Reading With Your Kids Podcast

In this episode, Jed welcomes Tyler Moore, better known as Tidy Dad, to talk about his book "Tidy Up Your Life." Tyler shares how a season of overwhelm—upsizing his family and career at the same time—left both his apartment and his mental health in disarray. That experience pushed him to explore the deep connection between a cluttered home and a cluttered mind, and how small, consistent decisions can transform both.
Living with his wife and three daughters in a 750-square-foot New York City apartment (plus a modest cottage), Tyler has been forced to define what is "just enough"—from houseplants to kids' toys. He explains how families can negotiate different mess tolerances, set up zones and systems in shared spaces, and make tidying a normal rhythm of life instead of a one-time purge. Tyler also emphasizes modeling decision-making for kids: letting them practice low-stakes choices (like pajamas or toothbrushes) so they can build the "decision muscles" needed for bigger life choices.
A passionate teacher and early riser, Tyler carves out time to read and wants his daughters to see books as a natural part of daily life. For him, tidying is ultimately about making space—physically and emotionally—for what matters most: family, reading, and a life aligned with your values.
Later in the episode, Jed talks with Eileen Halpin from Platypus Media and Science Naturally about their Literacy Access Initiative, which offers deeply discounted books to organizations so more children and families can experience the power of reading together.

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two very different – but beautifully complementary – guests whose books open the door to big family conversations.
First, Jed chats with Rachel Peterson, author of the YA thriller Killing Sadie. Rachel, who describes herself as "aggressively pleasant," explains why such a cheerful person writes about murder, anxiety, and worst‑case scenarios. She shares how dark, campy thrillers and B‑horror movies helped her manage her own anxious teen years, and why today's teens may find comfort and "self‑therapy" in scary stories and true crime. Rachel walks us through the multi‑POV structure of Killing Sadie, the "dead girl talking" final act, and her fun craft tricks—like building playlists for each character to get inside their heads. Most importantly, she and Jed explore how the book can help parents and teens talk about unhealthy relationships, boundaries, and the power of trusting your own discomfort.
Then we travel (virtually) to Tanzania to meet Jeremy Sherr, author of the middle grade novel The Noble Adventure of Beryl and Carol. Jeremy shares how a simple bedtime story for his daughters grew into an award‑winning adventure about two timid girls who, through moral choices and courage, grow into noble, resourceful heroes. He and Jed discuss modeling values through story, the importance of nature, "girl power" without aggression, and why short, cliffhanger chapters are perfect for read‑aloud time. Jeremy also offers a glimpse into his family's remarkable work providing free homeopathic clinics across Africa.
This episode celebrates how stories—dark, thrilling, and heartwarming—can help families connect, reflect, and grow together.

In this inspiring episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two wonderful picture book creators who are helping families talk about big feelings, different brains, and everyday courage.
First, Jed chats with Chloe Ito Ward, author of All the Ways We Learn, a gentle, affirming picture book about neurodivergence in the classroom. Chloe shares how the story toggles between what we "think" learning should look like—sitting still, making eye contact, hands in laps—and the many valid ways kids actually learn, including kids with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and dyscalculia. Drawing on her own late ADHD diagnosis and her years teaching kindergarten, Chloe talks about movement, play, and self-advocacy, and how books can give kids both a mirror (to see themselves) and a window (to better understand others). She also teases upcoming titles, including My Mind Is an Ocean.
Then Jed is joined by Dana Eikenberg, former Division I athlete and coach and author of Hank the Brave. Hank is a lovable boxer who's afraid of small buzzing things—a perfect way to help kids think about fear, bravery, and the power of love. Dana opens up about losing the real Hank, why love is the throughline of the book, and how families can use Hank's story and her "Brave Start" activity to help kids name their support system and face their fears. Together, Jed and Dana reflect on resilience, hard work, and why we don't need to be fearless to be brave.

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes Ana Karina de Silva, a neurodivergent author, comedian, and educator, to celebrate her new picture book Pedro's Dream. The story follows Pedro, a passionate young soccer player with ADHD who learns to understand his brain, advocate for himself, and build strategies for success—like using checklists and visual cues, and working with a supportive coach and dad who also has ADHD.
Ana shares how her own late ADHD diagnosis reshaped her understanding of "forgetfulness" and "not finishing tasks," reframing them as brain-based challenges rather than character flaws. She offers practical examples of "dopamine hits" that help her complete tasks—like calling a friend, listening to music, or tuning into podcasts.
Ana and Jed dive into the importance of seeing neurodivergence not as something to "fix" but as a different way of thinking that deserves support, accommodations, and respect. They celebrate books as mirrors and windows, helping kids see themselves and understand others. Ana also describes her work teaching stand-up comedy to kids on the spectrum, using exaggeration, silliness, and performance to help them process big feelings, build confidence, and develop a strong sense of identity. Her broader "Emma's Dream" curriculum focuses on uncovering children's strengths—like pattern recognition—and helping families and schools nurture them.
Later in the episode, Jed speaks with Joyce Fitt, author of Are You Ready For Us?, a playful, thought-provoking picture book for aspiring parents narrated by Spermio and Agatha. Joyce draws on her experiences as a war refugee, educator, and songwriter to encourage adults to consider preconception health, finances, mental well-being, and, most importantly, children's emotional needs before bringing them into the world.

In this inspiring episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes back author Michael J. Rosen to celebrate How to Dive to the Deepest Place on Earth, his picture book collaboration with legendary astronaut and ocean explorer Dr. Kathy Sullivan. Michael shares the fascinating story of how he first met Kathy—before the Mariana Trench dive was even an idea—and how her lifelong curiosity led her to choose between charting the ocean floor and flying into space.
Michael walks us through the mind‑bending reality of the Mariana Trench expedition: four hours sinking in a tiny sphere through total darkness, a narrow "column" of ocean actually explored, and the incredible engineering that relies purely on gravity and buoyancy to go down and back. He explains his role as "interpreter" for young readers—taking Kathy's technical experiences and turning them into language, images, and structure that a seven- or eleven-year-old can grasp, while illustrations carry much of the complex science.
The conversation widens into a heartfelt reflection on curiosity—why any act of wondering is a form of exploration, and how adults can model that for kids in everyday life, from noticing spiders and birds to asking big questions together instead of pretending to know it all.
In the final segment, Jed chats with April Chrystal Holmes about Invisible String, book two in her Eras Journey middle grade series. April shares how she tackles big feelings like pet grief and friendship breakups with warmth, adventure, and '90s-style heart, giving kids language and stories to help them carry loss, not "get over" it.