Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

Do you have a child who dreams of being a writer? Or maybe it’s your dream? How do you support those dreams and foster creativity while also raising kids and running a household?

Today, I’m delighted to welcome back author Laura Martin, who’s giving us her very best advice for how to nurture your child’s creative dreams and your own.

Laura Martin is the author of some of my very favorite page-turners for kids, including The Edge of Extinction series and Glitch, and she has a new book out, Wander Lost, that I know you’ll love too. 

We talk about the importance of capturing ideas as they come, what creative writing curriculum gets wrong about being a writer, and lots more.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Why Laura says that ideas are like lightning bugs
• How Laura nurtures her daughter’s creativity with time, space, and access to materials
• How Laura honed in on what she needs in order to write while juggling four children

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/nurturing-creative-dreams

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

We recently took a poll in RAR Premium about favorite reading genres, and it turns out that historical fiction isn’t just my favorite genre, but it’s the favorite of many of you as well.

Today, I’ve invited historical fiction lover and award-winning author Anna Rose Johnson to join me to discuss just what it is about historical fiction that draws us in. 

We’re also chatting about the inspiration for her stories, her research process, and what her parents did to support her as a budding writer. In turn, she shares a ton of recommendations for her favorite historical fiction for young readers.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How historical fiction sweeps readers through a portal to another world
• How Anna Rose breaks down her research process into stages so it doesn’t get overwhelming
• How re-reading helped Anna Rose develop her ear and voice as a writer

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/why-we-love-historical-fiction/

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

When you hear the name Max Lucado, what comes to mind for you?

Max Lucado is best known as a pastor, speaker, best-selling inspirational author, and, in many Christian families, he’s a household name.

His books are written for everyone—especially those who are hurting, lonely, and discouraged. In his writing, he constantly points his readers back to the truth: that God loves you and you should let Him love you. 

Max is also an author of children’s books, several of which are favorites around here. 😊

Sarah invited him to Read-Aloud Revival to discuss his newest picture book, Just in Case You Ever Feel Alone, illustrated by Eve Tharlet. It’s a cozy, gentle book, perfect for snuggling up and sharing with your kiddos.

How are stories uniquely positioned to help readers feel seen and understood? Which books did Max Lucado love as a child? And what does he hope his books will do in the lives of his readers, young and old? We dig into all of it.

Listen in to hear: 

• The power of stories to meet people where they are and touch their hearts
• Why Max Lucado wanted to write a book about loneliness
• How reading with your kids builds their sense of comfort and safety

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/max-lucado

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

The Bard. He can be a little intimidating, right? If you’ve ever wondered how to introduce your kids to Shakespeare, you are in a for a treat with this podcast episode.

Many of us met Shakespeare in a way that didn’t set us up to love him or even understand him. But today, I’m joined by Ken Ludwig, award-winning playwright and author of How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare – my very favorite resource for doing just that!

In this episode, you'll hear:

• Why we should make Shakespeare a part of our curriculum 
• How to get over the intimidation factor, once and for all
• Exactly how and where to start teaching your kids Shakespeare (I promise, it’s easier than you think!)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/171/.

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Do you ever feel lost when it comes to how to read a wordless book?

I’m convinced that some of the very best picture books being published today are wordless. They invite us to slow down, predict what will come next, make connections, and linger over a good story, well-told. 

Today I’m excited to share some of the best ones with you, as well as a simple guide for how to read them.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• why wordless books are worth our time
• how to read a wordless books (with tips for what to say as you turn the pages)
• just a few favorites 😉

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/170/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

Here at RAR, we can’t think of a better way to kick off a new year than to do it with books. 

That’s why we kick off every January with a challenge for your kids–to help them start their new year reading and reading and reading some more… and falling a little more in love with books in the process!

Today we’re sharing all the details of this year’s Read-Aloud Challenge. I’ll answer your questions, let you know how it works, which books “count,” (spoiler alert: you’re the boss!), and what to do if your kids get frustrated along the way.

We’re starting this challenge in January, but you can start it at any time! If you want your kids to read aloud for 25 days and fall more in love with books (and each other) in the process, you’re in the right place.

Ready to join us?

