Bright Wings: Children’s Books to Make the Heart Soar
Episodes
"The Dance of Obedience" by Madeleine Delbrêl
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Celebrating eighteen years of marriage! Enjoy this poem by Madeleine Delbrêl, French poet and social worker, about responding with love to the love o...
Reading The Aeneid Together: Aeneid Book 3 and Book 4
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ready for more? Don't lose your nerve--keep reading the Aeneid with Charity! Take a closer look at Book 3 and Book 4. Let's wonder together:...
Reading The Aeneid Together: Introduction, Book 1, Book 2
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
More than a year ago, Charity hoped to bring you along with her as she read and taught some of the great texts of the Western Tradition. Finally, you ...
Devin Rose, YA Author of Chasing the Seeds
23 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Who doesn't love a conspiracy theory...or two?! Join Charity as she interviews Devin Rose, discussing Chasing the Seeds, the Fiefdom Chronicles, ...
Rescuing Books, With Jill Morgan at Purple House Press
17 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What if some of the best titles being published are not new, but OLD? Join Charity's conversation with Jill Morgan from Purple House Press. Chari...
Editing for Glory: A Conversation With Vivian Dudro, Senior Editor Ignatius Press
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Vivian Dudro, senior editor at Ignatius Press, joins Charity to talk about Catholic book publishing. Vivian discusses publishing works that allow chil...
Books Worth Reading? Review of The Boy Knight of Reims, by Eloise Lownsbery
12 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you love historical fiction, Charity has found a rare gem for you! What was it like to live in a walled Medieval town? What was it like to live in ...
Read Fantasy?
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do your kids read fantasy? What do you think of magic? Is magic good? Bad? Join Charity as she considers why fantasy is such an important category of ...
Reading Man's Search for Meaning
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Charity and her 11th grade students read Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl along with Robert Spaemann's address "Education as a...
What ARE Truth, Beauty, and Goodness...and How Do I Find Them In Books?!
13 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We love the words truth, goodness, and beauty...but if someone asked us to explain what these are, maybe we'd be flummoxed? In this episode, Char...
How I Spent My Summer Vacation
22 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Charity updates us on how she spent her summer: Where she traveled with her family, what work she's done for Well-Read Mom, and the two talks C...
Back to the Bright Before, Interview with Author Katherin Nolte
31 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What do you do when your life comes crashing down around you? Join Charity and author Katherin Nolte, author of Back to Bright Before, as they dig int...
Why I Hate Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen, has sold more than 2.5 million copies. What's not to love in this landmark survival story? Charity shares our pleasure ...
Stories for Strong Boys With Dr. William Hamant
01 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Everyone is happy to promote "girl power," and we did our own version of that theme in Episode 18: Stories for Strong Girls. But what about ...
Books Worth Reading? Review of Wildwood by Colin Meloy
18 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Wildwood, the first in a trilogy by Colin Meloy, is praised by Trenton Lee Stewart. It is also 541 pages! Could this book be the start of the next gre...
Gordon Korman: An Author To Read or Not?
03 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Can an author as prolific as Gordon Korman really generate books of value? After reading a dozen Gordon Korman books (sample size is 10% ladies and ...
Innocence: A Perspective for Intelligent Reading
21 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever returned to a beloved children' book as an adult and found the content unnerving? Charity introduces the topic of cynicism as a per...
Books Worth Reading? Review of Beauty by Robin McKinley AND Snow and Rose by Emily Winfield Martin
07 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ready for a couple of the most satisfying stories you've heard in a while? Charity reviews Beauty: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast by Robin ...
Protecting or Equipping?: A Literary Examen for the Best Kind of Parent
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Do you know what discernment is? Can we examine what motivates our literary choices for our children? In this podcast Charity wonders what motivates o...
World War II Books: Best Picture Books and Novels
24 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Were you ever obsessed with WWII fiction and stories as a child? Do you have a child who is really into stories from this era? Why the fascination?! I...
Books Worth Reading? Review of Masterminds Series by Gordon Korman
10 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As part of an ongoing initiative Charity reviews books to save you time and teach you how to know a good book when you see it! Charity reviews the Mas...
A Conversation on Beauty, Ugliness, and Illustrations
07 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join Charity's conversation with Jennifer Kehoe as they discuss children's book illustrations. Why is it important that illustrations are be...
How Can I Support Bright Wings?
29 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Today, I talk with transparency about the finances of Bright Wings: Children's Books. I love producing this podcast and I consider myself blessed...
