I know this about you: you want to make meaningful and lasting connections with your kids.As a busy homeschooling mom of six, I completely understand that when the house is a mess and the laundry pile is overflowing and life feels just plain crazy, spending a few minutes reading aloud with my kids- even the kids who can read to themselves- is the most important thing I do all day.It’s an opportunity to be fully present--and that is a gift beyond measure these days.That’s why we started offering Author Access events at the Read-Aloud Revival… because those moments we spend with our kids during read-aloud time have a profound affect on our relationship.Introducing our kids to the creators of those stories? Takes everything up a level.On today’s brand new episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast…I take you behind the doors of membership and let you listen in on some of our member-only Author Access events.These are live video streams where kids got to meet authors and ask their questions in real time.Oh you’re just going to DIE when you hear Andrea Davis Pinkney. (And if you have a child who struggles with schoolwork or who may be dyslexic, I urge you to listen to hear what she has to say about that. 😍).Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/61/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

So many of us know Sally Lloyd Jones best as the author of the beloved Jesus Storybook Bible.Now you’re going to just love hearing her insightful thoughts about sharing stories with our kids.This is a sweet, but powerful episode that might catch you off guard- Sally is such a joy to listen to, and her words pack a big punch.In this episode, you’ll hear:reaching our children through storieshow she found the bravery to write a children’s bibleand as we celebrate a special milestone for that very book- 10 years!Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/60/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Awoooooooo! Get ready for some pure delight in this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast. We’re joined by the wonderful and witty author of the spunky and endearing Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series.In this episode, you’ll hear:where the idea of a governess caring for children raised by wolves came from (it turns out it’s a bit of Jane Eyre and a dash of The Jungle Book!)how she plots her mysterious storylinesand Maryrose even reads (and howls) a bit!This episode is not to be missed, and if you haven’t yet read the Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series with your kids, you’re going to want to go grab the first by the end of the episode.Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/59/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Are you and your kids familiar with books by G.A Henty? You’re certainly going to want to spend some time with him after hearing this episode.Jim Hodges, audio actor, former homeschooling dad, and creator of Jim Hodges Audio Books is talking with Sarah in this episode about how to bring Henty, and history, to life.In this episode, you’ll hear:his research processwhat it takes to engage kids with audio storiesand how audiobooks can shape our kids and help struggling readersTune in for some great historical audio recommendations for kids of all ages!Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/58/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Nathan Clarkson grew up as an out-of-the-box kid living with ADHD, mental illness, and (thankfully) a very loving mother, Sally.The two have recently published their story in the book Different, which details how stories helped to shape Nathan, and how his mom came to decide that what other people thought about their parenting and educational approach was irrelevant.In this episode, you’ll hear:how books shaped Nathan’s out-of-the-box childhoodwhy Sally and Nathan are so grateful for the time they spent reading togetherhow stories can help during dark timesWhether you are parenting an out-of-the-box child or not, this episode reminds us to embrace our children, just they way they are, and inspires us to use books to help them along the way.Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/57-2/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

If you are unsure which books being published today are worth your time (or if they’re worth your time at all)… then this brand new episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast- all about some of the best books by living authors--is for you.We’re launching season 10 of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast with an episode dedicated to books that I’m confident can stand up with the classics, and that are every bit as good as your old favorites.Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/bonus-episode-living-authors/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

If you want to make more meaningful and lasting connections with your kids through books in the coming year, then I have a tip for you: Don’t try to read aloud every day.Not what you thought I would say? Well, then. You’d better listen to the rest.This episode of the podcast is the shortest yet– and maybe the most important. It’s only 8 minutes long.You’ll find out…Why you don’t need to read aloud to your kids every single dayMy simple technique for feeling good about getting to important things I get to… most daysWhat you won’t regret at the end of this yearhttps://readaloudrevival.com/rar-365/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

Jonathan Auxier has been a writer for a very long time, but he says he never really felt like he had found his place until he began writing children’s literature.Thank goodness he did!The New York Times best-selling author of what he calls “strange stories for strange children,” his books include Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes, The Night Gardener and most recently, Sophie Quire and the Last Storyguard.In this episode he joins Sarah (and 13-year-old Allison!) to talk about writing for children, and why he’s so driven to connect kids with stories.In this episode, you’ll hear:his mother’s decision to homeschool him for a year so he could read for three hours a daywhy he always recommends other authors’ books too to the kids he meetsscary books and sensitive kidsAllison’s favorite books series (Jonathan hadn’t heard of it before!)Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/56/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

What happens when you get three book-loving ladies together to chat gratitude and the best Thanksgiving books?In this episode, you’ll hear:there’s just a bit of excitementso Sarah orders a book on air! (We love it when she does that!)and then we end up with a big list of great books like the one belowSo join the whole Read Aloud Revival Team – Sarah, Kortney, and Kara – as we chat picture books, pie and our favorite suggestions for instilling gratitude in our children through stories.Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/55/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

James Daniels is passionate about many things – his family, his church, good food, gardening and education. He’s also driven to make sense of educational philosophy in a way that’s helpful for othersIn this episode, you’ll hear:about sharing enthusiasm for books with our kidshow our excitement about a book matters much more than whether the book has made it to the top of every book listhis favorite way to recommend books to parents and educators- it might surprise you!Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/54/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!