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.
60episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Listening Kids into Existence: Parenting, Classrooms, and a Grandpuppy Named Misa
6d ago00:57:02Tap to summarizeIn this powerful episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes Doug Noll, lawyer-turned-peacemaker and author of Deescalate: How to Calm an Angry Person in 90 Seconds or Less. Doug explains how neuroscience shows we are driven far more by emotion than by rational thought—and how our culture's habit of shaming or ignoring emotions actually damages kids' brains and relationships. He shares how simple emotional validation ("You're really angry…you really wanted that candy bar…you feel unloved") can quickly calm a child's nervous system, reduce tantrums, and build lifelong emotional strength. Doug describes practical tools for parents and teachers, including "listening children into existence," using emotion labels instead of punishment in heated moments, and creating listening circles in classrooms to cut down on disruptions and discipline referrals. He also talks about teaching these same skills to incarcerated people and the remarkable results they've seen in reducing violence and recidivism. Later in the episode, Jed is joined by Mireya Saldua, who shares her joyful bilingual picture book "Fun Day with Misa." Inspired by her energetic grandpuppy, Misa, Mireya created a story that celebrates the special bond between grandparents and children, especially in Hispanic families. The book appears in both English and Spanish on each page, with fun seek-and-find elements like Misa's blue bone and her name written in Japanese characters. Mireya talks about expanding Come Along with Misa into a series, centering kindness, inclusion, and diverse characters—plus activity sheets, birthday cards, and music to keep families reading, playing, and learning together.
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Why Nothing Collapses and Everything Glows: Quantum Physics for Kids
1w ago00:56:58Tap to summarizeIn this inspiring episode of Reading with Your Kids, Jed welcomes Michael J. Wish, author of the middle-grade nonfiction book "Quantum Physics for Kids." Mike shares how a challenge from a fellow teacher—and a disappointing existing kids' book on the topic—pushed him to prove that even the "hardest" science can be explained to 8–12-year-olds with clarity, humor, and heart. Drawing on his college teaching experience, Mike walks us through a kid-friendly version of quantum physics, from the "purple disaster" (the ultraviolet catastrophe) to Max Planck's radical idea that energy comes in tiny, discrete packets. He explains how this strange, subatomic world helps us understand glowing hot metal, stable atoms, and why the universe doesn't behave the way our everyday intuition expects. More than just science, Mike and Jed dig deep into mindset, resilience, and learning. Mike argues that success isn't about being "a math person," but about developing "aggressive curiosity" and the willingness to struggle with hard ideas. He shares how he practices this with his own daughter—pushing just past frustration, but stopping before misery—and why failure is really "learning happening right now." He also talks about imposter syndrome, his first humble word-search book, and the joy of hearing a 10-year-old read Quantum Physics for Kids cover-to-cover in one night. Later in the episode, Jed invites listeners to enjoy a listen-back conversation with author Cynthia Harmony about her beautiful picture book "A Flicker of Hope," which weaves together monarch butterfly migration, Mexican culture, and a touching story of family separation and reunion.
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From Postwar Pain to Construction Play: Books That Build Empathy and Wonder
1w ago00:56:56Tap to summarizeIn this powerful two-part episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two amazing guests whose books open doors to big conversations and joyful family reading. First, Jed talks with Kimberly Mach, author of the middle-grade novel Present Still Missing. Set just after World War II, the story follows Irene, a baseball-loving girl whose father returns from the war physically present but emotionally distant as he struggles with PTSD—long before it even had that name. Kimberly shares how the book grew from her love of this "out-of-her-time" character and her fascination with the often-overlooked years immediately after the war. She and Jed explore how stories like this can help families talk about mental health, trauma, and the complicated emotions kids feel when a parent is struggling. Kimberly also reflects on moving reader encounters, including a veteran dad who opened up to his daughters at a book event. Then Jed welcomes Kelly Riera, debut picture book author of What Trucks Love to Do: Wreck and Build Construction Crew. Kelly describes her rhyming, high-energy truck tale, where the vehicles themselves are the characters—waking up, brushing their "teeth," fueling up, working hard, and persevering through a busy construction day. Inspired by her own truck-obsessed kids (and the lack of enough good truck books), Kelly talks about the challenge of writing in rhyme, collaborating with an illustrator, and the joy of seeing her children proudly share her book with classmates. She also gives a sneak peek at book two, What Trucks Love to Do: Help and Serve Crew, celebrating community-helper vehicles and the essential work they represent.
