Reach Out and Read: Recent Episodes
Reach Out and Read
From the national organization Reach Out and Read comes a brand new podcast centered around the belief that children’s books build better brains, better family relationships, and happier, healthy children and societies. Join us as host Dr Dipesh Navsaria, a pediatrician with a children’s librarianship degree, dives into a wealth of varied early childhood health and literacy topics with expert guests examining the many facets of supporting the parent-child relationship as key to early success.
Poetry is often perceived to be "hard" or inaccessible, but as our next guests illustrate, poetry can offer an "uplifting journey through everyday moments, moods and experiences" for kids at any age or stage of development. Author Matthew Burgess and illustrator Doug Salati join us to talk about "Words With Wings", their magical new book of poems for children and families.
How can one discuss topics such as social exclusion, anxiety, paranoia, human intimacy, affection, and our need to bond with others? A brilliant book, The Hedgehog's Dilemma, by Dutch author Toon Tellegen, is a "metaphor for the dilemma humans are faced with in their intimate relationships with others", exploring all this in an accessible manner for adults and children alike. Its English translator, David Colmer, joins us to explain how.
Approaching families with a ‘resilience lens’ is a relatively new practice but might turn out to be one of the most impactful tools in our pediatric toolbox yet. Dr. Gretchen Pianka, author of “Coaching Families for Resilience: How Pediatricians Can Support Caregivers and Prevent Burnout", joins us to talk about how this manner of thinking can help parents and pediatric care clinicians better approach childcare challenges."
Relationships have long been recognized as a catalyst of learning; changing our focus away from a solely child-centric model of education to relationship-centered thinking may prove to be the key to success. Isabelle Hau, Executive Director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, joins us to talk about her new book Love to Learn: The Transformative Power of Care and Connection in Early Education, and the concept of "Relational Intelligence".
Despite humans having read for thousands of years, we still don't understand everything about how it happens. It is still a mystery of how the eye, mind, and the brain are called upon to perform tasks that are fundamentally 'unnatural'. Dr. Adrian Johns, Chair of the Department of History at the University of Chicago, joins us to talk about how all this has been explored throughout history, laid out in his new book The Science of Reading: Information, Media, and Mind in Modern America.
Kids (and adults) sometimes have a hard time accepting unique characteristics in themselves and in others. But when a book lands just right, sometimes the simplest format – a picture book – can have the greatest impact on how we view ourselves, others, and the world. Author and illustrator Barney Saltzberg joins us to talk about how picture books invite us to embrace curiosity, vulnerability and new perspectives.
It's overwhelming to form a relationship with a new baby while your relationship with yourself as a new parent is in flux! Keeping it simple is one of the ways parents can get through a challenging but rewarding time. Dr. Joanna Parga-Belinkie, a clinical neonatologist and author of "The Baby Bonding Book", explains how one-on-one time and getting 'back to basics' can create the needed building blocks of bonding, safety, and attachment.
In Part 2 of our interview with Allison Pugh, professor of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University and author of "The Last Human Job: The Work of Connecting in a Disconnected World", we talk about what "connective labor" means for early relational health, and can how physicians, practitioners, and caregivers can apply this theory to their everyday interactions with children.
How people connect to one another is something we sometimes don't think about, and how technology touches modern life is a key factor. Allison Pugh, Professor of Sociology at Johns Hopkins University and author of a notable book on this subject, joins us to talk about how, and why, the human connections now at risk in our tech-driven lives are worth fighting for.
Dr. Clare Crosh and Dr. Diogo Anyigbo join us to talk about what they have learned from families about how they view and practice shared reading and how that can inform messaging and resources that inspire and enable families to sing, tell stories and share books with their young children.
Addressing childcare and education in this country has been a challenge for decades, but according to our next guest, fixing it comes down to one thing - acknowledging that we’re thinking about the whole system upside-down, and flipping it right-side-up. Dan Wuori, known globally for his uplifting and educational social media, joins us to talk about his new book, “The Daycare Myth: What We Get Wrong About Early Care and Education (and What We Should Do About It)".
What does early relational health have to do with getting your kids to put their shoes on? Julie King, co-author of "How to Talk So Little Ones Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Age 2-7", offers a series of parenting tools that lean into emotional intelligence and foster early relational health.
For nearly 50 years, Lois Lowry's books have adeptly tackled friendship, loyalty, fear, comfort, family, war, political oppression, love, grief, racism, and so much more – and usually from the perspective of the children themselves. Lois Lowry joins us to share how, through writing, she tries “to convey her passionate awareness that we live intertwined on this planet and that our future depends upon our caring more, and doing more, for one another.”
Every so often, a book comes along that allows parents and children to slow down together, engage, and experience the joy of reading a book that requires, and then rewards, looking closely at everything that book has to offer. Famed author and illustrator Loren Long joins us to talk about The Yellow Bus, a magical new children's book that does exactly that.
Instead of 'Screen Time', try 'Green Time'! Dr. Pooja Tandon and Dr. Danette Glassy, co-authors of the new book "Digging Into Nature: Outdoor Adventures for Happier and Healthier Kids" join us to talk about a growing body of evidence behind the mental and physical benefits nature offers to children, ideas for nature-based activities, and ways to overcome common challenges busy families face when trying to increase outdoor time.
In the fifth and final episode in our multi-part series on poverty and early relational health we look inside our organization and examine the work Reach Out and Read is doing to help families experiencing material hardship. Ruth Coleman, Alex Chu, and Callee Boulware outline how we can use our long-standing experience and in-depth research to focus on under-resourced communities and support meaningful approaches to poverty and healthy early relationships.
Positive, supportive interactions with children may help mitigate the effects of adverse childhood experiences resulting from poverty. Continuing our spotlight series on poverty and early relational health, Dr. Kate Rosenblum, co-Director of Zero to Thrive at the University of Michigan, joins us to talk about how aligning programs like ours can "promote the health and resilience of families from conception to early childhood through research, training and community partnership."
