Reach Out and Read

Philanthropy touches our lives on a daily basis, but the decision-making process by those who hold the so-called 'purse strings' can be seemingly shrouded in secrecy. We talked to Dr. Katie Beckmann from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and Ira Hillman from the Einhorn Collaborative, who took us behind the scenes to help demystify the world of philanthropy.

Technology has been an indispensable tool during the pandemic, but how has the massive shift to an almost exclusively online life affected children?  Sal Khan, founder and CEO of Khan Academy, and Dr. Jenny Radesky, a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician and author of notable American Academy of Pediatrics statements on digital media, join us for a thoughtful, considered conversation on how to na...

An antidote to distraction in the modern age?  A way to build better brains through books?  Or simply a treasured memory of childhood — and parenting?  We discuss all these aspects of shared reading aloud with Meghan Cox Gurdon, the children's book reviewer for The Wall Street Journal, and author of "The Enchanted Hour".

One might think that investing in programs that meaningfully support children, families, and early learning can't possibly survive the "red tape" of government bureaucracy.  But when the right people with the right focus are involved, innovative and creative approaches can become a reality.  This week, we talk to Dr Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Servic...

Can you imagine reading aloud for an incredible 3,218 nights in a row?  Alice Ozma, author of "The Reading Promise", and her father Jim Brozina, a children's librarian, join us to talk about their remarkable adventure doing exactly this, lovingly known as "The Streak".  In the second half of the show, actor Kyliegh Curran has a special read-aloud treat for us, perfect for this festive season.

Jason Reynolds, novelist, poet, and the Library of Congress's National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, joins us in a far-ranging, sublime, and deeply honest conversation about the power of imagination, literature, and storytelling to allow America's youth to grow, to strive, and to reverse the ills of racism and beyond.

Reading aloud brings people together, and we thank every person who reads aloud to a child.  To mark this holiday devoted to giving thanks, we asked three children's authors — Traci Sorell, Ann Clare LeZotte, and Dr Sayantani DasGupta — to read aloud their own stories of gratitude.

Pulitzer prize winning journalist Nicholas Kristof has covered neglected social and economic welfare topics all over the world, but his most recent book, "Tightrope: Americans Reaching For Hope" is an exploration of poverty in America seen through a very personal lens – the community in which Nick grew up.  Strikingly, while many may focus on the importance of support for adults, rehabilitation, a...

We're joined by Mark Del Monte, CEO of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and Dr. Nate Chomilo, pediatrician and policy expert from Minnesota, to discuss how the world of policy affects the everyday lives of children and families — and the issues to keep in mind as we vote this year.

It's easy to think that the way we think about children and parenting is the way it's always been — the birth of a child is accompanied by the expectation that that baby will grow up happy, healthy, and become an adult. However, a mere century ago that wasn't necessarily the case. So what changed?  How has the role of parenting transformed?  Dr. Perri Klass, author of the new book "A Good Time to...

Early foundational relationships are the strongest predictor of young children's long-term success — what happens to kids in those early months and years of life sets the stage for how they relate to others and the world around them, and how those others relate to them.  Dr David Willis, Developmental-Behavioral pediatrician and Senior Fellow with the Center for the Study of Social Policy, and Cla...

The reality of remote learning is here, and it's led teachers and families to re-evaluate what school means during COVID-19.  Josh Golin and Seth Evans, both of the Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood, speak to us about their recent policy statement  EdTech and Education Policy During the Pandemic  and the importance of getting online learning right.

Chelsea Clinton, author, advocate, and vice chair of the Clinton Foundation, joins us to talk about growing up with books, the role of books in her own children's lives, and the importance of reading programs to support all children and families.

Children's books can bring much comfort and insight for children and adults alike.  With all that is happening in our world, we figured that now is a good time to ask: What Meaning do Children's Books Have in a Time of Crisis?  We're joined by author Robie Harris, author of award winning and internationally acclaimed books including  When Lions Roar,   Who?  and  Crash! Boom!,  and Leonard Marcus,...

As the Flint water crisis played out within government and the media, it became readily apparent that a major factor in the crisis was that the communities most affected were largely poor, mostly minorities, and without political power.  Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, the doctor who uncovered Flint's water crisis and led it's recovery effort, joins us to talk about disparities and social determinants of...

Books serve as mirrors to children, providing reflections of themselves, as well as windows to let them see others.  We know that a broad, diverse range of depictions helps children see that from a young age, and we also know that the range of diversity in children's books is nowhere near as rich as it could be.    Dr. Monique Jindal, an internal medicine and pediatrics physician at Johns Hopkins,...

We continue our conversation on "Diversity in Children's Literature" by speaking with Ashley Lukashevsky, an artist and illustrator whose recent book, ANTIRACIST BABY by author Ibram X. Kendi, brings this topic to light directly.