Reading With Your Kids Podcast

On this episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast , host Jed Doherty welcomes two amazing middle grade authors who explore how stories can help kids find light, courage, and connection in a complicated world. First, Jed talks with Emily Bain Murphy , author of the new middle grade fantasy "Light Seekers, A Kingdom of Shadows." Emily shares the inspiration behind her richly imagined world of Wi...

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes Cliodhna O'Sullivan, author of the YA romantasy Her Hidden Fire, and Steph Carse, creator of the picture book I Am Awesomely Made. First, Jed chats with Cliodhna O'Sullivan about her powerful new YA romantasy that blends magic, romance, and sharp social commentary. We meet Aya, a girl with a rare magical gift who secretly gives h...

In this inspiring episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes author Celesta Rimington to talk about her powerful new middle grade novel "Reach." Centered on a boy named Denver, Reach explores the complicated emotions that come with blended families, sibling tension, and the grief of losing the "old" version of your family. When a mysterious magical forest and an ancient talking t...

In this inspiring episode of the Reading With Your Kids podcast, host Jed Doherty sits down with former Major League Baseball player turned artist and author Micah Johnson to talk about his powerful new middle grade novel, Aku: Journey to Ibra . Micah shares how a casual comment during spring training with the Los Angeles Dodgers unexpectedly launched his art career, eventually leading him to crea...

In this heartwarming episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed Doherty welcomes Brooklyn teacher and award-winning author Torrey Maldonado to celebrate his debut picture book "Just Right." Torrey shares the deeply personal story behind the book: his relationship with his niece, whom he helped raise and who later asked him to walk her down the aisle because he had been "the only dad" she'd ever known....

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes picture book author Barb Rosenstock to talk about her captivating new title, Houdini's Library. Drawing on her deep love of history and storytelling, Barb shares how a tiny sign at the Library of Congress—"Houdini Collection" —sparked years of research and ultimately this book. Barb and Jed dive into the real Harry Houdini: not just the "hand...

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, we first head to 1990s New York City with Broadway actor and author Andrew Keenan-Bolger, here to celebrate his YA novel Limelight. Set in 1996, the story follows Danny, a shy Staten Island teen who lands a spot at LaGuardia High School, the famed performing arts school. Andrew explains that Danny is not a version of his younger, confident, Broadway‑kid s...

In this lively episode of Reading With Your Kids, we're celebrating the power of picture books and biographies to turn kids into lifelong readers. First, Jed welcomes author Brooke Hartman and illustrator Michael Slack to talk about their exuberant new picture book Exca Gator—a swampy, construction-site romp starring an alligator who drives an excavator. Brooke shares how the idea sprang from her...

On this episode of the Reading With Your Kids podcast, host Jed Doherty welcomes two creators whose books spark big, meaningful conversations for families. First, Jed chats with Huda Al Marashi, author of the middle grade novel Hail Mariam. The story follows Mariam, the only Muslim girl at her local Catholic school, as she navigates the burden of representation, questions about faith, identity, an...

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, we welcome author-illustrator Claire Keane to talk about her deeply personal new picture book, "Who Are You?" Claire shares how the idea began not with a character, but with a question—quite literally. After making a video reel to "explain" who she was as an artist and as the daughter and granddaughter of famous cartoonists, she woke up one morning hearin...

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes three very different—but equally exciting—guests who are passionate about helping kids grow smarter and braver. First, Jed chats with Adam Adler and his 10‑year‑old daughter Isla, the father–daughter team behind Wyzly, a groundbreaking screen time app for kids. Tired of daily battles over iPads and YouTube, Isla came up with the...

Join host Jed Doherty on the Reading With Your Kids podcast for a heartwarming, history‑meets‑home episode featuring two wonderful picture book creators: Patricia Newman and Pooja Makhijani . First, Patricia introduces Beatrice and the Nightingale , a nonfiction picture book about Beatrice Harrison , a renowned English cellist whose garden duet with a wild nightingale became one of the earliest gl...

It's been said that you spend the first forty years of your life looking forward, and the last forty looking back—from death toward your life. But what if you never get the chance to look forward? Imagine being young and told you may only have a year to live. All around you, you see people living the life you've been cheated out of. How would that feel? How could you find hope in that? These are t...