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• how the challenge will help your family kick off a great reading year and reset your rhythm
• setting your kiddos up for challenge success (even pre-readers!)
• answers to your questions about the challenge including what counts and who counts!

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/169/.

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Welcome to a very special Christmas episode of Read-Aloud Revival, featuring three audio Christmas stories from one of our very favorite storytellers: Jim Weiss.

In this episode, 3 audio Christmas stories:

• The Nativity Story
• The Gift of the Magi
• The Nutcracker

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/168/.

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Do you feel it in the air? The seasons are a-changing…and it’s just about the best time of year for reading with a cup of cocoa, next to a crackling fire. 

(I suppose in the Southern Hemisphere it’s lemonade and beach reading… but there’s no bad season for reading, right?)

We think you’re going to be very excited about what we have coming up in RAR this winter, plus a brand new addition to RAR Premium – Christmas School! Listen in while I tell you all about it.

In this episode, I’m sharing:

• an invitation to slow down and simplify this season (yes, please!)
• all about the first-ever RAR Christmas School
• a preview of what’s coming in 2021 

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/167/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

It happens to all of us at one point or another: reading shifts in our kids’ lives from being principally about joy and delight into something that needs to be done for school.

A lot of us notice a significant drop in how much our kids are reading for pleasure once the school year is well underway.

This is a problem. 

According to the National Literacy Trust, those who enjoy reading are better, more confident readers who spend less time online, and are more motivated by interest and achievement. (source)

In fact, we know that no single literacy activity has a more positive effect on comprehension, vocabulary, spelling, writing ability, or overall academic achievement than free voluntary reading. (source)

Not assigned reading. 

Not reading for school. 

Free voluntary reading.

I want to sit on this for a moment because the emphasis here is on reading for pleasure. Simply being ABLE to read, or reading because you are told to does not confer the same benefits as reading for pleasure.

That’s what we’re tackling today on the podcast. 

We also get to hear from one of my favorite authors about his newest book release! 

In this episode, I’m breaking down:

• How less can actually be more when it comes to your child’s reading life
• Why we want our kids to be friendly and affectionate with the books they’re reading 
• A list of books that are just plain fun--my recommended reads if reading has hit a slump in your house (or if you’re just ready for a good time!)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/165/.

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In this very special episode of the podcast, the RAR team is discussing our favorite way to study history: through picture book biographies.

We’re also sharing a brand new FREE resource – a huge list of our favorite picture book biographies, organized by time period and category.

In this podcast episode, you’ll hear:

• what makes picture books special and unique learning tools
• the best ways to read them and use them in your homeschool
• how picture book biographies help us answer the so what question

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/164/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

A tranquil mind. Any chance you want one of those? I know I do. Today on the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, we’re talking about how readers can give themselves the gift of a tranquil mind by reading old books.

Wait, did I just say “by reading old books?”

I did. 

And I have a feeling this episode will challenge and expand your expectation for what reading old books can do for us in the here and now. 

I like to describe Alan Jacobs as one of my favorite thinkers…

…and if you listen in to this episode, you’ll know why. 

He’s an accomplished author and a Distinguished Professor in the Humanities at Baylor University, and in this episode he’s talking about why we can benefit from reading old books right now more than ever. 

His reasons might just surprise and delight you — especially if you’re feeling a little frayed by everything in the world demanding your attention.

I’m not gonna lie, folks, a conversation with Alan Jacobs is always, always worth the time. I think you’re going to love this one! 

In this episode:

• our own tranquility vs our own twitchiness
• how to read books that contain troublesome and problematic ideas (because old books tend to do that… a lot!)
• what it means to read with generosity

I also answer a listener question about whether we should let our kids do their own independent reading instead of listening to the group read-aloud.

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/163/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

If you need a boost of sunshine in your week, stop whatever you’re doing and listen to this podcast. Why? Because in this episode, Australian icon Mem Fox joins me to talk about the unique gift this specific time can offer us — the chance to read together, to connect, and to help our kids fall in love with books on a whole new level.

Mem Fox is Australia’s most celebrated author and the creator of many too many pictures books to count.

She’s a giant advocate of reading aloud, as you’ll hear, and someone I’ve been dying to talk with. On today’s show, we’re talking about how and why reading to our kids will change their lives forever.

