Graphic Novelist Gene Luen Yang (3:15) What is a graphic novel? It’s a form that is becoming popular these days. Today on “Worlds Awaiting,” Gene Luen Yang, a Graphic Novelist, introduces us to this medium and shares his experiences of creating two award-winning novels. Gene visits with Rachel about his journey from reading comic books as a youth, to his current vocation as a cartoonist and graphic novelist. He is the creator of American Born Chinese, the first graphic novel to win the Printz

Helping Children Find Enjoyment in Reading (3:24) “Do you have a child who resists reading? The situation is pretty common – in fact, often normal. Rachel talks to educator and author, Mary Bigler, about things you can do to get reluctant young readers interested. Bigler suggests using joke and riddle books, tongue twisters, poetry, or short books. Read what the child wants and loves, she says – no matter how many times they want it read to them. Once a pre-school teacher and now, a professor, Mary

A Writer’s Creative Process (3:15) What creative process does an author go through in writing a story? Do they write about something they know or on a specific topic? Rachel talks to middle grade author Matthew J. Kirby about how he sets his stories in a variety of times and places based on what piques his interest at the moment. For me, he says, I don’t write about what I know (the old axiom), but about what I don’t know and what I’m curious about. Kirby is an award-winning author of novels

Telling Stories to Your Child (2:59) When you tuck your child in at night – do you read to them or make-up your own stories? Rachel talks to librarian, Mark H. Pulham about the importance of reading or telling stories to children. Don’t worry about making it a theatrical production. Just be you. The most important thing, he says, is that you’re spending time with them. Mark is a librarian and puppeteer at the Orem, Utah Public Library. He uses these talents, along with storytelling and acting,

Books for Early Grade Kids (2:46) Ed Spicer, elementary school teacher and book reviewer talks about what kinds of books are best-suited for First and Second Grade kids. Is fiction better? Or non-fiction? Graphic Novels? Picture Books? Any others? He and Rachel discuss how a child can benefit from all these genres. As a teacher, Spicer spends most of his time with his own first grade students, but also loves building young high school authors through the Tiger Tales literary contest (which he has

Engaging Children with Poetry (2:48) Sylvia Vardell, talks about the importance of poetry in kids’ lives. Poetry can offer imagery, emotion, rhythm, and even prepares them to be better readers. Sylvia Vardell is the co-author of The Poetry Friday Anthology. Helping Special Needs Kids with Learning (13:21) Rachel also visits with father and daughter, Wendee Wilcox Rosborough  and Brad Wilcox about reaching children with special needs. Wendee shares her experience with her autistic son and how she’s

Love of Story (3:01) Tim Wynne-Jones, award-winning author of books for children and young adults talks about his love of story that got him started in writing and his emphasis on characters who encounter conflict and find their way to a successful resolution.  Jones is the author of thirty-four books including novels, picture books, and short anthologies. His more recent novel for young adults is "The Emperor of Any Place" and his newest picture book is "Secret Agent Man Goes Shopping for

Alternative Literature (3:11) “Worlds Awaiting” host, Rachel Wadham, and Gene Nelson, director of the Provo City Library, discuss the importance of graphic novels and other alternative literature that can help stimulate a child’s interest in reading.  Gene Nelson also teaches children’s literature classes at BYU. Helping Your Child Make Decisions (13:20) Then, Rachel visits with Amy Minor, Professor of Teacher Education at BYU, about giving our children opportunities for decision making and

Importance of the Arts in the Classroom (2:29) Rachel welcomes Scott Flox, who has been teaching elementary school for 40 years. Flox believes in bringing the arts into the classroom every day. He has observed that when you focus on the arts first, test scores go up. Jessica Day George (13:07) Rachel also visits with Jessica Day George, bestselling author of many children’s books including “Dragon Slippers” and the “Castle Glower” series. Jessica talks about her book, “Sun and Moon, Ice and

The Power of Media (2:50) Rachel welcomes Kerry Soper, the Pop Culture Professor, and a Humanities and American Studies at BYU. His research focuses on comic strips, satire, and popular film.  They discuss the power of media and how we can help our children with the ability to discern its influence. Engaging Toddlers with Technology (14:33) Rachel also talks to Lisa Cohne, Community Partnerships Manager of the Utah Education Network (UEN) about ways to engage toddlers and pre-schoolers in

This episode consists of an interview I did with Paul Griffith in September 2015. During this interview Paul and I discuss what motivated me to get started selling my work, the artistic aspects of photography, the business of photography and how to get started, my fine art work, my workshops and more.

