Stories from the Ashes Podcast

Our conversation today was with Ryan J. Southworth, author of The Treeborn Trilogy:

Other Books Mentioned in Episode:

Chronicles of Narnia

Lord of the Rings

The Oath by Frank Peretti (not written for kids—a SERIOUS books.)

DownBelow Station by C. J. Cherryh

Morgaine Cycle by C. J. Cherryh

Always Ready: Directions for Defending the Faith by Dr. Greg L. Bahnsen

The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution by Carl R. Trueman

The Treeborn Trilogy : Mapaline, Ceylon, The Last Tower

Heartwood Hotel series by Kallie George

The Green Ember series by S. D. Smith

The Conquerors Saga By Timothy Zahn

Games recommended in the episode:

Unmatched

Wingspan

Azul

Terraforming Mars

Blokus

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This is a unique episode for us—our very first foray into film as a storytelling medium!

Since recording, we’ve had several filming days under our belt, along with some truly fun behind-the-scenes moments. Below, I’ve shared a few of my favorites:

🎥 A time-lapse of an 18' lofted tent going up in our Jedi camp.

🦸‍♂️ Two amazing actors proving that grown men love wearing capes.

📣 A link to our promo video and the socials where you can follow along: Instagram, YouTube, and our GoFundMe

This whole experience has been such a joy—especially getting to share it with my girls. I can’t wait to see the finished short film once Palmer wraps up filming and postproduction, and I’m looking forward to sharing even more about the journey with all of you! (If you keep scrolling, I’ve included some stills as a bonus at the bottom of the page!)

Also in this episode…We chat about a few favorites, including:

* a beloved book series that’s will come as no surprise to anyone

* and a random but delightful influencer who just might feed your Jane Austen obsessions- Jake Phillips, theculturedbumpkin

Reshelving Alexandria is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and help support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Your support makes a difference! ✨

You’re still here! Fantastic! Here are some quick shots I took of some of the sets and props- I hope you enjoy!

Inara and me at the end of a 17 hour filming day (it’s hours past midnight at this point).

An 18’ Imperial control console built specifically to cover a low bookshelf at the library.

I’m in love with this accessory for Silas’ character. It’s a battery from the 1950’s.

A jedi master checking out the lofted tent and campsite at large.

Gemma is an expert log keeper for the camera and mics. So proud of her!

We had the honor of filming at Hancher Auditorium. This is the restaurant scene and it was our first long day with a 6 a.m. call time- it went so well but I could barely walk that night!

I love watching Palmer and Rebecca work together. Mothers and sons are such a special relationship!

Annie Parsons is a graduate homeschooler who lives at home, saves her money for family trips to England, and somehow still finds time to read widely, support her friends, teach remotely, and charm preschoolers during storytime at the library. She’s an illustrator and storyteller with a quiet wit, a love of video games, and a deep appreciation for the little things that make life feel magical. Her art reflects all of that—warm, whimsical, and full of heart.

Find her here:InstagramWebsiteAnnie’s book: Stone Soup

Stone Soup resources and coloring pages

Skillshare Classes

Substack

Books mentioned/discussed in this episode:

Framed by Frank Cottrell Boyce

Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds by Jen Wilkin

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

The Artist Who Painted the Blue Horse by Eric Carle

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Picture This: How Pictures Work Molly Bang

The Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher by Molly Bang

Goose by Molly Bang

The Yellow Ball by Molly Bang

Frost Light by Danielle Bullen

Sparrow in the Sun by Danielle Bullen

17:00

St. Patrick's Day Shamrocks by Mary Berendes

Nellie Bly: America’s Greatest Reporter by Iris Noble; republished by Renewed Books 5/25

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, republished by Renewed Books

Ten Days in a Madhouse: A Story of the Intrepid Reporter Nellie Bly by Nellie Bly

A Race Around the World: The True Story of Nellie Bly & Elizabeth Bisland by Caroline Starr Rose; illustrated by Alexandra Bye

Nellie Vs. Elizabeth: Two Daredevil Journalists’ Breakneck Race around the World by Kate Hannigan; illustrated by Rebecca Gibbon

Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett; illustrated by Jon Klassen

Luli and the Language of Tea by Andrea Wang; illustrated by Hyewon Yum

Umami by Jacob Grant

Saturday by Oge Mora

Thank You, Omu by Oge Mora

This is Worship: art by Anthony Gorola

World Famous Paintings by Rockwell Kent (a book of art)

The Jesus Storybook Bible narrated by David Suchet- the story of Leah

Kiki’s Delivery Service by Eiko Kadono

Video Games We Love:

Hello Kitty: Island AdventureAnimal CrossingThe Master’s Pupil

Ambre’s kids favorite Poirot episode: “The Veiled Lady”

Leuchtturm journals

Thanks for visiting Reshelving Alexandria! This post is free, so feel free to share it with a friend—or three! 📚✨

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Our guest this week is Ali Noël. Ali lives with her three young children in the rainy shadow of Mount Rainier. When she isn't spear-heading her first year of homeschooling or chasing her stubborn bulldog around the yard, you can find Ali whittling poetry and chipping away at her biblical fiction novel. Ali had a B.S. in Biblical Studies from Indiana Wesleyan University and is currently a poetry intern for Twenty Hills Publishing.

