Hyper Kids & Free Voices: Celebrating Energy, Empathy, and the First Amendment

In this episode, we're celebrating two very special books that help families and kids explore big ideas—through story, science, and faith. First, Jennifer Swanson returns to talk about her new nonfiction Christmas book, "Unto Us a Child Is Born: A Family Celebration of Christmas" (Workman Publishing). Known for her STEM and STEAM books, Jennifer steps into faith-focused nonfiction for kids ages 8–12 and their families. She explains how the book weaves Bible verses, narrative explanations, and classic hymns to walk readers through the Nativity story, inviting families to read, reflect, and even sing together. Jennifer shares personal memories of growing up Catholic—family Bible reading, Christmas carols around the piano, and the excitement of midnight Mass—and how researching the historical and cultural context of Jesus's birth deepened her own understanding of her faith. She also pulls back the curtain on the team effort behind picture books: editors, illustrators, and marketing all shaping the final book. In the second half, we meet teen author and executive director Eliana Miao, who leads a team of 23 students behind "The Brave Fuzzy: A Microbiome Story." This imaginative picture book uses colorful "fuzzies" to represent microbes in the gut microbiome, showing how diversity leads to a healthier "village"—and a healthier body. Eliana shares how the idea grew from a club into a nonprofit, Pen and Pipette, the challenge of collaborating with 22 peers and an illustrator in France, and what they learned by testing early versions with elementary school students. It's a joyful look at how young creators can make cutting-edge science feel magical and accessible for kids.

In this uplifting episode of Reading with Your Kids, we're celebrating kids' energy, voices, and rights through two powerful picture books and conversations with their inspiring creators. First, guest host and Emerson College journalism student Madison Lucchesi talks with Ruth Fleury, author of Hyper Kid, so they say. Ruth shares how her energetic son and her years as a kindergarten teacher inspired her to write a story that reframes "hyper" as positive energy, not a problem to be fixed. She and Madison talk about giving kids space to move, "wiggle breaks," and the importance of understanding each child's unique temperament—from quiet observers to constant movers. Ruth also offers practical ideas for parents: using sports and outdoor time as healthy outlets, seeking accommodations at school when needed (IEPs, 504s, and early intervention), and building empathy so kids don't judge peers who are "different." She also introduces her company, Scholars of Tomorrow Publishing, her daughters' books, and her cozy new program, Pajamas and Stories with Miss Ruth. Then Jed welcomes Dr. Allison Matulli, a lawyer, educator, and Montessorian, to discuss her beautifully illustrated book We Are Free, which introduces children to the First Amendment freedoms in a warm, accessible way. Dr. Allison explains how kids already exercise these rights daily—sharing opinions, creating art, gathering with friends—and why it's vital to teach that freedom comes with responsibility and respect for others. The conversation expands to digital citizenship, media literacy, and helping young readers understand that not everyone in the world enjoys the same protections. Through both interviews, this episode highlights how books can help families raise confident, compassionate, and civically aware kids.

In this episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast, we're celebrating two very different – but beautifully connected – books that can spark powerful family conversations. First, Jed welcomes Denise Abdale, author of the back‑to‑school picture book "Jacob Gets Organized." Drawing on over 40 years as an educator and special education advocate, Denise explains what executive functioning skills really are—planning, organization, time management—and why so many kids struggle with them. She shares practical, parent-friendly strategies: color‑coded notebooks and folders, labeled buckets, predictable routines, and breaking "clean your room" into tiny, concrete steps. Denise emphasizes that behavior is communication, not defiance, and urges parents to advocate for their kids at school while teaching independence at home. We also hear about her other books, including "The Adventures of Pickles and Rufus," many inspired by her students' real‑life challenges. Then we shift gears into spooky season with Ryan Douglass, author of the YA horror novel "Night of Madness." Ryan introduces us to Mara Jacobs, an 18‑year‑old horror fan who enters an overnight movie competition that turns into a deadly, locked‑room challenge. The story blends '80s horror vibes with very modern themes: toxic social media competition, the pressure to be "famous," and the search for validation online. Ryan talks about collaborating with Temple Hill, crafting characters who surprise even him, and why he hopes families use this book to talk about what truly matters in life—and to remind young people that they are enough, just as they are.

