Read-Aloud Revival ® (Sarah Mackenzie)

On today’s Best of Read Aloud Revival episode, I’m replaying one of our most popular episodes.

Without fail, at every homeschool conference, at least one person comes up to me and says, “Dyslexia was not even on my radar until I listened to the episode with Marianne Sunderland.”

And that’s because most of us don’t understand what dyslexia really is and the signals to look for in our kids. And we don’t know what to do when they do show signs of having a dyslexic brain.

It’s important to remember that a dyslexic brain is not a disorder. Nothing needs to be fixed. It’s the way God made your child’s brain. And it’s genetic, so it’s the way God made your brain or your husband’s brain too.

Dyslexia means your child processes language differently, which means we need to teach dyslexic brains in a way that makes sense to dyslexic brains.

If you have any academic frustrations with your kids of any age, listen to this episode. Even if dyslexia is nowhere on your radar, I encourage you to listen. You might be surprised.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Dispelling myths about dyslexia as a learning disability or sign of low intelligence
• Signs and signals to look out for beyond difficulties with reading
• How homeschooling can provide better support for dyslexic kids than traditional schools

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/is-my-child-dyslexic/

Are you intimidated by the thought of teaching Shakespeare? 

You’re not alone. 

A lot of people struggle to connect to Shakespeare’s work, even if they really want their kids to be familiar with his plays. 

What if I told you there's a way to make teaching Shakespeare to your kids enjoyable for them…

…AND delightful for you? 

In today’s episode, Ken Ludwig, celebrated playwright and author of How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare, argues that the reason so many of us feel like we don’t get Shakespeare is because people don’t know why (or how!) to teach it. 

But figuring out how to teach Shakespeare well is worth it, because not only was he groundbreaking in his time, but he has so much to teach us about what it means to be human. 

Don’t miss this replay of our live conversation where Ken shares all his best tips on teaching Shakespeare to your kids and answers audience questions. 

Plus, Sarah shares her favorite resources for helping kids get excited about Shakespeare. 

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How to break down passages for young kids one at a time
• Is it possible to teach Shakespeare with a wide range of ages?
• What do we do with Shakespeare’s—ahem—thornier content? (After all, there is a lot of it)

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/how-to-teach-shakespeare

Today we’re airing one of my favorite episodes from last year, all about Jolabokaflod, which is a Christmas “book flood,” in the Icelandic tradition.

What if I told you this tradition makes your life easier, not harder? 

During Jolabokaflod, you gift members of your family with new books, and everyone drinks hot cocoa and spends the whole of Christmas Eve reading. If I didn’t get your attention before, I’ve got it now.

There is so much that happens this time of year that adds to our to-do list, that puts more on our plates, but Jolabokaflod is truly a joy. It is a moment of rest and refreshment for you too.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Where the tradition came from
• 3 super-simple steps to your own Jolabokaflod
• How other mamas just like you have made the tradition their own

I hope you bring this tradition to your family and that you have a wonderful, wonderful Christmas.

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/how-to-jolabokaflod

The Long Winter is the sixth book in the Little House on the Prairie series. It was first published in 1940, and is an autobiographical novel. Laura Ingalls Wilder based the series on her actual life as a child, settling the west. This particular story, The Long Winter, was set in the southwestern Dakota Territory during the severe winter of 1880-1881 when Laura was 14 years old. 

Even if you haven’t read the rest of the Little House books, I think you want to read this one. You can read any of the Little House books as stand-alones, but I’m betting that if you give your kids a taste of any of them, they’ll want to keep reading more stories from Laura.

And truly, it’s no wonder why. Laura Ingalls Wilder is, to my mind, unparalleled as one of the finest novelists in children’s literature, ever alive.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How Ingalls Wilder creates an immersive experience with deceptively simple writing
• Why re-reading can be the best kind of reading, for us and for our kids
• How to handle troubling or problematic content in books with your kids, and why I believe we need to have those discussions

But there is an elephant in the room with the Little House on the Prairie books and we need to talk about it.

Today, we’re talking about what makes The Long Winter so gripping and so beloved, as well as how we handle problematic texts with our kids and why I believe that scenes and language we may find troubling aren’t reasons to leave great books on the shelf.

Find the rest of the show notes at: https://readaloudrevival.com/219/

Gather your aspiring writers and littlest book lovers for this episode. 

I am so excited to welcome back author Millie Florence to talk about the beautiful book we created together, Beyond Mulberry Glen.

Millie and I are chatting about the making of the book from inspiration to final draft with a series of fun questions from what scene was the hardest to write to what character she’d want to hang out with for an afternoon.

Beyond Mulberry Glen is a read-aloud novel for the whole family, featuring a gorgeous cover and illustrations by Astrid Sheckels. It’s Waxwing Books’s very first middle grade novel, and we can’t wait to share it with you. 

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Why Millie describes her inspiration for the story as a collage of influences
• The challenges of editing the novel with the perspective of age and development as a writer
• What she loves most about middle-grade fiction

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/millie-florence-is-back

Today, I’ve got another Best Of RAR episode for you.

I wanted to revisit this episode because it feels extra relevant this time of year as we’re thinking about setting goals and resolutions for the year ahead.

Personally, I tend to feel a little overwhelmed by it and I bet some of you can relate.

And when it comes to books and goals for our reading lives, one of the things we hear at Read Aloud Revival all the time is, “There are so many books and so little time!”

There are SO MANY good books we want to read aloud with our families and we’re always trying to figure out how to fit more in. But we don’t want our read-alouds to become merely another item on our lengthy to-do lists. So how do we quell the bookish overwhelm?

That’s what I’m breaking down in this replay of an Ask Sarah episode with that exact question.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• What it really means to read aloud “every day”
• Why it’s okay if you don’t get to all of the books (promise!)
• Simple ways to expand the genres you and your kids read

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/how-to-quell-overwhelm

What are fairy tales? Why do we love them so much? And why do these stories continue to capture the imaginations of countless generations?

To help me answer those questions, I’m welcoming author Sarah Arthur to the podcast.

Personally, I fell in love with Sarah’s writing through A Light So Lovely, on the spiritual legacy of Madeleine L’Engle. And when I found out she was working on a young adult fantasy, and that it was a sort of love letter to fairy tales? I had to have her on the show.

She joins me to talk about what makes fairy tales so powerful, the benefits of embracing the imaginative and the fantastical in our reading, and lots more.

Sarah Arthur is the author of a dozen books for teens and adults, including the bestselling Walking with Frodo: A Devotional Journey through The Lord of the Rings. After over 25 years working with youth she plays a wicked game of Four Square—but absolutely refuses to eat cold pizza from a box, ever. She has served as preliminary fiction judge for the Christianity Today Book Awards, was a founding board member of the annual C. S. Lewis Festival, and co-directs the Madeleine L’Engle Writing Retreats. She’s a mom of sons, a writer, and today’s highly esteemed guest.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• The elements that draw us into fairytales
• How “escapist” fiction actually helps us understand the truth
• How imaginative stories create an invitation rather than a prescription for experiences

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/how-fairy-tales-enchant-us

During my hardest year of homeschooling, I had a 12, 10, 8, and 1 year old, and twin newborns. Life was… a little chaotic.

One week, a friend of mine who had homeschooled all three of her kids asked, “So how's homeschooling going?”

And naturally, I burst into tears. I’m not sure she saw that coming. But then, maybe she did. 

Anyway, she asked me how I was keeping the kids on track for their schoolwork and how much they could do when I wasn’t able to lead them, and when I looked at her with a blank stare, she said, “Okay, I’m going to come over tomorrow and I’ll bring some spiral notebooks.”

So, I cleared a path to the door and she came and she showed me how a 25 cent notebook could completely change our homeschool for the better.

Today, we're going to talk about those spiral notebooks-- the one simple tool that has had the biggest impact on my homeschooling life.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How the spiral notebook system combats overwhelm when you’re being pulled in too many directions
• How I used the spiral notebooks in our homeschool
• The modified system that we use in our homeschool now

Find the rest of the show notes at: https://readaloudrevival.com/spiral-notebooks-for-homeschool 

Lately here at RAR we’ve been talking about reading for refreshment—reading for the pure joy of it—and how our own reading lives can be a source of energy and joy even in the throes of the busiest seasons of motherhood.

This week on the podcast, we're revisiting an episode that dives into why reading isn’t just good for us and our kids, but why reading for fun is also an important part of our jobs.

In this episode, we talk about why it’s so important and what it does for our kids and for us. I hope you’ll be inspired to ramp up the reading for fun in your own life, no matter what else you have on your plate.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How modeling your own love for reading helps your kids fall in love with reading for life
• Why even short reading breaks are beneficial 
• Tools and resources to help you step away from the laundry and make time to read

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/reading-for-fun

Have you ever read a book and felt like you’d actually been to that place?

