What would happen if you decided to be your child’s mentor, rather than their teacher? What if you awakened their wonder and curiosity, so that they became the kind of people who thirst for knowledge and understanding? What if you could fall in love with homeschooling your kids? In this episode, Sally Clarkson and I continue a conversation we started over on her podcast a few weeks ago. We discuss how Sally translated her own boredom with traditional education in order to find a different way fo...
Aug 20, 2020•35 min
We need a drumroll today, because on the podcast we’re revealing all of our autumn picks for RAR Premium. I’m also answering podcast listener Corrie’s question about how to preserve her son’s love of reading. It’s easy to slip into schooly habits that kill our kids’ love of reading– so how can we help preserve our children’s love of reading even after the school year starts? Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/160/ . 📖 Order your copy of Painting Wonder: How Pauline ...
Aug 10, 2020•45 min
R ecently, I posted on social media about my oldest daughter becoming our first homeschool graduate. I’ll admit to being a proud mama. I think for a lot of us homeschooling our kids, we hear that it works, we are told colleges want homeschoolers–are actively seeking out homeschoolers–but we still are a little nervous. We wonder if we’ve prepared them well, if this grand homeschooling experiment is going to work out. So when my oldest daughter was not only accepted into every single college she a...
Jul 25, 2020•41 min
This week, I’m thrilled to chat with Greta Eskridge about how we can adventure with our kids – yes, even now! Greta Eskridge and I discuss how books can be the conduit for adventuring with your kids, no matter your circumstances or your resources. In this episode, you’ll hear: all about Greta’s new book, Adventuring Together how even small adventures can be impactful for our kids how to start in the simplest way possible Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/158/ . 📖 O...
Jul 10, 2020•46 min
Why read aloud to kids who can read themselves? It’s a fair question. Not many of us remember parents or teachers reading to us once we were old enough to read on our own. But the benefits of reading aloud to kids who are old enough to read themselves are numerous. That’s what we’re tackling in this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast. In this episode, you’ll hear: 5 major benefits to reading aloud to kids who can read themselves How reading together can help us connect during challenging ...
Jun 26, 2020•27 min
In today’s episode, I’m answering several of your questions about audio books for kids. Let’s talk favorite narrators, whether audio books hold you children back from learning to read on their own, and more. In this episode, you’ll hear: how to choose winning narrators whether it’s holding our kids back to let them listen to lots of audio how I handle books in a series whether or not to assign books during quiet reading time when your husband is not a big reader Find the rest of the show notes a...
Jun 15, 2020•42 min
In today’s episode, I’m answering your questions – from reading to separate age groups and how to make time for that (!), to what to do if summer reading programs make your kids want to read LESS… In this episode, you’ll hear: when summer reading programs aren’t useful how to handle a drop in comprehension when kids start reading longer books ideas for easy chapter books how to make time for reading aloud when your kids want to be outside all day favorite fairy-tale-esque book recommendations re...
Jun 01, 2020•44 min
We know that we want our kids to love to read . And it’s important (really important!) to give them the best chance fall in love with books. That’s why so many of us get worried when we have a child who doesn’t love reading. It’s a valid worry. What can be done about it? On today’s episode of the podcast, I share ideas for what to do when your child doesn’t love reading. We can’t exactly make our kids into readers, but we can give them the best chance possible that they’ll become readers for lif...
May 18, 2020•41 min
I n today’s episode, I’m joined by the woman who recently faced the daunting challenge of updating Jim Trelease’s much beloved Read-Aloud Handbook . Cyndi Giorgis takes us behind the scenes of updating The Read-Aloud Handbook , and some of the interesting (and most surprising!) bits what she learned during the process. In this episode, you’ll hear: what’s in the Read-Aloud Handbook ‘s whole new chapter (it’s a good one) updates about audiobooks and other technology the most important thing Cyndi...
May 04, 2020•41 min
Being stuck at home is getting old fast, but finishing the school year doesn’t need to be a slog. We’ve heard you loud and clear: it’s really, really hard to concentrate on homeschooling right now. And we all want to finish the school year strong, right? On today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, I’m sharing something brand new that I am over-the-moon excited about: a workshop series we’re calling WOW: Writers on Writing . This workshop series will help you spice up your home learning...
