This might be our shortest-ever episode, but also one of the most important. It’s all about what matters most.

Today I’m talking about how we can make a simple choice that will make a *huge* impact on our kids and families.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• how to figure out what matters most, even when we are DEEP in the trenches of parenting
• how to help our kids form strong sibling bonds
• making sure that even when life is hard, we get to the most important thing of all

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/74/.

Does your read-aloud time ever devolve into chaos? Do you spend just as much time asking your kids to sit still as you do actually reading?

In this episode, I’m talking about how we can modify our expectations just a bit to make read-aloud time more successful.

Many kids listen better when they’re doing something with their hands (listen to Dr. Michael Gurian talk about that right here).

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• how to keep your kids at read-aloud time longer
• why it’s absolutely OK for kids to be “busy” during read-aloud time
• what kids of all different ages can do while you read aloud

Consider this episode your permission slip for making read-aloud moments easier on you, and happier for your kids.

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/73/.

Bad days – we all have them, right? We can’t really avoid that, but we can have a strategy tucked into our pocket- a simple strategy that will help us save a bad day.

As a mama of 6 kids – preschool through high school – I sure do. So today, I’m talking how to save those no good, very bad days! 😉

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• a simple strategy that is the ultimate reset button
• the genre of books that saves the day time and time again
• what Jim Trelease and Andrew Pudewa say is the most important part of your school day (I bet you can guess!)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/72/.

Caroline Starr Rose is back, and she’s joining me today to talk about her historical fiction, plus she’s sharing inspiration for young authors and tips for introducing novels in verse to our kids.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• the picture book she wrote about the wetlands after Hurricane Katrina
• what research looks like for a historical fiction author
• 4 novels in verse to share with younger children
• the book Sarah read-aloud… to herself!

Kids will be so inspired to hear about Caroline’s research and writing process, so gather ’round!

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/71/.

Today I’m addressing a question I get ALL THE TIME – how to find time to read.

How do we cultivate a reading life in the midst of parenting, life, and other general busyness? In this episode I’m addressing the best ways I have found to fit more reading into my life.

I’m sharing my favorite tips. If you enjoy this episode, you’ll also like Episode 119 with Anne Bogel, Cultivating Your Own Reading Life.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• why we need to prioritize our own reading and let our kids “catch” us reading often
• what you can trade-off for reading
• how to find “surprise pockets” for reading
• which time of day I use to get the bulk of my reading in

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/70/.

This is one of the most delightful conversations we’ve ever had on the Read-Aloud Revival podcast!

I’m talking today with Helen Oxenbury, author and illustrator, about creating picture books – from where she gets her ideas, to the supplies she uses to draw animals (and the cutest darn babies around) and more.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• which books Helen read to her own 3 children
• what it’s been like working with her husband, author and illustrator John Burningham (the creator of the Mr. Gumpy series)
• how Helen chooses different media to create atmosphere in her beautiful books

Grab the kids for this one – Helen is sharing tips for young illustrators in this absolutely charming discussion.

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/69/.

Are you unsure of what to read aloud with teens? Do you ever get a little overwhelmed looking through the YA section at your local bookstore or library? 

Not to worry. I’m here today with 5 (OK, plus one more!) books to read with your teens.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• a book that helped me fill up my reading journal with meaningful quotes
• the one I’d change the title and cover of, if I could
• and two books that are so good on audio, you and your teen might end up driving around the block a time or two!

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/68/.

Hold on to your hats everyone – I am sharing one of my very favorite middle grade series in this episode. I’m chatting with both my daughter Allison and someone who just might be my favorite living author, Jonathan Rogers.

Jonathan is author of the fantastic Winderking series, which has been described as a cross between Tolkien and Twain.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• whether characters in books should serve as role models… or not
• the way stories inspire us to live a better story ourselves
• how Narnia tells more truth than a non-fiction book

Plus, Allison asks Jonathan about writing his trilogy, and he tells a great story about the origin of some of his characters. You don’t want to miss it!

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/67/.

Here at the Read-Aloud Revival, we are BIG FANS of audio books, but we get asked all the time: “Do audio books count as real read alouds?”

In today’s brand new episode of the podcast, I’m answering that question. 

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• whether or not audio books count as real reading
• where and how to listen (either alone or as a family)
• where I get the best deals on audio books

Audio books absolutely aren’t cheating, and I’m here today with your quick guide for getting started!

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/66/.

Do you make the best use of the resources available to you at your local library? Or do you even know all of what your library can do for you?
You’re not alone if the answer to either of those questions is “no.” Today I’m talking to Amy Commers, a Youth Services Librarian in Minnesota, about how you can get the most from (and give the most support to) your local library.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• putting tons of books on hold – it’s OK!
• navigating YA
• and how to make your library even better!

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/65-2/.