Planetarium & Space Center (3:53) Looking up at the sky on a clear night can be a magnificent experience. There are millions of unknown stars and planets that are just waiting to be explored. Many children are excited to make those discoveries, but may not have access to resources that help them learn deeply about space. Today we have James Porter from the Christa McAuliffe space center in the studio, whose on a mission to change that. Storytime (17:22) Libraries are known for their storytimes

Musical Play (4:01) Children play all the time. Anything from an empty cardboard box to a bouncy ball can become a fascinating toy to a little child. It’s through this play that children develop skills and learn about the world around them. Today we have Brittany May in the studio, a professor here at BYU who specializes in music education. Storytime (17:10) Libraries are known for their storytimes and we are too. Each week at around 15 minutes past the hour, tune in to hear book reviews or live

Young Theater (4:07) Going to the theater to see a live production can be a rich and fulfilling experience. There is so much thought and effort that goes into a single production, from sets, costumes, and acting. Today Rachel has in the studio Julia Ashworth, a theater education professor at BYU who specializes in theater for young audiences. Storytime (14:55) Libraries are known for their storytimes and we are too. Each week at around 15 minutes past the hour, tune in to hear book reviews or

Teen Writing (4:19) The ability to express oneself and be heard is an essential part of being human. This need for self expression is especially high during the teenage years. One great way to express oneself is through the writing process. Today we have on the phone Penny Kittle, an author and a great advocate for helping our teens engage in writing. Storytime (16:34) Libraries are known for their storytimes and we are too. Each week at around 15 minutes past the hour, tune in to hear book

Disability Advocacy (3:17) The world is full of amazing children, with amazing talents and abilities. However, some of them have differences, and sometimes it is difficult for us as parents and caregivers to talk with our children about these kinds of differences. Today we are on the phone with Amy Webb, who is a mother of a child with a disability, and an advocate to help us as parents and other children the context of disabilities through her experiences. Storytime (18:03) Libraries are known

Alice in Wonderland (4:03) Alice in Wonderland may have been published in the 1800s, but it’s still a relevant classic for teens now. From the mad hatter tea party to the red queen screaming “off with your head”, these moments continue to show up in new retellings and reimaginings. We have L.L. McKinney on the phone today to talk about her Alice adaptation, “A Blade So Black.” Storytime (16:36) Libraries are known for their storytimes and we are too. Each week at around 15 minutes past the hour,

LitWorld (3:35) Children from all around the world have a story to tell. It may be a story that they’ve created or a story they’ve lived. But not everyone has ample access to literature, or even the education to learn how to read or write. Rachel is on the phone today with Pam Allyn, the founder of LitWorld, an organization investing in children’s literacy around the world. Storytime (17:31) Libraries are known for their storytimes and we are too. Each week at around 15 minutes past the hour,

Biographies (3:41) Historical figures can be looked up to, despised, or forgotten. And no matter how much we’d like to, we can’t sit down and pepper them with questions. That’s where biographies come into play. Deep and thoughtful research by authors can help readers get those answers. Rachel has Candace Fleming on the phone today to talk about her biographies. Storytime (17:24) Libraries are known for their storytimes and we are too. Each week at around 15 minutes past the hour, tune in to hear

Classroom Practices (3:08) As the world constantly changes, so are the spaces we inhabit within the world. Classrooms don’t always look exactly the same as they did when we were in school. We’re in studio today with Dawan Coombs, an English professor here at BYU, to take a glimpse into what is going on in today’s classrooms. Storytime (15:02) Libraries are known for their storytimes and we are too. Each week at around 15 minutes past the hour, tune in to hear book reviews or live readings of

New Writing Forms (3:43) The way we write physically has changed drastically over the ages. We’ve gone from hieroglyphics etched into stone to ink on scrolls to typewriters and computers. What we write about and how we express our thoughts has also changed over time. Today Steve Graham, a college professor that studies how writing develops, joins Rachel in the studio to chat about new forms of writing. Storytime (15:38) Libraries are known for their storytimes and we are too. Each week at around

