Worlds Awaiting

Reading Aloud (3:55)

It’s no secret that grandparents dote on their grandchildren. But have you ever thought about doting in a way that can make a lasting difference – actually giving those youngsters a let up on life? Today we’ll hear from one grandfather who dotes with a purpose – and that purpose is literacy. Rachel talks to Brad Wilcox and his daughter Wendee about the way this plays out in their extended family. Brad Wilcox is a professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Brigham Young University. He’s lived in Utah, Ethiopia, and Chile, serving as an advocate for children and learning wherever he has gone. And Wendee Wilcox Rosborough, Brad’s daughter, is a mom and author.

History of Mystery (13:35)

Next, Rachel welcomes children’s and young adult literature expert, Karen Coats. They’ll discuss the history of mystery and detective fiction with special emphasis on this genre for children and young adults. Mysteries for children arrived on the scene much earlier than most of us realize. Coats is a professor of English at Illinois State University. She publishes widely on the many ways youth literature both responds to and shapes contemporary culture, as well as how it supports cognitive and emotional growth. She’s also author of multiple books on children’s literature including her newest book, The Bloomsbury Introduction to Children’s and Young Adult Literature.

Book Review (26:29)

We finish up the show with a book review from Ann-Marie Marchant, Adult and Teen Services Librarian at the Provo City Library in Utah. She introduces a Middle-Grade book entitled Vanished: True Tales of Mysterious Disappearances by Elizabeth MacLeod.

The Book Lady (3:55)

Have you ever heard of The Book Lady? The Book Lady is actually someone you already know. She’s quite a celebrity, known the world around. Dolly Parton has dedicated herself to the cause of children’s literacy in an unusual way. And of all her many accomplishments, she frequently says that she’s most proud when people call her The Book Lady. Her organization, Imagination Library, has distributed well over 50 million free books to children. David Dotson is President of the Dollywood Foundation that oversees Dolly’s Imagination Library. The organization’s goal is to foster a love of reading with pre-school children and their families by providing them with a specially selected book every month. Dotson talks with Rachel about the history of the Library, which is now almost two decades old. 

A Mom’s Favorite Books (18:24)

Next, Rachel welcomes blogger, Amy Johnson, who talks about some of her favorite books. ‘One of the best things we can do as moms,’ she says, 'to get our kids to read, is to be readers ourselves.' Amy is an avid reader and mother of five boys. Her life goal is to make her boys as obsessed with books as she is. (Judging from the dozens of books scattered all over her house, she’s been successful so far.) Amy Johnson blogs at Sunlit Pages about what she’s currently reading to her children. 

Poetry (26:36)

Finally, a poem by Eugene Field called Wynken, Blynken, and Nod read by Katie Jarvis.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:03:55 - The Book Lady

00:18:24 - A Mom's Favorite Books

00:26:36 - Poetry

The Book Lady (3:55)

Have you ever heard of The Book Lady? The Book Lady is actually someone you already know. She’s quite a celebrity, known the world around. Dolly Parton has dedicated herself to the cause of children’s literacy in an unusual way. And of all her many accomplishments, she frequently says that she’s most proud when people call her The Book Lady. Her organization, Imagination Library, has distributed well over 50 million free books to children. David Dotson is President of the Dollywood Foundation that oversees Dolly’s Imagination Library. The organization’s goal is to foster a love of reading with pre-school children and their families by providing them with a specially selected book every month. Dotson talks with Rachel about the history of the Library, which is now almost two decades old. 

A Mom’s Favorite Books (18:24)

Next, Rachel welcomes blogger, Amy Johnson, who talks about some of her favorite books. ‘One of the best things we can do as moms,’ she says, 'to get our kids to read, is to be readers ourselves.' Amy is an avid reader and mother of five boys. Her life goal is to make her boys as obsessed with books as she is. (Judging from the dozens of books scattered all over her house, she’s been successful so far.) Amy Johnson blogs at Sunlit Pages about what she’s currently reading to her children. 

