Reading With Your Kids Podcast

Jedlie Circus Productions, Inc
  • 4.5 (119)
  • Kids & Family
  • Daily

Reading With Your Kids is all about encouraging parents to read with their kids, and cook with their kids, and do activities with their kids, and experience tv, movies and music together. In other words, our podcast is all about helping parents build stronger relationships with their kids.

  1. 1d ago

    Finding The Spark: Creativity, Community & Kindness

    In this episode, host Jed Doherty welcomes two picture-book authors to talk about imagination, family, and the kindness stories can inspire. First, R.J. Palacio shares The Haunted Playground, a playful tale in which Rex Magnificus, king of the ghosts, invites spirits from around the world to unwind at an annual post-Halloween gathering. When two living children stumble upon the party, they join the ghosts for a night of fun. Palacio explains that the idea began with a morning walk past a park scattered with discarded Halloween costumes. She reflects on noticing small sparks, trusting ideas that linger, and having the courage to begin writing before knowing where a story will lead. She also praises illustrator Brett Helquist's whimsical, atmospheric art, especially its gradual shift from shadowy colors to bright celebration and its hidden details that invite rereading. Throughout the conversation, Palacio describes kindness as a thread running through her work. She hopes children will discover that people who seem different can become friends, and that stories can encourage empathy without sounding preachy. She also celebrates teachers, librarians, and face-to-face community. Then Deborah Pierce introduces her debut, Mrs. Rose in the Sweet Adventure, inspired by her mother's vivid storytelling and created especially for her grandchildren. In the book, Mrs. Rose, a magical flower, takes the children to Candyland, where kind words and friendship help them cross a chocolate-milk river on gumdrops. Pierce says a follow-up, Mrs. Rose and the Undersea Adventure, is nearly finished, extending the series' lessons about mutual respect.

  2. 2d ago

    Ashley Belote on Mystery, Illustration, and Graphic Novels for Young Readers

    In this episode of Reading With Your Kids Jed welcomes author-illustrator Ashley Belote to discuss her early-reader graphic novel, Squirrel Lock Holmes: Mystery at the Corny Maze. Ashley describes Squirrel Lock as a spirited woodland detective partnered with Mole Watson. The character grew from her childhood love of Nancy Drew, Junie B. Jones, and Spy Kids. The idea arrived during a playful "squirrel moment" while she was researching another project and sketching a flying squirrel. Chip the Chipmunk disappears in a corn maze, and more animals go missing, prompting Squirrel Lock and Watson to investigate. Ashley says animal characters can make lessons feel less intimidating for young readers. She finds horses challenging to draw. Moving from picture books to an 80-page graphic novel gave her room to build relationships, develop clues, and create a fuller mystery. She starts with the solution and works backward to plant clues. She also values how readers infer what happens between panels and read visual cues. Ashley shares that book three, A Mole in One Mystery, is planned for June 8, 2027, and she is working on book four. She hopes families will make their own guesses as they read. The episode also features Samantha Reynolds discussing Help Me Be Me, her parenting picture book inspired by conscious parenting. She encourages parents to let children make choices, make mistakes, and learn from natural consequences instead of trying to control every outcome. A hidden teddy bear adds playful fun to reading. Samantha also mentions upcoming creative projects, including a family film and animated programs.

