The Power Of Encouragement

In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, we welcome back two wonderful creators who are helping families nurture kindness, courage, and curiosity. First, Ruth Maille joins us from Rhode Island to celebrate her new picture book, "The Power of Encouragement: Turning I Can't into I Can." Ruth introduces Orbit, a sweet Earth-shaped character with a bandage on his head, symbolizing both a healing world and the idea that everyone makes mistakes. Orbit travels the globe asking kids thoughtful questions about kindness, gratitude, respect, and encouragement, giving young readers a chance to "see themselves" in the stories. Ruth shares how this book was inspired by Natalie, a spirited nine‑year‑old former daycare student who suggested that encouragement deserved its own book. Together, they brainstormed real‑life examples—from sports to school challenges—that show how encouragement helps kids keep trying, feel proud, and turn "I can't" into "I can." Ruth also talks about 35 years of working with children, the importance of boundaries, and how practices like daily gratitude can genuinely transform kids' outlooks. Then we head under the ocean with Janet Lawler, author of the new lift‑the‑flap board book "Who's Hiding Under the Sea." A nature lover and former lawyer, Janet describes how her early fascination with the shore and ocean life became a playful nonfiction book for the youngest readers. With sturdy flaps, bright, tactile art, short rhyming poems, and simple facts about six sea creatures, her book is designed to be both durable and delightful for curious little hands—and might just spark the next generation of ocean explorers.

You can listen to The Power Of Encouragement online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

The Power Of Encouragement is an episode from Reading With Your Kids Podcast by Jedlie Circus Produtions, Inc.

This episode is 55:13 long.

This episode was published on Apr 7, 2026.

Yes. Use the heart button on the episode page to add it to your favorite episodes list.

Yes. This page shows related episodes from Reading With Your Kids Podcast when more episodes are available from the podcast feed.