 

Poetry (26:36)

Finally, a poem by Eugene Field called Wynken, Blynken, and Nod read by Katie Jarvis.

STEM Education (4:01)

On Worlds Awaiting we often talk about reading and writing, but what about the third “R” - 'rithmetic. Arithmetic is, of course, an essential foundation stone for all of science, and by all rights, should be included in a broad view of literacy for children. Our first guest, BYU Electrical Engineering Professor Aaron Hawkins, talks with Rachel about the growing field of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math – the STEM subjects. Hawkins emphasizes the importance of STEM Education in children’s preparation for future professional careers. He’s director of Brigham Young University’s Integrated Microfabrication Laboratory. Dr. Hawkins is also one of the founders of IMMERSE, an undergraduate research program at BYU that provides college students with the opportunity to do community outreach and education. The flagship outreach activity of IMMERSE is Chip Camp, which brings 7th and 8th grade students onto the BYU campus for a 3-day camp focused on engineering.

School Libraries (13:02)

Next, Rachel welcomes High School Librarian, Heather Price, who shares with us a glimpse of the world that awaits her every work day. What’s it like working in the library with her students and what helps them become better readers? Price is the librarian at Skyridge High School in Utah. She has a master’s degree in English with an emphasis in creative writing from BYU and is an instructor for BYU's Independent Study course in children's literature. Working in a library lets her interact with students, books, and technology--all of the things she loves! In her spare time she writes fiction for young adults.

First Time Author (23:23)

Finally, Cole Wissinger, a member of the Worlds Awaiting team, talks to Synthia Barlow. She’s the author of a new children’s book entitled, Cosmo’s Campus, which features our mascot here at BYU, Cosmo the Cougar.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:04:01 - STEM Education

00:13:02 - School Libraries

00:23:23 - First Time Author

STEM Education (4:01)

On Worlds Awaiting we often talk about reading and writing, but what about the third “R” - 'rithmetic. Arithmetic is, of course, an essential foundation stone for all of science, and by all rights, should be included in a broad view of literacy for children. Our first guest, BYU Electrical Engineering Professor Aaron Hawkins, talks with Rachel about the growing field of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math – the STEM subjects. Hawkins emphasizes the importance of STEM Education in children’s preparation for future professional careers. He’s director of Brigham Young University’s Integrated Microfabrication Laboratory. Dr. Hawkins is also one of the founders of IMMERSE, an undergraduate research program at BYU that provides college students with the opportunity to do community outreach and education. The flagship outreach activity of IMMERSE is Chip Camp, which brings 7th and 8th grade students onto the BYU campus for a 3-day camp focused on engineering.

School Libraries (13:02)

Next, Rachel welcomes High School Librarian, Heather Price, who shares with us a glimpse of the world that awaits her every work day. What’s it like working in the library with her students and what helps them become better readers? Price is the librarian at Skyridge High School in Utah. She has a master’s degree in English with an emphasis in creative writing from BYU and is an instructor for BYU's Independent Study course in children's literature. Working in a library lets her interact with students, books, and technology--all of the things she loves! In her spare time she writes fiction for young adults.

First Time Author (23:23)

Finally, Cole Wissinger, a member of the Worlds Awaiting team, talks to Synthia Barlow. She’s the author of a new children’s book entitled, Cosmo’s Campus, which features our mascot here at BYU, Cosmo the Cougar.

Kids and Finance (3:42)

We all need money just to get along in the world, then hopefully, a little more to do some fun things. Can money ever last? Can we really control our money, rather than it controlling us? Our first guest, financial planner Gregg Murset, helps us think about our own financial skills and emphasizes the importance of teaching these skills to children. Murset is co-creator of Busy Kid, a website that aids parents and adults in teaching kids how to manage money. A father of six, Murset is a Certified Financial Planner and consultant who has become a leading advocate for sound parenting, child accountability, and financial literacy.

