FVRL ReadRadio Podcast

In this week's podcast, Sally shares some fun books and resources to help you start your own art project: Drawing Class — Animals: Learn to Draw With Simple Shapes and Online Tutorials by Keegyum Kim https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1899073 Easy Paper Crafts for Kids: 45 Fun and Creative Projects for Children Aged 5 Years+ by Catherine Woram https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21...

April is Poetry Month! In today’s podcast, Sally shares some terrific books of poetry – written especially for kids: Rainbow Shoes by Tiffany Stone https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1629212 Remember by Joy Harjo https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1889826 My Head Has a Bellyache — and More Nonsense for Mischievous Kids and Immature Grown-Ups by Chris Harris https://fvrl.biblioc...

In today’s podcast, Sally shares four board books that she and her little one love reading together: Good Night World: Animals of the Native Northwest https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1586065 Ten Little Lambs by Samantha Meridith https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1915687 Stay My Baby by Lana Button https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1898937 Ooo, Baby Baby! A Little...

In this episode of ReadRadio, Kaori introduces listeners to This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub. On the eve of her 40th birthday, Alice's life isn't terrible. She likes her job, even if it isn't exactly the one she expected. She's happy with her apartment, her romantic status, her independence, and she adores her lifelong best friend. But her father is ailing, and it feels to her as if something is...

In this week’s podcast, Jessica and Charlotte share Listen for the Lie, a fun murder mystery thriller by Amy Tintera. What would you do if you thought you murdered your best friend? And if everyone else thinks so too? What if the truth doesn't matter? As Lucy Chase's Texas hometown begins to tell versions of what happened and who Lucy is to a nationwide, true crime-obsessed audience, at the beques...

Today, Sally shares her latest five-star read: the dark gothic fantasy Starling House by Alix E. Harrow. Opal, a cashier and high school drop-out, takes a job as a housekeeper at a mysterious, foreboding mansion called Starling House in the small town of Eden, Kentucky. Opal must uncover the dark secrets of the house and its reclusive heir, Arthur Starling, as sinister forces threaten the town and...

Today Sally shares a story about a very smart, very woolly, very friendly sheep. It's called One Smart Sheep by Gary D. Schmidt. Wilson is a curious sheep, and after he foolishly climbs into the back of a piano movers' truck, he ends up alone in the big city, far from the farm. But Wilson is also one smart sheep, and soon enough he's finding his way home to his worried owner by recognizing the sou...

In today’s ReadRadio podcast, Jessica shares two spicy Viking romantasy titles by Canadian authors: A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1915901 The Road of Bones by Demi Winters https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1941925

In this episode of Kids' Read Radio Deanna interviews author Joan Marie Galat. Her book Mortimer: Rat Race to Space is one of the selections for the 2024/2025 Reading Link Challenge. A spot on the International Space Station (ISS) has opened up, and Mortimer, the journal-keeping lab rat, is not about to miss his chance to become an intergalactic space rat. And that's just the first step in his mas...

Today, we have a very special episode of ReadRadio podcast. FVRL Events Specialist Deanna interviews Canadian author Beka Shane Denter. They are joined by several of the remarkable women profiled in Beka’s new book, Bloom Across Canada: • Kim Taylor — Potter and Photographer (Gabriola Island BC) • Carla Tak — Painter, Parker Street Studios (Vancouver BC) • Mallory Tolcher — Visual Arts Athletic Ar...

In this episode of Kids' Read Radio, Sally shares her fascination with birds. Listen to learn about FVRL's Birdwatching Backpacks and a fascinating non-fiction title about birds: Listen to the Birds by Donald E. Kroodsma Discover North America's birds and their varied and beautiful songs with this informative, brightly illustrated picture book and its easy-to-use app. Take a dawn walk through the...

In today’s podcast, Sally shares her favourite picture books to read aloud at library Storytime — and to her own little one at home. Joy by Yasmeen Ismail https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1818650 If You Plant a Seed by Kadir Nelson https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1685490 Sheep Go to Sleep by Nancy Shaw https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1686228 We All Play by Jul...

In today's podcast, Charlotte shares a fantastic read for kids ages 8 and up: The Luminous Life of Lucy Landry by Anna Rose Johnson. Lucy, a spirited French-Ojibwe orphan, is sent to the stormy waters of Lake Superior to live with a mysterious family of lighthouse-keepers-and, she hopes, to find the legendary necklace her father spent his life seeking. Find the title in the FVRL collection: https:...

