Three ideas to make reading aloud to a wriggly baby or toddler easier

Three ideas to make reading aloud to a wriggly baby or toddler easier

You want to read to your baby/toddler but they have other ideas. They are on the move, they don't want to listen so you need to get creative! Here are three super simple ideas to help you find the ease and joy in reading to a wriggly child. * Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever (2008) by Mem Fox * Hairy Maclary (1983) by Lynley Dodd * Hands Can (2003) by Cheryl Willis Hudson, illustrated by John-Francis Bourke * Pamela Allen (author/illustrator) * The Curious World of Pamela Allen (Exhibition at the NSW State Library) [https://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/curious-world-pamela-allen] * Julia Donaldson (author) * Axel Sheffler (illustrator)

Charlotte Mason, 'living books' and reading the classics responsibly with Amber O'Neal Johnston

"In my home, Charlotte Mason has an afro" - homeschooling mother of four, Amber O'Neal Johnston, talks about how she has adapted the Charlotte Mason philosophy to suit her children. We also talk about books as mirrors, windows and sliding glass doors, questions to ask when you are curating your home library, why we don't need to cancel the classics and so much more. Books, people, websites mentioned: * Heritagemom.com [https://heritagemom.com] * A Place to Belong: Celebrating Diversity and Kinship in the Home and Beyond (2022) by Amber O'Neal Johnston * Soul School: Taking Kids On a Joy-Filled Journey Through the Heart of Black American Culture (2025) by Amber O'Neal Johnston * Homegrown: Guidance and Inspiration for Navigating Your Homeschooling Journey (2025) by Amber O'Neal Johnston * Saint Valentine (1992) by Robert Sabuda * Charlotte Mason (educator and reformer) * Stone Girl Bone Girl: The Story of Mary Anning (1999) by Laurence Anholt, illustrated by Sheila Moxley * Pride and Prejudice (1813) by Jane Austen * The Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson * Frindle (1996) by Andrew Clement * Wonder (2012) by R.J Palacio * The Windows and Mirrors of Your Child's Bookshelf, Grace Lin TEDx Talk [https://youtu.be/_wQ8wiV3FVo?si=m1D66cSycKetVOxg] * The Guardian Poll on Australia's best picture book [https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/dec/10/discover-australias-top-50-childrens-picture-books-as-nominated-by-guardian-readers] * The Little House on The Prairie Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder * The Birchbark House (1999) by Louise Erdrich * One Big Open Sky (2024) by Lesa Cline-Ransome * The Cosby Show * Pollyanna (1913) by Eleanor H Porter * Charles Dickens (author) * Stories of Colour [https://www.storiesofcolor.com] * Redeemed Reader [https://redeemedreader.com] * Biblioguides [https://www.biblioguides.com] * Me and Mama (2020) by Cozbi A Cabrera * Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters (1987) by John Steptoe * A Story About Afiya (2020) by James Berry and Anna Cunha * Hip Hop Speaks to Children (2008) by Nikki Giovanni More from Amber: * Heritagemom.com [https://heritagemom.com] * Instagram - @heritagemomblog [https://www.instagram.com/heritagemomblog/]

Symbolism, the language of feet and depicting difficult scenes: an interview with Dub Leffler

From his childhood to school workshops to a particular Fleetwood Mac album cover, award-winning writer/illustrator Dub Leffler talks to the The Read-Aloud Home about the many things that impact his work. Find some of Dub's work on my Instagram @thereadaloudhome Books and humans mentioned: * Sally Morgan (author) * Banksy (artist) * Coral Vass (author) * Leah Purcell (actor, playwright, director, novelist) * Once there was a boy (2011) by Dub Leffler * Library of Congress [https://www.loc.gov/] * Sorry Day (2018) by Coral Vass, illustrated by Dub Leffler * Kevin Rudd (Australian Prime Minister (2007-2010 and briefly in 2013) * The Drover's Son (2026) by Leah Purcell, illustrated by Dub Leffler. * Quirindi (regional town in Australia) * Caroona Aboriginal Mission * Dick Roughsey (author/artist) * Cathie Tasker [https://cathietasker.com/] * The Quinkins (1978) by Dick Roughsey * Childcraft: The How And Why Library (Stories and Fables) [volume 2] (1976) * Koori Radio, Sydney [https://www.kooriradio.com/] * Margaret Cossey * Indij Readers * The Dreaming Series * Laughing Zebras Animation * Mark Rothko (artist) * Henri Rousseau (artist) * Tango in the Night by Fleetwood Mac * The Eagles * Clyfford Still (artist) * Walking Together (2025) by Coral Vass, illustrated by Dub Leffler * Shirley Hughes (author/illustrator) * John J Muth (author/illustrator) * Trevor Jamieson (stage and film actor) * Story Box [https://storyboxhub.com/] * Kevin Rudd (Australian Prime Minister 2007-2010, 2013) * Vik Muniz * Vik Muniz Ted Talk [https://www.ted.com/talks/vik_muniz_art_with_wire_sugar_chocolate_and_string] * Bruce Pascoe (writer) * Harlyn Geronimo * Geronimo * Buzz Aldrin * Tony Birch (author/academic/activist) * Library of Congress, Young Adventurers: 2015 National Book Festival [https://www.loc.gov/item/2021691158/] * Jared Thomas (author) * Bear and Rat (2021) by Christopher Cheng, illustrated by Stephen Michael King * Big Nuisance (2001) by Junko Morimoto * My Hiroshima (1987) by Junko Morimoto * The Two Bullies (1997) by Junko Morrimotto * Flotsam (2006) by David Weisner * Art and Max (2010) by David Weisner * Each Peach Pear Plum (1987) by Janet and Allan Ahlberg * **please note that during this talk we discussed Junko Morimoto and upon researching into Junko after the episode I read that sadly she died in 2017. Junko is one of my favourite author/illustrators and I have no doubt her stories and illustrations will be with my children and many other children for the rest of their lives. More from Dub: * "Soar" Dub's (new book that will be out in 2026) * @DubLeffler * dublefflerillustrator.com [http://dublefflerillustrator.com]