In this inspiring episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast, Jed welcomes two wonderful guests whose picture books open the door to big, heartfelt family conversations. First, Jed chats with Erin Washington, author of I'm Just Like Me. Erin shares how her biracial, very tall 10‑year‑old daughter inspired the story after feeling different from her classmates. When Erin went looking for a picture book that celebrated a child who didn't look like everyone else, she couldn't find one—so she wrote it. Erin talks candidly about her own 20‑year struggle with body image and eating disorders, and how becoming a mom, embracing intuitive eating, and learning to truly respect her body changed everything. She also introduces the Blue Butterfly Foundation, her free mentorship program for teen girls struggling with body image and self‑worth, and explains why representation in books and media is so critical for kids' dreams and confidence. Then Jed welcomes back author‑illustrator Anoosha Syed, here to celebrate Love in Every Language, the companion to her hit book That's Not My Name. The story follows Merha, a young Pakistani American girl who can't speak Urdu and struggles to communicate with her grandmother. Anoosha and Jed explore how many immigrant kids love family deeply even when they don't share a language, and how some cultures rarely say "I love you" with words, instead showing love through food, care, nicknames, and time together. Anoosha also shares how becoming a mom has changed the way she creates picture books and tests them with her own son.

This episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast is a joyful celebration of music, memory, and intergenerational connection, featuring two fantastic creators: Shadra Strickland and Celina Frenn. In the first half, Jed chats with Shadra about her vibrant new picture book, Here Comes the Band, a tribute to HBCU marching band culture. Shadra shares her own background in Atlanta's band scene and describes the electrifying energy of halftime shows—the booming bass drums, sizzling cymbals, sequined dancers, and jaw-dropping pageantry that make the band the real main event. She talks about working with illustrator John Holyfield, whose fluid, movement-filled art captures the musicality of the text, and reflects on how she had to "unlearn" some of her formal art training to rediscover play, joy, and improvisation in her work. Shadra also offers beautiful insights into community, creativity, and the conversations families can have about instruments, music, and joining a band. In the second half, Jed welcomes Celina Frenn, author of the middle grade graphic novel Spy Grandma. Inspired by her very different real-life grandmothers, Celina introduces a tough-on-the-outside, gooey-on-the-inside grandma with a mysterious past as a spy. Celina explains how the story evolved from a TV pilot into a graphic novel and explores themes of trust, secrets, and building relationships across generations. She and Jed discuss the power of asking questions, co-reading graphic novels with kids, and using stories as a springboard for honest family conversations. Together, these conversations highlight how stories—and shared reading—can bring families closer, spark curiosity, and keep the music and memories going.

In this lively episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed celebrates two fantastic picture books that blend heart, humor, and big feelings. First up we celebrate "Owl Capone" with debut author Christy Ewers and illustrator Rob Sayegh Jr. Christy shares how a lifelong fascination with classic gangster movies and Al Capone's quote, "Don't mistake my kindness for weakness," eventually hatched into Owl, the kindest soul in the Windy Forest. She wanted to flip the gangster trope, exploring what happens when someone kind is hurt or betrayed—and how choosing to "kill 'em with kindness" is its own kind of strength. Rob, who is also represented by Christy as his agent, talks about instantly seeing the character in his mind and diving deep into Chicago and Capone lore. He sprinkles the art with playful Easter eggs—like the Green Bill (a wink to Chicago's Green Mill) and Deers & Roebuck—creating layers of jokes and details that kids will love and grown-ups will quietly appreciate. Christy also pulls back the curtain on the role of a literary agent, describing it as part producer, part lawyer, part therapist, and full-time advocate for creators navigating a constantly shifting marketplace. Later, Jed welcomes Loryn Brantz, author-illustrator of "I Am a Spicy Nugget." Inspired by her own fiery, big-feelings kid, Lauren uses humor and imaginative play—like pretending her daughter turned into a "spicy nugget"—to diffuse meltdowns. The book helps families name big emotions, talk about anger, and see tantrums with more empathy and playfulness, while reminding kids (and parents) that feelings are powerful, but manageable.

In this episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast, Jed welcomes back award-winning author and teacher Adriana Cuevas to celebrate her spooky new middle grade novel, Mischief and Monsters. Adriana explains what cryptids are—creatures born from mythology, urban legends, and local lore—and shares how each state, including her home state of Texas, seems to have its own mysterious monsters. Listeners meet some of the unforgettable creatures in the book, from the Bear King of Marble Falls and La Lechuza to the Houston Batman, Wampus Cat, Madre de Aguas, and of course, a chupacabra. Adriana talks about why cryptid stories endure, connecting them to our human need to explain the unexplainable and our love of storytelling. She also digs into why spooky middle grade books are so magnetic for kids—especially readers with ADHD or shorter attention spans—highlighting how tension, suspense, and cliffhanger chapter endings keep kids turning pages. Drawing on her experience as a middle school teacher of English language learners, Adriana shares how graphic novels, short stories, choice, and rereading help reluctant readers fall in love with books and see themselves as readers. Families who co-read Mischief and Monsters will find rich opportunities to talk about fitting in, standing out, and finding your voice, and they might even be inspired to invent their own cryptids and stories together. In the final segment, Jed chats with debut author Shannon Mulholland about Finding Sea Legs, a modern pirate story set off the coast of San Francisco that explores identity, truth, and what's really "real" in a world full of stories, legends, and "fake news."