How can families help prepare their children for school when they’re working multiple jobs, or struggling to buy groceries? Reading a book together can seem like a lot when all your energy is focused on meeting the basic needs of your family. Evidence-based home visiting programs like Parents as Teachers can help with some of these challenges. Jennifer Bronsdon and Emily Callahan of Parents as Teachers at MGH Revere join us to talk about what home visiting is, what it isn't, and how these programs meet families in their reality - at their homes.
There's a significant amount of data on childhood poverty, but the numbers only tell one part of the story. Cristi Carman and Dr. Philip Fisher of Stanford University join us to talk about how to decipher complex data to better understand the experiences, challenges, and resiliency of young children and their families experiencing material hardship.
AAP policy statements are powerful, well-researched, and meticulously-reviewed principles on the state-of-the-art in children's health. Yesterday, the AAP released their latest Policy Statement: “Literacy Promotion: An Essential Component of Primary Care Pediatric Practice”, and an accompanying extensive Technical Report outlining the substantial supporting research evidence. Drs. Perri Klass and Pamela High, two of the lead authors of the AAP’s statement and report, join us to explain their work, and the recommendations for pediatricians, policy makers, and families.
How can we talk about poverty and early relational health so people will listen? How can you get people to care about public issues that seem insurmountable (but aren't)? Nicholas Kristof, op-ed columnist for The New York Times, joins us to talk about strategies for how to talk about difficult subjects so people will listen (hint: it starts with a story.)
Celebrating their 25th anniversary, Reach Out and Read Greater New York provides books and training to over 230 Reach Out and Read programs in predominantly low-income communities in New York City, Long Island, and the Greater Hudson Valley. Executive Director Emily Marchese joins us to talk about the joys — and challenges — of serving one of the largest, and most diverse affiliates in the country.
Over the decades, more and more US children are being raised by their grandparents. Dr. LaShawnDa Pittman, author of the new book, “Grandmothering While Black: A Twenty-First-Century Story of Love, Coercion, and Survival”, joins us to talk about how the interweaving of love, obligation, bureaucracy, historical factors, race, gender, and economic inequality particularly shape Black Grandmothers' role in the family—and how the subsequent effects are passed on to their children.
Writing for children—especially books that can be emotionally challenging—requires a great deal of insight, honestly, talent, and self reflection; and that's before you even pick up the pencil! Peter Brown, author of The Wild Robot, a beautifully crafted and deeply moving middle grade novel about technology, nature, and family, joins us to talk about his approach to this work.
Season 5 of our podcast kicks off with highlights from expert voices in early relational health, pediatrics, and publishing, captured live at the Reach Out and Read Leadership Conference in New York City in May 2024.
The Gretchen Hunsberger Medical Champion Award honors a clinician whose exemplary personal and professional medical leadership has helped to make delivery of the Reach Out and Read program model all it can be. Meet this year's winner!
Recent data shows that in school, by almost every metric, boys of all ages are doing worse than girls. How did this happen, how can we thoughtfully approach it, and turn the situation around? Ruth Whippman, author of "BoyMom: Reimagining Boyhood in the Age of Impossible Masculinity" joins us to talk about raising boys in the US — how our boys are being shaped by society, how they’re reacting, and how we can help.
Racism and discrimination affects the health of children, and can have lifelong consequences. Dr. Ashaunta Anderson, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Southern California and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, has been studying this, and in particular the concept of racial socialization. We discuss with her how ‘positive childhood experiences’ – such as embracing and enhancing cultural pride, can help mitigate these challenges.
Eat with the funniest person in the office; when you wake up, give yourself a high five; turn off screens one hour before bed, and demand a bedtime story. These are just a few of the secrets to a happier life that our guest, Dr. Hasan Merali, author of "Sleep Well, Take Risks, Squish the Peas: Secrets from the Science of Toddlers for a Happier, More Successful Way of Life", says we can and should learn from both the young children in our lives…and from our past younger selves.
In this special 'double feature' podcast recorded in front of a live audience, the Early Relational Health Funders Summit hear from four speakers with different experiences of building and maintaining a robust Early Relational Health ecosystem. We’re looking at the practices, programs, and policies that need to work independently, and also together, to fully benefit families with young children.
Individual interviews can be found at the following timecodes:
Dr. Dipesh Navsaria: 01:43 Hope Williams-Burt: 23:06 Allison Logan: 36:00 Dr. Corey Williams: 48:40 Deborah Brown: 56:39 Ira Hillman: 01:08:25
Thirty-five years ago, Reach Out and Read was founded in one clinic in Boston as a route to supporting shared reading with young children at home. Today, we're in all 50 states with 6200 program sites, comprising 8.8 million interactions through 7 million books. Marking that anniversary, and in partnership with Scholastic, we've created 35 for 35, a visionary, wide ranging collection of books that reflect our mission and the families and communities we serve. Marty Martinez, CEO of Reach Out and Read, Judy Newman, Chief Impact Officer at Scholastic, and Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney, the award-winning author and illustrator team behind one of the books in the collection, join us to talk about this incredible project.
We know that kids' brains change as they grow, but did you know that their parents' brains change too? Dr. Darby Saxbe, a clinical psychologist, professor and director of clinical training at the Department of Psychology, and the Principal Investigator of the NEST Lab (NeuroEndocrinology of Social Ties Lab) at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, joins us to talk about emerging research that shows how parenthood changes the brain and how encouraging focused time between parents and children benefits everyone in the relationship.
Beloved author Meg Medina, current National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature and the first of Latina heritage in the program’s history, joins us to talk about 'mirrors and windows' in children's books and why what kids hear coming off the page is just as important as what they see.
"If you love a book, no doubt many other people love it, too. That shared love connects us and sparks that miraculous feeling of not being alone in the world." Jane Mount's illustrations of book spines, covers, beloved bookstores, fanciful libraries, and so much more, bring that world vividly to life and illustrate how, indeed, Books Make Good Friends.
Kate DiCamillo knows books. By far one of America's most successful children's writers (44 million books in print, translated into 41 languages), Kate joins us to talk about how reading – and reading aloud – has made her into the reader —and writer— she is today. We also learn — improbably — about how even sardine tins can be speakers of truth.
