Join the Reading With Your Kids Podcast at this year's most exciting family event - The Chicago Toy & Game Fair! November 9 & 10. Visit www.chitag.com and use the promo code READ to save big on tickets!

In this episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast, host Jed Doherty had engaging conversations with two guests who are making a big impact in children's literature. 
First, Jed spoke with Dr. Anna Housley Juster about her new picture book "How to Train Your Amygdala." As the former Sesame Street Content Director, Anna has a deep understanding of how to communicate complex topics to young readers. In the book, the amygdala - the part of the brain responsible for the "fight or flight" response - is personified as a character who learns strategies to manage anxiety and stay calm. 
Anna explained that with childhood anxiety on the rise, it's crucial to teach kids practical tools like controlled breathing, muscle relaxation, and visualization to soothe an overactive amygdala. By making the science accessible and fun, the book empowers children to take an active role in regulating their emotions.
Later, Jed chatted with Ashley Wall, the author behind the delightful "The Day I Had" book series and the founder of Mama Bear Books publishing company. Ashley's mission is to foster a love of reading and big imaginations in kids through engaging, imaginative stories.
The "Day I Had" books follow a group of children who go on whimsical adventures with their toys come to life. Ashley shared how she wanted to create tales that inspire creativity and teach valuable lessons about inclusion, problem-solving, and perseverance.
As a former teacher, Ashley understands the importance of quality children's literature. Through Mama Bear Books, she's providing a platform for new authors to bring their stories to life with professional editing, illustration, and distribution.
Both Anna and Ashley are using the power of storytelling to positively impact the lives of young readers. Their passion for nurturing young minds is sure to inspire families to pick up a book and let their imaginations soar.

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Join the Reading With Your Kids Podcast at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair - November 9 & 10. Use the promo code READ at checck out to save big on tickets!

Hey there, fellow book lovers! In this jam-packed episode of Reading with Your Kids, we had the pleasure of chatting with some amazing authors who are shaking up the KidLit  world.
First up, we met Brad and Kristy Montague, the creative minds behind the delightful book "Failabration." This book was inspired by a real-life party the Montagues hosted, where successful people shared their stories of failure. As Brad and Kristy explained, failure is a crucial part of growth and learning, and they wanted to create a safe space for people to embrace their missteps. Their infectious enthusiasm for celebrating imperfection is sure to inspire kids and parents alike.
Next, we welcomed sisters Raegan Kelly and Brittany Stroever, the authors of the "Behavior Savior" series. These clever siisters came up with the idea for their books after using a creepy elf to encourage  good behavior. While some parents may be hesitant about scaring kids, Raegan and Brittany assured us that their approach is all about fostering a positive, supportive environment where children can learn from their mistakes.
And speaking of young authors, we had the absolute pleasure of chatting with 7-year-old Geneva Grodin, grand daughter of legendary Hollywood actor Charles grodin, who wrote her very own "Jokey Joke Book." Inspired by her author grandmother, Geneva has compiled a delightful collection of jokes, both classic and original. Her infectious enthusiasm and creativity are a true testament to the power of nurturing young writers.
Throughout the episode, we explored the importance of failure, the value of individualized approaches to parenting and education, and the joy of sharing stories and laughter. Whether you're a parent, educator, or just a lover of great books, this episode is sure to leave you feeling inspired and ready to embrace the messy, wonderful journey of growth and learning.

Click here to visit our website – www.ReadingWithYourKids.com

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If you're passionate about education and supporting underserved communities, you'll love this episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast. Jed Doherty sits down with Summer Schneider, the head of school at Legacy College Prep, a charter school in the South Bronx that's making a big difference in the lives of its students.
Summer shares the inspiring mission of Legacy College Prep - to ensure all students have access to opportunities after high school, whether that's college or other paths like trade schools or the military. She explains the unique autonomy and flexibility that charter schools have, which allows them to tailor their curriculum and approach to best serve their students.
One of the biggest challenges facing Legacy College Prep is the high number of students who are performing two or more grade levels behind when they enroll. But Summer and her team are laser-focused on building reading habits and providing extra support to help these students catch up and thrive.
Beyond academics, Summer also discusses the importance of rebuilding the partnership between schools and families, especially after the pandemic disrupted in-person interactions. She shares how Legacy College Prep is working to bring parents back into the school community.
Jed and Summer also touch on the nationwide teacher shortage and Legacy College Prep's efforts to ensure they're fully staffed and able to provide the best possible education.
But the real heart of this episode lies in Legacy College Prep's commitment to college preparation and making higher education accessible and affordable for their students. Summer explains the school's partnerships with universities and their focus on guiding families through the financial aid process.  The episode takes an exciting turn when Jed welcomes back Antony Kolenc and Leslea Wahl, from the Catholic Teen Authors group. They discuss their latest anthology, "Shadows, Visible and Invisible," which explores the Catholic traditions surrounding All Hallows' Eve, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day. Tony and Leslea share the collaborative process of creating these anthologies and the importance of preserving and sharing these rich cultural and faith-based stories with young readers. They encourage listeners to check out the Catholic Teen Books website to discover more inspiring, wholesome books for teens, and to support local independent bookstores by requesting the anthology. It's clear that the Catholic Teen Authors are on a mission to provide teens with literature that nourishes both the mind and the spirit.

