The Read-Aloud Home

• Practical tips for creating a read-aloud family home in a modern world with Courtney Adamo

  In this week's episode Courtney Adamo talks about her new book The Family Home, which explores how your home can help elevate family life and help you spend more quality time as a family including reading together.What's in this episode?Ideas and tips for making your home a place where reading can happen comfortably and with easeReading to children of different agesCourtney introduces us to some beautiful new children's books and also shares some old favourites that we think all children must readBooks and humans mentioned The Family Home: Inspiring Ideas for a Home Filled with Joy (2025) by Courtney and Michael Adamo And the Train Goes (2007) by William Bee A Sick Day for Amos McGee (2010) by Phillip Stead, illustrated by Erin SteadIra Sleeps Over (1972) by Bernard Waber Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible No Good Very Bad Day (1972) by Judith Viorst, illustrated by Ray Cruz The Tiger who Came to Tea (1968) by Judith KerrThe Bog Baby (2008) by Jeanne Willis and Gwen Millward Make Way for Ducklings (1941) by Robert McCloskeyThe Little House (1942) by Virginia Lee Burton We're Going on a Bear Hunt (1989) by Michael Rosen, illustrated by Helen OxenburyThe National Geographic SeriesCharlotte's Web (1952) by E.B White, illustrated by Garth WilliamsJulian is a Mermaid (2018) by Jessica LoveBlueberries for Sal (1948) by Robert McCloskeyThe Paper Dolls (2012) by Julia DonaldsonWho Sank the Boat (1982) by Pamela Allen Simplicity Parenting (2009) by Kim John PayneThe Olivia Series by Ian FalconerIra Says Goodbye (1988) by Bernard WaberMem Fox (Author)Julia Donaldson (Author)Oliver Jeffers (Author/Illustrator)The Harry Potter Series by J.K. RowlingThe Wings of Fire Series by Tui T SutherlandBeware of the Frog (2008) by William BeeMore from CourtneyInstagram - @courtneyadamo Substack -courtneyadamo.substack.com/

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• Interview with Picture Book Activist Lara Cain Gray

  What's in this episode?Lara talks us through her new book 'A Grown Up's Guide to Picture Books'What are picture books and why they are importantHow we can extend our picture book readingThinking differently about the role of picture books in societyBooks and humans mentioned:'A Grown Up's Guide to Picture Books' (2024) by Lara Cain Gray'Tucking Mummy In' (1987) by Morag Loh, illustrated by Donna Rawlins'The Lion, the Witch and the Wonder' essays (2024) by Katherine Rundell'Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art' (1993) by Scott McCloud'Piano Fingers' by Caroline MagerlBriony Stewart (author/illustrator)Freya Blackwood (illustrator)Maurice Sendack (author/illustrator)Shirley Hughes (author/illustrator)Lynley Dodd (author/illustrator)'Alfie Gets in First' (1981) by Shirley HughesJulia Donaldson (author)Axel Sheffler (illustrator)'Tabby McTat' (2009) by Julia Donaldson and Axel ShefflerN.E.A.T ReadingTony Flowers (illustrator)Antonia Pessenti (illustrator)'The Little Mermaid' (1837) by Hans Christian AndersenThe "Oi Frog and Friends" series by Kes Gray and Jim Field'Every Night at Midnight' (2023) by Peter Cheong'Accidentally Kelly Street' (2022) by Briony Stewart, Lyrics by Tim O'ConnorThe Biloela Family'Blue Whale Blues' (2015) by Peter CarnavasPicture book resources:Your Kid's Next Readstorylinks.booklinks.org.auNational Centre for Australian Children's LiteratureMore from Lara:@lara_cain_graywww.laracaingray.com (Educator Toolkit for 'A Grown Up's Guide to Picture Books' available)

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• Why We Should Introduce Shakespeare to Young Children (and How to Make It Fun)

