Reading With Your Kids Podcast

In this episode, "Robots, Werewolves, and Wonder: Picture Books that Celebrate Imagination and Culture," Jed welcomes two sets of brilliant guests who show just how magical—and meaningful—picture books can be.

First, author Jose Lourenco and illustrator James Braithwaite join us from Toronto to celebrate their best-selling debut picture book, Billie Builds a Robocorn. Jose explains that Billie, a kid navigating a move and new school, builds a homemade robotic unicorn—"Robocorn"—to ease her loneliness. James shares how their early idea started as a bedtime book and evolved into a richer introduction to Billie's world, shaped b...

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two picture book creators who celebrate children's creativity, curiosity, and the beauty of our differences.

First, Jed chats with Jean Huxtable Hamerski, author of Marley's Masterpiece. Inspired by her art‑loving granddaughter and a great‑nephew who once painted the house during nap time, Jean's story follows Marley, a young artist who can't stop thinking about Monet's towering water lily paintings. After visiting a museum, Marley decides to create her own "masterpiece" on the walls, hallways, bathroom, and coffee table at home. Instead of punishing her, Marley's pare...

In this thought-provoking episode, Jed welcomes Priten Soundar Shah, author of Ethical Ed Tech, to explore how schools can make wiser choices about technology in the classroom. Drawing on his background in philosophy, policy, classroom teaching, and ed tech development, Priten explains that we've let the tools drive our decisions instead of starting with the core question: What do we really want for our students?

He and Jed talk about the mixed results of laptops and AI in schools, and how test scores haven't magically improved just because districts spent more on devices. Priten shares how the...

In this powerful episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two picture book creators whose work helps families navigate some of life's hardest—and most beautiful—truths.

First, Shannon Gibney joins from Minnesota to talk about her picture book "Where Is My Sister?", inspired by the stillbirth of her daughter. Shannon shares the shattering experience of losing a baby late in pregnancy and the long emotional healing that followed. As a writer, she went searching for honest, non‑sugar‑coated books about infant loss and found almost nothing, especially for families who aren't all of one faith tr...

In this inspiring episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes debut picture book author and Wall Street executive Ashley Lam, here to celebrate her new children's book "Wrapped With Love: Wonton Noodle Day With Grandma."

Ashley shares how the story was inspired by watching her young daughter cook wontons with her grandmother during COVID. Those long days in the kitchen became a powerful reminder of intergenerational love, AAPI family traditions, and the importance of slowing down in a "go, go, go" world. She talks about how food is her mother's love language, and how...

In this powerful episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes back Shannon Stocker, author of the new YA novel The Roach King of Raleigh, a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Shannon shares the deeply personal inspiration behind Quill, a high school sophomore who's juggling a painful mix of family addiction, financial hardship, sibling tension, and crushing loneliness.

To help his struggling family, Quill starts breeding dubia roaches to feed his bearded dragon and sell to a local pet store – and those thousands of hidden insects become a vivid metaphor for the dark, buried things in ou...

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes legendary author, producer, and SCBWI co‑founder Lin Oliver to celebrate her new middle grade novel, The After School Kindness Crew: Pooch on the Loose, co‑written with Goldie Hawn. Lin shares how Goldie's MindUP foundation and its focus on mindfulness, brain science, and helping kids self‑regulate inspired the series, which follows three "outlier" kids—Mia, River, and Tony—who secretly perform acts of kindness at school and in their community.

Lin explains why she chose neurodiverse and artsy, non‑"typical" kids as heroes, and how the books em...

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of Reading With Your Kids, we welcome Chrystal D. Giles to talk about her new middle grade novel, "Listen to the Girls." Chrystal introduces us to Calla, a seventh grader whose carefree start to summer is shaken when rumors surface about her favorite teacher's inappropriate behavior with students. The story follows Calla as she navigates confusion, fear, and uncertainty, learning how to sort through information, trust her feelings, and—most importantly—listen to the girls who are bravely speaking up.

Chrystal shares the real-life inspirations behind the book, including disturbing cases in h...