Click here to visit our website – www.ReadingWithYourKids.com

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We love sharing thought provoking conversations with fascinating people on Reading With Your Kids. We beging by chatting with the CEO of Reash Out And Read Marty Martinez. Marty tells us Reach Out and Read,  trains pediatricians to integrate books into well-child visits to promote early literacy. He explained how shared reading helps children's brain development and bonding with parents. Later in the episode we meet author Hena Khan. Hena tells us her new anthology "The Door is Open" is a collection of stories written by South Asian American writers. She also shared about her upcoming graphic novel "We Are Big Time" based on a girls basketball team. Additionally, she talked about her middle grade novels "Drawing Deena" and co-authored book "Like a Boss." Throughout the episode, the importance of reading with children from a young age was emphasized, as well as using books to inspire creativity and build emotional connections between families.

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Click here to learn more about Read Out And Read - https://reachoutandread.org/ 

Dr Stephanie Ryan is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her wonderful #ChildrensBook Let's Learn About Chemistry. Dr Stephanie tells us this book is inspired by my son playing a comparison game and my love of chemistry. It's designed to introduce young scientists to key concepts and vocabulary using everyday objects.

Click here to visit Dr Stephanie's website - http://letslearnaboutscience.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Author, illustrator & Hollywood actor Brady Smith is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate his new #PictureBook "I'm Getting A Shark!" the fabulous, funny story of a shark-obsessed child who's convinced she's getting a pet shark for her birthday.

Click here to visit Brady's website - https://bradysmith.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Former teacher Danielle LaRosa is on the show to celebrate her debut children's book When I Grow Up I Want To Be A Song! Danielle has seen first hand the benefits kids derive from music. We also meet a group of very cool kids from the UK who decided to create an online magazine called Home Cool Kids during the pandemic.

Click here to visit Danielle's website -  https://daniellelarosawrites.com/

Click here to visit the Cool Home Kids Website - https://www.homecoolkids.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Tim Meyers is on the #RWYK #Podcast to celebrate Glad To Be Dad. Glad to Be Dad is about the actual lives of fathers, mothers, and families today, exploring the demands and great rewards of finding your deeper, truer self as a father, a husband, and a man. But, like family life itself, the book is also full of humor and wonderful surprises.

Click here to visit Tim's website -

Click here to visit our website - www.ReadingWithYourKids.com

Fascinating chat with a most fascinating human. Kevin Albin is our guest for this Protecting The Planet With Your Kids episode of the podcast. Kevin is a former hostage negotiator, conservation guide and author of the #YA #Novel Stonechild. Kevin feels passionately about inspiring kids to protect our planet.

Click here to visit Kevin's website -

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Our Dean of all things STEM & STEAM Jennifer Swanson returns to the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate Rocks, Fossils & Shells. Jennifer tells us this is a totally interactive guide meant to get kids and families exploring the World around them.

Click here to visit Jennifer's website - https://jenniferswansonbooks.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Caroline and Katherine Brickley are twin sisters as well as the Co-Founders of Blossom: An award-winning children’s media company dedicated to growing readers and leaders through an enriching combination of original stories and story-based content. They are on the #RWYK #Podcast to tell us about their Kickstarter Campaign to make their Friendly Bookshelf Project a reality. They hope this book will encourage all kids to know they have an important story to tell.

