Mischief, Monsters, and Middle Graders: Celebrating Cryptid Stories with Adriana Cuevas

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.

Join Jed Doherty for a heartfelt, high-energy episode featuring two creators who are all about getting kids excited to read. First, Jed chats with Laura De La Cruz, author of the picture book Lowrider for Sale. Laura introduces us to Gabby, a determined eight-year-old devastated to find a "for sale" sign on her dad's beloved lowrider. Through Gabby's efforts to save the car, kids glimpse the richness of lowrider culture—the chrome, murals, car shows, and especially the strong sense of community and family. Laura shares how the story grew from her own childhood—helping her dad with his car, losing him to cancer at eight, and wanting to honor his memory. Influenced by books like Yard Sale, she crafted a story that's emotionally real, with a hopeful but not "perfectly tied up" ending, reflecting the financial struggles many families face. In the second half, Jed welcomes back Maria Ashworth to introduce Where's Readsy?, an imaginative reading-ritual activity box. Kids meet Readsy, a book-loving creature who sneaks into homes at night, munches on "fuzzles," and leaves a trail of paw prints to the book he's been reading. Maria explains how the kit is designed to make kids want to read, not just read because they have to, and how her work as a roving storytime host for HOAs and communities inspired the project. She also opens up about being a struggling reader as a child and how that fuels her passion for bringing the magic of books into every family's home.

On this episode of Reading With Your Kids, we're celebrating two wonderful graphic novels—starting with a deep dive into Shannon Hale's new middle grade graphic novel Dream Big. Joining Jed from an Airbnb in Utah, Shannon talks about the beauty and diversity of the U.S., her travels to schools and bookstores in at least 45 states, and what it's like to live life on the road with "book people." She reflects on a career of 50+ books, translated into 25 languages, and admits she hardly lets herself think about all those readers—it's too overwhelming, so she keeps her focus on the next story. Shannon shares the heart behind Dream Big, the second book about Cassie, a highly sensitive, big-feelings kid based on Shannon's own childhood in 1980s Utah. Cassie becomes an extra in a low-budget horror movie, giving readers a realistic, often funny look at movie sets—far from the glamorous image kids may imagine. Through Cassie's worries about being "a scaredy cat," the book becomes a gentle exploration of fear, fame, and emotional intelligence. Shannon and Jed talk about different kinds of fear, why fame doesn't equal love or confidence, and how stories can open up honest family conversations about emotions and money. In the second part of the episode, Jed welcomes David Bruggink, creator of Pia in the Forest. Inspired by sound-recording walks in the woods with his young daughter in Maine, David's debut graphic novel celebrates curiosity, nature, and the special bond between a dad and his adventurous child—perfect for families who love exploring the world together on and off the page.

In this heartfelt episode, Jed welcomes back filmmaker and author David Soren to celebrate Visible: The Sort of True Story of a Not So Hidden Disease, the powerful follow-up to his middle grade novel Invisible. Drawing from his own experience growing up with Crohn's disease, David shares how his fictional stand-in, JJ Sugar, navigates life with his biker-beast disease, Norm, and how their relationship slowly shifts from fear and resentment toward understanding and even a kind of friendship. David and Jed talk about the many kids living with hidden diseases—conditions like Crohn's, diabetes, and other invisible illnesses that don't show on the outside but shape a child's daily life. David describes emotional school visits and a moving moment at Camp Oasis, where a young camper asked, "What if I like my disease?"—a question that perfectly captures the heart of these books. The conversation also explores parental illness through David's father's experience with throat cancer, and how families can talk honestly with kids while modeling resilience and self-advocacy. Along the way, David reflects on turning pain into story, the joy of creating Norm, and the hope that Invisible and Visible will help kids and families feel seen, understood, and a little less alone.  We close the show by welcoming Christal M Cherry to celebrate her picture book Mac & Cheese, Being Different Is OK. In this wonderful story we meet Mac, a unique kid who is ready to make new friends! But when he tries to play with the other kids, they are rude and tease him. Mac is devastated until he finds a new friend that is a little different too.