Me too. Once, while standing in line at an amusement park, I met a couple who told me they were visiting from Maine. And I almost said, “Oh, I was just in Maine!” Except I’ve never actually been to Maine. I had just read a book that was set in Maine, and it was so immersive, it felt like I’d been there.

That’s the power of books. They take you places.

Books help us experience different narratives and cultures from all over the world and throughout history. They give us a taste of places and people we might not otherwise encounter. Reading books can enhance our real travel experiences, too.

Today, I’ve invited RAR Premium Coordinator Leilani Curtis to join me to talk about how books take us places. Plus, we’ll share a very fun new booklist we’ve created and plans for a whole new series of lists that will be coming up! 

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How stories help us forge connections to places
• Our perspective about the way reading can inspire family adventures, big and small
• Tips for tailoring travel reading around your child’s interests and your destination

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/books-take-you-places

In today’s episode, I’m answering your questions!

Listeners have sent in some fabulous questions for me, and I’m going to attempt to tackle them rapid-fire, including about where I get my favorite art prints, what to do with late-night readers, what to do if you don’t feel like you read aloud well, and more.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• My favorite places to find bookish art
• What I do if my kids stay up too late reading
• How I handle assigned reading in my homeschool

Find the rest of the show notes at: https://readaloudrevival.com/late-night-readers/

Which of these two activities would be easier for you? 

1. Describe the best life you could achieve over the next twenty years.
2. Describe the best things that have happened to you over the past twenty years.

I know that as a busy wife and mama, dreaming for the future can feel daunting. As I was reading Jon Acuff’s book, All It Takes Is a Goal this summer, I was struck by how this exercise can shift our perspectives as homeschool mamas and mentors of our children. 

In today’s episode, New York Times bestselling author and speaker Jon Acuff is joining me to discuss how to actually achieve those goals amidst the busyness of daily life (hint: you’re probably already doing more than you think!). 

We’ll also chat about the book he wrote with his teenage daughters, How Teens Win: The Student’s Guide to Accomplishing Big Goals, which comes out September 10, 2024.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How looking back at our best moments, big and small, can help us create a vision for the future
• Why it’s okay that your imagination for your kids is bigger than your calendar
• How auditioning small goals helps you successfully transition from optimism and realism for yourself and your kids

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/best-moments-in-homeschooling

Are you struggling with how to tackle reading in your homeschool?

Maybe you have a child who’s a later reader or is having a tough time connecting with reading. Or maybe you have a kid who’s an advanced reader and they’re outpacing books that fit their emotional and social development.

Either way, it can be hard to know what to do to help your child build a strong relationship with reading that they’ll carry with them throughout their lives.

Today, I’m sharing a session from the Great Homeschool Conventions that I led with my friend and colleague Colleen Kessler of Raising Lifelong Learners.

In this conversation, we’ll talk about the challenges that come up with readers at both ends of the bell curve and how to help your differently wired kids fall in love with reading.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Three practical strategies for helping struggling readers: read-alouds, phonics, and time
• Signs your child might be dyslexic and recommended resources for working with a dyslexic brain
• How to help your advanced reader develop discernment in their book choices

Find the rest of the show notes at: https://readaloudrevival.com/differently-wired-kids/

We recently took a poll in RAR Premium about favorite reading genres, and it turns out that historical fiction isn’t just my favorite genre, but it’s the favorite of many of you as well.

Today, I’ve invited historical fiction lover and award-winning author Anna Rose Johnson to join me to discuss just what it is about historical fiction that draws us in. 

We’re also chatting about the inspiration for her stories, her research process, and what her parents did to support her as a budding writer. In turn, she shares a ton of recommendations for her favorite historical fiction for young readers.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How historical fiction sweeps readers through a portal to another world
• How Anna Rose breaks down her research process into stages so it doesn’t get overwhelming
• How re-reading helped Anna Rose develop her ear and voice as a writer

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/why-we-love-historical-fiction/

When you hear the name Max Lucado, what comes to mind for you?

Max Lucado is best known as a pastor, speaker, best-selling inspirational author, and, in many Christian families, he’s a household name.

His books are written for everyone—especially those who are hurting, lonely, and discouraged. In his writing, he constantly points his readers back to the truth: that God loves you and you should let Him love you. 

Max is also an author of children’s books, several of which are favorites around here. 😊

Sarah invited him to Read-Aloud Revival to discuss his newest picture book, Just in Case You Ever Feel Alone, illustrated by Eve Tharlet. It’s a cozy, gentle book, perfect for snuggling up and sharing with your kiddos.

How are stories uniquely positioned to help readers feel seen and understood? Which books did Max Lucado love as a child? And what does he hope his books will do in the lives of his readers, young and old? We dig into all of it.

Listen in to hear: 

• The power of stories to meet people where they are and touch their hearts
• Why Max Lucado wanted to write a book about loneliness
• How reading with your kids builds their sense of comfort and safety

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/max-lucado

At the start of a new year, we are overwhelmed with the phrase “New Year, new you!” And of course, we want to be better wives, better mothers, and better people. 

This desire to improve ourselves filters into our reading lives, too. It’s easy to justify a lot of our reading if it helps us be better for our families and communities. 

But what about reading for fun? What about reading fiction? When you’re a busy mom, is it worth it to carve out time to read just for the fun of it? And how would you even make that time?

But reading for delight is like stopping for water on a long, dusty hike. It’s a lifesource for us mamas. Today, RAR Community Manager Kelsey Murphy joins me to talk about how to be refreshed by your reading life.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How stories nourish us in essential ways
• Why you have to give yourself permission to quit books that aren’t working for you
• The way reframing reading for pleasure will help you make time and model a rich reading life for your kids

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/you-can-be-refreshed

I have a theory that if I were to ask a hundred of today’s children’s book authors and illustrators to name a book that had a profound impact on them, I bet an unusually large number of those authors and illustrators would mention the work of E.B. White.

I cannot count the number of times I’ve heard authors say that E.B. White’s books have made such a huge difference in their lives and writing.

I’m a big E.B. White fan myself, and while I love Charlotte’s Web and Stuart Little, my absolute favorite is The Trumpet of the Swan.

And that’s what we’re reading this spring in RAR Premium for our Family Book Club. Plus, we’re going to look closely at first-lines (E.B. White was a master of this) for a WOW: Writer’s on Writing Event.

It’s going to be quite the fabulous E.B. White spring here at RAR! 

So today, we’re revisiting an episode from 2017 with children’s book illustrator Melissa Sweet discussing her children’s biography of E.B. White, called Some Writer.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How each story informs Melissa’s process of creating mixed media illustrations
• How a family of crafters and makers inspired Melissa to become an artist
• How Melissa’s research into E.B. White’s work led to the visuals for Some Writer 

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Mentioned in This Episode:

• RAR #202: For Kids Who Don't Like Sad Stories

Books Mentioned in This Episode:

Charlotte’s Web

Stuart Little 

The Trumpet of the Swan

Some Writer

A Boy, A Mouse, and a Spider

The Baby Bear Series

The Pinky and Rex Series

The Boy Who Drew Birds

Brave Girl

Balloons Over Broadway

A Splash of Red

You Nest Here with Me

The Right Word

A River of Words

Every year, the Read-Aloud Revival team watches the American Library Association’s Youth Media Awards together. This is the award show where the medals that are considered the most prestigious in children’s publishing are given.

Today I’m joined by Kortney Garrison, our Community Director, Kara Anderson, our Creative Director, and Harmony Harkema, or brand new Managing Editor at both Read-Aloud Revival and Waxwing Books.

We are going to talk about the winners that were announced on January 30, 2023. We’ll talk about the books we were delighted to see honored, as well as some books that we think should have been honored. 

And you know we have opinions about that. ;)

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• The impact the awards can have for authors and illustrators
• The announcements that made us cheer
• The book gems that didn’t make the list and why we love them

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: https://readaloudrevival.com/books-that-won/

Today, I’m sharing a conversation with my friend and colleague, Cindy West.

Cindy teaches at No Sweat Nature Study, a homeschool nature study program that takes the guesswork out of nature study by teaching your kids directly. Cindy is also the host of the No Sweat Nature Study podcast, which features short episodes about nature. (My kids absolutely love it!)

Cindy and I recently had a conversation for her community about how to use picture books to teach nature study and today, I wanted to share it with you.

Because nature study kind of has a name for itself in the homeschooling world. We've sort of built it up as the supreme science activity and it can be wonderful - getting out in nature, observing and learning about the world around us …

But we also tend to put a lot of pressure on ourselves about it. There are just times in life when getting out in nature is harder than others – maybe you have a new baby, maybe someone has allergies, maybe the weather is just plain terrible. 

There are plenty of reasons why you might need or want to do some of your nature study from the couch or the kitchen table.

And that’s why on today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival Podcast, Cindy and I are talking about teaching nature study through books.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How “living literature” helps you kids make connections between books and the world around them
• How making connections through picture books can relieve some of the pressure around nature study
• Why picture book biographies are great launching points for all ages

Find the rest of the show notes at: https://readaloudrevival.com/cozy-couch-nature-study/

What if I told you that your homeschool could be relaxed, bookish, and ordinary? If you’re anything like me, that’s music to your ears. 

