Looking for my favorite stories about Christian saints and heroes? You’re in the right place! That’s what I’m talking about in today’s short episode of the Read-Aloud Revival. (Heads up, I’m Catholic, so a lot of these titles will be of special interest to Catholic listeners. 🥰) There are lots of wonderful stories of Christian heroes, but these are some of my favorite short picks, perfect for mixed-age groups. You’ll hear… my favorite non-gory picks (because some of these stories can get… well,...
Oct 19, 2021•17 min
Many of us worry about how screen time impacts our kids’ reading life. So how do we manage screens in a way that still makes it likely our kids will love to read? That’s the question I’m answering in today’s short episode of the Read-Aloud Revival. You’ll hear… the case for helping kids engage with screens in a healthy way two times a day we go screen-free at our house how to set goals to help kids want to read more https://readaloudrevival.com/189/ . 📖 Order your copy of Painting Wonder: How P...
Oct 12, 2021•16 min
If you take your kids to the library and they consistently choose books you aren’t excited about them reading… what can you do? That’s the question I’m answering in today’s short episode of the Read-Aloud Revival. You’ll hear… Sarah’s favorite places to check book reviews an alternate way to get library books dealing with silly books 🙃 vs ones those our kids really aren’t ready for 😬 Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/188/ . 📖 Order your copy of Painting Wonder: H...
Sep 29, 2021•17 min
How can we find books that engage both an 8- and a 4-year-old? That’s the question I’m answering in today’s short episode of the Read-Aloud Revival. You’ll hear… why we shouldn’t leave picture books behind a tip for keeping kids engaged with longer books a few book suggestions! (naturally 😉) Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/187/ . 📖 Order your copy of Painting Wonder: How Pauline Baynes Illustrated the Worlds of C. S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien by Katie Wray Schon....
Sep 29, 2021•14 min
Should my kids’ reading correlate with their history studies? Many of make it a point to make sure our reading lines up with the time period we’re learning about in history. Is that a good idea? That’s the question I’m answering in today’s short episode of the Read-Aloud Revival. You’ll hear… what I wish I worried about less when it comes to teaching history a tip for helping kids track reading by time period the value of re-reading the same books over again Find the rest of the show notes at ht...
Sep 29, 2021•17 min
Should I use Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons? That’s the question I’m answering in today’s short episode of the Read-Aloud Revival. You’ll hear… Yes, if it works for you. No, if it doesn’t. My own experience and my favorite alternatives A reminder: look for the easiest way to teach that also nurtures your relationship with your kids 💗 Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/185/ . 📖 Order your copy of Painting Wonder: How Pauline Baynes Illustrated the Worl...
Sep 14, 2021•15 min
What should you do if your developing reader skips words when reading? That’s the question I’m answering in today’s short episode of the Read-Aloud Revival. You’ll hear… Actually, we all do skip words when reading, but… Sarah shares a simple tip (🐢 🐢🐢) An idea if your child does this too (🎧 + 📚) Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/184/ . 📖 Order your copy of Painting Wonder: How Pauline Baynes Illustrated the Worlds of C. S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien by Katie Wra...
Sep 14, 2021•14 min
Should we avoid abridged or adapted versions of classics? That’s the question I’m answering in today’s short episode of the Read-Aloud Revival. You’ll hear… what abridged or adapted versions of the classics can offer what happened when Sarah’s daughter read an abridged version of Heidi how adapted books can lead to better, richer reading Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/183/ . 📖 Order your copy of Painting Wonder: How Pauline Baynes Illustrated the Worlds of C. S....
Sep 14, 2021•16 min
Today I’m sharing five books you’ll love, plans for RAR this fall (books clubs and writing and events you don’t want to miss!), and answers to your questions about reading a book a day. Wondering if including re-reading is a good idea, or how to stay awake while reading aloud? (You aren’t the only one! 🥱) Tune in to hear: 5 books your kids will adore (including a picture book that seems to always grab kids) some book ideas for you , Mama – I made you a list! a secret audiobook strategy 🤫 😉 Fi...
Aug 31, 2021•51 min
In this episode, we’re offering some tips and ideas to help you with the nitty gritty of reading more picture books. The whole RAR team is back, and we’re answering your questions about reading a picture book a day. In this episode, you’ll hear: the best way to create a picture book routine if reading the same books again and again is OK (YUP! 👍) when and if to buy a particular book, and new way of thinking about investing in books Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com...
