Read-Aloud Revival ®

Do your kids like creepy stories? Some of mine do, and I’ve been curious about the role of both magic and fear in my children’s reading life. There’s no one better to talk to about this than the much loved and celebrated Christian author of the (fantastically creepy) 100 Cupboards series, N.D. Wilson. It’s a great day to share that conversation, because his brand new book, Outlaws of Time , releas...

If you want to raise kids who read not because they can , but because they love to … you’re in the right place. On this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, Daniel Willingham and I discuss: what cognitive science tells us that will help our kids fall in love with books. (It’s easier than you think!) a new perspective on the role of technology in the reading life and books that formed Daniel...

What inspires you to be a better parent? When Greta Eskridge wants inspiration in her mothering, she doesn’t usually turn to parenting manuals. She turns to her favorite children’s book classics, instead. In this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival, Greta describes how reading books like The Yearling , Little Women , Caddie Woodlawn , and even Danny, Champion of the World have shaped and formed her...

Do you struggle when choosing fantasy books for kids?  I am convinced that fantasy is a critically important part of nourishing my children’s imaginations, helping them to see and know the truth better than they could if they didn’t read it. And yet. I struggle. I never read much fantasy as a child, myself, and as an adult I have a hard time knowing which stories will nourish my children, and whic...

We’re pulling back the curtain… Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes here at the Read-Aloud Revival? In this episode, you’ll hear: How we decide who to have on the podcast and which master classes to create What needs to happen in order to book an author for the membership Author Access events And how many hours it takes to get a podcast all the way through production (No really--...

What’s a parent of a special needs child to do about reading aloud? How do you choose books to read with a child who is developing at a different rate than his or her peers? Cheryl Swope, author of Simply Classical: A Beautiful Education for Any Child and mama to special needs twins, gives us the lowdown in this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast. In this episode, you’ll hear:  about the be...

We want to model a love of reading for our kids, but honestly--who’s got the time? Anne Bogel does. Otherwise known as Modern Mrs. Darcy , she’s the best person I know to talk about how to fit more reading into your life. In this episode, you’ll hear:  where to find good books how to fit reading in to the nooks and crannies ‘what you should read next!’ Find the rest of the show notes at  https://r...

It’s the hap-happiest read-aloud time of the year!   I don’t know anyone who lives this out better than my good friend, Elizabeth Foss, so I invited her onto the show to chat up Christmas and Advent read-alouds. We’re so excited about this episode of the podcast, we’re publishing a whole week early. In this episode; you’ll hear: find the best Christmas and Advent books celebrate the season without...

I t’s a question we hear a lot around here… how on earth is it possible to read aloud to the big kids when there are toddlers mucking about? And reading with those toddlers themselves- well, that’s a whole ‘nother ball of wax. Girl, I hear you. I have six kids, and three of them are in the toddler set, so I get the challenges you’re facing when trying to build your family culture around books. In...

How does a family that follows a traditional school schedule make reading aloud a priority? We’re talking about it on today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival! Whether your kids are in school all day, or you homeschool but you feel very pressed for time, reading aloud can happen! In this episode, you’ll hear:  practical ideas simple strategies and give you some encouragement to make reading toget...

It doesn’t take long after starting a read-aloud habit to realize that there are a LOT of good things happening when you are snuggled up on the couch, lost in a good book with your family. But sometimes things get rough. And when that happens, it helps to get a bit more logical about the whole operation. In this episode, you’ll hear:  the wide-ranging effects of reading aloud how a short time read...

In today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival, Kortney and I chat up the questions you’re asking most. In this episode, you’ll hear: our favorite religious book recommendations how to keep your kids from getting distracted on your iPad when they’re “supposed” to be listening to an audio book what it’s like to be working and homeschooling, and a whoooole lot more. Find the rest of the show notes at...

This may be one of the most delightful conversations we’ve had yet on the Read-Aloud Revival. If you haven’t met Rea Berg yet… you’re going to love me for introducing you to her. :) And if you know who she is, you don’t need me to blab on here -you just want to cut right to the interview! In this episode, you’ll hear:  reading aloud for history nurturing the soul of your child and how books have c...

