Best Picture Book Read Alouds Podcasts (2025)

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57. Celebrate KNOW-vember with Nonfiction Picture Books 15:36

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13d ago15:36

15:36

Looking for an easy way to add some reading magic to November while building your students' knowledge across subjects? Welcome to KNOW-vember! This episode is all about celebrating nonfiction picture books – those powerful tools that help students build background knowledge, strengthen information literacy, and explore their personal interests in s…

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RAR #274: Behind the Scenes of One of My Favorite Christmas Picture Books 38:11

17d ago38:11

38:11

🎄 Join us for Christmas School → We all know there is no shortage of Christmas picture books out there. But for a book to make it onto my kids’ Christmas stack or onto a Read Aloud Revival Christmas Book List, it has to be excellent. And the books we choose for Christmas School? Those are the ones that go above and beyond excellent and are some of …

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21. Best Picture Books And Read Alouds For Teaching Gratitude 11:15

18d ago11:15

11:15

Best Picture Books And Read Alouds For Teaching Gratitude In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab shares her favorite picture books and classroom activities for teaching kids about gratitude. With Thanksgiving right around the corner, it’s the perfect time to help students slow down, notice the goo…

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23. Fun Holiday Activities In The First Grade Classroom 15:23

3d ago15:23

15:23

Fun Holiday Activities In The First Grade Classroom In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab shares seven fun and easy classroom activities to help you stay calm, keep your students focused, and avoid December chaos. Instead of fighting the holiday excitement, you’ll learn how to embrace the season …

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58. The 2025 Read Aloud Guide is almost here! 15:38

6d ago15:38

15:38

I've been working on something since January that I can't WAIT to share with you! If you love discovering brand new picture books (and I know you do - those are always my most popular episodes), then you're going to be so excited about the 2025 Read Aloud Guide. It's a comprehensive resource featuring over 100 brand new picture books from 2025, all…

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62: The Power of Read Alouds and Why You Should Make Time for Them - Interview with Kate DiCamillo 30:05

7d ago30:05

30:05

Those who have experienced the magic of a read aloud know they are a must in every home and classroom. Reading to children is so important and in this interview Kate shares some of the reasons why we should all find the time to read to children. Find Kate DiCamillo https://www.katedicamillo.com/ https://www.facebook.com/KateDiCamillo Lost Evangelin…

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22. How To Build A Year Long Read Aloud Plan In First Grade 14:31

11d ago14:31

14:31

How To Build A Year-Long Read Aloud Plan In First Grade In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab shares how to create a year long read-aloud plan that will save you time, reduce stress, and help you teach with more intention. You’ll discover how to choose books that align with your curriculum, suppo…

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61: YOU Are Worth Embracing Exactly As You Are - Erin Soderberg Downing Middle Grade Author Interview 45:18

14d ago45:18

45:18

What happens when a group of extended family members who barely know each other spend a summer together on an island? Old family secrets arise. Is there a way to bridge old hurts and find ways to communicate? Can everyone learn that they are wonderful individuals just the way they are? Find middle grade author Erin Soderberg Downing https://www.eri…

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60: Remembering Our Veterans - Honor Flight by Jeff Gottesfeld Author Interview 31:02

19d ago31:02

31:02

A beautiful way to teach kids about Veterans Day is to use picture books and Jeff Gottesfeld has written some incredible ones with beautiful illustrations by Matt Tavares. In this interview I discuss with Jeff his inspiration for Honor Flight: Celebrating America's Veterans and Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Honor Fligh…

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56. Turkey Picture Books for November 11:58

20d ago11:58

11:58

Need some giggles in your classroom this November? Turkey picture books are about to become your secret weapon for keeping students engaged while still teaching those important comprehension skills! From turkeys in disguise to clever birds outsmarting farmers, these stories bring the perfect blend of silly and meaningful to your read aloud time. In…

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55. New Picture Books! November 2025 14:03

24d ago14:03

14:03

Tired of scrolling endlessly through book lists trying to find the perfect read alouds for your classroom? Let me do the heavy lifting for you! In this month's new picture book roundup, I'm sharing seven amazing releases that are going to make your students light up—from hilarious tales about impatient kids with hiccups to heartwarming stories abou…

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[Bonus] God Is Not Disappointed In You 10:53

