Need a few Easter basket ideas for your young readers? We’ve got you covered!In this episode we’re bringing you books and bookish ideas for kids infant-teen.In this episode, you’ll hear:favorite children’s bibles and Easter booksfiction books that your kids will love to find in their baskets this yearFind the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/90/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

It could be said that if not for a slightly impulsive email to Andrew Pudewa, the Read-Aloud Revival might not exist.That’s right – today I am welcoming back Andrew Pudewa from the Institute for Excellence in Writing – who was also the very first guest on the podcast.In this episode, you’ll hear:why reading aloud matterswhen to start literary analysis with our kids (the answer might surprise you!)what to do if your kids what you to read all their schoolwork to themFind the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/89/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Today I’m sharing one of the best books I read last year. The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street is uniquely wonderful– a refreshing and upbeat middle grade novel featuring a loud and lively big family (5 kids and their parents), a curmudegonly landlord, a talented bunny, and enough witty dialogue to keep you warm for the rest of winter.This is now my go-to recommendation for families who love The Penderwicks, All-of-a-Kind Family, The Saturdays or The Moffats.The author’s dog is named Ginger Pye. So we knew she was gonna feel right at home here at RAR, right?In this episode, you’ll hear:how a building or a place can (and did!) become a book characterKarina’s writing process (hint: she wrote her first books during NaNoWriMo)books suggestions that celebrate familiesFind the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/88/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

In today’s episode of the podcast, we’re sharing books about adoption.Some are picture books, some are YA– and we’ve got a little something for everyone in between. These are books that will help your family celebrate the adopted children in your life.Brooke Cooney has made it her mission to share books about orphaned children, fostering and adoption.In this episode, you’ll hear:about books for families who are waiting to bring their child homebooks that help adopted kids to feel understood and see themselves reflected in the pagestons of suggestions from picture books, to books for teens, to books for parentsFind the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/87/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Today, I’m hoping to tell you about some authors/illustrators you may not have heard about before!These aren’t necessarily new authors, but they may be new to you.In this episode, you’ll hear:picture books, middle grade books and even books for your tweens and teens – I’m covering ALL the bases!graphic novel suggestions that you’ll approve of (and that your kids will like)a couple of favorites from our house, including one book that my 5-year-old carried around for weeksplus (admittedly, my favorite part) my 4-year-old twins chatting about a book we often read 3 times in a rowFind the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/86/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

I think this is one of the best conversations we’ve had so far at The Read-Aloud Revival.Today we’re talking “messy” books. Parents – you probably know just what I mean.Messy books are those books that tackle hard topics. Or maybe they just have stuff in the background that makes us a little nervous about our kids reading them.Today I’m talking with Betsy Farquhar of Redeemed Reader about how best to handle these kinds of books, and why we shouldn’t just ignore them – even if they make us a little uncomfortable.I enjoyed this conversation so very much, and came away with a ton of confidence and a lot of great books to read with my kids!In this episode, you’ll hear:why as parents, WE need to be the ones to have big conversations with our kids, and how books can provide  hooks to start those conversationswhy controversial books are so popular‘read-alones’ vs ‘read-alouds’various ways we can navigate the tough stuff with our kidsFind the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/85/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

What can we do about our kids who don’t love reading?Today I’m sharing a few ideas, as well as a few books that just might turn your reluctant reader into a reader who stays up past bedtime, sneaking books under the covers with a flashlight.In this episode, you’ll hear:what’s more important than helping our kids fall in love with reading (it’s not what you think)what we can do when a child says he’s not a readersome books that are bound to grab and hold even the most reluctant readers’ attentionFind the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/84/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Do you read picture books with older kids? Could this be a picture book year for your family?Today, the whole RAR crew is chatting picture books – and why it’s a great idea to read them with your bigger kids too!In today’s episode, you’ll hear:Kortney’s simple and systematic approach to reading picture bookshow to do “classroom book a day” with your kids at homewhere to find great picture books recommendationsThis episode is just what you need to kick-start a picture book habit this year!Find the rest of the show notes athttps://readaloudrevival.com/83/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Parents of wiggly kids – the proof is here. In this episode with author Dr. Michael Gurian, you’ll hear scientific evidence demonstrates that many kids not only need to move while being read to, they actually retain information better when they are allowed to do so.In this episode, you’ll hear:why boys might prefer to read non-fiction, and why we should let themwhy we don’t need to worry about our kids reading graphic novelshow we can help resistant kids fall in love with readingYou’ll love all the research in this episode and how it will help you to know how best to support the children in front of you.Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/82/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

I think it’s fair to say this is my favorite episode of the podcast we’ve ever done. You probably know Katherine Paterson as the author of books like Bridge to Terabithia, Jacob Have I Loved and the Great Gilly Hopkins, but if you’re not familiar with her essays about writing for children, you’re about to have your socks knocked off.The way Ms. Paterson thinks about reading and writing books for kids blows me away. I’m in awe.In this episode, you’ll hear:what she really thinks when she hears that parents/teachers are using books to improve or help their kidshow to figure out what a book actually “means”how reading allows us a unique privilege to ‘eavesdrop on the soul’Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/81/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!