Read-Aloud Revival ®

Sarah Mackenzie
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Read-Aloud Revival ®

Sarah Mackenzie helps your family fall in love with books, and helps *you* fall in love with homeschooling.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    RAR #257: You Can Be Refreshed by Your Reading Life

    At the start of a new year, we are overwhelmed with the phrase “New Year, new you!” And of course, we want to be better wives, better mothers, and better people.  This desire to improve ourselves filters into our reading lives, too. It’s easy to justify a lot of our reading if it helps us be better for our families and communities.  But what about reading for fun? What about reading fiction? When you’re a busy mom, is it worth it to carve out time to read just for the fun of it? And how would you even make that time? But reading for delight is like stopping for water on a long, dusty hike. It’s a lifesource for us mamas. Today, RAR Community Manager Kelsey Murphy joins me to talk about how to be refreshed by your reading life. In this episode, you’ll hear:  How stories nourish us in essential waysWhy you have to give yourself permission to quit books that aren’t working for youThe way reframing reading for pleasure will help you make time and model a rich reading life for your kids Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie: Read Aloud RevivalWaxwing BooksSubscribe to the NewsletterFind the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/you-can-be-refreshed To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

    41 min

  2. 12/26/2024

    RAR #256: My New Favorite Book for the Whole Family

    Gather your aspiring writers and littlest book lovers for this episode.  I am so excited to welcome back author Millie Florence to talk about the beautiful book we created together, Beyond Mulberry Glen. Millie and I are chatting about the making of the book from inspiration to final draft with a series of fun questions from what scene was the hardest to write to what character she’d want to hang out with for an afternoon. Beyond Mulberry Glen is a read-aloud novel for the whole family, featuring a gorgeous cover and illustrations by Astrid Sheckels. It’s Waxwing Books’s very first middle grade novel, and we can’t wait to share it with you.  In this episode, you’ll hear:  Why Millie describes her inspiration for the story as a collage of influencesThe challenges of editing the novel with the perspective of age and development as a writerWhat she loves most about middle-grade fiction Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie: Read-Aloud RevivalWaxwing BooksSubscribe to the NewsletterFind the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/millie-florence-is-back To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

    42 min

  3. 12/12/2024

    RAR #255: The Five Habits of Happy Homeschoolers

    What do happy homeschoolers have in common? Over the years, I’ve spoken with thousands of homeschoolers from all over the world. When I asked experienced moms what they do to cultivate peace and joy in their homeschool lives, I discovered there are five habits happy homeschool mamas often share. The good news is that YOU can adopt these habits, no matter what kind of homeschooler you are, what method or curriculum you use, what your budget is, or how many kids you have. You don’t need a new curriculum, schedule, or homeschooling philosophy. You don’t need to become a new person. It’s possible to feel happier about your homeschool, exactly as it is right now. Today, I’m sharing a recording of a talk I gave at several homeschool conferences last year about the five habits of happy homeschoolers and how they can help you have a happier homeschool today. In this episode, you’ll hear:  Why building and nurturing relationships is central to a happy homeschoolHow getting clear on your real priorities will help you simplify and do lessThe way comparison–to others, to strangers on Instagram, to public schools–sucks the joy out of our homeschools Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie: Read-Aloud RevivalWaxwing BooksSubscribe to the NewsletterFind the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/five-habits-of-happy-homeschoolers To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

    1h 10m

  4. 11/28/2024 · BONUS

    Best of RAR: Jolabokaflod

    What if I told you there’s an Icelandic Christmas tradition where the whole point is to spend an evening sitting around, sipping hot cocoa, and reading books? Sign me up, right? Today, we’re talking about Jolabokaflod, which loosely translates to “Yule Book Flood,” how it started, and how you can bring the magic of this bookish tradition into your home this Christmas. In this episode, you’ll hear:  Where the Icelandic Yule Book Flood first beganHow Jolabokaflod is an invitation to slow down and connect with each other during the busy Christmas seasonThe only three things you need for your Jolabokaflod, plus tips from RAR members on how they celebrate  Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie: Read-Aloud RevivalWaxwing BooksSubscribe to the NewsletterFind the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/icelandic-christmas To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

    19 min

  5. 11/14/2024

    RAR #254: What’s So Great About A Christmas Carol?