Our kids thrive–and we do too–when our day-to-day homeschool is relaxed, bookish, and ordinary. In fact, that's what over 726 experienced homeschool moms told me were the three most important qualities. 

Today, I’m sharing a recording from a session I did at a series of homeschool conferences  earlier this year called “Relaxed, Bookish, and Ordinary”.

If you’re hoping that your homeschool can be any or all of those things, listen in–I bet you’re closer to it than you think.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How a relaxed approach impacts your child’s ability to learn and your peace as a homeschooler
• The academic, personal, and relationship benefits of having a bookish homeschool
• Why you don’t need to strive for an extraordinary homeschool to do it well

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/relaxed-bookish-ordinary

Today, I’m thrilled to share a peek at the riches inside RAR Premium, our online community that helps you make meaningful and lasting connections with your books and helps homeschool mamas become the peace-filled, joyful mamas they’re called to be.

Last summer, our Family Book Club selection was On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, the first book in the Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson. And we were lucky enough that Andrew agreed to join us to answer kids’ questions about the books.  

This episode is spoiler-free, so listen in even if you haven’t read the books yet. I’m pretty sure by the end you’ll want to! We talk about the inspiration for the Wingfeather Saga, Andrew’s ridiculous made-up words (that we actually use in my house), developing a rich fantasy world, and even which Wingfeather character is most like him!

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How reading aloud C. S. Lewis to his children inspired Andrew to go after his dream of writing stories for kids
• The tons of tiny, often behind-the-scenes choices that go into creating a fantasy world
• Why Andrew doesn’t write with a specific message in mind, but wants readers to connect with his books in their own way

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/wingfeather

What do happy homeschoolers have in common?

Over the years, I’ve spoken with thousands of homeschoolers from all over the world. When I asked experienced moms what they do to cultivate peace and joy in their homeschool lives, I discovered there are five habits happy homeschool mamas often share.

The good news is that YOU can adopt these habits, no matter what kind of homeschooler you are, what method or curriculum you use, what your budget is, or how many kids you have. You don’t need a new curriculum, schedule, or homeschooling philosophy. You don’t need to become a new person. It’s possible to feel happier about your homeschool, exactly as it is right now.

Today, I’m sharing a recording of a talk I gave at several homeschool conferences last year about the five habits of happy homeschoolers and how they can help you have a happier homeschool today.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Why building and nurturing relationships is central to a happy homeschool
• How getting clear on your real priorities will help you simplify and do less
• The way comparison–to others, to strangers on Instagram, to public schools–sucks the joy out of our homeschools

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/five-habits-of-happy-homeschoolers

We all want our kids to read, right?

If you’re listening to this podcast, it’s probably safe to say that you want your kids to grow up to read more often than the average adult does. We want them to be lifelong learners and avid readers who read for pleasure.

So it’s worth considering how we can cultivate the habits of real adult readers in our kids so that they grow up to be the readers we want them to be. And it turns out some of those skills are actually in direct opposition to how we tend to approach reading with our kids.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How choosing what to read is a skill you can help your kids develop
• Eight habits of avid adult readers
• Practical tips for cultivating the skills of adult readers in your kids

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/lifelong-reading-habits

There is one question that plagues us, that we all ask, and that we ask all the time: Am I doing enough?

When we constantly ask ourselves if we’re doing enough in our homeschool, it makes it difficult to stay present and engaged and actually enjoy it. Whether you’re relatively new to homeschooling or a seasoned veteran, we all wonder.

Today, I'm sharing the last of my sessions from The GHC Conferences 2023.

This one is all about taking the overwhelm out of that question and practical advice for putting your worry to rest.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Why “Am I doing enough?” is an incomplete question
• Why we have to remember that our kids are not recipes
• What’s at the heart of good education

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/doing-enough-homeschooling

How do you know a good book when you see it?

I remember walking into the big, beautiful children’s section at the library with my oldest, who was a baby. I wanted to find books to read aloud to her, but it was hard to know which ones we would love. 

That longing to find good books for my children was the spark that eventually became the Read-Aloud Revival podcast and RAR Premium community, where we’re always trying to find and share the very best books to read aloud with your family.

Today, RAR Premium Coordinator Leilani Curtis joins me to chat about how we select the books for our booklists here at Read-Aloud Revival. We’re also going to share our best advice for being more confident in choosing books to bring into your home, whether it’s at the bookstore or the library.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How our booklists can help you choose quality books to share with your family
• Three quick questions to help you decide if a book is worth a longer look
• The qualities we look for in books we recommend

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/how-we-choose-books

Today, I’m sharing two recent episodes from my weekly coaching podcast, Circle with Sarah, that is available exclusively to members of RAR Premium.

I wanted to share them with all of you because I think the message applies to most of us.

A lot of us have this funny habit of focusing on getting DONE with the thing we most want to do. Of getting it over with and checking it off the list. It’s maybe more prevalent in our lives than we even realize. And I want to invite you to think about how that impacts your homeschool and how you might find your homeschooling to be easier and more joyful if you’re aware of it.

If you would like this kind of encouraging boost each week, get RAR Premium and you’ll get instant access to all of the Circle with Sarah podcast episodes and new episodes every Monday.

I think it’ll make a difference in the peace and joy you experience day to day in your homeschool. Head to RARpremium.com to learn more.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Why we should treat learning more like knitting, doing a puzzle, or reading
• How focusing on the doing lets us rest now, instead of waiting for when we’re “done”
• How to reframe your goals to focus on doing, rather than being done

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/doing-not-getting-done

I want to introduce you to one of my new favorite authors.

She's younger than most published authors. In fact, she says she decided to publish her first book at nine years old. When she was 10, she attended her first writing conference. When she was 13, she self published her first book. She was homeschooled. You probably could have already guessed that. And she has been on a roll ever since.

Now she's 20 and she's making books I know your families are going to love.

Millie Florence shares her journey from whispering stories to herself under the covers to published author, plus her advice for aspiring young writers and their parents.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How Millie’s homeschool experience informed her writing, and vice versa
• Why it was so important that Millie’s parents took her professional writing aspirations seriously
• Why Millie encourages young writers to choose quantity over quality in their projects

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/advice-for-young-writers

I want to help you think about what’s most essential in your homeschool. 

I’ve invited Kortney Garrison and Kara Anderson from the RAR team to chat with me about a favorite book when it comes to essentializing.

We've been talking and thinking about the book Essentialism by Greg McKeown a lot here at Read Aloud Revival, especially as it relates to homeschooling. We're reading the book in our Mama Book Club in RAR Premium in January and I will tell you this book is easily one of the books I can say has changed my life.

That is not an exaggeration. I think Read Aloud Revival itself has been built on the principles in Essentialism. I've probably reread it a dozen times.This book has changed the way I've thought about my own life and maybe this is due to me being a mother to half a dozen kids but this idea of less but better really appeals to me. 

Today, Kortney, Kara, and I are going to dig into just the first chapter and how it relates to our homeschools.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Defining Essentialism and why the concept is so needed for homeschool parents
• How doing less, but better can help us set priorities in our homeschools and avoid decision fatigue
• How comparing your kids’ progress to the baseline, not the ideal, can give you a better perspective on your successes

Find the rest of the show notes at: https://readaloudrevival.com/essentialism-for-homeschoolers/

Today, one of my very favorite authors returns to Read-Aloud Revival. 

You know him as the author of Sweep, The Night Gardener, the Peter Nimble series, and The Fabled Stables. That’s right–Jonathan Auxier is back!

This time, we’re talking about the much-awaited conclusion to the Peter Nimble series, The War of the Maps. In our conversation, we delve into the guiding questions he explores during the writing process, and how each of these questions becomes a doorway for discovering who we are, whose we are, and what our work is here in the world.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Why Jonathan often explores the tension of the end of childhood in his books 
• How trying to solve a guiding question shapes the narrative of Jonathan’s works 
• The best way to write a story 

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/jonathan-auxier-is-back

As homeschooling moms, we often focus more on what we’re not doing than what we are doing. We fret about the lessons we should be teaching or the projects we should be creating.

But here’s what we want you to remember (and what we try to remind ourselves): what you’re already doing is powerful. It’s purposeful. And best of all, what you’re already doing builds an enduring family culture.

In this bonus episode, you’ll discover the power of what you’re already doing and why the culture we create in our homes matters much more than whatever curriculum we use.

Today, we’re unlocking our most recent Circle with Sarah Live, a regular RAR Premium event where I mentor homeschooling moms like you. After all, we believe that the key to a successful homeschool is a peaceful, happy, homeschooling parent.

You’ll hear about all the things you’re already doing that make a significant impact in your homeschool. Plus, you’ll get an insider look at RAR’s framework for making rich and meaningful connections with your kids through books. 

