Skeletor In Therapy! And Other Ways To Hook Reluctant Readers

In this fun, fast-moving episode of Reading With Your Kids, we're heading to Eternia—by way of your family's favorite reading chair. Jed welcomes syndicated cartoonists Stephan Pastis and Will Henry to celebrate their hilarious new illustrated middle grade novel, The Adventures of He‑Man and Porter #1: Skeletor Ate My Homework.

Stephan shares how Porter Avery's obsession with Masters of the Universe action figures creates real trouble both at home and in Eternia—especially when Porter's dad confiscates the Power Sword and He‑Man suddenly loses his in the other world. Stephan and Will talk about what it's like to collaborate when both are used to doing everything themselves, from writing to drawing. They dive into the challenges of humor, the near-impossible odds of becoming one of only about 200 syndicated cartoonists in the U.S., why bikes and Battle Cat are so hard to draw, and how comics can be a lifeline for reluctant readers.

Then we switch gears and welcome back Adina Oberman to celebrate her joyful board book H Is for Hanukkah: A Festival of Lights ABC Primer. Adina talks about weaving in Jewish traditions from around the world, why board books are powerful "mirrors and windows" for little ones, and how play-based, shared reading in early childhood lays the foundation for a lifetime of learning and empathy.