Click here to visit The Friendly Bookshelf website - https://www.thefriendlybookshelf.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Alex Winstanley is on the #RWYK #Podcast to celebrate his Children's #PictureBook My Grandma Has Dementia. Alex aims to raise awareness of the impact that dementia can have on an individual and their family, in a child-friendly and supportive way. It is aimed at 4-11-year olds and has been inspired and informed by people with lived experience of dementia. Through rhyme and engaging illustrations, the book hopes to start a conversation about dementia

Click here to visit Alex' Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/alexwinstanleyauthor/

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Two fantastic authors on this episode of the #RWYK #Podcast. Monica Mikai celebrates The Proudest Color. This book is a timely, sensitive introduction to race, racism, and racial pride. Liam Jenkis celebrates Dylan McFinn & The Sea Serpent's Fury. Kids will love this fantastical nautical adventure of myth, monsters and legend

Click here to visit Monica's website - https://monicamikai.com/about/

Click here to visit Liam's website - https://www.liamjenkinsofficial.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.ReadingWithYourKids.com

Patricia Newman returns to the #RWYK #Podcast to celebrate Planet Ocean. Patricia believes that since a little more than 70 percent of Planet Earth is ocean wouldn’t a better name for our global home be Planet Ocean? She tells us that we might be surprised at just how closely we are connected to the ocean. She wants us to know that regardless of where you live, every breath you take and every drop of water you drink links you to the ocean. And because of this connection, the ocean’s health affects all of us

Click here to visit Patricia's Website -

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

This episode of Reading With Your Kids featured several authors discussing their children's books and the importance of social emotional learning. The show began by introducing Brian Nolet and Dave Mossman, authors of the "Jungle Buddyz" book series. They discussed writing their first book together and touching on themes like believing in oneself

Brian and Dave discussed using children's books to develop resilience. Brian Nolet practices self-awareness with his sons to help them manage emotions. Dave Mossman, a teacher in a remote First Nation community, has observed rising anxiety in students and incorporates social emotional learning. Technology was noted as both helping and hindering children's development.

Lydia Lukidis returned to the show to celebrate her latest book "Dancing Through Space". This book tells the story of astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison. Lydia worked hard to get this story published as she believes it is a powerful way to celebrate the connection between art and science.

To wrap up this episode we speak with Angelica Streeter who is passionate about spreading her love of hummingbirds and her book "Hum Hum Hummingbird". She discussed the tiny birds' abilities like long-distance travel and pollination. Authors encouraged developing friendships through shared understanding.

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Reyna Marder Gentin is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her #MiddleGrade #Novel My Name Is Layla. Reyna introduces us to Layla, a young teen with undiagnosed dyslexia. This powerful story celebrates the value of friendship, the need for caring teachers, and the power of family love.

Click here to visit Reyna's website - https://reynamardergentin.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Robert Beatty is on the #RWYK #Podcast to celebrate his middle grade novel Willa Of Dark Hollow. Robert tells us that Willa must find a way to save the people and animals she loves and take a stand against an all-consuming darkness that threatens to destroy her world. Robert also tells us that he hopes his writing will inspire readers to look at situations through the eyes of others.

Click here to visit Robert's website - https://robertbeattybooks.com/author/

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Author & educator LaKeasha Williams joins us to celebrate her debut chapter book "Shine On Brown Girl". This is a powerful conversation about how we can inspire kids to know that they matter and how we can all embrace the truth that different does not mean less than.

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

“Feelings travel, even when people can’t.” The #ReadingWithYourKidsPodcast welcomes Holly Goldberg Sloan! Holly talks with us about her 7th children’s book, The Elephant in the Room, and how it has inspired her to teach her young audience about dealing with adversity. Inspired by her Turkish background, The Elephant in the Room follows Sila, a young Turkish girl, as she navigates a new world without her mother. Holly wants kids to understand that our differences don’t have to be our downfalls.

