Reading, Rhythm, and Resilience

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two wonderful guests who are using story to help kids feel seen, curious, and joyful—author Jamie Sumner and dance educator/author Teacher Terrel. First, Jed chats with Jamie Sumner about her new middle grade novel in verse, Glory Be. Jamie shares why she loves writing in verse for middle graders—it feels fast, accessible, and empowering for reluctant readers. Set in New Orleans, the book follows 11-year-old Glory as she searches for her lost dog over five days, only to uncover deeper questions about her dad, family dynamics, and what it means to grow up and realize no one is all good or all bad. Jamie also talks about representation and how her earlier novel Roll With It was inspired by her son, who has cerebral palsy, and the importance of kids seeing themselves—and others—on the page. She gives a sneak peek at her upcoming picture book A Fish Like Me and her next verse novel The Space Race. Then Teacher Terrel returns to the show to celebrate A Tale of Learning, part of her Once Upon a Dance series. She and Jed discuss how her books invite families to dance through stories, turning read-aloud time into movement, imagination, and play. Terrel talks about her advocacy for a kinder, more inclusive dance world, where all body types and abilities are welcome, and where competition is kept in perspective so kids can keep the joy of dance. She also shares how the pandemic nudged her from studio teaching into creating story-based dance books that will last for years to come.