Read-Aloud Revival ®

It could be said that if not for a slightly impulsive email to Andrew Pudewa, the Read-Aloud Revival might not exist. That’s right – today I am welcoming back Andrew Pudewa from the Institute for Excellence in Writing – who was also the very first guest on the podcast. In this episode, you’ll hear: why reading aloud matters when to start literary analysis with our kids (the answer might surprise y...

Today I’m sharing one of the best books I read last year. The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street is uniquely wonderful– a refreshing and upbeat middle grade novel featuring a loud and lively big family (5 kids and their parents), a curmudegonly landlord, a talented bunny, and enough witty dialogue to keep you warm for the rest of winter. This is now my go-to recommendation for families who love The Pen...

In today’s episode of the podcast, we’re sharing books about adoption. Some are picture books, some are YA– and we’ve got a little something for everyone in between. These are books that will help your family celebrate the adopted children in your life. Brooke Cooney has made it her mission to share books about orphaned children, fostering and adoption. In this episode, you’ll hear: about books fo...

Today, I’m hoping to tell you about some authors/illustrators you may not have heard about before! These aren’t necessarily new authors, but they may be new to you. In this episode, you’ll hear: picture books, middle grade books and even books for your tweens and teens – I’m covering ALL the bases! graphic novel suggestions that you’ll approve of ( and that your kids will like) a couple of favorit...

I think this is one of the best conversations we’ve had so far at The Read-Aloud Revival. Today we’re talking “messy” books. Parents – you probably know just what I mean. Messy books are those books that tackle hard topics. Or maybe they just have stuff in the background that makes us a little nervous about our kids reading them. Today I’m talking with Betsy Farquhar of Redeemed Reader about how b...

What can we do about our kids who don’t love reading? Today I’m sharing a few ideas, as well as a few books that just might turn your reluctant reader into a reader who stays up past bedtime, sneaking books under the covers with a flashlight. In this episode, you’ll hear : what’s more important than helping our kids fall in love with reading (it’s not what you think) what we can do when a child sa...

Do you read picture books with older kids? Could this be a picture book year for your family? Today, the whole RAR crew is chatting picture books – and why it’s a great idea to read them with your bigger kids too! In today’s episode, you’ll hear: Kortney’s simple and systematic approach to reading picture books how to do “classroom book a day” with your kids at home where to find great picture boo...

Parents of wiggly kids – the proof is here. In this episode with author Dr. Michael Gurian, you’ll hear scientific evidence demonstrates that many kids not only need to move while being read to, they actually retain information better when they are allowed to do so. In this episode, you’ll hear: why boys might prefer to read non-fiction, and why we should let them why we don’t need to worry about...

I think it’s fair to say this is my favorite episode of the podcast we’ve ever done.  You probably know Katherine Paterson as the author of books like Bridge to Terabithia , Jacob Have I Loved and the Great Gilly Hopkins , but if you’re not familiar with her essays about writing for children, you’re about to have your socks knocked off. The way Ms. Paterson thinks about reading and writing books f...

What do you give as gifts for young readers? (Besides books, of course!) Here’s a whole list of gift ideas for the young readers in your life. In this episode, you’ll hear Great gift ideas for babies through teens Ideas beyond books – games, book accessories, puzzles, posters, shirts and more Ways to help kids make books their own, and begin to identify as readers Find the rest of the show notes a...

What should we look for when we’re choosing books for our children? It’s as easy at 7 points, as you’ll hear in this episode with Sarita Holzmann of Sonlight Curriculum. Sarita is a veteran homeschool mom and book lover. In this episode, you’ll hear: how her son went from struggling reader to Valedictorian all about her 7-point all-star test for books book recommendations that your kids will love...

Once upon a time, I said we didn’t love treasuries at our house. Welllll … its time to eat some crow. Lately, we’ve been reading lots of picture book treasuries, and we are LOVING THEM. They are perfect for longer reading sessions,  for taking on errands when you know you’ll be sitting in waiting rooms, and for building your family’s library with quality books on a budget. In this episode, you’ll...