  3. 4d ago

    Celebrating Literacy, Representation, and Wildlife

    Jed Doherty welcomes listeners to two conversations about books and literacy. First, Mia Wenjen celebrates the third annual Newton Children's Book Festival, taking place November 15 at the American Legion Nonantum Post 440. Its accessible venue will welcome 100 authors and illustrators, with young adult books included for the first time. After growing from 1,000 attendees in its first year, the festival offers more room, parking, and food options. Wenjen describes her goal of bringing children face-to-face with authors and showcasing creators from diverse backgrounds and genres. She also discusses her picture book Barbed Wire Between Us, a story connecting Japanese American incarceration during World War II with the experiences of immigrants. Wenjen explains how she shaped it as a reversal poem: the words are repeated in reverse order, while punctuation shifts the meaning. Illustrator Violeta Encarnacion's sepia and turquoise palettes help distinguish the book's past and present. In the second conversation, Varsha Bajaj talks about her middle-grade novel Roar. Rohan, a 12-year-old boy from Houston, travels to northern India to visit his grandfather at a tiger sanctuary. The story alternates between Rohan's perspective and Arya, a tigress protecting her cubs. Bajaj says visiting a sanctuary transformed her understanding of the story and inspired her to give the tiger a voice. The conversation explores identity and belonging, as Rohan feels both an insider and outsider in a country connected to his heritage. Bajaj highlights the book's conservation themes and how it can spark family discussions about wildlife, friendship, and finding one's passion.

  4. 6d ago

    Stories That Teach Kindness, Courage and Wonder

    Join host Jed Doherty for an episode featuring two authors whose books invite readers to lead with kindness and imagination. First, Janet Zappala introduces Guapo in the Mystery of Goodness Grove, a picture book inspired by Guapo, a steer weighing more than 3,000 pounds. Guapo is famous for his gentle nature, heart-shaped forehead marking, and friendship with Mabel, a pot-bellied pig. Janet explains how their bond sparked a story about celebrating differences and treating others with kindness. She believes children learn values by watching caring actions, not just hearing advice. She discusses moving from journalism to children's books, collaborating with writer Wendy Perkins and illustrator Laura Kaleja, and the joy she finds in reading with children. Profits from her books support animal rescues. Then Christopher Mannino shares Starkeeper, a standalone middle-grade fantasy in his shared Builder's World, where natural wonders are someone's job. Jack is expected to hang stars, but longs to become a poet. Menino traces the novel's whimsical inspiration to theater, imagery, and a desire to create wonder and cozy fantasy. He describes starting with a striking image and building a story around it. Living in Malta, Mannino introduces a virtual pen-pal program for students in grades three through six. Zoom sessions will explore Malta's history, culture, geography, and daily life, including island realities such as importing essential resources. He hopes the program will connect students to his books and spark curiosity about the world. Together, the conversations celebrate stories that foster empathy, learning, and joy.

  5. Oct 30

    Latkes, Learning and the Power of Movement

    This episode brings together two authors whose work helps children connect with books and learning in different ways. Martha Seif Simpson joins Jed to talk about her easy-reader graphic novel, I Will Not Eat Latkes, designed for readers and the Hanukkah season. She explains how family latke-making traditions inspired the story: oxidized potatoes once prompted a guest to call them "rusty potato mush." In the book, Nosh the koala encourages Potchki the ring-tailed lemur to try latkes by being brave like his hero, Judah Maccabee. Martha shares why easy readers use simple language, how illustrations and graphic novel panels bring the tale to life, and why libraries and audiobooks can welcome more children into reading. Rachel Glowacki then introduces Move with Me Books, her movement-based literacy project, and her book All Through the Crown. Inspired by yoga and the song "The Wheels on the Bus," the book uses colors, body parts, rhythm and movement to help children explore feelings and energy. Rachel explains how movement can support attention, mood and learning, especially for children who benefit from kinesthetic experiences. She also reflects on making learning inclusive and playful. Across both conversations, Jed and his guests celebrate libraries as welcoming community resources, honor different ways children learn, and encourage adults to follow kids' interests rather than judging what they choose to read. The episode is a reminder that stories can spark curiosity, build confidence, and bring families together—whether around a plate of latkes or a rainbow of movement.

