Reading With Your Kids Podcast

In a delightful conversation, author Veronica Santaguida and illustrator Veronika Gruntovskaya come together on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate their book "The Girl with the Big Voice." The story follows a little girl named Emma, who is criticized for her big, confident voice. It's inspired by the experiences of the author and her children. Veronica and Veronika's collaboration showcases the importance of embracing one's uniqueness and respecting others while celebrating life and work-life balance in Montreal's culture. They emphasize the value of allowing young illustrators the freedom to create, appreciating the beauty in a mess, and the power of art to help us feel.  Click here to visit the Girl With The Big Voice website - Www.bloomingdahliapublishing.com  Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Mike Purewall returns to the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate his new #ChildrensBook "Boban from Saltan." Mike tells us his  book is focused on teaching children about the world, the body, and nature through humor and whimsical rhymes. The book encourages kids to appreciate the little things in life and practice gratitude. The host and Mike also discussed the importance of living gratefully and the benefits it brings. Mike shared his journey from a corporate career to becoming a children's book author and emphasized the need to step out of one's comfort zone for personal growth. They also talked about the changing sense of humor in kids, influenced by technology and media. Mike expressed the importance he places on reading with his children and shared that his family has a no-screen rule during the week. Click here to visit Mike's website - www.mikepurewall.com  Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Beth Kephart is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her book "Good Books for Bad Children," which pays tribute to Ursula Nordstrom, a pioneering children's book editor. Kephart highlights how Nordstrom shaped the world of children's literature by championing unconventional stories and embracing diversity. She shares anecdotes about Nordstrom's relationships with authors like Maurice Sendak and her unwavering commitment to children's books. Kephart also emphasizes the importance of teaching children to appreciate the creative and collaborative process behind the books they love. The conversation explores Nordstrom's impact and legacy in the world of children's literature. Click here to visit Beth's website - http://bethkephartbooks.com/  Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Kate Alice Marshall returns to the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate  her new #MiddleGrade #Novel, "Extra Normal." Kate tells us the book follows Charlie Greer, the oldest child in a family of paranormal investigators, who lacks supernatural powers. When suspicious neighbors move in across the street, Charlie must unravel the mystery without her parents finding out. Inspired by "The X-Files" and "The Conjuring," the story explores themes of family, responsibility, and identity. Kate's love for middle-grade fiction stems from its exploration of self-discovery and emotion, making it a compelling age category for her writing. She also shares her interest in researching various topics for potential future projects, including caving and Antarctica. Click here to visit Kate's website - https://katemarshallbooks.com/  Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Author Rachel Renee Russell and her daughter, illustrator Nikki Russell are on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate the latest title in their popular "Dork Diaries," series.  Rachel tells us that "Tales from the Not-So-Posh Paris Adventure." is the 15th bok in the series and shares how the series was inspired by her daughter Nikki's experiences growing up, facing bullying and teasing. The mother - daughter team emphasize the importance of encouraging kids to embrace their uniqueness and remind them that things will get better. The series, which is  available in 42 languages, appeals to reluctant readers with relatable characters and humor. The creators also express their desire for a theatrical release of a Dork Diaries movie. Click here to visit the Dork Diaries website - www.dorkdiares.com  Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Denise Kiernan is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new book, "We Gather Together," Denise tells us this book delves into the history and evolution of the Thanksgiving holiday in the United States. Denise highlights the role of Sarah Josepha Hale, a widowed mother of five, in advocating for a national day of Thanksgiving celebrated on the last Thursday of November. This tradition, which we now know as Thanksgiving, began during the Civil War when President Abraham Lincoln accepted Hale's request. However, it wasn't officially designated a federal holiday until World War II. Kiernan emphasizes the importance of gratitude and unity during challenging times, making #Thanksgiving a time for reflection and appreciation. Click here to visit Denise's website - https://www.denisekiernan.com/  Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Arianne Costner is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate "Confessions of a Class Clown," her latest #MiddleGrade #Novel. She tells us she drew inspiration from her experience as a seventh-grade English teacher, where she encountered class clowns. The story centers around Jack, a class clown who seeks validation and online popularity while navigating the challenges of finding true friendships. The book delves into themes of social media, emphasizing the importance of healthy online behavior. Arianne believes it can spark important conversations between parents and children about social media literacy and online relationships. Her aim is to represent the depth within class clowns and their struggles. Click here to visit Arianne's website - www.Ariannecostner.com  Click here to visit our website - www.ReadingWithYourKids.com 