Apr 20, 2020•28 min
When is a story worth telling? And why are the best stories in history seen through the lens of a single human being? We’re diving into those questions to day with one of the most talented and effervescent authors I know: Barb Rosenstock. I recommend every single one of Barb’s picture book biographies. Listen to this episode and you’ll know why. You’ll find links to her books at the bottom of this post. In this episode, you’ll hear: the magic of “So what?”… just wait till you hear her talk about...
Apr 06, 2020•38 min
Did you know that when you plant bamboo, you will water it, protect it, nurture it…and nothing happens for 5 years? At least it looks like nothing is happening, because it’s all happening underground, where the bamboo is growing a complex root structure. But above ground? Nothin’. You’ve got to faithfully water and care for that plant for f-i-v-e years before you get any proof that you’re making any progress. Homeschooling is a lot like bamboo. In today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcas...
Mar 24, 2020•47 min
If you have a gifted, twice-exceptional, or advanced reader, this episode is for you. Today I’m chatting with Colleen Kessler of Raising Lifelong Leaners . A gifted specialist and mother of her own gifted and twice-exceptional kids, Colleen understands the challenges of connecting advanced readers with books… … and the challenges that arise when your advanced reader can read anything, but isn’t emotionally ready to have free reign at the library. In this episode, you’ll hear: what to do when you...
Mar 09, 2020•42 min
I’ve got a brand new episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast for you, and it’s a good one. In this episode, you’ll hear: Which 3 books I’d bring with me to a desert island 🏝 (it was torture to answer this listener question!) Whether or not we use reading curriculum at our house 🤓 (and what I recommend) The skinny on what we’re reading aloud this spring at RAR (our book choices are just 😍 – scroll down to see what I mean) Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/148/ ....
Feb 25, 2020•39 min
Math. . ..are your palms sweating yet? 😅 Yep, I know. But you’ve asked for books that will enrich and enliven math for your kids, and we took on the challenge. In today’s episode, the Read-Aloud Revival team is talking about delighting and learning math together through great read-alouds. In this episode, you’ll hear: why you might want to add math read-alouds to your day how to add them in when you already feel pressed for time (no need to dump your existing curriculum!) our favorites. Of cour...
Feb 11, 2020•37 min
In today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival, you’ll get to know why Louisa May Alcott, the author of Little Women , was such a wonder (and indeed, she was!). And who could be a better guest for this conversation than Jan Turnquist? Jan Turnquist is Executive Director of Orchard House , the home where Louisa wrote Little Women , and Co-Executive Producer, Director, and Host of the Emmy-Award Winning documentary, Orchard House . She’s a true Louisa May Alcott expert, and has wonderful insight int...
Jan 28, 2020•47 min
I felt my brain waking up during this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast. My guest is Alan Jacobs, Distinguished Professor of Humanities in the Honors Program at Baylor University, and author of The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction (goodness, I *love* that book). It was such a delight to have him on the show to talk about those “shoulds” that often trip us up as readers, parents, and educators. He invites us to read at whim , develop our own reading taste , and raise kids who...
Jan 14, 2020•54 min
I want to introduce you to a remarkable woman. She won two Caldecott Awards, illustrated more than 100 books during her career, raised four children, and lived life with unique zest and liveliness. You may recognize her illustrations in any of the following books, including my own favorite, Miss Rumphius , and one of her Caldecott winners, The Ox-Cart Man . Barbara Cooney was a gift to the world, and in this special edition podcast, I want to introduce you to the woman behind these magnificent b...
Jan 06, 2020•28 min
That’s right … Kate DiCamillo is back! And what she has to say is so good, you might find yourself listening more than once. In this new episode, Kate and I chat about her newest book, Beverly, Right Here , and we also discuss why parents and teachers so often try to quantify what our kids are getting from books. We have some ideas about how we could better help kids develop their own robust reading life. I also answer a listener question about how to read aloud with highly visual kids (kids who...
Dec 09, 2019•44 min
In today’s brand new episode of the Read-Aloud Revival, you’ll hear: should you let your kids read ahead of the family read-aloud? how many books can little kids keep up with at once? the simplest way to help your kids fall in love with books (and help *you* fall in love with homeschooling) I’m also sharing our winter Family Book Club picks in RAR Premium. We always say this, but it’s worth repeating: our book club selections are cream-of-the-crop… …and this winter it’s no different! 😍 Find the...
