Reading With Your Kids Podcast

In this episode, Jed welcomes author James Ponti to talk about Europa, book seven in his bestselling City Spies series. James shares the irresistible premise: a British secret agent known as Mother adopts kids from around the world—each with a special talent and a code name based on their home city—and raises them as a family of spies. In Europa, explosives expert Sydney returns to the spotlight as the main character, caught between questions of trust and a terrifying villainous group called Umbra, whose leader is trying to hold Europe hostage from prison.
James explains the challenge and joy of juggling six beloved kid characters so every reader's favorite gets enough time "on the page," while also keeping each book fresh and non-formulaic. Then the conversation turns deeply personal: James reveals how his own unconventional family story—including discovering, in his 50s, that his father had multiple other families and secret siblings—shaped the emotional core of City Spies. Beneath the gadgets and missions, he says, these books are really about what it means to be a family, chosen or otherwise, and writing from "the part of your heart that hurts."
In the final segment, Jed talks with Tim Wright about Toby Baxter: Riverhome for the Holidays. Tim shares how his fantasy adventure explores joy, wisdom, and vision for middle grade readers, and how stories can help kids dream bigger, resist the pull of social media, and imagine a hopeful future for themselves.

On this episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes Dr. Lauren Hartman, adolescent medicine physician and author of Freeing Children and Young Adults from Shame, Scales, and Stigma. Dr. Hartman dives deep into how diet culture, weight stigma, and even well‑meaning doctors can unintentionally harm kids and teens.
She explains how a simple directive like "you need to lose weight" can trigger restrictive eating, eating disorders, and lifelong shame—especially in vulnerable young people. Dr. Hartman offers practical scripts parents can use with doctors, family members, and their own kids to create weight‑inclusive, shame‑free conversations. She talks about setting boundaries with relatives ("in our home, we don't talk about bodies or calories") and focusing on joyful movement, variety in foods, and true health—defined not by size, but by energy, rest, connection, and joy.
The conversation also tackles the explosion of GLP‑1 medications like Ozempic, especially in children and teens. Dr. Hartman raises concerns about aggressive marketing, lack of long‑term data, and the message these drugs send about body size diversity. She stresses media literacy, helping kids question influencers, edited images, and sponsored "wellness" content disguised as health advice.
In the final segment, Jed chats with author Bate Ilondior, who created the picture book "Joshua's Days of the Week" to support her son's receptive and expressive speech delay. Her personalized, kid-centered stories highlight the powerful link between reading with your kids, language growth, and confidence.

Join us for a delightful episode featuring acclaimed picture book creators Marla Frazee and Julie Fogliano as they take us behind the scenes of their newest collaboration, "Because of a Shoe." Host Jed Doherty leads a warm, insightful conversation exploring the magic that happens when author and illustrator unite to craft memorable children's books. Julie shares the heartfelt inspiration behind her story—rooted in her own childhood and experiences as a mom dealing with the "shoe struggle"—and reveals how writing "Because of a Shoe" was both therapeutic and hilarious.
Marla dives into her creative process, describing how her love of tiny shoes and quirky childhood memories influenced her spirited illustrations. The duo discusses the joys and surprises of collaborating from opposite coasts, highlighting how trust and mutual respect allow each artist's style to shine, ultimately creating picture book magic.
Listeners will gain a unique view into the emotional storytelling that's made Fogliano and Frazee industry favorites—covering everything from the challenge of expressing big feelings in few words to finding that perfect, climactic visual twist (hello, bouncy house!).
Rounding out the episode is J E Morris, who shares the real-life tale behind "Flubby," her popular easy reader series inspired by her quirky, food-loving rescue cat. Morris talks about nurturing new readers and the joy of bringing relatable animal characters to life.
Tune in for creativity, laughs, and heartfelt insights into the world of children's literature!

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The episode delves into why Ebony chose to capture Tina Turner's essence in a fun, fictional narrative for children—spotlighting not only Tina's powerhouse stage presence but her humanity, resilience, and ability to empower others. Jed shares personal anecdotes, highlighting Tina's universal appeal and inspirational spirit. Ebony also opens up about her inclusive writing process and the importance of teaching kids about music legends, emotional intelligence, and self-expression.
Perfect for fans of Tina Turner, children's literature, and family-focused storytelling, this episode radiates warmth, authenticity, and a passion for empowering young readers. Don't miss this heartfelt tribute to Tina Turner's enduring influence and a sneak peek into how "Just Like Tina" encourages children to embrace their unique selves. For anyone seeking uplifting stories with soul, family, and rock & roll, this episode delivers!
We also listen back to our conversation with Candice Okin celebrating her picture book Joseph The Great.

Dive into this inspiring episode featuring Mariana Gordon and Sondra Bakinde, the dynamic duo behind The Meditating Mantis—a captivating new children's book series designed to teach mindfulness, breathing, and emotional resilience to kids and their families. With backgrounds in school psychology (Mariana) and art and storytelling (Sondra), these mindful moms created the character Mio the mantis to help children explore emotions, master calming techniques, and embrace the true power of stillness. Their mission? To make mindfulness magical, accessible, and fun for both children and adults, and to bridge generational gaps with creative, non-clinical tools. They talk candidly about using their personal parenting experiences to shape the Mindful Mantis method, and how their curriculum—now adopted by eager schools—blends breathwork, movement, journaling, and affirmations so that every child can thrive, even in today's fast-paced, high-stress world.
Later in the episode, we're joined by Brittany Win Lee, author of Good Night Body: Finding Calm from Head to Toe. Brittany shares how her book gently introduces body scan meditation and relaxation to children at bedtime, drawing from her own journey as a parent and pastor.
If you're a parent, teacher, or anyone interested in empowering children with meditation, mindfulness, and emotional intelligence, this episode is packed with practical takeaways, heartfelt stories, and resources to support calm and connection in your family or classroom!