Reading With Your Kids Podcast

Jedlie Circus Productions, Inc

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. قبل ٩ ساعات

    Inside The Endless Game

    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 capture the flag. Sophie explains how the manuscript instantly clicked with her own memories of neighborhood play in Boston, especially capture the flag, and how that nostalgia drove her visual storytelling. She talks about the challenge of illustrating a nearly 250‑page full‑color graphic novel over four and a half to five years, keeping the art consistent and dynamic, and collaborating closely not only with JD but also with colorist Sarah Calhoun. Together, JD and Sophie describe a highly collaborative process—unusual in traditional publishing—where they constantly bounced ideas, problem‑solved scenes, and supported each other through creative highs and lows. We also meet Jacquelyn Boylan, whose picture book A Broken Twig Can Sprout draws on her own profound losses in childhood to comfort kids facing trauma and adverse experiences. Finally, Christine Ricci McNamee returns to the show with Logan and the Disappearing Document, the latest in her Logan series, sending a magic‑bone‑powered pup on a patriotic, cross‑country mystery adventure.

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  2. قبل يومين

    Every Child Deserves To Be Seen

    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 ideas. Basia shares how she brings humor and heart to the black‑and‑white illustrations and describes the joy of revisiting the same cast over three books until they felt like "old friends." She talks about working through an art director rather than directly with Kristen, and the particular challenge of drawing specialized items like a wheelchair‑bicycle combination. Kristen discusses crafting a diverse ensemble—including characters with different bodies, abilities, and backgrounds—so that any one of them could be a main character. She highlights the series' core themes: social‑emotional learning, empathy, bravery, and "pivoting" in life, supported by caring adults who model kindness and firm, loving guidance. She also hints at a possible fourth Gracie Wei book and other projects in the works. In the final segment, Jed talks with Pam Ehrenberg about her rhyming board book Planting Parsley, which introduces young children to the Jewish holiday Tu Bishvat and connects families to nature. Pam reflects on writing from a child's perspective, the precision required for rhyming picture books, and how diverse cultural traditions can deepen kids' sense of connection to the earth and to one another.

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  3. قبل ٤ أيام

    Celebrating The Cozy And Creepy Sides Of Kidlit

    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 with Biscuit, and offers thoughtful advice for aspiring children's authors. Then we shift from puppies to paranormal with Melanie Dale, author of the middle grade gothic novel Girl of Lore. Melanie introduces us to Mina Murray, her lore-obsessed heroine in small-town London, Georgia, where vampire legends might be more than just tourist bait. Melanie shares how her love of Dracula, classic horror, and even her work writing for Creepshow all fed into this spooky, funny, emotionally rich story. She also opens up about weaving mental health, friendship, and mother–daughter dynamics into the book, and suggests ways families can read and discuss it together. Whether you're snuggling up with Biscuit or turning pages with the lights turned low, this episode celebrates the joy of reading with kids at every age and stage.

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  4. قبل ٥ أيام

    Celebrating Night Owls And Night Markets

    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 fit a schedule that doesn't work for you. Emily and Jed talk about adaptability as a crucial skill for kids today, the joy and community of Taiwanese night markets, and the importance of stories that are immersively rooted in a culture rather than told through an outsider's gaze. Emily also reflects on intergenerational relationships, explaining why she loves that older characters are central to her book and how picture books can show that growth and self-discovery don't stop when you become an adult. She describes her path from teaching in Connecticut to teaching in Taiwan, then studying writing for children, discovering picture books as a poetic form, and learning how to leave space for the illustrator's storytelling. Later in the episode, Jed is joined by Andrea Wang, author of the Newbery Honor–winning picture book Watercress, who talks about growing up as one of the only Asian American kids in rural Ohio, finding refuge in books, and writing emotionally honest stories about family, belonging, and heritage.

