3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . Blast off! 🚀🌒 If you’re looking for picture books about the moon landing, you’re in the right place! July 20, 2019, marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar mission, and we’ve got the list of books to celebrate it! These books are for all ages and will help your family learn and celebrate together. In this episode, you’ll hear: how (and why) to share picture books with your older kids a little about why back matter … matters! a few of my favorite moon-themed bo...
Jun 24, 2019•33 min
In our culture today, is reading aloud an ‘obstinate act of love?’ Meghan Cox Gurdon, this week’s guest and author of The Enchanted Hour , believes so. Meghan is the Wall Street Journal’s children’s book reviewer and says her five kids were a built-in focus group. In this episode, you’ll hear: the power of reading books again and again the value of conversations around books is reading aloud real reading? I also answer a listener question about how to continue reading aloud throughout the summer...
Jun 10, 2019•43 min
In this episode we welcome back Jim Weiss, master storyteller and a voice so many of us recognize. This is a fantastic episode to enjoy with your kids, because Jim tells us two stories during the show: Stone Soup and a tale of Sherlock Holmes, The Mazarin Stone . Gather everyone ’round and enjoy! In this episode, you’ll hear: Jim’s two rules for telling our children stories (you’ll love them) How to handle interruptions… and how to clarify what’s happening in a story without “breaking character”...
May 27, 2019•51 min
Are you an introvert or an extrovert? On this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, Jamie Martin from Simple Homeschool is here to chat about being an introverted mom. Sarah is an extrovert, so we’re comparing what fills us up, what depletes us, and how we can find more calm, less guilt, and quiet joy in mothering– which I think is what we all long for, no matter our personality type. Of course, we also talk books ! Some of our favorite authors were introverts (Lucy Maud Montgomery, anyone?...
Apr 23, 2019•45 min
This week I’m sharing the second part of a Read-Aloud Revival Premium Master Class all about helping our kids love books by treating their reading lives more like we treat our own. If you want something better than book reports or reading comprehension sheets for your kids, you’re in the right place. If you’re wondering whether you need to do literary analysis (and how to do it without killing your child’s love of the book), you’re in the right place. If you want your kids to read because they l...
Apr 08, 2019•51 min
In today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival Podcast, I’m sharing a master class straight out of Read-Aloud Revival Premium about how to create a book club culture in your home. For most of us, the books we read for school growing up were not the same books we read under our covers with a flashlight past our bedtime. But we can do something better. We can invite our kids into a reading experience that will help them fall in love with books and become readers for life. Less like school, more like...
Mar 25, 2019•41 min
Today I want to introduce you to the author of some of my new favorite picture books, Camille Andros. Camille is a writer, a traveler, a former EMT, and a mom of six. Yep, six. (So obviously, we’re kindred spirits, since I have six, too.) 😉 In this episode, you’ll hear: about her writing process and how she makes time to write how deceptively simple picture book writing appears, when it really isn’t so simple at all a positively serendipitous story about her travels in Greece… Find the rest of ...
Mar 12, 2019•35 min
Today, I am excited to introduce you to my favorite read-aloud for Lent and Easter. Amon’s Adventure is a wonderful adventure story that will leave your kids begging for just one more chapter. Amon is a 13 year-old boy during the time of Christ’s persecution, and in this fictional tale, his father has been accused of a terrible crime. It’s up to Amon to navigate the tension in his local community and clear his father’s name. If you want to breathe some life into your family’s experience of Lent ...
Feb 25, 2019•43 min
What’s the best way to introduce your kids to the lives and ideas of those who’ve gone before? In this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, the RAR Team is talking about using picture book biographies with kids of all ages. And of course, we don’t just give you the why … we also share dozens and dozens of excellent picture book biographies in this new booklist! In this episode, you’ll hear: why picture books are for all ages (no really… all ages) what makes pictures books special ( Hint: i...
Feb 12, 2019•34 min
I ‘ve got a new favorite episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast. It’s no wonder, because in this episode, I’m having a conversation with Kate DiCamillo on reading aloud for connection . There is so much packed into this conversation. In this episode, you’ll hear: what Kate really thinks when we ask our kids “what did the author mean?” how books help us jump into the Great Conversation (“unwittingly”, as she says) that stories are smarter than their authors… and what that means for readers Fin...