In this episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast, Jed welcomes the wildly inventive Gareth P. Jones, author of the Solve Your Own Mystery series. Gareth shares how he writes his twisty, choice-filled mysteries without a strict plan, often discovering the solution right alongside his readers. He talks about the joy and chaos of letting kids help shape the story—both on the page and in his live "Mystery Makers" shows, where the audience becomes the cast, the co-writers, and sometimes the comedians. Gareth also dives into his work turning picture books into "mini musicals", including Rabunsel (Rapunzel as a rabbit) and Cinderavilla. Armed with a ukulele, trumpet, loop pedal, and a healthy respect for mistakes, he explains how slip-ups on stage often spark his best ideas. He previews his new project, the diary of Ugg, a cave boy whose different way of thinking may just nudge his whole community forward. In the second part of the episode, intern host Madison Lucchesi sits down with Kieonna Risher, author of the tender debut picture book Nana's Garden. Kieonna shares how the book honors her grandmother, Sandra Risher, and helps children—especially her son Micah, who is autistic—navigate grief using memories, ritual, and tangible keepsakes like a treasured pendant. She describes family traditions that keep Nana's love alive and teases an upcoming second book about helping kids manage "big feelings." Together, these conversations celebrate interactive storytelling, emotional honesty, and the many ways books can help kids feel, choose, and grow.

In this uplifting episode of Reading with Your Kids, Jed welcomes author and literacy advocate Gina Casazza, whose journey from struggling student to children's book creator will resonate with kids and grownups alike. Gina shares how everything changed in eighth grade when she read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. Seeing herself in Ponyboy's story turned her from a reluctant reader into a "Rory Gilmore–level" book lover who never went anywhere without a book. Years later, an unexpected experience in a Navy SEAL prep program led her to a powerful realization: belonging and fitting in are opposites. You don't have to blend in to belong—you just have to show up as your authentic self. That insight inspired her picture books You Really, Truly Do Belong and You Really, Truly Are Enough, starring Cosmo the Alien, the ultimate outsider kids everywhere can relate to. Gina explains how she uses Cosmo to help children challenge limiting beliefs like "I'm not good enough" and recognize they are not their negative thoughts—they're the observers who can choose kinder, truer words. Gina also introduces her nonprofit Empower Lit Literacy and Beyond, which brings free author visits and writing camps to under-resourced schools. Listeners will love hearing how kids who once hated reading and writing light up when they hold a hardcover book they've written themselves. Later in the episode, Jed is joined by Carrie Rich, co-author of Traveling with Mom: Making a Difference Around the World and at Home. Carrie shares how her work with the Global Good Fund and her family's visits to communities in Colombia, Uganda, Romania, and beyond inspired a picture book about real-world kindness, service, and listening to what communities actually need. Carrie and Jed swap stories about raising compassionate kids, choosing meaningful ways to give, and helping children understand that even small actions—at home or across the globe—can make a big difference. It's a heartwarming celebration of literacy, empathy, and raising global citizens.

In this warm and wide–ranging episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes back two guest authors whose books celebrate culture, compassion, and kids with big feelings. First, Jy de la Vega returns to share her new early reader graphic novel, "Annalise: The Special Dish." Inspired by her own daughter, who is on the autism spectrum, J's story follows Annalise as she tries to create a "special" recipe for a school party. Along the way—through tostones, mofongo, and finally pasteles—Annalise discovers that what truly makes something special isn't how fancy it is or how different it looks, but the people you make it with. J talks about the power of Puerto Rican food, family, and community, and why it's critical for children of color, especially Hispanic kids, to see themselves reflected positively in books. She also shares how her work has evolved from simply giving her kids mirrors to speaking honestly, gently, and hopefully to her whole community. Then, Jed is joined by Victoria Smith, author of "Liliana's Match: Finding Bella – How Animals Help with ADHD and Anxiety in Kids." Inspired by her daughter's beloved beagle, Bella, and grounded in research on animals and mental health, Victoria's picture book shows how a shelter dog helps a child with ADHD feel calmer, more understood, and more connected. Victoria, a longtime educator, explains how pets can bring structure, responsibility, and emotional regulation into kids' lives, and why empathy, adoption, and giving back to others lie at the heart of her stories.