Stories That Help Us Laugh, Create and Heal

In this episode, host Jed Doherty welcomes picture-book creators Jonathan Stutzman and Heather Fox to talk about their new book, Beware the Sock Monkeys. The couple describes how they began making books together and how their close collaboration lets them shape both manuscript and illustrations. Jonathan shares the playful premise: a family's missing socks may have been taken by sock monkeys. Inspired by folklore, family jokes, and an orange stuffed monkey, the story follows three sisters and a skeptical dad. They also discuss school visits, children's unexpected questions, and Heather's advice for young artists: keep drawing, read widely, and make use of the library. Jed then speaks with Minseo Cha, author of the wellness series You Are Not What You Eat. Minseo explains that the books grew from her experience recovering from an eating disorder. The first reflects on her journey and how seemingly harmless comments about food or appearance can affect someone who is vulnerable. Her second book gathers perspectives on food as culture and connection, beyond nutrition alone. She shares how support from family and therapy helped her, and how writing allowed her to reflect on her growth and offer understanding to others. She also discusses the pressures of social media and celebrity ideals, and hopes to study psychology and how systems can help people seek support. Together, these conversations celebrate creativity, collaboration, and the power of stories to entertain, encourage, and help people feel less alone. Both interviews show how stories can connect, inspire, and support us all.

This episode brings together authors, artists, and a generous dose of imagination to explore how books connect generations and shape young readers. We first hear from author Tracy Todd and illustrator Vashti Harrison about That You Are Here Is No Small Thing. Todd says the title grew from her visit to Senegal and Ghana, where she reflected on the survival of ancestors and the lives of future generations. The deeply personal book honors this history as an affirmation, while Harrison describes its Afrofuturist, non-linear journey through memory, space, and time. Together, they hope it will affirm Black children and invite all readers to ask questions, learn, and empathize. The conversation then turns to author Rick Williams, whose Dragons and Dinosaur Chronicles began with imaginative ideas from his grandson. Through hikes, storytelling, and playful collaboration, Williams shows how adults can encourage children's creativity and build meaningful bonds. He also shares how reading opened doors for him and his sister, and why literacy can support children through difficult times and help them become lifelong learners. Drawing on his experience with AI, he sees it as useful for research and brainstorming but urges care and adult guidance when children use it. The Story Making Hub offers a workbook and free materials to help families create stories together. Across both interviews, the episode celebrates books as invitations: to remember, imagine, learn, and share ideas. Whether readers explore history, draw dragons, or invent something new, creativity grows through connection, encouragement, and fun for children and adults.

On this episode, host Jed Doherty welcomes two authors whose books help young readers explore ideas, build confidence, and discover the joy of learning. Vicki Scott Burns shares the inspiration behind her award-winning Charli books, including Charli's Turtle Triumph and Charli's Possum Park. Charli is a curious girl who encourages children to ask "what if?" and see STEM in unexpected places. Burns explains how redesigning her own yard introduced her to landscape architecture, a field she brings to life through Charli's park design. She also hopes children will understand that mistakes, experimentation, and collaboration are all part of solving problems. Drawing on her experience as a third-grade teacher, she describes the Charli books as a supportive bridge between picture books and chapter books. Turtle Triumph began with a turtle painting by her granddaughter, while the upcoming Charli's Beautiful Butterflies explores butterflies, bees, and food security. Rob Buyea discusses Because of Our Student Teacher, a new story set in the world of his Mr. Terupt books. Its student teacher was once one of the original student characters, now grown up. Buyea reflects on his years teaching elementary school and high school biology, and on becoming a writer because he wanted to inspire his students. He began creating stories for the classroom, then found a book-length idea he couldn't ignore. He credits reading, strong first sentences, learning from failure, and trusted critique groups with helping writers grow. Together, the conversations celebrate curiosity, resilience, and many ways books make learning meaningful and fun.

