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177. The Children’s Literature Conversation Every Parent Needs to Hear with Kiri Jorgensen
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This episode is a true meeting of the minds. Kiri Jorgensen and I both bring years of passion and experience in children’sliterature to the table—and this conversation might just change the way you see your family’s bookshelf.
The world of children’s publishing has shifted dramatically over the past few decades. What once felt simple and safe is now layered with hidden social agendas and stories thatoften work against the virtues we’re trying to nurture in our kids.
If you’ve ever been told that “as long as they’re reading, it’s fine,” this episode will gently challenge that idea. Not every book deserves a place in your child’s hands, and discernment matters more than ever.
We’re diving deep into how to spot truly good books, why quality matters more than quantity, and what you can do to raise thoughtful, well-read kids in today’s publishing climate.
Parents—you do not want to miss this one.
Kiri’s Bio: Kiri Jorgensen is the Publisher andSenior Editor at Chicken Scratch Books. She is also a writer, teacher, entrepreneur, and most importantly wife and mother. Her involvement in the world of children’s literature spans almost three decades with perspective from many angles—writer, editor, organization leader, and writing instructor forboth kids and adults. She also taught school for 16 years where she specialized in gifted and rural education. She loves all books middle grade, but in her heart, she is a teacher. Chicken Scratch Books lets her combine all her passions. Besides the world of teaching and story, Kiri loves gardening, sewing quilts, being in nature, and bragging about her four amazing kids. She lives with her husband and a plethora of animals in rural Montana, where she cooks her meals on a wood-burning cookstove and is grateful every day for being right where she is.
In this episode, Kiri & I talk about:
* Chicken Scratch Books: middle grade fiction without hidden social agendas
* Traditional American values
* Why Kiri started Chicken Scratch Books
* The drastic shift in children’s publishing world—and why we should be concerned as parents
* Quality, clean literature for kids
* How motherhood changed my perspective
* Writers are required to bring liberal agendainto their
* The political agenda in children’s literature
* Kids don’t naturally connect over demographics
* Relatable motives are what connects kids to a character
* How my degrees in children’s literature are for my kids more than anything else
* Podcast Docu-series: Sold A Story
* Books are competing with short attention spans
* Parents are so desperate for their kids to readanything that they’ll hand them anything regardless
* Don’t choose books based on what is most popular
* Character development in books affects our children’s budding character
* Children are vulnerable and impressionable—the children’spublishing world takes advantage of this
* Practical things parents can do to seek out decent children’s literature* “Books and media can be really powerful tools toteach and reinforce the virtues that you want instilled in your kids”
* Have a kid who doesn’t want to read? Doread-alouds!
* Every parent has power“Embrace who you are, where you are, and lookfor ways to be grateful for each of the experiences that you’re having alongthe way because they do culminate into what you become.” -Kiri Jorgensen
* AND MORE!
Chicken Scratch Books Links:
https://chickenscratchbooks.com
@chickenscratchbooks on IG and FB@CSBooks4 on X
Elevating Motherhood Links:
www.instagram.com/loribethauldridge
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