In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed Doherty welcomes author Matthew Burgess and illustrator Robin Rosenthal to celebrate their charming new picture book, Serafina Makes Waves. Serafina is no ordinary cat—she's full of catitude, completely confident on land, but absolutely terrified of water. When her parents sign her up for swim lessons before a family vacation, she'll do just about anything to avoid getting in the pool.

Robin shares how Serafina began as a single sketch of a cool, sassy beach cat with big goggles and a stuffed bunny named Noodles. The character existed before there was any story or even a name. During a critique group meeting, Robin showed the drawing to Matthew and asked how writers come up with stories. Pressed to give a real example, Matthew spontaneously suggested a cat who is deathly afraid of water but forced into swim lessons. Robin chuckled—and that reaction convinced Matthew there was something special there. From that moment, they began improvising the story together, volleying ideas back and forth.

They talk about the unusual nature of their collaboration: in traditional publishing, authors and illustrators often never even meet. Here, the illustration sparked the story, and the two creators stayed in close conversation, refining both text and art so Serafina's voice, attitude, and emotional journey truly matched Robin's visual vision. Both Matthew and Robin reflect on their hopes that this book will help kids see their own confidence, bravery, and big feelings reflected on the page.

Later in the show, Jed also chats briefly with Cedella Marley about her picture book Marley and the Family Band, inspired by her own childhood move from Jamaica to Delaware and her father Bob Marley's musical legacy of unity, joy, and resilience.

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes back legendary children's singer, songwriter, and author Raffi to celebrate his new picture book "Mama Loves It." The book is based on a song Raffi recorded with Canadian trio The Good Lovelies, all about kids pitching in with household chores. Through joyful lyrics and warm illustrations, it encourages children to see chores not as burdens, but as chances to help their families and feel like part of a team.

Raffi talks about his long creative journey—over 50 years of making music for children—and what keeps him energized: the pure magic of songwriting and the knowledge that millions of fans are waiting for new music. His upcoming album centers on the power of love, which he describes as the most powerful, infinite energy we know—something the world needs more of, especially in turbulent times.

He reflects on his audience of "Beluga Grads"—the adults who grew up with his music and now share it with their own kids—and the joy of performing for children who come ready to sing, laugh, and enjoy his famously silly jokes. Raffi also shares his Child Honouring philosophy and the work of the Raffi Foundation for Child Honouring, which promotes principles like respect, nonviolence, and emotional intelligence, especially in the early years of life.

In the final segment, Jed chats briefly with Dr. Rekha Rajan about her lively picture book "Can You Dance Like A Peacock?", which invites kids and families to move, dance, and learn animal facts together, blending STEM learning with the arts and joyful, interactive reading.

On this episode, Jed welcomes author and neuroscientist Gail Martino, whose new picture book "Feathered and Famous: Meet America's All Star Birds" celebrates the national and state birds of the United States and the stories behind them.

Gail explains how her book helps kids (and parents) discover the unique traits that made each bird worthy of representing a state—from the clever chickadee of Massachusetts, which actually grows part of its brain in the fall to help remember where it hid seeds, to the hopeful, homey robin of Connecticut, often seen as a harbinger of spring. She also describes the engineering genius of birds' nests, like robins using mud as "mortar" and the Baltimore oriole's swinging, sock‑like nest that can withstand strong winds.

Gail shares how her father's backyard bird feeder sparked her curiosity as a child, eventually leading her into a career in neuroscience, product development, and innovation consulting—and now to writing books that connect kids to nature, geography, history, and STEM skills. She talks about the importance of teaching kids to observe the world, balancing screen time with real‑world curiosity, and using tools like eBird and Merlin to make birding fun and interactive for families. She also highlights how many state birds, like the brown pelican of Louisiana, have become powerful symbols of conservation success.

Later in the episode, Jed chats briefly with author Jill Esbaum about her playful new picture book "Stink Bird Has a Superpower", a story inspired by the wonderfully weird hoatzin of the Amazon and Jill's passion for helping kids discover that everyone has a superpower.

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, we're celebrating two joyful, community-minded picture books that are perfect for creating memories with kids.

First, Jed chats with Jodi Tatiana Charles, author of Going to the Festival. Inspired by her decade of volunteering—two years as president—at the Marblehead Festival of the Arts in Massachusetts, Jodi turned her experiences into a vibrant picture book that honors festivals, volunteers, and community life. She talks about how annual events bring neighbors together, support local businesses, and create multigenerational memories that last a lifetime. We meet her four main characters—Tanner, Sebastian, Beatrice, and Danielle—each reflecting different talents and personalities, and each carrying a bit of Jodi and her illustrator, Julia Potvin. Jodi also shares how Easter eggs hidden in the illustrations, intergenerational scenes, and a strong sense of place make the book relatable whether or not you've ever been to Marblehead.

Then we welcome back Kris Tarantino, author of Bed Slime Blues, the follow-up to Be My Valent-Slime. Kris introduces us to her four monster characters—Snoodle, Iggy, ZZ, and Fleck—who stand in for kids facing classic bedtime battles: baths, toothbrushing, more snacks, more stories, and missing stuffies. She explains how she learned to let the illustrator tell half the story, how revision truly transforms a manuscript, and how her school visits use humor and interactivity to get kids excited about reading and writing. Kris also teases the third "slime" book, centered on the monsters' first day of school.

This episode is all about community, connection, and the magic of picture books.

