Best Readaloud Podcasts (2025)

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Board Games & Picture Books: Not Just Kid Stuff 32:25

Play Pause

1M ago32:25

32:25

Send us a text Board games and picture books - what do these two things have in common? For one thing, you can find them both at the library. For another, they’re both entertaining for all ages. Engaging with a picture book or playing a game with friends and family members can surprise and delight us with the kind of screen-free joy that many of us…

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Your Library Card and You (PLUS Banned Books Quiz) 36:02

3M ago36:02

36:02

Send us a text This episode is dedicated to YOU and your library card. In a special in-depth interview, our Head of Borrower Services discusses the amazing things you can do with your Hamden library card. TJ also mentions some services we offer at the library, even if you don’t have a card. Also includes a quiz show segment all about banned books, …

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I Know What You (Are Still) Read(ing) This Summer 31:44

4M ago31:44

31:44

Send us a text Hamden Library Podcast team members Hannah, Eliza, Matt, Rebecca and Michael discuss their summer reading.By Hamden Public Library

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All Ages Readalouds 14:52

5M ago14:52

14:52

Send us a text In this episode, children's librarian Kacie chats with Daron, a professor and reading specialist about reading aloud to older kids. Did you know that research shows some clear - and surprising! - benefits to continuing to read aloud to kids as they grow up? Daron and Kacie share some tips, tricks, and strategies for selecting appeali…

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Juneteenth 2025 33:27

7M ago33:27

33:27

Send us a text To mark this Juneteenth, Mike spoke with Hamden Black History Committee members Deborah Moxam and Evans Simmons about what the Committee does for the community as well as the library’s upcoming Juneteenth Read-In. Mike also talked to author Jill Marie Snyder about her research into the lives of Black Americans, both pre- and post-Civ…

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Pride 2025 1:08:19

7M ago1:08:19

1:08:19

Send us a text In honor of Pride month, our new podcast team member, Eliza, recorded a couple of great interviews with two members of the LGBTQ+ community, Tony Ferraiolo and Jillian Celentano. Tony and Jillian are both very engaging, dynamic speakers, and I hope that you get as much out of listening to them as I did. TW: Suicide, gender dysphoria…

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#063 (Rerelease) - Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll (Readaloud) 4:10:44

7M ago4:10:44

4:10:44

Happy Victober! In July!?!? This is a rerelease of an earlier episode, upgraded to better sound quality, and with a little extra music at the end. Join The Gribshnobler as he reads aloud Alice's Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, in its entirety, to LadyMsGee. This is not a typical audiobook though, leaving in comments and jokes and various…

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Level Up at Your Library 21:07

7M ago21:07

21:07

Send us a text It's almost summer reading time already! Jenny and Matt, along with some help from other staff members, explain how we can all participate and have fun leveling up at the library this summer and beyond. This episode also goes above and beyond summer reading with some insider information to help you become library super users! We've g…

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BONUS: Masters of the Gardening Universe 45:51

8M ago45:51

45:51

Send us a text This is the second episode of the podcast in April, because... well, we just couldn’t stop ourselves! Spring is here and it’s time for many of us to start working on our gardens, if we haven’t already. To give us all some tips and ideas, Ryan talked to two Master Gardeners who are also Master Composters, Diane Dynia and Wes Meeker. I…

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Voices in Verse - National Poetry Month 47:48

9M ago47:48

47:48

Send us a text This month we are celebrating National Poetry Month. In addition to our staff reading some of their favorite poems and our interview with Franz Douskey, the Hamden poet laureate, one of our patrons was kind enough to call in and read two of her original poems. We also have a fun little quiz segment entitled “Taylor or Edgar” in which…

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Winter 15:57

12M ago15:57

15:57

Send us a text This episode is centered on winter. Our roving correspondent, Matt, asked our staff to tell us their favorite things about the season. Then Dave reads a poem by Robert Frost. And finally we wrap things up by talking about our favorite books, movies and anything else from 2024. Matt also discusses seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a …

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Horror Roundtable Discussion 21:41

1y ago21:41

21:41

Send us a text Four librarians, one table, lots of horror books (and movies)! Find out what Ryan, Jenny, Matt, and Mike think will scare your socks off this Halloween season.By Hamden Public Library

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Banned Books Week 48:00

1+ y ago48:00

48:00

Send us a text Banned Books Week was established by the American Library Association in 1982 to reaffirm the freedom to read and to highlight the harms of censorship, and is usually held in the last week of September. On this episode, Ryan talks to Sam Lee, co-chair of the Connecticut Library Association’s Intellectual Freedom Committee, about cens…