Reach Out and Read has been working on a remarkable new strategy around a key element of what we do: books! A strong approach is key to supporting our mission and as a sustainable part of how we work. Angela Cunningham, Reach Out and Read's National Director of Books Strategy and Partnerships, joins us to talk about how we approach books, and what the future might hold.
Lullabies can not only help soothe a sleepy baby, they may also help them learn language. Dr. Giovanni Di Liberto of the Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience at The University of Dublin, joins us to talk about his new study that challenges conventional understanding of early language acquisition in the infant brain.
Leo Lionni changed the picture book landscape with beloved titles such as Frederick, Swimmy, and A Color of His Own. But those books are just a small window into his extensive career as a graphic designer, painter, and a master of fine art. Annie Lionni, Leo's granddaughter, and Leonard Marcus, a children's book historian, join us to talk about the life and art of Leo Lionni as shared in their new book "Leo Lionni: Storyteller, Artist, Designer."
You’ve likely heard of the Caldecott Medal. But how much do you know about Caldecott himself and his revolutionary work? Barbara McClintock and Michelle Markel, illustrator and writer, respectively, of Tomfoolery! Randolph Caldecott and the Rambunctious Coming of Age of Children’s Books, join us to talk about Caldecott’s art as a turning point in the history of children’s books, and the enduring influence he’s had on picture books ever since.
Crosby Kemper, Director of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, joins us to explain the role of the federal government in the support and empowerment of America’s museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. His careful stewardship and deep thoughts around how we protect and promote these incredible American civic institutions are evident in this far-reaching conversation.
Writing for children—especially books that can be emotionally challenging—requires a great deal of insight, honestly, talent, and self reflection; and that's before you even pick up the pencil! Peter Brown,author of The Wild Robot, a beautifully crafted and deeply moving middle grade novel about technology, nature, and family, joins us to talk about his approach to this work.
A new report from Harvard University and the Burke Foundation reinforces what we have long known at Reach Out and Read: simple, well-delivered initiatives to support early relational health have proven and profoundly beneficial results for children and their families. Dr. Junlei Li, lead author of the report and co-chair of the Human Development and Education Program at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, joins us to discuss how we can understand and support the work of those on the educational and social service front lines who serve children and families — and at home.
In 1920, as Black art and writing flourished during the Harlem Renaissance, W.E.B. Du Bois created the first magazine aimed specifically at Black youth. Titled “The Brownies’ Book: A Monthly Magazine for Children of the Sun", the magazine featured celebrated Black creatives of the time. Nearly 100 years later, Dr. Karida Brown and Charly Parker have revived and expanded upon Du Bois' work to “showcase new art and writing for children” and created and published "The New Brownies’ Book: A Love Letter to Black Families."
A core role of parents and caregivers is to help children make sense of an often-challenging world around them. Miriam Udel, professor of German and Jewish Studies at Emory University, joins us to talk about how children's books can help parents and children alike when their world is "on fire".
The American Academy of Pediatrics has long recognized that the world outside the walls of hospitals and clinics has a major impact on the health of children. A new book from the Academy, “Untangling the Thread of Racism”, aims to be a thoughtful, practical, and hands-on resource that addresses many aspects of this important but challenging topic. Dr. Jacqueline Dougé, a general pediatrician, public health practitioner, and one of the editors of the book, joins us to talk about how health professionals can address racism and race-related issues in their practices.
We're thankful to every person who reads aloud to a child. To mark this holiday devoted to giving thanks, we're bringing back an episode we recorded during the pandemic. We asked three children’s authors — Traci Sorell, Ann Clare LeZotte, and Dr Sayantani DasGupta — to read aloud their own stories of gratitude, and we're grateful to share those stories with you again.
Reach Out and Read has commissioned and published its first children's book, Talk Baby Talk! In an effort to increase access to books that are representative of families from all races, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds, this book is reflective of Reach Out and Read’s mission, which focuses on the parent/caregiver-child relationship through daily reading. We discuss with Alex Chu, Executive Director for Reach Out and Read Northeast, author Tricia Elam Walker, and illustrator Cbabi Bayoc, about where the idea for the book came from, how the book was crafted, and how it can help families in ways that other books may not.
Reach Out and Read, in partnership with Columbia University, the Center for the Study of Social Policy, and the Institute for Child Success, is proudly embarking on the first national longitudinal study of early relational health. Tyson Barker, Chief Science & Innovation Officer at ICS joins us to talk about how the study will incorporate end-user design to learn best how to promote nurturing early relationships between young children and their caregivers.
Children’s books should not only offer “windows and mirrors” into other cultures, races, and religions, but into a range of feelings and emotions. Craig Fehrman, author of a recent essay in The New York Times titled “Reading Sad Books Is Good for Your Kids”, joins us to talk about the importance of creating, sharing, and discussing children’s books that mix the “tragedy and joy that define great art and also real life.
Moving to a new country is a challenge for everyone, but especially so for children. New immigrants often face pressure to assimilate quickly — to ‘dress like us’ and talk ‘like us’ — and stop speaking the languages that ‘don’t make sense’ to our ears. Young Vo, author of the new children’s picture book “Gibberish”, joins us to discuss these common tropes and says it’s not the newcomer that’s speaking “gibberish”; it’s us.
“Think sideways” isn’t just a catch phrase - applied thoughtfully, small changes in mindset and approach can have a big impact. Anthony Barrows, Managing Partner and Founder at the Center for Behavioral Design and Social Justice at Project Evident, joins us to share his research—informed often by his own life story—into how applied behavioral science can help us successfully solve big problems.
How hard could it be to translate a children’s book — they are mostly pictures and so few words, after all? It's not so simple, it turns out. Daniel Hahn, a writer, editor, and literary translator who has translated hundreds of adult and children’s books alike joins us to break down the artistry and nuance that goes into successfully translating children’s picture books.
“The Science Sessions” is a new feature from the Reach Out and Read Podcast that examines and explains up-to-date, groundbreaking research on early relational health, early literacy, and more. In this inaugural episode, Dr. Marny Dunlap and Callee Boulware, two authors of a recently published transformative new study, join us to discuss what they found about the effects of exposure to Reach Out and Read on caregiver reading frequency and behaviors.
