Real Characters (3:33) When children experience difficulty, loss or pain, they often look for help and comfort from someone who understands – someone who has been there. The best books will often bring us characters who have also ‘been there’. Our first guest today on Worlds Awaiting, children’s book author, Kate DiCamillo, talks about the characters she creates – some of them very close to home and with experiences similar to hers. DiCamillo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and two-time

Spirituality and Literacy (3:31) Isn’t there more to life than just getting a job, paying the next bill, or filing your taxes? If you as an adult want more out of life than that, young students probably do, too. So why should their learning boil down to passing the next test, learning to fill out a job application or career and vocational training? Our first guest, Brad Wilcox, a professor in the Department of Teacher Education at BYU and a literacy expert, believes in the great benefit for our

Tallulah the Ballerina (3:25) “Tallulah decided she’d better pay attention. She watched closely. She turned her feet and curved her hands near her hips in first position. She bent her knees in a plié. She did it perfectly. I am an excellent ballerina, she thought.” Hundreds of children know and love this story about Tallulah, a young ballet student, although, it may be new to you. Today we’ll acquaint ourselves with the author of the book series, “Tallulah.” Her name is Marilyn Singer

Children’s Book Tribute (3:49) So very often, a book from childhood becomes a friend for life – A classic we’ll never forget. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats was just such a book for our first guest. In fact, this simple tale was important enough to Andrea Davis Pinkney that she found a way to produce her own tribute to the book, its author, and its impact. Rachel Wadham helps us into this story of love for a book in a conversation with Pinkney, who is the author of many books for children and

Reading Aloud (3:37) Listening to someone reading a story out loud can be magical. When done well, it can transport us to another world. Reading aloud might be with a child at bedtime, with a friend or spouse, or in groups. Our guest today, Rob Eckman, reads aloud on a regular basis to children during Story Time at the Kings English Bookshop in Salt Lake City. Eckman is known as “the genius storyteller,” “emperor of the kids’ room,” and, “best wearer of the Dr. Seuss Story hat.” Whatever you call

Children’s Books and Disabilities (4:00) Fear … stereotyping … labeling … misunderstanding … Any one of these might surface when we look at those with a disability. Our guest today, Dr. Tina Dyches, shares tips on what to look for when choosing children’s books that accurately and positively portray young characters with disabilities. Such books can be a great help for us and our children, if they lead us to be more accepting of those with these special challenges. Dyches, a professor in the BYU

Introducing Poetry to Kids (3:47) I saw you toss the kites on high And blow the birds about the sky… That’s the beginning of a Robert Louis Stevenson poem, The Wind, written for children. Maybe you read it when you were a child. Reaching and teaching children through poetry is hardly a new idea, but who is doing it today, and what could your role be in introducing children to this kind of art and language? Sylvia Vardell says, you can open up a whole world to kids through poetry. Vardell is a

Rick Walton on Picture Books (3:48) Picture books aren’t just for young children – they are for everyone. Our guest today, author and educator, Margaret Blair Young talks about the universal appeal of picture books and shares the thoughts of late author, Rick Walton on this subject. Young's published works include the novels House Without Walls, Salvador, and Heresies of Nature. She also co-authored a trilogy of historical novels about Black Mormon pioneers titled Standing on the Promises with

Storytelling in Theatre Costumes, music, dance, scenery…all become powerful elements in the telling of a story. The magic of theatre is front and center stage for us in this segment of Worlds Awaiting. Teresa Love has been working as a theatre specialist for over 30 years and currently teaches in the BYU Theatre and Media Arts Department. She also instructs classroom teachers about the value of drama in elementary schools and even teaches a class on storytelling. Love is a professional development

Process of Illustration (3:50) Let's get to know illustrator-author, Bob Shea. Rachel chats with him about a number of different facets of his work, including the experience of collaboration. Just how different is sharing the work from doing a book solo? We’ll also learn about Shea’s process of creating character. Bob Shea has written and illustrated over a dozen picture books including the popular Dinosaur vs. Bedtime and the cult favorite Big Plans illustrated by Lane Smith. His characters and

