Who is Alice Louise Reynolds? Why should I care? Great questions! In this episode we dive into this stellar lady who our auditorium is named after. Being one of the few spots on campus named after a woman, she must be pretty important! About Professor Jones Dr. Christopher Jones is a historian of early America and the Atlantic World. Currently an A…

Are you a film buff? Want to go into the film industry? Maybe you should consider film conservation! We talk to Ben Harry and his road to film conservation, his time at the US National Archives and more.

Book Conservators Chris McAfee and Christina Thomas tell us about how they can take books completely apart and make them “as good as old.” They talk about how the got into book conservation, the niche industry that it is, and advice for anyone that might be interested in the field.

Ever wondered what it takes to become a librarian? Or did you even know you have to go to school to be a university librarian? We talk to Kjerste Christensen about her career as a Cataloging Librarian and how she ended up at BYU. We also talk about cataloging, Mitt Romney conspiracy theories, and more!…

Why yes, we do have comic books in the library! And movies, and manuscripts and more! We talk with 21st century Mormon and Western Manuscripts Curator, Dainan Skeem, who tells us about some of the cool authors that he has worked with and his upcoming projects at the library. About Dainan Dainan Skeem is the curator of 21st Century Mormon & Western …

Welcome to the Hey Harold! Podcast. A little introduction to why we decided to create a podcast, and all of the treats that we have in store for you!

Writing ProcessBehind every book there is a writer responsible for all the little details, world building and characterization that are loved by many. Every writer has their own unique process to complete such a feat. Rachel loves talking to authors about what their individual path and process is. So she's in the studio today with author Sharlee Gl…

Non-Fiction versus Historical FictionChildren can benefit greatly from understanding history. Especially when they learn about the past cultural events that have shaped the world that they live in today. There are many different ways to learn about history. From history classes, non-fiction books like biographies, and even historical fiction. Today…

Historical FictionLearning about history can be a powerful tool for a child. Today Rachel has author Candace Fleming on the phone. In the past she’s written biographies, but recently she’s released two historical fiction books for children; “Eleanor Roosevelt’s is in my garage” and “Ben Franklin is in my bathroom”. StorytimeLibraries are known for …

Teen ReadingBeing able to express ourselves with the written word is critical in this day and age. It is particularly important for our teens, who are learning and developing as writers. We are so excited to have Penny Kittle on the phone today. She is an author and a great advocate for helping our teens engage with writing. StorytimeLibraries are …

Creative WritingMaking a work of fiction is an extremely creative process. Characters, scenes, plots, settings, all of them have to come from somewhere. Writers’ are constantly on the lookout for inspiration throughout all aspects of their lives. Today we have in the studio Heather Price, whose not only a librarian but also a writer.StorytimeLibrar…

Illustrator's ProcessThe journey from an idea in an author’s head to a published book can be a long one. There are a lot of steps required, from simply writing a first draft to multiple revisions. And when it’s a picture book, artwork and character design is added into the mix on every single page. Every illustrator has their own unique process to …

Virtual Reality (3:54)The way children learn inside the classroom is constantly evolving. We’ve gone from lectures on chalkboards to lessons blended together with online content. Where technology goes, our childrens’ educational experience follows. Today Rachel has on the phone, John Pickavance, a PhD researcher in cognitive science at the Universi…

Planetarium & Space Center (3:53) Looking up at the sky on a clear night can be a magnificent experience. There are millions of unknown stars and planets that are just waiting to be explored. Many children are excited to make those discoveries, but may not have access to resources that help them learn deeply about space. Today we have James Porter …

Musical Play (4:01)Children play all the time. Anything from an empty cardboard box to a bouncy ball can become a fascinating toy to a little child. It’s through this play that children develop skills and learn about the world around them. Today we have Brittany May in the studio, a professor here at BYU who specializes in music education.Storytime…

Young Theater (4:07)Going to the theater to see a live production can be a rich and fulfilling experience. There is so much thought and effort that goes into a single production, from sets, costumes, and acting. Today Rachel has in the studio Julia Ashworth, a theater education professor at BYU who specializes in theater for young audiences.Storyti…

Teen Writing (4:19) The ability to express oneself and be heard is an essential part of being human. This need for self expression is especially high during the teenage years. One great way to express oneself is through the writing process. Today we have on the phone Penny Kittle, an author and a great advocate for helping our teens engage in writi…

Disability Advocacy (3:17)The world is full of amazing children, with amazing talents and abilities. However, some of them have differences, and sometimes it is difficult for us as parents and caregivers to talk with our children about these kinds of differences. Today we are on the phone with Amy Webb, who is a mother of a child with a disability,…

