Read-Aloud Revival 175r4c

us for Shakespeare Summer! When most of us hear the name “Shakespeare,” we probably think back to a high school classroom, fluorescent lights buzzing overhead, while we struggled through Romeo and Juliet line by line—“wherefore art thou” and all that. But here’s the truth: Shakespeare was never meant to be dissected like a frog under a microscope. His work, in fact, was never meant to be read AT ALL. He meant for his plays to be experienced. To be performed, seen, heard, and felt. We tend to think of Shakespeare as a school subject. Or that we should read it as part of a rich literature curriculum in order for our children to be well-versed academically. While Shakespeare’s plays are part of a rich literary heritage, I want to make a case today that Shakespeare is not a subject at all. It’s not a thing you “should” do in your homeschool to have well-educated kids. Today, I want to talk about why experiencing Shakespeare with your kids might be one of the most joyful things you ever do together. And one of my very favorite people, Ken Ludwig, celebrated playwright, fellow Shakespeare nerd, and author of How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare, s me to help me make my case. In this episode, you’ll hear:  What traditional classrooms often get wrong when introducing Shakespeare Why Ken recommends having kids start with reciting and memorizing ages  How Shakespeare provides an entry to point to learning and loving complex language Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie: Read-Aloud Revival Waxwing Books Subscribe to the Newsletter Find the rest of the show notes: readaloudrevival.com/shakespeare-is-not-school

us for Shakespeare Summer! Why should we read the classics?  So many of us want to read and enjoy them, but we don’t want to spend our precious free time feeling like we’re incompetent because we just don’t get it or that the internet has completely ruined our brains (is this just me?). This winter in RAR , we did a whole retreat about falling in love with your reading life again, and today I'm sharing one of those sessions, called How to Read Classics (and Actually Enjoy Them). RAR Community Manager Kelsey Murphy and I talk all about how to find your way into the classics and *really* begin to relish them. Most of this translates to reading classics with your kids, but this session really is for you. We want you to discover the fun and enjoyment in classic literature because it makes your life richer and better. It also makes you a more peaceful and joy-filled mama to those sweet kids of yours.  In this episode, you’ll hear:  Helpful entry points to reading the classics  How to approach classics as an invitation to learning and enjoyment (not like homework) Why watching the movie first will not get your Homeschool Mama card revoked (we promise!) Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie: Read-Aloud Revival Waxwing Books Subscribe to the Newsletter Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/read-the-classics

us for Shakespeare Summer! In this episode, RAR Community Manager Kelsey Murphy and I sat down to tackle some of your listener questions.  We put our heads together to answer questions about loved ones who don’t your choice to homeschool, curriculum overwhelm, reading aloud with older kids or a wide age range of ages, how to encourage your kids to read high quality literature, and more! In this episode, you’ll hear:  How to make peace with your choice to homeschool even when loved ones misunderstand  Ways to keep connecting with older kids through reading aloud even with busy schedules  The importance of “fun” books in developing your child’s reading 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/growing-in-confidence

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

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

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 📖 Order your copy of Painting Wonder: How Pauline Baynes Illustrated the Worlds of C. S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien by Katie Wray Schon.

Today, I’m thrilled to share a peek at the riches inside RAR , 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 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 📖 Order your copy of Painting Wonder: How Pauline Baynes Illustrated the Worlds of C. S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien by Katie Wray Schon.

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 Coordinator Leilani Curtis to 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 📖 Order your copy of Painting Wonder: How Pauline Baynes Illustrated the Worlds of C. S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien by Katie Wray Schon.

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 📖 Order your copy of Painting Wonder: How Pauline Baynes Illustrated the Worlds of C. S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien by Katie Wray Schon.

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 To us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

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 s 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 To us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, RAR . 

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 Order Dear Duck, Please Come! and Beyond Mulberry Glen from Waxwing Books.

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 Order Dear Duck, Please Come! and Beyond Mulberry Glen from Waxwing Books.

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 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 Get Christmas School Order a copy of Beyond Mulberry Glen by January 7, 2025 to get your free gifts!

"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 ; 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 Get Christmas School Order a copy of Beyond Mulberry Glen by January 7, 2025 to get your free gifts!

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 (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 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 RAR 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. , 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 ! RAR #248: Nurturing Creative Dreams (Your Child’s and Your Own) Get Christmas School Order a copy of Beyond Mulberry Glen by January 7, 2025 to get your free gifts!

How do you know a good book when you see it? I 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 community, where we’re always trying to find and share the very best books to read aloud with your family. Today, RAR Coordinator Leilani Curtis s 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 Get Christmas School Order a copy of Beyond Mulberry Glen by January 7, 2025 to get your free gifts!

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 Order a copy of Beyond Mulberry Glen by January 7, 2025 to get your free gifts!

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  👀 Watch this episode on Youtube!

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 Order a copy of Beyond Mulberry Glen by January 7, 2025 to get your free gifts!