Read-Aloud Revival ®

Here at the Read-Aloud Revival, we’ve been asked more times than I can count to create virtue-based book lists. And I always say no.
Today, our Creative Director (and my eldest daughter) Audrey is back with me to talk about why we don’t make lists of books that specifically set out to teach kids about kindness, honesty, or other virtues. 
The reality is, all good books have a powerful capacity to inspire us towards virtue, and the ones that are the most effective are the ones that don’t set out to teach. They just set out to tell a good story. Good stories, by their nature, form us in virtue.
We’re going to talk about what makes a story formational, and of course, share some of our favorite books that have been formative in our family.
In this episode, you’ll hear: 
Why learning virtue doesn’t need a lesson plan or bullet points, and can even be delightful
How stories invite us into the experiences of others, with all their human strengths and weaknesses
The guiding question behind every book recommendation we make at RAR

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:
Read-Aloud Revival
Waxwing Books
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Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/books-forming-virtue

When you think about the various work that goes into making a children’s book, research probably isn’t at the top of your list. 

It might not make it on your list at all!

But research is often an essential part of the process. And I can tell you from personal experience that research can be a time-intensive, sometimes overwhelming, but often the most delightful task. 

Today on the show, we’re hearing from some incredible authors and illustrators about the research that goes into children’s books. Whether you’re an aspiring author or a curious reader, you’re in for some surprises.

In this episode, you’ll hear: 
Two big reasons why authors do research, whether they’re writing a biography, historical fiction, or even fantasy!
How every research question can be a doorway, from talking with subject matter experts to primary sources to searching your own heart and mind
The challenges and opportunities in having too little or too much information available about a person or topic

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:
Read Aloud Revival
Waxwing Books
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Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/sparking-creativity-with-research

When I mention Shakespeare, a lot of people immediately conjure up visions of high school English class, struggling through Julius Caesar line by line.
Which is an absolute shame, because Shakespeare’s plays are meant to be experienced–performed, seen, heard, felt. 
And experiencing Shakespeare with your kids is truly one of the most joyful things you can do together.

Today, I’m returning to my conversation with one of my favorite Shakespeare lovers, Ken Ludwig.
Ken is the author of How to Teach Your Children Shakespeare and one of our most celebrated, widely-performed playwrights. His plays are performed every single night of the year, and his enthusiasm for Shakespeare is utterly contagious and in this episode, we not only nerd out about our favorite plays, but share how to make teaching Shakespeare a true delight for you and your children.
In this episode, you’ll hear: 
Easy tips for breaking down passages for young kids to make them fun and memorable
Why Shakespeare is the best way to introduce children to complex, inventive, and beautiful language  
How Shakespeare’s work informs all of the English literature (and plays and TV and movies!) that followed it

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:
Read-Aloud Revival
Waxwing Books
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Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/joy-of-shakespeare

How do we homeschool high school? It’s *the* question, isn’t it?

A lot of us go into homeschooling ready and excited for the younger years. Then as high school approaches, things start to feel… a little more complicated. To say the least. Navigating difficult subjects, transcripts, college applications, and alternatives to college if that isn’t a good fit for your child can be intimidating.
It’s no wonder that homeschooling high school is one of the most-asked topics here at RAR.
As many of you know, I have three kids who I homeschooled through high school who are now in college and beyond. My guest today is also an experienced homeschool mom who’s had two of her six children graduate high school and move on to college. 
Rachel Kovac is a speaker, educator, and the author of the new book, Their Future is Shining Bright: A Guide to Homeschooling High School. I invited her to talk with me about the nitty gritty details of getting your kids through high school, as well as to share some big-picture encouragement as you face the challenges of the high school years.
In this episode, you’ll hear: 
Why the high school years feel so intimidating and what you can do to support a growth mindset for your teen
How your role shifts as your kids enter high school (and why it’s something to look forward to!)
Balancing doing less in your homeschool with keeping doors and paths open for your kids

Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie:
Read-Aloud Revival
Waxwing Books
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Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/rachel-kovac

One of the very best ways to travel with your children is through books.
Physically travelling as a family isn’t always possible for a variety of reasons, but by reading with our kids, we give them the gift of windows into unfamiliar worlds. Stories develop empathy and invite us to engage with another’s experiences in ways that can even go deeper than visiting a place in real life. 
Today, RAR’s Creative Director (and my eldest daughter) Audrey is with me to talk about the power of books to take us places, even when we’re not able to go far from home ourselves. 
In this episode, you’ll hear: 
How stories help us engage with creativity, community, and our Creator
How books can give us deeper connections to the places we do travel
How reading–and especially reading aloud!–cultivates curiosity and wonder

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-us-places