Keywords

children's books, family, care work, parenting, Fair Play, equity, chores, home, love, education

In this episode of Pages and Play, hosts Nanny Miss Monique and Dara welcome Lori Sugarman-Li, author of 'Our Home: The Love, Work, and Heart of Family.' They discuss the importance of recognizing care work, the inspiration behind the book, and how to reframe chores as acts of love. Lori shares insights on the Fair Play method, the significance of illustrating diverse family dynamics, and the impact of teaching children about equity in household responsibilities. The conversation emphasizes the value of care in family life and the potential for cultural shifts through children's literature. www.ourhomeourpride.com

The book 'Our Home' emphasizes the importance of care work.

Reframing Chores as Love

"Chores as hugs at their core."

00:00 Introduction to Pages and Play

Drew Vernon — Marketing Director at Tonies and leader of Tonies Education. Drew partners with schools, libraries, and literacy advocates (including LeVar Burton!) to bring stories, play, and learning to kids in creative, hands-on, screen-free ways.

In this episode of Pages and Play, Nanny Miss Monique and Dara sit down with children’s author Josh Funk to talk about what makes a story truly connect with kids. Josh is known for creating playful, smart books filled with humor, mystery, and sharp wordplay that keep children engaged and adults entertained during read-alouds.

The conversation explores how storytelling shapes early literacy and emotional development, why rhyme and rhythm matter in children’s writing, and how humor makes stories more memorable. Josh shares his creative process, from building fair but surprising mysteries to designing stories that naturally inspire dramatic play. He also discusses the relationship between authors and illustrators and how visual storytelling changes the way children experience a book.

Josh also talks about his most recent release, Whodonut? A Holiday Mystery, a festive, kid-friendly whodunit featuring characters from his beloved Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series. The book blends suspense, silliness, and clever clues, inviting young readers to solve the mystery alongside the characters.

Listeners gain insight into how strong storytelling encourages imagination, curiosity, and deeper conversations between children and caregivers.

About Josh Funk

Josh Funk is the author of numerous children’s books that combine humor, wordplay, and engaging storytelling. He is best known for the Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast series, along with titles like My Pet Feet, Dear Unicorn, and the “It’s Not a Fairy Tale” series. His work consistently balances fun with strong narrative structure, making his books favorites for classrooms and home libraries alike.

Latest Book:

Author Website:

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Key Takeaways

• Children connect more deeply to stories that reflect their world

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Episode Highlights

“This is the podcast where books meet real life.”

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Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Pages and Play

Keywords

Gabby's Dollhouse, MerCat, children's education, voice acting, self-care, STEM, inclusivity, imagination, childhood development, Secunda Wood

In this episode of Pages and Play, hosts Monique and Dara welcome Secunda Wood, the voice of MerCat from Gabby's Dollhouse. They explore the importance of storytelling in children's education, the magic of science, and the significance of self-care and inclusivity in media. Secunda shares her journey to becoming MerCat, the character's impact on young audiences, and her vision for the future of children's programming. The conversation highlights the blend of fun and education in Gabby's Dollhouse, emphasizing the role of imagination in childhood development.

Secunda Wood believes in the power of storytelling to spark curiosity in children.

Exploring the Magic of Gabby's Dollhouse

"It's amazing, it is magic."

00:00 Introduction to Pages in Play

Keywords

children's literature, identity, self-love, diversity, phonics, storytelling, confidence, names, representation, creativity

In this engaging conversation, Dara and Nanny Miss Monique explore the importance of names, identity, and self-love through the lens of children's literature. They discuss the practical magic activity 'My Name Parade' that helps children connect with their names while learning phonics and building confidence. The episode features a special guest, Vanessa Brantley Newton, an award-winning author and illustrator, who shares insights about her book 'Becoming Vanessa', which reflects her personal experiences with identity and the significance of names. The discussion emphasizes the need for diversity and representation in children's books, the power of storytelling, and the importance of nurturing self-worth in children.

The 'My Name Parade' activity helps children connect movement with letter recognition.

Celebrating Names: The Power of Identity

"My name is Dara."

00:00 Introducing Vanessa Brantley-Newton

In this special Pages & Play episode, Monique and Dara sit down with Stephen from Vital Theatre Company to talk about Pinkalicious The Musical — the award-winning family production that brings the beloved storybook to life on stage. They explore how theater sparks imagination, what goes into adapting a children’s favorite, and why live performance still matters for families.

We’re also giving away a VIP Family 4-Pack of tickets to Pinkalicious The Musical in New York City — a $476 value!

🎟️ How to Enter:

1️⃣ Follow @pagesandplaypodcast and @vitaltheatre on Instagram

2️⃣ Tag two friends who love children’s books, theater, or family fun

3️⃣ Send “POD” in a DM to @pinkaliciousthemusical to complete your entry

💫 Bonus: Share the giveaway reel to your story for one extra entry

🗓️ Deadline: Closes Friday, October 17th at 12:00 PM ET

📣 Winner: Announced Friday, October 17th at 9:00 PM ET

How Pinkalicious went from page to stage

Behind-the-scenes insights from Stephen and the Vital Theatre team

Why live theater inspires imagination and creativity

Ways families can bring storytelling into everyday play

Vital Theatre Company — vitaltheatre.org 

Instagram: @pinkaliciousthemusical | @vitaltheatre | @pagesandplaypodcast

In this engaging conversation, Nanny Miss Monique and Dara explore the world of children's literature, focusing on the beloved character Pinkalicious. They discuss how stories can facilitate learning and development in young children, emphasizing the importance of play, creativity, and problem-solving. Victoria, the creator of Pinkalicious, shares insights into her writing process, the themes of her books, and the joy of seeing her characters come to life in various formats, including a musical and a PBS Kids show. The discussion highlights the educational value of storytelling and the impact it has on children's imagination and emotional growth.

akeaways