Read-aloud Revival

We’re all on board with reading picture books to our younger kids, but that has to stop at some point, right?Ohhhhhh no. No, it does not. What do our kids stand to gain… and how on earth can we read picture books with older kids and teens? A lot. Here at RAR, we’re always saying that there is nothing a novel can give your kids that a picture book can’t. Honestly, a picture book might just be able to do it better, with an art gallery to match.In this episode, we’re breaking down how to get big kids and teens on board with reading picture books, what they can gain from them, and we’re also sharing some book ideas we think they’ll love.In this episode, you’ll hear: No such thing as reading levels for picture books – and what this means for you Strategies for inviting teens into exploring picture books Recommendations for big kids and teens (

Last time on the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, we talked about what happens (and what our kids gain) when we read aloud a book a day. In this episode, we’re digging in to how to look closely at a picture book—how to see what we might otherwise miss. You may be surprised at how much is there in a picture book, just waiting to be seen and heard!No lesson plans are needed. Just you, your kid(s), a book plucked from your shelf. Ready? Let’s do this.In this episode, you’ll hear: What about just reading, and not doing anything extra? How open-ended questions change the reading experience for everyone How to look at a picture book in a brand new way Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/179/.

What would happen if we read a book a day with our kids?That’s the idea we’re exploring today in a brand new episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast. And we’re also issuing a challenge: we dare you to read a picture book a day with your kids – for a week, a month… or more. And you’ll even hear some profound insights, like how a good picture book is like a baked potato.

In today’s Special Edition of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, you’ll meet the man behind Make Way for Ducklings. Robert McCloskey was the first to win two Caldecott Awards, and his books are arguably among the most celebrated picture books of all time.His most popular picture book wouldn’t stay on the page, either. His ducks became permanent sculptures fixed in Boston Public Garden, and even made a way for international diplomacy as part of the START Treaty between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. in 1991. A picture book is a powerful piece of art. In this episode, you’ll hear: what it was like having Robert McCloskey for a Dad  one of the hardest parts of his life as a successful artist what his picture books gave the world Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/special-edition-robert-mccloskey/.

Science is everywhere. It’s in everything we do, everything we see. And yes, everything we read. Books offer a delightful opportunity to talk about science, both through their illustrations and their text. We just need to know a few things to look for and a few questions to ask. Today we’ll find out how to think like a scientist, and how to teach our kids to do the same.I invited two professors from St. Michael’s College to teach us all about cross-cutting scientific concepts within picture books. Dr. Valerie Bang-Jensen is the Department Chair and Professor of Education at St. Michael’s College in Vermont. She’s an expert in children’s literature and literacy. Dr. Mark Lubkowitz is a molecular biologist and the Chair and Professor of Biology at St. Michael’s.In this episode, you’ll hear: What it means to “think like a scientist” How to find scientific concepts in every book you read How to use cross-cutting concepts to teach young scientists of all ages Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrev

Is homeschooling with dyslexia a good idea? Can dyslexic students thrive, even if the parents aren’t specialists (or even certified teachers)?Let’s be clear: absolutely, yes. You can homeschool your dyslexic kids, and you’ll do a darn good job of it, too. Today on the podcast, Marianne Sunderland from Homeschooling with Dyslexia is back to talk about the nitty gritty details of teaching children who learn differently. Marianne has homeschooled eight kids (seven are dyslexic). In this episode, she gives us the low-down on teaching dyslexic kids at home, which resources to use, and when to ask for help. In this episode, you’ll hear: How to teach dyslexic children  Why Orton-Gillingham works to teach dyslexic kids how to read Whether or not to get your child tested and officially diagnosed  Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/176/.

Is my child dyslexic? And if so, what should I do about it? It’s one of the things we’re asked about most here at Read-Aloud Revival, and no wonder. When our kids struggle to learn to read, we worry. Dyslexia is extremely common, and is very often misunderstood. Today, we’re going to talk about the signs of dyslexia, and what to do if you think your child may be dyslexic.If you’ve ever wondered whether your child is a “late bloomer” or might be struggling with a learning difference, you’re in the right place.Marianne Sunderland from Homeschooling with Dyslexia is here to give us the lowdown.In this episode, you’ll hear: Does my child have dyslexia? Here’s how to know… What we get wrong about dyslexia  Which reading curriculum is best for dyslexic learners  Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/175/.

Every year, the RAR team gathers to watch the American Library Association (ALA) Youth Media Awards. Once, we went in person (!) but the past two years, we’ve watched together from home and texted each other like mad the whole time.The awards have a way of bringing out BIG feelings. These are basically the Oscars for children’s books, and as you’ll hear, we have a few Opinions (with a capital O), here at RAR. Ahem.

Ready to dive into a little brain science? Today, we’re discovering what happens in your child’s brain when you read aloud.This is probably not a surprise, but… A LOT is happening. Dr. John Hutton of the Reading and Literacy Center at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital is joining me to break this down. I love how he puts it in the beginning of this episode: that scientists are using fancy methods to verify what we already know – that reading aloud is good for our kids.Want to know what happens in your child’s brain when you read aloud? You’re in the right place.In this episode, you'll hear: how the brain actually reads the immense value of dialogic reading (don’t worry – you’re already doing this!) how reading aloud “primes” the brain for reading independently Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/173/.

Learning to read can be hard. And when our kids are still learning to read fluently and well, helping them fall in love with books can feel impossible.But it doesn’t have to be that way. In today’s episode, I’m going to show you how to help your kids fall in love with stories, and tell you why it will help them more to keep reading aloud than to cram in another long phonics lesson.In this episode, you'll hear: a reminder that learning to read is a little like climbing a mountain! ⛰️ the key to getting our kids reading (hint: it’s NOT endless phonics practice) how to become a book match-maker for your child Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/172/.

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/.

Check out our updated booklists at readaloudrevival.com/recommends, or text BOOKS to 33777 and we'll send them straight to your phone.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

Check out our updated booklists at readaloudrevival.com/recommends, or text BOOKS to 33777 and we'll send them straight to your phone.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 rhy

Check out our updated booklists at readaloudrevival.com/recommends, or text BOOKS to 33777 and we'll send them straight to your phone.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/. Order While Everyone is Sleeping at waxwingbooks.com

Check out our updated booklists at readaloudrevival.com/recommends, or text BOOKS to 33777 and we'll send them straight to your phone.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/. Order While Everyone is Sleeping at waxwingbooks.com

Check out our updated booklists at readaloudrevival.com/recommends, or text BOOKS to 33777 and we'll send them straight to your phone.In today’s episode, we’re talking about how to talk with your kids about books. Specifically, we’re talking about open-ended questions, which you’ve probably heard us talk about before here at Read-Aloud Revival.Open-ended questions are key to having conversations with your kids about anything they read, and anything you read together.But what exactly qualifies as an open-ended question, and why do they work?In this episode, I’m breaking down: How to make book conversation a habit How open ended questions are a form of narration How to talk about books even if you haven’t read them yourself Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/166/. Order While Everyone is Sleeping at waxwingbooks.com

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 t

Check out our updated booklists at readaloudrevival.com/recommends, or text BOOKS to 33777 and we'll send them straight to your phone.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/. Order While Everyone is Sleeping at waxwingbooks.com

Check out our updated booklists at readaloudrevival.com/recommends, or text BOOKS to 33777 and we'll send them straight to your phone.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

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://readaloudreviva