Bridging Cultures, One Book at a Time

Join the Reading With Your Kids Podcast at the Chicago Toy & Game Fair, November 9 & 10. Go to www.ChiTag.com and use the pormo code READ to save on tickets! In this delightful episode of Reading with Your Kids, host Jed Doherty chats with the dynamic duo behind Bitty Boa - Lulu Cheng and Lacey Benard. These former elementary school teachers have embarked on a fascinating journey, creating Chinese bilingual books and toys that celebrate culture and language. Lulu and Lacey share the unexpected origins of Bitty Boa, which started with a late-night text about a "no-time hobby" and blossomed into a thriving business. They explain the differences between Mandarin, Cantonese, and simplified Chinese, and passionately discuss the importance of representation and keeping cultural languages alive in families.  As Lulu and Lacey navigate the challenges of publishing, translating, and designing their products, they've been met with an overwhelming outpouring of support from their growing community. Their 14 board books cover a range of topics, from food to holidays, and feature QR codes for audio recordings - making it easy for families to immerse themselves in the languages. Bitty Boa's custom wooden toys, inspired by Asian culture, add an extra layer of fun and learning. Jed and the Bitty Boa founders also touch on the power of food to connect people across cultures, and how their books use familiar, delicious elements to spark conversations and understanding. In addition to the Bitty Boa segment, this episode also features interviews with authors Leslie Eva Tayloe and Linda Hansen. Leslie shares the personal experiences that inspired her children's books, "Save the Trees" and "The Attic Door," while Linda discusses her latest release, "Little Lost Dog," and the importance of responsible pet ownership. Whether you're looking to explore new cultures, discover engaging children's books, or simply enjoy a heartwarming conversation, this episode of Reading with Your Kids has something for the whole family. Tune in and get ready to be inspired! Click here to visit our website – www.ReadingWithYourKids.com Follow Us On Social Media Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/readingwithyourkids Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/readingwithyourkids/ X - https://x.com/jedliemagic LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/reading-with-your-kids-podcast/ Please consider leaving a review of this episode and the podcast on whatever app you are listening on, it really helps!