Read-Aloud Revival ®

How do you know a good book when you see it?I remember walking into the big, beautiful children’s section at the library with my oldest, who was a baby. I wanted to find books to read aloud to her, but it was hard to know which ones we would love. That longing to find good books for my children was the spark that eventually became the Read-Aloud Revival podcast and RAR Premium community, where we’re always trying to find and share the very best books to read aloud with your family.Today, RAR Premium Coordinator Leilani Curtis joins me to chat about how we select the books for our booklists here at Read-Aloud Revival. We’re also going to share our best advice for being more confident in choosing books to bring into your home, whether it’s at the bookstore or the library.In this episode, you’ll hear: How our booklists can help you choose quality books to share with your familyThree quick questions to help you decide if a book is worth a longer lookThe qualities we look for in books we recommendLearn more about Sarah Mackenzie:Read-Aloud RevivalWaxwing BooksSubscribe to the NewsletterFind the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/how-we-choose-books

A library should be a kind of paradise, don’t you agree? Author and illustrator Barbara Cooney certainly thought so. Barbara Cooney was an extraordinary author and illustrator of over 100 children’s books with stories that span the world, from the shores of Greece to the mountains of Appalachia. The more I learned about Barbara, the more I wanted to tell the story of this beautiful artist who, in every aspect of her life–from raising four children to traveling to gardening to winning awards for her illustrations–was committed to capturing the beauty in (and for!) the world.Because Barbara: Barbara Cooney Paints Her World has been nearly six years in the making. Today, I want to take you behind the scenes and introduce you to the team that made it happen, from the very first draft to the final, beautiful book you’ll hold in your hands.In this episode, you’ll hear: The many drafts, revisions, critiques, and edits that brought me to the throughline of Barbara’s wonderfully full and creative lifeHow the art team took on the daunting task of styling and illustrating the book to echo Barbara’s style without directly imitating itHow sound design and animation bring the audio and video books to life Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:Read-Aloud RevivalWaxwing BooksSubscribe to the NewsletterFind the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/making-because-barbara

Raising creative kids is a beautiful, worthwhile endeavor, but not one that is always neat and tidy! In today's episode, I’ve invited two of my good friends and fellow creatives—authors S. D. Smith and Carolyn Leiloglou—for a conversation on how our creative work as adults impacts our kids. We discuss everything from the challenges of nurturing creativity in our families to the influence of stories on our hearts and minds.  S. D. Smith is the author of the wildly popular and perennial Let the Kids Speak favorite Green Ember series and is a father to four imaginative children. Carolyn Leiloglou is the author of the middle-grade fantasy series The Restorationists and a homeschool mom to four creative kids.In this episode, you’ll hear: How connecting with the wonder in our kids fuels and enhances creativityThe value of boredom (a best-kept creative secret!) The nuances of how we measure creative successLearn more about Sarah Mackenzie:Read-Aloud RevivalWaxwing BooksSubscribe to the NewsletterFind the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/fostering-wonder-and-creativity 

What if I told you that your homeschool could be relaxed, bookish, and ordinary? If you’re anything like me, that’s music to your ears. Our kids thrive–and we do too–when our day-to-day homeschool is relaxed, bookish, and ordinary. In fact, that's what over 726 experienced homeschool moms told me were the three most important qualities. Today, I’m sharing a recording from a session I did at a series of homeschool conferences  earlier this year called “Relaxed, Bookish, and Ordinary”.If you’re hoping that your homeschool can be any or all of those things, listen in–I bet you’re closer to it than you think.In this episode, you’ll hear: How a relaxed approach impacts your child’s ability to learn and your peace as a homeschoolerThe academic, personal, and relationship benefits of having a bookish homeschoolWhy you don’t need to strive for an extraordinary homeschool to do it wellLearn more about Sarah Mackenzie:Read Aloud RevivalWaxwing BooksSubscribe to the NewsletterFind the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/relaxed-bookish-ordinary

Jon Acuff, a motivational speaker and author, joins the discussion to explore how reflecting on past achievements can reshape your future vision as a homeschooler. He shares insights from his upcoming book, co-authored with his daughters, about achieving goals amid life's chaos. They emphasize the importance of a ‘Best Moments’ list, celebrating both big and small joys, and embracing unique parenting styles without succumbing to social media comparisons. This engaging chat encourages listeners to find joy and purpose in their homeschooling journey.

Do you have a child who dreams of being a writer? Or maybe it’s your dream? How do you support those dreams and foster creativity while also raising kids and running a household?Today, I’m delighted to welcome back author Laura Martin, who’s giving us her very best advice for how to nurture your child’s creative dreams and your own.Laura Martin is the author of some of my very favorite page-turners for kids, including The Edge of Extinction series and Glitch, and she has a new book out, Wander Lost, that I know you’ll love too. We talk about the importance of capturing ideas as they come, what creative writing curriculum gets wrong about being a writer, and lots more.In this episode, you’ll hear: Why Laura says that ideas are like lightning bugsHow Laura nurtures her daughter’s creativity with time, space, and access to materialsHow Laura honed in on what she needs in order to write while juggling four childrenLearn more about Sarah Mackenzie:Read-Aloud RevivalWaxwing BooksSubscribe to the NewsletterFind the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/nurturing-creative-dreams

In this conversation, award-winning author Anna Rose Johnson shares her passion for historical fiction, delving into its charm and the powerful worlds it creates for readers. She breaks down her research process, revealing how she overcomes the challenges of blending authenticity with creativity. Anna reflects on her personal writing journey influenced by homeschooling and highlights her favorite works that sparked her storytelling. The discussion also features recommendations for historical fiction aimed at young readers, showcasing books that inspire imagination.

Sally Clarkson, a homeschooling icon, shares advice she wishes she had in different stages of parenting. Emphasizes the importance of embracing your uniqueness, trusting relationships with teenagers, and prioritizing your well-being in homeschooling. Includes insights on creating a stimulating learning environment, adapting to individual learning styles, and unconventional methods like customized math curriculums.

Dive into the enchanting world of fairy tales and discover their significance in nurturing children's hearts and minds. Explore why children don’t always need to hear the deeper meanings behind these stories. Learn how simply reading them aloud fosters a love for storytelling. The discussion also highlights the unique perspectives of both children and adults, and how fairy tales can evolve in interpretation as kids grow. Plus, listen in as children share their favorite books, adding a delightful twist to the conversation!

How can our families cultivate healthy relationships with technology? We’re all trying to impose limits on how, when, and why our kids interact with technology. But in our increasingly tech-driven world, it can be hard to navigate.Writer Erin Loechner is joining me on the podcast to discuss her new book, The Opt-Out Family, and to offer her life-giving take on building lasting connections with your kids. We discuss everything from the importance of boredom to Erin’s practical and easy-to-implement advice for becoming unplugged. I hope this conversation leaves you inspired to pursue a life less documented and more delightful!In this episode, you’ll hear: What we can learn from tech about capturing our kids’ attention Why our kids need more space for curiosity, wonder, and boredom (and how our phones tend to get in the way)Why you don’t have to be all-or-nothing with technology Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:Read-Aloud RevivalWaxwing BooksSubscribe to the NewsletterFind the rest of the show notes at: https://readaloudrevival.com/more-than-technology/