Podcast
Reading With Your Kids Podcast
Hosted by Jedlie Circus Productions, Inc · EN
Reading With Your Kids is all about encouraging parents to read with their kids, and cook with their kids, and do activities with their kids, and experience tv, movies and music together. In other words, our podcast is all about helping parents build stronger relationships with their kids.
84episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Bad Thingamajigs & Big Feelings: Growing Empathy Through Story
1w ago00:56:26Tap to summarizeOn this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two fantastic creators who help families see the world—and their walks around the block—a little differently. First, Jed chats with Matt Van Rensburg, author of the Reading With Your Kids Certified Great Read "How to Sell the World: The Stonehearted Story of Greyson Grimm." Matt explains the unforgettable premise: Greyson is the caretaker of the world, tasked with eating invisible "bad thingamajigs" that appear whenever people are unkind. His work keeps the world in balance, but each bite slowly turns his heart to stone. Matt and Jed dive into the deeper themes of empathy, emotional "vibes," and how adults often forget the joy and pure-hearted perspective of children. Matt shares how David Bowie, Nirvana's "The Man Who Sold the World," stand‑up comedy, and over 20 years of teaching young kids all helped shape this whimsical, meaningful middle grade series. Then Jed welcomes back Lucy Knisley, author-illustrator of the charming new picture book "Searching for Wocks." Lucy shares how the story grew from pandemic days in Chicago, when playgrounds and lakefronts were closed and her three-year-old began collecting little treasures—rocks, pen caps, leaves—on slow, careful walks. They called these treasures "walks," and Lucy turned that real-life ritual into a tender, funny story about a child's serious, almost scientific engagement with the world. She talks about thinking in comics, balancing words and images, how parenting reshaped her creative life, and why letting kids lead their own explorations (without leaning on generative AI) is so important. This episode is full of heart, creativity, and great ideas for sparking family conversations after you read together.
Transcribe →
Reading Our Way to Hope: Two Middle Grade Novels that Heal and Inspire
1w ago00:56:06Tap to summarizeIn this heartwarming episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two middle grade authors whose stories are perfect for sparking big family conversations. First, singer-songwriter and author Tia McGraff joins us from the shores of Lake Erie to celebrate her new novel In Your Dreams, Jake, part of the Jake the Road Dog series. Tia shares how her rescue dog Jake, once just a day away from being euthanized, became a beloved "road dog" traveling to festivals, bookstores, and schools—and eventually inspired a middle grade story told through his eyes. She and Jed talk about the joy of live family events, the sacred honor of performing for kids, and how music, books, and creativity help families cope with grief, change, and challenging times. Tia also reflects on her journey from country music stages and Johnny Cash appearances to writing children's novels and kid-friendly songs like her "Caterpillar Song." Then, Jed chats with Austin Kairnes, author of The Blind Boy Who Saw the Invisible King. Austin explains how a title that came to him on a COVID-era walk grew into a rich quest story about Joe, a blind boy searching for answers from a mysterious king. They explore themes of bullying, empathy, faith, and seeing the world through non-visual senses. Austin shares how his Catholic faith quietly shapes the story, how reading aloud shaped his own family life, and why he believes nightly reading is one of the best ways to pass on values and build lifelong connections.
Transcribe →
Reading Our Way Through Friendships, Differences and Farewells
2w ago00:56:11Tap to summarizeIn this heartwarming episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes back second-grade teacher and picture book author Andrew Hackett to celebrate his new book, In This Classroom, and later sits down with Susan Cain and her son Eli Cain to talk about their tender picture book, Lucky and Norman: Saying Goodbye Is Bittersweet. Andrew shares how he juggles teaching, parenting, and writing—squeezing in drafts on soccer sidelines and early mornings—and why he actually loves revision more than drafting. He describes In This Classroom as his "manifesto" for what a classroom community can and should be: a place where differences are celebrated, kindness is taught alongside academics, and every child feels seen. Jed and Andrew talk honestly about the pressures on teachers, the loss of play in early grades, and how families can partner with educators to build truly inclusive, caring classrooms. In the second half, Susan and Eli recount the real-life story behind Lucky and Norman: two donkeys in Spain that Eli and his brother fell in love with—and then had to leave. Together they explore how kids experience goodbyes for the first time, why that pain can feel endless, and how memories can transform sorrow into something quietly beautiful. Susan connects this to her work in Quiet and Bittersweet, while Eli reflects with striking wisdom on longing, love, and growing up. This is a gentle, thoughtful conversation about community, empathy, and helping kids navigate big feelings—through reading, listening, and simply being there.