Alice in Wonderland (4:03)Alice in Wonderland may have been published in the 1800s, but it’s still a relevant classic for teens now. From the mad hatter tea party to the red queen screaming “off with your head”, these moments continue to show up in new retellings and reimaginings. We have L.L. McKinney on the phone today to talk about her Alice ada…

LitWorld (3:35)Children from all around the world have a story to tell. It may be a story that they’ve created or a story they’ve lived. But not everyone has ample access to literature, or even the education to learn how to read or write. Rachel is on the phone today with Pam Allyn, the founder of LitWorld, an organization investing in children’s l…

Biographies (3:41)Historical figures can be looked up to, despised, or forgotten. And no matter how much we’d like to, we can’t sit down and pepper them with questions. That’s where biographies come into play. Deep and thoughtful research by authors can help readers get those answers. Rachel has Candace Fleming on the phone today to talk about her …

Classroom Practices (3:08)As the world constantly changes, so are the spaces we inhabit within the world. Classrooms don’t always look exactly the same as they did when we were in school. We’re in studio today with Dawan Coombs, an English professor here at BYU, to take a glimpse into what is going on in today’s classrooms.Storytime (15:02)Librarie…

New Writing Forms (3:43)The way we write physically has changed drastically over the ages. We’ve gone from hieroglyphics etched into stone to ink on scrolls to typewriters and computers. What we write about and how we express our thoughts has also changed over time. Today Steve Graham, a college professor that studies how writing develops, joins Ra…

Early Readers (3:37)Parents spend hours and hours in their young child’s life reading picture books and fostering a love for reading. As children develop that passion for books, and become more independent from parents they will need more engaging books that they can read all by themselves. That’s where early reader books come into play. Rachel has…

Board Games and Picture Books (3:26) Life can get pretty busy. But every now and then there are a few moments to take a break and relax. What do you with that time? Do you read books? Play games? Or hang out with friends? How about creating a new board game with your friends? Today Rachel gets to talk to someone who did just that. Brian Calhoun is …

Teaching with Pizzazz (3:24)Have you ever wondered what type of messages we send our kids every day? How our interactions, positive or negative, impact their young lives? We have Mary Bigler, a professor in the department of Teacher Education at Eastern Michigan University on the phone today to approach these important questions. Storytime (15:28)L…

Writing Habits (3:33)There are certain writing habits that many authors share. Such as writing every day, editing passages, and testing passages. Rachel is joined today with New York Times best selling author, David Baldacci. He shares with Rachel what makes his writing process unique, and his upcoming projects. Storytime (18:00)Libraries are known…

Importance of Phonics (3:09)Language is a building block of literacy, and phonics are an important element of it. English is much maligned language with many rules and exceptions to those rules, and it has roots in many other languages. We’re on the phone today with phonics expert Elfrieda Hiebert. Storytime (14:36)Libraries are known for their sto…

College Bridge Program (3:15)Here on Worlds Awaiting, we care about the literacy and success of every child. Some children have more challenges than others from elementary school through college. Rachel is in studio with Viki Ehlen, an author and founder of the Wonderwood Academy, a school for children with Down Syndrome.Storytime (14:49)Libraries …

Diverse Writing (3:07)In today’s changing book world there are many labels for books. Picture books, chapter books, books separated by genre, and books separated by grade. Racehel has author and early reading specialist, Wiley Blevins on the phone today to discuss books for the earliest readers. Storytime (16:14)Libraries are known for their storyt…

Dr. Seuss (3:30)Theodor Geisel was born on this day in 1904. But most people would know him by his Pen name, Dr. Seuss. Today is his birthday, and National Read Across America Day. I’ve got Professor Roxanne Owens on the phone with me. She is a professor of elementary reading at DePaul University.Storytime (15:55)Libraries are known for their story…

READ Dogs (3:46)It’s hard to imagine a world without animals. What some people don’t realize though, is the potential for animals to help our kids learn, and maybe in ways you don’t expect. Today, Rachel talks with Kathy Klotz, the executive director for the READ Dogs program. Storytime (17:31)Libraries are known for their storytimes and we are too…

Presidential Biography (3:55)Politics and history go hand in hand but the dynamic between the two can be difficult to navigate. Rachel is on the phone today with Martha Brockenbrough. She is the author of "Unpresidented", a critical biography of President Trump, aimed for younger readers. Storytime (15:01)Libraries are known for their storytimes an…

Genre Stories (3:32)A library can be like an ice cream parlor, with as many types of books as there are ice cream flavors. Some flavors are familiar favorites, others are foreign but fun to try, and some are mixes between the two. Genre is an important part of a book’s development and identity. Rachel is in studio with author David Butler to discus…