In this heartfelt episode, Jed welcomes author Julie Leung and illustrator Angie Kang to celebrate their new picture book "Navigating Night," a moving father–daughter story that beautifully coincides with AAPI Month.

Julie shares that Navigating Night grew out of her memories of riding along on Chinese food deliveries with her dad in rural Georgia in the 1990s. The book is part memoir, part homage to her father and to the often-invisible workers in the food service industry who "make sure the food shows up at your doorstep on time".  It also explores the loneliness and dislocation of...

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, we're celebrating three very different – but beautifully connected – picture books and their creators.

First, Dr. Candice Childs joins us to talk about her autobiographical picture book "CC, Sour and Sweet Journey to Medical School." She shares how the "sweet" parts of her journey are actually the moments of growth, resilience, and purpose that came from repeated failure and perseverance. The "sour" moments include painful setbacks and even an advisor bluntly telling her she'd never get into medical school. Candice explains how she turned that discouragement into fuel, and how her...

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, we spend most of our time in the joyful, high‑energy world of JD Amato and Sophie Morse, the creative team behind the middle grade graphic novel The Endless Game. JD shares how the story grew out of his own childhood in the Chicago suburbs—moving around a lot, finally landing in one neighborhood where kids knocked on his door and pulled him into a world of street games, friendships, and long summer evenings. That sense of kid freedom and community became the heart of the book's epic, town‑wide game of cap...

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes author Kristen Mei Chase and illustrator Basia Tran to celebrate their Gracie Wei chapter book series. Kristen explains that Gracie is a mixed-race Asian American fourth grader with "a lot of opinions and a heart of gold," designed to reflect many real kids and offer representation she didn't see for herself or her own children growing up. She clarifies the difference between chapter books (often ages 6–10, transitional early readers) and middle grade (roughly grades 4–8), noting that Gracie Wei bridges those spaces with accessible text and some bigger idea...

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, we're celebrating both the cozy and the creepy sides of kids' lit!

First, we welcome Alyssa Satin Capucilli, creator of the beloved Biscuit series, as she celebrates 30 years of her small yellow puppy who has helped millions of children become independent readers. Alyssa shares the heartwarming real-life moment that inspired Biscuit, explains the difference between picture books and first readers, and talks about why pattern, repetition, and those famous "woof woofs" are so powerful for young readers. She also reflects on generations of kids—and now teachers—who grew up w...

In this episode, Jed welcomes Emily Sun Li, debut picture book author of Mister Chow's Night Market, for a warm and lively conversation about creativity, culture, and doing life a little differently. Emily shares how living in Taiwan for two years—zipping around on a moped, drinking fresh juice, and visiting night markets almost every evening—inspired her story of a sleepy grocery store and its equally sleepy, grumpy owner, Mister Chow. When they can't manage mornings, they reinvent the store as a night market, celebrating night owls, Taiwanese snacks, and the courage to pivot instead of forcing yourself to f...

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes author Angela Cervantes to celebrate her new middle-grade mystery, The Mystery of the Stolen World Cup Trophy.

Angela shares her lifelong love of soccer and mysteries, rooted in her childhood in a Mexican American community in Topeka, Kansas, where soccer wasn't yet a big organized sport. She talks about how the game connected her family and community, bringing both joy and heartbreak, and why she still follows teams like USA, Spain, Argentina, Brazil, England, and Croatia so passionately.

Her novel centers on 12-year-old...

In this episode, Jed welcomes back Australian author Geoffrey McSkimming, creator of the much‑loved Phyllis Wong and Cairo Jim series. Geoffrey joins from Sydney to celebrate Phyllis Wong and the Lure of the Lighthouse, the eighth book in the series, and talks about why Phyllis remains one of his favorite characters—resourceful, brilliant, magical, and deeply inspired by his wife, Sue-Anne Webster, a renowned stage magician.

Geoffrey explains how magic and mystery writing overlap: both rely on misdirection, red herrings, and staying several steps ahead of the audience. He shares how he loves constructing mysteries that feel...

