Beyond Fiction: This Mum's Reluctant Journey into the World of Children's Nonfiction Books.
We'd love your feedback. Send us a message. Have you ever dismissed an entire genre of books only to have your child prove you spectacularly wrong? That's exactly what happened when my son Jaz revealed his preference for nonfiction - a category I'd spent my entire reading life avoiding "like the plague."What began as concern over my youngest son's waning interest in our beloved family read-aloud sessions turned into an eye-opening journey. While I was busy pulling out all the stops with silly voices and wacky characters in fiction books, Jaz was quietly gravitating toward factual texts about Australian wildlife and other scientific topics. The moment of realization was humbling: "Just because a book isn't fun in the way I define it doesn't mean it's not deeply enjoyable to someone else."This episode explores the surprising world of high-quality nonfiction for young readers across all age ranges. From the "Baby Loves" board books that introduce complex scientific concepts to toddlers, to Usborne's brilliant "Lift the Flap" series, to National Geographic's visually stunning collections. For older children, we dive into the wonderfully bizarre "Animal Battles" series (think WWE meets Animal Kingdom with scientific explanations), graphic novel-style science books, and even adapted Bill Bryson works that maintain his signature wit while making complex topics accessible to young minds.Whether your child is already a nonfiction enthusiast or you're looking to expand their literary horizons, these recommendations offer the perfect balance of educational content and genuine reading pleasure. And stay tuned for part two, where we'll explore even more extraordinary nonfiction titles and provide a framework for distinguishing exceptional informational books from forgettable ones.Have you discovered any surprising reading preferences in your children? What nonfiction titles have captured their imagination? I'd love to hear about your experiences with factual books that have made a difference in your family's reading life.Visit the webpage for this episode to get all the booklists, the transcript, or to leave a message and chat. Find us on Instagram @teatalesandtomes and don't forget to join us next time for more bookish wonder. Podcast music by Lundstroem (Episode 1 onwards) and Audionautix (TTAT Trailer). Podcast edited by Timothy Wiggill.
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Parent Like You've Got a License For It
We'd love your feedback. Send us a message. Navigating parenthood can feel overwhelming, but certain evidence-based resources offer invaluable guidance without claiming to have all the answers. Six exceptional books stand out as practical references for parents seeking to build respectful relationships with their children.• No Bad Kids by Janet Lansbury - Explains respectful parenting founded on the premise that children aren't "bad" but simply lack emotional regulation• How to Talk So Kids Will Listen by Faber and Mazlish - Provides practical scripts and techniques for communicating effectively with children• Raising Boys by Stephen Biddulph - Details the psychological development of boys through different life stages and the changing roles of parents and other adults• The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease - Makes a compelling case for reading aloud to children of all ages with research-backed benefits• Untigering by Iris Chen - Examines breaking free from authoritarian "tiger" parenting, particularly for immigrant families dealing with generational patterns• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt - Investigates the impact of smartphones and social media on youth mental health with practical solutionsJoin me again next time for more bookish wonder at Tea Tales and Tomes, where we're living our favorite lives talking books and drinking hot beverages.Find us on Instagram @teatalesandtomes and don't forget to join us next time for more bookish wonder. Podcast music by Lundstroem (Episode 1 onwards) and Audionautix (TTAT Trailer). Podcast edited by Timothy Wiggill.
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From Teacher to Acclaimed Author: Roslynne Toerien's Literary Journey
We'd love your feedback. Send us a message. Ever wondered how children can learn complex facts without feeling like they're in a classroom? Roslynne Toerien has mastered this delicate balance through her captivating children's books that blend imagination with education.In this heartwarming conversation, award-winning Durban-based author Roslynne opens up about her remarkable journey from struggling reader to celebrated writer. As a mother of three and founder of the Learn Project NGO (which has distributed over 90,000 books to 29 South African schools), Roslynne's passion for literacy runs deep. Her children's books, featuring South African wildlife and rhyming text, stem from a desire to create stories where local children can see their world reflected on the page.Follow Roslynne on social media @roslynnewrites and @learnproject and discover how her rhyming wildlife adventures might be just what your young reader needs to fall in love with both stories and science. You can also check our Ros's author page at Penguin Random House: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.co.za/author/roslynne-toerien . For all the information on the LEARN project go check out: https://thelearnproject.co.za/The transcript of this episode, a list of all the books discussed here, and for any comments, visit: https://teatalesandtomes.wordpress.com/2025/06/03/episode-7-from-teacher-to-acclaimed-author-roslynne-toeriens-literary-journey/Find us on Instagram @teatalesandtomes and don't forget to join us next time for more bookish wonder. Podcast music by Lundstroem (Episode 1 onwards) and Audionautix (TTAT Trailer). Podcast edited by Timothy Wiggill.