Everything in a fairy tale has already been lost. The fairy tale is where we go to find it again.” Sabrina Orah Mark, author of the new book “Happily” and an award-winning writer and columnist for The Paris Review, joins us to talk about how fairy tales shape - and reflect - our reality in childhood, and beyond.
Illustrated children’s books capture the imagination of children and adults alike like no other art form. Leonard Marcus, one of the world’s preeminent authorities on children’s books and their creators, joins us to talk about “the special nature of the illustrated children’s book as a cultural enterprise that is at once rewarding art form, a bridge across cultures, and a ladder between generations.“
Nearly everyone can learn to read — if they’re taught correctly. It turns out that one of the primary approaches to teaching reading in schools was proven wrong decades ago. Emily Hanford, the host and investigative journalist behind the explosive “Sold A Story” podcast series, joins us to explain how educators came to believe in something that isn’t true and are now working to undo it.
Jerry Pinkney is one of the most celebrated children’s book illustrators of all time. Having illustrated more than 100 books, Jerry won numerous awards including multiple Caldecott medals and Corretta Scott King Illustrator Awards and Honors before his passing. Gloria Pinkney, Jerry’s wife, creative partner, and best friend for more than 60 years, joins us to talk about Jerry’s life, talent, and his relentless drive to show young readers and those with learning disabilities how he became an artist—against the odds.
"Politics, greed, and mismanagement have made this profession incompatible with physical and mental health." Who are we talking about? It’s teachers, and we talk to Alexandra Robbins’, author of the new book “The Teachers: A Year Inside America’s Most Vulnerable, Important Profession.” It’s a great look at the reality of America’s teachers: what’s working, what’s not, and how we can fix it.
New parents are often encouraged to ask for help. But the source of that help, and how we provide it — whether it’s physical or emotional - has changed drastically over the years. Instead of turning to close friends and family, many modern mothers turn to social media – sometimes with unexpectedly harsh results. Jessica Clements and Kari Nixon, co-authors of Optimal Motherhood and Other Lies Facebook Told Us, join us to talk about modern motherhood, how groups meant to support and uplift mothers somehow tear them down — and how we can do better.
“Just be yourself” is often easier said than done. It requires time, contemplation, awareness, and often, bravery. And it’s really difficult to write a children’s book that doesn’t come off as simplistic advice, but is carefully crafted and delivers the message well. Author Monica Wesolowska joins us to talk about her new children’s books that explore what kids experience when they want to ‘be themselves’, how they can connect with others once they do, and the support they need along the way.
“Clinical burnout” is the phrase often used to describe the number of health care practitioners who feel a loss of joy in their work, a sense of despair, and a feeling of disengagement. But is this an individual problem…or a larger systems problem? Dr. Wendy Dean, CEO and co-founder of The Moral Injury of Healthcare, joins us to talk about how those responsible for treating some of the most vulnerable patients in society are employed by corporations whose explicit goal is to maximize shareholder profit — and that term we should be applying to the consequence of this isn’t burnout — but rather moral injury.
The Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University has been a leading voice in the field of early childhood development, especially around the role of relationships. Their new work, termed “ECD 2.0", focuses on connecting the brain to the rest of the body in a broader ecological context. Dr. Lindsey Burghardt, Chief Science Officer at the Center on the Developing Child, and a practicing primary care pediatrician, joins us to help synthesize and translate the science behind the impact of the built and natural environments on a child’s health and development.
We spend a lot of time trying to change other people’s minds on all sorts of subjects. Does it work — but just a little, or maybe not at all? How we attempt to shape the opinions of others matters, and as it turns out, there’s a science behind how to do it well. Moira O’Neil, Senior Vice President of Research Interpretation at the FrameWorks Institute, joins us to explain how we can best communicate around contentious issues, and do so in a way that builds progressive change.
Parents often worry about how to raise their children to be “good people.” But there’s an assumption that once you’re an adult, you’re done “growing”, and no longer need to progress on that journey to being a better version of yourself. Brad Montague, author of “Becoming Better Grownups”, says we can counter that notion in a unique way… in a world which can seem increasingly childish, he says we should become more childlike.
One in five of us have learning and attention issues, including specific learning disabilities like dyslexia and ADHD. Increasingly, children’s and YA books are not only including but embracing neurodiverse characters, and the conversation is expanding to include – and normalize – many facets of the broad variety of how we engage with the world. Melanie Conklin, a Bank Street Best Children’s Book winner, and author of A Perfect Mistake, joins us to talk about how neurodiverse kids are represented in children’s literature, and how that literature can help kids deal with some very difficult – and very real – emotions.
As we know, strong relationships are key to success in personal and professional endeavors. Our next guests combine both: Grace Lin, an award-winning author, and Alvina Ling, Editor-in-Chief at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, join us to talk about their professional success, how as Asian-American women they navigate an industry that still struggles with diversity, and, notably, how they draw on the friendship they’ve had since childhood to bolster themselves to do their important, much-needed work.
Trauma in children is shockingly common — almost half of all children have experienced at least one significant traumatic experience. Yet trauma-engendered behaviors are often met with ‘What’s wrong with you?’, when, as our guest Dr Bruce Perry relates, the question should be ‘What happened to you?’ His co-authored book with Oprah Winfrey helps us disentangle trauma, as well understand the powerful, protective role of healthy relationships with family, community, and culture.
We turned our ‘author spotlight’ on an up-and-coming, engaging, and extremely talented young voice. Liz Montague is a cartoonist, writer, and illustrator who weaves social justice, and personal and political awareness into smart, thoughtful, and deeply resonating cartoons. She also happens to be one of the first Black female cartoonists to be published in the New Yorker. Liz joins us to talk about her book, and how she became comfortable with her own identity as an artist.
Books are magic. The way they smell, the feel of their pages, illustrations on their covers, weight in your hands - all these elements convey meaning in excess of their verbal content. Our guest, Emma Smith, Professor of Shakespeare Studies at Oxford University, and author of Portable Magic: A History of Books and Their Readers, joins us to talk about these factors and how, when and why books became…iconic.
