Read-aloud Revival

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

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.

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/.

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

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/.

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/.

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/.

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/.

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

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/.

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/.

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/.

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 qu

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/.

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

Math....are your palms sweating yet?

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!)