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Summer Camp, New Friends, Big Feelings
2w ago00:56:41Tap to summarizeIn this lively episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes author-illustrator Maddie Frost to celebrate her new illustrated middle grade novel, Really Rubie, along with her other upcoming releases. Maddie introduces us to Rubie Fox, an 11-year-old heading off to a month-long summer camp in Vermont—without her best friend Riley, who's sidelined with a broken ankle. Based on Maddie's own camp experiences, the story explores anxiety, homesickness, friendship shifts, and the scary-but-exciting feeling of stepping outside your bubble. Maddie shares her journey from Mass College of Art animation student and restaurant worker to full-time children's book creator—complete with the "no backup plan" leap where she quit her teaching job to seriously pursue books. She talks about the joy of making deeply personal, funny, slightly awkward stories for middle grade readers and how Rubie's doodle-style illustrations let her embrace imperfection and authenticity. We also hear about her whirlwind June releases: Really Rubie, Stuffy Stand (a picture book about burnout, asking for help, and collaboration), and Farm Shark, a wildly silly farm story written by former Simpsons writer Bill Canterbury. Later in the episode, Jed is joined by Paul Paolilli and Dan Brewer, co-authors of Pondering: A Story in Cinquains. Dan, a high school English teacher, explains how the American cinquain form helps kids play with language, rhythm, and imagery, while Paul reflects on ponds, nature, and how poetry invites kids to slow down, observe, and imagine. Together, they and Jed explore how poetic picture books can spark conversations, creativity, and deeper family reading experiences.
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There Are No Dinos In This Book...Or Are There?
2w ago00:59:28Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes Jimmy Vee, author, magician, ventriloquist, marketer, and proud "weirdo," to celebrate his new series beginning with There Are No Dinos In This Book. Jimmy shares how his background in magic, ventriloquism, and marketing copywriting fuses into a unique creative voice for kids—funny, interactive, and packed with personality. He explains how the classic children's magic idea of "look no see"—where kids see something the magician "doesn't"—became the structural engine of his book. On the page, the narrator insists there are no dinosaurs, while kids spot visual clues and "argue" with the narrator, recreating the energy of a live magic show in a read‑aloud experience. Jed notes that it's the kind of book you can't read flat; it demands performance, voices, and engagement. Jimmy walks through the challenge of capturing live-show energy in static text, drawing on his experience writing mass‑media ads and picturing himself on stage as he drafts. He talks about tailoring humor across ages, the joy of "selfish jokes" that mostly please the performer, and the wild differences between intimate school shows and massive, anything‑goes crowds in places like Puerto Rico and El Salvador. They also dive into titles and covers as marketing hooks, unpacking how Jimmy built memorable names like PD Perfect Pants and Professor Nincompoop, using alliteration, rhythm, and a clear hook to stand out in a tiny thumbnail. In the final segment, Jed briefly visits with returning guest Helena Ku Rhee to spotlight her new picture book Sora's Seashells, a gentle, name-centered story about identity, kindness, and family love.
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Gifted, Overwhelmed and Deeply Loved
2w ago00:56:37Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Jed welcomes two wonderful guests who are using story to build kids' hearts and minds. First, Allie Slocom joins us from Colorado to celebrate her middle grade novel Is There Hope for Theodore Cope. Theo is an 11‑year‑old aspiring magician who's also neurodiverse and gifted. He's brilliant at math, reading, basketball, dog walking, and magic tricks—but struggles with executive functioning. Allie explains that Theo isn't irresponsible; he simply hasn't yet developed the skills to manage his time, commitments, and big "yes" energy. Drawing on her work as a gifted education teacher, Allie talks about the importance of helping kids practice executive function through games and real-life experiences. She shares how her Character Club—an after‑school group she ran in her home—grew into an entire book series focused on traits like responsibility, compassion, integrity, and forgiveness, with historical vignettes featuring figures such as Ernest Shackleton and Clara Barton. Next, Jed heads to New Jersey to chat with Nicole Smith‑Schultz, school librarian and author of the picture book My Baby Doll. Inspired by her own daughter, Nicole's book beautifully mirrors getting a beloved baby doll as a child with becoming a mom for the first time. She reflects on the joy and surprise of motherhood, the innocence of play, and the powerful ways kids imitate the care they receive. Nicole also shares her passion for librarianship, media literacy, and making sure every child finds a book they truly love—while advocating for the vital role of school librarians in our communities.
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How a Science‑of‑Reading Program and a 10‑Year‑Old Author Inspire Young Readers
2w ago00:55:46Tap to summarizeIn this uplifting episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two very different – but equally inspiring – guests who are helping kids fall in love with reading in their own ways. First, Jed talks with educator Sheila Robitaille about Reading Eggs, a science-of-reading–based ed tech program that helps children move from learning to read to reading to learn. Sheila breaks down the five pillars of reading—phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency—and explains how Reading Eggs weaves them together in a fun, gamified environment. She describes how kids earn "golden eggs," level up through Fast Phonics, Reading Eggs, and Reading Express, and explore a digital library of over 4,500 books with optional "read to me" audio and comprehension quizzes. Sheila also addresses the old "reading wars," why some kids need more time for their brains to rewire for reading, and how the program can support struggling readers, English language learners, and even parents who may not be confident readers themselves. Then Jed is joined by 10-year-old author Aizelle San, who wrote her picture book Skye's Wacky Raindrop Rescue after watching raindrops fall outside her window at age eight. Aizelle shares Skye's adventurous quest to find her missing parents, introduces listeners to quirky characters like a wart-covered frog and an ant named Antsy, and talks about working with her mom, brother, and illustrator to bring the story to life. She's already drafting more books, including a chapter book called The Compass. Aizelle closes with wise advice about love, support, and reading together as a family.
