Read-Aloud Revival

RAR #122: Picture Book Biographies We Love

What’s the best way to introduce your kids to the lives and ideas of those who’ve gone before? In this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, the RAR Team is talking about using picture book biographies with kids of all ages. And of course, we don’t just give you the why… we also share dozens and […]

For Narnia and for Aslan! C.S. Lewis’s stepson, Douglas Gresham

Today I’ve got a bonus episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast—a conversation with Douglas Gresham. Douglas is the stepson of C.S. Lewis, author of The Chronicles of Narnia. In this episode, he shares… what C.S. Lewis was really trying to do with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe what he wishes more people knew about […]

Read with us: Snowflake Bentley

Reading books together as a family is the best way to connect. We connect with each other, with the books we read, and with the big ideas we encounter there. In fact, there are four steps I like best when it comes to sharing books with our kids: Read aloud Share an experience around the […]

Announcing the 2019 31-Day Read-Aloud Challenge

January is one of the most exciting months of the year here at RAR. Why? Because it’s time for our 31-Day Read-Aloud Challenge, our most popular event of all. Participants tell us that this simple challenge transforms their kids’ relationships with reading. I know. That sounds like an exaggeration. But…well…see for yourself! It’s kind of hard to […]

RAR #117: Christmas Novels to Read Aloud with the Whole Family

You’ve been asking for one, and this year, we made it for you: a booklist of Christmas novels to read aloud. If you’re looking for stories that will shape and form your Advent and Christmas season, you’re in exactly the right place. On this brand new podcast episode, I’m sharing my favorite Christmas novels (and […]

Audio Book Deals Not to Miss

I wasn’t planning on putting up a post today, but.. I had to! This weekend, I found over 100 fantastic audio book deals for kids. They’re all under $5 and some are as low as 82 cents. We never know how long they are going to stay this price, so I wanted you to know about […]

RAR #114: Writing the Book You Needed as a Child, a conversation with Susan Tan

I met author, Susan Tan, face to face on my summer trip to Boston. Her middle-grade books about Cilla Lee-Jenkins have become favorites of mine to recommend, and she was every bit as fun as I thought she’d be! She’s also incredibly smart, and she’s writing wonderful books for our kids. On today’s Read-Aloud Revival […]

RAR #112: How an Audio Book is Made, with audio book narrator and producer, Lyssa Browne

You might have heard us say this before, but here at The Read-Aloud Revival, we believe that audio books count. Today we’re going behind the scenes to talk about how an audio book is made. In fact, we often prefer reading books on audio. Listening to a good book, well-read, is a wonderful way to fill your […]

RAR #110: S.D. Smith Live

You might know S.D. Smith as the author of the Green Ember series of books. He also happens to be hilarious – which makes this episode so much fun! At all five Great Homeschool Conventions in 2018, Sarah Mackenzie interviewed S.D. Smith live on stage. At one point, he flipped the whole thing on its […]

RAR #108: Favorite Picture Books for Ancient History

If you’re looking to read books for ancient history studies with your kids this year, this booklist is for you. It’s a short list of delightful picture book read-alouds for the whole family. Why only picture books? Well… because picture books are worthwhile for everyone. Your high schooler is likely to enjoy these books every bit […]

RAR #106: Connection, Community, and Confidence: What your homeschool needs this fall

At the start of a new school year, we’re all full of hopes for a year that means something. We want our kids to encounter big ideas, learn new skills, read wonderful books, and come out the other side of the school year richer than they were going in. That’s why infusing your home with […]

RAR #104: Put Those Books Face OUT!

