Pages and Play Podcast

children's books, ambition, leadership, personal development, confidence, generational role models, empowerment, storytelling, education, mindset summaryIn this episode of Pages and Play, hosts Dara and Nanny Miss Monique engage with Crystal Gale Crawford, founder of Hey Crystal Gal Consulting, to explore the themes of ambition, confidence, and the importance of generational role models through th...

Keywords children's books, family, care work, parenting, Fair Play, equity, chores, home, love, education Summary In this episode of Pages and Play, hosts Nanny Miss Monique and Dara welcome Lori Sugarman-Li, author of 'Our Home: The Love, Work, and Heart of Family.' They discuss the importance of recognizing care work, the inspiration behind the book, and how to reframe chores as acts of love. Lo...

    🎧 Today’s Guest Drew Vernon — Marketing Director at Tonies and leader of Tonies Education. Drew partners with schools, libraries, and literacy advocates (including LeVar Burton!) to bring stories, play, and learning to kids in creative, hands-on, screen-free ways.

In this episode of Pages and Play, Nanny Miss Monique and Dara sit down with children’s author Josh Funk to talk about what makes a story truly connect with kids. Josh is known for creating playful, smart books filled with humor, mystery, and sharp wordplay that keep children engaged and adults entertained during read-alouds. The conversation explores how storytelling shapes early literacy and emo...

Keywords Gabby's Dollhouse, MerCat, children's education, voice acting, self-care, STEM, inclusivity, imagination, childhood development, Secunda Wood Summary In this episode of Pages and Play, hosts Monique and Dara welcome Secunda Wood, the voice of MerCat from Gabby's Dollhouse. They explore the importance of storytelling in children's education, the magic of science, and the significance of se...

Keywords children's literature, identity, self-love, diversity, phonics, storytelling, confidence, names, representation, creativity Summary In this engaging conversation, Dara and Nanny Miss Monique explore the importance of names, identity, and self-love through the lens of children's literature. They discuss the practical magic activity 'My Name Parade' that helps children connect with their na...

🎧 Episode Title   📝 Show Notes   In this special Pages & Play episode, Monique and Dara sit down with Stephen from Vital Theatre Company to talk about Pinkalicious The Musical — the award-winning family production that brings the beloved storybook to life on stage. They explore how theater sparks imagination, what goes into adapting a children’s favorite, and why live performance still matte...

In this engaging conversation, Nanny Miss Monique and Dara explore the world of children's literature, focusing on the beloved character Pinkalicious. They discuss how stories can facilitate learning and development in young children, emphasizing the importance of play, creativity, and problem-solving. Victoria, the creator of Pinkalicious, shares insights into her writing process, the themes of h...