Transcribe →
Everything You Need To Know About Life You Can Learn from A Dog
2w ago00:58:03Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes three fantastic guests who each showcase a different way stories can shape our lives. First, Bruce Littlefield joins from his farm in upstate New York to celebrate his picture book "Everything You Need to Know About Life You Can Learn from a Dog." Bruce shares how his usually optimistic outlook was shaken by a rough morning—bad news, a broken porch—and how his dog Felix, joyfully unfazed, inspired him to rethink who the real "lifestyle expert" in the house was. Drawing on years of watching dogs in New York City and at home, Bruce turns traits like self-acceptance, curiosity, forgiveness, and the ability to "shake things off" into gentle life lessons for kids and grown-ups. He and Jed swap heartfelt dog stories—border collies carving tracks in the yard, childhood pets like Snuggles and London teaching responsibility, calm, and empathy—and reflect on how dogs help children learn to care for others. Then Gregory Rizzi discusses his YA sci‑fi novel "Continuum." Set on a harsh distant planet, the book follows Jacob, a Praetorian Guard soldier, as he discovers the planet's hidden history, strange creatures, and deeper truths about creation, fathers, and sons. Gregory talks about how becoming a father and returning to his faith reshaped the story's themes of suffering, resilience, and what we pass on to our kids. Finally, Amy Doslich introduces her picture book "STEM Day" and her kid-powered podcast "Kids Ask Authors Answer." A former actuary turned author-illustrator, Amy celebrates lesser-known STEM careers and invites children to ask authors their own fun, surprising questions—plus she's organizing a big free kids' ebook day on August 5.
Transcribe →
Are We Schoolifying Childhood? Why Reading, Relationships & Resilience Matter Most
2w ago00:56:01Tap to summarizeIn this powerful episode, Jed welcomes Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at the OECD, to explore what truly helps kids thrive. Andreas shares global insights from major international studies, revealing that parents reading with and to their children is one of the strongest predictors of a child's cognitive, social, and emotional development. He warns that for many families, screens are replacing shared reading time—and that heavy tech use in early childhood often correlates with worse outcomes, especially for disadvantaged kids, while reading together strongly boosts development. Andreas explains how "schoolifying" kindergarten—pushing early academics at the expense of play and social learning—can actually kill children's joy in reading. Drawing on contrasts like France vs. Estonia, he shows that letting young children play, explore, and build curiosity leads to better reading outcomes at age 15 than forcing formal academics too early. Throughout, he stresses that cultural capital and parental engagement—asking about school, reading together, valuing learning—matter more than income, and that real education must balance cognitive, social, and emotional skills. He also reflects on AI in education, arguing it should support deep learning, not replace effort or human connection. Later, Jed talks with Nazanin Agange Ford, author of the moving picture book My America Blooms. Nazanin shares how her family's immigration from Iran inspired a story about belonging, community, and seeing each other as neighbors first. Her book helps kids understand immigrant experiences, opens conversations about fairness and fear, and uses picture-book storytelling to build empathy and connection—exactly the kind of relational learning Andreas champions.
Transcribe →
Motocross, Monet, and Messy Masterpieces
2w ago00:56:01Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two creators whose work celebrates courage, creativity, and the many ways kids can be themselves. First, Jed chats with Rebecca Caprera about her new middle grade novel in verse, Eva to the Max. The story follows 12-year-old motocross phenom Eva "Eva Knievel" as she chases her dream of qualifying for the national championships. Along the way, Eva navigates family tension with a worried mom, a supportive dad who was paralyzed in a racing accident, and an overachieving older brother whose shadow feels hard to escape. Rebecca also explores the inequalities girls face in extreme sports and shares fascinating history about women in motocross, including those who once raced under male pseudonyms. She explains why verse is the perfect form for this high-octane, sensory-rich story and how the white space and poetic structure invite readers' imaginations to fill in the gaps. Then, Jed is joined by Phyllis Harris, creator of the wordless picture book Claude, inspired by her own dog, Brinkley, and her love of Claude Monet. Phyllis describes Claude as a playful exploration of perfectionism, creativity, and the power of play. A serious young artist tries to paint her masterpiece while her dog has very different ideas, leading to glorious mess and discovery. Phyllis talks about how wordless books build confidence, imagination, and storytelling skills—especially for emergent readers and families who may struggle with print—and offers heartfelt advice to parents on nurturing their children's artistic side.
Transcribe →
Growing Readers Through Bugs, Birds, and Beautiful Words
3w ago00:55:21Tap to summarizeIn this heartfelt episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed Doherty welcomes Heidi E. Y. Stemple, author of Lydia Loves Bugs, and later Jezebel Rivera, author of Mommy, Where's My Dad? Most of the conversation centers on Heidi, her work, and her remarkable family legacy. Heidi shares how Lydia Loves Bugs began on her screened-in porch during the early, anxious days of the pandemic, when she wanted to write something purely fun and comforting. Lydia is a bug-loving kid whose mom studies bugs, while her dad and brother are decidedly not bug fans—an intentional celebration of family differences and a playful twist on gender stereotypes. Heidi talks about growing up in a family deeply rooted in the natural world—especially birds—and how that love of nature shows up again and again in her books. She reflects movingly on the recent passing of her mother, Jane Yolen, noting that Jane has 10 more books under contract and over 100 manuscripts still to be shepherded into the world. Heidi describes how she read to her mother in her final months, including their co-written work and Heidi's new projects, and how Jane always encouraged her children to walk beside her, not in her shadow. Later, Jed is joined by Jezebel Rivera, who shares the inspiration behind Mommy, Where's My Dad?—a tender, honest picture book drawn from conversations with her son about their family. Jezebel emphasizes the power of redefining family through love, support, and the "village" that surrounds a child.