There are cupcakes involved.

Whether you’re ready to join RAR Premium or not, I think this episode will help you think about how you structure your homeschool and discover how the things you’re already doing have a huge impact on your family culture.

Remember, you’ve got everything you need to teach with peace that transcends all understanding. You were made for such a time and such a homeschool as this. I’m praying for you.

Books mentioned in this episode:

• James Herriot’s Treasury for Children
• The Vanderbeekers of 141st St
• Because Barbara
• A Place to Hang the Moon
• The Power of Moments
• Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
• When the Sea Turned to Silver

Links:

• Find out more about RAR Premium!
  
  
• RAR #248: Nurturing Creative Dreams (Your Child’s and Your Own)
  
  

Oh boy, do we have a treat for you today!

Our team here at Read-Aloud Revival has been hard at work on a brand new booklist for you and I’ve invited Kortney Garrison and Kara Anderson from the RAR team back to this side of the podcast to tell you all about it.

Nature study can be an intimidating subject that carries a lot of expectations in the homeschooling world. It’s something we want to do, but it can get pushed to the side because we don’t always have the energy to tramp around the woods with a watercolor set.

So this project started with our team asking, how can we simplify nature study and make it more likely to happen? Could it really be as simple as reading a book and doing an activity?

We think so! And that’s where our brand new booklist and activity guide comes in.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Why we chose 12 books per season, and why you don’t have to read them all
• How we paired books and activities to make them as accessible as we could
• How the guide brings know, do, and love to nature study

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: https://readaloudrevival.com/simple-homeschool-nature-study/

Two weeks ago I shared the first 5 of 10 mistakes I’ve made in my homeschool -- believe me, I’ve made many, many more than that! 

But I’m highlighting 10 that stick out most prominently to me.

So in the last “Best of Read-Aloud Revival” episode, I shared the first 5 and today I’m sharing the next 5. 

Hopefully, hearing these will keep you from making the mistakes I have. Homeschooling is a joy and a gift and it’s hard and wonderful and messy and effective -- it’s all of those things at once. I can promise you won’t get it perfect, and I can also promise that you don’t NEED to get it perfect. 

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Two big mistakes new homeschool parents often make
• Why you have to avoid the comparison trap in your homeschool
• Why more isn’t better when it comes to your homeschool
• One of the hardest lessons I’ve learned in my years of homeschooling

Find the rest of the show notes at: https://readaloudrevival.com/5-more-homeschool-mistakes/

Fairy tales are the stories that shape so many of our childhoods, but they are more than just whimsical tales for children.

They can hold deep, gospel truth and offer profound insight into the Christian life. They have the power to inspire hope, ignite courage, and spark delight in not only our children, but in us, too. 

Fairy tales aren’t merely stories, they’re vessels of light in our modern world. They have the capacity to become companions to us, to buoy us along the journey. 

In today’s show, I talk about why fairy tales are worth sharing with our families, as they shape our understanding of the world and our own part in it. 

Don't miss our brand-new fairy tale book list! Text “fairytale” to 337777 or visit readaloudrevival.com/243 to see the lists. (They’re separated by age groups, and there’s something for everyone!) 

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• What makes fairy tales “truer than true” 
• How fairy tales teach children about hope and confronting fears
• Why you probably need to worry less about “the weird stuff” than you think, and trust your gut on what your child is ready for

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: https://readaloudrevival.com/why-fairy-tales/

In this bonus episode, you'll hear:

• How Sarah's Jolabokaflod really went
• Can we actually fall in love with the homeschooling lives we already have?
• All-new for 2023 -- Circle with Sarah: RAR Premium Homeschool Coaching

For the full show notes, head here.  

I know that if you’re an RAR Family, you are raising kids who love to read, because that’s what we do around here!

And with a love of reading often comes the inspiration to write. And those young writers will come to you looking for feedback on their stories. But what if we, as parents, don’t see ourselves as experts or writers and feel like we don’t have much to offer in the way of feedback?

It happens for a lot of homeschoolers. We know that homeschools are fabulous places to grow young writers, but that we can also feel a little ill-equipped as their writing mentors.

Which is where today’s guests come in. Brett Harris and Kara Swanson were both homeschooled and they share a commitment to mentoring young writers and helping parents become better mentors to their own young writers.

They’re here to reassure you that you do know what makes a good story, and share some of their best advice for giving your child useful feedback on their creative writing.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Six key elements of story that you probably already know, but just didn’t have words for
• Questions to ask your young writer that will set them up for future story–and even career–success
• Why expressing your support for your child’s writing is probably the most important thing you can do

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/how-to-give-feedback

In the last couple of episodes, we’ve discussed the importance of fairy tales, especially in the development of the hearts and minds of our children.

And you might be wondering . . . now that you know about the Gospel connections and symbolism of fairy tales, do you need to dissect every story and present all of the details to your kids?

Experts say no. But it can be incredibly edifying for you as an adult!

Today, we’ll discuss how to bring these “truer than true” stories into your kids’ lives and how deepening our own understanding of their symbolism and meaning enriches our reading lives too.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Why your children don’t need you to point out the deeper meanings and connections in fairy tales
• How fairy tales provide us an opportunity to shape our child’s loves
• Why simply reading fairy tales aloud to your kids is enough

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: https://readaloudrevival.com/how-fairy-tales/

Do you have a child who dreams of being a writer? Or maybe it’s your dream? How do you support those dreams and foster creativity while also raising kids and running a household?

Today, I’m delighted to welcome back author Laura Martin, who’s giving us her very best advice for how to nurture your child’s creative dreams and your own.

Laura Martin is the author of some of my very favorite page-turners for kids, including The Edge of Extinction series and Glitch, and she has a new book out, Wander Lost, that I know you’ll love too. 

We talk about the importance of capturing ideas as they come, what creative writing curriculum gets wrong about being a writer, and lots more.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Why Laura says that ideas are like lightning bugs
• How Laura nurtures her daughter’s creativity with time, space, and access to materials
• How Laura honed in on what she needs in order to write while juggling four children

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/nurturing-creative-dreams

Dear Duck, Please Come! is the most fun I’ve ever had writing a book. 

But writing the words is only half the story for a picture book. Which is why today, I’m delighted to share my conversation with the illustrator of Dear Duck, Please Come!, Charles Santoso.

Charles was born in Indonesia, raised in Australia, and now lives in Singapore. He’s illustrated tons of books we love here at Read-Aloud Revival, and I was over the moon that he agreed to illustrate Dear Duck.

In this episode, we’re diving into the collaborative process of creating a picture book, the inspiration behind Dear Duck, Please Come!, and how illustrations tell a story. 

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How Charles decides on the tone and style of his illustrations
• The way the world of Dear Duck developed from first sketches to the final illustrations
• Charles’s best advice for aspiring illustrators 

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/how-illustrations-tell-half-the-story

Full show notes can be found here: You Don't Need to Make the Most of Your Summer
Get RAR Premium HERE>>

Can you believe it? The Read-Aloud Revival Podcast is ten years old!!

That means it’s time for a party! 🥳🥳

Ten years is a long time to have a podcast, but we’re not slowing down anytime soon. We’re having WAY too much fun for that.

In honor of this milestone, I’ve got a Casey Kasem-style countdown for you of the top ten episodes from the first ten years of Read Aloud Revival.

And as a way to say thank you to YOU for listening, if you leave us a review before April 30, 2024, you’ll be entered into our raffle to be one of ten winners of an exclusive, all-around fabulous RAR tote bag (these currently aren’t for sale, so don’t miss your chance to win!) 

Ready to party?

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Some of my all-time FAVORITE pieces of wisdom from our guests
• How the RAR team developed a few of our best resources for homeschoolers
• Essential advice for teaching from rest

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/top-10-in-10

This year at Read Aloud Revival, we’re focusing on reading for joy.

It’s so easy for reading to become another thing on your to-do list, but when we make reading a source of joy, of respite from our busy lives, it’s like running into a clear creek on a hot, dusty hike. Nurturing your reading life nurtures you, which in turn helps us be better moms, better homeschoolers, better parents, better women.

Today I’m joined by Jennifer Pepito, creator of The Peaceful Press, which offers fabulous curriculum for homeschoolers, and she is the author of our spring RAR Premium Mama Book Club pick, Mothering by the Book: The Power of Reading Aloud to Overcome Fear and Recapture Joy.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How fiction can teach us as much about parenting our kids as a bevy of parenting manuals
• Why connecting with your kids is the heart of homeschooling
• Finding the balance between giving your all to mothering and letting go of the outcomes

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/how-books-make-us-better-moms

"Marley was dead, to begin with."

That is one of the most famous first lines in English literature. It comes from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, which is perhaps the greatest Christmas ghost story ever told.

What is it that speaks to so many of us about this story of Scrooge and his ghosts?

Today I want to talk about what makes this story so beloved and enduring–from its original bestselling release in 1843 through countless adaptations–to the place of fondness and tradition it has in so many of our homes today. 