Jan 29, 2019•50 min
Today I’ve got a bonus episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast—a conversation with Douglas Gresham. Douglas is the stepson of C.S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia. In this episode, you’ll hear: what C.S. Lewis was really trying to do with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe what he wishes more people knew about his stepfather Patti Callahan’s new book, Becoming Mrs. Lewis –what he thinks and about its accuracy Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/bonus-na...
Jan 23, 2019•19 min
I ‘m willing to bet you’re like me, and relationships with your kids matter more to you than just about anything else. But we’re all pulled in a million directions. We’re all short on time. You know what, though? I think it’s easier than we think to focus on what matters most. Today I am sharing 3 simple ways to strengthen your relationships with your kids this year. Not one of these is complicated, cumbersome, or expensive. Because nurturing our relationships with our kids is within reach this ...
Jan 15, 2019•29 min
Reading books together as a family is the best way to connect. We connect with each other, with the books we read, and with the big ideas we encounter there. In fact, there are four steps I like best when it comes to sharing books with our kids: Read aloud Share an experience around the book Talk about it Meet the author or illustrator Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/snowflake/ . 📖 Order your copy of Painting Wonder: How Pauline Baynes Illustrated the Worlds of C...
Jan 08, 2019•7 min
Would you like to read more in the new year? I don’t mean reading to your kids. I mean reading for you. Many of us want to read more, but we’re not sure how to make that happen. We feel like we can’t fit it in, or maybe we even feel guilty when we sit down to read something just for fun. This episode is just what you need! I’m chatting with Anne Bogel from Modern Mrs. Darcy , author of I’d Rather Be Reading. In this episode, you’ll hear: why it’s OK to prioritize your reading life how to read mo...
Dec 31, 2018•48 min
January is one of the most exciting months of the year here at RAR. Why? Because it’s time for our 31-Day Read-Aloud Challenge, our most popular event of all. Participants tell us that this simple challenge transforms their kids’ relationships with reading. I know. That sounds like an exaggeration. But…well…see for yourself! It’s kind of hard to believe something this simple can make such a huge difference, so you’ll have try it to believe it. And there’s no reason not to: this is a Challenge fo...
Dec 17, 2018•13 min
In today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival, I’m answering your questions. In this episode, you’ll hear: What to read after the Little House on the Prairie books My teen daughters’ favorite books Whether re-reading/re-listening is OK How to make sure younger kids don’t miss out on childhood classics Tips for sharing books with Dads How I track the books we read … and more. Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/118/ . 📖 Order your copy of Painting Wonder: How Pauline B...
Nov 27, 2018•37 min
You’ve been asking for one, and this year, we made it for you: a booklist of Christmas novels to read aloud. If you’re looking for stories that will shape and form your Advent and Christmas season, you’re in exactly the right place. On this brand new podcast episode, I’m sharing my favorite Christmas novels (and short stories, too) to read with your kids. In this episode, you’ll hear: which books to read with your kids all through December books that will appeal to the youngest kids and the “big...
Nov 20, 2018•33 min
We say it often here at the Read-Aloud Revival: sharing books with our kids is all about connection. This is true for all ages, but today we’re especially going to talk about the importance of reading aloud to babies. Our guest today goes so far as to say that our effectiveness as parents is in direct proportion to the strength of the bond that we have with our child. This is good stuff! In this new episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, Pam Leo shares her wisdom about connecting with babies...
Nov 13, 2018•42 min
There’s a common mistake that most of us make while reading aloud. The good news is that it’s actually pretty easy to fix! There’s one very simple thing you can do right away that will make your read-alouds better. Not only will it help your kids understand books better, it will also make you enjoy the reading more. Don’t believe me? Give a listen and see what you think! In this episode, you’ll hear: The quickest, simplest way to improve your read-alouds Why this tip is so powerful – I’m sharing...
Nov 06, 2018•31 min
I met author, Susan Tan, face to face on my summer trip to Boston. Her middle-grade books about Cilla Lee-Jenkins have become favorites of mine to recommend, and she was every bit as fun as I thought she’d be! She’s also incredibly smart, and she’s writing wonderful books for our kids. On today’s Read-Aloud Revival podcast, Susan Tan and I talk about living a reading and writing life. This episode is for aspiring writers, those who want to see more kids reflected in literature, and anyone who lo...