Early Readers (3:37) Parents spend hours and hours in their young child’s life reading picture books and fostering a love for reading. As children develop that passion for books, and become more independent from parents they will need more engaging books that they can read all by themselves. That’s where early reader books come into play. Rachel has Tracy Hecht, an author who writes such books, on the phone today. Storytime (15:48) Libraries are known for their storytimes and we are too. Each

Board Games and Picture Books (3:26) Life can get pretty busy. But every now and then there are a few moments to take a break and relax. What do you with that time? Do you read books? Play games? Or hang out with friends?  How about creating a new board game with your friends? Today Rachel gets to talk to someone who did just that. Brian Calhoun is on the phone today to talk about his creative board game, "Chickapig" and picture book, "Little Joe Chickapig". Storytime (13:51) Libraries are known

Teaching with Pizzazz (3:24) Have you ever wondered what type of messages we send our kids every day? How our interactions, positive or negative, impact their young lives? We have Mary Bigler, a professor in the department of Teacher Education at Eastern Michigan University on the phone today to approach these important questions. Storytime (15:28) Libraries are known for their storytimes and we are too. Each week at around 15 minutes past the hour, tune in to hear book reviews or live readings

Writing Habits (3:33) There are certain writing habits that many authors share. Such as writing every day, editing passages, and testing passages. Rachel is joined today with  New York Times best selling author, David Baldacci. He shares with Rachel what makes his writing process unique, and his upcoming projects. Storytime (18:00) Libraries are known for their storytimes and we are too. Each week at around 15 minutes past the hour, tune in to hear book reviews or live readings of picture books

Importance of Phonics (3:09) Language is a building block of literacy, and phonics are an important element of it. English is much maligned language with many rules and exceptions to those rules, and it has roots in many other languages. We’re on the phone today with phonics expert Elfrieda Hiebert. Storytime (14:36) Libraries are known for their storytimes and we are too. Each week at around 15 minutes past the hour, tune in to hear book reviews or live readings of picture books or poetry

College Bridge Program (3:15) Here on Worlds Awaiting, we care about the literacy and success of every child. Some children have more challenges than others from elementary school through college. Rachel is in studio with Viki Ehlen, an author and founder of the Wonderwood Academy, a school for children with Down Syndrome. Storytime (14:49) Libraries are known for their storytimes and we are too. Each week at around 15 minutes past the hour, tune in to hear book reviews or live readings of

Diverse Writing (3:07) In today’s changing book world there are many labels for books. Picture books, chapter books, books separated by genre, and books separated by grade. Racehel has author and early reading specialist, Wiley Blevins on the phone today to discuss books for the earliest readers. Storytime (16:14) Libraries are known for their storytimes and we are too. Each week at around 15 minutes past the hour, tune in to hear book reviews or live readings of picture books or poetry. Today

Dr. Seuss (3:30) Theodor Geisel was born on this day in 1904. But most people would know him by his Pen name, Dr. Seuss. Today is his birthday, and National Read Across America Day. I’ve got Professor Roxanne Owens on the phone with me. She is a professor of elementary reading at DePaul University. Storytime (15:55) Libraries are known for their storytimes and we are too. Each week at around 15 minutes past the hour, tune in to hear book reviews or live readings of picture books or poetry.  Today

READ Dogs (3:46) It’s hard to imagine a world without animals. What some people don’t realize though, is the potential for animals to help our kids learn, and maybe in ways you don’t expect. Today, Rachel talks with Kathy Klotz, the executive director for the READ Dogs program. Storytime (17:31) Libraries are known for their storytimes and we are too. Each week at around 15 minutes past the hour, tune in to hear book reviews or live readings of picture books or poetry. Today we have a book

Presidential Biography (3:55) Politics and history go hand in hand but the dynamic between the two can be difficult to navigate. Rachel is on the phone today with Martha Brockenbrough. She is the author of "Unpresidented", a critical biography of President Trump, aimed for younger readers. Storytime (15:01) Libraries are known for their storytimes and we are too. Each week at around 15 minutes past the hour, tune in to hear book reviews or live readings of picture books or poetry. In honor of