Role of Illustration (3:02) If you want to see the big picture of what it means to create books for children, you’ll want to consider the matter of … illustration. What is the role of illustration in a book or publication? Artist and author, Bethanne Anderson, talks to Rachel about this process and what an artist goes through – often creating multiple versions of an illustration – to enhance a story. Andersen teaches Illustration at BYU. She studied art at BYU’s Department of Visual Arts and at the

Making Lifelong Readers (3:41) Experts say it’s vital that we allow children to choose what they want to read, but also to extend a wise and guiding hand. Young adult literature expert, Teri Lesesne, shares tips on how to guide our children to books that suit them. Obviously, her aim is to help them become independent, lifelong readers. Lesesne teaches classes in children's and young adult literature in the Department of Library Science at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. She is

Transmedia Storytelling (3:39) We all know that books are just one way to tell a story. But, off the top of the head, how many other ways can you think of? Librarian and author, Amanda Hovious, talks to Rachel today about Transmedia Storytelling, which is telling a story across multiple media like film, web series, computer games, theme park rides, and more. Amanda Hovious is a librarian with a background in public and academic libraries and is also a writer, consultant, and library educator. She

Journey to Becoming an Author (3:45) What prompts someone to write? Is it because of a desire to share something – like a story or an experience? Sometimes a simple desire to write eventually leads to becoming a published writer. This was the case with Young Adult book author, Jennifer Nielsen. In our program today, Nielsen talks to Rachel about her journey to becoming an author. It started with that simple, strong desire to tell stories. Jennifer Nielsen is a New York Times Bestselling author. Her

Engaging Kids with Literature (4:12) Many experts say that we should let children read what they want to read. It might not be what we want, but maybe that’s not the point. We could, and should, just celebrate that they’re reading at all. Now, there’s even better news, says literary expert, Nell K. Duke. We adults and teachers can help broaden horizons for our children, often by example. We can show them how their specific choices and preferences are not the only exciting worlds awaiting them. Nell

Character Building Books (4:11) Honesty … respect … tolerance … responsibility … dependability. Who wouldn’t want to instill these character traits in our children? Our first guest today, educator and author Mary Bigler, talks to Rachel about how we can do that. Her solution?  Surprise of all surprises – the answer might just include quality books, and, Mary will have a few recommendations. Once a pre-school teacher and now, a professor, she has spent her life promoting literacy and celebrating the

Worlds Awaiting Christmas Program Monologue: Rachel Wadham, “Christmas” Christmas Poetry Readings: Bruce Seely – “The Waits” by M. Nightingale from 50 Christmas Poems for Children Collection, (1923) Florence B. Hyett, Editor Steven Kapp Perry – “In the Bleak Mid-Winter” by Christina Rossetti accompanied by the music of Gustav Holst. Salt Lake Children’s Choir, conducted by Ralph B. Woodward - “Wexford Carol” a traditional Irish tune. Christmas Story: Sam Payne – An original, true story

Best Books to Give to Kids (4:10) Looking for good books for kids this holiday season? Our guest, award-winning author Kate DiCamillo, has some great suggestions! She talks to Rachel about ideal books for a preschooler, middle schooler, or young adult. Kate DiCamillo is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and two-time winner of the Newbery Award. Titles such as Because of Winn-Dixie and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane have resonated with readers of all ages around the world. Her latest

The Power of Music (4:06) In modern times, music can be heard everywhere. It swirls around us – in the grocery store or the elevator and engulfs us at the movies and on TV. Music is so present in our lives that we’ve learned to tune it out. Do we ever stop and listen to it, allowing ourselves to experience the feelings it brings? Our guest today, music educator, Jennifer Purdy, talks to Rachel about such questions, with particular attention to the importance of music in the lives of our children

Reading Independence (3:59) No one likes to kill time. What do you do with those empty intervals when you’re waiting for the doctor or the dentist, or when you’re parked at the curb waiting for your child at school? Do you play on your Smart Phone? Stare at the wall? Practice Zen? What about using some of those spare minutes to read? Our guest today, reading specialist, Donalyn Miller, suggests that we anticipate such moments by toting a book wherever we go. Miller discusses with Rachel how to