What is “play”, and how hard is it to understand what it really is? Turns out it’s more of a challenge to grasp than you’d think, and not everyone understands that play is not merely amusement for children. Dr Susan Linn, psychologist and world-renowned expert on creative play, joins us to talk about the role of play in a child’s development — and how children can use creative play to access and express their feelings.
Native American education is one of our country’s culturally richest areas, but it comes at the expense of a very dark past. We take a closer look at the abuse Native American children experienced at government-run schools in the US in the 19th and 20th centuries, the intergenerational trauma that followed, and how Native American educators address this and move forward now. Francis Vigil from the Pueblo of Zia, is Jemez Pueblo, Jicarilla Apache, and an indigenous educator and consultant. He joins us to talk about how Native American educators confront the past, and help build strong, well-supported families — which will boost their children’s academic and cultural success going forward.
We’ve turned the spotlight on many gifted authors, but our next guest is the first to win a children’s book award and a Super Bowl ring. Malcolm Mitchell, American football professional, children’s author, youth literacy advocate, and CEO of the Share the Magic Foundation, joins us to talk about his journey to literacy, and how he overcame professional and personal adversity in the process.
Stuttering affects approximately 5% of U.S. children—it’s very common! Jordan Scott, poet and author of “I Talk Like a River”, and Brooke Edwards, Director of Speech for SAY: The Stuttering Association for the Young, join us to talk about how stuttering affects children, and how all of us — caregivers, professionals, and beyond — can make their interactions with people who stutter a more positive and communicative experience.
Thanks to advances in brain imaging, we can measure reading’s structural and functional benefits. Dr. John Hutton, a pediatrician and assistant professor in the Division of General and Community Pediatrics at Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center, joins us to talk about what we can learn from neuroimaging about how children’s activities can affect their brain structure, and what probably helps — or hinders — children’s development.
After three years, the annual Reach Out and Read Leadership Conference was finally back in person. More than 150 leaders gathered in Madison, Wisconsin over three days to share their vision, values, and voice - all in the name of ROR’s mission. Listen to their conference takeaways, what inspires their work, and what drives our community forward.
Why would someone write a research paper involving puppets? Well, puppets can not only be a tool for helping children feel more comfortable in medical settings, but more recently have been used to support relational health. Dr. Gretchen Domek, Associate Professor and the Frankenburg Research Professor in Developmental Pediatrics at the University of Colorado, joins us to talk about her work introducing finger puppets as a tool to help caregivers talk with their infants both at home and abroad.
Children are uniquely vulnerable to climate change: rising temperatures and poor air quality increase asthma attacks and allergies, and natural disasters can lead to physical displacement, food insecurity, and an increase in mental health concerns. Dr. Jerry Paulson, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and of Environmental & Occupational Health at the George Washington University School of Medicine, joins us to talk about this subject - and how caregivers can separate the noise from the science.
There’s a lot of conversation around health equity, and rightly so: research suggests that many disparities in overall health and well-being are rooted in early childhood. But how can one meaningfully address that in our healthcare system? Dr. Darrell M. Gray, the inaugural chief health equity officer for Elevance Health, joins us to talk about how to help shift health care from a transactional relationship to a deeper one, using an equity framework.
The world of literacy has a dizzying array of systems that go well beyond schools and home — including legislatures, philanthropies, and other NGO’s — but they aren’t always collaborating well. Munro Richardson, Executive Director at Read Charlotte in North Carolina, reimagined the way these systems could work, creatively connected groups that hadn’t done so before, and got community buy-in in the process; a clear example of how to make a whole greater than the sum of its parts.
Parenting is often tough. While our society has better normalized talking about the highs, lows, and the in-betweens of raising children, there’s still a lot that’s hard to say publicly. Keith Gessen, author of the new book Raising Raffi, takes on these challenges, asks the many unvoiced questions, and does so as someone not heard as frequently in the parenting book space: the perspective of a father.
As in other times, women in the late 1910s-20s from all over the U.S. looked for parenting advice. Who did they ask? The federal government, believe it or not. They flooded the Children’s Bureau, a division of the Department of Labor, with letters about their worries and concerns around raising children. Molly Ladd-Taylor, author of “Raising a Baby the Government Way: Mothers’ Letters to the Children’s Bureau”, joins us to share the story behind the letters and what they can tell us about what has changed - and what hasn’t - regarding maternal and infant care.
What can a piece of clothing tell us about how a child lived? How can parent interactions be revealed through a pair of gloves? What might a baby’s quilt tell us about family dynamics? Dr. Sarah Anne Carter, Executive Director of the Center for Design and Material Culture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Human Ecology takes us on a field trip into the Center’s vast collection to examine childhood objects throughout history, and how these objects can help tell the stories of the children who used them.
Using the talents of both writing and illustrating to offer messages encapsulated within compelling stories through children’s books is difficult. Yet, Shabazz Larkin is an artist, author, illustrator, and activist who manages to do just that. He joins us today to talk about his craft, and the unique way he has been able to weave healthy messages surrounding food and nutrition into his work for children and their families.
Is a museum with words and not objects still a museum? Yes! Planet Word, a unique museum in Washington DC, houses immersive experiences dedicated to the celebration of words and language. Ann Friedman, Founder and CEO of Planet Word, joins us to talk about Planet Word’s overall mission and atypical design - both of which are deeply grounded in language arts and science.
The human brain doesn’t come wired to read. Remarkably, recognizing, decoding, and comprehending a single word takes many different repurposed brain circuits working together. Dr Maryanne Wolf, Dir. of the Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice at UCLA breaks down the science of the reading brain — from the neuroscientific importance of oral language, to recognizing the alphabet, reading words, and ultimately, the experience of novel thought while reading.
Feeding and being fed isn’t merely a nutritional transaction — it’s also an emotional and relational act inexorably linked to the act of caring. Dr. Natalie Muth, a pediatrician and founder and director of the Children’s Primary Care Medical Group W.E.L.L. clinic, joins us to talk about how we can navigate the challenges of eating with children, and how it fits into early relational health.
