Reading With Your Kids Podcast

In this episode, host Jed Doherty welcomes three picture-book creators to discuss culture, creativity, and belonging. Author Teresa Robeson and illustrator Ping Zhu introduce Animals of the Chinese Zodiac: Meet Your Match . The book shares facts and personality traits for the twelve zodiac animals, plus the legend explaining how they were chosen. Teresa reflects on sharing cultural stories with yo...

On this episode of Reading with Your Kids, guest host Madison Lucchesi welcomes author Teri Arvesú González to discuss The Stories We Inherit. What began as a letter to her son grew into a book honoring his graduation from Jesuit education and exploring nine generations of family history. Teri reflects on how we inherit both strengths—like resilience and courage—and limiting expectations. Her hope...

Reading With Yur Kids host Jed Doherty welcomes two guests to explore joy, storytelling, and place. First,  Watson Kawecki , interim executive director of Clowns Without Borders, describes the organization's work bringing performances, connection, and laughter to communities facing difficult circumstances. Its 13 active projects in 2026 span partnerships around the world, including refugee camps,...

Jed Doherty welcomes authors Carmen Rubin and Leslee Flanagan to explore how picture books connect children with history, family, and the world around them. Historian Carmen Rubin shares the story behind A Night for the Rice Carriers , honoring Yaya and Panza, West African women who hid rice in their braids while escaping enslavement. Their knowledge helped them survive and build new communities....

Joe Sutphin and Kevan Chandler joined host Jed Doherty to discuss creating their graphic novel adaptation of Winnie the Pooh. Joe explained that his earlier collaboration on Watership Down helped open the door to the project. He wanted Kevan as his writing partner, drawing on their close friendship and successful work together. Kevan, who grew up being read Winnie the Pooh, described joining the p...

In this episode, we celebrate two powerful picture books that help kids see their own strength, uniqueness, and courage. First, Jed chats with Dr. Tisha Shipley , educator and author of Writer's Magic Mark . Inspired by her nephew Ryder, who was born with a distinctive birthmark down his arm, Tisha's story turns that mark into something literally magical. In the book, Ryder's birthmark comes to li...

On this episode, we have a long and intense conversation with Keith Morgan, author of the adult biography Ruta's Closet, which tells the powerful true story of one Jewish family's survival during the Holocaust in Nazi-occupied Lithuania. Keith shares how the book—originally written for adults—has become a vital resource for teaching teens about this dark chapter of history, and how he's now workin...

In this episode, Jed welcomes back Angela Santomero , beloved creator behind Blue's Clues , Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood , and now the Princess Penelope's Purse of Preposterous Things book and YouTube series. Angela shares how Princess Penelope's adventures are designed to build critical thinking skills , kindness, and problem-solving in young kids—while still being totally silly and "preposterous....

In this episode, we're celebrating two very special books that help families and kids explore big ideas—through story, science, and faith. First, Jennifer Swanson returns to talk about her new nonfiction Christmas book, "Unto Us a Child Is Born: A Family Celebration of Christmas" (Workman Publishing) . Known for her STEM and STEAM books, Jennifer steps into faith-focused nonfiction for kids ages 8...

In this uplifting episode of Reading with Your Kids, we're celebrating kids' energy, voices, and rights through two powerful picture books and conversations with their inspiring creators. First, guest host and Emerson College journalism student Madison Lucchesi talks with Ruth Fleury, author of Hyper Kid, so they say. Ruth shares how her energetic son and her years as a kindergarten teacher inspir...

In this episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast, we're celebrating two very different – but beautifully connected – books that can spark powerful family conversations. First, Jed welcomes Denise Abdale, author of the back‑to‑school picture book "Jacob Gets Organized." Drawing on over 40 years as an educator and special education advocate, Denise explains what executive functioning skills rea...

In this inspiring episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast, Jed welcomes two wonderful guests whose picture books open the door to big, heartfelt family conversations. First, Jed chats with Erin Washington , author of I'm Just Like Me . Erin shares how her biracial, very tall 10‑year‑old daughter inspired the story after feeling different from her classmates. When Erin went looking for a pict...

This episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast is a joyful celebration of music, memory, and intergenerational connection, featuring two fantastic creators: Shadra Strickland and Celina Frenn. In the first half, Jed chats with Shadra about her vibrant new picture book, Here Comes the Band, a tribute to HBCU marching band culture. Shadra shares her own background in Atlanta's band scene and des...