In this episode, you’ll hear from RAR Premium members; Joe Sutphin, who did the beautiful illustrations for Little Christmas Carol; Samantha Silva, author of Mr. Dickens and His Carol; and some RAR kids on the lasting impact of Dickens’s tale and what they love so much about A Christmas Carol.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Why we love A Christmas Carol as a read-aloud for the whole family
• How Joe Sutphin illustrated and populated Scrooge’s world for Little Christmas Carol
• The real backstory of why Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol, which inspired Samantha Silva’s novel

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/all-about-a-christmas-carol

If you’re a homeschooling mom, chances are good that you’re familiar with Sally Clarkson. She is one of the most beloved names in homeschooling worldwide, and it’s no wonder why. 

She homeschooled her own four kids to adulthood and has been writing and encouraging homeschool moms for decades. She also happens to be one of our most frequently requested guests here at Read-Aloud Revival.

So we have a treat for you today! 

A few years back, Sally Clarkson joined us in RAR Premium and shared the advice she wished she could have given to her younger self. With the gifts of hindsight and experience, she tells us what she would have said if she could rewind the clock and whisper a few sage words to her younger self. She even broke it down into the advice she wishes she’d had at different phases of parenting and homeschooling! 

Now we’re sharing her valuable wisdom with all of you.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Why you and your unique gifts and skills are the most essential part of your homeschool
• The key to a successful homeschool experience (hint: it’s all about you, mama!) 
• How to cultivate trusting, open relationships with your teenagers that will get them through the hard times

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/advice-to-younger-self

Today, I’m sharing another session from the Great Homeschool Conventions in 2023 all about homeschooling with babies and toddlers.

If you are homeschooling with babies and toddlers underfoot, this one's for you. Or if you have a friend who is homeschool with babies and toddlers, this one's for her, so please share it!

Full disclosure: My favorite part about going to the Great Homeschool Conventions is all the babies I get to snuggle and hold. So I created a session that would ensure I got maximum baby snuggles. This session was so much fun because the room was absolutely packed with babies and toddlers and there is something just next-level about being in a room with so much life. I LOVED it.

In this session, I talked about the lessons I learned from homeschooling with my own babies and toddlers underfoot, and strategies for not just surviving this time, but enjoying it, too.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why your babies and toddlers are not a distraction
• Three strategies for handling fussy, grabby toddlers in your homeschool
• Practical tips for doing less in your homeschool

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/homeschooling-with-babies

There is something kind of tragic that happens when our kids become readers of their own right. It doesn’t always happen, of course, and there are ways for us to prevent it. But it’s awfully common. That thing I’m talking about? When reading starts to feel like school.

It happens to all of us at one point or another, and it’s very common especially at this time of year when school is well underway. Parents will notice a significant drop in how much their kids are reading for pleasure…if they’re reading for pleasure at all. 

Obviously this isn’t what we want for our kids. But it’s easy to feel frustrated or panicked that our kids no longer seem to enjoy reading. 

The good news? This is simpler to guard against than you might think.

Today, I’m revisiting an episode from a few years ago about what to do when reading becomes a slog. What do we do when reading starts to feel like school?

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• The proven, positive impacts of free, voluntary reading
• Why curriculums with long book lists raise red flags for me
• Ideas for making reading an invitation to enjoyment, not another thing to check off the list

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/when-reading-isnt-fun

Summer is fast approaching, and here's what we propose: a relaxed and simple summer that offers just enough structure to keep those long sticky days from melting into chaos... and just enough fun to keep your kids asking for more.

Also: Fairy Tales. 

Last week, I did a couple of live workshops on three simple steps to have a Fairy Tale Summer with your kids, no matter how old they are.

In today’s episode, I share the workshop recording, and you can also watch the video workshop that includes all of my slides.

If you want to join us at RAR Premium for a Fairy Tale Summer, head to readaloudrevival.com/fairytale or text “fairytale” to 33777, and we’ll send you an invitation.

Here's what we'll talk about:

• How reading fairy tales can make your summer easier (and more fun)
• The fairy tales Sarah recommends for every age
• The tippy top thing you can do to make sure your kids make delightful memories this summer (it’s way less work than you think)

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

A picture book is an art gallery for the lap. 📚

That’s something we say all the time here at Read-Aloud Revival, and today we’re going to introduce you to one of our absolute favorite examples of this.  

We're diving into the enchanting world of illustrated picture books with Scott Gustafson, the master illustrator behind the breathtaking illustrations in the beloved Classic Fairy Tales picture book.

Classic Fairy Tales is my all-time favorite illustrated collection of fairy tales, and it’s one of our picks for the RAR Family Book Club, A Fairy Tale Summer.

Scott’s breathtaking work has captivated the imagination of readers of all ages. He brings these stories to life in a way that is nothing short of magical.

And because audio alone could never do these gorgeous illustrations justice, we also recorded a video of our conversation, in which Scott shares many of his fabulous illustrations on-screen. 

You can find the video along with the full show notes at readaloudrevival.com/242 or on the Read-Aloud Revival YouTube page.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How Scott’s use of light and color helps the reader journey through each painted scene
• Why Scott uses people, costumes, and objects as references in his paintings
• Scott’s best advice for budding artists and illustrators

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/art-gallery-for-the-lap

A library should be a kind of paradise, don’t you agree? Author and illustrator Barbara Cooney certainly thought so. 

Barbara Cooney was an extraordinary author and illustrator of over 100 children’s books with stories that span the world, from the shores of Greece to the mountains of Appalachia. The more I learned about Barbara, the more I wanted to tell the story of this beautiful artist who, in every aspect of her life–from raising four children to traveling to gardening to winning awards for her illustrations–was committed to capturing the beauty in (and for!) the world.

Because Barbara: Barbara Cooney Paints Her World has been nearly six years in the making. Today, I want to take you behind the scenes and introduce you to the team that made it happen, from the very first draft to the final, beautiful book you’ll hold in your hands.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• The many drafts, revisions, critiques, and edits that brought me to the throughline of Barbara’s wonderfully full and creative life
• How the art team took on the daunting task of styling and illustrating the book to echo Barbara’s style without directly imitating it
• How sound design and animation bring the audio and video books to life 

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/making-because-barbara

Imagine that your child is grown up, and his or her reading life looks a lot like yours does right now.

How do you feel about that? 

Is your reading life something you want your kids to emulate when they’re adults? 

What if we built for ourselves the kind of reading life that we’d be delighted for our own kids to imitate? 

Novelist Katherine Paterson once wrote that “a fondness for books is catching.”

I think she’s right. It’s much easier to be drawn into a reading life when the people around you also have a rich reading life.

And if you’re someone who wants to raise kids who love to read - that’s probably why you’re here, right? Modeling our own rich reading life is an incredibly important strategy in making that a reality.

Which means that reading – not just to your kids, not just for your kids, not just about how to be a better mother to your kids – but reading for the sheer joy of reading, is one of your most important jobs as a mother.

And regardless of what your reading life looks like today, it’s OK. Keep listening. 

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Why modeling your own enjoyment of reading is such an important piece of raising kids who love to read
• How reading reduces stress, makes us happier, improves focus and more!
• How to overcome the hurdles and read more (in fact we have a printable for that!)

Find the rest of the show notes at: https://readaloudrevival.com/mom-reading-life/

How can our families cultivate healthy relationships with technology? 

We’re all trying to impose limits on how, when, and why our kids interact with technology. But in our increasingly tech-driven world, it can be hard to navigate.

Writer Erin Loechner is joining me on the podcast to discuss her new book, The Opt-Out Family, and to offer her life-giving take on building lasting connections with your kids. 

We discuss everything from the importance of boredom to Erin’s practical and easy-to-implement advice for becoming unplugged. I hope this conversation leaves you inspired to pursue a life less documented and more delightful!

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• What we can learn from tech about capturing our kids’ attention 
• Why our kids need more space for curiosity, wonder, and boredom (and how our phones tend to get in the way)
• Why you don’t have to be all-or-nothing with technology 

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: https://readaloudrevival.com/more-than-technology/   

What comes to mind when you think of C. S. Lewis’s Narnia and J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings?

There’s a good chance a lot of us are seeing very similar pictures. We’re seeing images that swept us into the whimsical world of wonder beyond the wardrobe (and into the Shire). 

The beloved images of these childhood stories remain with us. 

But it’s likely we don’t know much about the woman who created the iconic illustrations of the White Witch, Mr. Tumnus and Lucy, and the Pevensie children having tea with Mr. and Mrs. Beaver.

Her name is Pauline Baynes, and her artwork brought the worlds of C. S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien to life.

Today, author and illustrator Katie Wray Schon is here to share her gorgeous new book, Painting Wonder: How Pauline Baynes Illustrated the Worlds of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. This stunning picture book biography tells the story of the woman behind the pictures of Narnia that we know and love so much. You’re going to want to add it to your shelves!

