The Reading With Your Kids Podcast has been named the # 2 in Feedspot.com's 100 Best Children's Book Podcast List! The "Reading with Your Kids" podcast is a must-listen for parents looking to spark their child's imagination and love of learning. In this episode, host Jed Doherty has engaging conversations with two creative entrepreneurs making a difference in kids' lives. First, Jed chats with author Marilyn Sadler about her delightful new picture book "It's Not Easy Being a Leprechaun." Marilyn...
Mar 18, 2025•57 min
If you're looking for an inspiring new children's book that teaches important lessons about resilience, kindness, and courage, you'll want to check out "Brave Buzzy Bee." In this episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty chats with the delightful co-authors, Rima Fakih and Theresa Alhayek, about how this charming picture book came to be. Rima and Theresa's collaboration started when Theresa's previous book, "Dream Big Little Princess," caught Rima's eye. Rima, a busy mom, former Miss U...
Mar 16, 2025•56 min
Wow, what an inspiring chat with Deborah Farmer Kris! This parenting expert really knows her stuff when it comes to helping kids (and us grown-ups!) keep things in perspective. Deborah started out as a K-12 teacher, but soon realized her true passion was parent education. She saw how modern families often lack the support networks that used to be more common, and wanted to find new ways to share practical parenting wisdom. That's why she created the "all the time" children's book series - pictur...
Mar 14, 2025•56 min
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids Jed Doherty had enlightening discussions with two experts dedicated to supporting children in the foster care system. In speaking with children's book author Natasha Tripplett, Jed learned about her new picture book "Planted with Love," which draws from Tripplett's own experiences as a foster care social worker and her family's decision to foster her sister long-term. Tripplett emphasized the importance of making foster children feel seen, valued and wor...
Mar 13, 2025•56 min
On the latest episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast, host Jed Doherty had the pleasure of chatting with two talented children's book authors - Lela Nargi and Riley Cross. Lela Nargi joined the show to celebrate the release of her new picture book, "The Lonely Goose." Jed and Lela discussed the unique bond between Canada geese, and how Lela's story explores themes of love, loss, and resilience in the animal kingdom. Lela shared her passion for wildlife and nature, and how she hopes the bo...
Mar 11, 2025•55 min
If you're a parent or grandparent looking for a delightful new picture book to share with your little ones, you'll want to check out "Moving Day" by Teri Roach Drobnick. In this charming debut, Teri takes readers on a whimsical journey as a Victorian house in San Francisco embarks on a big move across town. As Jed and Teri discuss, the story was inspired by a real-life event where a 139-year-old house was painstakingly relocated to make way for new development. Teri was captivated by the news an...
Mar 09, 2025•55 min
This episode of Reading with Your Kids is all about celebrating some truly exceptional people and their stories. First up we meet Kevan Chandler, the driving force behind the nonprofit "We Carry Kevan." Kevan shares an incredible story about how he and his friends carried him in a backpack during a trip to Europe, and how that sparked the creation of their organization. They make these special backpacks to help families of kids with disabilities get out and explore the world together. It's all a...
Mar 07, 2025•57 min
In this episode of Reading With Your Kids we dove into a much heavier topic than usual - talking to our kids about online adult content. I know, not the most fun conversation, but Greta Eskridge, the author of "It's Time to Talk to Our Kids About P*rn," really drove home why it's so crucial that we don't shy away from this. The reality is, kids are getting exposed to hardcore, violent content at shockingly young ages, often completely by accident. And that can have some really messed up effects ...
Mar 06, 2025•58 min
Get Ready to Crack Open the Tradition of Cascarones with Author Sarah Fajardo! If you're looking to add a little extra fun and cultural flair to your family's reading time, you'll love learning about the vibrant tradition of cascarones from children's book author Sara Fajardo. In this delightful episode, Sara takes us on a journey through the history and origins of these confetti-filled eggshells, tracing their roots all the way back to China before making their way to Mexico and beyond. As a du...
Mar 04, 2025•57 min
If you're a fan of YA fiction with a touch of the fantastical, you'll want to tune in as we chat with author Hayley Chewins about her new novel in verse, "I Am the Swarm." Hayley takes us on a journey into the life of Nell, a 15-year-old living in Cape Town, South Africa, who's about to inherit some unique magical powers. But these aren't your typical fairy tale abilities - Nell's emotions manifest as swarms of insects around her, which she struggles to control. As Hayley explains, the story exp...