Some of Ali’s most recent poetry publications and other places to find her:

Light of the World published by Vessels of Light

The Day Bringer published by Vessels of Light

Too Often I Forget published by Calla Press Publishing, Spring Literary Journal

Tenderly, He, published by Calla Press Publishing, Spring Literary Journal

Watch As It Wakes published by Storyboard Community Spring Journal

Book 1 in The Ratcatcher ChroniclesThe Kingdom of GallimaufriaChapter One: The Boy from Ravo

From the Desk of Periwinkle Twist- Substack

Instagram: The.Poetess.Life PeriwinkleTwist_Writes

Books referenced and discussed in this episode:

Redeeming Love (please read reviews when deciding if this is a good read for You)

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

Little House on the Prairie series (specifically Farmer Boy)

The Joy Luck Club

Harry Potter

To Kill a Mockingbird

Emma

Wingfeather Saga

Shel Silverstein’s poems

The Brontë Sisters books

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen

Mary Oliver (her complete works)

Favorite Poems, Old and New “The Wreck of the Hesperus” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Anne of Green Gables

The Pied Piper of Hamelin

The Princess and the Goblin

Give and Take

Hidden Truths

The Awakening of Miss Prim

The Lord of the Rings

Resource:

House of Humane Letters: How to Read Fairy Tales class with Angelina Stanford.

A Year with Mary Oliver free guide from Amy Parilee Rickards of @livingwellread.

📢 Shoutout to Bandersnatch! They’re in the final week of their Kickstarter for a fantastic new book—a collection of children’s poetry from living poets! If you love sharing fun, playful poetry with your kids, now’s the time to support this project. Check it out before the campaign ends next week!

Reshelving Alexandria is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and help support our work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Your support makes a difference! ✨

Thanks for visiting Reshelving Alexandria! This post is free, so feel free to share it with a friend—or three! 📚✨

Welcome back to Season 4! In today’s episode, I’m chatting with Rebecca LeVake about how to make picture books even more fun by acting them out with your kids. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or just looking for new ways to engage little (and big!) readers, Rebecca’s got some great ideas to bring stories to life in an interactive and playful way. Grab your kids, a favorite picture book, and let’s dive in!

To learn more about Rebecca’s reading adventures and the educational journey of her family, be sure to check out her website!

Books shared in this episode:

Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Bodie and Brock Thoene book series for older teens and adults 16+ The Zion Chronicles, The Zion Covenant, Shiloh Legacy, The Jerusalem ChroniclesThe Zion Legacy- they’ve written more, but these are the ones we’ve read.

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

Song of the Trees by Mildred D. Taylor

Once on a Time by A.A. Milne

-Picture Books That Are Perfect for Beginning: Simple, Engaging, and Fun!-

One-Dog Canoe by Mary Casanova and Ard Hoyt

The Mitten by Jan Brett (mistakenly referred to as “The Hat” in the episode)

Elephant and Piggie books by Mo Willems

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney

Little Red Hot by Eric A. Kimmel

Armadilly Chili by Helen Ketteman (a Little Red Hen story)

Song and Dance Man by Karen Ackerman

Roxaboxen by Barbara Cooney

The Pumpkin Runner by Marsha Diane Arnold

Caps for Sale by Esphyr Slobodkina

The Farmer in the Dell by Alexandra Wallner

This week, we’re thrilled to welcome UK artist Michael J. Tinker to the podcast! Michael is a gifted musician and storyteller whose work blends faith, creativity, and heart in a way that resonates with listeners of all ages. In this episode, we delve into his incredible Christmas album, discussing the inspiration behind the songs and the absolute joy of weaving gospel truths into festive music.

We also explore Michael's broader ministry and the ways he uses his talents to share stories of hope and redemption. Whether you’re already a fan of his music or discovering him for the first time, this conversation will leave you inspired and ready to add some new tunes to your holiday playlist!

Tune in for an episode filled with warmth, humor, and a little Christmas magic!

You can connect with Michael and discover all the creative pies his fingers are in by visiting his website here.

You can support Michael by ordering his music directly through his store here.

The King Has Arrived by Michael J. Tinker (In case you don’t listen-my family absolutely LOVE this Christmas adventure album!)

Michael’s entire music catalogue for streaming is here on Bandcamp.

Adventures of the Juniper tv show, free on YouTube.

YouTube Christmas playlist.

Muppet “Pigs in Space”- YouTube link

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Jungle Jam and Friends the Radio Show

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson

Commando comic series

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

Fantastic Mister Fox by Roald Dahl

Adventures in Odyssey the Radio Show

Morning & Evening by Charles Spurgeon

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton

The Jack Reacher Series by Lee Child

The Green Ember Series by S.D. Smith

The Princess Bride by William Goldman

As You Wish by Cary Elwes - Audiobook

Faith, Hope and Carnage by Nick Cave and Seán O’Hagan- Content Consideration: Lots of swearing

Nellie Bly: America’s Greatest Reporter by Iris Noble- Coming in January 2025 from Renewed Books!