24d ago10:53

10:53

🎄 Join us for Christmas School → Hey hey, it's Sarah Mackenzie! I am here with a bonus episode. I host another podcast — it's called Circle with Sarah— and it's a short, weekly podcast that helps all of us become the peace-filled, joyful mamas we're called to be. It goes up at RAR Premium every Monday during the school year. Recently, I recorded an…

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20. Creating Thanksgiving Magic With The Turkey Hands By Susan Fairchild 22:07

25d ago22:07

22:07

Creating Thanksgiving Magic With The Turkey Hands By Susan Fairchild In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab sits down with author Susan Fairchild to chat about her playful and imaginative picture book The Turkey Hands. This fun Thanksgiving story takes a creative twist on a classic classroom activ…

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54. Celebrating Native American Authors Year-Round 12:14

27d ago12:14

12:14

Here's the truth: Indigenous voices deserve to be celebrated in our classrooms every single day, not just in November. With 574 federally recognized Native American tribes in the United States, each with their own unique cultures and traditions, there's a whole world of incredible stories we should be sharing with our students year-round. These boo…

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Best of RAR: Education is for Love 53:37

1M ago53:37

53:37

🎄 Join us for Christmas School → Have you ever worried that you’re not meeting all of your child’s needs—academically, emotionally, spiritually, or even socially? Pretty much every day, right? You’re not alone. Most of us have asked ourselves if we are giving our kids everything they need at one time or another. In this episode, I’m sharing a repla…

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59: Don't Fear the Graphic Novels - Interview with Middle Grade Author Brian Gonsar BookHuddle 29:17

1M ago29:17

29:17

Brian Gonsar's recently published graphic novel for middle grade readers is wonderfully spooky without being scary. In our interview we discuss not only the creation of Dracula's Brunch Club, but also benefits of graphic novels and how you could use them in the classroom or at home with your own children. Find author Brian Gonsar https://www.bgonsa…

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19. Thanksgiving Activities for Elementary Students Using Balloons Over Broadway 10:29

1M ago10:29

10:29

Thanksgiving Activities for Elementary Students Using Balloons Over Broadway In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab shares how to bring the magic of Balloons Over Broadway into your classroom. This inspiring picture book tells the story of Tony Sarg, the inventive puppeteer who created the giant b…

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53. New Kindness Picture Books 13:41

1M ago13:41

13:41

Want to spark meaningful conversations about kindness without adding another thing to your already packed schedule? Picture books are your secret weapon! With World Kindness Day coming up on November 13th, this is the perfect time to explore stories that help students understand what kindness really looks like—but honestly, these books work magic a…

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18. Teaching Elementary Writing In First Grade: Procedural Writing 11:26

1M ago11:26

11:26

Teaching Elementary Writing In First Grade: Procedural Writing In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab shares simple and effective ways to introduce procedural writing (also called how-to writing) in your first grade classroom. Instead of struggling with reluctant writers or feeling lost without a …

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52. Picture Books for Math?? 9:43

1M ago9:43

9:43

What if I told you that your math lessons could become the highlight of your students' day—without adding a single extra minute to your already packed schedule? In this episode, we're diving into ten incredible picture books that transform abstract math concepts into engaging, memorable experiences your students will actually love. From Greg Tang's…

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58: Kim and Penn Holderness Author Interview - A Picture Book For Everyone With ADHD and Without It! 40:20

1M ago40:20

40:20

Do you have ADHD? Does someone you love have ADHD? Do you know anyone at all who has ADHD (yes, you do!) Then this picture book, All You Can Be With ADHD, is for you. It is a powerful picture book for kids with ADHD, but everyone who reads it will be better for it. Listen in to hear about how Penn and Kim Holderness created this brilliant book and …

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RAR #273: Imagining the Childhood of C.S. Lewis, with Judith McQuoid 38:53

1M ago38:53

38:53

🎄 Join us for Christmas School → Many of you will already know that I am a huge fan of The Chronicles of Narnia. Today, I want to introduce my fellow Narnia lovers to a new book that jumped right off the shelf as soon as I saw it. Giant is a middle-grade novel by debut author Judith McQuoid where we meet Davy, a fictional working class boy from Eas…

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17. Classroom Management Tips For Elementary Teachers In First Grade 18:47