Middle Ages, Fact and Fiction, With Dr. Grace Hamman
11 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Dr. Grace Hamman from Old Books With Grace joins Charity to take a closer look at the Middle Ages. Charity asks Grace what made her fall in love wit...
S.D. Smith Interview, New Jack Zulu Book
10 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sam Smith, better known as S. D. Smith, the author of the beloved Green Ember Series tells us the Big News! He is collaborating with his son J.C Smith...
A Closer Look at Fairy Tales With Dr. Marina Warner
21 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered if fairy tales have a deeper meaning? Where in the world have they come from? From what countries? From what places in the huma...
Episode 30: Best Books About Dogs
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Do you have a dog? To paraphrase C. S. Lewis, if you love anything--even a dog--there is hope for you! If you love anything, even a dog, you are susce...
Episode 29: Back-To-School Picture Books
17 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this quick episode, Charity notices that the start of new school year is more full of possibility and opportunity for our children than New Year&...
Family Summer Seminars 2022
26 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We are delighted to be reading these books with you and your family during the weeks of summer! These books are worth reading and reflecting on, givin...
Episode 28: Shakespeare + Kids?
09 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Can you mix Shakespeare and kids? When was the last time you read or watched the Bard? Do you have a community of readers to read Shakepeare with? to ...
Books Worth Reading? Review of The Giver by Lois Lowry
25 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As part of an on-going initiative, Charity Hill reviews children's books. Here, she reviews The Giver by Lois Lowry, the Newbery Winner in 1994....
An Ethical Review of KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES Series
11 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There is an ethical elephant in the room! There is a lot more to The Keeper series than waht usually gets talked about. Charity offers us Sydney Rosen...
Books Worth Reading? Review of The Wild Robot by Peter Brown
04 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As part of an ongoing initiative, Charity Hill reviews books. In this episode, Charity review's Peter Brown's The Wild Robot. Charity explai...
Books Worth Reading? Review of Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger
22 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As part of an ongoing initiative, Charity Hill reviews children's books. In this episode, Charity reviews Shannon Messenger's Keeper of the ...
Episode 27: The Gift of the Irish: Favorite Tales for Every Age
01 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Leprechauns are fun, but is there more to Irish literature?! Diving into our Irish inheritance, Charity Hill offers insight into Irish literature. She...
Episode 26: Favorite Winter Picture Books, Old and New
15 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Charity Hill and Amanda Knapp share the joy of winter-themed picture books both classic and new. They wonder why "cosy" goes so well with &q...
Books Worth Reading? Review of Finding Langston and Leaving Lymon by Lesa Cline-Ransome
08 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As part of an ongoing initiative, Charity Hill reviews children's books. In this episode, Charity reviews two novels by Lesa Cline Ransome: Findi...
Episode 25: Caring for Words With Jenny Richeson, SLP
26 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join the conversation with Jenny Richeson, CCC/SLP (see @thespeechpoet) and discover what a speech-language pathologist does. What is Jenny's con...
Episode 24: Contemporary Middle Grade Fiction With Claire Swinarski
13 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join the conversation with author Claire Swinarski as we discuss how it is possible to write realistic, contemporary middle grade fiction--with a main...
Episode 23: Favorite Christmas Picture Books, 2021
07 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Is there any Season with more marvelous picture books?! Let's discover a few more together! Join the conversation with Amanda Knapp and Charity H...
Episode 22: Best Early Readers and Beginning Chapter Books
19 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What kind of books are we looking for when our child first learns to read? First, Charity demystifies some of the lingo surrounding early readers. (Wh...
Hollowed Out: A Parent-Teacher Conference With Jeremy Adams
03 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Are you ready to have the biggest parent-teacher conference of your life? Listen as Jeremy Adams describes the pandemic of vacuity that is afflicting ...
Episode 20: How To Go To The Library
12 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
At listener request, Charity answers some of your most practical and theoretical questions about going to the library. Should you go to the library?...
Books Worth Reading? Review of Pax and Here in the Real World
29 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As part of an ongoing initiative, Charity Hill reviews children's books. In this episode, Charity reviews two novels by Sara Pennypacker: Pax and...
Episode 19: Mother Culture: Taking Care of Your Heart, With Marcie Stokman
15 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Marcie Stokman, founder and president of Well-Read Mom, joins Charity for a conversation. Marcie tells of the need she saw that motivated her to found...
