Anticipating the Story (3:24) A writer’s inspiration can take many forms – a novel, a picture book, a short story. Writer Tim Wynne-Jones has written in all of these genres, and then some! Tim talks to Rachel today about his creative process and how he enjoys the anticipation of discovering the direction a story will take. He is an award-winning author of thirty-four books including novels, picture books, and short story anthologies. His most recent novel for young adults is The Emperor of Any

Mental Illness (3:52) Statistics say that 1 in 4 people have mental illness. And 1 in 25 suffer so badly from it that it disrupts their professional and personal life. Many suffer in silence. They’re afraid or ashamed to tell others, for fear of the stigma. Rachel visits with young adult novelist, Robison Wells, about his journey through mental illness, and, the passion he has for speaking out on the subject, especially in his books, articles, and social media. Robison Wells is the award-winning

YA Literature (3:50) Of all the worlds awaiting our youth, dangerous worlds can pack the biggest wallop. Dangerous settings in fiction abound, because they make compelling stories. But just how dangerous should they be? BYU English professor, Jon Ostenson, talks to Rachel today on Worlds Awaiting about the popularity of fictional worlds of peril, dystopia, and apocalypse. Jon specializes in literature for teens and young adults. Having taught Junior High and High School English, he presently

Hearing Poems (3:24) A child’s first experience with poetry is almost never with the eyes. Children hear poems before they ever see them. Gina Clark, a poet and teacher, believes poetry was meant to be heard – not read. Today, Clark visits with Rachel on Worlds Awaiting, about the plusses of reading aloud to our children. It helps them as they’re beginning to read, speak, and explore language. Gina will also reads some of her own poems in the course of the interview. Gina Clark is a Utah native

Removing Walls (3:41) Good literature helps us overcome barriers, leap over boundaries, and experience immense freedom of imagination. Author Gene Luen Yang is a strong advocate of removing walls or obstacles to learning, particularly for children. Gene Luen Yang, a graphic novelist, is our guest today on Worlds Awaiting with Rachel Wadham. He is the creator of American Born Chinese, the first graphic novel to win the Printz Award, which is the American Library Association’s annual honor for best

This episode is about the 2016 Antelope Canyon Workshop. It focuses on the highlights of the workshop and on what makes photographing Antelope Canyon, and other slot canyons, so unique and exciting.

Girls in Science (3:04) If you’re the kind of person who cares about children, learning, and literacy, you’ll have concern for the following: Research shows that interest in science and math typically drops off beginning in 4th grade. What’s up with that? Rachel Wadham welcomes BYU Chemistry Professor, Rebecca Sansom to this episode of Worlds Awaiting. Sansom has a particular interest in women in science who have made an impact in the world. Rebecca is co-founder of BYU’s Chem Camp for elementary

Book Inspiration (3:44) For the most part, people stick to what they know …. and that includes authors! Young Adult novelist Patrice Kindl talks to Rachel Wadham today on Worlds Awaiting about how her writing is influenced by what she knows and loves. Kindl is frequently inspired by people she knows and life around her. And, you’re certain to discover in the course of the conversation, an author who immerses herself deeply in the water of life – from humor to people to pets, and, of course, the

Literacy Opens Doors (3:31) Of all the subsets of society, children are the most vulnerable. Children need the most help. We start with their basic needs: food, clothing, shelter, and medicine. Soon after these priorities, we start addressing other vital needs, such as supportive relationships in their families and friendships. But a child’s life can still be severely impoverished without the gifts of education and literacy. How do we impart these? How can we do better?  Brad Wilcox, is a professor

Building Family Rituals (3:26) Rituals and routines are important in family life. How do we build these rituals – these daily anchors that can tie us together?  Answers might well include discussions at mealtimes, consuming media together, and, of course, bed time stories. Today, Rachel talks to Julie Nelson, who teaches Children’s Literature and Applied Parenting at Utah Valley University, about what we can do to foster these rituals and a culture of literacy in our families. Nelson is the author

