Episodes

  • 190 – Take Me Out to the Ball Game Sing Along

    190 – Take Me Out to the Ball Game Sing Along
    Jun 16 2025
    Enough of you expressed interest in a sing along, so let’s do it! Here’s how you can participate: And here is the backing track video to help you sing along: Downloads: Lead sheet for “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” MP3 download of the backing track
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    8 mins
  • 189 – The LGBTQ+ Books Before the Supreme Court

    189 – The LGBTQ+ Books Before the Supreme Court
    Jun 16 2025
    A fight over picture books happened in the highest court of the United States. Government run schools in Montgomery County, Maryland, made nine LGBTQ+ picture books a mandatory part of the English curriculum for preschoolers and elementary aged children. Hundreds of parents objected, as they previously had the right to be notified about these books … Continue reading "189 – The LGBTQ+ Books Before the Supreme Court"
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    36 mins
  • 188 – Be Nice to Hermione

    188 – Be Nice to Hermione
    Jun 3 2025
    HBO has announced the actors playing the three leads of Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger in its new adaptation of the Harry Potter book series by J.K. Rowling. I had big problems with their casting choice for Snape, as it deviates too far from the text, changing the character and introducing themes to … Continue reading "188 – Be Nice to Hermione"
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    10 mins
  • 187 – Matt Walsh’s Children’s Book Has Sparked a Lawsuit

    187 – Matt Walsh’s Children’s Book Has Sparked a Lawsuit
    May 28 2025
    Not all picture books are for children. Joke books for grownups are a lot of fun, but some authors use “children’s books” to fight political and cultural battles. While I support the rights of authors to publish anything they like so long as no laws are broken, I don’t approve of using children or children’s … Continue reading "187 – Matt Walsh’s Children’s Book Has Sparked a Lawsuit"
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    12 mins
  • 186 – Your Adorable Star Wars Stories

    186 – Your Adorable Star Wars Stories
    May 27 2025
    I asked you to share what it was like for you when you found out that Darth Vader was Luke Skywalker’s father, and you did NOT disappoint! The fact that so many strangers were able to share similar experiences is proof of the staying power of Star Wars as a great story — mediocre modern … Continue reading "186 – Your Adorable Star Wars Stories"
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    15 mins
  • 185 – The Three Little Pixies and the Big Bad Fox

    185 – The Three Little Pixies and the Big Bad Fox
    May 27 2025
    Double feature! In this fireside fairy tale, I share the (relatively) modern first printed versions of The Three Little Pigs, which started out as a tale about Pixies. Later on, it’s a wolf who goes after the pigs, but the cleverest of the three definitely comes off better in the end.
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    19 mins
  • 184 – Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza and the Case of the Missing Hat

    184 – Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza and the Case of the Missing Hat
    May 23 2025
    Writer Jenna Schroeder and illustrator Yamerpro (aka Mandy Ecenbarger) were given the task of transforming the popular card game Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza. Their collaboration has resulted in the first book in a series of graphic novels — The Case of the Missing Hat! This book is colorful, fun, and accessible. Fans of the … Continue reading "184 – Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza and the Case of the Missing Hat"
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    36 mins
  • 183 – Standardized Testing Doesn’t Matter

    183 – Standardized Testing Doesn’t Matter
    May 15 2025
    Here’s a cranky mommy rant about how standardized testing can stress out kids for no good reason. I KNOW teachers and schools are under a lot of pressure, but adults should never dump their anxieties onto children. Especially when the cause of so much worry is so unimportant compared to the big picture of life.
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    8 mins
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