Young children are born with a natural sense of wonder: an instinctual and powerful drive to explore and learn about their world. Dr. Frank Keil, professor of Psychology at Yale University and author of the new book “Wonder: Childhood and the Lifelong Love of Science”, joins us to talk about young children and how to recognize and encourage wonder —and, perhaps even more importantly—not to stifle it as they get older.
Child poverty is a problem that’s much closer to home than many of us realize, with over a third of US children living in poverty at some point in their childhood. Dr. Benard Dreyer, Director of Pediatrics at Bellevue Hospital and one of the strongest voices in pediatrics on this issue, joins us to talk about the long and short term effects of child poverty and what we can do to alleviate it.
How can we support children? By supporting their parents - particularly during the most critical years of their children’s development. Dr. Dana Suskind, author of the new book “Parent Nation”, joins us to explain how through a combination of interdisciplinary science and large-scale advocacy we can build a society where parents - and as a result their children - are supported in all aspects of life.
The ‘metaverse’ is the latest tech buzzword. But what in the world is it? Josh Golin, Executive Director at Fairplay, joins us to take a closer look at what it is, what it means for kids, and how parents can identify and navigate online design that targets kids.
Adoption is a very common route to becoming a parent; yet, many don’t know how to talk about it, and know little about adoption. And even those strongly considering adoption have many questions and worries. Today we’re talking with leading adoption medical specialist Dr. Elaine Schulte about what non-adoptive and adoptive parents should know about attachment, family integration, and the language in and around adoption.
If you’re a refugee, you’re disproportionately likely to be a child — and coping with many challenges that you’re developmentally unprepared to handle. Dr. Sherri Alderman and Ana Maria Dudley join us to discuss the consequences of war and displacement on children, and how we can help immediately improve - and ultimately sustain - refugee children’s physical, mental, and behavioral health.
We take a closer look at early math picture books themselves in Part 2 of our series on the topic. Robie Harris, author of Crash! Boom!, and Hilary Van Dusen, senior editor at Candlewick Press, explore with us the writing, design, and craft behind these books, and how early math principles lead into compelling stories for young children.
We know that reading aloud promotes everything from language enrichment to emotional intelligence, but did you know that it also helps with learning math? Marlene Kliman, Sr. Scientist at TERC, and Kim Brenneman, Program Officer for the Heising-Simons Foundation, join us to talk about the foundational principles of early math, how that comes through in picture books for young children, and the importance of investing in early math for all communities.
Breaking News: We’re pleased to introduce Reach Out and Read’s new Chief Executive Officer, Marty Martinez! He joins today’s podcast to share the personal and professional journey that led him to us, and what he’s looking forward to in his new position.
When faced with divorce or separation, a couple that had trouble agreeing when they were together now need to agree on parenting when apart. Dr. David Hill, co-author of “Co-parenting Through Separation and Divorce: Putting Your Children First” joins us to talk about how to help parents get to a positive space for both themselves and their children, and how parenting decisions based on children’s best interests is a formula for success.
We talk about the emotional and physical architecture of NICU reading programs and their effect on babies, their families, and the medical staff who implement them, in Part 2 of our “Reading in the NICU” series. Dr. Viral Jain explains how these programs give parents a way to reclaim some element of their role, and how providers can offer practical reading help and guidance to NICU families. And, a song!
Parents love seeing their children experience feelings of joy, happiness, and success. Conversely, they often feel a desire to protect their children against feeling sadness, anxiety or a sense of loss. But is that best? And is it even possible? Newbery award-winning author Erin Entrada Kelly and Behavioral Pediatrician Dr. Nerissa Bauer join us to discuss how to parent kids when they’re faced with challenging emotions.
Science tells us early learning is critically important, yet somehow it’s both remarkably expensive and those doing it are massively underpaid. There’s a huge divide in how we think about education before age 5 and after, and that needs to change. Rachel Giannini, childhood specialist and “a preschool teacher’s preschool teacher”, joins us to talk about the state of early education in the US today, the art of working well with small humans, and what families should look for in an early childhood center.
Paper! It’s everywhere and yet it’s not usually at the forefront of our thoughts. Despite this being a podcast about reading, we haven’t really talked about paper itself, or even how it shaped the format of books. Author and historian Mark Kurlanksy joins us to talk about the history of paper—and how technology and the transformation of information may influence what we transfer, when, and how.
Book banning is often done with the intention of “protecting children”. But who decides what is or isn’t okay? And are we doing children and their families a disservice when we do? We are joined by Pat Scales, expert on censorship and a retired librarian, and Alex Gino, award-winning author of several banned books to discuss why books are challenged, the effects bans have, and on the line between fear and intellectual freedom.
How in the world did anyone have the idea to not only talk about shared book reading in regular medical checkups for kids, but to bring in a book and use it as part of the visit? Dr Robert Needlman, co-founder of Reach Out and Read did back in 1989, and he joins us to share the origins of this program — which has blossomed into the national program it is today.
There’s no shortage of parenting advice out there. How much is opinion, and how much is based on research evidence? Science journalist Melinda Wenner Moyer joins us to talk about exactly that: how parents can apply evidence-based tools and techniques to raise kids who will grow up to be, well, not a**holes. Some of it has to do with learning about how kids’ brains work, and some of it has to do with looking in the mirror at our own behavior as adults.
Newborn Intensive Care Units are physically and emotionally daunting for new parents. With many of the typical parenting roles supplanted by medical necessity, parents can be at a loss for how to reconcile this new reality. But there is another way parents can care for their children that’s equally important. Dr. Carmina Erdei, a neonatologist and the medical director of the Growth and Development Unit at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, joins us to talk about how reading and talking to preemies can help offer parents the chance to reclaim at least some of their role, and foster healthy growth and relationships at the same time.
Reading without words? We generally associate reading with text, but reading pictures can offer a rich and delightful opportunity for insight and literacy growth as well. Though often overlooked, wordless picture books are more accessible for pre-verbal and pre-literate children, and they can provide an enhanced interactive reading experience for a wider audience. Caldecott winning author and illustrator David Wiesner—aka ‘the father of the wordless picture book’—joins us to talk about the history, importance, and creative process behind wordless picture books.