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed Doherty welcomes author Matthew Burgess and illustrator Robin Rosenthal to celebrate their charming new picture book, Serafina Makes Waves. Serafina is no ordinary cat—she's full of catitude, completely confident on land, but absolutely terrified of water. When her parents sign her up for swim lessons before a family vacation, she'll do just about anything to avoid getting in the pool.

Robin shares how Serafina began as a single sketch of a cool, sassy beach cat with big goggles and a stuffed bunny named Noodles. The character existed be...

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes back legendary children's singer, songwriter, and author Raffi to celebrate his new picture book "Mama Loves It." The book is based on a song Raffi recorded with Canadian trio The Good Lovelies, all about kids pitching in with household chores. Through joyful lyrics and warm illustrations, it encourages children to see chores not as burdens, but as chances to help their families and feel like part of a team.

Raffi talks about his long creative journey—over 50 years of making music for children—and what keeps him ener...

On this episode, Jed welcomes author and neuroscientist Gail Martino, whose new picture book "Feathered and Famous: Meet America's All Star Birds" celebrates the national and state birds of the United States and the stories behind them.

Gail explains how her book helps kids (and parents) discover the unique traits that made each bird worthy of representing a state—from the clever chickadee of Massachusetts, which actually grows part of its brain in the fall to help remember where it hid seeds, to the hopeful, homey robin of Connecticut, often seen as a harbinger of spring. She al...

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, we're celebrating two joyful, community-minded picture books that are perfect for creating memories with kids.

First, Jed chats with Jodi Tatiana Charles, author of Going to the Festival. Inspired by her decade of volunteering—two years as president—at the Marblehead Festival of the Arts in Massachusetts, Jodi turned her experiences into a vibrant picture book that honors festivals, volunteers, and community life. She talks about how annual events bring neighbors together, support local businesses, and create multigenerational memories that last a lifetime. We meet her four main characters—Tanner...

In this joyful episode, Jed chats with creative couple Jeanine Pastores and Joshua Jackson, the team behind the beloved character Tubby Nugget and their middle grade graphic novel "The Adventures of Tubby Nugget: Nuggetville Escape."

Jeanine and Joshua share how Tubby Nugget began in 2016 as a private joke and love language between them. Jeanine called Joshua her "nugget," and he started drawing a little, squishy nugget character to cheer her up—whether she was sad, needed a laugh, or they were apologizing after a fight. Those doodles became webcomics on Instagram, which unexpectedly went viral, turning Tubby Nu...

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes Kiersta Halseth, joining from Germany's enchanting Black Forest, to celebrate her debut picture book, "Lowly Stromboli and the Mysterious Hole." Kiersta shares her remarkable journey from a marketing and communications career in Florida and California, to a bold leap of faith that took her to Thailand, where she taught English, met her German partner, and eventually settled in the Black Forest with their daughter, Lola.

Kiersta explains how Night Type Books was literally born from a dream. Struggling to read tiny, low-contrast text in picture books during...

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, we welcome back two wonderful creators who are helping families nurture kindness, courage, and curiosity.

First, Ruth Maille joins us from Rhode Island to celebrate her new picture book, "The Power of Encouragement: Turning I Can't into I Can." Ruth introduces Orbit, a sweet Earth-shaped character with a bandage on his head, symbolizing both a healing world and the idea that everyone makes mistakes. Orbit travels the globe asking kids thoughtful questions about kindness, gratitude, respect, and encouragement, giving young readers a chance to "see themselves" in the stories.<...

In this powerful Easter-season episode, Jed talks with Pastor Sheldon Lee Stovall, a licensed counselor and pastor, about his new faith-based Sunday school series, "Faith and Feelings: God's Ways for Every Age." Drawing from years of working with dozens of children each week, Pastor Sheldon shares how he saw so many kids struggling with fear, loneliness, sadness, anger, and hopelessness—without parents or schools having the language or tools to help them. This burden led him to create age-appropriate lessons for K–4, 5–8, and 9–12, all built around Scripture, prayer, and practical emotional skills.