Episode 18: Stories For Strong Girls
23 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Stories of strong girls and women show us that there is something distinctive about being a girl, about being a woman. Good literature, with strong ...
Episode 17: In Conversation With Julian Peters On Comics and Beauty, Part II
10 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Finish the conversation between Julian Peters, comic artist of Poems to See By and Charity Hill. We reflect on Julian's visual interpretation...
Episode 16: In Conversation With Julian Peters On Comics and Beauty, Part I
29 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join the first part of the conversation with Julian Peters, comic artist of Poems to See By as he teaches Charity the differences between comics and i...
Books Worth Reading? Review of The War That Saved My Life
14 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As part of an ongoing initiative, Charity Hill reviews children's books. In this episode, Charity reviews Kimberly Brubaker Bradley's The Wa...
Episode 15: Tall Tales or This World is Larger Than Life
25 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join Charity Hill's glee as she explores tall tales. She distinguishes what makes tall tales a distinct kind of story from fairy tales. Then, she...
Episode 14: Poetry: Surprised By Joy!
11 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Poetry? Really? Do we have to?! This episode proposes that poetry will surprise you with joy. We discuss how poetry changes our experience of time, de...
Books Worth Reading? Review of the Midwife's Apprentice
03 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As part of an emerging initiative, Charity Hill reviews children's books. In this episode, Charity reviews Karen Cushman's Newberry Winner (...
Episode 13: Gardening as Humanizing with Katherine Leaño
19 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this interview with Katherine Leaño, you'll be encouraged to embrace the paradox of your humanity. You'll hear how gardening can help yo...
Books Worth Reading? Review of Fancy Nancy Series
12 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Is the Fancy Nancy series a series worth reading? We wonder "How can glitter be compatible with depth, with meaning?" What is a parent to do...
Episode 12: What A Family Can Do
05 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After reviewing Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen, I was more aware of the miracles of in our every day circumstances. I share with you an e...
Books Worth Reading? Review of Miracles on Maple Hill
29 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As part of a new initiative, Charity Hill reviews specific children's books. In this episode, Charity reviews Virginia Sorensen's 1956 Newbe...
Episode 11: Family Spirituality and Fiction
22 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Charity Hill interviews Margaret Bereit regarding how fiction can shape family spirituality. What do you value that is real but "invisible"?...
Episode 10: Resilience!
08 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Charity Hill interviews Trisha Galvan LPC and LCPC on the beautifully human word "resilience," a word worth exploring. Trisha defines what r...
Books Worth Reading? Review of Crispin, The Cross of Lead
22 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Charity Hill begins a new initiative within Bright Wings to help mothers and fathers identify whether specific books are worth reading. She begins wit...
Episode 9: Why Fairy Tales?
15 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Charity Hill reflects on why fairy tales are worth reading and confronts some of the unworthy reasons they are frowned upon. She suggests that fairy...
Episode 8: Where Am I Going? What Good Must I Do?
01 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Charity Hill and Emily Sullivan discuss how fiction shapes our children's moral imagination, allowing them to explore moral choices and possibili...
Episode 7: Where Am I From? Why Setting Matters to Character
18 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Charity Hill interviews Carla Galdo where they wonder about the importance that place/setting has on human character. Carla shares about the decision ...
Episode 6: Bloom Where You're Planted: The Effect of Place on Character
11 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Charity Hill reads Katherine Leaño's essay "Bloom Where You're Planted" to frame an understanding of the effect of place on chara...
Episode 5: Limits, Rules, and Other Liberating Things
28 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Charity Hill discusses how The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom inspired her to consider the role that limits have on shaping heroic character. Can we ...
Episode 4: Great Illustrations and Why They Matter
08 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Just how important are great book illustrations? How much do they really matter? What effect do beautiful illustrations have on my child? Enjoy the co...
Episode 3: Board Books: Meditating Together With Jaclyn Ruli
25 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Together with Jaclyn Ruli, Montessori educator and homeschooling supermom of six (or is it seven?!), I reflect on being a new mom and learning to choo...
Episode 1: Introducing Bright Wings: Children’s Books to Make the Heart Soar
20 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Bright Wings: Children’s Books to Make the Heart Soar! Have you ever wondered what makes a book worth reading? What are some reliable cri...
Episode 2: Who Am I? Babies and Board Books
20 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The adventure of reading begins with board books! When we begin reading to our littles, we begin to help them answer the questions "What IS?"...