Reading With Your Kids Podcast

In this heartwarming episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast, Jed welcomes author Sara Amini and illustrator Juana Medina to celebrate their beautiful new picture book, "Luisa at Your Service." Inspired by Sara's mother's childhood in the small Colombian town of Salento, the story follows young Luisa, a spirited girl who guides international backpackers through her beloved community, proudly sharing its culture, joy, and sense of togetherness.
Sara explains how her mother's memories of an open, trusting town—where "everyone knew each other and nobody locked their doors"—sparked the book. Seeing Juana's finished illustrations was an emotional moment: Juana not only captured the spirit of Salento but quietly slipped in visual tributes to Sara's family and history. For Sarah, this book is also a gift to her eight‑month‑old son, a way to connect him to his Colombian roots and show him that his family's stories matter.
Juana shares how meaningful it was to honor Sara's mother's life while still bringing her own artistic vision, creating a kind of love letter to Colombia and to all who feel nostalgic for home. Together, they and Jed talk about books as mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors—helping children see themselves, encounter other cultures, and recognize our shared humanity.
In the second half of the episode, Jed is joined by author Becky Cerling Powers to discuss her picture book "Wherever I Go," a child-friendly retelling of Psalm 139. Becky talks about kids learning through play, the power of rhyme and movement in faith formation, and why honoring children's development—rather than rushing it—is crucial for raising joyful readers.

In this inspiring episode, Jed welcomes Julie Abe, author of the cozy middle grade fantasy The Magic Library of Waterfall Way. Julie shares her 15-year journey to publication, reflecting on the countless rejections that almost made her give up—and how those "no's" eventually inspired the determined, big-hearted characters she writes today.
Julie explains what makes her stories "cozy fantasy": yes, there are magical adventures, book dragons, and real stakes, but readers always feel emotionally safe. Her goal is for kids (and the many adults who love her books) to close the book feeling uplifted, hopeful, and comforted, even when the characters face tough challenges.
We meet Lyra Hunt, an 11-year-old girl branded with an "unremarkable fate" in a magical world where children must find a guild or face banishment to a mist full of dangerous creatures. Lyra's last chance is the little-known Guild of Scholars and their one quest: fixing a magical library. Julie reveals how Lyra's feelings of not being talented enough mirror her own insecurities as a writer—and how books became a lifeline and refuge for both of them.
Julie and Jed also talk about the power of family reading and co-reading, and how Lyra's story can spark conversations about friendship, rejection, belonging, and the way books expand our empathy.
Later in the episode, Jed is joined by Fran Litch, author of Weeper, who talks about bullying, grief, and how fiction can gently open the door to difficult but necessary conversations with kids.

In this inspiring two-part episode, we celebrate how stories, service, and family reading can shape kids' character and courage.
First, Jed welcomes Mark Fava, former naval flight officer, longtime Navy Reservist, and aerospace executive, to talk about his debut picture book "Andy the Admiral and the USS Shipshape." Mark shares how his adult leadership book evolved into a children's story that turns classic Navy lessons—teamwork, being on time, telling the truth, thinking ahead, and showing respect—into fun, shipboard adventures. He describes the joy of seeing the illustrations for the first time, the care he took to get every Navy detail right (down to the "gig line" on a uniform), and his vision for the Ship Shape Shipmate series. Together, Jed and Mark reflect on why these "old-fashioned" values are still exactly what kids need today, at home, in school, and in future STEM and aviation careers.
Then, Jed is joined by Nicky Girl, a 26.5-year military veteran, substitute teacher, and debut author of "Omar and the Super Tails: First Day of School." Inspired by her son's many first days as a military kid and her beloved kindergarten and first-grade students, Nikki explores first-day jitters with warmth and humor. Listeners meet Omar and his wonderfully diverse classmates—each with unique strengths and challenges—navigating that big, scary, important first day. Nicky and Jed talk about honoring children's feelings, stepping away from screens to have real conversations, and using picture books as lanterns to help "little lights become legends."

In this warm and wide–ranging episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes back three beloved guests with brand–new picture books that celebrate courage, representation, and creativity.
First, Kelly Starling Lyons returns to share Writing Magic, a tender story about Dom, a little girl from a family of Black riders who longs to ride a big horse named Magic but is scared. Kelly talks about the book's unforgettable launch on the very farm where the real horse, Ardent (Magic in the book), lives—and how kids got to meet the horse, the family models, and even handle real horse gear. She explores the rich, often overlooked legacy of African Americans and horses, from Black cowboys like Bass Reeves to modern "Black cowgirls" such as Caitlin Gooch of Saddle Up and Read, who blends literacy with horses. Kelly also shares how families can use the book to talk with kids about their fears, dreams, and what kind of support they really want from the adults who love them.
Then Jed is joined by author Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and illustrator Leeza Hernandez to celebrate Cats in Conductor Hats, the follow-up to Cats in Construction Hats. They pull back the curtain on their unusually collaborative author–illustrator relationship, from early brainstorming with their editor to playful "Easter eggs" like a recurring Highland cow in a bathtub. Leeza talks about the challenge of drawing trains that feel whimsical but not too realistic, and Sudipta describes how tiny real-world moments—even a cow on train tracks in Newark—can inspire big story ideas.
Throughout, the conversation shines with humor, heart, and a shared belief in the power of stories to build confidence, curiosity, and connection in kids and families.

In this episode, Jed welcomes back author and educator Kelly Tooman to celebrate her new picture book, "The Birthday Triplets and the Pony Race Adventure." Kelly, who spent many years in Montessori education and now leads virtual creative writing workshops, shares how her background shaped this whimsical, heart-centered story. The book follows triplets Cookie, Candy, and Coco, who live with their magical Granny Rosie and travel to an adventure factory where they bring birthday joy to someone who is sad or lonely.
Kelly explains that this particular adventure centers on forgiveness and empathy. When Candy faces a mean-spirited rival in a pony race, she must decide whether to ignore his distress or stop to help him, even though he tried to ruin the race. That choice opens the door to powerful family conversations about kindness, compassion, and doing the right thing when it's hard.
Throughout the conversation, Jed and Kelly talk passionately about the importance of reading physical books, nurturing imagination, and giving kids unstructured playtime. Kelly praises Montessori's multi-age, curiosity-driven approach and voices concern about how screens, over-scheduling, and early academic pressure can erode children's focus, creativity, and joy.
Later, Jed is joined by attorney and author Ted Sutton, who introduces his middle grade book "Greenback's Book of Law: Everything You Need to Know as Told by a Friendly Dog." Ted shares how his golden doodle narrator helps kids (and parents!) understand contracts, civics, voting, and everyday law in an accessible way—filling a gap left by traditional schooling and empowering families to be informed, engaged citizens.