Aug 17, 2021•37 min
We’re all on board with reading picture books to our younger kids, but that has to stop at some point, right? Ohhhhhh no. No, it does not. What do our kids stand to gain… and how on earth can we read picture books with older kids and teens? A lot. Here at RAR, we’re always saying that there is nothing a novel can give your kids that a picture book can’t. Honestly, a picture book might just be able to do it better, with an art gallery to match. In this episode, we’re breaking down how to get big ...
Aug 03, 2021•41 min
Last time on the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, we talked about what happens (and what our kids gain) when we read aloud a book a day . In this episode, we’re digging in to how to look closely at a picture book—how to see what we might otherwise miss. You may be surprised at how much is there in a picture book, just waiting to be seen and heard! No lesson plans are needed. Just you, your kid(s), a book plucked from your shelf. Ready? Let’s do this. In this episode, you’ll hear: What about just read...
Jul 20, 2021•43 min
What would happen if we read a book a day with our kids? That’s the idea we’re exploring today in a brand new episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast. And we’re also issuing a challenge: we dare you to read a picture book a day with your kids – for a week, a month… or more. And you’ll even hear some profound insights, like how a good picture book is like a baked potato. 🥔 😆 All the details are in today’s episode. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why it’s worthwhile to read a book a day with our...
Jul 06, 2021•38 min
In today’s Special Edition of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, you’ll meet the man behind Make Way for Ducklings . Robert McCloskey was the first to win two Caldecott Awards, and his books are arguably among the most celebrated picture books of all time. His most popular picture book wouldn’t stay on the page, either. His ducks became permanent sculptures fixed in Boston Public Garden, and even made a way for international diplomacy as part of the START Treaty between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. in...
Jun 15, 2021•45 min
Science is everywhere . It’s in everything we do, everything we see. And yes, everything we read. Books offer a delightful opportunity to talk about science, both through their illustrations and their text. We just need to know a few things to look for and a few questions to ask. Today we’ll find out how to think like a scientist, and how to teach our kids to do the same. I invited two professors from St. Michael’s College to teach us all about cross-cutting scientific concepts within picture bo...
Apr 20, 2021•45 min
Is homeschooling with dyslexia a good idea? Can dyslexic students thrive, even if the parents aren’t specialists (or even certified teachers)? Let’s be clear: absolutely, yes. You can homeschool your dyslexic kids, and you’ll do a darn good job of it, too. Today on the podcast, Marianne Sunderland from Homeschooling with Dyslexia is back to talk about the nitty gritty details of teaching children who learn differently. Marianne has homeschooled eight kids (seven are dyslexic). In this episode, s...
Apr 07, 2021•41 min
Is my child dyslexic? And if so, what should I do about it? It’s one of the things we’re asked about most here at Read-Aloud Revival, and no wonder. When our kids struggle to learn to read, we worry. Dyslexia is extremely common, and is very often misunderstood. Today, we’re going to talk about the signs of dyslexia, and what to do if you think your child may be dyslexic. If you’ve ever wondered whether your child is a “late bloomer” or might be struggling with a learning difference, you’re in t...
Mar 23, 2021•49 min
Every year, the RAR team gathers to watch the American Library Association (ALA) Youth Media Awards. Once, we went in person (!) but the past two years, we’ve watched together from home and texted each other like mad the whole time. The awards have a way of bringing out BIG feelings. These are basically the Oscars for children’s books, and as you’ll hear, we have a few Opinions (with a capital O), here at RAR. Ahem. 😇 Today we’re sharing: Some stand-out winners from the 2021 ALA Awards Which bo...
Mar 09, 2021•43 min
Ready to dive into a little brain science? Today, we’re discovering what happens in your child’s brain when you read aloud. This is probably not a surprise, but… A LOT is happening. Dr. John Hutton of the Reading and Literacy Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital is joining me to break this down. I love how he puts it in the beginning of this episode: that scientists are using fancy methods to verify what we already know – that reading aloud is good for our kids. Want to know what happens in ...
Feb 23, 2021•47 min
Learning to read can be hard. And when our kids are still learning to read fluently and well, helping them fall in love with books can feel impossible. But it doesn’t have to be that way. In today’s episode, I’m going to show you how to help your kids fall in love with stories, and tell you why it will help them more to keep reading aloud than to cram in another long phonics lesson. In this episode, you'll hear: a reminder that learning to read is a little like climbing a mountain! ⛰️ the key to...
