Read-Aloud Revival ®

When is a story worth telling? And why are the best stories in history seen through the lens of a single human being? We’re diving into those questions to day with one of the most talented and effervescent authors I know: Barb Rosenstock.I recommend every single one of Barb’s picture book biographies. Listen to this episode and you’ll know why. You’ll find links to her books at the bottom of this post.In this episode, you’ll hear:the magic of “So what?”… just wait till you hear her talk about this!why Barb and Charlotte Mason could be friends (and she didn’t even know it!)how Barb researches her books and lands on stories she wants to tellI also answer a listener question about gift book ideas for teachers.Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/151/.

Did you know that when you plant bamboo, you will water it, protect it, nurture it…and nothing happens for 5 years? At least it looks like nothing is happening, because it’s all happening underground, where the bamboo is growing a complex root structure.But above ground? Nothin’. You’ve got to faithfully water and care for that plant for f-i-v-e years before you get any proof that you’re making any progress.Homeschooling is a lot like bamboo.In today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, I’m sharing the audio from a recent Circle with Sarah (our monthly coaching sessions in RAR Premium) in which I’m talking about this same experience in homeschooling.You work, and you work, and you work, and you can’t always see the difference that slog is making. But the seeming dormancy? It matters.In this episode, you’ll hear:The power of one small action – it can change everythingHow to be sure we are using the right measuring stick (…are you?)How to know where to put your energy nextI also answer a listener question about what to do if you cry while reading emotional books aloud. (anybody? 🙋🏼‍♀️)Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/150/.

If you have a gifted, twice-exceptional, or advanced reader, this episode is for you. Today I’m chatting with Colleen Kessler of Raising Lifelong Leaners. A gifted specialist and mother of her own gifted and twice-exceptional kids, Colleen understands the challenges of connecting advanced readers with books…… and the challenges that arise when your advanced reader can read anything, but isn’t emotionally ready to have free reign at the library.In this episode, you’ll hear:what to do when your kids can read “older” books, when you know they aren’t ready for the contentBook recommendations that feature gifted or twice-exceptional kidsThe answer to whether your child can read too much (we know… it sounds like a good problem to have, but it can be a struggle!)I also answer two listener questions about finding books for sensitive kids, and great book series for young, voracious readers.Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/149/.

I’ve got a brand new episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast for you, and it’s a good one. In this episode, you’ll hear:Which 3 books I’d bring with me to a desert island 🏝 (it was torture to answer this listener question!)Whether or not we use reading curriculum at our house 🤓 (and what I recommend)The skinny on what we’re reading aloud this spring at RAR (our book choices are just 😍 – scroll down to see what I mean)Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/148/.

Math....are your palms sweating yet? 😅Yep, I know. But you’ve asked for books that will enrich and enliven math for your kids, and we took on the challenge. In today’s episode, the Read-Aloud Revival team is talking about delighting and learning math together through great read-alouds.In this episode, you’ll hear:why you might want to add math read-alouds to your dayhow to add them in when you already feel pressed for time (no need to dump your existing curriculum!)our favorites. Of course, right? And yes – we actually all have FAVORITE math picture books… can you believe it?I also tackle a listener question about stopping to look something up when you’re reading aloud to your kids. Is it a good idea?Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/147/.

In today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival, you’ll get to know why Louisa May Alcott, the author of Little Women, was such a wonder (and indeed, she was!). And who could be a better guest for this conversation than Jan Turnquist? Jan Turnquist is Executive Director of Orchard House, the home where Louisa wrote Little Women, and Co-Executive Producer, Director, and Host of the Emmy-Award Winning documentary, Orchard House.She’s a true Louisa May Alcott expert, and has wonderful insight into the Alcott family, and why Little Women has endured.In this episode, you’ll hear: my own very favorite part of visiting Orchard House (hint: it has to do with drawing on the walls!)the beauty in re-reading Little Women at different life stageslittle known details about Louisa May Alcott, and the very unique and rather revolutionary Alcott familyI’ll also tackle a listener question about whether it’s worthwhile to have your kids watch movie versions of a book after reading it. (What I say here just might surprise you!)Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/146/.

I felt my brain waking up during this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast. My guest is Alan Jacobs, Distinguished Professor of Humanities in the Honors Program at Baylor University, and author of The Pleasures of Reading in an Age of Distraction (goodness, I *love* that book). It was such a delight to have him on the show to talk about those “shoulds” that often trip us up as readers, parents, and educators.He invites us to read at whim, develop our own reading taste, and raise kids who do the same. Don’t miss this one!In this episode, you’ll hear: why it’s important to develop your own taste, and to let your kids do the samethe value of reading books that don’t bring you joyand Alan’s answer to the question: What is reading for? (this part is SO good)Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/145/.

I want to introduce you to a remarkable woman. She won two Caldecott Awards, illustrated more than 100 books during her career, raised four children, and lived life with unique zest and liveliness.You may recognize her illustrations in any of the following books, including my own favorite, Miss Rumphius, and one of her Caldecott winners, The Ox-Cart Man.Barbara Cooney was a gift to the world, and in this special edition podcast, I want to introduce you to the woman behind these magnificent books. In this episode, you’ll hear:how this mother of four managed to illustrate over 100 booksstories about what it was like growing up with Barbara as a mother (listen in for roosters in the kitchen and mice in the car!)how Barbara made sure her legacy and love for books would continue after her death in 2000Think you love Miss Rumphius? Just wait till you meet the woman who wrote her onto the page. You’ll love these books even more after you meet the one and only Barbara Cooney.Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/barbara/.

That’s right … Kate DiCamillo is back! And what she has to say is so good, you might find yourself listening more than once.In this new episode, Kate and I chat about her newest book, Beverly, Right Here, and we also discuss why parents and teachers so often try to quantify what our kids are getting from books. We have some ideas about how we could better help kids develop their own robust reading life.I also answer a listener question about how to read aloud with highly visual kids (kids who really want pictures to go along with their books).In this episode, you’ll hear: why the kinds of questions we ask our kids about books matterhow to keep joy in readingwhat Kate really wants readers to get from her booksFind the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/143/.

Why re-read? This is a question we get a lot at RAR, and I’m not going to beat around the bush…I’m convinced there is a lot to gain from rereading. Today, I’m going to tell you why.If you have a child who re-reads the same book over and over, we’re going to talk about it.And if you or someone you love has recently read the same picture book to a little one every night for months, I’ve got some good news for you. In this episode, you’ll hear: why re-reading may just be the very best kind of readingwhat’s to gain from re-reading?how our kids benefit from revisiting their favorite books (and the rewards are huge!)Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/141/.