Finding Confidence (2:59) Brad Wilcox, a professor at BYU, talks about his book (written while on a plane!), “Hip-Hip Hooray for Annie Mcrae!” The book focuses on a little girl who finds confidence all by herself. Helping an Autistic Child Enjoy Reading (15:52) Rachel also welcomes Mary Warner, a mother of an Autistic Child. Mary shares what she has learned about the condition and how she has guided her son to engage in reading. Studio C (23:45) Lastly, Two stars from Studio C, the popular

Reading to a Dog (3:06) Have you ever tried reading to a dog? Rachel talks to Kathy Klotz, founder of a program called READ Dogs, which encourages this very thing.  Dogs can promote literacy. Mother Goose (15:11) Then, Clara Goodwin of the “Worlds Awaiting” team visits with Kathryn Bauss of the Novi, Michigan Public Library, who created a reading program there. She is also a storyteller at the library where she is affectionately known as “Mother Goose.” Emily Dickinson (27:03) Also, hear two

Helping Children Make Decisions (2:44) Jennifer Wimmer, Department of Teacher Education, BYU talks about how literacy is more than what meets the eye. She also offers tips on how to engage our children in the world. Author Matthew J. Kirby (13:53) Then, Rachel visits with Matthew J. Kirby, author of middle-grade novels about his personal satisfaction in writing books that cover a broad range of subjects. His books include "The Clockwork Three", "Icefall", "The Quantum League" series, and "The

Helping Pre-Schoolers to Read (2:55) Rachel talks to Lisa Cohne, manager of Utah Education Network’s Community Partnerships about 5 things you can do to help a pre-schooler to read: 1. Talking, 2. Singing, 3. Reading (bonding here), 4. Writing, 5. Playing (Most important job for children). Find out more at Utah Kids Ready to Read Author Chris Crowe (14:44) Then, she visits with author, Chris Crowe, who has written many books focused on boy readers. His desire is to motivate them to

Developing Literacy at Home (2:45) “Worlds Awaiting” host, Rachel Wadham talks to Dr. Amy Minor, BYU Professor, Teacher Education, about developing literacy in the home and how our love of reading can influence our family. Meet Our Host (14:48) Next, our host, Rachel Wadham, Juvenile Literature Librarian  is in the interviewee chair. Clara Goodwin talks to Rachel about her journey to becoming Juvenile Literature Librarian at the Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University. Mayor's Favorite

Jessica Day George (2:45) Join Rachel in a conversation with Jessica Day George, bestselling author of many children’s books including “Dragon Slippers” and the “Castle Glower” series. We’ll get to hear how she almost gave up on her first book and even thought she might quit writing altogether. Award-Winning Books (14:08) Also, Rachel and Gene Nelson, Director of the Provo City Library, talk about their favorite books from the Caldecott and Newbery Awards. Gene mentions "How to Judge a Book By

This podcast episode focuses on Navajo Humor. In this conversation Alain and Natalie Briot talk about the Navajo's sense of humor and why it is important to have a sense of humor. They expand into the importance of using humor and of having fun when doing your photography work. Finally, they discuss the role that humor plays in being creative and in exploring new ideas. This is the sixth episode of Alain and Natalie's series about Living on Navajoland. Alain and Natalie lived in Canyon de Chelly

In this podcast episode Alain and Natalie Briot talk about the Fine Art Photography Summit now in its 14th year. They also talk about their series of Little Known Workshops which offer the opportunity to photograph little known or unknown locations in a small group setting. Topics discussed cover a description of the Fine Art Summit, of the Little Known Workshops, and of Alain one on one consulting program. A comparison of these different learning opportunities as well as anecdotes related to

In this podcast episode Alain and Natalie Briot talk about their Fine Art Photography Workshops. Topics cover frequently asked questions, what makes their workshops unique, locations, the importance of a print review and more.