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Read-Aloud Revival

For homeschooling mamas who want their whole family to fall in love with books. Join 135,000 email subscribers, and get Sarah Mackenzie's best tips and book recommendations in your inbox each week.

Featured Post

Don't Miss Our Waxwing Book Sale!

Hi Reader, Just a quick note in case you missed it earlier this week. Right now we’re running a Waxwing Spring Sale in the RAR Shop — and it’s only happening through the weekend. If you’ve been meaning to add a few Waxwing books to your home library, now is the time. ⭐ The Complete Waxwing Library ⭐ All 7 books for $100 (save $33) Or choose your own collection: Individual books – $16 each Any 3 for $45 The sale ends Sunday, 3/22, so if you’ve been thinking about it, don’t wait! Shop the...

Hey Reader, I know we all want to build those meaningful and lasting connections with our kids. Around here, we’re usually talking about doing that through books and reading aloud. But how do we extend these connections into our everyday, ordinary parenting moments? Today on the podcast, I’m talking to one of my favorite people to listen to when it comes to relationships. Dr. Matthew Breuninger is a clinical psychologist and in this episode he shares how safe, secure attachment forms the...

Hi Reader, When I first started homeschooling, I had a very clear picture in my head of what it would look like. It looked something like me, sitting on the hearth, reading Little House in the Big Woods while my children listened attentively while knitting and... I don't know. Whittling, or something. Then I actually started homeschooling. My homeschool looked nothing like this, and somehow, the days felt simultaneously long and also like I needed more hours in my day. There was a hearth all...

Today, we’re revisiting a listener-favorite episode that has some advice and an activity that I think are perfect for this time of year in our homeschools. Jon Acuff, author of All It Takes Is a Goal, joined me a while back for a perspective-shifting conversation about setting and achieving goals for our homeschools. We talked about how looking back at our best moments—from major milestones to pockets of joy—helps us envision the kind of future we really want. In this episode, you’ll hear:...

Welcome to RAR Round-Up, our brand new monthly email featuring our team’s favorite things happening around here—all in one place for you. Bookish March Madness Enjoy March Madness with a bookish twist! March Madness is a national tournament where college basketball teams battle to be the last one standing. Here at RAR, we’re doing it with books! Use our FREE Bookish March Madness to decide which books are champions in your home. Choose any 16 books to fill out your bracket and enjoy voting...

Hey Reader, We talk a lot around here about the incredible impact stories have on our kids. They build empathy and connection, letting us walk a mile in another’s shoes. And some stories also help us see what it looks like to be brave and courageous, even in the face of fear or daunting challenges. Today, Audrey is back on the podcast to talk with me about how stories inspire courage in our kids. In this episode, you’ll hear: How stories become companions Which stories have shaped Sarah’s and...

Hi Reader, Why do we read aloud to our kids? Especially to those who can read to themselves? This is a topic that comes up all the time at Read-Aloud Revival and it’s one I’m super passionate about. It’s foundational to what we do around here and I firmly believe it’s vital to our kids becoming lifelong readers. In this episode, we’re talking about the impact reading aloud has on our children, regardless of their independent reading level. Plus, we have a free one-page PDF with all the...

There is a day I remember like it was yesterday, even though it was almost 20 years ago. I don't remember all of the details, but I do remember it was MOPS day, and we were running late. I probably shoved snacks, water, and a pacifier into my diaper bag. I was likely repeating myself again and again, hustling my three young children to get their shoes on, to go potty, to get in the minivan, to go. I remember I was frustrated. Very frustrated. Why was it so hard for these children to just do...

Hey Reader, I don't know about you, but as we usher in 2026, I find myself longing for tranquility and peace even more than usual. If I were to ask you if your life ever felt tranquil, you would probably do one of two things: bust out laughing or look at me like I was from another planet. I get it, I really do. Which is why I’m thrilled to have the author of one of my absolute tippy-top recommended books with me today. Laura Vanderkam is a time management expert, mother of five, and the...

Hi Reader, It's a new year, and that means it's time for a challenge. Not for you you, though. (Don't you already have enough on your plate? 😆) No, I'm talking about a challenge for your kids. The Kids’ Read-Aloud Challenge is a simple way to kick off a great reading year. During the challenge, kids commit to reading aloud for at least 10 minutes a day on as many days as possible throughout the month. When they reach 25 days, they win a reward! You'll be amazed at how much their fluency...