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  5. ٢١ أبريل

    The Mystery Of The Stolen World Cup Trophy

    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 Diaz Espada, named after the number ten worn by Lionel Messi. Diaz is caught between his soccer-loving dad, a former college player, and his mystery-loving mom, a librarian who raised him on Agatha Christie and classic whodunits. When the World Cup trophy is stolen during a VIP reception in Miami—right as a tropical storm knocks out the lights—Diaz can't resist the case, even when adults tell him to step aside. Angela weaves in real history about the original World Cup trophy disappearing multiple times, including the famous story of Pickles the dog finding it in 1966, and the later theft in Brazil where the trophy was never recovered. That blend of real soccer lore and twisty mystery is what inspired her book—and she's eager to write more Diaz stories if kids love this one. The episode also briefly features Darshana Khiani, who shares Building a Dream, her picture book about Thai boys who build a floating soccer pitch, highlighting persistence and creativity in the face of challenges.

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  6. ١٩ أبريل

    Magic, Mystery & The Incredible Phyllis Wong

    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 surprising but satisfying, so readers say, "That got me!" instead of feeling let down at the end. He also reveals he's working on a new collection of interrelated, humorous mystery short stories for young and young-at-heart readers. Language is at the heart of Geoffrey's writing. He talks about using rich but accessible vocabulary, giving kids context clues instead of talking down to them. He recalls how acting in Shakespeare plays immersed him in great language and how many of his early readers grew up to become professionals—some even crediting his books and their sophisticated language as an influence. Later in the episode, Jed chats briefly with Barbara Brown, an elementary music teacher and author of I Am Musical: Adventures with Waffles. Barbara shares how her picture book—starring her real-life dog Waffles—aims to remind kids that being musical isn't about perfection or virtuosity; it's about how music makes you feel, connect, and communicate.

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  7. ١٧ أبريل

    Catitude At The Pool

    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 before there was any story or even a name. During a critique group meeting, Robin showed the drawing to Matthew and asked how writers come up with stories. Pressed to give a real example, Matthew spontaneously suggested a cat who is deathly afraid of water but forced into swim lessons. Robin chuckled—and that reaction convinced Matthew there was something special there. From that moment, they began improvising the story together, volleying ideas back and forth. They talk about the unusual nature of their collaboration: in traditional publishing, authors and illustrators often never even meet. Here, the illustration sparked the story, and the two creators stayed in close conversation, refining both text and art so Serafina's voice, attitude, and emotional journey truly matched Robin's visual vision. Both Matthew and Robin reflect on their hopes that this book will help kids see their own confidence, bravery, and big feelings reflected on the page. Later in the show, Jed also chats briefly with Cedella Marley about her picture book Marley and the Family Band, inspired by her own childhood move from Jamaica to Delaware and her father Bob Marley's musical legacy of unity, joy, and resilience.

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  8. ١٦ أبريل

    Raffi Riffs On Love, Chores & Children's Music

    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 energized: the pure magic of songwriting and the knowledge that millions of fans are waiting for new music. His upcoming album centers on the power of love, which he describes as the most powerful, infinite energy we know—something the world needs more of, especially in turbulent times. He reflects on his audience of "Beluga Grads"—the adults who grew up with his music and now share it with their own kids—and the joy of performing for children who come ready to sing, laugh, and enjoy his famously silly jokes. Raffi also shares his Child Honouring philosophy and the work of the Raffi Foundation for Child Honouring, which promotes principles like respect, nonviolence, and emotional intelligence, especially in the early years of life. In the final segment, Jed chats briefly with Dr. Rekha Rajan about her lively picture book "Can You Dance Like A Peacock?", which invites kids and families to move, dance, and learn animal facts together, blending STEM learning with the arts and joyful, interactive reading.

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مشاهدة الكل (٢ ألف)

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من ٥
‫١١٦ من التقييمات‬

حول

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.

المعلومات

  • صناع العمل
    Jedlie Circus Productions, Inc
  • سنوات النشاط
    ٢٠١٧ - ٢٠٢٦
  • الحلقات
    ٢ ألف
  • التقييم
    ملائم
  • حقوق النشر
    © Jedlie Circus Productions, Inc
  • موقع البرنامج على الويب
    Reading With Your Kids Podcast

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