Reach Out and Read

The 20th Century was a time of unparalleled industry, creativity, innovation, and reach in the toy industry. Michael Kimmel, a SUNY distinguished professor emeritus and author of Playmakers: The Jewish Entrepreneurs Who Created the Toy Industry in America, joins us to talk about the immigrants who practically single-handedly created the material culture of American childhood as we know it.

Can fear and enchantment be two sides of the same coin?  How can stories help children navigate through darkness and wonder?  Maria Tatar, the John L. Loeb Research Professor of Germanic Languages and Literatures and of Folklore and Mythology at Harvard University, joins us to discuss the role of children's literature in offering curiosity and courage in young readers.  Warning: you may never think about some classic books the same way again...

We often understand why building strong relationships in pediatric clinical care is important, but the details of how matter.  Linda Gilkerson, PhD, Founder and Executive Director of the Fussy Baby FAN Network at the Erikson Institute, joins us to talk about reflective practice and how strengthening the provider-parent relationship helps parents become attuned to their infants and ready for trying new relational approaches.

What does it mean to be "enough" as a parent, caregiver, or professional?  Where is my "maternal instinct" if I don't feel an instant bond? How do fathers come to feel like fathers — and what if the connection doesn't come right away?"  These are just some of the questions explored using narrative and reflection by Dr. Junlei Li and Thelma Ramirez in their new early relational health project, The Shock and Beauty of Early Parenthood.

She's the most influential person you may never have heard of.   A new book, Books Good Enough for You: The Storied Life of Ursula Nordstrom, Editor of Extraordinary Children's Books, recounts how she nurtured and edited some of the greatest books of the past 100 years, including titles such as Where the Wild Things Are, Goodnight Moon, The Carrot Seed, Charlotte's Web, Stuart Little, and dozens more.  Author Nancy Hudgins joins to talk about the impact Ursula Nordstrom had - and continues to have - on the world of children's literature.