On this episode of Reading with Your Kids, Jed Doherty welcomes Sara Porritt, author, musician, and Chief Inclusion and Impact Officer at Omnicom Media. Sara shares how her picture book, Where Do You Go When You're Not With Me?, grew from her son missing her during the school day. The book helps children ask about their parents' lives and offers families prompts for honest, curious conversations. Sara uses the reassuring refrain, "When you're thinking of me, I'm thinking of you," and describes "bridging" as helping children look forward to their next moment of connection with a parent or caregiver. She connects the book's themes to her work building belonging and community, and to her commitment to meaningful human connection in an increasingly digital, AI-shaped world. Sara also talks about her R&B career and her work facilitating sound baths with singing bowls, drums, chimes, and voice. For her, music and sound can help people pause, focus, and feel grounded. Jed and Sara reflect on helping children understand parents' work and the value of sharing everyday experiences. Later in the episode Madison Lucchesi speaks with Dvonn Lynch about Lincoln's Goodnight Tour of the Planets, inspired by son Lincoln's love of space. Dvonn explains how Lincoln's spaceship bed becomes a launchpad for a planetary adventure. He researched the planets' weather and environments, and added a glossary for readers. The story encourages children to stay curious, dream big, and share bedtime reading. Dvonn is developing a cars-and-counting book inspired by his younger son, Theo.

Author Molly Harris and illustrator Jonathan Corby discuss their picture book, I Need Space, and their experience meeting for the first time after collaborating remotely. Harris explains that editors guide illustrator selection and that authors' notes should clarify the story without dictating every image. Corby describes how the manuscript and Harris's notes sparked his interest, while his parallel work as a book designer gave him a connection to her work. He distinguishes illustration—creating the pictures—from design, which gathers and conveys feedback from the publishing team. Their story centers on Rocco, a sensitive rocket navigating a playful space world where rough play leaves him overwhelmed. Harris drew inspiration from her preschool-aged son's difficulty with peers who played too forcefully. She hopes the book gives families a shared language for discussing boundaries and emotions. Corby explains how he storyboarded ideas and used color to echo Rocco's feelings, shifting from blues and greens toward reds and black before returning to calmer hues. He added a recurring space dog for readers to discover. They reflect on picture books as visual storytelling that can help children recognize feelings and connect stories to real life. Author and archaeologist Josh Guerrero introduces his debut book, Abe the Adventurer and the Jungle Jewel, inspired by a Marine Corps friend. Abe follows a map into a jungle, learning about animals, courage, cooperation, and respect for cultural heritage. Guerrero says Abe leaves treasure untouched, valuing lessons and memories over possessions. He recalls finding an obsidian arrowhead in New Mexico and describes his adventure-and-self-development podcast.

Kaz Windness and Jim Roethe join Jed Doherty on Reading with Your Kids. Windness shares the inspiration behind Bitsy Bat Snow Star, the third book in a series about a bat who experiences winter for the first time. As Bitsy joins classmates in snowy activities, she becomes cold and uncomfortable but hesitates to speak up because she fears losing her friendships. The story explores self-advocacy, acceptance, and other ways to enjoy winter. The series draws on Windness's own experience as an autistic person and her child's, and aims to help children celebrate differences without reducing anyone to a label. She describes autism as a spectrum of individual experiences and support needs, and explains masking—hiding differences to fit in. She encourages families to ask what support or communication works best for each person. Windness reflects on discovering her own autism while seeking support for her child, and how understanding her needs helped replace years of feeling broken with self-acceptance and practical accommodations. She traces Bitsy's origins to a conversation with an art student about feeling out of place at school. When a publisher suggested changing the bat to an owl, Windness held onto the bat metaphor. The books prompt conversations about feelings, friendship, and self-advocacy; educator resources are at bitsybat.com. She also previews her playful Time Traveling Chickens books and says she has more Bitsy ideas. Jim Roethe says storytelling for his grandchildren inspired Enchanting Tales for Quizzical Kids. A retired attorney and birder, he writes animal tales about reciprocity, compromise, and helping others.

On this episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes two authors whose books help families explore big feelings and imaginative worlds. First, personal injury attorney Jason Plotkin shares the story behind his picture book The Pickle, the Patch, and the Puppy. Inspired by a dog bite he experienced as a child, the book focuses on what happens afterward: the worry and fear that can linger, even when an injury is not severe. Plotkin introduces the "brain alarm" and a "bravery ladder," a series of small steps children can take to feel comfortable around dogs again. He also explains why parents may want medical care and to understand insurance claims, and how a lawyer can help keep a claim from straining a friendship. Then Jed catches up with returning guest Paolo Mazzucato, author of The Time Makers. In this middle-grade adventure, a boy and his mother follow clues about his missing father from their home to Ireland, where Irish folklore and a mythical land shape their journey. Paolo describes the story's heart as the mother-son relationship and its reflection on time: moments matter because they are limited. He also discusses how research and universal human emotions help bring folklore to life, and why fantasy gives him room to let his imagination roam. Together, the conversations celebrate books that invite families to talk, learn, and connect. From rebuilding confidence after a frightening experience to navigating loss, change, and wonder, both authors show how stories can help young readers grow together—with confidence.