  6. Oct 29

    Stories That Help Us Laugh, Create and Heal

    In this episode, host Jed Doherty welcomes picture-book creators Jonathan Stutzman and Heather Fox to talk about their new book, Beware the Sock Monkeys. The couple describes how they began making books together and how their close collaboration lets them shape both manuscript and illustrations. Jonathan shares the playful premise: a family's missing socks may have been taken by sock monkeys. Inspired by folklore, family jokes, and an orange stuffed monkey, the story follows three sisters and a skeptical dad. They also discuss school visits, children's unexpected questions, and Heather's advice for young artists: keep drawing, read widely, and make use of the library. Jed then speaks with Minseo Cha, author of the wellness series You Are Not What You Eat. Minseo explains that the books grew from her experience recovering from an eating disorder. The first reflects on her journey and how seemingly harmless comments about food or appearance can affect someone who is vulnerable. Her second book gathers perspectives on food as culture and connection, beyond nutrition alone. She shares how support from family and therapy helped her, and how writing allowed her to reflect on her growth and offer understanding to others. She also discusses the pressures of social media and celebrity ideals, and hopes to study psychology and how systems can help people seek support. Together, these conversations celebrate creativity, collaboration, and the power of stories to entertain, encourage, and help people feel less alone. Both interviews show how stories can connect, inspire, and support us all.

  7. Oct 27

    Mirrors, Windows & Worlds Of Wonder

    This episode brings together authors, artists, and a generous dose of imagination to explore how books connect generations and shape young readers. We first hear from author Tracy Todd and illustrator Vashti Harrison about That You Are Here Is No Small Thing. Todd says the title grew from her visit to Senegal and Ghana, where she reflected on the survival of ancestors and the lives of future generations. The deeply personal book honors this history as an affirmation, while Harrison describes its Afrofuturist, non-linear journey through memory, space, and time. Together, they hope it will affirm Black children and invite all readers to ask questions, learn, and empathize. The conversation then turns to author Rick Williams, whose Dragons and Dinosaur Chronicles began with imaginative ideas from his grandson. Through hikes, storytelling, and playful collaboration, Williams shows how adults can encourage children's creativity and build meaningful bonds. He also shares how reading opened doors for him and his sister, and why literacy can support children through difficult times and help them become lifelong learners. Drawing on his experience with AI, he sees it as useful for research and brainstorming but urges care and adult guidance when children use it. The Story Making Hub offers a workbook and free materials to help families create stories together. Across both interviews, the episode celebrates books as invitations: to remember, imagine, learn, and share ideas. Whether readers explore history, draw dragons, or invent something new, creativity grows through connection, encouragement, and fun for children and adults.

  8. Oct 25

    Making Learning An Adventure

    On this episode, host Jed Doherty welcomes two authors whose books help young readers explore ideas, build confidence, and discover the joy of learning. Vicki Scott Burns shares the inspiration behind her award-winning Charli books, including Charli's Turtle Triumph and Charli's Possum Park. Charli is a curious girl who encourages children to ask "what if?" and see STEM in unexpected places. Burns explains how redesigning her own yard introduced her to landscape architecture, a field she brings to life through Charli's park design. She also hopes children will understand that mistakes, experimentation, and collaboration are all part of solving problems. Drawing on her experience as a third-grade teacher, she describes the Charli books as a supportive bridge between picture books and chapter books. Turtle Triumph began with a turtle painting by her granddaughter, while the upcoming Charli's Beautiful Butterflies explores butterflies, bees, and food security. Rob Buyea discusses Because of Our Student Teacher, a new story set in the world of his Mr. Terupt books. Its student teacher was once one of the original student characters, now grown up. Buyea reflects on his years teaching elementary school and high school biology, and on becoming a writer because he wanted to inspire his students. He began creating stories for the classroom, then found a book-length idea he couldn't ignore. He credits reading, strong first sentences, learning from failure, and trusted critique groups with helping writers grow. Together, the conversations celebrate curiosity, resilience, and many ways books make learning meaningful and fun.

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4.5
out of 5
119 Ratings

About

Reading With Your Kids is all about encouraging parents to read with their kids, and cook with their kids, and do activities with their kids, and experience tv, movies and music together. In other words, our podcast is all about helping parents build stronger relationships with their kids.

Information

  • Creator
    Jedlie Circus Productions, Inc
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    2K
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jedlie Circus Productions, Inc
  • Show Website
    Reading With Your Kids Podcast

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