He explains how his teacher/parent g...

In this uplifting episode, we're celebrating two powerful books that help kids grow—both in the garden and in their character.

First, Jed welcomes Sharon Rose, landscape designer and debut picture book author of Through the Garden Gate. Sharon shares how her lifelong love of gardening began with her dad and the neighbors who mentored her in their San Jose backyard. Those intergenerational friendships inspired Miss Mary, the neighbor in her book who invites bored, screen‑tempted Miles into her garden. As Miles helps with "weeding" he doesn't want to do, he discovers curiosity, problem‑solving, and the ma...

In this heartfelt episode, Jed sits down with author and teacher Margaret Gurevich to talk about her middle grade novel, Yasha's Amazing Bar Mitzvah. Set in 1986, with the New York Mets' World Series win as a lively backdrop, the story follows Yasha, a Russian Jewish immigrant who moves from Brighton Beach to the New Jersey suburbs. Suddenly, he's one of only two Russian kids in his grade, navigating Cold War stereotypes, rocky mania, wealth gaps, and classmates who think his Bar Mitzvah—and even his family—aren't "American enough."

Margaret shares the real family history woven into the...

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, we celebrate creativity, courage, and the power of stories to help families connect.

First, Jed welcomes 12-year-old author and YouTuber Bella Olson, creator of the Avocado Awesomeness channel and debut middle grade novel "Trapped" (Simon & Schuster). Bella shares how she began writing the book at just seven years old, and how the story follows a girl imprisoned by the evil Dr. Heinous in a mysterious facility. Along the way, the heroine meets unforgettable characters like Luna, Maya, and Rocco the magic chicken—many inspired by Bella's real-life friends. Bella ta...

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes Naja Lund Aparicio, author of the picture book Seasons by the Lake: Adventures in Greenland, for a rich conversation about childhood, culture, and the nation of Greenland, followed by a listen back to a chat with pastry chef and author Christina Tosi.

Naja, a Greenlandic Inuit writer, shares how her book follows siblings Mimik and Nuka as they explore the changing seasons around a Greenlandic lake. She explains that many people think Greenland has only one season—winter—but her goal is to show the subt...

In this uplifting episode, Jed welcomes Jaylene Clark Owens, author of the new picture book A Black Girl and Her Braids, inspired by her viral 2021 poem of the same name. Jaylene shares how the poem—born while she was joyfully walking down Rodeo Drive in Los Angeles with fresh braids—grew into a children's book published by Penguin Random House. The book celebrates Black girlhood, natural hair, and cultural pride, encouraging young readers to love their hair in all its styles: braids, afros, locs, twists, long, or short.

Jaylene explains how the story also weaves in the CROW...

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two wonderful guests who are using story to help kids feel seen, curious, and joyful—author Jamie Sumner and dance educator/author Teacher Terrel.

First, Jed chats with Jamie Sumner about her new middle grade novel in verse, Glory Be. Jamie shares why she loves writing in verse for middle graders—it feels fast, accessible, and empowering for reluctant readers. Set in New Orleans, the book follows 11-year-old Glory as she searches for her lost dog over five days, only to uncover deeper questions about her dad, fami...

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes Kobe Yamada to celebrate his new picture book, "Others." Kobe shares that the book is all about empathy and perspective, inviting kids (and the adults reading with them) to think about how we see people we don't yet know. The story is set up as a conversation between two characters on one side of a tall hedge—a hedge that acts as both a physical and psychological barrier. While the characters can't see what's on the other side, the reader can, thanks to illustrator Charles Santoso's imaginative art.

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Recorded live at the COSSBA National Education Conference in Louisville, this special episode of Reading With Your Kids is a joyful tour through the people and ideas shaping public education today.

Host Jed Doherty kicks things off with Dr. Kathy McFarland, Executive Director of COSSBA, who explains how this nonpartisan national association supports state school board groups so they can better serve local districts. She champions student voice, urging boards to put actual students at the table when making policy.

Keynote speaker Ravi Hutheesing (author of Pivot) shares his wild journey from rock guitarist with...

