Read-aloud Revival

I think it’s fair to say this is my favorite episode of the podcast we’ve ever done. You probably know Katherine Paterson as the author of books like Bridge to Terabithia, Jacob Have I Loved and the Great Gilly Hopkins, but if you’re not familiar with her essays about writing for children, you’re about to have your socks knocked off.The way Ms. Paterson thinks about reading and writing books for kids blows me away. I’m in awe.In this episode, you’ll hear: what she really thinks when she hears that parents/teachers are using books to improve or help their kids how to figure out what a book actually “means” how reading allows us a unique privilege to ‘eavesdrop on the soul’ Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/81/.

What do you give as gifts for young readers? (Besides books, of course!) Here’s a whole list of gift ideas for the young readers in your life.In this episode, you’ll hear Great gift ideas for babies through teens Ideas beyond books – games, book accessories, puzzles, posters, shirts and more Ways to help kids make books their own, and begin to identify as readers Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/80/.

What should we look for when we’re choosing books for our children?It’s as easy at 7 points, as you’ll hear in this episode with Sarita Holzmann of Sonlight Curriculum.Sarita is a veteran homeschool mom and book lover.In this episode, you’ll hear: how her son went from struggling reader to Valedictorian all about her 7-point all-star test for books book recommendations that your kids will love and remember long after they leave home Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/79/.

Once upon a time, I said we didn’t love treasuries at our house. Welllll … its time to eat some crow.Lately, we’ve been reading lots of picture book treasuries, and we are LOVING THEM. They are perfect for longer reading sessions,  for taking on errands when you know you’ll be sitting in waiting rooms, and for building your family’s library with quality books on a budget.In this episode, you’ll hear: our very favorite collections – which treasuries we’re loving most (and which have added extras like audio downloads, CDs or even recipes!) gift ideas for your favorite young readers my biggest tip for choosing treasuries that your family will love Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/78/.

Scholastic’s Kids and Family Reading Report is a national survey of children ages 6–17 and their parents that explores attitudes and behaviors around books and reading.In this episode, I’m joined by author, Vice President, and Editor-at-Large at Scholastic, Andrea Davis Pinkney. We talk about what the most recent report means for us as parents–and there’s a lot for us in there!In this episode, you’ll hear: why we need to build home libraries, and how to do that without breaking the bank what kids are really hoping they’ll find in the books they read how to make our kids readers for life (listen until the end for five ‘Reading Resolutions’) Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/77/.

What do you do when reading aloud doesn’t work out exactly how you hoped?Maybe your kids are arguing or you’re falling asleep …But you know how valuable it is to read aloud, so what can you do?In this episode, you’ll hear: 5 ways to make reading aloud enjoyable for everyone (even you! even if you normally get tired!) how to keep sibling bickering at bay and toddlers busy so that you can read more why 10 minutes of reading aloud is enough (it really is. promise.) Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/76/.

It can be challenging to keep track of the books our kids read, right?But if we want to grow a family of readers, we kind of need to have a system that actually works! So today I’m sharing about our simple reading journals. how to create a treasured list of books your kids read at any age how to make sure reading journals don’t impede your kids’ reading, but rather create delight (and help our children connect with books) Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/75/.

This might be our shortest-ever episode, but also one of the most important. It’s all about what matters most.Today I’m talking about how we can make a simple choice that will make a *huge* impact on our kids and families.In this episode, you’ll hear: how to figure out what matters most, even when we are DEEP in the trenches of parenting how to help our kids form strong sibling bonds making sure that even when life is hard, we get to the most important thing of all Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/74/.

Does your read-aloud time ever devolve into chaos? Do you spend just as much time asking your kids to sit still as you do actually reading?In this episode, I’m talking about how we can modify our expectations just a bit to make read-aloud time more successful.Many kids listen better when they’re doing something with their hands (listen to Dr. Michael Gurian talk about that right here).In this episode, you’ll hear: how to keep your kids at read-aloud time longer why it’s absolutely OK for kids to be “busy” during read-aloud time what kids of all different ages can do while you read aloud Consider this episode your permission slip for making read-aloud moments easier on you, and happier for your kids.Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/73/.

Bad days – we all have them, right? We can’t really avoid that, but we can have a strategy tucked into our pocket- a simple strategy that will help us save a bad day.As a mama of 6 kids – preschool through high school – I sure do. So today, I’m talking how to save those no good, very bad days!

Caroline Starr Rose is back, and she’s joining me today to talk about her historical fiction, plus she’s sharing inspiration for young authors and tips for introducing novels in verse to our kids.In this episode, you’ll hear: the picture book she wrote about the wetlands after Hurricane Katrina what research looks like for a historical fiction author 4 novels in verse to share with younger children the book Sarah read-aloud… to herself! Kids will be so inspired to hear about Caroline’s research and writing process, so gather ’round!Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/71/.