In this episode, Jed welcomes author James Ponti to talk about Europa , book seven in his bestselling City Spies series. James shares the irresistible premise: a British secret agent known as Mother adopts kids from around the world—each with a special talent and a code name based on their home city—and raises them as a family of spies. In Europa , explosives expert Sydney returns to the spotlight...

On this episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes Dr. Lauren Hartman, adolescent medicine physician and author of Freeing Children and Young Adults from Shame, Scales, and Stigma. Dr. Hartman dives deep into how diet culture, weight stigma, and even well‑meaning doctors can unintentionally harm kids and teens. She explains how a simple directive like "you need to lose weight" ca...

Join us for a delightful episode featuring acclaimed picture book creators Marla Frazee and Julie Fogliano as they take us behind the scenes of their newest collaboration, "Because of a Shoe." Host Jed Doherty leads a warm, insightful conversation exploring the magic that happens when author and illustrator unite to craft memorable children's books. Julie shares the heartfelt inspiration behind he...

Dive into an inspiring episode celebrating the legacy of Tina Turner, the Queen of Rock & Roll, through the eyes of debut author Ebony Lynn Mudd. In this lively conversation, host Jed Doherty welcomes Ebony as she shares the story behind her picture book, "Just Like Tina," inspired by Tina Turner's extraordinary life and generational impact. Listeners will hear how music brings families together,...

Dive into this inspiring episode featuring Mariana Gordon and Sondra Bakinde, the dynamic duo behind The Meditating Mantis—a captivating new children's book series designed to teach mindfulness, breathing, and emotional resilience to kids and their families. With backgrounds in school psychology (Mariana) and art and storytelling (Sondra), these mindful moms created the character Mio the mantis to...

Step into a world where mad scientists roam the foggy streets of Victorian London! In this engaging episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes acclaimed author and illustrator S.H. Cotugno to dive into the hit graphic novel series, The Glass Scientists. Cotugno takes listeners behind the scenes of her creative process, revealing how classic Gothic fiction, quirky 19th-century sci...

Join us for a vibrant episode packed with creativity, inspiration, and innovation! First, we welcome YA author Katie Bernet as she shares the behind-the-scenes story of her debut novel, "Beth is Dead." Katie's book delivers a thrilling, modern-day twist on the classic "Little Women," reimagining the March sisters in a murder mystery set in contemporary Massachusetts. Katie reveals her creative pro...

Join host Jed Doherty on this special episode as he welcomes acclaimed author Annie Agarwal to discuss her celebrated picture book, "The Magic of Diwali with Sarah." Annie shares the inspiration behind her book and explains the significance of Diwali, a major festival of lights celebrated across South Asia. Listeners will gain insight into how Diwali symbolizes the victory of good over evil throug...

On this special episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes two inspiring guests—Cheri Sterman, Senior Director of Education for Crayola, and celebrated children's author Carrie Finison. Together, they spark a lively conversation about nurturing creativity in children through reading, art, and family traditions. Cheri dives into Crayola Creativity Week, a free global celebration t...

Join us on this inspiring episode as host Jed Doherty sits down with YA author Makena Song to dive into her captivating new fantasy series, "Among the Fallen." Speaking to us from Central Florida, Makena shares how her love for gaming, anime, and world mythology shaped her writing, and opens up about her unique journey from Wattpad writer to published novelist. Makena unpacks the powerful themes a...

Discover the inspiring story behind "Abilities," a debut graphic novel by special educator, author, and illustrator Michelle Maclean, as featured in this episode of Reading With Your Kids. Michelle joins host Jed Doherty to share her passion for empowering students with special needs and how her real-life classroom experiences inspired her to create authentic, humorous, and relatable characters. M...

Dive into this inspiring episode as Jed Doherty welcomes acclaimed authors Brittany Johnson and Leslie Vedder to discuss their latest books, "Deadly Ever After" (YA fantasy) and "The Nowhere Beast" (middle grade mystery). Discover how reading with your kids—even as they grow into teens—can build lasting bonds, foster deep family conversations, and help young readers navigate life's challenges. Bri...