Rob Long and Andrew Dolberg are on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate "The Great Weather Diviner: The Untold Origin of Punxsutawney Phil." The pair insights about their middle-grade fantasy novel and tells us the book reimagines the story of Punxsutawney Phil, the famous groundhog, in a fantasy world filled with anthropomorphic animals. The story carries a strong environmental message as it delves into the consequences of nature turning against the inhabitants of Punxsutawney. Long and Dolberg also discuss their writing process and plans for a series of books set in the same universe, emphasizing their commitment to delivering an important message about climate change in an engaging way for young readers. Click here to click on Rob and Andrew's website - https://greatweatherdiviner.com/  Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Sarah Thomas Mariano is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her #Debut #PictureBook "I Will Love You Forever and Always." Sarah tells us she has a background in social work and that her book was inspired by her work in therapy with children and families. The book uses animal characters to convey universal themes of love and emotional attachment, providing parents with a tool to discuss the concept of unconditional love with their children. Sarah emphasized the significance of helping parents find the words to express their love and connect with their kids. Click here to visit Sarah's website - https://www.peakprofessionalgroup.com/sarah-thomas-mariano-lcsw  Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Mitali Perkins returns to the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new book, "Holy Night and Little Star." The book is a retelling of the nativity story from the perspective of the galaxies. It focuses on a character named Little Star, who is hesitant to embrace change but eventually learns the beauty of accepting new things. Perkins emphasizes the importance of reading with children and using imagination to deepen one's faith. The conversation delves into forgiveness, the freedom to say no, and the significance of living one's faith in everyday life. Click here to visit Mitali's website - https://www.mitaliperkins.com/  Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Meredith Rusu is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new #PictureBook "There's a Yeti in My Tummy. " Meredith tells the book explores how kids can have powerful emotions, portrayed in the story as a yeti bursting out of them. Meredith emphasizes the need to embrace and find joy in the chaos of childhood, as kids navigate their unique experiences and emotions. She also highlights the importance of accepting and understanding children's individuality. The interview touches on her experiences in adapting various books and her excitement about her own book series. Click here to visit Meredith's website - https://meredithrusu.com/  Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Dr. Rekha Rajan, a multi-talented author, musician, and educator. She returns to the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her #Debut #Childrens #PictureBook, "Can You Dance Like a Peacock?" Dr Rekha explains that the book was inspired by her children during the COVID-19 pandemic and their love for mimicking animal movements. The book features various animals and their unique dances, encouraging young readers to get up and move while learning. Dr. Rekha emphasizes the importance of incorporating arts into education, as it fosters creativity and critical thinking skills. She also shares her experiences with her children's involvement in the arts and how it positively impacted their confidence and social interactions. Click here to visit Dr Rekha's website - www.RekhaSRajan.com  Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Fatima Pimienta is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new #BiLingual #ChildrensBook "Little Curiosity/Curiosita," Ffatima tells us the book is designed to be enjoyed in both English and Spanish, allowing families to read it in multiple ways. Fatima emphasizes the importance of embracing diversity and language as part of the American experience. She also shares her experiences growing up in a bilingual border town and how this influenced her perspective. The interview touches on the cultural richness and diversity of the United States, with the host highlighting the value of understanding and appreciating different languages and cultures.  Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Laura Stegman is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate "Ready Or No", the latest title in her  "Summer of Luck" trilogy. The trilogy centers around three kids who meet at a summer camp and discover their voices with the help of a magical carnival and a ghost. "Summer of Luck" is about their struggles with communication, while "Ready or Not" delves into the challenges of doing what's right when everything goes wrong. The third book, "The Chambered Nautilus," continues the story. Laura shares her inspiration from a childhood book and her mission to offer kids a sense of not being alone in their struggles.  Click here to visit Laura's website - https://www.laurastegman.com/  Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Liz Leonard is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her #debut #PictureBook "Frizzy Lizzy," Liz tells us this book follows a seven-year-old girl, Frizzy Lizzy, with curly hair and touches on themes of self-acceptance, sibling relationships, and divorced parents. Liz shared her inspiration for the book, drawing from her own experiences and her desire to help children embrace their unique family situations. She also highlighted the importance of instilling confidence in children and promoting self-acceptance. Liz discussed her collaboration with illustrator Katherine Hillier, revealing that they have an ongoing partnership and plan to explore various destinations in future Frizzy Lizzy books, fostering a love for travel and diversity. Click here to visit Liz' website - www.frizzylizzy.com  Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

