Read-aloud Revival

I ‘ve got a new favorite episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast. It’s no wonder, because in this episode, I’m having a conversation with Kate DiCamillo on reading aloud for connection.There is so much packed into this conversation.In this episode, you’ll hear:  what Kate really thinks when we ask our kids “what did the author mean?” how books help us jump into the Great Conversation (“unwittingly”, as she says) that stories are smarter than their authors… and what that means for readers Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/121/.

Today I’ve got a bonus episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast—a conversation with Douglas Gresham. Douglas is the stepson of C.S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia.In this episode, you’ll hear: what C.S. Lewis was really trying to do with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe what he wishes more people knew about his stepfather Patti Callahan’s new book, Becoming Mrs. Lewis–what he thinks and about its accuracy Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/bonus-narnia/.

I ‘m willing to bet you’re like me, and relationships with your kids matter more to you than just about anything else.But we’re all pulled in a million directions. We’re all short on time.You know what, though?I think it’s easier than we think to focus on what matters most.Today I am sharing 3 simple ways to strengthen your relationships with your kids this year. Not one of these is complicated, cumbersome, or expensive.Because nurturing our relationships with our kids is within reach this year, no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in.In this episode, you’ll hear:  3 simple ways to focus on what matters most this year how to get out of your own way some wonderful resources that will make it easy for you to build meaningful connections with your family ⬅︎ (you want to hear about these) Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/120/.

Reading books together as a family is the best way to connect. We connect with each other, with the books we read, and with the big ideas we encounter there.In fact, there are four steps I like best when it comes to sharing books with our kids: Read aloud Share an experience around the book Talk about it Meet the author or illustrator Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/snowflake/.

Would you like to read more in the new year? I don’t mean reading to your kids. I mean reading for you.Many of us want to read more, but we’re not sure how to make that happen. We feel like we can’t fit it in, or maybe we even feel guilty when we sit down to read something just for fun.This episode is just what you need! I’m chatting with Anne Bogel from Modern Mrs. Darcy, author of I’d Rather Be Reading.In this episode, you’ll hear: why it’s OK to prioritize your reading life how to read more (hint: we all have a bit more time than we think) why it’s just fine to quit a book that is causing a block Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/119/.

In today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival, I’m answering your questions.In this episode, you’ll hear:  What to read after the Little House on the Prairie books My teen daughters’ favorite books Whether re-reading/re-listening is OK How to make sure younger kids don’t miss out on childhood classics Tips for sharing books with Dads How I track the books we read … and more.Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/118/.

You’ve been asking for one, and this year, we made it for you: a booklist of Christmas novels to read aloud.If you’re looking for stories that will shape and form your Advent and Christmas season, you’re in exactly the right place.On this brand new podcast episode, I’m sharing my favorite Christmas novels (and short stories, too) to read with your kids.In this episode, you’ll hear: which books to read with your kids all through December books that will appeal to the youngest kids and the “biggest kids” (you? Grandpa?) ;) one absolute favorite series that you should just grab right this minute Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/117/.

We say it often here at the Read-Aloud Revival: sharing books with our kids is all about connection. This is true for all ages, but today we’re especially going to talk about the importance of reading aloud to babies.Our guest today goes so far as to say that our effectiveness as parents is in direct proportion to the strength of the bond that we have with our child. This is good stuff!In this new episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, Pam Leo shares her wisdom about connecting with babies and toddlers through books.In this episode, you’ll hear:  How connection = effectiveness in parenting Whether reading to babies really matters (spoiler alert: It does… a lot!) Favorite books for babies and toddlers Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/116/.

There’s a common mistake that most of us make while reading aloud. The good news is that it’s actually pretty easy to fix!There’s one very simple thing you can do right away that will make your read-alouds better. Not only will it help your kids understand books better, it will also make you enjoy the reading more.Don’t believe me? Give a listen and see what you think!In this episode, you’ll hear:  The quickest, simplest way to improve your read-alouds Why this tip is so powerful – I’m sharing an example so you can hear it for yourself A little bit about why so many of us fall into this mistake trap and how we can dodge it from now on Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/115/.

I met author, Susan Tan, face to face on my summer trip to Boston. Her middle-grade books about Cilla Lee-Jenkins have become favorites of mine to recommend, and she was every bit as fun as I thought she’d be!She’s also incredibly smart, and she’s writing wonderful books for our kids. On today’s Read-Aloud Revival podcast, Susan Tan and I talk about living a reading and writing life.This episode is for aspiring writers, those who want to see more kids reflected in literature, and anyone who loves a good story.(And pssst: If you and your kids love Ramona Quimby, you’re going to especially enjoy getting to know Cilla Lee-Jenkins.)In this episode, you’ll hear:  her experience learning to read and how that impacted her future career why kids need books that reflect their reality her writing process … and you don’t want to miss this. It’s… quirky.

