Today I’m addressing a question I get ALL THE TIME – how to find time to read.How do we cultivate a reading life in the midst of parenting, life, and other general busyness? In this episode I’m addressing the best ways I have found to fit more reading into my life.I’m sharing my favorite tips. If you enjoy this episode, you’ll also like Episode 119 with Anne Bogel, Cultivating Your Own Reading Life.In this episode, you’ll hear:why we need to prioritize our own reading and let our kids “catch” us reading oftenwhat you can trade-off for readinghow to find “surprise pockets” for readingwhich time of day I use to get the bulk of my reading inFind the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/70/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

This is one of the most delightful conversations we’ve ever had on the Read-Aloud Revival podcast!I’m talking today with Helen Oxenbury, author and illustrator, about creating picture books – from where she gets her ideas, to the supplies she uses to draw animals (and the cutest darn babies around) and more.In this episode, you’ll hear:which books Helen read to her own 3 childrenwhat it’s been like working with her husband, author and illustrator John Burningham (the creator of the Mr. Gumpy series)how Helen chooses different media to create atmosphere in her beautiful booksGrab the kids for this one – Helen is sharing tips for young illustrators in this absolutely charming discussion.Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/69/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Are you unsure of what to read aloud with teens? Do you ever get a little overwhelmed looking through the YA section at your local bookstore or library? Not to worry. I’m here today with 5 (OK, plus one more!) books to read with your teens.In this episode, you’ll hear:a book that helped me fill up my reading journal with meaningful quotesthe one I’d change the title and cover of, if I couldand two books that are so good on audio, you and your teen might end up driving around the block a time or two!Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/68/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Hold on to your hats everyone – I am sharing one of my very favorite middle grade series in this episode. I’m chatting with both my daughter Allison and someone who just might be my favorite living author, Jonathan Rogers.Jonathan is author of the fantastic Winderking series, which has been described as a cross between Tolkien and Twain.In this episode, you’ll hear:whether characters in books should serve as role models… or notthe way stories inspire us to live a better story ourselveshow Narnia tells more truth than a non-fiction bookPlus, Allison asks Jonathan about writing his trilogy, and he tells a great story about the origin of some of his characters. You don’t want to miss it!Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/67/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Here at the Read-Aloud Revival, we are BIG FANS of audio books, but we get asked all the time: “Do audio books count as real read alouds?”In today’s brand new episode of the podcast, I’m answering that question. In this episode, you’ll hear:whether or not audio books count as real readingwhere and how to listen (either alone or as a family)where I get the best deals on audio booksAudio books absolutely aren’t cheating, and I’m here today with your quick guide for getting started!Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/66/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Do you make the best use of the resources available to you at your local library? Or do you even know all of what your library can do for you?You’re not alone if the answer to either of those questions is “no.” Today I’m talking to Amy Commers, a Youth Services Librarian in Minnesota, about how you can get the most from (and give the most support to) your local library.In this episode, you’ll hear:putting tons of books on hold – it’s OK!navigating YAand how to make your library even better!Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/65-2/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Today you’re in for a treat… I’ve got an exclusive interview between New York Times bestselling author, Jeanne Birdsall (The Penderwicks series) and best-selling author, N.D. Wilson (100 Cupboards, Outlaws of Time, and others).Jeanne and N.D. are good friends, and in this interview held at Anderson Bookshop in Illinois, they talk about:why their books are more alike than you might thinkthe author who inspires both of their bookswhat they really hope to do for kids with the stories they tellFind the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/birdsall-wilson/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Before Laura Martin ever authored her amazing Edge of Extinction series, she was a middle school language arts teacher. And her specialty was helping kids resistant to reading fall in love with books.In this episode, you’ll hear:some of her favorite tips to get your kids not just reading more, but really loving booksideas for organizing books by genre and helping your children create a “someday list.”and why kids who want to be writers should be listening to more books than they’re readingPlus: a couple of my kids make an appearance in this episode. They are the ones responsible for introducing me to this fabulous series, after all!Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/64/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

The first time Nancy Carpentier Brown read G.K. Chesterton’s work, she didn’t just hate it – she actually burned the book!But things certainly changed. Nancy now not only works with the American Chesterton Society, she is a leading expert on Frances Chesterton, and a much-requested speaker on both Gilbert and Frances Chesterton.She’s also the author of The Father Brown Reader I and II, The Chestertons and the Golden Key, and The Woman Who Was Chesterton.In this episode, you’ll hear:about introducing kids Chesterton and his worklearning more about Chesterton yourself as a parentwhere to start when you’re overwhelmed!Also: I may have possibly read aloud during this episode. And even whipped out my British accent to do it. Maybe. Possibly. ;)Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/63/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Take a peek at Greta Eskridge’s Instagram account, and you might just see her shin-deep in a tide pool with her kids, or hanging out on top of a mountain.It’s clear that Greta adores nature. But as a child, believe it or not, Greta didn’t spend a lot of time in nature. What did she do? She read about it.Now as a mama of four, Greta shares those same books with her children.In this episode, you’ll hear:books that fuel a love of naturehow books transport usand her tips for stress-free nature journaling with kidsEven if you don’t have a nature preserve in your back yard, this episode will help you instill a deep love of nature in your kids. The best part? Doing it through beautiful books.Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/62/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!