Podcast: Read-Aloud Revival

RAR #253: How We Choose Books to Recommend at RAR

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…

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RAR #252: The Making of Because Barbara

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…

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RAR #251: Fostering Wonder and Creativity, with S.D. Smith and Carolyn Leiloglou

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…

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RAR #250: Relaxed, Bookish, and Ordinary

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. …

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RAR #249: How a “Best Moments” List can Help You Love Your Homeschool featuring Jon Acuff

Which of these two activities would be easier for you?  Describe the best life you could achieve over the next twenty years. 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…

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RAR #248: Nurturing Creative Dreams (Your Child’s and Your Own)

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…

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RAR #247: Why We Love Historical Fiction, Anna Rose Johnson

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…

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RAR #246: Sally Clarkson’s Advice to Her Younger Self

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…

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RAR #245 How to Read a Fairy Tale

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…

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RAR #244: How to Give Your Kids What Technology Can’t, Erin Loechner

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…

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