We picture all of our darling children curled around us, listening happily as we share a story together…BUT … What if we have toddlers and teens? Or just lots of kids with strong opinions?!Is there ANYTHING we can do?YES! Today’s episode is all about finding the read-aloud sweet spot when you have a wide range of ages in your family.In this episode, you’ll hear:  why you should ignore common advice when it comes to reading to a wide age span whether it’s OK to read under some of your kids’ reading level 15+ crowd-pleasing books that you and kids of varying ages will enjoy Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/113/.

You might have heard us say this before, but here at The Read-Aloud Revival, we believe that audio books count. Today we’re going behind the scenes to talk about how an audio book is made.In fact, we often prefer reading books on audio. Listening to a good book, well-read, is a wonderful way to fill your child’s life with beautiful language.In this episode of the podcast, I’m chatting with Lyssa Browne of Cedar House Audio Productions, about the process of making an audio book, voice acting and more.In this episode, you’ll hear: how to keep your voice strong when reading to your kids some of the tricks narrators use to create interesting voices all about my experience recording The Read-Aloud Family Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/112/.

Do your kids ever interrupt during read-aloud time? No? Just mine?

You might know S.D. Smith as the author of the Green Ember series of books. He also happens to be hilarious – which makes this episode so much fun!At all five Great Homeschool Conventions in 2018, Sarah Mackenzie interviewed S.D. Smith live on stage. At one point, he flipped the whole thing on its head and interviewed Sarah. Hilarity ensued, and somehow they even managed to have a bit of serious conversation.Plus a secret is revealed: Did you know that S.D. named a character in his books after Sarah?You get to hear the whole thing on today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast. You’ll hear: what it really means to write for children why the Read-Aloud Revival changed the name of its tagline what happened when Sarah met her “other favorite author” (scroll down for the photo that goes with that story!) Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/110/.

Most of us can’t travel the world with our kids. But that shouldn’t keep up us from traveling the world with them through books. Today on the Read-Aloud Revival Podcast, Rea Berg and I are talking about how to take your kids (of all ages) around the world through picture books.In this episode, you’ll hear:  why no one ‘grows past’ picture books the joy and accomplishment that comes with sharing a book with all ages how we can give our kids a heart for the world through carefully chosen books Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/109/.

If you’re looking to read books for ancient history studies with your kids this year, this booklist is for you. It’s a short list of delightful picture book read-alouds for the whole family. Why only picture books?Well… because picture books are worthwhile for everyone. Your high schooler is likely to enjoy these books every bit as much as your first grader. And I bet you’ll learn a thing or two, as you’re reading along. ;)If you happen to be short on time (am I the only one raising my hand here?), committing to reading aloud from a picture book is a whole lot easier than sitting down to read a novel or even a chapter book.Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/108/.

Dr. Michael Gurian is back! You may remember him from Episode 82 of the podcast, when he joined us to talk about the minds of boys (and why fidgeting is a good sign!).But today he is here to chat with us about the minds of girls.In this episode, you’ll hear: the unique learning challenges girls face (some of these might surprise you!) why we need to listen differently with our girls… and how to do that Is there really such a thing as ‘girl drama’? (ahem) Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/107/.

At the start of a new school year, we’re all full of hopes for a year that means something. We want our kids to encounter big ideas, learn new skills, read wonderful books, and come out the other side of the school year richer than they were going in.That’s why infusing your home with 3 C’s— Connection, Community, and Confidence, can be such a game-changer for family’s school year.When we feel to connected to our kids, supported by a community, and confident to teach from rest and lead our children well…… that’s when we have a school year that means something.A good school year is about our kids’ relationship with learning, and our kids’ relationship with us and with one another.In this episode, you’ll hear: how membership can replace your literature program – really! how to get your kids to seek out the very best books without pushing or forcing how to fill yourself up this year, so that you can better give back to your kids Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/106/.

Do you remember struggling through early reader books back when you were learning to read? Was it all Dick and Jane? Was it … boring?Think about this: nobody asks you now, as a grownup, how old you were when you became a fluent reader. Know why?Because nobody cares.What age your child is when s/he learns to read fluently (whether at age 4, or 7, or 9, or even older) doesn’t bear on their ability to read well later on. Early readers are not consistently better readers when they are adults.What does matter, though, (and it matters a LOT) is that your child’s thirst and desire for stories is not hampered by the reading process.We want our kids–even through the slog of learning to read (and yes, it can be a slog for a whole lot of us)–to know that reading is one of life’s sweetest delights.In this episode, you’ll hear: why reading aloud is critical at this stage of the game why your kids need to read words – lots and lots of words! – as they are learning to read (and how to help them get that) my suggestions for

I ‘m coming to you today with a simple tip that could make a HUGE difference in how often your kids pick up books for fun.In fact, it may seem *too* simple at first, so you’re going to have to try it for yourself!What is it? Put the books OUT. Face-out, I mean.Think about when you go to the library- are your eyes drawn to the picture book spines on the shelves, or to the face-out books on display?Do the same in your home and I bet you’ll be floored at how those covers will invite your kids to pick them up.A good book cover is simply an irresistible invitation to a child.In this episode, you’ll hear: the simplest way to get your kids to pick up more books on their own (and no, you don’t have to spend a cent or go back to the library again) how to keep the delight going week after week and how to make the most of the books you already own Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/104/.