#NYTimes #BestSelling #Author Kate DiCamillo returns to the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her new #Novel "The Puppets of Spelhorst."  This is the first installment in a trilogy titled "Tales of Norendy." During the interview, Kate emphasized the importance of reading and reading aloud, not only for children but also for parents. Kate believes that reading together creates a unique, magical bond and a safe space for emotional connection. She also shared advice for aspiring writers, emphasizing the significance of reading, writing, rewriting, and staying open to the world for inspiration. Kate tells us she is incredibly grateful for her writing career and the stories yet to be told. Click here to visit Kate’s website – https://www.katedicamillo.com/ Click here to visit our website – www.readingwithyourkids.com

Jean Johnson is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her "Rini Roo Adventures" book series. Jean shares her inspiration for the series, which is rooted in her own childhood experiences in the Yucatan jungle. Her granddaughter's birth brought back memories, motivating her to create a character that would help children learn vocabulary and different languages. Rini Roo, a kangaroo, travels to various states and introduces kids to the cultures and dinosaurs of each location. The books aim to encourage children's curiosity and imagination while fostering a love for colorful and engaging stories. Johnson aspires to inspire families to read together and kindle children's imaginations. Click here to visit Jean's website - https://rynnieroo.com/#our-mission  Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Josh Funk is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate his latest #ChildrensBook "Dear Unicorn." The book is about a girl and a unicorn who become pen pals without realizing they are different species. Their friendship blossoms as they exchange letters and art despite their initial misunderstandings. The story also emphasizes the importance of keeping an open mind and finding common ground, even when individuals come from different backgrounds. Josh, a software engineer, shares how he writes books to inspire kids to love reading and how his creative side complements his technical expertise.  Click here to visit Josh's website - www.joshfunkbooks.com  Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Ha Dinh is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate her powerful picture book, "Where the Wildflowers Grow." Ha tells us this book is  based on her memories of living in a refugee camp in the Philippines before moving to America from Vietnam in the late 1980s. She shares the hopeful and optimistic atmosphere in the refugee camp and the importance of highlighting the human side of child refugees. Ha Dinh also talks about her teaching experience and her passion for education. The book aims to shed light on the resilience of children in challenging situations and how they find the good in every circumstance. The interview reflects on the importance of acknowledging the humanity in the immigration debate. Click here to visit Ha's website - https://www.happydaysinfirstgrade.com/  Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com 

Dianna Wilson-Sirkowski is on the #ReadingWithYourKids #Podcast to celebrate "Just One Pebble: One Boy's Quest to End Hunger,"  Diana tells us the book tells the inspiring true story of a young boy named Braden Mannering who, at the age of eight, won a healthy lunch contest and was invited to the White House by Michelle Obama. After this experience, he started his own nonprofit, "3B," which focused on helping the homeless. Diana highlights the importance of kindness and encourages children to make a difference in the world through simple acts of generosity. She emphasizes that we can all be socially responsible citizens and create positive change.  Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com