Transcribe →
Today We Will Be Eaten
3w ago00:58:02Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes Academy Award–winning director, animator, and author Alan Barillaro to celebrate his new picture book, Today We Will Be Eaten. Alan shares how a seemingly dark premise—a ladybug and dragonfly convinced they'll be eaten—becomes a gentle, meditative story about anxiety, uncertainty, and learning to take a breath. He describes the book as a "little reset," inviting kids and families to slow down, look up, and discover beauty even when life feels scary or unpredictable. Alan talks about the shift from collaborative animation at Pixar to the intensely personal world of writing and illustrating books, where there's "less to hide behind." He explains his creative process: keeping notebooks of ideas for years, working on multiple projects at once like "tomato plants" in a garden, and borrowing lessons from animation—testing work with trusted readers, listening to how it sounds out loud, and embracing failure as an essential part of finding the story. The conversation also touches on kids' anxiety, helicopter parenting, graphic novels as real reading, and Alan's nuanced view of AI and technology as tools that must be used ethically and thoughtfully. He teases upcoming projects, including Bun's Rabbit 2 and another picture book on the way. In the second half, Jed chats with Jennifer Dickinson, author of Maggie's Big Break, a middle grade novel about a girl with a stutter who faces bullying but finds belonging in theater. Jennifer shares her own history with stuttering, using story to help kids feel seen, heard, and brave enough to take risks—and encourages families to co-read and talk honestly about fears, bullying, and courage.
Transcribe →
Blazing Humor & Kind Hearts: Celebrating Mel Brooks, Kind Bunnies, and Brave Mice
3w ago00:55:26Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Reading With Your Kids, we're celebrating humor, heart, and the power of picture books to bring families together. Most of our time is spent with Ann Koffsky, author of Blazing Humor: Mel Brooks Is Seriously Funny. Ann and Jed dive into why Mel Brooks' comedy, while very much for adults, still offers a powerful, kid-friendly life story. Ann talks about the challenge of sharing a famously edgy comedian with young readers—focusing not on the racy jokes, but on Mel's resilience, his use of humor to face bullies, racism, and hard times, and his joyful Jewish identity. She describes curating a YouTube playlist of kid-appropriate Mel Brooks clips and reflects on how picture books might be one of the last truly shared media experiences for grown-ups and kids. Together, they explore how humor can be a survival skill in an angry, algorithm-driven world. Next, Evelina Ruimy joins the show to introduce The Kind Bunny, the first in her Hops Tales series. Written during a frightening wildfire evacuation, the book helps families talk about unkind words, hurt feelings, and why kindness begins with how we treat ourselves. Evelina shares how Bunny chooses to answer rudeness with kindness, turning conflict into friendship, and how parents can use the story to start meaningful conversations about bullying and self-worth. Finally, Bob Richley stops by to chat about Redeeming Rhubarb, a middle-grade novel about a mouse, a rat, and what it really means to love your enemies—even when you've been taught to hate them.
Transcribe →
The Joyful Child Meets The Chismosas Only Book Club
3w ago00:58:10Tap to summarizeIn this joyful, wisdom-packed episode of Reading With Your Kids, we're shining a light on two amazing creators who are helping kids (and their grownups) find calm, connection, and a love of stories. First, Jed chats with musician, yoga teacher, and mindfulness author Kira Willey about her new parenting book The Joyful Child. Kira shares how years of performing in schools taught her the "magic formula" for engaging kids: music, rhythm, movement, and mindful breathing. She explains why a parent's own emotional state is the most powerful tool in a child's self-regulation, and offers down-to-earth strategies for staying calm in real-life moments—like when your child melts down in the grocery store. Kira also describes simple one-minute activities, car-friendly games, and her Mindfulness Moments for Kids board books that sneak powerful breathing tools into sweet stories. Then we head to Texas to meet Laekan Zea Kemp, author of the funny and heartfelt middle grade novel The Chismosas Only Book Club. Laekan introduces us to four freshman friends navigating high school, family expectations, and their own anxieties. She talks about blending prose with graphic novel sections to hook reluctant readers and bridge kids from comics to longer fiction. Laekan also shares how her work as a high school ESL teacher shaped the book, why simultaneous English–Spanish publication matters, and the very real challenges teens face today with fear, social media, and school. It's an episode full of heart, humor, and practical ideas for raising joyful, mindful, book-loving kids.
Transcribe →