2M ago18:47

18:47

Classroom Management Tips For Elementary Teachers In First Grade In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab shares practical classroom management strategies that actually work in a first grade classroom. Instead of feeling frustrated by constant chatter, off-task behavior, or testing of boundaries, yo…

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57: Chris Grabenstein Middle Grade Author Interview - New Puzzle Book for Kids 34:44

2M ago34:44

34:44

Many reluctant readers are pulled in by an incredible middle grade puzzle book. In this episode Chris Grabenstein and I discuss his newest book, Ms. Pennypickle's Puzzle Quest. Readers who loved the Mr. Lemoncello books are going to want to dive right into this new series. Find author Chris Grabenstein https://chrisgrabenstein.com/ https://www.face…

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51. New Halloween Picture Books 11:46

2M ago11:46

11:46

Picture this: Your students' eyes light up the moment they see you pull out a Halloween picture book, and suddenly even your most reluctant readers are leaning in with anticipation. There's something magical about spooky season that transforms our classrooms, and I'm here to help you make the most of it! In this episode, I'm sharing my favorite new…

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56: Memories, Grief, and Magic - Middle Grade Author Interview C.M. Cornwell 32:19

2M ago32:19

32:19

Memories are an important part of our identities, but what happens when an individual loses some of their foundational memories? Could she get them back with the help of magic? In this episode we explore these and other questions while discussing C.M. Cornwell's debut middle grade book, The Memory Spinner. Find middle grade author C. M. Cornwell ht…

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16. Elementary Classroom Halloween Party Fun And Games 8:30

2M ago8:30

8:30

Elementary Classroom Halloween Party Fun And Games In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab shares how to make your classroom Halloween party fun and educational by setting up a Haunted House packed with learning. Instead of losing a full day of instruction to costumes and candy, you’ll discover how…

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50. MY Favorite Read Alouds! 12:52

2M ago12:52

12:52

We've reached episode 50 of The Read Aloud Classroom—and it's my birthday week! To celebrate both milestones, I'm sharing something deeply personal: my top 10 favorite read aloud picture books that have never failed to create magic in my classroom. These aren't just well-written stories; they're the books I reach for again and again because they co…

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49. New Picture Books! October 2025 9:52

2M ago9:52

9:52

Picture this: you're scrolling through endless book lists online at 10 PM, coffee cup in hand, trying to find that perfect new picture book for next week's lesson—but everything starts to blur together. We've all been there! That's exactly why I created this monthly roundup just for you. In today's episode, I'm sharing the newest picture book relea…

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RAR #272: Giving Flora Her Voice with Astrid Sheckels 47:24

2M ago47:24

47:24

🎄 Join us for Christmas School → Astrid Sheckels continues the wit and whimsy of childhood through her marvelous and magnificent illustrations and storytelling. You might recognize her from the Hector Fox and Friends series or Sea Dog and Sea Dog Rescue, and she created the gorgeous cover and interior illustrations for Beyond Mulberry Glen by Milli…

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15. Teaching Elementary Reading, Writing, And Math With Pumpkins 14:20

2M ago14:20

14:20

Teaching Elementary Reading, Writing & Math With Pumpkins In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab shares how to bring the magic of pumpkins into your classroom to teach reading, writing, math, grammar, and science. Using picture books and simple hands-on activities, you’ll see how pumpkins can help…

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55: Middle Grade Author Interview with Kimberly Newton Fusco - It is OK to be the Quiet Kid 39:41

2M ago39:41

39:41

Quiet kids are often told to speak up. But Kimberly knows that it is ok to be the quiet kid. In The Secret of Honeycake a story unfolds about a quiet girl who grows in her own ways, learning to speak up and yet remembering to love being quiet at times as well. There is so much to this beautiful story and I hope that you will take the opportunity to…

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48. Mentor Texts for Teaching Character Traits 12:49

2M ago12:49

12:49

Teaching character traits to your K-3 students can feel like trying to explain the invisible—how do you help little ones move beyond just retelling what happens in a story to truly understanding who the characters are on the inside? If you've ever struggled to make this abstract concept click for your students, this episode is exactly what you need…

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54: Historical London, Orphans, and Shadow Monsters - Ryan James Black Middle Grade Author Interview 32:06