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We Are Mighty: Tiny Acts That Tell Kids They Matter
3w ago00:56:56Tap to summarizeIn this uplifting episode, Jed welcomes New York Times bestselling author Sharon McMahon to celebrate her new picture book, We Are Mighty. Sharon shares how her lifelong love of reading started with a mom who read aloud every day and walked her to the library so often it became a second home. She and Jed talk passionately about why public libraries are "one of humanity's best inventions" and truly democratic spaces where every child can access the same stories and information. Sharon explains that We Are Mighty grew out of her adult book, The Small and the Mighty, and out of a problem she kept hearing from readers: "I feel like nothing I do matters." Through 12 powerful stories, she shows kids that being "mighty" isn't about being rich, famous, or a president—it's about doing the next needed thing, no matter your age or circumstances. Jed and Sharon dive into inspiring figures like Septima Clark, who taught civil rights leaders at Highlander Folk School, and Maria de Lopez, a little-known suffrage activist and WWI ambulance driver whose courage rippled out to thousands, even though history almost forgot her. They connect these stories to modern kids' lives, talking about community, loneliness, violence, and how small acts of care—from remembering a birthday to showing up for a child on the margins—quietly tell kids, "You matter." In the final segment, Jed chats with teen author Manasi Vegesna, whose book Maya's Tiny Warriors turns the immune system into a kid-friendly adventure, helping children see their own bodies as brave allies fighting to keep them safe.
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Maine, Moose, and Motherhood (Sort Of)
3w ago00:56:24Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes beloved author-illustrator Ryan T. Higgins, joining from his home state of Maine to celebrate his new picture book, Good Night, Bruce. Ryan shares the origin story of Bruce, the famously lovable grump who unexpectedly becomes the mom to three mice and four geese. Bruce, Ryan explains, is his outlet for all the grumpy feelings he usually keeps inside—a character who complains his way through life but always does the right thing for his family. Ryan talks about how a single sketch of a bear being followed by baby birds sat in his sketchbook for a year before, in a moment of professional desperation, it blossomed into the first Mother Bruce story—written in one inspired sitting. He opens up about his early years self‑publishing, selling books through school visits, and literally hauling 10,000 copies of a self-published book from office to office before landing a three-book deal with Disney-Hyperion. Jed and Ryan also swap stories about Maine's wilderness, moose encounters, and how real-life moments sneak into Bruce's world as jokes, side gags, and emotional throughlines. Near the end of the episode, Jed is joined by Tammi Kirkness, author of Why Do I Feel So Worried? Follow the Arrows from Anxiety to Calm. Tammi offers simple, kid-friendly tools—like gargling water, singing, and the "rag doll" yoga pose—to help families navigate anxiety together, and she and Jed reflect on how embracing our quirks and worries can become a true superpower for kids and parents alike.
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Robots, Werewolves, and Wonder: Picture Books that Celebrate Imagination and Culture
3w ago00:57:41Tap to summarizeIn this episode, "Robots, Werewolves, and Wonder: Picture Books that Celebrate Imagination and Culture," Jed welcomes two sets of brilliant guests who show just how magical—and meaningful—picture books can be. First, author Jose Lourenco and illustrator James Braithwaite join us from Toronto to celebrate their best-selling debut picture book, Billie Builds a Robocorn. Jose explains that Billie, a kid navigating a move and new school, builds a homemade robotic unicorn—"Robocorn"—to ease her loneliness. James shares how their early idea started as a bedtime book and evolved into a richer introduction to Billie's world, shaped by a larger creative team. They talk about designing a robot that kids could actually build from household items, their unusual author–illustrator partnership, and the long collaborative journey from shared studio space and BLT-fueled brainstorming sessions all the way to the Bologna Children's Book Fair. Then we travel to the Louisiana bayou with Johnette Downing, musician, storyteller, and author of My Parrain is the Loup Garou. Johnette reimagines the traditionally scary Cajun werewolf (the loup garou) as part of a loving, adventurous bond between a boy and his godfather. She talks about turning fear into fun, preserving Cajun folklore, and blending music and story—many of her books are singable, and this one even has its own song on her new Zydeco album. Johnette also shares stories from performing for children on five continents and why seeing the world through a child's eyes keeps the magic alive.
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