The Magic of Middle Grade: Kids' Author Diana Harmon Asher in Conversation with Dr. Elisabeth Paige

The Magic of Middle Grade: Kids' Author Diana Harmon Asher in Conversation with Dr. Elisabeth Paige

Author: Elisabeth August 17, 2026 Duration: 33:34
Dr. Elisabeth Paige interviews middle grade author Diana Harmon Asher about her writing journey and books "Side Tracked," "Up Staged," and "Trouble Finds Evie Lefkowitz." Asher explains why she writes for ages 8–12 and recounts years of rejections before "Side Tracked" sold to Abrams, followed by her other novels. She discusses weaving Jewish culture and Yiddish into her work, drawing on her father’s role as a cantor for Evie’s story of grief and a mother dating, and adding a Japanese America...

Hosted by Elisabeth, Mindful, Happy Kids offers a gentle space for families to explore mindfulness together. The core of this podcast is built around unique "Petitations," which are guided meditations centered on the comforting presence of pets, helping young listeners find calm and focus. These audio experiences are complemented by engaging stories and conversations. Elisabeth speaks with a wide range of creative and thoughtful guests, including children's book authors and illustrators, musicians, educators, and practitioners of mindfulness and yoga. Their interviews provide practical insights and inspiration for weaving these concepts into daily life. While initially crafted for children, the content has resonated with parents and adults, making it a shared family resource. The discussions often touch on themes of gratitude, compassion, and emotional awareness, extending the learning beyond the meditation cushion. For those looking to deepen the experience, additional materials like musical Petitations and children's book PDFs are referenced, all tied to the work of Dr. Paige. This podcast quietly supports emotional well-being through creative, pet-friendly meditations and thoughtful dialogue, making mindfulness accessible and enjoyable for listeners of all ages.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Mindful, Happy Kids
Podcast Episodes
Nora Lester Morad: Writing as a Tool for Change for the Palestinians [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:05
This is a heart-wrenching and fascinating interview with Nora Lester Murad: Activist, Educator, and Writer About Palestine. Nora is Jewish and married a Palestinian, Muslim man. Together they raised three daughters in th…
"The Petitation Companion: Introduction" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:05
The Petitation Companion: Enhance the Lives of You and Your Pets with Mindfulness Meditation are the adventures of Pago and Pippi, Schipperke pups trying to teach Norman, the negative cat to Petitate. I will be reading y…