In this podcast episode, you’ll hear:

• the magic that happens when kids and parents curl up to read together
• what reading aloud does for parents too – especially right now!
• and of course, Mem’s favorite books to read aloud

I’m also sharing the most encouraging thing I’ve read online in a long time (that happens at minute 1:13).

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/162/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

Do you ever find yourself wishing you had more time to read?  

Oh, every day? (Yeah, we get that.)

We’re pretty confident that every mom wishes she had more time to read. 

Carving out a little time to enjoy your own reading life is worthwhile, even in those seasons when you think it’s impossible. (Sarah has six kids, and when three of them were babies age one and under, it definitely felt like an impossible season!)

But reading makes us better humans, better mamas, and better women. It also makes us happier. And that matters. 

Why? Because the key to a successful homeschool is a peaceful, happy mother. 

When you know you can count on your reading life to be a source of joy and refreshment regardless of how tough the day is, you just might find yourself being a little happier. A little lighter. A little more joyful.

On today’s show, we’re talking about how to make time for your own reading life, even when it feels like you don’t have five minutes to spare. 

Listen in for:

• Ideas for sneaking in time to read (even on your busiest days)
• How to make the most of surprise pockets of time
• Strategies for handling interruptions, prioritizing your reading, and finding time to pick up a book even when you’re exhausted

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/make-time-for-reading

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

What would happen if you decided to be your child’s mentor, rather than their teacher? What if you awakened their wonder and curiosity, so that they became the kind of people who thirst for knowledge and understanding?

What if you could fall in love with homeschooling your kids?

In this episode, Sally Clarkson and I continue a conversation we started over on her podcast a few weeks ago. We discuss how Sally translated her own boredom with traditional education in order to find a different way for her four children… and the (rather fantastic) results of those choices. 

If you ever wonder whether homeschooling “works” or gets good results, you probably want to listen to this episode. 😉 

…and if you’re about to set off on a year of home learning, be encouraged and inspired to have a glorious year of awaking wonder in your kids.

In this podcast episode, you’ll hear:

• how we can raise lifelong learners who aren’t afraid to tackle big questions and obstacles
• how to make your home a place of resource for your children
• the difference between being your child’s teacher and being his or her mentor (this is BIG)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/161/.

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We need a drumroll today, because on the podcast we’re revealing all of our autumn picks for RAR Premium. 

I’m also answering podcast listener Corrie’s question about how to preserve her son’s love of reading. 

It’s easy to slip into schooly habits that kill our kids’ love of reading– so how can we help preserve our children’s love of reading even after the school year starts?

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/160/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

Recently, I posted on social media about my oldest daughter becoming our first homeschool graduate. I’ll admit to being a proud mama. I think for a lot of us homeschooling our kids, we hear that it works, we are told colleges want homeschoolers–are actively seeking out homeschoolers–but we still are a little nervous. We wonder if we’ve prepared them well, if this grand homeschooling experiment is going to work out.

So when my oldest daughter was not only accepted into every single college she applied to, but received generous merit-based scholarships at each one, as well, I breathed a HUGE sigh of relief.

At the end of that post about my oldest daughter graduating, I left a little note for homeschool mamas, letting them know that all the lessons, conversations, books, essays, projects, field trips, the good days and the hard days — all of the WORK of homeschooling, is completely and totally worth it. 

Worth it in a way you can’t really see when you’re in the middle of it, but that’s crystal clear when you’re at the end of the road, looking back.

Your homeschool does not have to be impressive. 

You can be ordinary. So can your homeschool plans. 

So many of us worry that we aren’t enough, or that our families aren’t the extraordinary type. But most of the homeschoolers I know don’t feel like they’re rocking homeschooling. They don’t feel like they’re doing an amazing job. 

They sort of feel… ordinary.

I know many of you are considering homeschooling for the first time, and I know that you don’t think you can do it. You think you’re not enough. You think it will be too hard.

Maybe you did some distance learning through your school last spring, and you’re ready to throw in the towel on the idea of homeschooling.

Since many of us will be home educating in one capacity or another in the coming school year, I want to share 10 homeschooling mistakes I’ve made over the years (trust me, there are plenty more- but these are the 10 that I thought would be most useful to you as you set out on a new school year.)

