Have you ever REALLY worried about one of your kids?What should you do if you don’t feel like you read aloud well?What’s the point of poetry memorization?What would you tell a mom who is confused about all the different homeschooling philosophies and methods?How do I know that I’m doing enough?What about homeschooling high school?These are all questions you might have… I’ve had them too.Andrew Pudewa and I answered questions just like these at all five Great Homeschool Conventions in 2022. Today on the podcast, we’re sharing a recording of that session with you. Find the rest of the show notes here https://readaloudrevival.com/212/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, join RAR Premium. 

Last time on the Read-Aloud Revival, I told you about the inspiration for the creation of Waxwing Books and our first book,  A Little More Beautiful: The Story of a Garden. In this episode, I’ll take you on the rest of the adventure, from connecting with illustrator Breezy Brookshire to bringing on editor Michael Green, and finding art director Cara Llewellyn.Find the rest of the show notes here https://readaloudrevival.com/211/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, join RAR Premium. 

It’s time! It’s time! It’s time! 🥳We are SO excited to open pre-orders for our first release at Waxwing Books. It’s a story about seeing and being seen for readers who love Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney or The Library by Sarah Stewart and David Small.Find the rest of the show notes here https://readaloudrevival.com/kickstarter/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, join RAR Premium. 

Way back in August 2018, I was fortunate to spend a morning with the author of The Penderwicks, Jeanne Birdsall. It was a glorious morning, truly, and something surprising came of it. A little idea popped into my head, and it just sort of… rooted itself.Actually… the idea that popped into my head didn’t just stay an idea. It became something much bigger resulting in our biggest, newest project here at Read-aloud Revival: we’re launching a boutique publishing house.Today, I’m telling you all about it. Find the rest of the show notes here https://readaloudrevival.com/210/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, join RAR Premium. 

When I ask experienced homeschool parents what they wish they had done more often or focused more on, they never–not ever–say anything academic. Nope. Reminiscing homeschool parents tell me something else entirely. And do you know what they say? Relationships. They always, always talk about something related to the relationships nurtured during their homeschooling years. Relationships & Reading AloudIn fact, their favorite memories very often revolve around the memories they made and the books they shared.Reading aloud is not only the best tool for helping our kids academically succeed across the curriculum, it also helps them:Grow in empathy and compassionBear witness to people overcoming obstacles, facing struggles, and pressing onwardWalk a mile in someone else’s shoesConnect ideas and think more clearly about the world around them and their role in itFind the rest of the show notes here https://readaloudrevival.com/00/.

In today’s Special Edition of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, you’ll meet the man behind Make Way for Ducklings. Robert McCloskey was the first to win two Caldecott Awards, and his books are arguably among the most celebrated picture books of all time.His most popular picture book wouldn’t stay on the page, either. His ducks became permanent sculptures fixed in Boston Public Garden, and even made a way for international diplomacy as part of the START Treaty between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. in 1991. A picture book is a powerful piece of art. Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/robert-revisited/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, join RAR Premium. 

Here at Read-Aloud Revival, we’re in the thick of getting a huge project together for you. We are launching our own publishing imprint, Waxwing Books. Our first release is a picture book, written by me, and illustrated by none other than the gorgeously talented artist, Breezy Brookshire. It’s called A Little More Beautiful: The Story of a Garden. August 10th is the big day. That’s the day you’ll be able to pre-order the book on Kickstarter and get some pre-order exclusives, like a brand new book bag and some other goodies. While we get those pre-orders ready for you, we’re revisiting some Special Edition podcasts. These are my all-time favorites. This one is fabulous to listen to as a family, so if you happen to be road tripping together, play it in the car. Enjoy!Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/barbara-revisited/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, join RAR Premium. 

Early on, pretty much everyone in my world told me we were making a huge mistake in homeschooling.It was weird, it was unknown to them, and of course, we are afraid of things that are weird and unknown. I actually didn’t know anyone in my personal life who was homeschooling.I read some blogs and books (of course!), but I just had a very strong hunch that we should do this home education thing. So we did, and I’m so glad. I loved it – not every minute of it (ha!) – but now that my oldest kids are adults, I’m so grateful for the time I got with them during all of those growing up years. Today, I have a treat for you. My oldest daughter, Audrey – 20 years old at the time we’re recording this, just finished her sophomore year at Franciscan University of Steubenville as an English major, and she is joining me on the show. Audrey was homeschooled her entire education.And there were some rocky years! When Audrey was 12 – so you know, 6th grade-ish, I also had a 10-year-old, an 8-year-old, a 1 year-old, and twin newborns. Yes. Three babies age 1 and under. It was… a lot.We’re going to talk about that, plus:what was most helpful for Audrey’s futuredid she feel “prepared,” for going away to college and becoming an adult? (you’re going to love her answer, I think!)what she really remembers about that time with babies (💗 😭) Mama’s with newborns – you just need to hear this. 💖We’re also answering YOUR questions!Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/209/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, join RAR Premium. 

Summer is almost here.And probably, you have things you’d like to do this season. Maybe lots of things! (Perhaps … too many things? 😬)Not to fear! In this episode, the RAR Leadership Team is back to share an easy tool for determining your direction this summer.In this episode, you’ll hear:how setting a compass will help us this summerwhy (in homeschooling) a compass is more helpful than a mapquestions to ask yourself as you choose your own directionFind the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/208/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, join RAR Premium. 

When I was a kid, I read voraciously. I could lose myself for hours in stacks and stacks of books. The reading wasn’t that high quality, mind you. I could usually be found reading The Babysitter’s Club or a Christian historical romance, though I also loved Roald Dahl and Lois Lowry (anyone else remember the Anastasia Krupnik series?) and nonfiction, too. Then I became a mom, and reading felt decadent. I read books to nurture my marriage, how-to books on parenting (some far better than others, ahem). But overall, reading just got… harder. It was something I did to improve myself. Not something I got swept away in.Reading for pleasure felt like a splurge, and often it was a splurge I couldn’t figure out how to justify. But here’s the thing — reading for fun is part of the job.My life is richer when I’m reading for pleasure, and so is my kids’! In fact, I’ve found that their reading lives feed off the energy in mine. So how am I going to nurture my own reading life this summer? And what might get in the way?It’s a question worth asking for all of us, and joining me to ask it today on the podcast are RAR Community Director, Kortney Garrison and Managing Editor, Kara Anderson.In this episode, you’ll hear:Why reading is a priority in our lives (hint: it’s not too decadent!)Ways to nurture your reading life this summer How to know what to readFind the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/207/. To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, join RAR Premium.