    "Marley was dead, to begin with." That is one of the most famous first lines in English literature. It comes from A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, which is perhaps the greatest Christmas ghost story ever told. What is it that speaks to so many of us about this story of Scrooge and his ghosts? Today I want to talk about what makes this story so beloved and enduring–from its original bestselling release in 1843 through countless adaptations–to the place of fondness and tradition it has in so many of our homes today.  In this episode, you’ll hear from RAR Premium members; Joe Sutphin, who did the beautiful illustrations for Little Christmas Carol; Samantha Silva, author of Mr. Dickens and His Carol; and some RAR kids on the lasting impact of Dickens’s tale and what they love so much about A Christmas Carol. In this episode, you’ll hear:  Why we love A Christmas Carol as a read-aloud for the whole familyHow Joe Sutphin illustrated and populated Scrooge’s world for Little Christmas CarolThe real backstory of why Dickens wrote A Christmas Carol, which inspired Samantha Silva’s novel Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie: Read-Aloud RevivalWaxwing BooksSubscribe to the NewsletterFind the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/all-about-a-christmas-carol To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

    29 min

  6. 11/04/2024 · BONUS

    BONUS: The Power of What You’re Already Doing (Sneak Peek Inside RAR Premium)

    As homeschooling moms, we often focus more on what we’re not doing than what we are doing. We fret about the lessons we should be teaching or the projects we should be creating. But here’s what we want you to remember (and what we try to remind ourselves): what you’re already doing is powerful. It’s purposeful. And best of all, what you’re already doing builds an enduring family culture. In this bonus episode, you’ll discover the power of what you’re already doing and why the culture we create in our homes matters much more than whatever curriculum we use. Today, we’re unlocking our most recent Circle with Sarah Live, a regular RAR Premium event where I mentor homeschooling moms like you. After all, we believe that the key to a successful homeschool is a peaceful, happy, homeschooling parent. You’ll hear about all the things you’re already doing that make a significant impact in your homeschool. Plus, you’ll get an insider look at RAR’s framework for making rich and meaningful connections with your kids through books.  There are cupcakes involved. Whether you’re ready to join RAR Premium or not, I think this episode will help you think about how you structure your homeschool and discover how the things you’re already doing have a huge impact on your family culture. Remember, you’ve got everything you need to teach with peace that transcends all understanding. You were made for such a time and such a homeschool as this. I’m praying for you. Books mentioned in this episode: James Herriot’s Treasury for ChildrenThe Vanderbeekers of 141st StBecause BarbaraA Place to Hang the MoonThe Power of MomentsWhere the Mountain Meets the MoonWhen the Sea Turned to Silver Links: Find out more about RAR Premium!RAR #248: Nurturing Creative Dreams (Your Child’s and Your Own) To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

    57 min

  7. 10/31/2024

    RAR #253: How We Choose Books to Recommend at RAR

    How do you know a good book when you see it? I remember walking into the big, beautiful children’s section at the library with my oldest, who was a baby. I wanted to find books to read aloud to her, but it was hard to know which ones we would love.  That longing to find good books for my children was the spark that eventually became the Read-Aloud Revival podcast and RAR Premium community, where we’re always trying to find and share the very best books to read aloud with your family. Today, RAR Premium Coordinator Leilani Curtis joins me to chat about how we select the books for our booklists here at Read-Aloud Revival. We’re also going to share our best advice for being more confident in choosing books to bring into your home, whether it’s at the bookstore or the library. In this episode, you’ll hear:  How our booklists can help you choose quality books to share with your familyThree quick questions to help you decide if a book is worth a longer lookThe qualities we look for in books we recommend Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie: Read-Aloud RevivalWaxwing BooksSubscribe to the NewsletterFind the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/how-we-choose-books To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

    1h 2m

  8. 10/17/2024

    RAR #252: The Making of Because Barbara

    A library should be a kind of paradise, don’t you agree? Author and illustrator Barbara Cooney certainly thought so.  Barbara Cooney was an extraordinary author and illustrator of over 100 children’s books with stories that span the world, from the shores of Greece to the mountains of Appalachia. The more I learned about Barbara, the more I wanted to tell the story of this beautiful artist who, in every aspect of her life–from raising four children to traveling to gardening to winning awards for her illustrations–was committed to capturing the beauty in (and for!) the world. Because Barbara: Barbara Cooney Paints Her World has been nearly six years in the making. Today, I want to take you behind the scenes and introduce you to the team that made it happen, from the very first draft to the final, beautiful book you’ll hold in your hands. In this episode, you’ll hear:  The many drafts, revisions, critiques, and edits that brought me to the throughline of Barbara’s wonderfully full and creative lifeHow the art team took on the daunting task of styling and illustrating the book to echo Barbara’s style without directly imitating itHow sound design and animation bring the audio and video books to life  Learn more about Sarah Mackenzie: Read-Aloud RevivalWaxwing BooksSubscribe to the Newsletter Find the rest of the show notes at: readaloudrevival.com/making-because-barbara To join us for the "Reading as Refreshment" Retreat on 1/31-2/1, sign up at circlewithsarah.com!

    41 min
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About

Sarah Mackenzie helps your family fall in love with books, and helps *you* fall in love with homeschooling.

Information

  • Creator
    Sarah Mackenzie
  • Years Active
    2014 - 2025
  • Episodes
    279
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2015-2024 Sarah Mackenzie Media LLC
  • Show Website
    Read-Aloud Revival ®

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