Reading With Your Kids Podcast

In this warm and wide-ranging episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two guests who are using stories to nurture both imagination and emotional resilience.
First, Julie Kim joins us from Washington State to celebrate her new book, Korean Folk Tales for Kids. Julie shares how she carefully chose ten tales—from hilarious trickster stories to thoughtful, heart-centered narratives—that feel both deeply Korean and universally human. She talks about "The Gratitude of the Zelkova Tree" and how it reflects our relationship with nature and the environment, and why she deliberately updated certain traditional tales to move away from outdated, misogynistic elements while keeping their humor and wisdom. Julie also gives us a peek into her art style, blending Korean folk art color palettes with classic European illustration influences, and explains how she uses color and light to create an emotional "temperature" on every page.
Then we head to New Jersey to meet Deana Plaskon, psychotherapist and creator of the Bella and Bird: Emotion Explorer series. Inspired by her real-life horse Bella and their experience surviving Hurricane Ian, Dina wrote picture books that help kids explore anger, sadness, happiness, and fear. She explains how equine therapy works, why horses can be powerful partners in healing, and how Bella (the calm guide) and Bird (the funny sidekick) model healthy ways to name and manage big feelings. Each book includes practical, research-based tools—like box breathing—for kids and caregivers.

In this inspiring episode, Jed welcomes two wonderful guests whose work helps kids feel seen, valued, and excited about reading.
First, Jed talks with Melissa White Boyer, author of I Am Rare: Discovering What Makes Us Shine. Inspired by her son's diagnosis with the rare genetic disorder Weidman-Steiner syndrome, Melissa shares the long, emotional journey to finally getting a diagnosis and the shock of realizing there was no roadmap for what came next. She explains how that experience led her and her husband to found the Rare Genes Movement nonprofit, and how her picture book helps all children—whether they have a diagnosis or not—understand that their genes make them unique and that, like stars in the sky, they are meant to be admired, not changed. Melissa also reflects on finding purpose in difficulty, building inclusive school communities, and the joy of watching her son read to his younger sister.
Then, Jed is joined by returning favorite Lydia Lukidis, author of the graphic novel Groucho the Grouchy Groundhog: The Terrifying Turnip Takeover. Lydia talks about her lifelong love of comics, the quirky origins of Groucho, and what it's like to write a graphic novel when you're not the illustrator. She and Jed dive into how graphic novels can be a powerful bridge for reluctant readers, why making kids laugh is a worthy goal all by itself, and how letting kids choose the "right" book for them can ignite a lasting love of reading.
Together, these conversations celebrate difference, inclusion, and the joy of sharing stories as a family.

In this uplifting episode, Jed welcomes back Kathy McMillan, ASL interpreter, children's librarian, and creator of the new picture book series "Sign the Seasons." Kathy shares how the four-book series—starting with Sign the Seasons: Fall—invites kids and families to learn American Sign Language through everyday seasonal concepts like trees, squirrels, and weather. She explains how Familius Publishing partnered with her in a uniquely thoughtful way, involving her in every stage of illustration and bringing in both an ASL/Deaf culture advisor and an early childhood education advisor (a Coda) to ensure the books are accurate, inclusive, and developmentally appropriate.
Kathy talks about her journey from children's librarian to nationally certified interpreter, and how signing with her own hearing son from birth transformed their communication. She busts the myth that signing stops kids from talking, emphasizing that communication begets communication and that signing supports early literacy, emotional regulation, and strong parent–child connection. Along the way, she offers fascinating insights into Deaf culture, ASL "accents," and even emerging sign languages like Nicaraguan Sign Language.
In the second half of the episode, Jed is joined by author Ashley Mosley and conservation biologist Michael Windelspecht  to celebrate their picture book "This Birdie Told Me." Inspired by a real scarlet macaw ambassador at the Belize Zoo, the story gently introduces young readers to endangered species, rainforest habitats, and the importance of knowing who you are. Ashley and Michael share how their books, classroom toolkits, and conservation partnerships in Belize help kids everywhere fall in love with wildlife—and feel empowered to protect it.

Join host Jed Doherty for a heartwarming, dog-filled episode of the Reading With Your Kids podcast, featuring two picture books that celebrate courage, love, and healing.
In the first half, Jed chats with Jonathan Graziano, creator of the beloved Noodle "Bones or No Bones" videos, about his new picture book "Milton Makes a Move." Jonathan shares Milton's real-life journey from a hoarding situation in Korea to finding a forever home with him. They talk about how Milton's anxiety and bravery mirror what many kids feel when facing big firsts—starting a new school, moving, or trying something scary like a roller coaster. Through Milton's story, Jonathan reminds families that being brave doesn't mean not being scared; it means doing the thing anyway, even while you're scared.
In the second half, Jed welcomes Amanda Becklin Newell, author of "Adventures with Nash Dog: Welcome Home." Inspired by her rescue dog Nash, Amanda's book follows adoption day from Nash's perspective, highlighting the joy, mishaps, and everyday adventures that come with bringing a dog into the family. Amanda opens up about losing her parents and Nash, how writing the book became a powerful part of her grief journey, and why she tells grieving listeners that it's okay not to be okay while still finding moments of joy.
Together, these conversations offer families gentle ways to talk about change, responsibility, courage, and grief—all through the loving eyes of two unforgettable dogs.

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