RORPodcast - Season Six - Reach Out and Read

There are loads of poetry books for children, but not too many by children. Sarah Manguso, author and curator of the new book “Questions Without Answers,” joins us to talk about children’s deep (and often unknowingly) philosophical questions. Though kids may yet be developing their vocabulary, they have plenty of profound questions. View the transcript here.

Sarah Manguso

Sarah Manguso is the author of nine books, including the novels “Liars” and “Very Cold People.” Her other books include a story collection, two poetry collections, and several acclaimed works of nonfiction. Her work has been recognized by an American Academy of Arts and Letters Literature Award, a Guggenheim Fellowship, a Hodder Fellowship, and the Rome Prize. Her latest book, illustrated by Liana Finck, is “Questions Without Answers.”

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“One-on-One with Dr. Lynette Fraga, Reach Out and Read’s New CEO” | September 18, 2025

Dr. Lynette Fraga, Reach Out and Read’s new CEO, joins us to talk about the lived experience she brings to this role and her plans to accelerate our mission, scale impact, advance equity, and, of course, strengthen families. View the transcript here.

Lynette Fraga, PhD

Reach Out and Read’s new CEO, Dr. Lynette M. Fraga, is a mission-driven executive with over 30 years’ experience working at the intersection of nonprofit leadership and change management; racial, social, and economic justice; identity and inclusion; and human-centered designed solutions. Prior to Reach Out and Read, Dr. Fraga was the Founder and CEO of Fiercely Forward, LLC, a strategic consulting and executive coaching practice that helped leaders from every seat navigate the complexities of social, organizational, personal, and professional change through big and small transitions and crises.

For 10 years, Dr. Fraga served as CEO of Child Care Aware of America, an influential national advocacy nonprofit and network of 400 state and local nonprofits that deliver child care services and other family supports. She has worked in a range of community-based and national nonprofits, including 11 years at ZERO TO THREE, whose mission is to ensure all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life. Dr. Fraga served in multiple leadership roles for the organization, including Chief Program Officer. She has also worked in the fields of higher education, family partnership, child welfare and family violence prevention/support, juvenile justice, military child care, and social entrepreneurship.

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“Listening In and Not Knowing” | September 4, 2025

We don’t know what we don’t know. And when it comes to relationships, approaching others from the perspective of not knowing can often make those relationships stronger. Dr. Claudia Gold, a pediatrician and writer with over 20 years’ experience in the field, joins us to talk about how humility, listening, “rupture and repair,” and a willingness to be surprised can help support not just Early Relational Health, but relationships throughout the lifespan. View the transcript here.

Claudia Gold, MD

Claudia Gold, MD, is a pediatrician and writer who practiced general and behavioral pediatrics for over 20 years and now specializes in Early Relational Health. While working on the front lines in a busy rural pediatrics practice, she “discovered” the world of research and knowledge in the field of infant mental health through her studies with the Berkshire Psychoanalytic Institute in the early 2000s. The experience led to a profound transformation of her clinical work with families. She has devoted her professional life to spreading this knowledge through writing, teaching, and public speaking. She is on the faculty of the Brazelton Institute at Boston Children’s Hospital.

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“The Genius of Judy: How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood for All of Us” | August 21, 2025

Judy Blume is one of the most prolific and beloved writers of our time — but is also at the center of many debates over what is appropriate for children, to the point of being one of the most banned. Rachelle Bergstein, author of the new book “The Genius of Judy: How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood for All of Us,” joins us to talk about Blume’s life, how the changing social and political ideologies of the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s influenced her work, and how Judy came to write “culture-altering” works for generations of readers. View the transcript here.

Rachelle Bergstein

Rachelle Bergstein is a writer, author, and editor whose work has appeared in the New York Post, the New York Times, NPR, and more. Her latest book is “The Genius of Judy: How Judy Blume Rewrote Childhood for All of Us.”

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“Junie B. Jones Continues to Delight Children and Frustrate (Some) Adults” | August 7, 2025

Junie B. Jones was first introduced to young readers over 30 years ago, but her ability to make children laugh — and some adults angry — hasn’t changed. Colleen AF Venable, a seasoned children’s author whose graphic novel adaptation of Barbara Park’s “Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus” hit shelves earlier this year, joins us to talk about the beloved children’s series, its namesake, and the controversies that have followed it from the beginning. View the transcript here.

Colleen AF Venable

Colleen AF Venable is the author of the National Book Award Longlisted “Kiss Number 8,” a graphic novel co-created with Ellen T. Crenshaw. Her other books include the “Katie the Catsitter” series with Stephanie Yue; “Mervin the Sloth is About to Do the Best Thing in The World” with Ruth Chan; “The Oboe Goes Boom Boom Boom” with Lian Cho; and the “Guinea Pig,” “Pet Shop Private Eye” series, also with Stephanie Yue and nominated for the Best Publication for Kids Eisner. Her latest book is an adaptation of Barbara Park’s “Junie B. Jones” series called “Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus.”

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“Kevin Henkes & Laura Dronzek: A Conversation” | July 24, 2025

Kevin Henkes and Laura Dronzek are two of the most remarkable, beloved writers and illustrators working in children’s books today. Working both together and separately, they have created dozens of well-known and acclaimed books — and show no signs of slowing down! In a rare interview, Kevin and Laura share their creative process and how finding an “emotional truth” is at the heart of all their stories. View the transcript here.

Kevin Henkes

Kevin Henkes has been praised both as a writer and an illustrator and is the recipient of the Children’s Literature Legacy Award for his lasting contribution to literature for children. He received the Caldecott Medal for “Kitten’s First Full Moon;” Caldecott Honors for “Waiting” and “Owen;” Newbery Honors for “Olive’s Ocean” and “The Year of Billy Miller;” and Geisel Honors for “Waiting” and “Penny and Her Marble.” His other books include “The World and Everything in It,” “A House,” “A Parade of Elephants,” “Chrysanthemum,” and the beloved “Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse.”

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Laura Dronzek

Laura Dronzek is a fine artist who, in addition to having her work displayed at the Madison Children’s Museum, Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Gardiner Art Gallery, has illustrated several children’s books including “Birds” by Kevin Henkes, “Moonlight” by Helen V. Griffith, and “Rabbit’s Gift” by George Shannon, among many others.

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Research shows reading physical books together brings the strongest benefits to children. That’s why we’re happy to have Boise Paper – a responsible paper manufacturer – sponsor this podcast. Through their Paper with Purpose promise, Boise Paper looks for ways to make a difference in local communities. Thank you to Boise Paper for investing in our Reach Out and Read community.