Click here to visit Holly's website - https://www.hollygoldbergsloan.com/

click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Two great authors share stories you can use to inspire your kids to be superheroes. Jerald Hoover introduces us to his Hero Book Series, a series he started writing 28 years ago on an ironing board. And Darrel Gregory tells us how his grand daughters inspired him to write "I'm Not Very Good At It"

Click here to visit Jerald's website - https://www.theherobookseries.com/

Click here to visit Darrel's website - https://www.dgregory.ca/

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Kathleen Marcath is a veteran Special Education Sign Language Supporter. This experience has kindled her passion for helping children reach their educational potential. She is on to celebrate My Big Monster Truck Goes Everywhere With Me, a picture book illustrated in American Sign Language. She is delighted to help kids learn to communicate in ASL

Click here to find Kathleen's book on Amazon - https://amzn.to/3fmn0ao

Click here to visit our website - www.ReadingWithYourKids.com

We can protect the planet by capturing cow farts?! Erin Twamley joins Jedlie & Alexia to celebrate her attention catching book Capturing Cow Farts & Burps. Did you know there are over 2 billion cows alive on the planet? And that those cows are creating lots of farts that are adding to our climate crisis. Erin tells us how we can inspire our kids to become everyday superheros working together to save our planet

Click here to visit Erin's website - https://erintwamley.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.ReadingWithYourkids.com

Lizette Serrano, Vice President of Educational Marketing preview's Scholastic's Summer Reading Program. As we discuss the many benefits of reading it becomes clear that one of the most important is love, the love that grows between family members through reading.

Click here to be a part of Scholastic's Summer Reading Program -

www.scholastic.com/summer

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

A creativity expert, Nina Meehan inspires the broader community as a skilled theatre producer, award-winning director, and dedicated arts educator, with expertise in youth development. Her work focuses on nurturing innovation and connecting people in our increasingly digital world. She shares some fantastic ways that creativity can bring families closer.

Click here to visit Nina's website - https://ninameehan.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Laura Schaumer is on the #ReadingWithYourKids podcast! Laura is here to tell us about her self-published children’s book, Kita and the Magic Paint. Inspired by her own daughter, Laura’s book follows Kita the Raccoon as she learns the joy of mixing colors to create something new and magical. 

What to Listen For

In this episode, we discuss self-publishing, making a mess, and learning from our children. Here are some highlights;

Laura tells us - “I didn’t know about self-publishing in the beginning" and shares her journey.

Laura tells us that she wanted to make sure no matter where you’re from, you can relate to her main character Kita.

And Laura tells us why she believes that “Getting messy is probably one of the most important things that children should be doing.”

Click here to visit Laura's website - https://www.lauraschaumerbooks.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

We are calling this episode of Reading With Your Kids If a Pigeon Poops in the Woods: Nature Calls us to Log Off and Laugh. Our first guest is JD Peabody, author of the Inkwell Chronicles fantasy series. J D returns to the show to celebrate the second book in the series. He tells us that the series was inspired by CS Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia and a real 1952 train crash in London. Peabody aimed to introduce kids to literature through "Easter eggs" subtly referenced in the books. The series follows siblings Everett and B as they search for their missing father and protect magical ink from villains.

We also speak with Britt Gondolfi about her new book "Look Up: Fontaine the Pigeon Starts a Revolution." Gondolfi co-wrote and illustrated the book with her friend Amanda Romanick. The book addresses modern technology overuse through a humorous story about birds pooping on phones to get people's attention. Gondolfi discussed struggles finding balance with her own phone and her daughter's usage. She and Romanick worked together from the start, hoping to inspire more connection between nature, humanity and each other.

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Our World is quite an amazing place. We welcome two author/illustrators to celebrate amazing spots. Paddy Donnelly tells us all about The Vanishing Lake and the wonderful friendship between a girl and her grandfather. Then Wendra Lynne takes us into the Cloud Forest, and tells us how we can paint with coffee

Click here to visit Paddy's website - https://lefft.com/

Click here to visit Wendra's website - https://www.bywendra.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.ReadingWithYourKids.com

Authors Parveen K & Tammy Co are on the RWYK Podcast to celebrate their debut Picture Book Diego The Dodo. This is a delightful story about determination and courage. Our guests tell us how they came to be writing partners and how we can encourage our kids to find the strength to face difficult challenges.

Click here to visit Parveen & Tammy's website - https://www.diegothedodo.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Gary Haq is a human ecologist. He has authored several reports and academic papers on transport, air pollution, climate change, behavior and lifestyle. He is also the author of My Dad The Earth Warrior, a fun middle grade novel. Gary tells us how we can inspire our families to become Earth Warriors.

Click here to support the podcast by using this link to purchase Gary's book on Amazon - https://amzn.to/3hF0I5a

Click here to visit our website - www.ProtectingThePlanetWithYourKids.com

Writer, comedian & vagabond Carrie Seim is on the #RWYK #Podcast to celebrate her comedic middle grade novel "Horse Girl". This is a really fun conversation with an incredibly fun and funny author. Carrie talks to us about the challenges all adolescent girls face and how we can help our tween & teen girls navigate these times.