Mar 02, 2025•56 min
In this captivating episode of Reading with Your Kids, we dive into the world of children's literature and the importance of embracing diverse cultures and fostering creativity. First, we chat with Olivia Abtahi, the author of the picture book "The Interpreter." She explains how her multicultural background inspired the story of Cecilia, a young girl who navigates the challenges of interpreting for her non-English speaking family. We discuss the nuances of cultural assimilation and the need for ...
Feb 28, 2025•55 min
Dive into the Fascinating World of Water Pollution Awareness with Author Julie Winterbottom In this captivating episode, we're exploring the incredible story of Ruth Patrick, a pioneering ecologist who helped uncover the hidden dangers of water pollution back in the 1940s. Julie takes us on a journey through Ruth's life, sharing how her childhood passion for the natural world blossomed into a groundbreaking career. You'll be amazed to learn how Ruth's work on tiny, microscopic algae called diato...
Feb 27, 2025•58 min
What an incredible story! We had the chance to chat with Hayley Arceneaux, the author of the new children's book "Astronaut Hayley's Brave Adventure." Hayley's journey is truly inspiring - from overcoming childhood cancer to becoming an actual astronaut! Hayley shared how she was diagnosed with bone cancer at just 10 years old. But with the amazing care she received at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, she was able to beat the disease and even went on to work at the hospital as a physician ...
Feb 25, 2025•55 min
Get ready to explore the captivating realms of middle-grade fiction as we sit down with two talented authors, TJ Scripps and Bobbie Pyron, to discuss their latest releases. First up, we chat with TJ Scripps about her debut novel, "Glow in the Dark: A Streak of Light." This sci-fi fantasy series follows a 10-year-old heroine who travels to a school in the stars, where she learns to interpret the signs and symbols all around us - from rainbows to shooting stars. TJ shares how her love of nature an...
Feb 23, 2025•55 min
Get ready for a delightful dive into the world of children's books! In this episode of "Reading with Your Kids," we had the pleasure of chatting with two talented creators who are bringing their unique visions to life. First up, we met Martin Stewart, the author of the Bridget van de Puff book series. Bridget is a fearless, gadget-loving character who's about to steal your heart. Martin shared how this spunky protagonist emerged fully formed in his mind, and how he worked to craft the perfect st...
Feb 21, 2025•56 min
Mistakes? Bring 'em on! In this delightful episode, Jed Doherty chats with author and illustrator Eliza Kinkz about her charming new picture book, "MISTACO" - a celebration of imperfections and the beauty of embracing our flaws. Eliza shares how the book was inspired by her own experiences growing up, where she struggled to open up about her mistakes. She wanted to create a "safe space" for families to share their slip-ups without judgment. And what better way to do that than with a silly, taco-...
Feb 20, 2025•55 min
In this episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty had the pleasure of chatting with two passionate creators who are making a difference in the lives of young readers. First up was Chris Gordon, the mastermind behind the Timothy's Lessons brand. Chris shared his mission to educate, motivate and inspire the younger generation through engaging animated stories that teach core values like courage, kindness, and empathy. By blending captivating visuals with meaningful lessons, Chris is help...
Feb 18, 2025•55 min
Grab your astronaut helmets, space fans, because this episode of Reading with Your Kids is out of this world! Host Jed Doherty welcomes back two of our favorite guests - author Chiara Colombi and illustrator Scott Magoon - to chat about their delightful children's book series, "Rocket Beams and Lunar Dreams." Chiara shares the heartwarming story behind her rocket-loving protagonist, Rocket, and how her big dream of going to the moon doesn't quite go as planned. But with the help of the adorable ...
Feb 16, 2025•55 min
Wow, what an insightful and heartwarming conversation we had on the podcast today! We were joined by the dynamic duo behind the new picture book "Home" - author Matt de la Peña and illustrator Loren Long. These two creative minds really clicked as they shared the story behind their collaborative process. Matt explained that "Home" explores the evolving concept of home, inspired by his observations during the pandemic. He was fascinated by how homes took on new roles and how nature started to rec...
Feb 14, 2025•55 min
If you're looking to whip up some delicious and nutritious meals for your family, you'll want to tune in to this episode featuring renowned chef Pete Evans. Pete is the author of the new cookbook "Healthy Food for Healthy Kids," and he's here to share his passion for wholesome, flavorful recipes that the whole crew will love. Pete has had an impressive culinary career, from hosting TV shows like "Movable Feast" to traveling the U.S. and cooking with top chefs. But his true mission is helping fam...