Thanks for listening to Stories from the Ashes! This episode is free so please share it and encourage a friend with a new holiday album!

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Today’s episode is extra special for all you classic children’s book lovers! I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Carrie Halim, the Curator of the Robert McCloskey Museum, who (let’s be honest) is basically living the dream. If you’ve ever imagined what it’s like to be surrounded by Make Way for Ducklings, Blueberries for Sal, and all things McCloskey, you’re in for a treat. Carrie shares how she fell in love with McCloskey’s work, the magic of curating such an iconic collection, and some behind-the-scenes stories from the museum. Whether you’re a long-time fan or just discovering McCloskey’s timeless books, this episode will leave you inspired and ready to revisit your favorites.

Celebrate Robert McCloskey’s Ohio Roots: A Day of Donuts, Harmonica, and Kaleidoscopes!

Join us this Saturday, September 14th, for the grand finale of summer at the McCloskey Museum! We're celebrating Robert McCloskey’s Ohio heritage and literary legacy with a day full of fun and creativity. Enjoy donuts, harmonica tunes, and kaleidoscope-making as we honor the beloved author and illustrator. Special tributes from authors Glenn McCarty and Gary D. Schmidt, along with duckling and Lentil sculptor Nancy Schon, will make this event even more memorable.

Catch a performance of Lentil at the Hamilton Flea at 11 AM, and then join us at the museum from 12-4 PM to continue the festivities. It’s all happening on McCloskey’s birthday weekend at 20 High Street, Hamilton, Ohio. For more details, visit our Facebook group at McCloskey Wonder Works!

Books in this episode:

The Complete Tales of Winnie-The-Pooh by A. A. Milne

Frederick by Leo Lionni

The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald

Pilgrim’s Inn Elizabeth Goudge

Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey (on sale at time of posting!)

Lentil by Robert McCloskey

Homer Price books by Robert McCloskey

Centerburg Tales (also titled More Homer Price) by Robert McCloskey

Henry Reed series by Keith Robertson; illustrated by Robert McCloskey:

Henry Reed, Inc.

Henry Reed's Journey

Henry Reed's Babysitting Service

Henry Reed's Big Show

Henry Reed's Think Tank

Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey

Madeline by Ludwig Bemelmans

The Story About Ping by Marjorie Flack; illustrated by Kurt Wiese

Robert McCloskey by Gary D. Schmidt

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Doodle’s Mountain by Amanda M. Brindley; illustrated by Sofia Rector

The Misadventured Summer of Tumbleweed Thompson by Glenn McCarty; illustrated by Joe Sutphin

Journey Cake, Ho! by Ruth Sawyer; illustrated by Robert McCloskey

Burt Dow, Deep-Water Man : A Tale of the Sea in Classic Tradition by Robert McCloskey

Pocket Full of Colors: The Magical World of Mary Blair, Disney Artist Extraordinaire Amy Guglielmo; illustrated by Jacqueline Tourville

Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis

John Philip Duck by Patricia Polacco

Once On a Time by A. A. Milne

The Magic Hill by A. A. Milne

The Childcraft books

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In this episode, we sit down with homeschool mom Kirsten Hill to discuss the joys and challenges of reading aloud to a primarily male audience. Kirsten shares her insights on selecting engaging books for boys, keeping their attention, and fostering a love of reading through captivating read-aloud sessions. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or librarian, you'll find valuable tips and recommendations to enhance your read-aloud experiences with boys.

Betsy-Tacy by Maud Hart Lovelace

The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

The Chestry Oak by Kate Seredy

The White Stag by Kate Seredy

A Tree for Peter by Kate Seredy

A Tune in the Tree by Maud Hart Lovelace

The Anna Hibiscus books by Atinuke

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield

Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery

Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson

The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander

Percy Jackson and the Olympian series by Rick Riordan

Baby Island by Carol Ryrie Brink

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O’Dell

Banner in the Sky by James Ramsey Ullman

Carry On, Mr. Bowditch by Jean Lee Latham

Johnny Tremain: A Story of Boston in Revolt by Esther Forbes

Owls in the Family by Farley Mowat

Rascal by Sterling North

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Berenstain Bears by Stan and Jan Berenstain

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Landmark books

Guadalcanal Diary (Landmark)

The Bronze Bow by Elizabeth George Speare

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

Never Cry Wolf by Farley Mowat

Detectives in Togas by Henry Winterfeld

The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

A Rover’s Story by Jasmine Warga

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Wilderking Trilogy by Jonathan Rogers

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Our guest this week is Amanda Cleary Eastep, author of the Christian middle-grade series The Tree Street Kids from Moody Publishers.

Today’s Guest: Author Jamin Still

Tales of Hibaria: The Awakening by Jamin Still

The Master of Tides- Book 1 of The Tales of Hibaria by Jamin Still

Other titles in this episode:

The Green Ember

Skyward Series by Brandon Sanderson

The Wilderking Trilogy by Jonathan Rogers

Sonya’s Chickens by Phoebe Wahl

Even If He Doesn’t… What We Believe About God When Life Doesn’t Make Sense by Kristen LaValley