Click here to visit Carrie's website - https://carrieseim.com/home

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Katie Petruzziello is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to introduce us to Mighty Mila. Katie tells us she wrote Mighty Mila to share her daughter's story & to introduce the World to a wonderful kid who uses cochlear implants. Katie wants the World to understand that kids with challenges are kids and can be wonderful friends.

Click here to visit the Mighty Mila Instagram Page - https://www.instagram.com/mightymilastories/?hl=en

Click here to visit our website - www.ReadingWithYourKids.com

Crispin Boyer is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate Top Secret, his latest Non-Fiction book from NatGeoKids. Crispin had a fascinating time researching this book, working with some of the World's most elite spy agencies. Crispin also tells us how the book's format makes it the perfect book for reluctant readers.

Click here to visit Crispin's Amazon page - https://amzn.to/3wegSXv

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

It's our Beautiful Gardens & Ice Cream Wars Episode. Illustrator Holly Hatam celebrates Maxine & The Greatest Garden Ever. Then song writers turned children's book authors Cheryl DaVeiga & Dave Gibson tells us what inspired them to write War At The Ice Cream Store.

Click here to visit Holly's website - https://hollyhatam.com/

Click here to visit Cheryl & Dave's website - https://www.franktlfroggandfriends.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.ReadingWithYourKids.com

Sherrie Barch is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate Heaven's Bell. This #MiddleGrade #Novel tells powerful story about love, friendship and grief. It can help kids cope with this extremely difficult subject in the gentlest, sweetest, positive way possible. Heaven's Bell has been named a RWYK Certified Great Read

Click here to see our review of Heaven's Bell - https://readingwithyourkids.com/heavens-bell-by-sherrie-barch-rwyk-certified-great-read/

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Alexia brown & Jedlie continue our special Protecting The Planet With Your Kids Mini-series by speaking with Evelyn Bookless. Evelyn is the author of the new #PictureBook Captain Green and the Tree Machine. She shares some great information that we can use to inspire our kids to become protectors of our planet.

Click here to visit Evelyn's website - https://www.evelynbookless.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Yobe Qui returns to the #RWYK #Podcast to celebrate Asian American - Pacific Island American Awareness month, and to celebrate her delightful new book Asian Adventures A - Z. We have a wonderful conversation about the diversity of cultures found throughout Asia and throughout the Asian American community here in the US. We also talk about the issue of violence towards people of Asian decent.

Click here to visit Yobe's website - https://www.byyobeqiu.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Pam Rice returns to headline this episode of Reading With Your Kids. Pam has been a long time friend of the show. We always enjoy celebrating her beautiful picture books. Today we celebrate Pam's latest work The Sun On My Face. Pam tells us that she looks at each spread in my books as a work of art. Each page tells its own story through textures, colors, and details for readers to discover.. David Gibby tells us his Adventures Of Patch #MiddleGrade series was inspired by the stories he would tell his children and their friends. Jennifer Freeland and Jennifer Sipos were also on the show to celebrate their debut #Bilingual #PictureBook Duck and Rabbit ABC Military Adventure

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Mayuri Naidoo is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her debut #MiddleGrade #Novel Remy - A Book About Believing In Yourself. Mayuri's novel is all about an 11 year old who is mocked for his unique appearance and learns how to overcome his insecurities and face his bullies.

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Veteran teacher Prudence Williams has been writing for over 40 years, but it took Ruby to convince her to publish a fictional story because this big sassy dog needed a story of her own. Kids will fall in love with Ruby!

Click here to support the podcast when you purchase Ruby Smiles on Amazon - https://amzn.to/3uxfZIV

Click here to visit our website - www.ReadingWithYourKids.com

Two great authors are on this episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast.Rosie Pova tells us what it was like immigrating to the US, and about her great book Sunday Rain. Christine Villa celebrates her fun picture book ZooBooLoo. Guest host Hannah Pat Oboyski also joins us.

Please click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Michelle Schaub is on the #RWYK #Podcast to celebrate her wonderful #PictureBook Kindness Is A Kite String, The Uplifting Power Of Empathy. Michelle wants kids to experience the power of empathy, to see how it spreads happiness like sunshine and builds bridges between diverse people and groups.