You can learn from mistakes. 

In this episode, you’ll hear…

• why your ordinary homeschool is more than enough
• the two most powerful tools in my homeschooling tool kit
• 10 homeschooling mistakes I’ve made (so you can avoid them)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/159/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

This week, I’m thrilled to chat with Greta Eskridge about how we can adventure with our kids – yes, even now!

Greta Eskridge and I discuss how books can be the conduit for adventuring with your kids, no matter your circumstances or your resources.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• all about Greta’s new book, Adventuring Together
• how even small adventures can be impactful for our kids
• how to start in the simplest way possible

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/158/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

Why read aloud to kids who can read themselves? It’s a fair question. Not many of us remember parents or teachers reading to us once we were old enough to read on our own.

But the benefits of reading aloud to kids who are old enough to read themselves are numerous. 

That’s what we’re tackling in this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• 5 major benefits to reading aloud to kids who can read themselves
• How reading together can help us connect during challenging times
• Why experts agree that reading aloud is an absolute game changer when it comes to academics

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/why/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

In today’s episode, I’m answering several of your questions about audio books for kids. Let’s talk favorite narrators, whether audio books hold you children back from learning to read on their own, and more.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• how to choose winning narrators
• whether it’s holding our kids back to let them listen to lots of audio
• how I handle books in a series
• whether or not to assign books during quiet reading time
• when your husband is not a big reader

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/156/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

In today’s episode, I’m answering your questions – from reading to separate age groups and how to make time for that (!), to what to do if summer reading programs make your kids want to read LESS…

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• when summer reading programs aren’t useful
• how to handle a drop in comprehension when kids start reading longer books
• ideas for easy chapter books
• how to make time for reading aloud when your kids want to be outside all day
• favorite fairy-tale-esque book recommendations
• reading aloud to different age groups

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/155/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

We know that we want our kids to love to read. And it’s important (really important!) to give them the best chance fall in love with books. That’s why so many of us get worried when we have a child who doesn’t love reading. It’s a valid worry. 

What can be done about it? 

On today’s episode of the podcast, I share ideas for what to do when your child doesn’t love reading. We can’t exactly make our kids into readers, but we can give them the best chance possible that they’ll become readers for life. And it’s a lot of fun to do so!

In this episode of the podcast, I’m sharing simple tips to help your kids become voracious readers, and why the single most important part of your child’s school day is free, voluntary reading. 

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why free, voluntary reading is the power player in your child’s reading life
• Thoughts from experts in the field on building lifelong readers
• How to help our kids choose books they’ll love

I also answer a listener question about what to do if your child is intimidated by lots of words on the page.

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/154/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

In today’s episode, I’m joined by the woman who recently faced the daunting challenge of updating Jim Trelease’s much beloved Read-Aloud Handbook.

Cyndi Giorgis takes us behind the scenes of updating The Read-Aloud Handbook, and some of the interesting (and most surprising!) bits what she learned during the process.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• what’s in the Read-Aloud Handbook‘s whole new chapter (it’s a good one)
• updates about audiobooks and other technology
• the most important thing Cyndi learned in her research about reading aloud

I also answer a listener question about the best picture book treasuries to invest in right now.

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/153/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

Being stuck at home is getting old fast, but finishing the school year doesn’t need to be a slog.

We’ve heard you loud and clear: it’s really, really hard to concentrate on homeschooling right now. 

And we all want to finish the school year strong, right? 

On today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, I’m sharing something brand new that I am over-the-moon excited about: a workshop series we’re calling WOW: Writers on Writing. 

This workshop series will help you spice up your home learning and finish your school year well.

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/152/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

We all want our kids to read, right?

If you’re listening to this podcast, it’s probably safe to say that you want your kids to grow up to read more often than the average adult does. We want them to be lifelong learners and avid readers who read for pleasure.

So it’s worth considering how we can cultivate the habits of real adult readers in our kids so that they grow up to be the readers we want them to be. And it turns out some of those skills are actually in direct opposition to how we tend to approach reading with our kids.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How choosing what to read is a skill you can help your kids develop
• Eight habits of avid adult readers
• Practical tips for cultivating the skills of adult readers in your kids

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/lifelong-reading-habits

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

When is a story worth telling? And why are the best stories in history seen through the lens of a single human being? We’re diving into those questions to day with one of the most talented and effervescent authors I know: Barb Rosenstock.

