Reach Out and Read

We take a closer look at early math picture books themselves in Part 2 of our series on the topic. Robie Harris, author of Crash! Boom!, and Hilary Van Dusen, senior editor at Candlewick Press, explore with us the writing, design, and craft behind these books, and how early math principles lead into compelling stories for young children.

We know that reading aloud promotes everything from language enrichment to emotional intelligence, but did you know that it also helps with learning math? Marlene Kliman, Sr. Scientist at TERC, and Kim Brenneman, Program Officer for the Heising-Simons Foundation, join us to talk about the foundational principles of early math, how that comes through in picture books for young children, and the importance of investing in early math for all communities.

Breaking News:  We’re pleased to introduce Reach Out and Read’s new Chief Executive Officer, Marty Martinez! He joins today’s podcast to share the personal and professional journey that led him to us, and what he’s looking forward to in his new position.

When faced with divorce or separation, a couple that had trouble agreeing when they were together now need to agree on parenting when apart. Dr. David Hill, co-author of “Co-parenting Through Separation and Divorce: Putting Your Children First” joins us to talk about how to help parents get to a positive space for both themselves and their children, and how parenting decisions based on children’s best interests is a formula for success.

We talk about the emotional and physical architecture of NICU reading programs and their effect on babies, their families, and the medical staff who implement them, in Part 2 of our “Reading in the NICU” series. Dr. Viral Jain explains how these programs give parents a way to reclaim some element of their role, and how providers can offer practical reading help and guidance to NICU families.  And, a song!

Parents love seeing their children experience feelings of joy, happiness, and success. Conversely, they often feel a desire to protect their children against feeling sadness, anxiety or a sense of loss. But is that best? And is it even possible?  Newbery award-winning author Erin Entrada Kelly and Behavioral Pediatrician Dr. Nerissa Bauer join us to discuss how to parent kids when they’re faced with challenging emotions.

In this engaging discussion, Rachel Giannini, an early childhood specialist and advocate featured in the documentary 'No Small Matter,' shares her insights on the critical state of early education in the U.S. She highlights the stark divide in perceptions of education for children under five and the need for equitable funding. Rachel emphasizes the importance of interaction-focused classrooms and the vital role of caregivers in supporting young learners. She also critiques the limitations of virtual preschool, advocating for personal connections in early childhood education.

Paper! It’s everywhere and yet it’s not usually at the forefront of our thoughts.  Despite this being a podcast about reading, we haven’t really talked about paper itself, or even how it shaped the format of books.  Author and historian Mark Kurlanksy joins us to talk about the history of paper—and how technology and the transformation of information may influence what we transfer, when, and how.

Book banning is often done with the intention of “protecting children”.  But who decides what is or isn’t okay?  And are we doing children and their families a disservice when we do?  We are joined by Pat Scales, expert on censorship and a retired librarian, and Alex Gino, award-winning author of several banned books to discuss why books are challenged, the effects bans have, and on the line between fear and intellectual freedom.

How in the world did anyone have the idea to not only talk about shared book reading in regular medical checkups for kids, but to bring in a book and use it as part of the visit?  Dr Robert Needlman, co-founder of Reach Out and Read did back in 1989, and he joins us to share the origins of this program — which has blossomed into the national program it is today.