Click here to visit Michelle's website - http://www.michelleschaub.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Our special Protecting The Planet With Your Kids series continues with a conversation with Alan Hesse. Alan is an author-illustrator, an educator and a conservation biologist. He comes to us from his home base in beautiful, bio-diverse nation of Ecuador. His graphic novel series follows the adventures of a polar bear named Captain Polo. Alan tells us this is a wonderful way to introduce kids, especially reluctant readers, to the issue of climate change.

Click here to visit Alan's website - https://alanhesse.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.ReadingWithYourKids.com

Lori Orlinsky returns to the #RWYK #Podcast to celebrate her latest Certified Great Read "Balloons for Tiger". If you have ever loved a pet you know how hard it can be when it is time to say goodbye. Lori's new book is a wonderful resource that families can use to help kids process and talk about those difficult times.

Click here to visit Lori's website - https://loriorlinskyauthor.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.ReadingWithYourKids.com

Julian Reeve is on the #RWYK #Podcast to celebrate Captain Perfection & the Secret of Self Compassion. Julian tells us that self-compassion is ‘the art of being kind to yourself’ and is proven to help manage perfectionism, channeling it in healthier ways. This self-help book inspires children to understand their perfectionism before encouraging them to build their very own ‘self-compassion superpower’, a valuable resource when unhealthy perfectionism hits.

Click here to visit Julian's website - https://captain-perfection.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.ReadingWithYourKids.com

Vincent M Kelly is on the show to celebrate his wonderful children's book All People Are Beautiful. Vincent believes that there’s no better way to talk about diversity and acceptance than with bright colors, fun artwork and a reminder that we are all beautiful.

Click here to visit Vincent's website - https://vincentmkelly.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com

Amanda Lauer & Carolyn Astfalk, two members of CatholicTeenBooks.com, talk to us about ways we can use books to talk about faith with our teens. Both authors agree that talking about faith filled fiction can be a more comfortable way for families to talk about difficult topics.

Click here to visit www.CatholicTeenBooks.com

Click here to visit our website - www.ReadingWithYourKids.com

Ilyasah Shabazz was just two years old when her father, civil rights leader Malcolm X, was murdered. She is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her powerful new book The Awakening of Malcolm X. This is a powerful narrative account of the activist's adolescent years in jail.

Click here to visit Ilyasah's website - https://www.ilyasahshabazz.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.ReadingWithYourKids.com

Lori Orlinsky and Alysson Bourque return to #ReadingWithYourKids to share valuable mamrketing tips for all authors and aspiring authors. Lori and Aly are the founders of Expound Publicity and have helped over 550 authors launch and promote their books. They explained the challenges independent authors face with marketing, publicity, and avoiding scams. Social media was highlighted as an important tool, but authors were advised to focus on helpful rather than sales-focused content.

They also shared best practices for marketing children's books, including building credibility through reviews and awards, predicting future trends, and planning publicity campaigns months in advance. Lisa Jacovsky also joined us to talk about diversity and inclusion in children's literature.  She reminds us that representing diverse cultures & abilities in books provides value by allowing all children to see themselves reflected.

Lisa is a passionate advocate for kids on the a utism spectrum and her books help all kids embrace the idea that kids who are different can be great friends.  Her character in "Happy Thoughts" uses augmentative communication, increasing understanding. She is passionate about advocating for neurodiverse children through her work. Inclusion and changes to the education system were discussed as areas still needing improvement to fully support neurodiverse students.

The importance of embracing diversity, promoting positivity, and combating stigma through children's media was a recurring theme. 

Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Alexia Brown welcomes Mary DeMocker to the second episode of Protecting The Planet With Your Kids. Mary is the author of The Parents’ Guide to Climate Revolution: 100 Ways to Build a Fossil-Free Future, Raise Empowered Kids, and Still Get a Good Night’s Sleep. This is an important book that gives parents information they need to get families working together to protect our planet.

Click here to visit Mary's website - https://www.marydemocker.com/

Click here to visit our website - www.ReadingWithYourKids.com

Today we welcome Miss Storybook to the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast Miss Storybook is the host of a fun Youtube Channel for kids. She tells us her IMAGINICAL MAILBOX is a welcoming place for children of all ages to share their stories. She celebrates all voices from far and wide and encourage everyone to be their own author.

Click Here To Visit Miss Storybook's Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCf2PCQe3WWn1X0dLfUkFadA

Click here to visit our website - www.jedlie.com