Oct 30, 2018•41 min
We picture all of our darling children curled around us, listening happily as we share a story together … BUT … What if we have toddlers and teens? Or just lots of kids with strong opinions?! Is there ANYTHING we can do? YES! Today’s episode is all about finding the read-aloud sweet spot when you have a wide range of ages in your family. In this episode, you’ll hear: why you should ignore common advice when it comes to reading to a wide age span whether it’s OK to read under some of your kids’ r...
Oct 20, 2018•31 min
You might have heard us say this before, but here at The Read-Aloud Revival, we believe that audio books count. Today we’re going behind the scenes to talk about how an audio book is made. In fact, we often prefer reading books on audio. Listening to a good book, well-read, is a wonderful way to fill your child’s life with beautiful language. In this episode of the podcast, I’m chatting with Lyssa Browne of Cedar House Audio Production s , about the process of making an audio book, voice acting ...
Oct 13, 2018•40 min
Do your kids ever interrupt during read-aloud time? No? Just mine? 😉 Today we’re talking all about how to handle interruptions–whether they’re coming from the phone, the doorbell, the 2-year-old, or the chatty middle schooler. We’ll consider what’s really causing those interruptions in the first place, as well as how to set ourselves up for success. We’re breaking it all down and sharing solutions on this newest episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast. In this episode, you’ll hear: why interr...
Oct 09, 2018•31 min
You might know S.D. Smith as the author of the Green Ember series of books. He also happens to be hilarious – which makes this episode so much fun! At all five Great Homeschool Conventions in 2018, Sarah Mackenzie interviewed S.D. Smith live on stage. At one point, he flipped the whole thing on its head and interviewed Sarah. Hilarity ensued, and somehow they even managed to have a bit of serious conversation. Plus a secret is revealed: Did you know that S.D. named a character in his books after...
Oct 02, 2018•50 min
Most of us can’t travel the world with our kids. But that shouldn’t keep up us from traveling the world with them through books. Today on the Read-Aloud Revival Podcast, Rea Berg and I are talking about how to take your kids (of all ages) around the world through picture books. In this episode, you’ll hear: why no one ‘grows past’ picture books the joy and accomplishment that comes with sharing a book with all ages how we can give our kids a heart for the world through carefully chosen books Fin...
Aug 28, 2018•36 min
If you’re looking to read books for ancient history studies with your kids this year, this booklist is for you. It’s a short list of delightful picture book read-alouds for the whole family. Why only picture books? Well… because picture books are worthwhile for everyone . Your high schooler is likely to enjoy these books every bit as much as your first grader. And I bet you’ll learn a thing or two, as you’re reading along. ;) If you happen to be short on time (am I the only one raising my hand h...
Aug 21, 2018•25 min
Dr. Michael Gurian is back! You may remember him from Episode 82 of the podcast, when he joined us to talk about the minds of boys (and why fidgeting is a good sign!). But today he is here to chat with us about the minds of girls. In this episode, you’ll hear: the unique learning challenges girls face (some of these might surprise you!) why we need to listen differently with our girls… and how to do that Is there really such a thing as ‘girl drama’? (ahem) Find the rest of the show notes at http...
Aug 14, 2018•47 min
At the start of a new school year, we’re all full of hopes for a year that means something. We want our kids to encounter big ideas, learn new skills, read wonderful books, and come out the other side of the school year richer than they were going in. That’s why infusing your home with 3 C’s— Connection, Community, and Confidence , can be such a game-changer for family’s school year. When we feel to connected to our kids, supported by a community, and confident to teach from rest and lead our ch...
Aug 08, 2018•21 min
Do you remember struggling through early reader books back when you were learning to read? Was it all Dick and Jane ? Was it … boring? Think about this: nobody asks you now, as a grownup, how old you were when you became a fluent reader. Know why? Because nobody cares . What age your child is when s/he learns to read fluently (whether at age 4, or 7, or 9, or even older) doesn’t bear on their ability to read well later on. Early readers are not consistently better readers when they are adults. W...
Jul 29, 2018•42 min
I ‘m coming to you today with a simple tip that could make a HUGE difference in how often your kids pick up books for fun. In fact, it may seem *too* simple at first, so you’re going to have to try it for yourself! What is it? Put the books OUT. Face-out, I mean. Think about when you go to the library- are your eyes drawn to the picture book spines on the shelves, or to the face-out books on display? Do the same in your home and I bet you’ll be floored at how those covers will invite your kids t...
Jul 17, 2018•18 min
