In this episode of Our Book Bench, we dive into The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson, covering chapters 1–3.

We meet the Herdmans — the kids everyone loves to hate — and watch as they bring chaos, curiosity, and a whole lot of disruption into the town’s Christmas pageant. If you’ve seen the movie, much of this will feel familiar; but reading the story together invites us to slow down and ask deeper questions.

Why do the Herdmans want all the lead roles? Are they just trying to cause trouble? Or is something else going on beneath the surface? As we read, we explore first impressions, belonging, control, and what happens when the people we least expect show up right in the middle of a cherished tradition.

This episode is part of our Christmas mini-series and is designed for kids ages 9-14 and the grownups reading alongside them. Whether you’re reading along or just listening in, we’re glad you’re here.

📖 Book: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever
📚 Chapters Covered: 1-3
🎄 Next Episode: We’ll finish the book and see how the pageant — and the Herdmans — surprise everyone.

You can find our reading schedule and more at ourbookbench.com.

We’re celebrating the season with a cozy Christmas mini-series! 

Join Lisa and David as we kick off our special holiday read-along of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever—a funny, heartfelt classic that’s perfect for families to enjoy together. In this short introduction, we share why we chose this book, what to expect in the coming weeks, and how you can read along with us at home.

Be sure to let us know—What is your favorite holiday tradition?

📚 Book: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
💌 Share your thoughts: [email protected]
📷 Follow along: @ourbookbench
🌐 Reading schedule + updates: ourbookbench.com

We’re kicking off a special Christmas mini-series on December 7th! While we’re on pause between Season 1 and our next full book season in the new year, we’re reading The Best Christmas Pageant Ever—a quick, funny, and heartfelt classic the whole family can enjoy.

This short teaser gives you a peek at what’s coming and why this story is the perfect cozy December read. Grab your copy from your local library or favorite bookstore and join us for a joyful, easy holiday mini-season on the bench!

We’ve come full circle! In this season-finale episode, we look back on The Poisoned King by Katherine Rundell—the dragons, the courage, the laughter, and the unforgettable moments that kept us turning pages week after week.

Together, we share what surprised us most, what we learned about justice and friendship, and why Anya’s bravery and Christopher’s loyalty made this such a powerful story to finish our first season. We also talk about Rundell’s trademark humor—how even in the darkest scenes, her wit and warmth remind us to hold on to hope.

👉 This week’s question:
What book should we read next season? Should we return to Impossible Creatures or venture somewhere new?

📚 Book: The Poisoned King by Katherine Rundell
💌 Share your thoughts: [email protected]
📷 Follow along: @ourbookbench
🌐 Reading schedule + updates: ourbookbench.com

🎃 This special Halloween crossover brings together Our Book Bench and Unsolved Wyoming for a spooky, laughter-filled adventure through R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps: Welcome to Dead House!

In this bonus episode, David is joined by his Aunt Renee — host of the Unsolved Wyoming podcast — to talk zombies, ghosts, haunted houses, and all things creepy. Together they explore what makes scary stories so irresistible (and sometimes nightmare-worthy), what they’d do if they moved into a haunted neighborhood, and why even a kids’ book can give you chills long after you turn off the lights.

👻 Listener Note: This episode dives into Halloween-themed fun — including ghosts, zombies, and a few spooky story details. For sensitive listeners (including adults!), you might want to skip this one if you’d prefer to sleep soundly tonight.

🕯 Crossover Alert: If you loved this episode, check out Renee’s podcast, Unsolved Wyoming, where she explores both the unsolved mysteries and haunted legends of the West. And if you’re new here from Unsolved Wyoming, welcome to Our Book Bench — where kids and grown-ups read and imagine together.

📚 Join the fun at ourbookbench.com

🎧 Listen to Unsolved Wyoming wherever you get your podcasts

In this week’s reading of The Poisoned King (pages 217–273, chapters Ever Onward → The Justice of Dragons), Anya and Christopher’s story reaches its breathtaking conclusion—a finale filled with dragons, justice, and one unbelievable twist.

