Reading With Your Kids Podcast

Jedlie Circus Productions, Inc
  • 4.5 (116)
  • KIDS & FAMILY
  • UPDATED 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

    Going to the Festival: Celebrating Community, Memories, and Art

    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, Sebastian, Beatrice, and Danielle—each reflecting different talents and personalities, and each carrying a bit of Jodi and her illustrator, Julia Potvin. Jodi also shares how Easter eggs hidden in the illustrations, intergenerational scenes, and a strong sense of place make the book relatable whether or not you've ever been to Marblehead. Then we welcome back Kris Tarantino, author of Bed Slime Blues, the follow-up to Be My Valent-Slime. Kris introduces us to her four monster characters—Snoodle, Iggy, ZZ, and Fleck—who stand in for kids facing classic bedtime battles: baths, toothbrushing, more snacks, more stories, and missing stuffies. She explains how she learned to let the illustrator tell half the story, how revision truly transforms a manuscript, and how her school visits use humor and interactivity to get kids excited about reading and writing. Kris also teases the third "slime" book, centered on the monsters' first day of school. This episode is all about community, connection, and the magic of picture books.

    55 min

  2. 3D AGO

    The Adventures Of Tubby Nugget

    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 Nugget into their full-time career. They talk about navigating health challenges, leaving traditional employment paths, and finding purpose in creating something joyful for others. Both emphasize how crucial supportive family, friends, and a great manager have been, especially as Asian artists whose parents bucked the stereotype and encouraged them to pursue the arts. Jeanine describes the story of Nuggetville Escape: Tubby lives in a town where everyone is expected to be dipped in gold and conform, but he loves his squishy brown coat, colors, and good food. With the help of his loving parents and friends, he chooses to be true to himself. The book celebrates self-acceptance, supportive relationships, and respecting different paths in life. They also discuss their creative collaboration as author and illustrator, the challenges of scope and workload, their thriving merch (especially plushies), and their hopes to expand Tubby Nugget into even more media to reach kids and families everywhere. We also share a listen back to a past conversation with author Emily Ettlinger

    57 min

  3. 4D AGO

    Bedtime In The Black Forest

    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 dim, cozy bedtime reading with her daughter, she imagined a series of easier-to-read, larger-font, visually calming books designed specifically for nighttime. That dream became Lowly Stromboli and the Adventures of Mouse House, with book one introducing Lowly and Mouse, whose magical mouse-hole portal takes young readers on gentle travel adventures around the world. The series blends soothing bedtime stories, immersive illustrations by Keziah Crossley, and a growing collection of free parent resources about nighttime reading and reducing screen use before bed. Kiersta and Jed dive into the science and magic of reading before sleep, the dangers of too much screen time, and the deep emotional connection that forms when parents read to their kids every night. In the second half of the episode, Jed invites Carolyn Watkins from New Hampshire to talk about her uplifting new picture book, "Trailblazer Shine." Originally written as a song, the book encourages kids to face life's ups and downs with kindness, courage, and a positive mindset, reflecting Carolyn's 35-year career teaching preschool, kindergarten, and first grade.

    57 min

  4. 6D AGO

    The Power Of Encouragement

    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. Ruth shares how this book was inspired by Natalie, a spirited nine‑year‑old former daycare student who suggested that encouragement deserved its own book. Together, they brainstormed real‑life examples—from sports to school challenges—that show how encouragement helps kids keep trying, feel proud, and turn "I can't" into "I can." Ruth also talks about 35 years of working with children, the importance of boundaries, and how practices like daily gratitude can genuinely transform kids' outlooks. Then we head under the ocean with Janet Lawler, author of the new lift‑the‑flap board book "Who's Hiding Under the Sea." A nature lover and former lawyer, Janet describes how her early fascination with the shore and ocean life became a playful nonfiction book for the youngest readers. With sturdy flaps, bright, tactile art, short rhyming poems, and simple facts about six sea creatures, her book is designed to be both durable and delightful for curious little hands—and might just spark the next generation of ocean explorers.