In this heartfelt episode of the Reading With Your Kids podcast, Jed welcomes Daria, musician, teaching artist, and author of the joyful new picture book Cicada Sing Along. Drawing on decades of performing in schools, Daria and Jed celebrate the magic that happens when kids aren't just sitting and listening, but making music together—banging on drums, buzzing like cicadas, and discovering instruments from around the world. Daria shares how the so‑called "cicada apocalypse" inspired her to turn fear and "Ew, bugs!" into curiosity and delight. In Cicada Sing Along, kids learn real cicada facts while buzzing a silly, contagious chorus—often, the worse they sing it, the more fun it is. She talks about "stealth education," weaving science, rhythm, and literacy into a hoot‑and‑a‑half read‑aloud that teachers and music educators can use to get every child participating. The conversation goes deeper into world music, indigenous cultures, and bilingual learning. Daria describes learning songs directly from communities in Peru and beyond, how languages like Quechua view everything as alive and in motion, and why preserving languages and stories is essential to a whole and healthy humanity. Both she and Jed return again and again to a core belief: if kids are having fun, they're learning—and feeling seen. In the final segment, Jed talks with author and reading specialist Danielle LaRosa about her tender picture book I Love You So, a love letter to her graduating son and a powerful reminder of how daily reading, connection, and shared stories shape kids' futures long after they leave home.

In this episode of the Reading With Your Kids podcast, Jed welcomes two inspiring picture book creators who are helping families nurture curiosity, confidence, and connection. First, Jed chats with Leah Wolf Hurst, an occupational therapist, yoga teacher, personal trainer, ergonomist, and mindfulness coach known as "The Wolf of Wellness." Leah introduces her picture book "Bob's Donuts for Breakfast," a sensory-rich love letter to San Francisco that follows a carefree dog and an anxious squirrel on a delicious adventure through iconic city landmarks. Leah explains how these two characters represent opposing forces inside all of us—impulse and caution—and how their journey invites families to notice the extraordinary in everyday life. She and Jed dive into themes of curiosity, presence, nervous system health, and screen time, especially in the age of AI, and how picture books can gently teach mindfulness without ever using the word. Then Jed is joined by Jodi Glaser-Taub, author of the debut picture book "Me and Marta and the Magic Shoes," inspired by her own struggles being told she was "too small" to dance. Jody shares how returning to salsa dance in Brooklyn as an adult, with a supportive teacher and friend, completely changed her story—and why she felt obligated to pass that message on to kids. She talks about working with her 83-year-old dad as the book's illustrator, the joy of seeing a child discover her book in a store, and the power of kindness, perseverance, and the arts. Jody also offers down-to-earth advice for debut and aspiring authors on marketing, community, and treating your book like a small business.

In this lively episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast, Jed welcomes two wonderful guests whose picture books help kids feel seen, brave, and deeply connected to the world around them. First, Jed chats with Jalpa Vaidya Patel, licensed social worker and author of "Wizzy: The Worldly Tree: A Tale of Cultural Curiosity." Jalpa shares how her background in social work and Native American studies shaped a gentle new way to talk about culture with kids. Instead of starting with "we're all different," Wizzy begins with the truth that we're all interconnected and that every family has a story rooted in the land. Jalpa explains how cultural curiosity—asking "What's your family story?" instead of "Where are you from?"—can build belonging and naturally reduce prejudice. She and Jed swap family stories, DNA surprises, and powerful examples of how relationships across cultures change the way kids see the world. Then Jed is joined by Mallory J. Stevens, creator of "The Adventures of Clive and Sydney: The Dancing Armadillos." Mallory introduces listeners to Clive, Sydney, and their feline friend Nanushka, performers at the Pine Tree Forest Theater. When Nanushka goes missing before a big show, the armadillos must find the courage to dance onstage alone and then venture into the forest to search for their friend. Mallory describes how her background in banking, corporate communications, and conflict resolution led her to write fun, music-filled stories that also teach friendship, empathy, problem-solving, and resilience. She even shares how the series inspired original songs—like "Beetles and Worms" and the award-winning "Do the Dillo"—and her hopes for an animated series and school performances.