Reading With Your Kids Podcast

On this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two sets of guests whose books highlight just how powerful stories can be—for thrills, for connection, and for healing. First, Jed chats with Marissa Meyer and Tamara Moss, co-authors of the YA murder mystery The Escape Game. Set on a reality TV escape-room competition, the book follows Sierra, returning to the show where her sister Alicia wa...

In this powerful episode, Jed Doherty welcomes Jackie Baker , author of Messy Mourning: Hope for Mothers Grieving the Loss of a Child to Suicide . Jackie shares the heartbreaking story of her firstborn, Sebastian —a bright, curious, book-loving boy who grew up in a home where reading, faith, and family were central. She recalls sweet memories, from anatomy books at home to anxiously awaiting new H...

In this joyful episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes librarian and debut middle grade author Haley Neil to celebrate her spooky-silly new book, Greta Grimsdark and the Normal New Neighbor . Haley shares stories from her work in the library, where she spends her days covered in slime, leading "Make and Play" programs, and helping kids discover books they truly love—especially those transi...

In this inspiring episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast, Jed welcomes Renee Nault from Vancouver Island to celebrate her YA romance graphic novel Salvage . Set in a future reshaped by climate change, Salvage follows Paulo , a teen who lives on the tidal flats scavenging from drowned cities. When he discovers a suitcase full of designer clothes, he sneaks into the wealthy uplands for "just...

Join host Jed Doherty for a joyful, imagination-filled episode featuring two wonderful picture book creators: Keith Negley, author-illustrator of "The Beginner's Guide to Being a Wizard," and Wanda Arlene Barajas, author of "Carina and Sabi: A Journey to the Heart of Cidra." In the first half, Keith shares how a quirky old diary, The Journal of a Disappointed Man, inspired his hilarious new series...

In this heartwarming episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast, Jed welcomes author Sara Amini and illustrator Juana Medina to celebrate their beautiful new picture book, "Luisa at Your Service." Inspired by Sara's mother's childhood in the small Colombian town of Salento, the story follows young Luisa, a spirited girl who guides international backpackers through her beloved community, proudly...

In this inspiring episode, Jed welcomes Julie Abe , author of the cozy middle grade fantasy The Magic Library of Waterfall Way . Julie shares her 15-year journey to publication, reflecting on the countless rejections that almost made her give up—and how those "no's" eventually inspired the determined, big-hearted characters she writes today. Julie explains what makes her stories " cozy fantasy ":...

In this inspiring two-part episode, we celebrate how stories, service, and family reading can shape kids' character and courage. First, Jed welcomes Mark Fava , former naval flight officer, longtime Navy Reservist, and aerospace executive, to talk about his debut picture book "Andy the Admiral and the USS Shipshape." Mark shares how his adult leadership book evolved into a children's story that tu...

In this warm and wide–ranging episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes back three beloved guests with brand–new picture books that celebrate courage, representation, and creativity. First, Kelly Starling Lyons returns to share Writing Magic, a tender story about Dom, a little girl from a family of Black riders who longs to ride a big horse named Magic but is scared. Kelly talks about the bo...

In this episode, Jed welcomes back author and educator Kelly Tooman to celebrate her new picture book, "The Birthday Triplets and the Pony Race Adventure." Kelly, who spent many years in Montessori education and now leads virtual creative writing workshops, shares how her background shaped this whimsical, heart-centered story. The book follows triplets Cookie, Candy, and Coco , who live with their...

In this episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast, we're celebrating two powerful picture books that spark big conversations in families. First, Jed chats with Dr. Linda Booth Sweeney, author of Do Bees Pee? The Curious and Amazing Ways Nature Avoids Pollution. Linda shares how a giggle-worthy question opens the door to serious science, systems thinking, and hope-filled conversations about our...

In this inspiring episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast, Jed welcomes two incredible creators whose stories celebrate history, heart, and big dreams. First, Jed chats with Emma Otheguy , author of the new middle grade novel Adventure in the City of Stories . Emma takes us to New York City in 1930 , a moment when skyscrapers were racing into the sky, the subway was rapidly expanding, and La...

This episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast is a joyful celebration of creativity, family reading, and the power of stories to travel across generations. First, Jed welcomes Buzz McLain, longtime journalist and debut picture book author of "Where There Are More Than Two." Buzz's playful, read‑aloud rhyming book introduces kids (and their grownups!) to the wonderful world of collective nouns...

