Does your read-aloud time ever devolve into chaos? Do you spend just as much time asking your kids to sit still as you do actually reading? In this episode, I’m talking about how we can modify our expectations just a bit to make read-aloud time more successful. Many kids listen better when they’re doing something with their hands (l isten to Dr. Michael Gurian talk about that right here ). In this episode, you’ll hear: how to keep your kids at read-aloud time longer why it’s absolutely OK for ki...
Sep 25, 2017•39 min
Bad days – we all have them, right? We can’t really avoid that , but we can have a strategy tucked into our pocket- a simple strategy that will help us save a bad day. As a mama of 6 kids – preschool through high school – I sure do. So today, I’m talking how to save those no good, very bad days! 😉 In this episode, you’ll hear: a simple strategy that is the ultimate reset button the genre of books that saves the day time and time again what Jim Trelease and Andrew Pudewa say is the most importan...
Sep 13, 2017•16 min
Caroline Starr Rose is back, and she’s joining me today to talk about her historical fiction, plus she’s sharing inspiration for young authors and tips for introducing novels in verse to our kids. In this episode, you’ll hear: the picture book she wrote about the wetlands after Hurricane Katrina what research looks like for a historical fiction author 4 novels in verse to share with younger children the book Sarah read-aloud… to herself! Kids will be so inspired to hear about Caroline’s research...
Sep 11, 2017•41 min
Today I’m addressing a question I get ALL THE TIME – how to find time to read. How do we cultivate a reading life in the midst of parenting, life, and other general busyness? In this episode I’m addressing the best ways I have found to fit more reading into my life. I’m sharing my favorite tips. If you enjoy this episode, you’ll also like Episode 119 with Anne Bogel, Cultivating Your Own Reading Life . In this episode, you’ll hear: why we need to prioritize our own reading and let our kids “catc...
Sep 04, 2017•27 min
This is one of the most delightful conversations we’ve ever had on the Read-Aloud Revival podcast! I’m talking today with Helen Oxenbury, author and illustrator, about creating picture books – from where she gets her ideas, to the supplies she uses to draw animals (and the cutest darn babies around) and more. In this episode, you’ll hear: which books Helen read to her own 3 children what it’s been like working with her husband, author and illustrator John Burningham (the creator of the Mr. Gumpy...
Aug 28, 2017•39 min
Are you unsure of what to read aloud with teens? Do you ever get a little overwhelmed looking through the YA section at your local bookstore or library? Not to worry. I’m here today with 5 (OK, plus one more!) books to read with your teens. In this episode, you’ll hear: a book that helped me fill up my reading journal with meaningful quotes the one I’d change the title and cover of, if I could and two books that are so good on audio, you and your teen might end up driving around the block a time...
Aug 21, 2017•19 min
Hold on to your hats everyone – I am sharing one of my very favorite middle grade series in this episode. I’m chatting with both my daughter Allison and someone who just might be my favorite living author, Jonathan Rogers. Jonathan is author of the fantastic Winderking series, which has been described as a cross between Tolkien and Twain. In this episode, you’ll hear: whether characters in books should serve as role models… or not the way stories inspire us to live a better story ourselves how N...
Aug 14, 2017•39 min
Here at the Read-Aloud Revival, we are BIG FANS of audio books, but we get asked all the time: “Do audio books count as real read alouds?” In today’s brand new episode of the podcast, I’m answering that question. In this episode, you’ll hear: whether or not audio books count as real reading where and how to listen (either alone or as a family) where I get the best deals on audio books Audio books absolutely aren’t cheating, and I’m here today with your quick guide for getting started! Find the r...
Aug 07, 2017•33 min
Do you make the best use of the resources available to you at your local library? Or do you even know all of what your library can do for you? You’re not alone if the answer to either of those questions is “no.” Today I’m talking to Amy Commers, a Youth Services Librarian in Minnesota, about how you can get the most from (and give the most support to) your local library. In this episode, you’ll hear: putting tons of books on hold – it’s OK! navigating YA and how to make your library even better!...
Jul 31, 2017•50 min
Today you’re in for a treat … I’ve got an exclusive interview between New York Times bestselling author, Jeanne Birdsall ( The Penderwicks series) and best-selling author, N.D. Wilson ( 100 Cupboards , Outlaws of Time , and others). Jeanne and N.D. are good friends, and in this interview held at Anderson Bookshop in Illinois , they talk about: why their books are more alike than you might think the author who inspires both of their books what they really hope to do for kids with the stories they...
