriously, we've ALL seen the movie. But did you know that Tim Burton also made The Nightmare Before Christmas into a children's book? It's similar but different! Jack is way, WAY more of a narcissist. And, frankly, he wasn't doing too well on that score in the movie. But it's nice every once in a while to remind yourself that Tim Burton has been doing this a long time and is damn fine artist! Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's book...
Dec 19, 2016•48 min
Monsters are TERRIFYING. If they aren't stomping around wreaking havoc and destruction, then they are trying to EAT you! Oh, these monsters are asleep. And this Little Monster is just telling us about them and making a little recording. That's okay, we guess! Maybe monsters aren't so bad after all! Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new and old, and also about how little sense these books make when you read them 20 years later. We read the books aloud and ...
Dec 12, 2016•27 min
THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE! Or... EIGHT! Four? Um... Hello! This little guy's name is Octicorn and he is the result of a Unicorn Daddy and and Octopus Mommy! I think there's the potential for a lewd joke there, but this is a podcast about childish kid things so I won't make it! See, the thing about Octicorn is that he knows he's a little weird, but he just wants a friend. Weill you be his friend? I mean, I would, but... y'know. I've been busy... And stuff. Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the f...
Dec 05, 2016•32 min
Thanksgiving was a lot of fun, but you know what's MORE fun that Thanksgiving? Well, with my family, really anything, but in the context of this podcast... DINOSAURS WRESTLING!! Joined by Paul Laier (@PaulBrawl) we take a real close look at the world of wrestling when it's done by dinosaurs. And rhymes. And is awesome. Ever wonder who'd win between an T. Rex and a Stegosaurus, but in a Greco-Roman Style Match?? WELL LOOK NO FURTHER!! Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading chil...
Nov 28, 2016•47 min
This week is Thanksgiving in the United States! A wonderful holiday where we all go home and argue with our families! No wait, it's the holiday where express joy over our annihilation of the native populace! OOOO absolutely not that, no. We are... thankful? Yeah! And this week we are VERY thankful for a Pirate Ship full of dinosaurs. Because there is no part of that sentence that I don't like! What a time to be alive! Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new...
Nov 21, 2016•31 min
And now it's time to get silly. And nothing is sillier than a duck on a tractor! Well, maybe not as silly as a duck and cow on a tractor. And even THAT isn't quite as silly as a duck and a cow and a goat on a tractor. And beyond THAT- Okay, some silliness is occurring and I don't want to get in its way. I'm just going to say, give this episode a listen, and make sure you're ready to speak your mind. Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new and old, and also ...
Nov 14, 2016•30 min
Tomorrow is Super Tuesday. In the United States that means that we are VOTING tomorrow. And in this particular year, it is INCREDIBLY important that we all vote. I mean, it's important every year, but I mean, 2016 is just sort of a, wow, QUITE an outlier. Rachel suggested, and I agreed, that this would be a good week to read a kid's book about voting, to make sure everyone has a sense of the importance of voting tomorrow. Because it IS really important. So vote! Because not every always could. E...
Nov 07, 2016•37 min
Space. The final... book-tier. (That's a thing right? "Book-tier?" ... NO?? Fine. Whatever.) These are the stories of a young man, his dog, and robot co-pilot as they face off against Space's scariest nemesis. The....... SPACE PIRATE!! OOOoooooOOOOoooOOOOO!!! Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new and old, and also about how little sense these books make when you read them 20 years later. We read the books aloud and make fun of them as we go. Enjoy! Follow...
Oct 31, 2016•27 min
You guys, Rachel did it! She found this book from my childhood! It's is the tale of a magical world populated only by a WONDERFUL selection of capybaras. Can you think of a more ideal planet? No. And neither can I. Especially if that planet also has internet. But no really, you know how some books just stay with you from childhood, no matter what and you still think about them from time to time? The Wump World is that book for me. I hope you like it because I sure do! Rachel & Sam Read a Sto...
Oct 24, 2016•30 min
Because crying "wolf" is SO last millenium. Ben is a little boy who likes to tell stories. Or as we, adults, like to call them: LIES. Horrible, Horrible lies. Made up by communists. Unless those lies are true. And ESPECIALLY if those lies lead to the creation of a completely ridiculous reality show. But I digress. Here's a podcast: Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new and old, and also about how little sense these books make when you read them 20 years l...
Oct 17, 2016•28 min