In this inspiring episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes Janie Nitze, co-author of the picture book Heroes of 1776, to shine a light on the real human courage behind the Declaration of Independence. Speaking from historic Concord, Massachusetts, Janie shares how her background clerking for Justice Neil Gorsuch and their shared concern about the decline in civic education led them to creat...

In this warm and wide-ranging episode of Reading With Your Kids , Jed welcomes two guests who are using stories to nurture both imagination and emotional resilience. First, Julie Kim joins us from Washington State to celebrate her new book, Korean Folk Tales for Kids . Julie shares how she carefully chose ten tales—from hilarious trickster stories to thoughtful, heart-centered narratives—that feel...

In this inspiring episode, Jed welcomes two wonderful guests whose work helps kids feel seen, valued, and excited about reading. First, Jed talks with Melissa White Boyer , author of I Am Rare: Discovering What Makes Us Shine . Inspired by her son's diagnosis with the rare genetic disorder Weidman-Steiner syndrome , Melissa shares the long, emotional journey to finally getting a diagnosis and the...

In this uplifting episode, Jed welcomes back Kathy McMillan , ASL interpreter, children's librarian, and creator of the new picture book series "Sign the Seasons." Kathy shares how the four-book series—starting with Sign the Seasons: Fall —invites kids and families to learn American Sign Language through everyday seasonal concepts like trees, squirrels, and weather. She explains how Familius Publi...

Join host Jed Doherty for a heartwarming, dog-filled episode of the Reading With Your Kids podcast, featuring two picture books that celebrate courage, love, and healing. In the first half, Jed chats with Jonathan Graziano , creator of the beloved Noodle "Bones or No Bones" videos, about his new picture book "Milton Makes a Move." Jonathan shares Milton's real-life journey from a hoarding situatio...

In this episode, Jed welcomes Tyler Moore , better known as Tidy Dad , to talk about his book "Tidy Up Your Life." Tyler shares how a season of overwhelm—upsizing his family and career at the same time—left both his apartment and his mental health in disarray. That experience pushed him to explore the deep connection between a cluttered home and a cluttered mind, and how small, consistent decision...

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids , Jed welcomes two very different – but beautifully complementary – guests whose books open the door to big family conversations. First, Jed chats with Rachel Peterson , author of the YA thriller Killing Sadie . Rachel, who describes herself as "aggressively pleasant," explains why such a cheerful person writes about murder, anxiety, and worst‑case scenari...

In this inspiring episode of Reading With Your Kids , Jed welcomes two wonderful picture book creators who are helping families talk about big feelings, different brains, and everyday courage. First, Jed chats with Chloe Ito Ward , author of All the Ways We Learn , a gentle, affirming picture book about neurodivergence in the classroom . Chloe shares how the story toggles between what we "think" l...

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids , Jed welcomes Ana Karina de Silva , a neurodivergent author, comedian, and educator, to celebrate her new picture book Pedro's Dream . The story follows Pedro, a passionate young soccer player with ADHD who learns to understand his brain, advocate for himself, and build strategies for success—like using checklists and visual cues, and working with a suppo...

In this inspiring episode of Reading With Your Kids , Jed welcomes back author Michael J. Rosen to celebrate How to Dive to the Deepest Place on Earth , his picture book collaboration with legendary astronaut and ocean explorer Dr. Kathy Sullivan . Michael shares the fascinating story of how he first met Kathy—before the Mariana Trench dive was even an idea—and how her lifelong curiosity led her t...

In this warm and wide-ranging episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two powerhouse creators whose books are perfect for sparking big feelings, big questions, and big laughs. First, Jessica Khoury joins us to celebrate her middle grade fantasy Monster and Apprentice. She introduces us to Roland, a 13-year-old boy who's been written off by almost every adult in his life—until the mysteriou...

In this fun and wide-ranging episode of Reading With Your Kids , Jed welcomes two sets of guests who are all about helping kids see the world—and themselves—differently. First, Jed chats with Candice Wierzbowski and Eric Hurlock , two of the creative voices behind The Super Smart Farm Show , a kids' podcast from Lancaster Farming newspaper. They talk about helping children understand where food re...