Feb 13, 2025•55 min
If you're a parent, grandparent, or anyone who loves sharing stories with the little ones in your life, this episode of Reading with Your Kids is a must-listen! Host Jed Doherty sits down with two talented authors - Shaun David Hutchinson and Marie Nichols - to dive into the power of imagination, identity, and the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren. First up, we chat with Shaun David Hutchinson about his new middle-grade novel, "A Home for Unusual Monsters." Shaun shares his pas...
Feb 11, 2025•58 min
Justice Alan Page and his daughter Kamie joined us for a delightful conversation about their latest children's book, "Baking Up Love." This heartwarming story celebrates the special bond between a young girl and her grandfather as they bake cupcakes together. Justice Alan Page has certainly accomplished a lot in his life. He is a member of the NFL Hall Of Fame, a former Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. But he shared that the true joys come...
Feb 09, 2025•44 sec
Get ready for an inspiring episode of Reading with Your Kids! We're chatting with the talented authors behind two exciting new middle-grade books - Lydia Wayman and Cristina Rouvalis, the co-authors of "Snoopers and Sneakers," and Scott Feld, the author of "DAX to the Max: Blah Blah Blobs vs. the Power Pods." First up, Lydia and Cristina take us inside their delightful novel "Snoopers and Sneakers." This heartwarming story follows two very different sixth-grade girls - one who's autistic and cat...
Feb 07, 2025•57 min
In this jam-packed episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty had the pleasure of chatting with some fascinating authors about empowering young people to live their best lives. First up was Dr. Ran Anbar, a pediatric pulmonologist who discovered the incredible mind-body connection after working with a patient who could literally think himself into an asthma attack. This led Dr. Anbar on a journey to learn about the power of positive self-talk, inner wisdom, and tools like self-hypnosis....
Feb 06, 2025•55 min
Calling all nature-loving bookworms! In this captivating episode, we dive into the world of children's literature that celebrates our deep connection to the earth. Join Jed as he chats with two talented authors, Kate Shooltz and Becky Bell, who are using their creative powers to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. First up, we meet Kate, the brilliant mind behind the picture book "Kate the Earthling." Kate shares her personal journey of discovering the concept of "biophilia" -...
Feb 04, 2025•55 min
Hop on board as we chat with the delightful duo behind the charming children's book "Theodore, the Sloth Who Wants to Race"! JL McCreedy and her husband Sam join us from the beautiful country of Italy to share the heartwarming story behind their sloth-tastic tale. It turns out Theodore the sloth wasn't just a silly idea - he was actually born out of a low point in JL and Sam's own lives. As they were feeling frustrated with their own dreams and ambitions, comparing themselves to a determined-yet...
Feb 02, 2025•55 min
In this episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty explores a diverse range of children's books that aim to inspire, empower, and connect young readers. First up Jed welcomes back author Monica Mancillas to discuss her new middle grade romcom, "Taco Tuesday." Monica shares how the book's dual-perspective narrative explores the challenges and emotions of 12-year-olds, as the main characters, Julian and Dulce, navigate the complexities of moving, family dynamics, and budding relationships...
Jan 31, 2025•55 min
Get ready for an inspiring and heartwarming episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast! Today, we're chatting with two incredible authors who are using their talents to make a real difference in the lives of young readers. First up, we'll be talking to Hannah Jessen Conway about her beautiful new picture book, "Love Sounds Like." Hannah's story is a personal one - it was inspired by the journey of her own son who was born profoundly deaf. As Hannah shares, learning of her son's hearing loss w...
Jan 30, 2025•57 min
If your kids struggle with time management and staying on task, you'll want to tune in to this insightful conversation with Mindy Hudon, the author of the new middle-grade graphic novel "Kodi's Adventure: How I Learned to Defeat the Time Snatcher." As a speech-language pathologist specializing in executive function skills, Mindy has a unique perspective on the challenges kids face when it comes to planning, organization, and time management. In this episode, she shares how she created the charac...
Jan 28, 2025•55 min
Get ready for an inspiring conversation with two talented authors who are bringing extraordinary stories to life! In this episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty sits down with Maria Van Lieshout, the author and illustrator of the YA graphic novel "Song of a Blackbird," and Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw, the creator of the captivating picture book "The Super Volcano." First, Maria shares the fascinating backstory behind "Song of a Blackbird." She explains how discovering her grandparents' h...
Jan 26, 2025•57 min