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How Katie’s own creative journey led her to Pauline Baynes’s story 
• The joys and challenges of illustrating a book about an illustrator 
• Katie’s advice for holding onto creativity as a source of enrichment in your life, even as a busy mama

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/woman-behind-narnia

In this episode, I’m answering more of your questions.

You’ve sent in some fabulous messages and I’m going to tackle them rapid-fire for you and answer as many as possible today. 

Today I’m sharing about when to use Institute for Excellence in Writing (IEW) or teach composition, when and how to start using the library, and what to do when a teenager doesn’t enjoy reading.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Why you don’t need to rush your kids into composition, and what I do instead
• Strategies for handling books you’d rather your kids didn’t check out of the library
• How to encourage older, dyslexic kids in reading

Find the rest of the show notes at: https://readaloudrevival.com/teaching-writing/

What if I told you there’s an Icelandic Christmas tradition where the whole point is to spend an evening sitting around, sipping hot cocoa, and reading books?

Sign me up, right?

Today, we’re talking about Jolabokaflod, which loosely translates to “Yule Book Flood,” how it started, and how you can bring the magic of this bookish tradition into your home this Christmas.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Where the Icelandic Yule Book Flood first began
• How Jolabokaflod is an invitation to slow down and connect with each other during the busy Christmas season
• The only three things you need for your Jolabokaflod, plus tips from RAR members on how they celebrate 

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/icelandic-christmas

I’ve been homeschooling for a long time, and just like every other homeschooling mom I know, I’ve made a ton of mistakes. 

When I was new to homeschooling, I craved the insight of people who had been doing it for a while: 

What do you wish you did more of? 

What do you wish you worried less about? 

What would you do differently if you were starting over again?

These are the kinds of things I wanted to know.

At the time I’m airing this particular show, I have two college students who were homeschooled the whole way through. Our third child is about to graduate this spring and will also head to University. And then we’ve got three more -- ages 11, 9, and 9. And yeah… we’re doing things a little differently this time around. 

A couple of years ago I shared on this podcast some of my mistakes in homeschooling-- and they all remain true. So, it seemed like a good idea to talk about those mistakes again. 

Over this episode and the next one, I’ll be sharing 10 mistakes I’ve made in my homeschool -- five in this episode, and five in the next. 

If you heard these a few years ago when I first aired them, you might have a new take -- after all, you’re new in a new season of life than you were then. And if you haven't heard, I hope you enjoy. 

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• What really makes a difference in the quality of your homeschool (hint: it’s not agonizing over which curriculum to use)
• What I wish I’d known then that keeps overwhelm at bay now
• Why it’s okay for your homeschool to be ordinary

Find the rest of the show notes at:  https://readaloudrevival.com/5-homeschooling-mistakes/

One of my favorite reads of 2024 was The Myth Makers by John Hendrix.

This gorgeous graphic novel tells the story of the remarkable friendship of C. S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. I thought I already knew quite a bit about these Inklings, but there was even more to uncover.

Today, I’m delighted to share my conversation with the author and illustrator of The Myth Makers, John Hendrix. We dive into his research and writing process, exploring how the threads of the story came together. 

In this episode, Jon shares a better definition of myth, and illustrates the differences between a myth, a fairytale, and a story. I even make him choose which series he’d rather bring to a desert island, The Chronicles of Narnia or The Lord of the Rings. 

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• John’s creative process for creating graphic novels 
• How choose-your-own adventure stories inspired the The Myth Makers 
• Why John chose the Lion and the Wizard as his main characters 

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/john-hendrix

By far the most popular episode we’ve ever done here on Read Aloud Revival is the episode with my oldest daughter, Audrey, when we looked back together on homeschooling from her vantage point as a sophomore in college.

We discussed what worked, what didn’t, and about our homeschool experience in general.

And last spring, at the Great Homeschool Conventions, you all kept asking me when Audrey would be back on the podcast.

She’s now about to start her senior year at Franciscan University, so it seemed like a great time to check back in with her and get her perspective now that her college experience is almost complete.

Today, she’s answering your questions from inside the RAR Premium forum and the RAR Instagram.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• What gave Audrey the solid foundations for writing as an English major
• Audrey’s advice for high school students and college freshmen
• What parents can do to help their children build a strong sense of faith

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/questions-for-homeschooling-graduate

Do you ever find yourself wishing you had more time to read?  

Oh, every day? (Yeah, we get that.)

We’re pretty confident that every mom wishes she had more time to read. 

Carving out a little time to enjoy your own reading life is worthwhile, even in those seasons when you think it’s impossible. (Sarah has six kids, and when three of them were babies age one and under, it definitely felt like an impossible season!)

But reading makes us better humans, better mamas, and better women. It also makes us happier. And that matters. 

Why? Because the key to a successful homeschool is a peaceful, happy mother. 

When you know you can count on your reading life to be a source of joy and refreshment regardless of how tough the day is, you just might find yourself being a little happier. A little lighter. A little more joyful.

On today’s show, we’re talking about how to make time for your own reading life, even when it feels like you don’t have five minutes to spare. 

Listen in for:

• Ideas for sneaking in time to read (even on your busiest days)
• How to make the most of surprise pockets of time
• Strategies for handling interruptions, prioritizing your reading, and finding time to pick up a book even when you’re exhausted

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/make-time-for-reading

What do you do if you notice that your child isn’t finishing books?

How can you get your kids to widen their reading taste outside of a single genre?

How can you describe what you do for literature on a high school transcript when you take a more relaxed Read-Aloud Revival approach to the subject?

And what can you do to help boost your child’s emotional intelligence and reading comprehension while reading? 

Today, I’m answering listeners’ questions about their kids’ reading habits, from bouncing from book to book to getting stuck in a genre rut, and more.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Is it okay if your child is reading from rather than through?
• How can we expand our child’s reading repertoire (without assigning them books)?
• How to describe literature on a high school transcript
• How picture books can help a child having difficulty with social and emotional cues

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: https://readaloudrevival.com/when-your-child-doesnt-finish-books/

Why do we make things mean more than they actually mean?

We all do it. 

We realize a kid doesn’t know how to tie their shoes at age 12, and we tell ourselves we’re forgetting to teach SO MANY IMPORTANT THINGS. 

We feed our kids frozen pizza for dinner twice in a week and think it means we don’t care about their health. 

We sleep late and tell ourselves we’re lazy. 

We have a late reader and think it means we’re not good at this “teaching reading” thing. 

We make things mean what they don’t mean ALL THE TIME.

And today? Today we’re gonna talk about it.

I’m sharing something we’ve been talking about in Circle with Sarah, which is our homeschool coaching program in RAR Premium. Recently I did a couple of episodes on why we need to keep data in its place in our homeschool and not make things mean what they don’t mean. 

I wanted you to hear it, so I’m sharing those two episodes in one RAR Podcast for you here. 

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• Why you have to learn to separate the data from your self-worth and value 
• How to make use of what the data is actually telling you
• Journal prompts to help you suss out what the data is telling you and what you’re making it mean

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: https://readaloudrevival.com/its-just-data/

Raising creative kids is a beautiful, worthwhile endeavor, but not one that is always neat and tidy! 

In today's episode, I’ve invited two of my good friends and fellow creatives—authors S. D. Smith and Carolyn Leiloglou—for a conversation on how our creative work as adults impacts our kids. We discuss everything from the challenges of nurturing creativity in our families to the influence of stories on our hearts and minds.  

S. D. Smith is the author of the wildly popular and perennial Let the Kids Speak favorite Green Ember series and is a father to four imaginative children. 

Carolyn Leiloglou is the author of the middle-grade fantasy series The Restorationists and a homeschool mom to four creative kids.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How connecting with the wonder in our kids fuels and enhances creativity
• The value of boredom (a best-kept creative secret!) 
• The nuances of how we measure creative success

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:

• Read-Aloud Revival
• Waxwing Books
• Subscribe to the Newsletter

Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/fostering-wonder-and-creativity 

Today, in this Best Of Read Aloud Revival episode, we’re revisiting a conversation about a series I absolutely adore: The Penderwicks, by Jeanne Birdsall.

The Penderwicks follows the escapades of four spirited sisters, Rosalind, Skye, Jane, and Batty. The books are a modern nod to Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women, and they’ve won tons of awards including the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, several ALA Notable Children’s Book Awards, and the Massachusetts Children’s Book Award.

Since recording this interview for RAR episode 100, Jeanne unknowingly planted the seed for my own book, A Little More Beautiful, the Story of a Garden when I visited her and her Northampton, Massachusetts, home. So now, of course, we like to call A Little More Beautiful “our book.”

The first book in the Penderwicks series, The Penderwicks, A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy is our RAR Premium Family Book Club pick for this summer.