As we dive into Part 3: Revenge, we explore how courage and compassion collide. Together, we talk about Arach’s loyalty, Anya’s final choice, and the lessons this story offers about friendship, bravery, and doing what’s right—even when it’s hard.

Plus, a listener from Nebraska shares her favorite line: “The future is not given, it is made.”

👉 This week’s question:
When the third book is released, what do you hope will be in it?

📚 Read along: This episode covers pages 217–273 of The Poisoned King by Katherine Rundell.

💌 Share your thoughts: [email protected]
📷 Follow us: @ourbookbench
🌐 Reading schedule + past episodes: ourbookbench.com

In this week’s reading of The Poisoned King (pages 163–214, chapters The Secret Door → The Star Tower), Christopher and Anya discover a hidden library, meet a harpy librarian and her mouse assistant, and encounter two truly dangerous creatures—a manticore and a chimaera. 

There’s humor, heartbreak, and a big moment of disagreement between our heroes as they search for the antidote for the dragons and attempt to solve the clue to the Loquillan.

Along the way, we talk about courage, curiosity, and what friendship looks like when things get hard.

👉 This week’s question:
If you found a hidden library, what would you hope to discover there?

Next Reading: Pages 217–273 (Ever Onward → The Justice of Dragons) — our final section of The Poisoned King!

📚 Join the adventure at ourbookbench.com
💌 Email us at [email protected]
📷 Follow along on Instagram: @ourbookbench

In this week’s reading of The Poisoned King (pages 111–162, chapters The Islet of Glimt → The Loquillan), Christopher and Anya arrive at the Island of Glimt with their friends Niravala, Gallia, and Jacques—only to uncover a heartbreaking discovery that will change everything.

As they meet Irian and Nighthand and learn how Glimt became a sanctuary for magical creatures, new questions arise about courage, justice, and what it truly means to do the right thing.

This episode blends humor (yes, there’s a clown-fart soufflé) with some of the most emotional and thought-provoking moments in the story so far. Together, we talk about bravery, revenge, and loss—and explore how these themes show up in the real world, from caring for endangered creatures to protecting what we love most.

Next Reading: Pages 163–214 (The Secret Door → The Star Tower)

👉 Listener Question: Should Anya use the Loquillan? Why or why not?
Send us your thoughts at [email protected] or on Instagram @ourbookbench — we might share your answer in a future episode!

📚 Join the adventure at ourbookbench.com
 📷 Follow along on Instagram: @ourbookbench

In this week’s reading of The Poisoned King (pages 53–108, chapters Rage → Freshwater Spring), Anya faces impossible choices after her father is taken away for allegedly poisoning the King. 

With the castle doctor raising questions, her uncle tightening his grip, and the gagana birds whispering warnings, Anya’s courage is tested as she dares to enter her grandfather’s room, uncovers startling secrets, and flees for her life.

We talk about the difference between courage and desperation, justice and revenge, and how power can twist people into doing terrible things. Plus, we laugh at Niravala’s perfectly timed riddle—even in the middle of danger!—and consider what this means for the children’s relationship with the mythical creatures of the Archipelago.

We also celebrate a big milestone: 100 downloads! Thank you for reading and listening along with us.

👉 Listener Question: What do you think gave Anya the courage to go into her grandfather’s room, and to run from the guards in the forest? Send us your thoughts at [email protected] or on Instagram @ourbookbench — we might share your answer in a future episode!

This episode marks the official start of our chapter-by-chapter journey through The Poisoned King—our first full reading episode of Season 1!

We’re back on the bench for pages 1–52, where Christopher returns to the Archipelago, we meet a new character Anya (and her very special birds), and the story leaves us on a cliffhanger at the royal ball.

We talk about how Christopher has changed since Impossible Creatures, what life might feel like for Anya as she moves from the forest to the castle, and who might really be behind the poisoning of her grandfather.

We also share a listener’s favorite reading spot (keep sending yours in!), and celebrate a milestone—75 downloads! Help us reach 100 next week by sharing this podcast with a friend.

Next Reading: Pages 53–108 (Rage through Freshwater Spring). You can download the full reading schedule at ourbookbench.com.

Join the conversation:
 • Email: [email protected]

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Wherever you are, pull up a seat—let’s read together.