As we transition back to school during an ongoing pandemic, we hear a lot about a ‘covid learning slide’, which adds to the stress of a return. But, is that really how we should be framing this? There’s another way to think about all this. Boston Public Schools Principal Julia Bott, and Helen Westmoreland, the Director of Family Engagement at National PTA, join us to share how parents and caregivers can recalibrate their expectations through a focus on nurturing human connections.
“Toxic stress defines the problem. Relational health defines the solution.” This is the core of the recent revision to the American Academy’s policy statement on toxic stress, and co-author Dr. Andrew Garner joins us to explain how we need to move beyond adverse childhood experiences to discuss and support positive childhood experiences. The number one element? The presence of safe, stable, and nurturing relationships, which proactively build the resilience needed to cope with future adversity.
A baby’s brain is forming thousands to millions of neuronal connections per minute, absorbing new information in the first six months. This is the perfect opportunity to start a shared reading routine, right from birth. But are overwhelmed, sleep-deprived parents ready to add one more thing to their plate? Dr. Anna Miller-Fitzwater joins us to talk about Reach Out and Read’s “Back to Birth” program, and how to make reading with infants practical and achievable for new parents.
‘Ole Golly says there is as many ways to live as there are people on the earth’. So says Harriet in “Harriet the Spy”, the brainchild of author Louise Fitzhugh. Today we dive in deeper with one of literature’s most beloved ‘quirky’ kids, with a discussion of how Harriet and Louise broke the mold of children’s literature. Guest host Dr Perri Klass speaks with Leslie Brody, author of the highly acclaimed new biography “Sometimes You Have to Lie: The Life and Times of Louise Fitzhugh, Renegade Author of Harriet the Spy”.
When parenting, teaching, or caring for kids, there can be a fine line between those with a readily identifiable diagnosis, and those who are just plain “different”. Dr. Perri Klass and Dr. Eileen Costello, co-authors of “Quirky Kids: Understanding and Supporting Your Child With Developmental Differences”, join us to talk about quirky kids, and the joys and challenges they can bring to families.
Have you heard of book deserts? Nearly half of our nation’s children live in one: neighborhoods that lack public libraries and bookstores and where more than half of low-income children live in homes where books are an unaffordable or unfamiliar luxury. Dr. Molly Ness, an Associate Professor in the Dept. of Education at Fordham University, and Alvin Irby of Barbershop Books, join us to talk about how to not only alleviate book deserts, but create book ‘oases’ that set children and families up for success.
It’s clear that Reach Out and Read has become a significant part of American pediatrics. And while operating on such a large scale can generate incredible results, challenges also crop up. We’re going to ‘open up the book’ on our organization with someone who is uniquely positioned to do — Reach Out and Read CEO Brian Gallagher joins us to talk about where the organization is today, where we’re going, and what opportunities and obstacles we might face along the way. And also, a podcast first for us: breaking news!
All parents face challenges somewhere along the journey of raising children. But some groups of parents deal with issues that don’t necessarily affect all. Drs Nia Heard-Garris and Nevin Heard join us to talk about how Black children in American navigate racial identity development and awareness, and how their parents can balance the desire to protect them — yet prepare for — the harsh reality of racism.
The publication of Charlotte Zolotow’s picture book William’s Doll (1972) not only broke gender stereotypes, but became a landmark moment in American children’s literature. In a bonus episode of our “Inner Truths: LGBTQ” series, host Dr. Perri Klass speaks with Charlotte’s daughter, Crescent Dragonwagon (a prolific author herself), about the making of William’s Doll and her mother’s cultural impact as a writer and editor of books that have encouraged tolerance, kindness, and authenticity for generations of children.
In Part 2 of our series on LGBTQ+ children’s books, we talk to Dr. Jamie Campbell Naidoo, a professor at the University of Alabama’s School of Library and Information Studies. We discuss how to evaluate LGBTQ+ books for kids, common portrayals of ‘rainbow families’ in children’s books, balancing accessibility and privacy issues for books around these topics, and, of course why, year after year, LGBTQ+ children’s books continue to be the most challenged genre.
LGBTQ+ children’s books play a crucial role in offering ‘mirrors and windows’ for all children and their caregivers, yet they remain not only hard to find, but often challenged by society. In Part 1 of our two-part series, we’ll explore the craft and creativity behind LGBTQ+ children’s literature with Lesléa Newman, author of 75 books including the well-known “Heather Has Two Mommies”, and Kyle Lukoff, author of “Call Me Max” and “When Aidan Became A Brother.”
While parenting can be challenging, can you imagine what it’s like doing so from behind bars? Even so, maintaining the parent-child relationship is critical to reducing the harm to children of having an incarcerated parent. We span the professional and personal of this subject, first with investigative journalist Ludwig Hurtado on the rise of reading-aloud programs at jails and prisons nationally. Then, Greg Williams and his daughter Melissa share their personal story of being separated by bars while reading and being read to, and how these programs shaped their relationship.
When it comes to reading preferences, are you on Team Print or Team Digital? It turns out you may not have to pick sides. How we read matters, but why we make that choice may matter more. Dr. Naomi Baron, Prof. Emerita of Linguistics at the American University and author of How We Read Now, breaks down the impact of reading medium on learning and what strategies we can offer our children - and ourselves - in order to read effectively in all formats.
The shiny medallions prominently displayed on award-winning children’s books are familiar to many. But what’s behind those seals? How are the winners chosen? And, of course, what is it like to WIN one? Kathleen T Horning, well-known expert and member of numerous children’s book award committees, takes us behind the scenes of the process. Then we speak with Carole Lindstrom, author of this year’s Caldecott Medal winner, “We Are Water Protectors” (illustrated by Michaela Goade), to hear about her experience.
We know shared reading benefits all children, but for those with developmental differences it offers unique opportunities. Dr Monica Ultmann, the Director of Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics at the Tufts Children’s Hospital in Boston, and Sally J. Pla, an award-winning children’s writer, join us to share their experiences, insights, and stories about reading with children who differ from typical.
