On this episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty had the pleasure of chatting with two passionate creators making waves in the children's book world.
First up was Richard Reiman, also known as the "Audiobook Wizard." Richard shared his mission to make children's books accessible to all, including those with visual impairments or other disabilities. He described how he adds rich audio descriptions to children's picture books, allowing blind and low-vision kids to fully experience the stories and illustrations.
"It's a whole different experience," Richard explained. "We have professional describers who work with us to paint a vivid picture with words." He's even assembled an all-blind cast for an accessible version of The Wizard of Oz, bringing diverse representation to a classic tale.
Richard also touched on the challenges of getting major publishers on board, but shared his optimism that change is coming, especially as more indie authors embrace accessibility in their crowdfunding campaigns.
Next, Jed chatted with debut picture book author Barbara Thompson about her charming story, Have You Seen My Sock? Barbara shared how the book, featuring a determined young boy searching for his favorite dinosaur sock, was inspired by her own experiences as a single mom and the antics of her grandson, Mason.
"It was almost like having a full-time job, going to college all over again," Barbara said of the self-publishing process. But the thrill of holding the finished book made it all worthwhile. She even hopes to collaborate with children's hospitals to share the story with young readers facing health challenges.
Both Richard and Barbara's stories highlight the power of children's books to entertain, educate and inspire readers of all abilities. It's a heartwarming reminder of the magic that can happen when passionate creators bring their visions to life.

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