That means we’ve got a full Family Book Club Guide with all the trimmings available now for members AND if you and your kids sign up for RAR Premium, they will have a chance to meet Jeanne Birdsall live on Zoom on August 25th.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• How Jeanne got her start writing in her 40s and why it’s never too late to follow a dream
• About Jeanne’s character-driven writing process and why she always envisioned the Penderwicks as a series
• Where Jeanne gets her inspiration 

Find the rest of the show notes at: https://readaloudrevival.com/penderwicks-book-club/

I'm trying something new for this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival Podcast. Instead of interviewing a guest, I’m chatting with you one-on-one.

Something I hear about a lot is the struggle it can be to make the transition from picture books to chapter books and novels during read-aloud time. It’s something I’ve struggled with in the past, as well, and I’ve got a few ideas about how to make this as seamless and simple as possible.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• some quick tips for making the transition from picture books to chapter books
• my very favorite first novels and chapter books
• and tell you my #1 tippy-top recommendation of them all

Nope-not gonna tell ya. You have to listen to find out. ;)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/24/.

On today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast, we’re answering YOUR questions! These Q and A podcasts are listener favorites, so grab some laundry, pop in your earbuds, and let’s go!

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• what I do when kids are whiny and don’t want to listen to a read-aloud
• what to try when teens aren’t interested in the family book
• and how I organize my booklists

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/25/.

If you’ve listened to the Read-Aloud Revival podcast much, you probably know I’m a huge fan of The Green Ember. I think it’s the best book my kids and I read together all year long. You’ll understand, then, why I was so excited to chat with Zach Franzen, the illustrator of The Green Ember for today’s show.

I was floored by how insightful Zach is – how much careful thought and real consideration goes into his work.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• whether illustrations help or hinder a child’s imagination
• why illustrations deeply matter
• how one simple sentence helped him to realize he was an artist

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/26/.

We all want our kids to read over the summer, right? But how can make that summer reading both memorable and fun – a treasured childhood memory rather than another thing to do and check off our lists?

For today’s show, I talked to one of my very favorite people on the whole planet--Pam Barnhill.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• ideas for how to motivate your kids to read
• how to motivate yourself to read aloud to them
• and which books are best for summertime

Just wait till you hear some of the reading party ideas!

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/27/.

Today you’re in for a treat… I’ve got an exclusive interview between New York Times bestselling author, Jeanne Birdsall (The Penderwicks series) and best-selling author, N.D. Wilson (100 Cupboards, Outlaws of Time, and others).

Jeanne and N.D. are good friends, and in this interview held at Anderson Bookshop in Illinois, they talk about:

• why their books are more alike than you might think
• the author who inspires both of their books
• what they really hope to do for kids with the stories they tell

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/birdsall-wilson/.

Do you make the best use of the resources available to you at your local library? Or do you even know all of what your library can do for you?
You’re not alone if the answer to either of those questions is “no.” Today I’m talking to Amy Commers, a Youth Services Librarian in Minnesota, about how you can get the most from (and give the most support to) your local library.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• putting tons of books on hold – it’s OK!
• navigating YA
• and how to make your library even better!

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/65-2/.

Here at the Read-Aloud Revival, we are BIG FANS of audio books, but we get asked all the time: “Do audio books count as real read alouds?”

In today’s brand new episode of the podcast, I’m answering that question. 

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• whether or not audio books count as real reading
• where and how to listen (either alone or as a family)
• where I get the best deals on audio books

Audio books absolutely aren’t cheating, and I’m here today with your quick guide for getting started!

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/66/.

Hold on to your hats everyone – I am sharing one of my very favorite middle grade series in this episode. I’m chatting with both my daughter Allison and someone who just might be my favorite living author, Jonathan Rogers.

Jonathan is author of the fantastic Winderking series, which has been described as a cross between Tolkien and Twain.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• whether characters in books should serve as role models… or not
• the way stories inspire us to live a better story ourselves
• how Narnia tells more truth than a non-fiction book

Plus, Allison asks Jonathan about writing his trilogy, and he tells a great story about the origin of some of his characters. You don’t want to miss it!

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/67/.

Are you unsure of what to read aloud with teens? Do you ever get a little overwhelmed looking through the YA section at your local bookstore or library? 

Not to worry. I’m here today with 5 (OK, plus one more!) books to read with your teens.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• a book that helped me fill up my reading journal with meaningful quotes
• the one I’d change the title and cover of, if I could
• and two books that are so good on audio, you and your teen might end up driving around the block a time or two!

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/68/.

This is one of the most delightful conversations we’ve ever had on the Read-Aloud Revival podcast!

I’m talking today with Helen Oxenbury, author and illustrator, about creating picture books – from where she gets her ideas, to the supplies she uses to draw animals (and the cutest darn babies around) and more.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• which books Helen read to her own 3 children
• what it’s been like working with her husband, author and illustrator John Burningham (the creator of the Mr. Gumpy series)
• how Helen chooses different media to create atmosphere in her beautiful books

Grab the kids for this one – Helen is sharing tips for young illustrators in this absolutely charming discussion.

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/69/.

Today I’m addressing a question I get ALL THE TIME – how to find time to read.

How do we cultivate a reading life in the midst of parenting, life, and other general busyness? In this episode I’m addressing the best ways I have found to fit more reading into my life.

I’m sharing my favorite tips. If you enjoy this episode, you’ll also like Episode 119 with Anne Bogel, Cultivating Your Own Reading Life.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• why we need to prioritize our own reading and let our kids “catch” us reading often
• what you can trade-off for reading
• how to find “surprise pockets” for reading
• which time of day I use to get the bulk of my reading in

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/70/.

Caroline Starr Rose is back, and she’s joining me today to talk about her historical fiction, plus she’s sharing inspiration for young authors and tips for introducing novels in verse to our kids.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• the picture book she wrote about the wetlands after Hurricane Katrina
• what research looks like for a historical fiction author
• 4 novels in verse to share with younger children
• the book Sarah read-aloud… to herself!

Kids will be so inspired to hear about Caroline’s research and writing process, so gather ’round!

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/71/.

Bad days – we all have them, right? We can’t really avoid that, but we can have a strategy tucked into our pocket- a simple strategy that will help us save a bad day.

As a mama of 6 kids – preschool through high school – I sure do. So today, I’m talking how to save those no good, very bad days! 😉

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• a simple strategy that is the ultimate reset button
• the genre of books that saves the day time and time again
• what Jim Trelease and Andrew Pudewa say is the most important part of your school day (I bet you can guess!)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/72/.

Does your read-aloud time ever devolve into chaos? Do you spend just as much time asking your kids to sit still as you do actually reading?

In this episode, I’m talking about how we can modify our expectations just a bit to make read-aloud time more successful.

Many kids listen better when they’re doing something with their hands (listen to Dr. Michael Gurian talk about that right here).

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• how to keep your kids at read-aloud time longer
• why it’s absolutely OK for kids to be “busy” during read-aloud time
• what kids of all different ages can do while you read aloud

Consider this episode your permission slip for making read-aloud moments easier on you, and happier for your kids.

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/73/.

This might be our shortest-ever episode, but also one of the most important. It’s all about what matters most.

Today I’m talking about how we can make a simple choice that will make a *huge* impact on our kids and families.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• how to figure out what matters most, even when we are DEEP in the trenches of parenting
• how to help our kids form strong sibling bonds
• making sure that even when life is hard, we get to the most important thing of all

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/74/.

It can be challenging to keep track of the books our kids read, right?

But if we want to grow a family of readers, we kind of need to have a system that actually works! So today I’m sharing about our simple reading journals.

• how to create a treasured list of books your kids read at any age
• how to make sure reading journals don’t impede your kids’ reading, but rather create delight (and help our children connect with books)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/75/.

Have you fallen out of the read-aloud habit? It’s okay – I understand. I’ve been there 100 times! In fact, I’m just trying to get back into the swing of things myself.

Getting back in the saddle is quite likely easier than you think, though. 

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• a handful of tips and tricks to make the transition as smooth and simple as possible
• some fun book ideas to get the whole family excited
• advice for keeping reading aloud simple

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/29/.

This may be one of the most delightful conversations we’ve had yet on the Read-Aloud Revival. If you haven’t met Rea Berg yet… you’re going to love me for introducing you to her. :) And if you know who she is, you don’t need me to blab on here -you just want to cut right to the interview!

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• reading aloud for history
• nurturing the soul of your child
• and how books have changed Rea’s life (and how they very well may change the world)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/31/.

In today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival, Kortney and I chat up the questions you’re asking most.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• our favorite religious book recommendations
• how to keep your kids from getting distracted on your iPad when they’re “supposed” to be listening to an audio book
• what it’s like to be working and homeschooling, and a whoooole lot more.

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/32/.

What do you do when reading aloud doesn’t work out exactly how you hoped?

Maybe your kids are arguing or you’re falling asleep …

But you know how valuable it is to read aloud, so what can you do?

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• 5 ways to make reading aloud enjoyable for everyone (even you! even if you normally get tired!)
• how to keep sibling bickering at bay and toddlers busy so that you can read more
• why 10 minutes of reading aloud is enough (it really is. promise.)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/76/.