Madison Lucchesi welcomes Jennifer Payne to discuss her picture book, Sounds of America, which follows a young Italian boy traveling from Naples to New York Harbor. Through the sounds he encounters, the story explores how children experience new places, community, safety, and belonging. Drawing on 25 years as a teacher, Jennifer shares her belief that children learn best when teaching connects with their individual interests and senses. She uses joyful language, sound, visuals, and playful reading to spark engagement and help ideas stick. For her, reading is a relationship: grown-ups can watch children's expressions and body language, then adjust their pace or tone to suit what a child needs. She also encourages families to make room for many paths into literacy. Audiobooks can connect struggling readers with stories, while graphic novels invite children to infer and think deeply. At home, she urges adults to model reading and make reading for joy part of family life, rather than letting reading levels define what children can enjoy. Her book can also open gentle, honest conversations about immigration and change, helping children feel heard and welcome. Through Victory Garden Kids, her tutoring program, she offers individualized academic and emotional support, building confidence through consistent relationships and tailored instruction. She is finishing a parent-focused literacy workbook, Victorious Reading, and already imagining more children's books. She hopes every child sees themselves in Polly's journey and leaves the story feeling wrapped in a sense of love and acceptance. Jed Doherty also welcomes Tricia Aquilar, author of Fruit Rainbow, which introduces colors through fruit, and the Once Upon a Lullaby series, pairing stories with songs via QR codes. She collaborates with musicians and is planning story-and-song events, including performances in Connecticut and Florida, with stops in Rhode Island and Alabama.

Jed Doherty talks with British author-illustrator Briony May Smith about The Secret Dragon, set in medieval Wales. Prince Griff secretly raises a dragon hatched from an egg given to him by his aunt Morgana, hiding it from his mother, Queen Rhiannon, who is allergic to magical beasts. As the dragon grows, the castle servants know about it, and the queen discovers the secret by following turkey feathers. The dragon is hypoallergenic, so she has not been sneezing. Smith says the characters came first, while Welsh castles, folklore, and legends such as the Mabinogion shaped the setting. She wanted the castle to feel domestic rather than imposing. Her traditional illustration style draws on Impressionist use of light and shade. Smith also describes how personal experiences influence her stories: she became an aunt while writing the mischievous Aunt Morgana. She enjoys illustrating her own books as well as interpreting other authors' stories, appreciating the fresh perspective each offers. The Secret Dragon is out in the United States, with editions planned for Germany, France, and the UK; publishers may adapt character names for local readers. Brad Johnson discusses Stella Found a Feather, inspired by his granddaughter. The feather-finding story introduces ten common birds through descriptions and field-guide details. Johnson calls this approach "hiding the broccoli"—weaving lessons into an entertaining story rather than preaching. A former television writer whose credits include Coach, Arrested Development, and Family Guy, he self-published the book and enjoyed learning its production tools. He uses ChatGPT to critique completed drafts rather than rewrite them, and sees AI as a useful tool that needs sensible safeguards.

In this episode, host Jed Doherty welcomes three picture-book creators to discuss culture, creativity, and belonging. Author Teresa Robeson and illustrator Ping Zhu introduce Animals of the Chinese Zodiac: Meet Your Match. The book shares facts and personality traits for the twelve zodiac animals, plus the legend explaining how they were chosen. Teresa reflects on sharing cultural stories with young readers, while Ping describes growing up with zodiac traditions and creating a welcoming introduction for readers new to them. She also talks about her love of painting on paper and a playful flowchart that helps readers discover which animal's traits feel like their own. Together, they celebrate books as mirrors for children who recognize their experiences and windows into unfamiliar cultures. Next, author Christine Rivera Creque discusses The Same Luna, a story about a girl visiting Puerto Rico, disoriented by unfamiliar food, language, and family traditions. With help from her abuela, Luna begins to connect beneath the same moon. Christine shares how childhood visits and wanting her daughter to connect with Puerto Rican roots inspired the book. She recalls island favorites and suggests families explore heritage through language, food, music, and dance. The conversation also touches on the island's beauty, its ongoing recovery and infrastructure challenges, and the importance of caring for Puerto Rico. Christine says her next manuscript follows a work-from-home parent and child navigating a Zoom meeting. Across both conversations, the guests show how picture books can spark curiosity, affirm identity, and help families feel at home across cultures.