Military families face situations that pose distinctive social and emotional challenges to the health and wellbeing of their children. First, AAP President Dr Lee Beers draws on her own past experiences in caring for military families and shares her approaches. Then the Kikta family joins us to share their personal, direct experience of how reading together helped them and their four children through multiple deployments.
We know reading aloud with children matters. But whether you’re experienced at it or if you’re not sure how to read well with young children, we can all learn from Dr. Andrea Zevenbergen. She joins us to break down the concept of Dialogic Reading, and offers advice on how to model, coach, and help offer effective guidance.
Philanthropy touches our lives on a daily basis, but the decision-making process by those who hold the so-called ‘purse strings’ can be seemingly shrouded in secrecy. We talked to Dr. Katie Beckmann from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, and Ira Hillman from the Einhorn Collaborative, who took us behind the scenes to help demystify the world of philanthropy.
Technology has been an indispensable tool during the pandemic, but how has the massive shift to an almost exclusively online life affected children? Sal Khan, founder and CEO of Khan Academy, and Dr. Jenny Radesky, a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician and author of notable American Academy of Pediatrics statements on digital media, join us for a thoughtful, considered conversation on how to navigate this world.
An antidote to distraction in the modern age? A way to build better brains through books? Or simply a treasured memory of childhood — and parenting? We discuss all these aspects of shared reading aloud with Meghan Cox Gurdon, the children’s book reviewer for The Wall Street Journal, and author of “The Enchanted Hour”.
One might think that investing in programs that meaningfully support children, families, and early learning can’t possibly survive the “red tape” of government bureaucracy. But when the right people with the right focus are involved, innovative and creative approaches can become a reality. This week, we talk to Dr Mandy Cohen, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, and Dr Elizabeth Erickson, Medical Director of Family Connect - Durham about North Carolina’s use of federal Health Service Initiative funding to expand early literacy programming.
Can you imagine reading aloud for an incredible 3,218 nights in a row? Alice Ozma, author of “The Reading Promise”, and her father Jim Brozina, a children’s librarian, join us to talk about their remarkable adventure doing exactly this, lovingly known as “The Streak”. In the second half of the show, actor Kyliegh Curran has a special read-aloud treat for us, perfect for this festive season.
Jason Reynolds, novelist, poet, and the Library of Congress’s National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, joins us in a far-ranging, sublime, and deeply honest conversation about the power of imagination, literature, and storytelling to allow America’s youth to grow, to strive, and to reverse the ills of racism and beyond.
Reading aloud brings people together, and we thank every person who reads aloud to a child. To mark this holiday devoted to giving thanks, we asked three children’s authors — Traci Sorell, Ann Clare LeZotte, and Dr Sayantani DasGupta — to read aloud their own stories of gratitude.
Pulitzer prize winning journalist Nicholas Kristof has covered neglected social and economic welfare topics all over the world, but his most recent book, “Tightrope: Americans Reaching For Hope” is an exploration of poverty in America seen through a very personal lens – the community in which Nick grew up. Strikingly, while many may focus on the importance of support for adults, rehabilitation, and remediation, Nick and his co-author and wife, Sheryl WuDunn, chose to put the focus on something near and dear to the heart of this podcast: the dramatic, deep, and powerful importance of early foundational health.
We're joined by Mark Del Monte, CEO of the American Academy of Pediatrics, and Dr. Nate Chomilo, pediatrician and policy expert from Minnesota, to discuss how the world of policy affects the everyday lives of children and families — and the issues to keep in mind as we vote this year.
It’s easy to think that the way we think about children and parenting is the way it’s always been — the birth of a child is accompanied by the expectation that that baby will grow up happy, healthy, and become an adult. However, a mere century ago that wasn’t necessarily the case. So what changed? How has the role of parenting transformed? Dr. Perri Klass, author of the new book "A Good Time to Be Born", joins us to talk about the social, and medical, events that transformed childhood and parenting.
Early foundational relationships are the strongest predictor of young children’s long-term success — what happens to kids in those early months and years of life sets the stage for how they relate to others and the world around them, and how those others relate to them. Dr David Willis, Developmental-Behavioral pediatrician and Senior Fellow with the Center for the Study of Social Policy, and Claudia Aristy, Director of Children of Bellevue’s Reach Out and Read Program, join us to talk about how families—and the professionals that support them—can create and maintain robust early relational health.
The reality of remote learning is here, and it's led teachers and families to re-evaluate what school means during COVID-19. Josh Golin and Seth Evans, both of the Campaign for a Commercial Free Childhood, speak to us about their recent policy statement EdTech and Education Policy During the Pandemic and the importance of getting online learning right.
Chelsea Clinton, author, advocate, and vice chair of the Clinton Foundation, joins us to talk about growing up with books, the role of books in her own children's lives, and the importance of reading programs to support all children and families.
Children's books can bring much comfort and insight for children and adults alike. With all that is happening in our world, we figured that now is a good time to ask: What Meaning do Children's Books Have in a Time of Crisis? We're joined by author Robie Harris, author of award winning and internationally acclaimed books including When Lions Roar, Who? and Crash! Boom!,and Leonard Marcus, historian and leading writer about children's books and the people who create them.
As the Flint water crisis played out within government and the media, it became readily apparent that a major factor in the crisis was that the communities most affected were largely poor, mostly minorities, and without political power. Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, the doctor who uncovered Flint's water crisis and led it's recovery effort, joins us to talk about disparities and social determinants of health.
Books serve as mirrors to children, providing reflections of themselves, as well as windows to let them see others. We know that a broad, diverse range of depictions helps children see that from a young age, and we also know that the range of diversity in children's books is nowhere near as rich as it could be. Dr. Monique Jindal, an internal medicine and pediatrics physician at Johns Hopkins, and Meg Medina, author of the Newbery Medal–winning book Merci Suárez Changes Gears,join us to talk about the importance of diversity in children's literature and lives.
We continue our conversation on “Diversity in Children’s Literature” by speaking with Ashley Lukashevsky, an artist and illustrator whose recent book, ANTIRACIST BABY by author Ibram X. Kendi, brings this topic to light directly.