Today I’m addressing a question I get ALL THE TIME – how to find time to read.How do we cultivate a reading life in the midst of parenting, life, and other general busyness? In this episode I’m addressing the best ways I have found to fit more reading into my life.I’m sharing my favorite tips. If you enjoy this episode, you’ll also like Episode 119 with Anne Bogel, Cultivating Your Own Reading Life.In this episode, you’ll hear: why we need to prioritize our own reading and let our kids “catch” us reading often what you can trade-off for reading how to find “surprise pockets” for reading which time of day I use to get the bulk of my reading in Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/70/.

This is one of the most delightful conversations we’ve ever had on the Read-Aloud Revival podcast!I’m talking today with Helen Oxenbury, author and illustrator, about creating picture books – from where she gets her ideas, to the supplies she uses to draw animals (and the cutest darn babies around) and more.In this episode, you’ll hear: which books Helen read to her own 3 children what it’s been like working with her husband, author and illustrator John Burningham (the creator of the Mr. Gumpy series) how Helen chooses different media to create atmosphere in her beautiful books Grab the kids for this one – Helen is sharing tips for young illustrators in this absolutely charming discussion.Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/69/.

Are you unsure of what to read aloud with teens? Do you ever get a little overwhelmed looking through the YA section at your local bookstore or library? Not to worry. I’m here today with 5 (OK, plus one more!) books to read with your teens.In this episode, you’ll hear: a book that helped me fill up my reading journal with meaningful quotes the one I’d change the title and cover of, if I could and two books that are so good on audio, you and your teen might end up driving around the block a time or two! Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/68/.

Hold on to your hats everyone – I am sharing one of my very favorite middle grade series in this episode. I’m chatting with both my daughter Allison and someone who just might be my favorite living author, Jonathan Rogers.Jonathan is author of the fantastic Winderking series, which has been described as a cross between Tolkien and Twain.In this episode, you’ll hear: whether characters in books should serve as role models… or not the way stories inspire us to live a better story ourselves how Narnia tells more truth than a non-fiction book Plus, Allison asks Jonathan about writing his trilogy, and he tells a great story about the origin of some of his characters. You don’t want to miss it!Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/67/.

Here at the Read-Aloud Revival, we are BIG FANS of audio books, but we get asked all the time: “Do audio books count as real read alouds?”In today’s brand new episode of the podcast, I’m answering that question. In this episode, you’ll hear: whether or not audio books count as real reading where and how to listen (either alone or as a family) where I get the best deals on audio books Audio books absolutely aren’t cheating, and I’m here today with your quick guide for getting started!Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/66/.

Do you make the best use of the resources available to you at your local library? Or do you even know all of what your library can do for you?You’re not alone if the answer to either of those questions is “no.” Today I’m talking to Amy Commers, a Youth Services Librarian in Minnesota, about how you can get the most from (and give the most support to) your local library.In this episode, you’ll hear: putting tons of books on hold – it’s OK! navigating YA and how to make your library even better! Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/65-2/.

Today you’re in for a treat… I’ve got an exclusive interview between New York Times bestselling author, Jeanne Birdsall (The Penderwicks series) and best-selling author, N.D. Wilson (100 Cupboards, Outlaws of Time, and others).Jeanne and N.D. are good friends, and in this interview held at Anderson Bookshop in Illinois, they talk about: why their books are more alike than you might think the author who inspires both of their books what they really hope to do for kids with the stories they tell Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/birdsall-wilson/.

Before Laura Martin ever authored her amazing Edge of Extinction series, she was a middle school language arts teacher. And her specialty was helping kids resistant to reading fall in love with books.In this episode, you’ll hear: some of her favorite tips to get your kids not just reading more, but really loving books ideas for organizing books by genre and helping your children create a “someday list.” and why kids who want to be writers should be listening to more books than they’re reading Plus: a couple of my kids make an appearance in this episode. They are the ones responsible for introducing me to this fabulous series, after all!Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/64/.

The first time Nancy Carpentier Brown read G.K. Chesterton’s work, she didn’t just hate it – she actually burned the book!But things certainly changed. Nancy now not only works with the American Chesterton Society, she is a leading expert on Frances Chesterton, and a much-requested speaker on both Gilbert and Frances Chesterton.She’s also the author of The Father Brown Reader I and II, The Chestertons and the Golden Key, and The Woman Who Was Chesterton.In this episode, you’ll hear: about introducing kids Chesterton and his work learning more about Chesterton yourself as a parent where to start when you’re overwhelmed! Also: I may have possibly read aloud during this episode. And even whipped out my British accent to do it. Maybe. Possibly. ;)Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/63/.