Reading With Your Kids Podcast

On today's episode of Reading With Your Kids we welcome authors Jon Selzer and Kari Percival, whose books invite children into kindness, community, and nature.
Jon Selzer shares how a troubling climate of political hostility inspired him to promote civility through art and storytelling. Guided by the idea that today's choices affect seven generations, he created JoJo, a duck-billed platypus whose adventures encourage teamwork, inclusion, and care for others. In JoJo Soars and Scores, ballet and lacrosse become a lesson in collaboration. Selzer also describes Today's Seeds, his foundation's efforts to bring performances, books, transportation, and snacks to children while creating community dialogue groups. His goal is to help communities build their own locally shaped arts programs.
Jed reflects on his experience helping children with developmental disabilities participate in school life, reinforcing the importance of seeing each person as a member of the community.
Madison Lucchesi welcomes Kari Percival, author of Fall Day All Day, a picture book celebrating outdoor discovery for toddlers and preschoolers. She describes how changing leaves, animal sounds, and exploration make nature a learning environment, and encourages families to spend more time outside.
Kari also discusses How to Say Hello to a Worm and Safe Crossing, which invite children to garden, notice wildlife, and take part in conservation. With her husband, Greg Cook, she creates community art through Wonderland Spectacle Company, including festival banners, workshops, and nature-themed performances.
The conversation closes with a glimpse of Kari's upcoming beach-and-ocean book and a message: stories and creative experiences can nurture curiosity, empathy, and a connected world.

ed Doherty welcomes children's book authors Rachel Tawil Kenyon and Matt Clement for a lively conversation about creativity, family, and the power of picture books. Rachel shares her fifth book, I Might Be a Penguin Too, inspired by a zoo visit with her grandson, JJ. The playful story invites readers to imitate animals and celebrate the unique talents each person brings.
Rachel describes picture-book storytime as an interactive experience for all ages, from preschoolers practicing movement and resilience to older children exploring questions about zoos. She explains that her writing journey began with teaching seventh graders at her synagogue and grew from journaling, curiosity, and following ideas before they disappear. She is developing a lullaby-style book and a story with a Jewish perspective.
Matt Clement introduces Seven Little Donks and the Secret Map, inspired by miniature donkeys he saw while driving his children to school in Atlanta. The story follows seven characters on a journey toward a green, welcoming paradise, emphasizing teamwork, perseverance, and discovery. Matt hopes the series will bring joy to children while supporting donkey rescues and helping teachers encourage creativity and positive values.
He discusses hidden treasures in the books and activity packs with discussion prompts, coloring pages, lesson plans, and maps. The conversation celebrates reading aloud, learning through trial and error, and making space for children to participate. Matt shares how his family's curiosity led them to move to Arizona, while both authors reflect on the experiences that inspire stories and bring people together.

On this episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes Georgie Badiel Liberty to discuss The Water Princess Builds a Well, sequel to her picture book The Water Princess. Georgie shares that the first book draws on her childhood in Burkina Faso, where she walked for hours with her grandmother to fetch water.
After becoming Miss Burkina Faso and Miss Africa, Georgie moved to Paris for an international modeling career. Visiting her pregnant sister brought her face-to-face with the continued struggle for water in her home community—and renewed her commitment to give back.
Through the Georgie Badiel Foundation, she says, more than 300 water projects have brought clean water to over 700,000 people. She describes a sustainable approach: training local women in basic water and sanitation engineering so communities can maintain wells when they break. Georgie hopes her books prompt families to talk about water access and encourage children to notice problems and help solve them.
She also celebrates Burkina Faso's art, culture, welcoming people, and beloved "bicycle chicken," which she hopes to bring to American audiences. Listeners can support the foundation through volunteering or donations.
In the episode's second conversation, author Brian Young introduces Sophia Sprite and the Sasquatch Secret, a fantasy mystery about a teen who uncovers a hidden species while coping with grief. Young discusses acceptance, individuality, and audiobooks as a way to welcome reluctant readers. He also previews Sophia's next adventure in Ireland, inspired by Irish folklore and the series' expanding fantasy world.

This episode of Reading With Your Kids brings together two conversations about books that spark imagination, laughter, and meaningful conversations with young readers. First, host Jed Doherty welcomes Dork Diaries creator Rachel Renee Russell and illustrator Nikki Russell to celebrate the full-color edition of Dork Diaries 2. Rachel reflects on the series' remarkable success—more than 55 million books sold worldwide—and recalls that, at the beginning, she simply hoped the first book might earn enough for new furniture.
Nikki describes the painstaking digital coloring process, with hundreds of Photoshop layers and several days of work on a complex illustration. She and Rachel explain why they're bringing color to the books for today's young readers, while keeping the original ink editions available. They also discuss a short animation in development, hopes to colorize the backlist, possible film and musical ideas, and plans for merchandise. Nikki shares how she learned from Disney artists and demonstrates that her art is created by hand, not AI.
In the second conversation, intern Madison Lucchesi interviews author Kara LaReau about Licorice, a middle-grade novel about a cat named Kitty, a new home, and a possible haunting. Kara connects the story's gothic atmosphere to Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier and to losing her beloved cat. Beneath the spooky premise are themes of grief, belonging, insecurity, and fear. She encourages adults and children to talk about big feelings and find comfort in shared stories. Laro also reflects on editing, revision, writing a standalone novel, and her community-centered Witchy Cakes series.

We're celebrating episode 2500 of Reading with Your Kids with true champions: NCAA national wrestling champion Anthony Robles, his mom, Dr. Judy Robles, and author Dr. Jenny Trocchio.
Anthony shared how his picture book, Unstoppable Anthony, was inspired by his son, Abel, and the lessons his mother taught him about perseverance. The story follows Anthony's journey from being born without his left leg to discovering wrestling, finding ways to adapt, and winning the 2011 NCAA national championship. He described seeing challenges as puzzles to solve—and using other people's doubts as motivation. Losses, he explained, gave him lessons he could use to improve, while the struggle made each achievement meaningful.
Dr. Judy reflected on supporting Anthony's independence, even when it frightened her or drew criticism. She believed that letting him try, fall, and find his own solutions helped him build resilience. Their conversation also touched on the importance of parents being present without trying to solve every problem for their children. Anthony, now a coach and father, hopes to offer Abel that same steady support as he follows his own path.
In the episode's second conversation, Madison Lucchesi welcomes Dr. Jennie Trocchio celebrate Hurry the Hurricane, a picture book that helps children understand storms and the feelings they can bring. Drawing on her work with children, she explained how clear, approachable stories can reduce uncertainty and help kids feel included. Her suggestions included involving children in family preparations with simple checklists and fun tasks.
Together, these conversations celebrate perseverance, supportive families, and stories that help children feel capable when facing life's challenges.