I recommend every single one of Barb’s picture book biographies. Listen to this episode and you’ll know why. You’ll find links to her books at the bottom of this post.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• the magic of “So what?”… just wait till you hear her talk about this!
• why Barb and Charlotte Mason could be friends (and she didn’t even know it!)
• how Barb researches her books and lands on stories she wants to tell

I also answer a listener question about gift book ideas for teachers.

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/151/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

Did you know that when you plant bamboo, you will water it, protect it, nurture it…and nothing happens for 5 years? At least it looks like nothing is happening, because it’s all happening underground, where the bamboo is growing a complex root structure.

But above ground? Nothin’. You’ve got to faithfully water and care for that plant for f-i-v-e years before you get any proof that you’re making any progress.

Homeschooling is a lot like bamboo.

In today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, I’m sharing the audio from a recent Circle with Sarah (our monthly coaching sessions in RAR Premium) in which I’m talking about this same experience in homeschooling.

You work, and you work, and you work, and you can’t always see the difference that slog is making. 

But the seeming dormancy? It matters.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The power of one small action – it can change everything
• How to be sure we are using the right measuring stick (…are you?)
• How to know where to put your energy next

I also answer a listener question about what to do if you cry while reading emotional books aloud. (anybody? 🙋🏼‍♀️)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/150/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

If you have a gifted, twice-exceptional, or advanced reader, this episode is for you. Today I’m chatting with Colleen Kessler of Raising Lifelong Leaners. A gifted specialist and mother of her own gifted and twice-exceptional kids, Colleen understands the challenges of connecting advanced readers with books…

… and the challenges that arise when your advanced reader can read anything, but isn’t emotionally ready to have free reign at the library.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• what to do when your kids can read “older” books, when you know they aren’t ready for the content
• Book recommendations that feature gifted or twice-exceptional kids
• The answer to whether your child can read too much (we know… it sounds like a good problem to have, but it can be a struggle!)

I also answer two listener questions about finding books for sensitive kids, and great book series for young, voracious readers.

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/149/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

I’ve got a brand new episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast for you, and it’s a good one. 

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Which 3 books I’d bring with me to a desert island 🏝 (it was torture to answer this listener question!)
• Whether or not we use reading curriculum at our house 🤓 (and what I recommend)
• The skinny on what we’re reading aloud this spring at RAR (our book choices are just 😍 – scroll down to see what I mean)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/148/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

Math....are your palms sweating yet? 😅Yep, I know. But you’ve asked for books that will enrich and enliven math for your kids, and we took on the challenge. 

In today’s episode, the Read-Aloud Revival team is talking about delighting and learning math together through great read-alouds.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• why you might want to add math read-alouds to your day
• how to add them in when you already feel pressed for time (no need to dump your existing curriculum!)
• our favorites. Of course, right? And yes – we actually all have FAVORITE math picture books… can you believe it?

I also tackle a listener question about stopping to look something up when you’re reading aloud to your kids. Is it a good idea?

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/147/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

In today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival, you’ll get to know why Louisa May Alcott, the author of Little Women, was such a wonder (and indeed, she was!). 

And who could be a better guest for this conversation than Jan Turnquist? 

Jan Turnquist is Executive Director of Orchard House, the home where Louisa wrote Little Women, and Co-Executive Producer, Director, and Host of the Emmy-Award Winning documentary, Orchard House.

She’s a true Louisa May Alcott expert, and has wonderful insight into the Alcott family, and why Little Women has endured.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• my own very favorite part of visiting Orchard House (hint: it has to do with drawing on the walls!)
• the beauty in re-reading Little Women at different life stages
• little known details about Louisa May Alcott, and the very unique and rather revolutionary Alcott family

I’ll also tackle a listener question about whether it’s worthwhile to have your kids watch movie versions of a book after reading it. (What I say here just might surprise you!)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/146/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

I felt my brain waking up during this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast. 

My guest is Alan Jacobs, Distinguished Professor of Humanities in the Honors Program at Baylor University, and author of The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction (goodness, I *love* that book). 