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed sits down with middle grade author Kimberly Behre Kenna to talk about her powerful new novel, Lola Gillette and the Summer of Second Chances. Kimberly introduces us to Lola, a 13-year-old girl still grieving the death of her twin sister. Determined to finish the "Perfect Pairs Collection" she started with her sister, Lola makes a desperate choice—trying to steal a pair of bobblehead dolls. Her punishment? A month at her reclusive uncle's crumbling, castle-like mansion perched above the Connecticut River.

Kimberly shares how her love of Gillette Ca...

In this episode of Reading with Your Kids, Jed welcomes two guests who celebrate the power of stories in very different – but equally inspiring – ways.

First, picture book author Linda Ravin Lodding joins from Stockholm to talk about her new book, It Started with a Book Ban. Linda and Jed reflect on how reading aloud is a "performative" act that builds deep family bonds, invites questions, and helps kids think about causality and consequences. Linda explains that her story follows Edwin, a boy who discovers his favorite space book has vanished from the library. Soon, more and more...

In this warm and thoughtful episode of Reading With Your Kids, we're treated to two beautiful celebrations of art, family, and our relationship with the world around us.

First, Jed talks with Steph Littlebird, author-illustrator of You Are the Land. Steph shares how her debut picture book explores a child's deep connection to the land, rooted in Indigenous, place-based identity in the Pacific Northwest. She explains that in her culture, the land is a relative, not a resource—mountains, hills, and rivers are family. By helping kids see themselves as part of nature rather than separate from it...

On this lively episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes two fantastic guests who are using story to spark big conversations with kids and families.

First up is Shana Tartogsz, author of the middle grade fantasy The Under Wild: Relic of Thieves. Shana takes us deep into her richly imagined world, where the realm of the living and the realm of the dead are separated by wild, shifting landscapes and mythical creatures. We meet Anya, a living girl dealing with the heartbreak of her best friend moving away, and learn how her story connects...

Latin Grammy–nominated musician and debut picture book author Sonia de los Santos joins Jed to talk about birds, borders, and the magic of bilingual stories.

Sonia shares the inspiration behind her new picture book La Golondrina, based on her song of the same name. The story follows a young girl who becomes fascinated with swallow birds while visiting her grandmother, and slowly begins to see her own migration story reflected in their long journeys. Sonia connects this to her real life, growing up in Monterrey, Mexico, then moving to the New York City area to pursue mu...

Join Jedlie for a heartfelt, high‑energy double feature celebrating the power of stories, family, and big feelings.

First up, speech therapist and children's author Kimberly Delude chats about her picture book series "Freddie the Fly." Freddie is a lovable little fly who struggles with listening, reading nonverbal cues, and social skills. Kimberly shares how a single bored student in grad school inspired her to create fun, kid‑friendly stories instead of dry, adult‑focused "do this, don't do that" materials. She and Jed dive into why reading with kids builds vocabulary, confidence, and connection, why we should...

In this heartfelt and adventurous episode, Jed welcomes Jessica Collins and Lisa Malamed to celebrate their upcoming picture book Where's Big Dog: A Story of Loss and Love. Inspired by Jessica's beloved golden doodle Lucy, the book gently helps children and adults navigate the loss of a pet.

Jessica and Lisa share sweet, funny memories of Lucy—like how she'd jingle her collar instead of barking to wake Lisa up—and talk about how deeply pets become part of the family. They explain that the dogs in the book aren't named or gendered so any reader can see...

Reading With Your Kids" welcomes two wonderful guests who celebrate the magic of stories, family, and imagination.

First, New York Times bestselling author Tracy Wolff joins Jed to talk about her new middle grade fantasy, The After Myth. Tracy shares how the excitement of a new book release never fades, especially when a story is as personal as this one. She reveals that her heroine Penelope and sidekick Fifi are secretly based on her real-life college best friend and herself. Tracy describes The After Myth as a Greek‑mythology‑inspired adventure set at Naximanders Academy, where Penelope expe...