I’m coming to you today with a simple tip that could make a HUGE difference in how often your kids pick up books for fun. In fact, it may seem *too* simple at first, so you’re going to have to try it for yourself! What is it? Put the books OUT. Face-out, I mean. Think […]

RAR #102: What Kids Really Need (and Want), with Dr. Meg Meeker

When I talk to and meet with other moms, I get a sense that we all want the same thing. We all long to connect with our kids. And, of course, we also want to stay connected – even in the teen years. Well, today’s guest knows all about that, and she’s here to give us some […]

RAR #100: Jeanne Birdsall, The Penderwicks, and over 4 Million Downloads

Can you believe it? It’s Episode 100!  And amazingly, we just crossed over a pretty huge milestone here at The Read-Aloud Revival: over 4 million downloads of the podcast. You know, I couldn’t have picked a better guest for this week’s 100th episode celebration. In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Jeanne Birdsall, author of the […]

RAR #98: Introducing Kids to Foreign Language through Reading Aloud

Many of us want to help our children learn a second language, but where do we start? And what if we only speak one language ourselves? Anne Guarnera of Language Learning at Home is joining us today to walk us through it. Although it isn’t her first language, she speaks Spanish in her home and […]

RAR #96: The Lowdown on Reading Aloud to 8 – 12 Year Olds

If there is one thing I hope you take away from this episode – it’s this: keep reading to your 8-12 year olds.  Kids ages 8-12 are so fun to share books with, and you can have such wonderful conversations with this age group. Plus, you are continuing to make memories and associate reading with […]

RAR #94: The Lowdown on Reading Aloud to 0-3 Year Olds

Guess what? The Read-Aloud Family: Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids is now available everywhere! In this episode, I’m thrilled to share a little from the book about reading aloud to your 0-3 years olds. And of course, I’ll make a couple of book suggestions … Of course. You’ll hear about: the most important thing […]

RAR #92: Books Boys Love (that aren’t just books for boys)

Sometimes it can be tricky to find books for boys. It’s not so much that they need different books than girls do, but… well… …at some point, you may find it’s difficult to match your boys up with books they love. You know what I mean, right? The kind of books they’ll stay up late […]

RAR #90: Easter Basket Ideas for Young Readers

Need a few Easter basket ideas for your young readers? We’ve got you covered! In this episode we’re bringing you books and bookish ideas for kids infant-teen. Plus, I’m sharing a beautiful new picture book and introducing you to author Linsey Davis. In this episode, we talk about: favorite children’s bibles and Easter books fiction […]

[Today only] 50% off at Barnes & Noble

Note: Today only, you can pre-order The Read-Aloud Family for 50% off at Barnes & Noble. The sale ends at midnight Eastern, so don’t miss it!  If someone told you that you could… give your kids an enormous academic boost help them develop empathy and compassion inspire them to live with true heroism create a warm and wonderful […]

RAR #87: Books to Celebrate Your Adopted Child, Brooke Cooney

In today’s episode of the podcast, we’re sharing books about adoption. Some are picture books, some are YA– and we’ve got a little something for everyone in between. These are books that will help your family celebrate the adopted children in your life. Brooke Cooney has made it her mission to share books about orphaned children, […]

My Favorite 3-Step Alternative to Literature Curriculum

Why is it that kids love books when they start school, but the average high school student only reads an average of 6 minutes per day for pleasure? If you went to a book club gathering and had to prove that you had read and understood the book by taking a quiz or filling out […]

RAR #84: Books for Kids Who Don’t Love Reading (Yet)

What can we do about our kids who don’t love reading? Today I’m sharing a few ideas, as well as a few books that just might turn your reluctant reader into a reader who stays up past bedtime, sneaking books under the covers with a flashlight. In this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, you’ll […]

Answers to Questions about the 31-Day Read-Aloud Challenge

Do you have questions about the 31-Day Read-Aloud Challenge? I did a little Facebook and Instagram Live broadcast, answering some common questions we’re getting, like… how can pre-readers participate? which books count? what if we miss a day? can we participate if we’re outside the United States? Watch the video replay to get the answers […]

RAR #82: Why Fidgeting is a Good Sign (and what brain science has to say about reading aloud), Dr. Michael Gurian

Parents of wiggly kids – the proof is here.  In this episode with author Dr. Michael Gurian, you’ll hear scientific evidence demonstrates that many kids not only need to move while being read to, they actually retain information better when they are allowed to do so. Dr. Gurian is sharing much more with us, including: […]