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I Know What You Read This Summer 17:23

1+ y ago17:23

17:23

Send us a text This month our roving reporters Kacie and Matt asked staff and younger patrons "What have you been reading this summer and how did you feel about it?" You will hear their honest answers in this episode. Enjoy... and let us know what you've been reading!By Hamden Public Library

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Roundtable Book Discussion! 42:56

1+ y ago42:56

42:56

Send us a text What books would you want with you on a desert island? What book do you think deserves to be thrown into the fires of Mt. Doom? What movies are better than the books they're based on? The podcast team tackles these tricky questions and lots more in this month's episode.By Hamden Public Library

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Summer Reading 20:16

1+ y ago20:16

20:16

Send us a text It's June and we are all about summer reading! Starting June 17, patrons of all ages can participate in our summer reading programs. Learn all about them in this episode featuring comprehensive interviews with our staff!By Hamden Public Library

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GribCast - Two Random Songs by the Gribshnobler 4:13

1+ y ago4:13

4:13

GribCast - Two Random Songs by the Gribshnobler Fun to Play With, Not to Eat Funtronic Gameventions #retrosynth #music

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Sleeping Giants and June Events 23:55

1+ y ago23:55

23:55

Send us a text Ryan talks to Luis Arata and Mick Martucci of the Sleeping Giant Park Association as well as Hamden Arts & Recreation Administrative Assistant Abdul Bunyaminu. The history of the Giant as well as upcoming festivities are discussed.By Hamden Public Library

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Earth Day 2024 Mini Episode 11:36

1+ y ago11:36

11:36

Send us a textBy Hamden Public Library

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Autism Awareness and Acceptance 29:29

1+ y ago29:29

29:29

Send us a text Awareness month or acceptance month? Either way, April is all about autism. In this episode, staff member Rebecca Coates takes the mic to spotlight books and podcasts about autism's history and social experience, with an emphasis on autistic self-advocates. Later, she talks to Jennifer Cretella, Kaitlyn Fenner, and Marilena Mademtzi,…

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Women's History Month 33:55

2y ago33:55

33:55

Send us a text This episode features interviews with Geena Clonan, founding president of the Connecticut Women’s Hall of Fame, and Colette Anderson, executive director of the Connecticut Women’s Consortium, which provides gender-informed and trauma-responsive training to behavior health professionals. In March we celebrate the women who have helped…

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Black Librarianship 1:08:06

2y ago1:08:06

1:08:06

Send us a text In honor of Black History Month, Teen Librarian Jenny Nicolelli interviewed two of her former colleagues from the New Haven Free Public Library to talk about their careers as librarians. First you'll hear Jenny talk with Marian Huggins, branch manager of the Mitchell Library. Then you will hear her interview with Diane X. Brown, bran…

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Finding and Accessing Health Information 1:06:22

2y ago1:06:22

1:06:22

Send us a text This month we are focusing on health literacy, or the ability to find, access, understand and use health-related information. First up, Ryan talks to Kate Nyhan, the founder of Community Access to Ventilation Information, about her mission to make air quality monitors available to the public through libraries. Then Ariana interviews …

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Best of 2023 18:08

2y ago18:08

18:08

Send us a text To celebrate the end of the year, we asked our staff to talk about something they loved in 2023: a book, an album, an event - anything that stood out as superlative. Here are their picks. What did you like best in 2023? Email us at [email protected] and we'll read the best submissions in a future episode!…

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Native American Heritage Month 40:06

2y ago40:06

40:06

Send us a text This month we are recognizing Native American Heritage month with two interviews. Ryan spoke to David Eichelberg, a member of the Mohegan tribe who specializes in outreach and is also doing a special program with the library later this month (check our website for more details). Ariana talked with Matthew Makomenaw, enrolled member o…

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#068 - The Music of Jonathan Fraser Part 2 5:05:07

2y ago5:05:07

5:05:07

Jonathan Fraser returns to The GribCast to share and discuss the music he has released since his last time on the show, plus guest appearances from drummer Elias Jackson and singer Lainey Lavender. Fraser is a musician from Huntington Beach, California, who's output covers several genres, from Post Black Metal, to melancholy acoustic guitar, from n…