Jul 10, 2017•54 min
Before Laura Martin ever authored her amazing Edge of Extinction series, she was a middle school language arts teacher. And her specialty was helping kids resistant to reading fall in love with books. In this episode, you’ll hear: some of her favorite tips to get your kids not just reading more, but really loving books ideas for organizing books by genre and helping your children create a “someday list.” and why kids who want to be writers should be listening to more books than they’re reading P...
May 07, 2017•50 min
The first time Nancy Carpentier Brown read G.K. Chesterton’s work, she didn’t just hate it – she actually burned the book! But things certainly changed. Nancy now not only works with the American Chesterton Society, she is a leading expert on Frances Chesterton, and a much-requested speaker on both Gilbert and Frances Chesterton. She’s also the author of The Father Brown Reader I and II , The Chestertons and the Golden Key , and The Woman Who Was Chesterton. In this episode, you’ll hear: about i...
Apr 24, 2017•39 min
Take a peek at Greta Eskridge’s Instagram account, and you might just see her shin-deep in a tide pool with her kids, or hanging out on top of a mountain. It’s clear that Greta adores nature. But as a child, believe it or not, Greta didn’t spend a lot of time in nature. What did she do? She read about it. Now as a mama of four, Greta shares those same books with her children. In this episode, you’ll hear: books that fuel a love of nature how books transport us and her tips for stress-free nature...
Apr 10, 2017•53 min
I know this about you: you want to make meaningful and lasting connections with your kids. As a busy homeschooling mom of six, I completely understand that when the house is a mess and the laundry pile is overflowing and life feels just plain crazy, spending a few minutes reading aloud with my kids- even the kids who can read to themselves- is the most important thing I do all day. It’s an opportunity to be fully present--and that is a gift beyond measure these days. That’s why we started offeri...
Mar 27, 2017•38 min
So many of us know Sally Lloyd Jones best as the author of the beloved Jesus Storybook Bible. Now you’re going to just love hearing her insightful thoughts about sharing stories with our kids. This is a sweet, but powerful episode that might catch you off guard- Sally is such a joy to listen to, and her words pack a big punch. In this episode, you’ll hear: reaching our children through stories how she found the bravery to write a children’s bible and as we celebrate a special milestone for that ...
Mar 12, 2017•39 min
Awoooooooo! Get ready for some pure delight in this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast. We’re joined by the wonderful and witty author of the spunky and endearing Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series. In this episode, you’ll hear: where the idea of a governess caring for children raised by wolves came from (it turns out it’s a bit of Jane Eyre and a dash of The Jungle Book !) how she plots her mysterious storylines and Maryrose even reads (and howls) a bit! This episode is not to ...
Feb 27, 2017•56 min
Are you and your kids familiar with books by G.A Henty? You’re certainly going to want to spend some time with him after hearing this episode. Jim Hodges, audio actor, former homeschooling dad, and creator of Jim Hodges Audio Books is talking with Sarah in this episode about how to bring Henty, and history, to life. In this episode, you’ll hear: his research process what it takes to engage kids with audio stories and how audiobooks can shape our kids and help struggling readers Tune in for some ...
Feb 14, 2017•45 min
Nathan Clarkson grew up as an out-of-the-box kid living with ADHD, mental illness, and (thankfully) a very loving mother, Sally. The two have recently published their story in the book Different , which details how stories helped to shape Nathan, and how his mom came to decide that what other people thought about their parenting and educational approach was irrelevant. In this episode, you’ll hear: how books shaped Nathan’s out-of-the-box childhood why Sally and Nathan are so grateful for the ti...
Jan 31, 2017•52 min
If you are unsure which books being published today are worth your time (or if they’re worth your time at all)… then this brand new episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast- all about some of the best books by living authors--is for you. We’re launching season 10 of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast with an episode dedicated to books that I’m confident can stand up with the classics, and that are every bit as good as your old favorites. Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.c...
Jan 24, 2017•36 min
If you want to make more meaningful and lasting connections with your kids through books in the coming year, then I have a tip for you: Don’t try to read aloud every day. Not what you thought I would say? Well, then. You’d better listen to the rest. This episode of the podcast is the shortest yet– and maybe the most important. It’s only 8 minutes long. You’ll find out… Why you don’t need to read aloud to your kids every single day My simple technique for feeling good about getting to important t...
