Read-Aloud Revival ®

Most of us can’t travel the world with our kids. But that shouldn’t keep up us from traveling the world with them through books. Today on the Read-Aloud Revival Podcast, Rea Berg and I are talking about how to take your kids (of all ages) around the world through picture books. In this episode, you’ll hear:  why no one ‘grows past’ picture books the joy and accomplishment that comes with sharing a...

If you’re looking to read books for ancient history studies with your kids this year, this booklist is for you. It’s a short list of delightful picture book read-alouds for the whole family.  Why only picture books? Well… because picture books are worthwhile for everyone . Your high schooler is likely to enjoy these books every bit as much as your first grader. And I bet you’ll learn a thing or tw...

Dr. Michael Gurian is back! You may remember him from Episode 82 of the podcast, when he joined us to talk about the minds of boys (and why fidgeting is a good sign!). But today he is here to chat with us about the minds of girls. In this episode, you’ll hear: the unique learning challenges girls face (some of these might surprise you!) why we need to listen differently with our girls… and how to...

At the start of a new school year, we’re all full of hopes for a year that means something. We want our kids to encounter big ideas, learn new skills, read wonderful books, and come out the other side of the school year richer than they were going in. That’s why infusing your home with 3 C’s— Connection, Community, and Confidence , can be such a game-changer for family’s school year. When we feel...

Do you remember struggling through early reader books back when you were learning to read? Was it all Dick and Jane ? Was it … boring? Think about this: nobody asks you now, as a grownup, how old you were when you became a fluent reader. Know why? Because nobody cares . What age your child is when s/he learns to read fluently (whether at age 4, or 7, or 9, or even older) doesn’t bear on their abil...

I ‘m coming to you today with a simple tip that could make a HUGE difference in how often your kids pick up books for fun. In fact, it may seem *too* simple at first, so you’re going to have to try it for yourself! What is it? Put the books OUT. Face-out, I mean. Think about when you go to the library- are your eyes drawn to the picture book spines on the shelves, or to the face-out books on displ...

I'm willing to bet that you are familiar with Gail Gibbons's work. Not only is she incredibly prolific, she is just one of those authors who becomes our go-to when it comes to learning with our kids.  Gail Gibbons is the author of more than 170 books for kids. Primarily a non-fiction author, her signature style includes engaging illustrations and carefully researched topics. In this episode, you’l...

When I talk to and meet with other moms, I get a sense that we all want the same thing. We all long to connect with our kids.  And, of course, we also want to stay connected – even in the teen years. Well, today’s guest knows all about that, and she’s here to give us some tips and tricks to be the kinds of parents our kids really need (and want). It’s a whole lot simpler than many of us make it. D...

Can you believe it? It’s Episode 100!  And amazingly, we just crossed over a pretty huge milestone here at The Read-Aloud Revival: over 4 million downloads of the podcast. You know, I couldn’t have picked a better guest for this week’s 100th episode celebration. In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Jeanne Birdsall, author of the Penderwicks series. The final book in the series, The Penderwicks at...

Lola Dutch is a little bit … much. And yet, she’s also like so many of us. I think you’re just going to love her! Today, I’m thrilled to be joined by Lola Dutch creators Kenneth and Sarah Jane Wright. In this episode, you’ll hear: How Lola came to be Why so many of us seem to identify with her What this book means for instilling creative courage in our kids Find the rest of the show notes at https...

Many of us want to help our children learn a second language, but where do we start? And what if we only speak one language ourselves? Anne Guarnera of Language Learning at Home is joining us today to walk us through it. Although it isn’t her first language, she speaks Spanish in her home and encourages families to learn new languages together. In this episode, you’ll hear: How to get started lear...

Last week we talked about reading aloud to kids who can read on their own,  but today we’re taking that a step further and talking about reading aloud with teens.  You know the most important thing about reading aloud with teens, right? Surprise! It’s not their literary value or whether your teen knows how to analyze a story. It’s better than that. (Much better). Reading with teens can be pure mag...

If there is one thing I hope you take away from this episode – it’s this: keep reading to your 8-12 year olds.  Kids ages 8-12 are so fun to share books with, and you can have such wonderful conversations with this age group. Plus, you are continuing to make memories and associate reading with warm feelings. That’s a total win! There’s lots more in The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Last...

Kids who are 4-7 years old often love stories and can even begin to enjoy chapter books. Reading aloud to kids this age can be such a delight! You’re also able to have great conversations about what you’re reading together. There’s a whole chapter in The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids Through Books about reading with this age group, but today… In this e...

Guess what? The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids is now available everywhere! In this episode, I’m thrilled to share a little from the book about reading aloud to your 0-3 years olds. And of course, I’ll make a couple of book suggestions … Of course. In this episode, you’ll hear: the most important thing when it comes to reading aloud to kids age 0-3 prob...

Today I get to share a chapter from my new book, The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids . This is chapter 6 (one of my favorites!), where I talk about how we can create a book club culture at home, and thereby raise kids who read for the love it. This is how our kids become “real readers.” In this episode, you’ll hear: how and why to create a book club cult...

Sometimes it can be tricky to find books for boys. It’s not so much that they need different books than girls do, but… well… …at some point, you may find it’s difficult to match your boys up with books they love. You know what I mean, right? The kind of books they’ll stay up late reading with a flashlight underneath the covers. The kind of books that give them an insatiable thirst for reading. The...

Need a few Easter basket ideas for your young readers? We’ve got you covered! In this episode we’re bringing you books and bookish ideas for kids infant-teen. In this episode, you’ll hear: favorite children’s bibles and Easter books fiction books that your kids will love to find in their baskets this year Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/90/ .

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...