Feb 09, 2021•40 min
The Bard. He can be a little intimidating, right? If you’ve ever wondered how to introduce your kids to Shakespeare, you are in a for a treat with this podcast episode. Many of us met Shakespeare in a way that didn’t set us up to love him or even understand him. But today, I’m joined by Ken Ludwig, award-winning playwright and author of How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare – my very favorite resource for doing just that! In this episode, you'll hear: Why we should make Shakespeare a part of ou...
Jan 26, 2021•1 hr 13 min
Do you ever feel lost when it comes to how to read a wordless book? I’m convinced that some of the very best picture books being published today are wordless. They invite us to slow down, predict what will come next, make connections, and linger over a good story, well-told. Today I’m excited to share some of the best ones with you, as well as a simple guide for how to read them. In this episode, you’ll hear: why wordless books are worth our time how to read a wordless books (with tips for what ...
Jan 09, 2021•39 min
Here at RAR, we can’t think of a better way to kick off a new year than to do it with books. That’s why we kick off every January with a challenge for your kids–to help them start their new year reading and reading and reading some more… and falling a little more in love with books in the process! Today we’re sharing all the details of this year’s Read-Aloud Challenge. I’ll answer your questions, let you know how it works, which books “count,” (spoiler alert: you’re the boss!), and what to do if...
Dec 28, 2020•37 min
Welcome to a very special Christmas episode of Read-Aloud Revival, featuring three audio Christmas stories from one of our very favorite storytellers: Jim Weiss. In this episode, 3 audio Christmas stories: The Nativity Story The Gift of the Magi The Nutcracker Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/168/ . 📖 Order your copy of Painting Wonder: How Pauline Baynes Illustrated the Worlds of C. S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien by Katie Wray Schon....
Dec 01, 2020•44 min
Do you feel it in the air? The seasons are a-changing…and it’s just about the best time of year for reading with a cup of cocoa, next to a crackling fire. (I suppose in the Southern Hemisphere it’s lemonade and beach reading… but there’s no bad season for reading, right?) We think you’re going to be very excited about what we have coming up in RAR this winter, plus a brand new addition to RAR Premium – Christmas School! Listen in while I tell you all about it. In this episode, I’m sharing: an in...
Nov 16, 2020•27 min
In today’s episode, we’re talking about how to talk with your kids about books. Specifically, we’re talking about open-ended questions, which you’ve probably heard us talk about before here at Read-Aloud Revival. Open-ended questions are key to having conversations with your kids about anything they read, and anything you read together. But what exactly qualifies as an open-ended question, and why do they work? In this episode, I’m breaking down: How to make book conversation a habit How open en...
Nov 04, 2020•40 min
It happens to all of us at one point or another: reading shifts in our kids’ lives from being principally about joy and delight into something that needs to be done for school. A lot of us notice a significant drop in how much our kids are reading for pleasure once the school year is well underway. This is a problem. According to the National Literacy Trust, those who enjoy reading are better, more confident readers who spend less time online, and are more motivated by interest and achievement. ...
Oct 18, 2020•42 min
In this very special episode of the podcast, the RAR team is discussing our favorite way to study history: through picture book biographies. We’re also sharing a brand new FREE resource – a huge list of our favorite picture book biographies, organized by time period and category. In this podcast episode, you’ll hear: what makes picture books special and unique learning tools the best ways to read them and use them in your homeschool how picture book biographies help us answer the so what questio...
Oct 06, 2020•53 min
A tranquil mind. Any chance you want one of those? I know I do. Today on the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, we’re talking about how readers can give themselves the gift of a tranquil mind by reading old books. Wait, did I just say “by reading old book s?” I did. And I have a feeling this episode will challenge and expand your expectation for what reading old books can do for us in the here and now. I like to describe Alan Jacobs as one of my favorite thinkers … …and if you listen in to this episode...
Sep 22, 2020•53 min
If you need a boost of sunshine in your week, stop whatever you’re doing and listen to this podcast . Why? Because in this episode, Australian icon Mem Fox joins me to talk about the unique gift this specific time can offer us — the chance to read together, to connect, and to help our kids fall in love with books on a whole new level. Mem Fox is Australia’s most celebrated author and the creator of many too many pictures books to count. She’s a giant advocate of reading aloud, as you’ll hear, an...
Sep 07, 2020•47 min