Dec 28, 2016•11 min
Jonathan Auxier has been a writer for a very long time, but he says he never really felt like he had found his place until he began writing children’s literature. Thank goodness he did! The New York Times best-selling author of what he calls “strange stories for strange children,” his books include Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes , The Night Gardener and most recently, Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard . In this episode he joins Sarah (and 13-year-old Allison!) to talk about writing for c...
Nov 29, 2016•51 min
What happens when you get three book-loving ladies together to chat gratitude and the best Thanksgiving books? In this episode, you’ll hear: there’s just a bit of excitement so Sarah orders a book on air! (We love it when she does that!) and then we end up with a big list of great books like the one below So join the whole Read Aloud Revival Team – Sarah, Kortney, and Kara – as we chat picture books, pie and our favorite suggestions for instilling gratitude in our children through stories. Find ...
Nov 13, 2016•43 min
James Daniels is passionate about many things – his family, his church, good food, gardening and education . He’s also driven to make sense of educational philosophy in a way that’s helpful for others In this episode, you’ll hear: about sharing enthusiasm for books with our kids how our excitement about a book matters much more than whether the book has made it to the top of every book list his favorite way to recommend books to parents and educators- it might surprise you! Find the rest of the ...
Nov 03, 2016•40 min
Linda Sue Park is the author of more than 20 books- including Newbery Award winning A Single Shard (an astounding book and every bit deserving of the Newbery) and the world-changer, A Long Walk to Water. When we were drumming up ideas for who to have on the podcast this season, I knew one thing for sure: I wanted to talk to Linda Sue Park. I’m a mega-fan of Linda Sue Park, and in this episode, we take on whether children’s books can change the world. Do you think they can? Listen and hear what L...
Oct 30, 2016•52 min
Although Melissa Sweet didn’t grow up a reader, she has always had a love and passion for creating, which shows in the beautiful drawings, paintings and collages she has used to illustrate numerous picture books. She also an accomplished author, and her most recent book is about the one and only E.B. White- the ma who wrote Charlotte’s Web , Stuart Little and The Trumpet of the Swan . Melissa joins us today to talk about: bringing E.B. White to life through her picture book biography her artisti...
Oct 11, 2016•45 min
Tricia Goyer is the well-known author of more than 50 encouraging books for women, moms and teens. She’s also a homeschooling mama of 10, and 7 of her children came to her family through adoption. In this episode, you’ll hear: how reading aloud helped her to bond with her adoptive children how although she grew up in a non-reading family, reading and writing has become a huge part of her family’s culture the books that made her both a reader and a really prolific writer Find the rest of the show...
Oct 03, 2016•45 min
Reading aloud is a treat, and Carole Joy Seid wants us to remember that every time we pick up a book to share with our kids. In this episode, she is joining us again to talk about the Golden Age of Children’s Literature . Some of these books may be new to you, and some you may have heard of before, but wondered if they would stand the test of time and still make great read-alouds. ( Hint: They do! ) You’re going to want to listen carefully – Carole shares tons of great suggestion with her signat...
Sep 20, 2016•56 min
When it comes to activities for your preschoolers, do you often feel overwhelmed? I do. I’ve overcomplicated it in the past, and that’s left me a bit tired when it comes to creating a warm and rich learning environment for my youngest kids. Jennifer Pepito has re-inspired my enthusiasm, however. In this episode, you’ll hear: focus on simple play based on books put connecting with our young kids first make learning to read more active Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.co...
Sep 06, 2016•47 min
When I first saw Rebecca Bellingham’s TedX talk, Why We Should All Be Reading Aloud to Children , I was so moved that I watched it twice in a row. Then I shot a note off to the Read-Aloud Revival podcast manager: “can we get her on the podcast?” And we did. :) You’re in for a treat in this first episode of season 9! In this episode, you’ll hear: the theater of reading aloud having difficult discussions around books Rebecca’s tips for sharing enthusiasm for books with our kids Find the rest of th...
Aug 22, 2016•46 min
A whole lot of us get this completely and utterly wrong. Schools do it. Teachers do it. Moms do it. Well-meaning adults make an epic mistake in the education of our children: we make teaching a child to read our top priority. When it comes to our kids and books, our top priority is not to teach our children to read. It’s not to help them decode words on a page, learn their phonics, or bolster their reading comprehension. It’s none of those things. Find the rest of the show notes at https://reada...
Jul 26, 2016•23 min