In this lively episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed celebrates two fantastic picture books that blend heart, humor, and big feelings. First up we celebrate "Owl Capone" with debut author Christy Ewers and illustrator Rob Sayegh Jr. Christy shares how a lifelong fascination with classic gangster movies and Al Capone's quote, "Don't mistake my kindness for weakness," eventually hatched into Owl, t...

In this episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast, Jed welcomes back award-winning author and teacher Adriana Cuevas to celebrate her spooky new middle grade novel, Mischief and Monsters . Adriana explains what cryptids are—creatures born from mythology, urban legends, and local lore—and shares how each state, including her home state of Texas, seems to have its own mysterious monsters. Listen...

In this episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast, Jed welcomes the wildly inventive Gareth P. Jones , author of the Solve Your Own Mystery series. Gareth shares how he writes his twisty, choice-filled mysteries without a strict plan, often discovering the solution right alongside his readers. He talks about the joy and chaos of letting kids help shape the story—both on the page and in his liv...

In this uplifting episode of Reading with Your Kids, Jed welcomes author and literacy advocate Gina Casazza, whose journey from struggling student to children's book creator will resonate with kids and grownups alike. Gina shares how everything changed in eighth grade when she read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. Seeing herself in Ponyboy's story turned her from a reluctant reader into a "Rory Gilmo...

In this warm and wide–ranging episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes back two guest authors whose books celebrate culture, compassion, and kids with big feelings. First, Jy de la Vega returns to share her new early reader graphic novel, "Annalise: The Special Dish." Inspired by her own daughter, who is on the autism spectrum, J's story follows Annalise as she tries to create a "special" r...

Join Jed Doherty for a heartfelt, high-energy episode featuring two creators who are all about getting kids excited to read. First, Jed chats with Laura De La Cruz, author of the picture book Lowrider for Sale. Laura introduces us to Gabby, a determined eight-year-old devastated to find a "for sale" sign on her dad's beloved lowrider. Through Gabby's efforts to save the car, kids glimpse the richn...

On this episode of Reading With Your Kids, we're celebrating two wonderful graphic novels—starting with a deep dive into Shannon Hale's new middle grade graphic novel Dream Big . Joining Jed from an Airbnb in Utah , Shannon talks about the beauty and diversity of the U.S., her travels to schools and bookstores in at least 45 states , and what it's like to live life on the road with "book people."...

In this heartfelt episode, Jed welcomes back filmmaker and author David Soren to celebrate Visible: The Sort of True Story of a Not So Hidden Disease, the powerful follow-up to his middle grade novel Invisible. Drawing from his own experience growing up with Crohn's disease, David shares how his fictional stand-in, JJ Sugar, navigates life with his biker-beast disease, Norm, and how their relation...

In this heartfelt episode of the Reading With Your Kids podcast, Jed welcomes Daria , musician, teaching artist, and author of the joyful new picture book Cicada Sing Along . Drawing on decades of performing in schools, Daria and Jed celebrate the magic that happens when kids aren't just sitting and listening, but making music together —banging on drums, buzzing like cicadas, and discovering instr...

In this episode of the Reading With Your Kids podcast, Jed welcomes two inspiring picture book creators who are helping families nurture curiosity, confidence, and connection. First, Jed chats with Leah Wolf Hurst , an occupational therapist, yoga teacher, personal trainer, ergonomist, and mindfulness coach known as "The Wolf of Wellness." Leah introduces her picture book "Bob's Donuts for Breakfa...

In this lively episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast, Jed welcomes two wonderful guests whose picture books help kids feel seen, brave, and deeply connected to the world around them. First, Jed chats with Jalpa Vaidya Patel , licensed social worker and author of "Wizzy: The Worldly Tree: A Tale of Cultural Curiosity." Jalpa shares how her background in social work and Native American studi...

In this fun, fast-moving episode of Reading With Your Kids, we're heading to Eternia—by way of your family's favorite reading chair. Jed welcomes syndicated cartoonists Stephan Pastis and Will Henry to celebrate their hilarious new illustrated middle grade novel, The Adventures of He‑Man and Porter #1: Skeletor Ate My Homework. Stephan shares how Porter Avery's obsession with Masters of the Univer...