Interview with the founder of Little Modern Reader, Emily Chang

I sat down with fellow zealot Emily Chang from the online secondhand children's book store Little Modern Reader to talk about running a small business, her "past life" as a Chinese antiques specialist, discovering the joy of picture books as an adult and so much more. This episode is not to be missed as it is bubbling with picture book enthusiasm and love! This episode was recorded on Gadigal Land. Books, humans and websites mentioned: * www.littlemodernreader.com.au [http://www.littlemodernreader.com.au] * Magic Beach (1990) by Alison Lester * Window (1991) by Jeannie Baker * Enjoying the Film Adaptations of Children's Books With Your Kids, an Interview with Nazanin Forghani [https://rss.com/podcasts/thereadaloudhome/1712411] * Australian Refugee Volunteers [https://www.arvolunteers.org/] * The Pyjama Foundation [https://www.thepyjamafoundation.com/] * Oi Frog (2014) by Kes Gray and Jim Field. * Heywood Hill [https://www.heywoodhill.com/subscriptions]in Mayfair * Pokko and the Drum (2019) by Matthew Forsythe * Meg and Mog (1972) by Helen Nicoll and illustrated by Jan Pieńkowski * Waiting (2015) by Kevin Henkes * The Worrysaurus (2000) by Rachel Bright * Little Modern Reader's Donations Guidelines [https://www.littlemodernreader.com.au/pages/donate] * Each Peach Pear Plum (1978) by Janet and Allan Ahlberg * The Very Cranky Bear (2008) by Nick Bland * Henri's Walk to Paris (2012) Saul Bass (illustrator) and Leonore Klein (contributor) * Step into the world of award-winning illustrator Max Hamilton. [https://rss.com/podcasts/thereadaloudhome/2525332] * Antonia Pesenti (author) * Hilary Bell (illustrator) * Bruno Munari's ABC (2003) * Miffy by Dick Bruna * Leo Lionni * Little Blue and Little Yellow (2009) by Leo Lionni * The Little House (1942) by Virginia Lee Burton * This Small Blue Dot (2021) by Zeno Sworder. * Jon Klassen (author/illustrator) * Interview with Picture Book Activist Lara Cain Gray [https://rss.com/podcasts/thereadaloudhome/2036902] More from Emily: * To the Moon Kids [https://tothemoonkids.com.au/?srsltid=AfmBOopuz5SSkQKRyQzzfG4xowY11-o6-Gl5Seeqrsk-AozrR9nrPZcq] * www.littlemodernreader.com.au [http://www.littlemodernreader.com.au] * @littlemodernreader * Sign up for bookish news here [https://www.littlemodernreader.com.au/pages/about-us]

From birth to death and everything in between, the stories behind author/illustrator Zeno Sworder

Deep dive into the stories behind the picture books with award-winning Australian author/illustrator Zeno Sworder. In this conversation with Zeno I do not talk about the experiences of neurodivergent children or their parents. I am currently researching and learning more about neurodivergence but the stories and advice in this podcast episode may not be relevant to families navigating neurodiversity. This episode was recorded on Gadigal and Wurundjeri Lands. Books, films and humans mentioned * Once I was a Giant (2025) by Zeno Sworder This Small Blue Dot (2021) by Zeno Sworder * My Strange Shrinking Parents (2023) by Zeno Sworder * The Red Tree (2001) by Shaun Tan * The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles * The Maze Runner (2009) by James Kushner * Divergent Trilogy by Veronica Roth * Ready Player One (2011) by Ernest Cline * The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins * Terminator books * Waterworld (1995) (film) * The Day After Tomorrow (1994) by Allan Folsom * NBC News * Little People, BIG Dreams series * Michelangelo (sculptor and painter) * Dr Seuss (author/illustrator) * The Happy Prince (1888) by Oscar Wilde * Need a House Call Ms Mouse (2022) By George Mendoza, illustrated by Doris Susan Smith * Du Iz Taz (2016) by Carson Ellis * The Incredible Painting of Felix Clousseau (1988) by Jon Agee * I Can Explain (2022) by Shinsuke Yoshitake More from Zeno: * zenosworder.com [https://www.zenosworder.com] * @zenosworder