Scholastic’s Kids and Family Reading Report is a national survey of children ages 6–17 and their parents that explores attitudes and behaviors around books and reading. In this episode, I’m joined by author, Vice President, and Editor-at-Large at Scholastic, Andrea Davis Pinkney. We talk about what the most recent report means for us as parents–and there’s a lot for us in there! In this episode, y...

What do you do when reading aloud doesn’t work out exactly how you hoped? Maybe your kids are arguing or you’re falling asleep … But you know how valuable it is to read aloud, so what can you do? In this episode, you’ll hear: 5 ways to make reading aloud enjoyable for everyone ( even you! even if you normally get tired! ) how to keep sibling bickering at bay and toddlers busy so that you can read...

It can be challenging to keep track of the books our kids read, right? But if we want to grow a family of readers, we kind of need to have a system that actually works! So today I’m sharing about our simple reading journals. how to create a treasured list of books your kids read at any age how to make sure reading journals don’t impede your kids’ reading, but rather create delight (and help our ch...

This might be our shortest-ever episode, but also one of the most important. It’s all about what matters most. Today I’m talking about how we can make a simple choice that will make a *huge* impact on our kids and families. In this episode, you’ll hear: how to figure out what matters most, even when we are DEEP in the trenches of parenting how to help our kids form strong sibling bonds making sure...

Does your read-aloud time ever devolve into chaos? Do you spend just as much time asking your kids to sit still as you do actually reading? In this episode, I’m talking about how we can modify our expectations just a bit to make read-aloud time more successful. Many kids listen better when they’re doing something with their hands (l isten to Dr. Michael Gurian talk about that right here ). In this...

Bad days – we all have them, right? We can’t really avoid that , but we can have a strategy tucked into our pocket- a simple strategy that will help us save a bad day. As a mama of 6 kids – preschool through high school – I sure do. So today, I’m talking how to save those no good, very bad days! 😉 In this episode, you’ll hear: a simple strategy that is the ultimate reset button the genre of books...

Caroline Starr Rose is back, and she’s joining me today to talk about her historical fiction, plus she’s sharing inspiration for young authors and tips for introducing novels in verse to our kids. In this episode, you’ll hear: the picture book she wrote about the wetlands after Hurricane Katrina what research looks like for a historical fiction author 4 novels in verse to share with younger childr...

Today I’m addressing a question I get ALL THE TIME – how to find time to read. How do we cultivate a reading life in the midst of parenting, life, and other general busyness? In this episode I’m addressing the best ways I have found to fit more reading into my life. I’m sharing my favorite tips. If you enjoy this episode, you’ll also like Episode 119 with Anne Bogel, Cultivating Your Own Reading L...

This is one of the most delightful conversations we’ve ever had on the Read-Aloud Revival podcast! I’m talking today with Helen Oxenbury, author and illustrator, about creating picture books – from where she gets her ideas, to the supplies she uses to draw animals (and the cutest darn babies around) and more. In this episode, you’ll hear: which books Helen read to her own 3 children what it’s been...

Are you unsure of what to read aloud with teens? Do you ever get a little overwhelmed looking through the YA section at your local bookstore or library?  Not to worry. I’m here today with 5 (OK, plus one more!) books to read with your teens. In this episode, you’ll hear: a book that helped me fill up my reading journal with meaningful quotes the one I’d change the title and cover of, if I could an...

Hold on to your hats everyone – I am sharing one of my very favorite middle grade series in this episode. I’m chatting with both my daughter Allison and someone who just might be my favorite living author, Jonathan Rogers. Jonathan is author of the fantastic Winderking series, which has been described as a cross between Tolkien and Twain. In this episode, you’ll hear: whether characters in books s...

Here at the Read-Aloud Revival, we are BIG FANS of audio books, but we get asked all the time: “Do audio books count as real read alouds?” In today’s brand new episode of the podcast, I’m answering that question.  In this episode, you’ll hear: whether or not audio books count as real reading where and how to listen (either alone or as a family) where I get the best deals on audio books Audio books...

Do you make the best use of the resources available to you at your local library? Or do you even know all of what your library can do for you? You’re not alone if the answer to either of those questions is “no.” Today I’m talking to Amy Commers, a Youth Services Librarian in Minnesota, about how you can get the most from (and give the most support to) your local library. In this episode, you’ll he...