Have you fallen out of the read-aloud habit? It’s okay – I understand. I’ve been there 100 times! In fact, I’m just trying to get back into the swing of things myself. Getting back in the saddle is quite likely easier than you think, though.  In this episode, you’ll hear:  a handful of tips and tricks to make the transition as smooth and simple as possible some fun book ideas to get the whole fami...

We all want our kids to read over the summer, right? But how can make that summer reading both memorable and fun – a treasured childhood memory rather than another thing to do and check off our lists? For today’s show, I talked to one of my very favorite people on the whole planet-- Pam Barnhill . In this episode, you’ll hear: ideas for how to motivate your kids to read how to motivate yourself to...

If you’ve listened to the Read-Aloud Revival podcast much, you probably know I’m a huge fan of The Green Ember . I think it’s the best book my kids and I read together all year long. You’ll understand, then, why I was so excited to chat with Zach Franzen , the illustrator of The Green Ember for today’s show. I was floored by how insightful Zach is – how much careful thought and real consideration...

On today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, we’re answering YOUR questions! These Q and A podcasts are listener favorites, so grab some laundry, pop in your earbuds, and let’s go! In this episode, you’ll hear:  what I do when kids are whiny and don’t want to listen to a read-aloud what to try when teens aren’t interested in the family book and how I organize my booklists Find the rest of...

I'm trying something new for this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival Podcast. Instead of interviewing a guest, I’m chatting with you one-on-one. Something I hear about a lot is the struggle it can be to make the transition from picture books to chapter books and novels during read-aloud time. It’s something I’ve struggled with in the past, as well, and I’ve got a few ideas about how to make this as...

This isn’t rocket science, Carole Joy Seid tells us in today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast. It’s really very simple – read good books. The end. :) In this episode, you’ll hear: fabulous book recommendations simple, practical strategies to help us make reading aloud a pillar of family life calming encouragement from a mom who has made it to the other side of homeschooling! Find the re...

If you read nothing else to your kids this year, read The Green Ember. This is a book that will steep your family’s imagination in the good, true, and beautiful. The characters encounter tremendous difficulty and face them with indomitable courage. You will laugh, cry, and find your heart racing. You will wonder if you could possibly live up to the nobility and fortitude Heather and Picket. You wi...

We know we should start reading aloud to toddlers when they are still small, but somehow the logistics of doing just that are really difficult!  Today I’d like you to meet Haley and Sarah from Aslan’s Library –a blog I love. Haley and Sarah focus most of their blog writing about beautiful and true theological books for kids. In this episode, you’ll hear: the nitty gritty of reading aloud with todd...

If you only listen to one episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, let this one be it. This episode is the humdinger of them all, if I do say so myself. ;) I have been dying to talk to Sarah Clarkson since the Read-Aloud Revival was born! She’s a busy student at Oxford, though, and it took a bit of finagling to get our schedules to play nicely together. Over the Christmas break we made it happen...

I never do this--record a podcast episode on the fly just because I’m so excited I can’t help myself. :) But today is the last day of 2014 and I want to make sure we head into 2015 and make it count by forming deep and meaningful connections with our kids. In this episode, you’ll hear: how you can start a reading streak in your home TODAY how this one step will make a difference in your family for...

Caroline Starr Rose has written entire books in verse. Now don’t be intimidated. Her book, May B , has been described as part Hatchet , part Little House on the Prairie , and part Out of the Dust . In this episode, you’ll hear:  her books, of course! how to get started with poetry even if it’s as intimidating to you as it is to me her booklist (a-mazing!) I can’t believe how many of Caroline’s fav...

Do you enjoy reading aloud? I know a whole lot of people who don’t. But just because you don’t enjoy reading aloud doesn’t mean you can’t build your family culture around books. Today on the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, I chat with Marie Ripple about how audio books can make a huge difference in your family’s habit of shared reading. This episode isn’t just for those who don’t enjoy reading aloud,...