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Voices, Interruptions, and Fidgets: Mastering the Read-Aloud Experience
We'd love your feedback. Send us a message. Have you ever felt self-conscious reading aloud to your child? That strange feeling of performing for an audience, struggling with character voices, or wondering if you're "doing it right" when your child interrupts or wanders off mid-story? You're not alone.Reading aloud transforms both reader and listener, but rarely in the picture-perfect way we imagine. Drawing from my own journey—from awkwardly reading Roald Dahl to my newborn to now sharing magical reading moments with my children—I unpack the essential elements that make read-aloud time meaningful rather than merely performative.The foundation begins with selecting books that spark joy for both of you. Children intuitively sense when adults are genuinely engaged versus going through the motions. Reading slowly allows young minds to absorb language and create mental images, while simple voice variations—changing volume, pitch, or pace—create character distinction without requiring theatrical training. Those dreaded interruptions? They're actually signs of deep engagement, often leading to meaningful conversations about school, friendships, or worries that wouldn't emerge through direct questioning.Perhaps most reassuring is understanding that movement during storytime is normal and beneficial. Research shows many children absorb stories better when their bodies are active. That child doing cartwheels during Charlotte's Web might remember more details than the one sitting perfectly still! The goal isn't perfect execution but connection—creating a foundation for lifelong reading and relationship building.Whether you're reading to a newborn, a fidgety toddler, or a questioning school-aged child, remember that your unique reading journey, with all its beautiful imperfections, is exactly what your child needs. Follow me on Instagram @TeaTalesandTomes for more bookish inspiration!Find us on Instagram @teatalesandtomes and don't forget to join us next time for more bookish wonder. Podcast music by Lundstroem (Episode 1 onwards) and Audionautix (TTAT Trailer). Podcast edited by Timothy Wiggill.
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Why That Whoosh, Bonk, and Splat Matter More Than You Think
We'd love your feedback. Send us a message. Reading comic books and graphic novels with children creates joyful literacy experiences that build lifelong connections through stories while developing critical visual literacy skills.• Slow down when reading comics aloud to allow children time to explore illustrations and decode visual information• Place your finger under characters who are speaking to help kids follow dialogue• Make sound effects dramatic and fun – children often learn words like "bonk" and "crash" before traditional sight words• Give silent panels enough time and attention, asking questions about what might be happening• Invite children to look at facial expressions, scene details, and panel sequences to build comprehension skills• Toon Books offers excellent leveled readers from simple single-panel stories to chapter-style graphic novels• Elephant & Piggy books provide simple, funny stories perfect for all ages with clean illustrations• Series like Zita the Space Girl, The Investigators, and Marvel Superheroes Adventure work well for ages 7+• South African graphic novels like Kwezi and Shaka Rising offer culturally relevant stories with local flavor• Consider emotional maturity rather than just reading level when selecting graphic novels for childrenIf you know of any great South African graphic novelists or comic book artists, please drop me a note in the comments.Find us on Instagram @teatalesandtomes and don't forget to join us next time for more bookish wonder. Podcast music by Lundstroem (Episode 1 onwards) and Audionautix (TTAT Trailer). Podcast edited by Timothy Wiggill.
At Tea, Tales, and Tomes we are living our favourite lives talking books and drinking hot beverages. So grab your cuppa and join us in this gentle corner of the audio world - a community of readers, raising readers. Join us fortnightly, on a Wednesday, for all the wonder of kids books shelves that adults will also find delight in. I will give you hints and tips on how to raise bookdragons and provide you will tons of great book recommendations that are long-lasting shelf occupiers. Check out more information on the Tea, Tales, and Tomes blog: https://teatalesandtomes.wordpress.com/ or simply follow Tea, Tales, and Tomes on Instagram and TikTok @teatalesandtomes
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