In today’s podcast, Deanna tells us about Family Literacy Day 2025 and the contest we’re hosting at all 25 FVRL locations and online. Enter to win one of these two books celebrating this year’s theme: “Learn to Be Green, Together.” You can also borrow these titles from the FVRL collection. Ride Beside Me by Lucy Knisley — A mother and son hop on their bike for a ride through the neighbourhood, joi...

In this episode of Read Radio, listeners learn about Cue the Sun, an exploration of Reality TV. From beloved New Yorker TV critic Emily Nussbaum comes a groundbreaking narrative detailing the fights, egos, drama and future presidents of reality television. Cue the Sun is a rollicking, deeply reported story about how the early reality TV business metastasized into an industry that now dominates ent...

In this episode, Brenna tells listeners about the middle school graphic novel Brave by Svetlana Chmakova. In his daydreams, Jensen is the biggest hero that ever was, saving the world and his friends on a daily basis. But his middle school reality is VERY different — math is hard, getting along with friends is hard ... Even finding a partner for the class project is a big problem when you always ge...

In this episode of Read Radio, Margarita tells listeners about the gothic romance Gothikana by RuNyx. An outcast her entire life, Corvina Clemm is left adrift after losing her mother. When she receives the admission letter from the mysterious University of Verenmore, she accepts it as a sign from the universe. The last thing she expects, though, is an old, secluded castle on top of a mountain ridd...

Did you know you don’t have to wait until you’re a grownup to start cooking? In today’s podcast, Mieke shares five cookbooks for kids. They are full of easy recipes and come with great pictures! Learn to Cook: 35 Fun and Easy Recipes for Children Aged 7 Years + https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C1880882 America’s Test Kitchen: The Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs https://fvrl.bibliocomm...

Jessica reviews Rose Sutherland's historical novel, A Sweet Sting of Salt. Once a young woman uncovers a dark secret about her neighbour and his mysterious new wife, she’ll have to fight to keep herself — and the woman she loves — safe in this stunning queer reimagining of the classic folktale The Selkie Wife. Find this title in the FVRL collection: https://fvrl.bibliocommons.com/v2/record/S21C192...

In this episode of Kids Read Radio, Sally tells listeners about a first chapter book mystery series by Dori Hillestad Butler: King and Kayla. In King & Kayla and the Case of the Missing Dog Treats: Kayla makes special dog cookie treats for her friend’s new puppy, but they went missing and her dog King is the key suspect. But the facts just aren’t adding up! King and Kayla have to work as a team to...

November 2 to 8 is Climate Action Week. This week, public libraries are raising awareness of climate change-related challenges and emergencies facing our communities. In today’s podcast, Chris and Jessica share some book suggestions that will help you become a climate action hero. These include: • Cranky Uncle Vs. Climate Change: How to Understand and Respond to Climate Science Deniers by John Coo...

In this episode of Kids' ReadRadio, Jessica makes the BIG announcement you’ve all been waiting for: the 2024–2025 Reading Link Challenge book list! She introduces listeners to the main characters of each book and the stories you’re about to fall in love with. Ready, set, read! The books are: 1. Accidental Trouble Magnet by Zanib Mian 2. The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau 3. Dogtown by Katherine Ap...

In this episode of Read Radio, Sally discusses Stephen Graham Jones' thought-provoking horror trilogy, Indian Lake. In her quickly gentrifying rural lake town, Jade sees recent events only her encyclopedic knowledge of horror films could have prepared her for. The trilogy includes the titles My Heart Is a Chainsaw, Don't Fear the Reaper, and The Angel of Indian Lake. Find these titles in the FVRL...

In today's podcast, Sally tells us about three of her favourite easy reader series. These books are great if you're just starting to learn to read on your own or with a little help: Amelia Bedelia by Herman Parish Danny and the Dinosaur by Bruce Hale Mr. Putter & Tabby by Cynthia Rylant

This episode of Read Radio explores The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali, an emotional read about long lost love with historical elements. The Stationery Shop is a poignant tale set against the backdrop of 1950s Tehran, exploring love, loss and the enduring power of memories. The story follows Roya, a young woman who falls in love with Bahman in a quaint stationery shop filled with dreams and hope...