It was such a delight to have him on the show to talk about those “shoulds” that often trip us up as readers, parents, and educators.

He invites us to read at whim, develop our own reading taste, and raise kids who do the same. Don’t miss this one!

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• why it’s important to develop your own taste, and to let your kids do the same
• the value of reading books that don’t bring you joy
• and Alan’s answer to the question: What is reading for? (this part is SO good)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/145/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

I want to introduce you to a remarkable woman. She won two Caldecott Awards, illustrated more than 100 books during her career, raised four children, and lived life with unique zest and liveliness.

You may recognize her illustrations in any of the following books, including my own favorite, Miss Rumphius, and one of her Caldecott winners, The Ox-Cart Man.

Barbara Cooney was a gift to the world, and in this special edition podcast, I want to introduce you to the woman behind these magnificent books. 

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• how this mother of four managed to illustrate over 100 books
• stories about what it was like growing up with Barbara as a mother (listen in for roosters in the kitchen and mice in the car!)
• how Barbara made sure her legacy and love for books would continue after her death in 2000

Think you love Miss Rumphius? Just wait till you meet the woman who wrote her onto the page. 

You’ll love these books even more after you meet the one and only Barbara Cooney.

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/barbara/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

That’s right … Kate DiCamillo is back! And what she has to say is so good, you might find yourself listening more than once.

In this new episode, Kate and I chat about her newest book, Beverly, Right Here, and we also discuss why parents and teachers so often try to quantify what our kids are getting from books. 

We have some ideas about how we could better help kids develop their own robust reading life.

I also answer a listener question about how to read aloud with highly visual kids (kids who really want pictures to go along with their books).

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• why the kinds of questions we ask our kids about books matter
• how to keep joy in reading
• what Kate really wants readers to get from her books

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/143/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

Today, I’m sharing two recent episodes from my weekly coaching podcast, Circle with Sarah, that is available exclusively to members of RAR Premium.

I wanted to share them with all of you because I think the message applies to most of us.

A lot of us have this funny habit of focusing on getting DONE with the thing we most want to do. Of getting it over with and checking it off the list. It’s maybe more prevalent in our lives than we even realize. And I want to invite you to think about how that impacts your homeschool and how you might find your homeschooling to be easier and more joyful if you’re aware of it.

If you would like this kind of encouraging boost each week, get RAR Premium and you’ll get instant access to all of the Circle with Sarah podcast episodes and new episodes every Monday.

I think it’ll make a difference in the peace and joy you experience day to day in your homeschool. Head to RARpremium.com to learn more.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Why we should treat learning more like knitting, doing a puzzle, or reading
• How focusing on the doing lets us rest now, instead of waiting for when we’re “done”
• How to reframe your goals to focus on doing, rather than being done

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/doing-not-getting-done

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

Why re-read? This is a question we get a lot at RAR, and I’m not going to beat around the bush…I’m convinced there is a lot to gain from rereading. Today, I’m going to tell you why.

If you have a child who re-reads the same book over and over, we’re going to talk about it.

And if you or someone you love has recently read the same picture book to a little one every night for months, I’ve got some good news for you. 

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• why re-reading may just be the very best kind of reading
• what’s to gain from re-reading?
• how our kids benefit from revisiting their favorite books (and the rewards are huge!)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/141/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

Poetry is beautiful, captivating and (for a lot of us) a little intimidating, right? Our goal with this episode is to show you how simple and delightful sharing poetry with your kids can be.

My guest today says we can’t force poetry, but we can share it naturally… and that just might be the key to helping our kids develop a lifelong love. 

If you want to help your kids fall in love with beautiful language, there’s no better (or simpler) way to start than with a poem.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• why and how to incorporate poetry into your routine
• what to do if you feel intimidated
• how to develop a true affection for poetry (it’s more fun than you think!)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/140/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

Is there a better way to nurture empathy and compassion than through books? That’s the question we address in this episode with special guest, Courtney Westlake. 

Courtney’s daughter, Brenna, was born with a skin condition that makes her appear “different” to many people. 