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Hamden History 54:40

2+ y ago54:40

54:40

Send us a text Have you ever wondered about the history of Hamden? I interviewed town historian Dave Johnson about town origins, trolleys, the Leatherman's cave, and more. Also in this episode, hear from a 102-year-old woman who grew up in Hamden, rode the trolleys, and went into the Nurse Corps during World War II. Plus, Ryan and I talk books and …

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Bonus Episode - Mindful Journaling 23:55

2+ y ago23:55

23:55

Send us a text In this special bonus episode, Ariana talks to Kayla Del Biondo about mindful journaling. Look for Kayla's 3-part program series this summer at the Library!By Hamden Public Library

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Pride Fest, MLK39 Mural, & Library of Things 47:53

2+ y ago47:53

47:53

Send us a text It's a very busy month in Hamden and at the library. In this episode, we talk to Jacky Forcucci, a co-founder of Hamden Pride Fest (which takes place on June 10th) and Emida Roller, the artist who created the MLK39 mural that will be unveiled before the Hamden Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom on the 17th. Our head of technical servi…

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#067 - Mark W. Tiedemann (Writer of Science Fiction and Historical Fiction) 2:15:50

2+ y ago2:15:50

2:15:50

In this episode, I chat with Mark W. Tiedemann, Author of Science Fiction and Historical Fiction, Blogger, Photographer, and musician. We discuss his novels Compass Reach and Granger's Crossing (just out from Blank Slate Press) and his short stories Camphor and Follow, Past Meridian, both published in Analog Science Fiction and Fact Magazine. Along…

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Go Get 'Em, Tiger! 3:07

2+ y ago3:07

3:07

"Go Get 'Em, Tiger" by Sabrina Moyle and illustrated by Eunice Moyle, celebrates everything that makes you a rising star! From kindness and curiosity to playfulness and positivity, this book is a paw-some salute to anyone reaching a life milestone. Send us a text Support the showBy Andrew Banta

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A Porcupine Named Fluffy 5:14

2+ y ago5:14

5:14

"A Porcupine Named Fluffy" by Helen Lester, illustrated by Lynn Munsinger, is a modern, funny fable about a misnamed porcupine who learns to accept himself, and his name, just as he is. Send us a text Support the showBy Andrew Banta

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The Most Magnificent Thing 5:40

2+ y ago5:40

5:40

In "The Most Magnificent Thing" by Ashley Spires, a girl has a wonderful idea. She is going to make the most MAGNIFICENT thing! But making her magnificent thing is anything but easy, and the girl tries and fails, repeatedly. Eventually, the girl gets really, really mad. She is so mad, in fact, that she quits. But after her dog convinces her to take…

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Tiger Wild 4:54

2+ y ago4:54

4:54

"Tiger Wild" by Gwen Millward gently illustrates how sometimes we all need a little help when certain feelings are hard to express. For there is a time to be wild and a time to be mild. Lily is a little girl with big emotions. And sometimes she can't keep herself from acting out and being naughty. Or rather, her imaginary friend, Tiger, is the naug…

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A Book of Love 3:05

2+ y ago3:05

3:05

Love and the many ways one can show it are at the heart of this sweet, charming picture book by Emma Randall. Whether it's giving someone a big hug, offering a helping hand, or sharing words of encouragement, it's these gestures that make the world a better place to live. Send us a text Support the show…

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Storm is Coming! 5:34

2+ y ago5:34

5:34

In "Storm is Coming!" written by Heather Tekavec and illustrated by Margaret Spengler, Dog spreads the word that a storm is coming for the old farmer, and leads all of the animals to shelter. Huddled together, they wait anxiously for Storm to come. But who is this frightening creature named Storm, and what will happen when he arrives? Send us a tex…

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Creativity! 1:21:42

2+ y ago1:21:42

1:21:42

Send us a text This month on the podcast, we talk with Connecticut-based artist Adam Wallenta and his son Makana about creating their graphic novel "Punk Taco." We've also got a roundtable discussion with three musicians on the library staff about how they think about their own creative practices and an interview with the heads of Hamden's Arts Com…

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The Octonauts & the Frown Fish 6:13

2+ y ago6:13

6:13

In “The Octonauts & the Great Ghost Reef,” the Octonauts meet a fish with a giant frown on its face. It looks so glum that it's causing everyone around to feel down too. Our heroes need to find a way to cheer it up. So the Octonauts share their favorite pastimes! Readers will enjoy making music, building robots, baking desserts, and carousing at th…

