Reading With Your Kids Podcast

This episode brings together authors, artists, and a generous dose of imagination to explore how books connect generations and shape young readers.
We first hear from author Tracy Todd and illustrator Vashti Harrison about That You Are Here Is No Small Thing. Todd says the title grew from her visit to Senegal and Ghana, where she reflected on the survival of ancestors and the lives of future generations. The deeply personal book honors this history as an affirmation, while Harrison describes its Afrofuturist, non-linear journey through memory, space, and time. Together, they hope it will affirm Black children and invite all readers to ask questions, learn, and empathize.
The conversation then turns to author Rick Williams, whose Dragons and Dinosaur Chronicles began with imaginative ideas from his grandson. Through hikes, storytelling, and playful collaboration, Williams shows how adults can encourage children's creativity and build meaningful bonds. He also shares how reading opened doors for him and his sister, and why literacy can support children through difficult times and help them become lifelong learners.
Drawing on his experience with AI, he sees it as useful for research and brainstorming but urges care and adult guidance when children use it. The Story Making Hub offers a workbook and free materials to help families create stories together.
Across both interviews, the episode celebrates books as invitations: to remember, imagine, learn, and share ideas. Whether readers explore history, draw dragons, or invent something new, creativity grows through connection, encouragement, and fun for children and adults.

On this episode, host Jed Doherty welcomes two authors whose books help young readers explore ideas, build confidence, and discover the joy of learning.
Vicki Scott Burns shares the inspiration behind her award-winning Charli books, including Charli's Turtle Triumph and Charli's Possum Park. Charli is a curious girl who encourages children to ask "what if?" and see STEM in unexpected places. Burns explains how redesigning her own yard introduced her to landscape architecture, a field she brings to life through Charli's park design. She also hopes children will understand that mistakes, experimentation, and collaboration are all part of solving problems. Drawing on her experience as a third-grade teacher, she describes the Charli books as a supportive bridge between picture books and chapter books. Turtle Triumph began with a turtle painting by her granddaughter, while the upcoming Charli's Beautiful Butterflies explores butterflies, bees, and food security.
Rob Buyea discusses Because of Our Student Teacher, a new story set in the world of his Mr. Terupt books. Its student teacher was once one of the original student characters, now grown up. Buyea reflects on his years teaching elementary school and high school biology, and on becoming a writer because he wanted to inspire his students. He began creating stories for the classroom, then found a book-length idea he couldn't ignore. He credits reading, strong first sentences, learning from failure, and trusted critique groups with helping writers grow.
Together, the conversations celebrate curiosity, resilience, and many ways books make learning meaningful and fun.

On this episode of Reading with Your Kids, Jed Doherty welcomes Sara Porritt, author, musician, and Chief Inclusion and Impact Officer at Omnicom Media. Sara shares how her picture book, Where Do You Go When You're Not With Me?, grew from her son missing her during the school day. The book helps children ask about their parents' lives and offers families prompts for honest, curious conversations. Sara uses the reassuring refrain, "When you're thinking of me, I'm thinking of you," and describes "bridging" as helping children look forward to their next moment of connection with a parent or caregiver. She connects the book's themes to her work building belonging and community, and to her commitment to meaningful human connection in an increasingly digital, AI-shaped world. Sara also talks about her R&B career and her work facilitating sound baths with singing bowls, drums, chimes, and voice. For her, music and sound can help people pause, focus, and feel grounded. Jed and Sara reflect on helping children understand parents' work and the value of sharing everyday experiences.
Later in the episode Madison Lucchesi speaks with Dvonn Lynch about Lincoln's Goodnight Tour of the Planets, inspired by son Lincoln's love of space. Dvonn explains how Lincoln's spaceship bed becomes a launchpad for a planetary adventure. He researched the planets' weather and environments, and added a glossary for readers. The story encourages children to stay curious, dream big, and share bedtime reading. Dvonn is developing a cars-and-counting book inspired by his younger son, Theo.

Author Molly Harris and illustrator Jonathan Corby discuss their picture book, I Need Space, and their experience meeting for the first time after collaborating remotely. Harris explains that editors guide illustrator selection and that authors' notes should clarify the story without dictating every image. Corby describes how the manuscript and Harris's notes sparked his interest, while his parallel work as a book designer gave him a connection to her work. He distinguishes illustration—creating the pictures—from design, which gathers and conveys feedback from the publishing team.
Their story centers on Rocco, a sensitive rocket navigating a playful space world where rough play leaves him overwhelmed. Harris drew inspiration from her preschool-aged son's difficulty with peers who played too forcefully. She hopes the book gives families a shared language for discussing boundaries and emotions. Corby explains how he storyboarded ideas and used color to echo Rocco's feelings, shifting from blues and greens toward reds and black before returning to calmer hues. He added a recurring space dog for readers to discover. They reflect on picture books as visual storytelling that can help children recognize feelings and connect stories to real life.
Author and archaeologist Josh Guerrero introduces his debut book, Abe the Adventurer and the Jungle Jewel, inspired by a Marine Corps friend. Abe follows a map into a jungle, learning about animals, courage, cooperation, and respect for cultural heritage. Guerrero says Abe leaves treasure untouched, valuing lessons and memories over possessions. He recalls finding an obsidian arrowhead in New Mexico and describes his adventure-and-self-development podcast.

Kaz Windness and Jim Roethe join Jed Doherty on Reading with Your Kids.
Windness shares the inspiration behind Bitsy Bat Snow Star, the third book in a series about a bat who experiences winter for the first time. As Bitsy joins classmates in snowy activities, she becomes cold and uncomfortable but hesitates to speak up because she fears losing her friendships. The story explores self-advocacy, acceptance, and other ways to enjoy winter.
The series draws on Windness's own experience as an autistic person and her child's, and aims to help children celebrate differences without reducing anyone to a label. She describes autism as a spectrum of individual experiences and support needs, and explains masking—hiding differences to fit in. She encourages families to ask what support or communication works best for each person.
Windness reflects on discovering her own autism while seeking support for her child, and how understanding her needs helped replace years of feeling broken with self-acceptance and practical accommodations. She traces Bitsy's origins to a conversation with an art student about feeling out of place at school. When a publisher suggested changing the bat to an owl, Windness held onto the bat metaphor. The books prompt conversations about feelings, friendship, and self-advocacy; educator resources are at bitsybat.com. She also previews her playful Time Traveling Chickens books and says she has more Bitsy ideas.
Jim Roethe says storytelling for his grandchildren inspired Enchanting Tales for Quizzical Kids. A retired attorney and birder, he writes animal tales about reciprocity, compromise, and helping others.