Women in Literature (3:36) Don’t think Hillary Clinton is history’s first woman to wield considerable power. We could mention Cleopatra or Elizabeth the First, or Catherine the Great, as examples of women who exercised tremendous sway. But, the list is much, much longer than just that. What do you know about Boadicea, Zerobia of Palmyra or the Biblical Esther? Or, great women of more recent history, such as Liliuokalani, Golda Meir or Indira Gandhi. Today, we meet artist Bethanne Anderson, who has

Helping Children Appreciate Music (3:22) The world of literacy meets the world of music, today on Worlds Awaiting. How do we help children learn about music and appreciate it? Today Rachel visits with music educator, Jennifer Purdy. Naturally, the child’s home environment is going to be crucial. And it’s not just about formal music lessons either. Jennifer Purdy has been a music educator for over 30 years and believes she’s got the happiest job in the world. She currently teaches music

The Amazing World of Non-fiction (3:10) Non-fiction – kids today can find an endless supply of it. But, sometimes, non-fiction gets a bad rap because of negative encounters with it in childhood. Today, Rachel visits with Terrell Young, a children’s literature expert at BYU, about the amazing world of non-fiction and all the fascinating opportunities that are out there. Terrell has served on numerous committees and is co-author of many books including Children’s Literature, Briefly; and, Creating

Aunts and Literacy (2:52) What role do aunts and uncles and extended family play in developing literacy in children? Our first guest on “Worlds Awaiting,” Lynette Christensen, professor in the BYU School of Education, says they have a big role. She cites her own experiences as an aunt, as well as important research on the topic. Lynnette Christensen works with the BYU Positive Behavior Support Initiative and has been actively involved in the implementation and research of this program in the public

Tracking Traditions (3:18) Did you realize you are fostering traditions every day? According to folklorists, we fashion traditions with our words, hands, actions, and, beliefs. A classic example of where this happens might be around the holidays or even just our daily experiences. Professional folklorist, Jill Rudy, visits with Rachel Wadham on “Worlds Awaiting,” about our remarkable capacity as humans to establish and preserve what folklorists call “texts”—what you and I normally call traditions

Transmedia Storytelling (4:03) We all know that books are just one way to tell a story. But, off the top of our 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. All these mediums help expand the story. And, it’s also a way to participate in the story – with others. Amanda Hovious is a librarian with a

The Benefits of Writing a Letter (3:21) “Who actually still writes letters? You know – ink on paper. I mean, why would you do that? Today on Worlds Awaiting we’ll explore how old-fashioned letter-writing isn’t something we should give up on. Rachel talks to Kathryn Pole, professor at the University of Texas, Arlington, about a study she conducted with her kindergarten students where she tracked their progress as they wrote and exchanged letters with extended family members. During the study Kathryn

Leslie Helakoski (3:17) How do grownups help kids be creative? Today on Worlds Awaiting Rachel visits with children’s book author and illustrator, Leslie Helakoski, who remembers the encouragement she received from her grandmother and parents that allowed her to pursue her interest in art. Leslie’s style of illustration and storytelling often uses animals. We’ll learn how she uses animals to portray human emotions, providing a safe distance that helps the child explore real and important feelings

From Animals to Fairy Tales (3:25) Where does creative inspiration come from? Today on “Worlds Awaiting” children’s book author, Marilyn Singer, talks with Rachel about her inspiration when creating a book. Singer is known also for touching a variety of subjects – from animals to schools to aliens! She’s also invented a thing-a-ma-jig that she calls a “reverso” poem – and we’ll be learning about that. Singer is the winner of the 2015 National Council of Teachers of English Award for Excellence in

How Important Are Stories? (3:11) “How important are stories? Especially stories from your experience with family and friends? We share them all the time – We can hardly stop ourselves. Julie Rose, host of BYU Radio’s “Top of Mind,” talks with Rachel about writing and sharing stories from family life for her nieces and nephews that lived far away. Julie is a winner of multiple Edward R. Murrow Awards, and is a seasoned broadcast journalist and interviewer. Prior to joining BYU Radio, she worked as