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#066 - The Time Machine by H. G. Wells (Readaloud) 4:58:43

2+ y ago4:58:43

4:58:43

Join the Gribshnobler and LadyMsGee as he reads her The Time Machine by H. G. Wells, in its entirety (originally for Victober). Though this episode does contain the entire science fiction novel, it does also include background sounds such as chair rocking and cat noises, along with mistakes, comments, jokes, brief tangents, etc.. Think of it like y…

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Llama Llama Red Pajama 3:15

2+ y ago3:15

3:15

In "Llama Llama Red Pajama" by Anna Dewdney, baby Llama turns bedtime into an all-out llama drama in this rhyming read-aloud favorite! Children will relate to Baby Llama's need for comfort, as much as parents will appreciate Mama Llama's reassuring message. Send us a text Support the showBy Andrew Banta

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Earth Day Mini Episode! 15:35

2+ y ago15:35

15:35

Send us a text On our special Earth Day mini-episode, Ryan talks with Lynn Stoddard, the founder and executive director of Sustainable CT about helping the towns of Connecticut become cleaner, greener and more equitable for everyone.By Hamden Public Library

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Spat the Cat: The Big Helper 3:24

2+ y ago3:24

3:24

Join Splat the Cat in New York Times bestselling author-artist Rob Scotton’s "Splat the Cat: The Big Helper." When Splat’s parents give him a list of chores to do, Splat worries that they will take forever! But when Splat puts his mind to it, helping out becomes more fun than a pirate adventure. Send us a text Support the show…

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Where the Wild Things Are 3:44

2+ y ago3:44

3:44

"Where the Wild Things Are" written and illustrated by Maurice Senda, has inspired a movie, an opera, and the imagination of generations. When Max dresses in his wolf suit and causes havoc in the house, his mother sends him to bed. From there, Max sets sail to an island inhabited by the Wild Things, who name him king and share a wild rumpus with hi…

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Tad and Dad 4:25

2+ y ago4:25

4:25

"Tad and Dad" written and illustrated by Caldecott Honor winner David Ezra Stein, is a funny--and tender--tale of a growing tadpole who loves his frog dad so much that he never gives him a moment's peace. Send us a text Support the showBy Andrew Banta

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Ten Ways to Hear Snow 5:48

2+ y ago5:48

5:48

"Ten Ways to Hear Snow" is written by Cathy Camper and illustrated by Kenard Pak. A snowy day, a trip to Grandma's, time spent cooking with one another, and space to pause and discover the world around you come together in this perfect book for reading and sharing on a cozy winter day. Send us a text Support the show…

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Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type 4:10

2+ y ago4:10

4:10

"Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type" is written by Doreen Cronin and illustrated by Betsy Lewin. In this story, Farmer Brown has a problem. His cows like to type. But Farmer Brown's problems REALLY begin when his cows start leaving him notes.... Send us a text Support the showBy Andrew Banta

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Max and the Tag-Along Moon 3:42

2+ y ago3:42

3:42

In "Max and the Tag-Along Moon," written and illustrated by Floyd Cooper, experience the wonder of the moon following you home with a Coretta Scott King Award-winning illustrator! Max loves his grandpa. When they must say good-bye after a visit, Grandpa promises Max that the moon at Grandpa’s house is the same moon that will follow him all the way …

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Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night? 3:08

2+ y ago3:08

3:08

In "Where Do Diggers Sleep at Night?" by Brianna Caplan Sayres and illustrated by Christian Slade, discover what bedtime looks like for the snowplows, dump trucks, giant cranes, and more that dot the pages of this irresistible construction story. Just like you and me, the vehicles in this story get tuckered out after a long day of hard work and nee…

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Grace and Box 3:05

2+ y ago3:05

3:05

In "Grace and Box" by Kim Howard and Megan Lotter, Grace and Box have become fast friends. Box delivered a refrigerator earlier in the week and by the end of it, Grace and Box had already been to space, gone camping, and explored the depths of the sea together. A universal friendship (child and box) has come alive in this imaginative and humorous p…

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Hello Ninja 2:24

2+ y ago2:24

2:24

Are you longing for adventure? Mischief? What about sandwiches? In "Hello Ninja" written by N.D. Wilson and illustrated by Forrest Dickison, tag along with one sneaky ninja who is happy to share his busy day (but not his lunch) with curious kids everywhere in this rhyming picture book perfect for fans of The Three Ninja Pigs and 10 Little Ninjas. S…