8.2 Treasured Stories

8.2 Treasured Stories

Author: Shannon Betts and Mary Saghafi October 18, 2025 Duration: 57:21

In this special episode of the Reading Teachers Lounge, hosts Shannon and Mary have an engaging and insightful conversation with acclaimed children's author Kate DiCamillo about treasured stories. They explore Kate's journey as a writer, discussing the profound impact of her debut novel 'Because of Winn-Dixie,' the themes of her books, and the role of animals in her stories. Kate shares her thoughts on writing with empathy, the importance of ending stories with hope, and the joy of reading aloud. Highlights include listener questions about vocabulary development and character inspirations, and Kate's reflections on the magical connection formed between readers and stories.

RESOURCES MENTIONED DURING THE EPISODE:

  1.  Ferris by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
  2. Kate DiCamillo's website
  3. Contact Kate via Candlewick Press

    Kate DiCamillo
    c/o Candlewick Press
    99 Dover Street
    Somerville, MA 02144
  4. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
  5. The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
  6. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
  7. The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
  8. Louisiana's Way Home by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
  9. Facebook page for Kate DiCamillo
  10. Story resources for teachers
  11. Mercy Watson Books by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
  12. Flora and Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
  13. Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo *Amazon affiliate link
  14. our 6.16 Delightful Word Learning episode
  15. Bookworms reading curriculum

Support the show



In the Reading Teachers Lounge, hosts Shannon Betts and Mary Saghafi pull up a chair for a conversation that feels both deeply professional and warmly familiar. These two elementary reading teachers and Atlanta neighbors discovered a shared, fervent passion for literacy over a local dinner, realizing they were kindred spirits in their mission. That initial chat never really ended, and now it forms the heart of this podcast. Each episode invites you into their ongoing dialogue, where practical classroom strategies, reflections on what works, and thoughtful discussions about reaching every single learner are all on the table. It’s a space designed for fellow educators, dedicated parents, and anyone invested in how children learn to read, offering tangible ideas rather than abstract theory. The tone is collaborative and grounded in real classroom experiences, reflecting a joint belief that literacy is foundational. By tuning in, you gain access to their collective experience and earnest curiosity, all focused on the complex, rewarding world of teaching reading. This isn't about performance; it's about sharing a genuine professional conversation from their lounge to yours, making the Reading Teachers Lounge a unique podcast for those who live and breathe language education.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 129

Reading Teachers Lounge
Podcast Episodes
the Comprehension Process [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:22
Shannon and Mary wrestle with understanding the nature of the comprehension process. They discuss ideas from the Blueprint for Reading Comprehension and Executive Skills and Comprehension to understand the different cogn…
Best Reading Instructional Moves [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:57
Shannon chats with Lindsay Kemeny about her new book titled 7 Mighty Moves: Research-Backed, Classroom-Tested Strategies to Ensure K-3 Reading Success. Both Shannon and Lindsay have classroom experience teaching Kinderga…
We Love Mistakes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:31
Shannon and Mary talk about why they love student mistakes. They share how to make mistakes meaningful in the ways they show insight into students' learning. They chat about establishing a trusting relationship with stud…
Intervention in the Upper Grades [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:19:07
Shannon and Mary meet with Kionna Squires (@DaLiteracyLady) to talk about the challenges facing older struggling readers. During the discussion, they explain how meeting students where they are IS rigorous and the right…
Etymology and Orthographic Study [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:45
Shannon and Mary host a returning guest to the Reading Teachers Lounge @MindfulTeacherRachel, who you heard in Season 5 on the Schwa episode. In this episode, Shannon, Mary, and Rachel talk about English word histories a…
Back to School Reflections and Plans [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:06
Shannon and Mary meet again to begin the 6th season of the podcast. They recap their summer activities in both professional and personal lives, update the audience on the plans they're making for their reading students t…
Summer Reading Tips [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:26
Shannon and Mary bring you a surprise bonus episode for Season 5. They chat with Dr. Amanda Alexander from Scholastic about statistics about summer reading. In the episode, they all share tips about how to make the most…
Season 5 Finale:   Ends & Beginnings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:16
Shannon and Mary meet up to review how season 5 of the podcast has gone. They share some of the things they learned during the season and list some of their favorite episodes and guests. They also chat about the school y…
Teaching and Reaching Diverse Learners [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:47
Shannon and Mary chat with Khadijah Abdullah, a public school teacher in their area, about how she balances the wide variety of reading abilities in her classroom. Khadijah shares about her trauma-informed teaching pract…