In this joyful episode, Jed chats with creative couple Jeanine Pastores and Joshua Jackson, the team behind the beloved character Tubby Nugget and their middle grade graphic novel "The Adventures of Tubby Nugget: Nuggetville Escape."

Jeanine and Joshua share how Tubby Nugget began in 2016 as a private joke and love language between them. Jeanine called Joshua her "nugget," and he started drawing a little, squishy nugget character to cheer her up—whether she was sad, needed a laugh, or they were apologizing after a fight. Those doodles became webcomics on Instagram, which unexpectedly went viral, turning Tubby Nugget into their full-time career.

They talk about navigating health challenges, leaving traditional employment paths, and finding purpose in creating something joyful for others. Both emphasize how crucial supportive family, friends, and a great manager have been, especially as Asian artists whose parents bucked the stereotype and encouraged them to pursue the arts.

Jeanine describes the story of Nuggetville Escape: Tubby lives in a town where everyone is expected to be dipped in gold and conform, but he loves his squishy brown coat, colors, and good food. With the help of his loving parents and friends, he chooses to be true to himself. The book celebrates self-acceptance, supportive relationships, and respecting different paths in life.

They also discuss their creative collaboration as author and illustrator, the challenges of scope and workload, their thriving merch (especially plushies), and their hopes to expand Tubby Nugget into even more media to reach kids and families everywhere.

We also share a listen back to a past conversation with author Emily Ettlinger

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes Kiersta Halseth, joining from Germany's enchanting Black Forest, to celebrate her debut picture book, "Lowly Stromboli and the Mysterious Hole." Kiersta shares her remarkable journey from a marketing and communications career in Florida and California, to a bold leap of faith that took her to Thailand, where she taught English, met her German partner, and eventually settled in the Black Forest with their daughter, Lola.

Kiersta explains how Night Type Books was literally born from a dream. Struggling to read tiny, low-contrast text in picture books during dim, cozy bedtime reading with her daughter, she imagined a series of easier-to-read, larger-font, visually calming books designed specifically for nighttime. That dream became Lowly Stromboli and the Adventures of Mouse House, with book one introducing Lowly and Mouse, whose magical mouse-hole portal takes young readers on gentle travel adventures around the world. The series blends soothing bedtime stories, immersive illustrations by Keziah Crossley, and a growing collection of free parent resources about nighttime reading and reducing screen use before bed.

Kiersta and Jed dive into the science and magic of reading before sleep, the dangers of too much screen time, and the deep emotional connection that forms when parents read to their kids every night.

In the second half of the episode, Jed invites Carolyn Watkins from New Hampshire to talk about her uplifting new picture book, "Trailblazer Shine." Originally written as a song, the book encourages kids to face life's ups and downs with kindness, courage, and a positive mindset, reflecting Carolyn's 35-year career teaching preschool, kindergarten, and first grade.

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, we welcome back two wonderful creators who are helping families nurture kindness, courage, and curiosity.

First, Ruth Maille joins us from Rhode Island to celebrate her new picture book, "The Power of Encouragement: Turning I Can't into I Can." Ruth introduces Orbit, a sweet Earth-shaped character with a bandage on his head, symbolizing both a healing world and the idea that everyone makes mistakes. Orbit travels the globe asking kids thoughtful questions about kindness, gratitude, respect, and encouragement, giving young readers a chance to "see themselves" in the stories.

Ruth shares how this book was inspired by Natalie, a spirited nine‑year‑old former daycare student who suggested that encouragement deserved its own book. Together, they brainstormed real‑life examples—from sports to school challenges—that show how encouragement helps kids keep trying, feel proud, and turn "I can't" into "I can." Ruth also talks about 35 years of working with children, the importance of boundaries, and how practices like daily gratitude can genuinely transform kids' outlooks.

Then we head under the ocean with Janet Lawler, author of the new lift‑the‑flap board book "Who's Hiding Under the Sea." A nature lover and former lawyer, Janet describes how her early fascination with the shore and ocean life became a playful nonfiction book for the youngest readers. With sturdy flaps, bright, tactile art, short rhyming poems, and simple facts about six sea creatures, her book is designed to be both durable and delightful for curious little hands—and might just spark the next generation of ocean explorers.

In this powerful Easter-season episode, Jed talks with Pastor Sheldon Lee Stovall, a licensed counselor and pastor, about his new faith-based Sunday school series, "Faith and Feelings: God's Ways for Every Age." Drawing from years of working with dozens of children each week, Pastor Sheldon shares how he saw so many kids struggling with fear, loneliness, sadness, anger, and hopelessness—without parents or schools having the language or tools to help them. This burden led him to create age-appropriate lessons for K–4, 5–8, and 9–12, all built around Scripture, prayer, and practical emotional skills.

He explains how his teacher/parent guides highlight trigger words and emotional red flags—like "Nobody would care if I was gone" or "I wish I wasn't here"—so adults can recognize when a child might be in serious trouble. Pastor Sheldon also describes simple, faith-centered coping tools such as guided "God-breath" exercises for anger, interactive games for younger kids, journaling and role plays for teens, and testimonies from real kids to remind young readers they are not alone. Throughout the conversation, he connects emotional regulation with spiritual formation and talks candidly about the alarming suicide rate among young people, the impact of social media and drugs, and why parents need to slow down, listen, and intentionally build a spiritual foundation at home.

In the final portion of the episode, Jed welcomes Korey Henkel, Senior Director of Marketing Communications at Centricity Records and editor of the children's book "Beloved," inspired by Jordan Feliz's song. Corey shares how the book helps kids understand they are deeply loved by their parents—and even more deeply loved by God.