Reading With Your Kids Podcast

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

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

In this episode, host Jed Doherty welcomes two picture-book authors to talk about imagination, family, and the kindness stories can inspire.
First, R.J. Palacio shares The Haunted Playground, a playful tale in which Rex Magnificus, king of the ghosts, invites spirits from around the world to unwind at an annual post-Halloween gathering. When two living children stumble upon the party, they join the ghosts for a night of fun.
Palacio explains that the idea began with a morning walk past a park scattered with discarded Halloween costumes. She reflects on noticing small sparks, trusting ideas that linger, and having the courage to begin writing before knowing where a story will lead. She also praises illustrator Brett Helquist's whimsical, atmospheric art, especially its gradual shift from shadowy colors to bright celebration and its hidden details that invite rereading.
Throughout the conversation, Palacio describes kindness as a thread running through her work. She hopes children will discover that people who seem different can become friends, and that stories can encourage empathy without sounding preachy. She also celebrates teachers, librarians, and face-to-face community.
Then Deborah Pierce introduces her debut, Mrs. Rose in the Sweet Adventure, inspired by her mother's vivid storytelling and created especially for her grandchildren. In the book, Mrs. Rose, a magical flower, takes the children to Candyland, where kind words and friendship help them cross a chocolate-milk river on gumdrops.
Pierce says a follow-up, Mrs. Rose and the Undersea Adventure, is nearly finished, extending the series' lessons about mutual respect.

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids Jed welcomes author-illustrator Ashley Belote to discuss her early-reader graphic novel, Squirrel Lock Holmes: Mystery at the Corny Maze. Ashley describes Squirrel Lock as a spirited woodland detective partnered with Mole Watson. The character grew from her childhood love of Nancy Drew, Junie B. Jones, and Spy Kids. The idea arrived during a playful "squirrel moment" while she was researching another project and sketching a flying squirrel.
Chip the Chipmunk disappears in a corn maze, and more animals go missing, prompting Squirrel Lock and Watson to investigate. Ashley says animal characters can make lessons feel less intimidating for young readers. She finds horses challenging to draw. Moving from picture books to an 80-page graphic novel gave her room to build relationships, develop clues, and create a fuller mystery. She starts with the solution and works backward to plant clues. She also values how readers infer what happens between panels and read visual cues. Ashley shares that book three, A Mole in One Mystery, is planned for June 8, 2027, and she is working on book four. She hopes families will make their own guesses as they read.
The episode also features Samantha Reynolds discussing Help Me Be Me, her parenting picture book inspired by conscious parenting. She encourages parents to let children make choices, make mistakes, and learn from natural consequences instead of trying to control every outcome. A hidden teddy bear adds playful fun to reading. Samantha also mentions upcoming creative projects, including a family film and animated programs.

Jed Doherty welcomes listeners to two conversations about books and literacy.
First, Mia Wenjen celebrates the third annual Newton Children's Book Festival, taking place November 15 at the American Legion Nonantum Post 440. Its accessible venue will welcome 100 authors and illustrators, with young adult books included for the first time. After growing from 1,000 attendees in its first year, the festival offers more room, parking, and food options. Wenjen describes her goal of bringing children face-to-face with authors and showcasing creators from diverse backgrounds and genres.
She also discusses her picture book Barbed Wire Between Us, a story connecting Japanese American incarceration during World War II with the experiences of immigrants. Wenjen explains how she shaped it as a reversal poem: the words are repeated in reverse order, while punctuation shifts the meaning. Illustrator Violeta Encarnacion's sepia and turquoise palettes help distinguish the book's past and present.
In the second conversation, Varsha Bajaj talks about her middle-grade novel Roar. Rohan, a 12-year-old boy from Houston, travels to northern India to visit his grandfather at a tiger sanctuary. The story alternates between Rohan's perspective and Arya, a tigress protecting her cubs. Bajaj says visiting a sanctuary transformed her understanding of the story and inspired her to give the tiger a voice.
The conversation explores identity and belonging, as Rohan feels both an insider and outsider in a country connected to his heritage. Bajaj highlights the book's conservation themes and how it can spark family discussions about wildlife, friendship, and finding one's passion.