Broadening Kids’ Book Interests (15:51)

Next, Rachel welcomes BYU Reading Pedagogy teacher, Dawan Coombs, who discusses how we can help young readers develop a broader interest in books. The first step – surprise of all surprises – is focusing on books with subjects they actually like. Coombs is an assistant professor who teaches in the BYU English Teaching Program. Her research examines the role of identity in the struggles of adolescent readers and seeks to identify best classroom practices in support of these students.

Book Review (25:03)

We finish up the show with a book review from Mindy Hale, Teen Literature Librarian at the Orem Public Library in Utah. Hale introduces a young adult novel entitled Blue Screen by Dan Wells.

00:00:00 - Introduction

00:03:42 - Kids and Finance

00:15:51 - Broadening Kids' Book Interests

00:25:03 - Book Review

Kids and Finance (3:42)

We all need money just to get along in the world, then hopefully, a little more to do some fun things. Can money ever last? Can we really control our money, rather than it controlling us? Our first guest, financial planner Gregg Murset, helps us think about our own financial skills and emphasizes the importance of teaching these skills to children. Murset is co-creator of Busy Kid, a website that aids parents and adults in teaching kids how to manage money. A father of six, Murset is a Certified Financial Planner and consultant who has become a leading advocate for sound parenting, child accountability, and financial literacy.

Broadening Kids’ Book Interests (15:51)

Next, Rachel welcomes BYU Reading Pedagogy teacher, Dawan Coombs, who discusses how we can help young readers develop a broader interest in books. The first step – surprise of all surprises – is focusing on books with subjects they actually like. Coombs is an assistant professor who teaches in the BYU English Teaching Program. Her research examines the role of identity in the struggles of adolescent readers and seeks to identify best classroom practices in support of these students.

Book Review (25:03)

We finish up the show with a book review from Mindy Hale, Teen Literature Librarian at the Orem Public Library in Utah. Hale introduces a young adult novel entitled Blue Screen by Dan Wells.

Second Chances (3:44)

Who hasn’t occasionally wanted a second shot at something? Would it surprise you to learn that even the best authors often want, and sometimes get, a second chance? Our first guest Michael Buckley has such a story. He talks to Rachel and her intern Olivia Noli, about publishing the 10th anniversary edition of his series, The Sisters Grimm. He didn’t make major changes, but he did get a chance to tweek some things. Buckley is the New York Times bestselling author not only of The Sisters Grimm series, but also the Nerds series, the YA trilogy Undertow, and Kel Gilligan’s Daredevil Stunt Show. He has worked in television development for Discovery Channel, TLC, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network, where he co-created the animated series, Robotomy. He's also the co-founder of the OMG Book Festival - a traveling middle-grade book carnival targeted at reluctant readers and disenfranchised children.

Wild Bird (13:05)

Next, Rachel welcomes Young Adult book author Wendelin Van Draanen who talks about her newly published book, Wild Bird, and what inspired her to write it. She also shares her mission as an author – to write stories that will help kids to look at tough situations before they happen. Van Draanen has written more than thirty novels for young readers including: the Sammy Keyes mystery series (recipient of the Edgar Award), and Flipped (which became a Warner Brothers feature film in 2010). Other titles include The Secret Life of Lincoln Jones and The Running Dream, and, two other series: The Shredderman and The Gecko & Sticky. A high school classroom teacher for fifteen years, Wendelin is now a full-time writer.