  What's in this episode?For many of us, getting through Shakespeare at school was difficult and tedious. Turns out, it doesn't need to be that way.In this episode, actor Isabel Burton shares lots of different ways to make Shakespeare fun and engaging for young children.I have included some of my favourite children's books of Shakespearen plays or his life.Books, plays and humans mentioned:'Macbeth' (1605) by William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare (playwright)The Bell Shakespeare Theatre Company'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (1595) by William ShakespeareThe Bell Shakespeare Players'Romeo and Juliet' (1968 film by Zeffirelli)Elizabethan (1558-1603) and Jacobean (1603-1625) LondonQueen Elizabeth IKing James I'Sam Stars at Shakespeare's Globe' (2006) by Pauline Francis, illustrated by Jane Tattersfield'As You Like It' (1599) by William Shakespeare'The Lion King' (1994) (Disney)'The Lion King II: Simba's Pride" (1998) (Disney)'Othello' (1604) by William Shakespeare'Just Macbeth' (2009) by Andy GriffithsPuck's final speech in 'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (Act V, Scene 1)'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (2021) by William Shakespeare, illustrated by Jane RayRecommended books for primary school-aged children:'A Midsummer Night's Dream' (2021) by William Shakespeare, illustrated by Jane Ray'Sam Stars at Shakespeare's Globe' (2006) by Pauline Francis, illustrated by Jane Tattersfield'The Story Orchestra: A Midsummer Night's Dream' (2024) by Jessica Courtney-Tickle, Music by Felix Mendelssohn'The Shakespeare Stories' (2014) by Andrew Matthews and Tony Ross

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• Friends and Collaborators Antonia Pesenti and Hilary Bell talk Creativity, Rhyme and the Origins of "Alphabetical Sydney"

  What's in this episode?· Collaborating creatively as longtime friends· The origins of Alphabetical Sydney· Children's books that are "the whole package"· Writing in rhyme· Appreciating picture books, graphic novels and illustration· Looking beyond Australia for beautiful picture booksBooks and humans mentioned:· Alphabetical Sydney (2013) By Antonia Pesenti and Hilary Bell· Home (2015) By Carson Ellis· Cole's Funny Picture Book (1879) By Edward William Cole· Farmhouse (2022) By Sophie Blackall· Milkwood: "A creative retreat for the children's book community"· Julia Donaldson (author)· Axel Sheffler (illustrator)· Numerical Street (2015) By Antonia Pesenti and Hilary Bell· Summer Time (2019) By Antonia Pesenti and Hilary Bell· In the Night Kitchen (1970) By Maurice Sendak· Tintin by Hergé· George Orwell (2021) by Pierre Christin· The Dot (2003) By Peter Reynolds· Snuggle Pot and Cuddle Pie (1918) By May Gibbs· What was I scared of? (1961) By Dr Seuss· A Series of Unfortunate Events By Lemony Snicket (audiobooks narrated by Tim Curry and Lemony Snicket)· A Lion in Paris (2006) By Beatrice Alemagna· Planeta Tangerina· Scribble Publishers

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• Enjoying the Film Adaptations of Children's Books With Your Kids, an Interview with Nazanin Forghani

  What's in this episode?· Naz's experience creating a children's book· Why you should watch films with your children· What works and what doesn't in film adaptations· Roald Dahl adaptations· Films as modern updates on dated texts· Why the Paddington Bear movies are brilliant· Naz's Instagram @nazanin_forghaniBooks, films and humans mentioned:· Arm in Arm (1969) By Remy Charlip· The NeverEnding Story (1984 film)· EQ (2021) by Vivian Rubin and Nazanin Mondschein· Roald Dahl (author)· The Twits (1980) By Roald Dahl· The Witches (1983) By Roald Dahl· Matilda (1988) By Roald Dahl· Matilda (1996 film)· Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971 film)· Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (2023 film)· Fantastic Mr Fox (2009 film)· Matilda the Musical (2022 film)· Shirley Hughes (author)· Alice in Wonderland (1951 film)· Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1865) By Lewis Carol· The Julia Donaldson Magic Light Production films· The Enchanted World of Brambly Hedge series· The Harry Potter film series· Paddington (2014 film)· Paddington 2 (2017 film)· The Magic Faraway Tree Series by Enid Blyton· One Day with Mum (1995) By Helen Oxenbury· Henry and Amy: Right-way-Round and Upside Down (2000) By Stephen Michael King

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