Nov 21, 2019•31 min
Why re-read? This is a question we get a lot at RAR, and I’m not going to beat around the bush… I’m convinced there is a lot to gain from rereading. Today, I’m going to tell you why. If you have a child who re-reads the same book over and over, we’re going to talk about it. And if you or someone you love has recently read the same picture book to a little one every night for months, I’ve got some good news for you. In this episode, you’ll hear: why re-reading may just be the very best kind of re...
Nov 11, 2019•28 min
Poetry is beautiful, captivating and (for a lot of us) a little intimidating , right? Our goal with this episode is to show you how simple and delightful sharing poetry with your kids can be. My guest today says we can’t force poetry, but we can share it naturally… and that just might be the key to helping our kids develop a lifelong love. If you want to help your kids fall in love with beautiful language, there’s no better (or simpler) way to start than with a poem. In this episode, you’ll hear...
Oct 28, 2019•38 min
Is there a better way to nurture empathy and compassion than through books? That’s the question we address in this episode with special guest, Courtney Westlake . Courtney’s daughter, Brenna, was born with a skin condition that makes her appear “different” to many people. On today’s show, Courtney shares not just her family’s experience, but also how we can teach our kids kindness and understanding when it comes to differences. In this episode, you’ll hear: how to help kids grow in empathy how b...
Oct 15, 2019•41 min
Your local library or bookshop (if you’re lucky, both!) is likely filled with children’s books. Many are simply marvelous—the kind of books you don’t mind reading aloud over and over, and that you’re delighted to hand to your kids. Others? Not so much. So how do we decide which books to read with our kids? How do we connect our kids with books they’ll love… especially when we haven’t read most of them? That’s what today’s episode is all about. In this episode, you’ll hear: What is a good book, a...
Oct 01, 2019•39 min
Graphic novels … they sometimes make us a little nervous, right? As parents, we worry if they have any value. In this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, I’m joined by the RAR Team, and we’re talking all things graphic novels. Do they count as real reading? Will they make our kids lazy readers? And what about questionable content? In this episode, you’ll hear: what’s happening in your child’s brain when they read a graphic novel ( aka what on earth is “multi-modal” reading?) why some kids...
Sep 17, 2019•45 min
I would be willing to bet that if you’re reading this, you’re hoping to raise kids who love reading. Think back for a second. Were the books you were assigned in school the same books you stayed up reading under the covers, late at night with a flashlight? When you were done writing the book report or the essay, did you eagerly start the book over, only to dive back into the utter delight of losing yourself in the story? Would you say those books became one of your childhood’s sweetest delights?...
Sep 03, 2019•34 min
In this newest episode, I'm sharing what we’re reading this fall at Read-Aloud Revival. We’ve looked high and low and found what we think are three spectacular picture books and a novel (okay, a series) for you to share with your kids this fall. I’ll tell you each of my selections and why I picked them. I can’t wait for you to see these. 😍 In this episode, you’ll hear: why your newly minted reader might not be a voracious one (and what to do about it) a great way to include Dad in reading aloud...
Aug 19, 2019•33 min
In this very special episode of the Read-Aloud Revival, we’re sharing an Author Access with the wonderful Sally Lloyd Jones. This was an event celebrating her book Goldfish on Vacation , which we read together as a community in RAR Premium . Sally even reads aloud to us in this one (twice!) In this episode, you’ll hear: beautiful tips for young writers which was the most challenging Bible story for her to write something that means even more to her as a writer than medals and awards Find the res...
Aug 06, 2019•1 hr 10 min
Today we’re heading to the coast of Maine… at least in our imagination . I’m chatting with Amanda Dykes, author of the adult fiction novel, Whose Waves These Are, in a summer episode that celebrates seaside tales. In this episode, you’ll hear: how the books we read as children can impact us for life the unique way that books transport us how books can serve as “functional souvenirs” (the best kind!) I also answer a listener question about organizing personal vs family books, and how I decide if ...
Jul 22, 2019•39 min
If you’ve got teens (or kids who will be teens before you know it), this episode is for you. We’re talking about books for teens, and why the YA/teen section of your library or bookstore is not a reading level. In this episode, you’ll hear: what YA is and what it isn’t a few issues with YA/teen books whether it’s essential for teens to read YA on the way to adulthood Of course, I’m also going to recommend some books… because that’s what we do best around here! Find the rest of the show notes at ...
Jul 08, 2019•36 min
