Reading With Your Kids Podcast

59:37

Mindy Walker Shares The Week Junior's 50 Must Read Books

Reading With Your Kids Podcast ·

2026/06/25

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes Mindy Walker, executive editor of The Week Junior, to spotlight their Summer of Reading initiative and the new "50 Books Kids Love Most" list. Mindy explains that The Week Junior is a weekly, kid-focused print magazine delivered right to families' homes, covering everything from breaking news and history to science, puzzles, recipes, and world records. For their summer reading list, Mindy and her team turn to the real experts—kids themselves

en

55:27

Building Super Readers, Strong Boundaries, and...

Reading With Your Kids Podcast ·

2026/06/23

In this heartwarming episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes back Pam Allyn, creator of World Read Aloud Day and co-author of Every Child a Super Reader, to celebrate the power of reading aloud. Pam and Jed reflect on how the greatest benefit of reading with kids isn't just academic success—it's the deep, lasting bond that forms between caring adults and children. Pam shares moving memories of her father reading the sports pages to her at the dinner table, even into her teen years, showing

en

56:47

Mining Black Glass, Mending Little Hearts

Reading With Your Kids Podcast ·

2026/06/21

In this warm and engaging episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed sits down with two returning guests whose very different books both invite powerful family conversations. First up is Anthony Peckham, author of The Law of Solitude, Book Three in the Children of Glass trilogy. Anthony explains how a family road trip to an obsidian mountain and a single arrowhead led to a sprawling high-fantasy world—Earth as we don't quite know it, filled with black glass, sorcerers, and a bustling trade city inspired

en

56:50

Art, Ghosts, and Growing Up Creative

Reading With Your Kids Podcast ·

2026/06/19

In this inspiring episode of Reading With Your Kids, we celebrate creativity from two powerful angles: art education and graphic novels. First, Jed chats with Matt Ross, founder and CEO of One River School and former CEO of School of Rock. Matt shares how he saw a gap in arts education—no "cool" art schools that celebrated living artists—and decided to build something new. One River School now has 15 locations across six states, offering project-based classes where kids and adults can start anytime,

en

56:15

What Kids Can Learn from The Most Vertical Woman in...

Reading With Your Kids Podcast ·

2026/06/18

In this inspiring episode of Reading With Your Kids, we begin with a short tribute to Jane Yolen, beloved former guest and legendary author of more than 400 children's books, whose stories have touched generations of young readers and their families. Then we blast off—literally—with our guest, Dr. Kathy Sullivan, often called the most vertical woman in the world. Dr. Kathy is the first American woman to walk in space and the first woman and first certified oceanographer to dive to the Challenger

en

55:32

Otter Space, Inner Space: Helping Kids Talk About...

Reading With Your Kids Podcast ·

2026/06/16

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed Doherty welcomes back Jen De Oliveira to celebrate her early reader graphic novel, Pip and Pals Otter Space. Jen shares how Pip, a river otter, went through many iterations—from the youngest of three siblings, to a tinkering kid with a "fix-it" dad, to the green-furred "space otter" readers meet today. Guided (and sometimes challenged) by her editor Esther Hernandez, Jen describes the emotional roller coaster of being told a story "isn't quite working"

en

56:37

From Grief to Growth: Dr. Korie Leigh and Emily Gatto...

Reading With Your Kids Podcast ·

2026/06/14

In this powerful episode of Reading With Your Kids, we're shining a gentle, hopeful light on some of the hardest moments families face—grief, loss, anxiety, and big feelings—and how books can help us navigate them together. First, Jed talks with Dr. Korie Leigh, a thanatologist (an expert in death, dying, grief, and loss) and author of "When Everything Changes: Parenting Through Loss and Grief." Korie explains that grief isn't just about death; kids grieve through divorce, incarceration,

en

55:23

Faith, Emotional Abuse & Hopeful Stories

Reading With Your Kids Podcast ·

2026/06/12

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two fantastic creators who show how books can tackle big feelings and big facts—all while keeping kids engaged. First, Joy McCullough joins us to celebrate her middle grade novel in verse, Kestrel Takes Flight. Joy introduces Kestrel, a girl raised in an emotionally abusive, tightly controlled church community in San Diego. Her mom suddenly whisks her away to Montana, where Kestrel has to adjust to a new world, new dangers (including dogs and

en

58:48

From Noodle Loaf to Escapees: Music, Peas, and...

Reading With Your Kids Podcast ·

2026/06/11

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes Dan Saks from New York City to celebrate his joyful new picture book, On Our Bikes. Dan shares how the story began as an echo song, "I Got a Bicycle," on his kids' music podcast Noodle Loaf, and how his love of life on two wheels—and riding with his kids—pedaled its way onto the page. Jed and Dan swap stories about city biking in Boston and New York, the tensions between drivers and cyclists, and the pure joy of rolling through town on a

en

57:08

From Blue's Clues to YouTube: Angela Santomero's...

Reading With Your Kids Podcast ·

2026/06/09

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes back one of preschool media's most influential creators, Angela Santomero, to celebrate her new series, "Princess Penelope's Purse of Preposterous Things." Angela explains that Princess Penelope is a brave, kind-hearted kitten who doesn't realize how small she is. When Mother Nature grants her a magical purple purse filled with "preposterous things," Penelope must use creative and critical thinking—not just magic—to solve problems and stand up

en

55:29

Building Towers of Trust and Love of Science Through...