On today’s show, Courtney shares not just her family’s experience, but also how we can teach our kids kindness and understanding when it comes to differences.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• how to help kids grow in empathy
• how books help us walk in another person’s shoes
• our favorite books for teaching about differences and disabilities

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/139/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

Your local library or bookshop (if you’re lucky, both!) is likely filled with children’s books. Many are simply marvelous—the kind of books you don’t mind reading aloud over and over, and that you’re delighted to hand to your kids.

Others? Not so much.

So how do we decide which books to read with our kids? 

How do we connect our kids with books they’ll love… especially when we haven’t read most of them?

That’s what today’s episode is all about.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• What is a good book, anyway?
• How to choose books without a booklist using the 3-Question Test
• How to know when to ditch a book

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/138/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

Graphic novels … they sometimes make us a little nervous, right? As parents, we worry if they have any value.

In this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, I’m joined by the RAR Team, and we’re talking all things graphic novels. 

Do they count as real reading? Will they make our kids lazy readers? And what about questionable content?

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• what’s happening in your child’s brain when they read a graphic novel (aka what on earth is “multi-modal” reading?)
• why some kids can’t get enough of them
• our favorite graphic novels to read in our own homes

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/137/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

I would be willing to bet that if you’re reading this, you’re hoping to raise kids who love reading. Think back for a second. Were the books you were assigned in school the same books you stayed up reading under the covers, late at night with a flashlight? 

When you were done writing the book report or the essay, did you eagerly start the book over, only to dive back into the utter delight of losing yourself in the story?

Would you say those books became one of your childhood’s sweetest delights? Or were you just relieved to have “done” the book?

See, all kids love stories when they are younger. Loving stories isn’t the problem. 

The problem arises when reading becomes something we do for school—for a grade or an assignment. 

The problem arises when our kids start to see reading as something on their list of to-do’s, rather than as one of life’s sweetest delights. 

Today, we’re turning that on its head. 

See, we have the opportunity to engage our kids with books differently– in a way that helps them love a book more after they’ve read it (rather than relieved that they’re done with the book). 

It’s simple and doable, and on this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival, I’m breaking it down. Want to help your kids love reading? Don’t miss this one.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• 4 simple steps you can take to change the way your kids interact with books… for the better
• why this will be a game-changer for your child’s reading life

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/136/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

In this very special episode of the Read-Aloud Revival, we’re sharing an Author Access with the wonderful Sally Lloyd Jones.

This was an event celebrating her book Goldfish on Vacation, which we read together as a community in RAR Premium. 

Sally even reads aloud to us in this one (twice!)

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• beautiful tips for young writers
• which was the most challenging Bible story for her to write
• something that means even more to her as a writer than medals and awards

Find the rest of the show notes at Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/134/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

Today we’re heading to the coast of Maine… at least in our imagination.

I’m chatting with Amanda Dykes, author of the adult fiction novel, Whose Waves These Are, in a summer episode that celebrates seaside tales. 

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• how the books we read as children can impact us for life
• the unique way that books transport us
• how books can serve as “functional souvenirs” (the best kind!)

I also answer a listener question about organizing personal vs family books, and how I decide if a book should become part of our permanent collection. (The book I mention in this part is Outside Your Window by Nicola Davies and Mark Hearld.)

Find the rest of the show notes at readaloudrevival.com/133/.

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

This year at Read Aloud Revival, we’re focusing on reading for joy.

It’s so easy for reading to become another thing on your to-do list, but when we make reading a source of joy, of respite from our busy lives, it’s like running into a clear creek on a hot, dusty hike. Nurturing your reading life nurtures you, which in turn helps us be better moms, better homeschoolers, better parents, better women.

Today I’m joined by Jennifer Pepito, creator of The Peaceful Press, which offers fabulous curriculum for homeschoolers, and she is the author of our spring RAR Premium Mama Book Club pick, Mothering by the Book: The Power of Reading Aloud to Overcome Fear and Recapture Joy.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How fiction can teach us as much about parenting our kids as a bevy of parenting manuals
• Why connecting with your kids is the heart of homeschooling
• Finding the balance between giving your all to mothering and letting go of the outcomes

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/how-books-make-us-better-moms

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

If you’ve got teens (or kids who will be teens before you know it), this episode is for you.

We’re talking about books for teens, and why the YA/teen section of your library or bookstore is not a reading level.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

•  what YA is and what it isn’t
• a few issues with YA/teen books
• whether it’s essential for teens to read YA on the way to adulthood

Of course, I’m also going to recommend some books… because that’s what we do best around here!