2M ago32:06

32:06

The London Blitz was scary enough, but combine it with a shadow monster? Middle grade author Ryan James Black has crafted an incredible spooky/historical fiction book that kids are going to eat up, The Dark Times of Nimble Nottingham. We discuss his creation of this fantastic story as well as evoking emotion in writing and the need for connections …

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14. Teaching Grammar In The Elementary Classroom | Nouns 9:35

2M ago9:35

9:35

Teaching Grammar In The Elementary Classroom: Nouns In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab shares how to make teaching grammar, specifically nouns, fun and engaging for young learners. From interactive anchor charts to picture books and simple games, you’ll hear practical tips for introducing noun…

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47. Fall Picture Books: 12 Cross-Curricular Read Alouds 15:51

2M ago15:51

15:51

Feeling like you're drowning in lesson plans, trying to squeeze reading, science, writing, and social studies into an already packed day? What if I told you that those beautiful fall picture books sitting on your shelf could be your secret weapon for hitting multiple learning objectives without the overwhelm? In today's episode, I'm sharing twelve …

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53: Adapting Tuck Everlasting Into a Graphic Novel - Interview with K. Woodman-Maynard 31:30

2M ago31:30

31:30

K. Woodman-Maynard and I discuss what it was like for her to adapt the classic middle grade book Tuck Everlasting into a graphic novel. We also explore the Tuck Everlasting themes of grief and death. Find author, illustrator, graphic novelist, comic coach K. Woodman-Maynard https://www.woodmanmaynard.com/ https://www.instagram.com/woodmanmaynard/ h…

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Best of RAR: What Do We Mean by Peace? 1:00:36

2M ago1:00:36

1:00:36

🎄 Join us for Christmas School → Peace. It sounds lovely, right? It’s what so many of us want more than anything else in our homeschools. We long for peace, even if it often feels unattainable. But what does peace actually look like in the midst of a real, chaotic homeschool day? Last month in Circle with Sarah–my mentoring program for homeschool m…

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13. How To Manage Constant Student Talking In Your Elementary Classroom 18:17

2M ago18:17

18:17

What To Do When Your Class Won't Stop Talking In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab tackles one of the most common classroom struggles - kids who just won’t stop talking. From constant whispers during work time to full-blown chatter during lessons, student talking can leave you feeling overwhelme…

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46. Read Alouds to Teach Classroom Rules & Expectations 10:04

3M ago10:04

10:04

Picture this: It's the third week of school and you're already feeling like a broken record, reminding students about the same expectations over and over again. What if I told you there's a way to teach classroom rules that actually sticks—and it involves some of your favorite picture books? In this episode, I'm sharing the game-changing strategy t…

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12. How To Teach Sentence Writing In An Elementary Classroom 16:42

3M ago16:42

16:42

How To Teach Sentence Writing In An Elementary Classroom In this episode of The Firstieland Podcast for Elementary Teachers, your host Molly Schwab breaks down how to teach one of the most essential skills in early writing - how to write a sentence. From the foundational skills kids need before they ever pick up a pencil, to practical, step-by-step…

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52: Misunderstandings Have Higher Stakes With Dragons Involved! Mari Mancusi Middle Grade Author Interview 29:38

3M ago29:38

29:38

Dragon fantasy and dystopian books are right up my alley. So combine the two and BAM! You have an amazing storyline by middle grade author Mari Mancusi. In this interview we discuss not only what inspired writing New Dragon City and Dawn of the Dragons, but also why it is important to 'accept the fact that other people are going to feel different t…

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45. Mentor Texts for Story Elements 16:47

3M ago16:47

16:47

Ready to transform your story elements instruction without adding one more thing to your already packed teaching day? Imagine your students eagerly identifying characters, settings, and problems while you read aloud—no separate worksheet time needed! In this episode, I'm sharing 10 incredible picture book mentor texts that make teaching story eleme…

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51: We Need Fun, Ridiculous Books For Kids! Raj Sidhu Middle Grade Author Interview 32:48

3M ago32:48

32:48

Raj Sidhu has crafted a brilliant work of fiction about a group of kids that get pulled into their favorite role playing game. If you are looking for a silly laugh out loud adventure then look no further. In addition to talking about the need for these fun books for kids, Raj and I discuss helping kids see their potential and feel unconditional lov…