Reading Aloud (22:08)

Finally, Cole Wissinger, a member of the Worlds Awaiting team, talks to Jeff Simpson, co-host of The Matt Townsend Show and host of Screen Cleaning, both on BYU Radio. They chat about the quest of finding quality entertainment for families. And Jeff also shares memories of his dad reading out loud to him as a child and how he’s carrying on this tradition with hi

Second Chances (3:44)

Who hasn’t occasionally wanted a second shot at something? Would it surprise you to learn that even the best authors often want, and sometimes get, a second chance? Our first guest Michael Buckley has such a story. He talks to Rachel and her intern Olivia Noli, about publishing the 10th anniversary edition of his series, The Sisters Grimm. He didn’t make major changes, but he did get a chance to tweek some things. Buckley is the New York Times bestselling author not only of The Sisters Grimm series, but also the Nerds series, the YA trilogy Undertow, and Kel Gilligan’s Daredevil Stunt Show. He has worked in television development for Discovery Channel, TLC, Nickelodeon, and Cartoon Network, where he co-created the animated series, Robotomy. He's also the co-founder of the OMG Book Festival - a traveling middle-grade book carnival targeted at reluctant readers and disenfranchised children.

Wild Bird (13:05)

Next, Rachel welcomes Young Adult book author Wendelin Van Draanen who talks about her newly published book, Wild Bird, and what inspired her to write it. She also shares her mission as an author – to write stories that will help kids to look at tough situations before they happen. Van Draanen has written more than thirty novels for young readers including: the Sammy Keyes mystery series (recipient of the Edgar Award), and Flipped (which became a Warner Brothers feature film in 2010). Other titles include The Secret Life of Lincoln Jones and The Running Dream, and, two other series: The Shredderman and The Gecko & Sticky. A high school classroom teacher for fifteen years, Wendelin is now a full-time writer.

Reading Aloud (22:08)

Finally, Cole Wissinger, a member of the Worlds Awaiting team, talks to Jeff Simpson, co-host of The Matt Townsend Show and host of Screen Cleaning, both on BYU Radio. They chat about the quest of finding quality entertainment for families. And Jeff also shares memories of his dad reading out loud to him as a child and how he’s carrying on this tradition with his own children. Although he grew up a shy kid, Jeff Simpson now makes his living performing. His first BIG role was in a Junior High production of Charlotte’s Web, in which he played ‘Uncle,’ the pig who wins first prize at the fair. Jeff loved the feeling that came from making people laugh. So he continued to act throughout High School and after graduation he earned a spot in BYU’s Divine Comedy troupe. Jeff created 365 different character voices in one year as part of his blog, “365 Days of Voices.” He later was hired to lend his voice to multiple animated projects, including the series, “The Insectibles”, now airing on Amazon Prime. Jeff is the Co-Host of The Matt Townsend Show, as well as the host of the entertainment show, Screen Cleaning. When he’s not behind the mic, Jeff enjoys spending time with his wife and three kids. He loves movies, ping pong, board games, hiking and reading (and is lucky enough to get paid to do it.)

Reading with Writing (3:37)

In a perfect world for children, learning to read would come hand-in-glove with learning to write. Taking notes about things we hear or read makes it easier for us to remember and even helps in developing good character traits and virtues. Our first guest, Educator and author Mary Bigler, talks to Rachel about a great way to get added value from reading aloud to children. She recommends taking things just a little further, as she’ll explain. She also has some great book recommendations. Once a pre-school teacher and now a professor, Bigler has spent her life promoting literacy and celebrating the joys of teaching. She’s an award-winning professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Eastern Michigan University and author of Lessons Learned.

Reading Tips for College (15:29)

Next, Rachel welcomes Literacy Learning Specialist, Marné Isakson who talks about what we can do as adults to help our teens prepare for the reading rigors of college. Freshman often experience quite a shock when they encounter the kinds of books that await them in the world of higher education. Isakson earned a master’s in Educational Psychology and Research from Bucknell University and a Ph.D. in Instructional Science and Literacy Education from Brigham Young University. She has an English as a Second Language (or ESL) endorsement and has been involved in a seven-year research project exploring college reading.

Favorite Places to Read (23:14)

Finally Mark Burns, Host of “Special Collections” on BYURadio, talks to us. Mark recently conducted an informal survey about people’s favorite places to read. Maybe he’ll even tell us about where he likes to read!