    55 min

  5. APR 5

    From the Cross to Our Kids' Hearts: Teaching Emotions God's Way

    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 guides highlight trigger words and emotional red flags—like "Nobody would care if I was gone" or "I wish I wasn't here"—so adults can recognize when a child might be in serious trouble. Pastor Sheldon also describes simple, faith-centered coping tools such as guided "God-breath" exercises for anger, interactive games for younger kids, journaling and role plays for teens, and testimonies from real kids to remind young readers they are not alone. Throughout the conversation, he connects emotional regulation with spiritual formation and talks candidly about the alarming suicide rate among young people, the impact of social media and drugs, and why parents need to slow down, listen, and intentionally build a spiritual foundation at home. In the final portion of the episode, Jed welcomes Korey Henkel, Senior Director of Marketing Communications at Centricity Records and editor of the children's book "Beloved," inspired by Jordan Feliz's song. Corey shares how the book helps kids understand they are deeply loved by their parents—and even more deeply loved by God.

    57 min

  6. APR 3

    Gardens, Grit & Growing Up

    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 magic of plants. Sharon and Jed talk about getting kids outside, the healing power of nature, creating pollinator gardens instead of endless lawn, and how gardens can connect neighbors and families. Then Jed talks with David Farkas, author of the middle grade novel Can't Never Could: A Child's Guide to Perseverance. David explains the family saying behind the title—every time he said "I can't," his parents replied, "Can't never could!"—and how that simple idea shaped his life. In the book, a boy is followed by a stubborn little sprite who appears whenever he says "I can't," pushing him to keep trying. David and Jed dive into why kids need to hear "I can't…yet," the dangers of quitting too quickly, and how youth sports, music, and other activities can build real confidence. They also take on participation trophies, cross‑training, and the importance of finishing a season—even when it's hard. It's a heart‑warming conversation about getting kids outdoors, helping them stick with challenges, and using stories to grow resilient, joyful humans.

    55 min

  7. APR 2

    Wanting To Fit In, Learning To Stand Out

    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 book: parents who left the former Soviet Union in 1979, a grandfather sent to the Gulag for owning prayer shawls, university quotas that nearly blocked her mother's education, and letters home that arrived with whole sections blacked out. She and Jed talk about what it means when a country's politics are used to judge its people, and how Yasha's friendship with an elderly man named Bernie helps him find the courage to be himself. Margaret also reflects on her own journey—from hiding her Russian-Jewish identity as a teen to proudly writing it into her stories—and why she loves writing for middle graders who are still forming their views of the world. In the final part of the episode, Jed chats with cartoonist and author Jeffrey Brown about his graphic novel Once Upon a Space Time, where kids join an intergalactic mission with mostly robot supervision. They explore how today's kids' comics blend humor, heart, and big ideas to keep young readers hooked on stories.

    55 min

  8. MAR 31

    Smashed Avocados & Big Ideas

    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 talks about juggling school, dance, YouTube, and writing, her excitement at landing a major publisher, and how families can CO-read Trapped and talk about favorite scenes, inventions, and characters. Next, in our Story Keepers segment, Schuyler Minckler from Elm Street Books in New Canaan, Connecticut, gives listeners a tour of her cozy indie bookstore. She describes creaky floors, well-loved shelves, and a children's section designed for browsing and discovery. Schuyler offers down-to-earth advice for nurturing a love of reading, from reading aloud well into the teen years to embracing graphic novels, series, and kid-led choices. Finally, returning guest Suzanne Jacobs Lipshaw introduces her deeply moving middle grade novel "Decoding The Moon." Drawing on her son's real-life rock climbing fall and her own experience with loss, Suzanne weaves a story of two brothers navigating grief, autism, fear, and new beginnings in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. With secret codes, rock climbing, and super moons, Decoding The Moon becomes both an adventure and a compassionate guide for families facing big emotions and big changes.

    57 min
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4.5
out of 5
116 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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