Read-aloud Revival

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!)

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/.

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 htt

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/.

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/.