Adam Gidwitz (3:45)The middle ages was a unique time period for European history. Historians do not know a lot about all the things that happened, but what they do is quite violent: from the crusades to the bubonic plague. It's a somewhat difficult time period to teach children. Nonethelese, today we have award winning author Adam Gidwitz on the ph…

Grammar (3:43)Languages and dialects are very complex things, and at times they seem to be daunting. English is certainly not an exception. Today we are in studio with Annette Lyon, an author who specializes in, one of the most intimidating parts of language arts: Grammar. Lyon is the author of over a dozen books, including Band of Sisters, a choco…

Storytelling (3:41)There is a reason why fables are so prevalent in children’s literature. Storytelling is a fundamental part of learning how to communicate, and stories can be invaluable in teaching lessons. Randy Evensen is a professional storyteller and lifelong educator. His passion has always been connecting with children and allowing them to …

Genre Writing (3:50)Reading opens up worlds to us and our children. Every book, genre, and author offers a different experience for us. Some authors are famous for a particular genre. And some authors seem to dabble in many. Jennifer Nielsen is one of these diverse authors. She joins Rachel today to discuss how she transitions between different nov…

A Christmas Carol (4:03)Older books like A Christmas Carol are in the Public Domain, meaning their copyright has run its course and any tv, movie, or radio show can use the text for free. That is one reason why there are so many adaptations of this holiday classic. Today Rachel sits down with the co-hosts of Screen Cleaning on BYU Radio Jeff Simpso…

Writing Stories (3:42)Stories exist all around us. Sometimes, you just have to keep your eyes open in order to find them. Today we’re on the phone with author Frieda Wishinsky. Frieda grew up in New York with and graduated with a degree in International Relations. She has written many children's books and educational books like Oonga Boonga, Each O…

Sketch Noting (3:57)Sometimes written off as another form of doodling, Sketchnoting is actually a valuable form of note taking and communication. Tanny McGregor is a teacher, reader, and writer. Her book on Sketchnoting, Ink and Ideas, explains how to use it in all walks of life.Storytime (17:21)Libraries are known for their storytimes and we are t…

Fatherhood (3:13)We hear a lot of different perspectives here on this show. Educators, mothers, authors, illustrators, and experts. Anyone and everyone who cares about literacy and our children. Today we’d like to give a perspective that gets forgotten sometimes. We’re in studio with Joe Hadfield today. He’s the director of online communications he…

Writing Non-Fiction (4:14)Sometimes we associate an author with a particular genre, but other authors write a variety of books. David Adler is famous for his Cam Jansen detective series, but today he shares his thoughts on non-fiction and biographies for young readers. David has been publishing books for over 40 years. He has a post-graduate degree…

Reader Interaction (3:28)Books are bridges that can connect authors with their readers. Michelle Staubach Grimes is an author that loves to share her experiences with fans and promote literacy wherever she goes. She is the author of Where is Pidge? and most recently Pidge Takes the Stage. Michelle began her adult life practicing law and then sports…

Summoner Series (3:29)Each and every child has the capability of becoming a life-long reader, but sometimes they just need to find the right book or author. Taran Matharu is an author that writes exciting books that have helped struggling readers. He has written The Summoner Trilogy and out this month is a companion story The Summoner's Handbook. H…

A Taste for Monsters (4:20)Every book and author has a different take on history, fantasy, and reality. Here at World’s Awaiting, we love to give you glimpses at new books that you can add to your reading list. Author Matt Kirby is the award winning author of The Clockwork Three, The Dark Gravity Sequence, and a YA interpretation of the popular vid…

Identity as a Reader (3:36)Humans are very dynamic beings. From the beginning, we change, evolve, learn, and explore. We begin forming our identities from a very early age, and many things, including education, help to shape them. Dawan Coombs is an english professor at BYU and specializes in reading pedagogy. Her research examines the role of iden…

Author Ariane de Bonvoisin (3:34)When working with children, it is important to take a holistic approach. We are not just concerned about the their mental and physical growth. We are also concerned about their emotional and spiritual growth and journey. Ariane de Bonvoisin is an author of picture books and poetry for early readers that focus on enc…

Preparing Children (4:03)The world can be a daunting place for children, teens, and even us as adults. We need to be able to prepare our children for what’s out there and help them build skills that will help them survive in the workplace. Patty Alper is the author and founder of Teach to Work; a mentor program to help children gain the skills to b…

Louisiana's Way Home (3:34)Author Kate DiCamillo has a new book out this week, and we have an opportunity to chat about it. DiCamillo is the award winning author of Because of Winn-Dixie and The Tale of Despereaux. Her books have resonated with readers of all ages around the world. Her new book, Louisiana’s Way Home is a story of discovering who yo…