Reach Out and Read

AAP policy statements are powerful, well-researched, and meticulously-reviewed principles on the state-of-the-art in children's health. Yesterday, the AAP released their latest Policy Statement: "Literacy Promotion: An Essential Component of Primary Care Pediatric Practice", and an accompanying extensive Technical Report outlining the substantial supporting research evidence. Drs. Perri Klass and Pamela High, two of the lead authors of the AAP's statement and report, join us to explain their work, and the recommendations for pediatricians, policy makers, and families.

How can we talk about poverty and early relational health so people will listen? How can you get people to care about public issues that seem insurmountable (but aren't)? Nicholas Kristof, op-ed columnist for The New York Times, joins us to talk about strategies for how to talk about difficult subjects so people will listen (hint: it starts with a story.)

Celebrating their 25th anniversary, Reach Out and Read Greater New York provides books and training to over 230 Reach Out and Read programs in predominantly low-income communities in New York City, Long Island, and the Greater Hudson Valley. Executive Director Emily Marchese joins us to talk about the joys — and challenges — of serving one of the largest, and most diverse affiliates in the country.

Over the decades, more and more US children are being raised by their grandparents. Dr. LaShawnDa Pittman, author of the new book, "Grandmothering While Black: A Twenty-First-Century Story of Love, Coercion, and Survival", joins us to talk about how the interweaving of love, obligation, bureaucracy, historical factors, race, gender, and economic inequality particularly shape Black Grandmothers' role in the family—and how the subsequent effects are passed on to their children.

Writing for children—especially books that can be emotionally challenging—requires a great deal of insight, honestly, talent, and self reflection; and that's before you even pick up the pencil! Peter Brown, author of The Wild Robot, a beautifully crafted and deeply moving middle grade novel about technology, nature, and family, joins us to talk about his approach to this work.

The Gretchen Hunsberger Medical Champion Award honors a clinician whose exemplary personal and professional medical leadership has helped to make delivery of the Reach Out and Read program model all it can be. Meet this year's winner!

Season 5 of our podcast kicks off with highlights from expert voices in early relational health, pediatrics, and publishing, captured live at the Reach Out and Read Leadership Conference in New York City in May 2024.

Recent data shows that in school, by almost every metric, boys of all ages are doing worse than girls. How did this happen, how can we thoughtfully approach it, and turn the situation around? Ruth Whippman, author of "BoyMom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity" joins us to talk about raising boys in the US — how our boys are being shaped by society, how they're reacting, and how we can help.

Dr. Ashaunta Anderson, an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and a researcher on cultural pride and child health, dives into the profound impacts of racism on children's well-being. She explains how racial socialization shapes children’s understanding of race and emphasizes the importance of cultural pride as a protective factor against negative experiences. By promoting practices like reading culturally-themed books, families can foster positive identities and improve mental health outcomes. Anderson also highlights the urgent need for future research linking these concepts to physical health.

Eat with the funniest person in the office; when you wake up, give yourself a high five; turn off screens one hour before bed, and demand a bedtime story. These are just a few of the secrets to a happier life that our guest, Dr. Hasan Merali, author of "Sleep Well, Take Risks, Squish the Peas: Secrets from the Science of Toddlers for a Happier, More Successful Way of Life", says we can and should learn from both the young children in our lives…and from our past younger selves.