Reading With Your Kids Podcast

On this episode of Reading With Your Kids, we're celebrating two wonderful graphic novels—starting with a deep dive into Shannon Hale's new middle grade graphic novel Dream Big.
Joining Jed from an Airbnb in Utah, Shannon talks about the beauty and diversity of the U.S., her travels to schools and bookstores in at least 45 states, and what it's like to live life on the road with "book people." She reflects on a career of 50+ books, translated into 25 languages, and admits she hardly lets herself think about all those readers—it's too overwhelming, so she keeps her focus on the next story.
Shannon shares the heart behind Dream Big, the second book about Cassie, a highly sensitive, big-feelings kid based on Shannon's own childhood in 1980s Utah. Cassie becomes an extra in a low-budget horror movie, giving readers a realistic, often funny look at movie sets—far from the glamorous image kids may imagine. Through Cassie's worries about being "a scaredy cat," the book becomes a gentle exploration of fear, fame, and emotional intelligence. Shannon and Jed talk about different kinds of fear, why fame doesn't equal love or confidence, and how stories can open up honest family conversations about emotions and money.
In the second part of the episode, Jed welcomes David Bruggink, creator of Pia in the Forest. Inspired by sound-recording walks in the woods with his young daughter in Maine, David's debut graphic novel celebrates curiosity, nature, and the special bond between a dad and his adventurous child—perfect for families who love exploring the world together on and off the page.

In this heartfelt episode, Jed welcomes back filmmaker and author David Soren to celebrate Visible: The Sort of True Story of a Not So Hidden Disease, the powerful follow-up to his middle grade novel Invisible. Drawing from his own experience growing up with Crohn's disease, David shares how his fictional stand-in, JJ Sugar, navigates life with his biker-beast disease, Norm, and how their relationship slowly shifts from fear and resentment toward understanding and even a kind of friendship.
David and Jed talk about the many kids living with hidden diseases—conditions like Crohn's, diabetes, and other invisible illnesses that don't show on the outside but shape a child's daily life. David describes emotional school visits and a moving moment at Camp Oasis, where a young camper asked, "What if I like my disease?"—a question that perfectly captures the heart of these books.
The conversation also explores parental illness through David's father's experience with throat cancer, and how families can talk honestly with kids while modeling resilience and self-advocacy. Along the way, David reflects on turning pain into story, the joy of creating Norm, and the hope that Invisible and Visible will help kids and families feel seen, understood, and a little less alone.  We close the show by welcoming Christal M Cherry to celebrate her picture book Mac & Cheese, Being Different Is OK. In this wonderful story we meet Mac, a unique kid who is ready to make new friends! But when he tries to play with the other kids, they are rude and tease him. Mac is devastated until he finds a new friend that is a little different too.

In this heartfelt episode of the Reading With Your Kids podcast, Jed welcomes Daria, musician, teaching artist, and author of the joyful new picture book Cicada Sing Along. Drawing on decades of performing in schools, Daria and Jed celebrate the magic that happens when kids aren't just sitting and listening, but making music together—banging on drums, buzzing like cicadas, and discovering instruments from around the world.
Daria shares how the so‑called "cicada apocalypse" inspired her to turn fear and "Ew, bugs!" into curiosity and delight. In Cicada Sing Along, kids learn real cicada facts while buzzing a silly, contagious chorus—often, the worse they sing it, the more fun it is. She talks about "stealth education," weaving science, rhythm, and literacy into a hoot‑and‑a‑half read‑aloud that teachers and music educators can use to get every child participating.
The conversation goes deeper into world music, indigenous cultures, and bilingual learning. Daria describes learning songs directly from communities in Peru and beyond, how languages like Quechua view everything as alive and in motion, and why preserving languages and stories is essential to a whole and healthy humanity. Both she and Jed return again and again to a core belief: if kids are having fun, they're learning—and feeling seen.
In the final segment, Jed talks with author and reading specialist Danielle LaRosa about her tender picture book I Love You So, a love letter to her graduating son and a powerful reminder of how daily reading, connection, and shared stories shape kids' futures long after they leave home.

In this episode of the Reading With Your Kids podcast, Jed welcomes two inspiring picture book creators who are helping families nurture curiosity, confidence, and connection.
First, Jed chats with Leah Wolf Hurst, an occupational therapist, yoga teacher, personal trainer, ergonomist, and mindfulness coach known as "The Wolf of Wellness." Leah introduces her picture book "Bob's Donuts for Breakfast," a sensory-rich love letter to San Francisco that follows a carefree dog and an anxious squirrel on a delicious adventure through iconic city landmarks. Leah explains how these two characters represent opposing forces inside all of us—impulse and caution—and how their journey invites families to notice the extraordinary in everyday life. She and Jed dive into themes of curiosity, presence, nervous system health, and screen time, especially in the age of AI, and how picture books can gently teach mindfulness without ever using the word.
Then Jed is joined by Jody Glazer Tob, author of the debut picture book "Me and Marta and the Magic Shoes," inspired by her own struggles being told she was "too small" to dance. Jody shares how returning to salsa dance in Brooklyn as an adult, with a supportive teacher and friend, completely changed her story—and why she felt obligated to pass that message on to kids. She talks about working with her 83-year-old dad as the book's illustrator, the joy of seeing a child discover her book in a store, and the power of kindness, perseverance, and the arts. Jody also offers down-to-earth advice for debut and aspiring authors on marketing, community, and treating your book like a small business.

In this lively episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast, Jed welcomes two wonderful guests whose picture books help kids feel seen, brave, and deeply connected to the world around them.
First, Jed chats with Jalpa Vaidya Patel, licensed social worker and author of "Wizzy: The Worldly Tree: A Tale of Cultural Curiosity." Jalpa shares how her background in social work and Native American studies shaped a gentle new way to talk about culture with kids. Instead of starting with "we're all different," Wizzy begins with the truth that we're all interconnected and that every family has a story rooted in the land. Jalpa explains how cultural curiosity—asking "What's your family story?" instead of "Where are you from?"—can build belonging and naturally reduce prejudice. She and Jed swap family stories, DNA surprises, and powerful examples of how relationships across cultures change the way kids see the world.
Then Jed is joined by Mallory J. Stevens, creator of "The Adventures of Clive and Sydney: The Dancing Armadillos." Mallory introduces listeners to Clive, Sydney, and their feline friend Nanushka, performers at the Pine Tree Forest Theater. When Nanushka goes missing before a big show, the armadillos must find the courage to dance onstage alone and then venture into the forest to search for their friend. Mallory describes how her background in banking, corporate communications, and conflict resolution led her to write fun, music-filled stories that also teach friendship, empathy, problem-solving, and resilience. She even shares how the series inspired original songs—like "Beetles and Worms" and the award-winning "Do the Dillo"—and her hopes for an animated series and school performances.