Find the rest of the show notes at readaloudrevival.com/132/

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

3 . . . 2 . . . 1 . . . Blast off! 🚀🌒

If you’re looking for picture books about the moon landing, you’re in the right place!

July 20, 2019, marks the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar mission, and we’ve got the list of books to celebrate it! 

These books are for all ages and will help your family learn and celebrate together.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• how (and why) to share picture books with your older kids
• a little about why back matter … matters! 
• a few of my favorite moon-themed books

I also answer a listener question about helping your library get connected with the Read-Aloud Revival. (hint: we have a kit for that!)

Find the rest of the show notes at readaloudrevival.com/131/

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

In our culture today, is reading aloud an ‘obstinate act of love?’

Meghan Cox Gurdon, this week’s guest and author of The Enchanted Hour, believes so.

Meghan is the Wall Street Journal’s children’s book reviewer and says her five kids were a built-in focus group.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• the power of reading books again and again
• the value of conversations around books
• is reading aloud real reading?

I also answer a listener question about how to continue reading aloud throughout the summer when schedules are wonky, and share some of my favorite audio books for preschool-age children.

Find the rest of the show notes at readaloudrevival.com/130/

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

In this episode we welcome back Jim Weiss, master storyteller and a voice so many of us recognize.

This is a fantastic episode to enjoy with your kids, because Jim tells us two stories during the show: Stone Soup and a tale of Sherlock Holmes, The Mazarin Stone.

Gather everyone ’round and enjoy!

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Jim’s two rules for telling our children stories (you’ll love them)
• How to handle interruptions… and how to clarify what’s happening in a story without “breaking character”
• Why you’re probably better at reading aloud than you realize…

Find the rest of the show notes at readaloudrevival.com/129/

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

Are you an introvert or an extrovert?

On this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, Jamie Martin from Simple Homeschool is here to chat about being an introverted mom.

Sarah is an extrovert, so we’re comparing what fills us up, what depletes us, and how we can find more calm, less guilt, and quiet joy in mothering– which I think is what we all long for, no matter our personality type.

Of course, we also talk books! Some of our favorite authors were introverts (Lucy Maud Montgomery, anyone?), and Jamie and I can’t help but talk about our favorite books whenever we get together.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How to find more calm and less guilt as a mama (yes please, right?)
• The unique challenges that introvert and extrovert moms both face
• Wisdom from some of your favorite authors (if your favorite authors happened to write books like Anne of Green Gables and Little Women, that is)

I also answer a listener question about choosing books for very sensitive kids.

Find the rest of the show notes at: https://readaloudrevival.com/127/

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

This week I’m sharing the second part of a Read-Aloud Revival Premium Master Class all about helping our kids love books by treating their reading lives more like we treat our own.

If you want something better than book reports or reading comprehension sheets for your kids, you’re in the right place. 

If you’re wondering whether you need to do literary analysis (and how to do it without killing your child’s love of the book), you’re in the right place.

If you want your kids to read because they love to (and not because they have to), you’re in the right place. 

This is the second half of this master class. Listen to the first half here. (You don’t have to listen to the first half to understand the second, but you probably want to!)

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• What it looks like for kids to be real readers
• What most of us are getting wrong when it comes to “teaching” literature to our kids
• Do your kids need literary analysis? And what should that look like, anyway?

I also answer a listener question about … how to know when your child is ready to learn to read.

More free resources and booklists

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/126/

Join us for RAR's Summer Adventure. 

In today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival Podcast, I’m sharing a master class straight out of Read-Aloud Revival Premium about how to create a book club culture in your home.

For most of us, the books we read for school growing up were not the same books we read under our covers with a flashlight past our bedtime.

But we can do something better.

We can invite our kids into a reading experience that will help them fall in love with books and become readers for life.

Less like school, more like your favorite book club.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• the importance of knowing WHY you want to raise readers
• how to nurture and protect your kids’ love of reading
• why reading is not broccoli 🥦🤨

I also answer a listener question about… what to do when your kids lose interest part-way through a book…

Find the rest of the show notes at readaloudrevival.com/125/