Middle Grade Novel Transports Readers to Egypt Through Cultural Identity

This episode of the Reading with Your Kids podcast features conversations with several authors about their children's books and the topics of reading, imagination, cultural identity, and mental health. Nedda Lewers discussed her middle grade fantasy novel "Daughters of the Lamp," which follows a 12-year-old Egyptian American girl discovering her family's magical legacy. Christina Pellegrino shared her picture book "Buster and the Brain Bully," inspired by her therapy dog work and addressing issues like anxiety in children. Other segments focused on the power of children's imaginations and how technology has changed their experiences. Speakers discussed representing diverse cultures and navigating identities between two worlds. Co-reading books was highlighted as an opportunity for in-depth family conversations. Therapy dog Foster was described bringing comfort to hospital patients. His handler overcame their own mental health struggles by helping others through their work.  Author Christine Ricci McNamee joined from East Boston to discuss her Logan series about a magic bone-wielding dog. Libraries were celebrated as social spaces beyond screens that foster creativity and community. Click here to visit our website - www.readingwithyourkids.com