Scholastic’s Kids and Family Reading Report is a national survey of children ages 6–17 and their parents that explores attitudes and behaviors around books and reading.

In this episode, I’m joined by author, Vice President, and Editor-at-Large at Scholastic, Andrea Davis Pinkney. We talk about what the most recent report means for us as parents–and there’s a lot for us in there!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• why we need to build home libraries, and how to do that without breaking the bank
• what kids are really hoping they’ll find in the books they read
• how to make our kids readers for life (listen until the end for five ‘Reading Resolutions’)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/77/.

What do you give as gifts for young readers? (Besides books, of course!) Here’s a whole list of gift ideas for the young readers in your life.

In this episode, you’ll hear

• Great gift ideas for babies through teens
• Ideas beyond books – games, book accessories, puzzles, posters, shirts and more
• Ways to help kids make books their own, and begin to identify as readers

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/80/.

Once upon a time, I said we didn’t love treasuries at our house. Welllll … its time to eat some crow.

Lately, we’ve been reading lots of picture book treasuries, and we are LOVING THEM. They are perfect for longer reading sessions,  for taking on errands when you know you’ll be sitting in waiting rooms, and for building your family’s library with quality books on a budget.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• our very favorite collections – which treasuries we’re loving most (and which have added extras like audio downloads, CDs or even recipes!)
• gift ideas for your favorite young readers
• my biggest tip for choosing treasuries that your family will love

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/78/.

What should we look for when we’re choosing books for our children?It’s as easy at 7 points, as you’ll hear in this episode with Sarita Holzmann of Sonlight Curriculum.

Sarita is a veteran homeschool mom and book lover.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• how her son went from struggling reader to Valedictorian
• all about her 7-point all-star test for books
• book recommendations that your kids will love and remember long after they leave home

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/79/.

I think it’s fair to say this is my favorite episode of the podcast we’ve ever done. 

You probably know Katherine Paterson as the author of books like Bridge to Terabithia, Jacob Have I Loved and the Great Gilly Hopkins, but if you’re not familiar with her essays about writing for children, you’re about to have your socks knocked off.

The way Ms. Paterson thinks about reading and writing books for kids blows me away. I’m in awe.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• what she really thinks when she hears that parents/teachers are using books to improve or help their kids
• how to figure out what a book actually “means”
• how reading allows us a unique privilege to ‘eavesdrop on the soul’

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/81/.

It doesn’t take long after starting a read-aloud habit to realize that there are a LOT of good things happening when you are snuggled up on the couch, lost in a good book with your family.

But sometimes things get rough. And when that happens, it helps to get a bit more logical about the whole operation.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• the wide-ranging effects of reading aloud
• how a short time reading together really can make a difference
• how to help kids get better at listening to read-alouds

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/33/.

Parents of wiggly kids – the proof is here. In this episode with author Dr. Michael Gurian, you’ll hear scientific evidence demonstrates that many kids not only need to move while being read to, they actually retain information better when they are allowed to do so.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• why boys might prefer to read non-fiction, and why we should let them
• why we don’t need to worry about our kids reading graphic novels
• how we can help resistant kids fall in love with reading

You’ll love all the research in this episode and how it will help you to know how best to support the children in front of you.

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/82/.

How does a family that follows a traditional school schedule make reading aloud a priority? We’re talking about it on today’s episode of the Read-Aloud Revival!

Whether your kids are in school all day, or you homeschool but you feel very pressed for time, reading aloud can happen!

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• practical ideas
• simple strategies
• and give you some encouragement to make reading together a priority

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/34/.

It’s a question we hear a lot around here… how on earth is it possible to read aloud to the big kids when there are toddlers mucking about? And reading with those toddlers themselves- well, that’s a whole ‘nother ball of wax.

Girl, I hear you. I have six kids, and three of them are in the toddler set, so I get the challenges you’re facing when trying to build your family culture around books.

In this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival, we discuss:

• strategies for keeping toddlers busy while you read to your older kids
• ideas for how to make read-aloud times with little ones successful
• the BEST books for little wigglers!

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/35/.

It’s the hap-happiest read-aloud time of the year!  I don’t know anyone who lives this out better than my good friend, Elizabeth Foss, so I invited her onto the show to chat up Christmas and Advent read-alouds.

We’re so excited about this episode of the podcast, we’re publishing a whole week early.

In this episode; you’ll hear:

• find the best Christmas and Advent books
• celebrate the season without getting overwhelmed
• and enjoy December with your family!

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/36/.

Do you read picture books with older kids? Could this be a picture book year for your family?

Today, the whole RAR crew is chatting picture books – and why it’s a great idea to read them with your bigger kids too!

In today’s episode, you’ll hear:

• Kortney’s simple and systematic approach to reading picture books
• how to do “classroom book a day” with your kids at home
• where to find great picture books recommendations

This episode is just what you need to kick-start a picture book habit this year!

Find the rest of the show notes athttps://readaloudrevival.com/83/.

We want to model a love of reading for our kids, but honestly--who’s got the time? Anne Bogel does. Otherwise known as Modern Mrs. Darcy, she’s the best person I know to talk about how to fit more reading into your life.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• where to find good books
• how to fit reading in to the nooks and crannies
• ‘what you should read next!’

Find the rest of the show notes at  https://readaloudrevival.com/37/.

What can we do about our kids who don’t love reading?

Today I’m sharing a few ideas, as well as a few books that just might turn your reluctant reader into a reader who stays up past bedtime, sneaking books under the covers with a flashlight.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• what’s more important than helping our kids fall in love with reading (it’s not what you think)
• what we can do when a child says he’s not a reader
• some books that are bound to grab and hold even the most reluctant readers’ attention

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/84/.

I think this is one of the best conversations we’ve had so far at The Read-Aloud Revival.

Today we’re talking “messy” books. Parents – you probably know just what I mean.

Messy books are those books that tackle hard topics. Or maybe they just have stuff in the background that makes us a little nervous about our kids reading them.

Today I’m talking with Betsy Farquhar of Redeemed Reader about how best to handle these kinds of books, and why we shouldn’t just ignore them – even if they make us a little uncomfortable.

I enjoyed this conversation so very much, and came away with a ton of confidence and a lot of great books to read with my kids!

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• why as parents, WE need to be the ones to have big conversations with our kids, and how books can provide  hooks to start those conversations
• why controversial books are so popular
• ‘read-alones’ vs ‘read-alouds’
• various ways we can navigate the tough stuff with our kids

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/85/.

Today, I’m hoping to tell you about some authors/illustrators you may not have heard about before!

These aren’t necessarily new authors, but they may be new to you.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• picture books, middle grade books and even books for your tweens and teens – I’m covering ALL the bases!
• graphic novel suggestions that you’ll approve of (and that your kids will like)
• a couple of favorites from our house, including one book that my 5-year-old carried around for weeks
• plus (admittedly, my favorite part) my 4-year-old twins chatting about a book we often read 3 times in a row

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/86/.

What’s a parent of a special needs child to do about reading aloud? How do you choose books to read with a child who is developing at a different rate than his or her peers?

Cheryl Swope, author of Simply Classical: A Beautiful Education for Any Child and mama to special needs twins, gives us the lowdown in this episode of the Read-Aloud Revival podcast.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 

• about the benefit of reading aloud with kids with special needs
• choosing books
• Cheryl’s advice for parents starting out

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/39/.

In today’s episode of the podcast, we’re sharing books about adoption.

Some are picture books, some are YA– and we’ve got a little something for everyone in between. These are books that will help your family celebrate the adopted children in your life.

Brooke Cooney has made it her mission to share books about orphaned children, fostering and adoption.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• about books for families who are waiting to bring their child home
• books that help adopted kids to feel understood and see themselves reflected in the pages
• tons of suggestions from picture books, to books for teens, to books for parents

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/87/.

Today I’m sharing one of the best books I read last year. The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street is uniquely wonderful– a refreshing and upbeat middle grade novel featuring a loud and lively big family (5 kids and their parents), a curmudegonly landlord, a talented bunny, and enough witty dialogue to keep you warm for the rest of winter.

This is now my go-to recommendation for families who love The Penderwicks, All-of-a-Kind Family, The Saturdays or The Moffats.

The author’s dog is named Ginger Pye. So we knew she was gonna feel right at home here at RAR, right?

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• how a building or a place can (and did!) become a book character
• Karina’s writing process (hint: she wrote her first books during NaNoWriMo)
• books suggestions that celebrate families

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/88/.

We’re pulling back the curtain…Have you ever wondered what happens behind the scenes here at the Read-Aloud Revival?

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How we decide who to have on the podcast and which master classes to create
• What needs to happen in order to book an author for the membership Author Access events
• And how many hours it takes to get a podcast all the way through production

(No really--do you have a guess?)

Find the rest of the show notes at https://readaloudrevival.com/40/.