Reading With Your Kids Podcast ·

2026/06/07

In this inspiring episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two wonderful guests who are using stories and technology to help kids thrive: Carrol Titus and Inbal Alon. First, Jed chats with Carrol Titus, president of Golden Poppy and creator of the illustrated chapter book Unicorn Blue and the Kara Doodle Quest. Carrol explains how Golden Poppy was founded to nurture a love of STEM in young children, especially at a time when national science scores are declining. She shares how their

en

55:22

From Montana Ranches to Hawaiian Seas: Honoring...

Reading With Your Kids Podcast ·

2026/06/05

In this heartfelt episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two very special guests whose books invite families into powerful conversations about love, loss, culture, and courage. First, Jed chats with Bianca Pierce, debut picture book author of On the Ranch with Cowboy Luke. Inspired by her brother Luke, a real Montana cowboy who passed away unexpectedly in 2025, Bianca created the book as a tangible way for his daughters – and young readers everywhere – to know who he was and what ranch life

en

55:46

Hope in an Angry World: Tim Wright and The Adventures...

Reading With Your Kids Podcast ·

2026/06/04

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes back Tim Wright from Arizona to celebrate book five in The Adventures of Toby Baxter series, Revenge of the River Home, Rutabagas. Jed shares the exciting news that this latest installment has, like the first four books, been named a Reading With Your Kids Certified Great Read, praising its powerful emotional core and hopeful message. Tim explains how a long-running family joke about "fried rutabagas" inspired the title, and how he used that

en

56:55

How Soccer Changes Lives: Chris Navalta Shares...

Reading With Your Kids Podcast ·

2026/06/02

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes Chris Navalta, author of Inspiring Stories of Soccer Greats, a powerful middle grade book timed perfectly for the World Cup. Chris, a lifelong sports fan and former sportswriter, shares how soccer's global reach and beautiful simplicity—just a ball and some space—make it the perfect backdrop for stories of perseverance, inequality, and hope. Chris explains that his goal wasn't just to spotlight stars like Lionel Messi, Alex Morgan, Christian

en

57:02

Listening Kids into Existence: Parenting, Classrooms,...

Reading With Your Kids Podcast ·

2026/05/31

In this powerful episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes Doug Noll, lawyer-turned-peacemaker and author of Deescalate: How to Calm an Angry Person in 90 Seconds or Less. Doug explains how neuroscience shows we are driven far more by emotion than by rational thought—and how our culture's habit of shaming or ignoring emotions actually damages kids' brains and relationships. He shares how simple emotional validation ("You're really angry…you really wanted that candy bar…you feel unloved") can

en

56:58

Why Nothing Collapses and Everything Glows: Quantum...

Reading With Your Kids Podcast ·

2026/05/29

In this inspiring episode of Reading with Your Kids, Jed welcomes Michael J. Wish, author of the middle-grade nonfiction book "Quantum Physics for Kids." Mike shares how a challenge from a fellow teacher—and a disappointing existing kids' book on the topic—pushed him to prove that even the "hardest" science can be explained to 8–12-year-olds with clarity, humor, and heart. Drawing on his college teaching experience, Mike walks us through a kid-friendly version of quantum physics, from the "purple

en

56:56

From Postwar Pain to Construction Play: Books That...

Reading With Your Kids Podcast ·

2026/05/28

In this powerful two-part episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two amazing guests whose books open doors to big conversations and joyful family reading. First, Jed talks with Kimberly Mach, author of the middle-grade novel Present Still Missing. Set just after World War II, the story follows Irene, a baseball-loving girl whose father returns from the war physically present but emotionally distant as he struggles with PTSD—long before it even had that name. Kimberly shares how the book

en

56:41

Summer Camp, New Friends, Big Feelings

Reading With Your Kids Podcast ·

2026/05/26

In this lively episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes author-illustrator Maddie Frost to celebrate her new illustrated middle grade novel, Really Ruby, along with her other upcoming releases. Maddie introduces us to Ruby Fox, an 11-year-old heading off to a month-long summer camp in Vermont—without her best friend Riley, who's sidelined with a broken ankle. Based on Maddie's own camp experiences, the story explores anxiety, homesickness, friendship shifts, and the scary-but-exciting feeling

en

59:28

There Are No Dinos In This Book...Or Are There?

Reading With Your Kids Podcast ·

2026/05/24

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes Jimmy Vee, author, magician, ventriloquist, marketer, and proud "weirdo," to celebrate his new series beginning with There Are No Dinos In This Book. Jimmy shares how his background in magic, ventriloquism, and marketing copywriting fuses into a unique creative voice for kids—funny, interactive, and packed with personality. He explains how the classic children's magic idea of "look no see"—where kids see something the magician "doesn't"—became

en

56:37

Gifted, Overwhelmed and Deeply Loved

Reading With Your Kids Podcast ·

2026/05/22

In this episode, Jed welcomes two wonderful guests who are using story to build kids' hearts and minds. First, Allie Slocom joins us from Colorado to celebrate her middle grade novel Is There Hope for Theodore Cope. Theo is an 11‑year‑old aspiring magician who's also neurodiverse and gifted. He's brilliant at math, reading, basketball, dog walking, and magic tricks—but struggles with executive functioning. Allie explains that Theo isn't irresponsible; he simply hasn't yet developed the skills to

en

All Episodes

Similar Podcasts

Trivia for Kids

KRCreative

Now That We"re A Family

Elisha and Katie Voetberg

Focus on the Family Minute

Focus on the Family

Smash Boom Best: A funny, smart debate show for kids and family

Brains On Universe

Reading With Your Kids Podcast

Jedlie Circus Productions, Inc