Parenting with Picture Books is hosted by educator and mom, Danielle Porte. Each week she tackles a different social emotional topic while providing 3 takeaways for parents. In addition to parental takeaways, she also provides 3 picture books titles that will support the social/emotional topic discussed. Parenting is a wild ride so it's time to sit back, relax, and get lost in the the pages of a picture book.
Podcast – E8 – Fall Fun and BFFs
Halloween is just around the corner and this year it falls on a Saturday. Today we’re going to talk about how to survive the countdown to trick or treating when the kids are home ALL DAY! I will also share 3 October BFFs: Books For Fun to get your little ones excited for Halloween…not that kids need any help with that.
Ideas for taking up time on Saturday:
1. Bobbing for apples.
2. Spider races
3. Mummy wrap
4. Pumpkin carving
5. Pumpkin Chocolate chip cookies - My favorite recipde from the site I Heart Naptime: https://www.iheartnaptime.net/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-cookies/ (https://www.iheartnaptime.net/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-cookies/)
October BFF Books Suggestions
1. The Underrwearwolf written by Gideon Sterer and illustrated by Charles Santoso - An underwear-loving kid receives a peculiar birthday gift of yellow wool underpants from his uncle. The gift comes with a strict warning: do not wear them during a full moon. Of course on the full moon, the warning is ignored and madness ensues. This read is a howling good time.
2. Room on the Broom written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler: A friendly witch and her cat fly happily on a broomstick and pick up new friends each time the witch drops something. When the broom snaps in two, what will all the friends do? If you love the Gruffalo, also written by Julia Donaldson, you will really enjoy Room on the Room.
3. The Legend of Spookly the Square Pumpkin written by Joe Troiana and illustrated by Susan Banta is the story of a unique square pumpkin who is teased by round pumpkins until a major storm proves his shape can save the patch, teaching a message of tolerance and self-acceptance. This book also became a movie so that gives another option for enjoyment.
16 Oct 2026
E7 - Bedtime
It’s almost daylight savings time…I think that’s still a thing, right? No matter where you live and whether you partake in daylight savings or not, darkness is coming sooner so I thought we’d talk about the magical, mystifying, and maddening time of day called bedtime.
3 Takeaways:
1. Keep it consistent.
2. Keep it concise.
3. Playtime/Activity time before bath time(or after if that works better for your family).
3 Picture Book Suggestions:
1. I Am Not Sleepy and I Will Not Go to Bed by Lauren Child – Big brother Charlie has his work cut out for him as he attempts to get his NOT TIRED AT ALL sister, Lola to get ready for bed. This book is filled with wild imagination and humor as Charlie attempts to meet all of Lola’s demands.
2. How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Mark Teague – Jane nailed it with her “How Do Dinosaurs” series. Seeing a dinosaur with a teddy bear and pj’s is next level. Through her brilliant rhyming style, Jane teaches young ones the do’s and don’ts of going to bed.
3. The Big Bed by Bunmi Laditan and illustrated by Tom Knight is one of my favorite picture books ever!!! In this bedtime story with a twist, we meet a clever young girl decides that she should sleep with her mom and her dad has got to go. This book is so funny, witty, and spot on for anyone who has ever had the experience of their child trying to take over their bed. It’s a must read
6 Oct 2026
E6 - NO! Your Child's Favorite Word
3 Takeaways:
1. The word NO can be bbsolutely frustrating but totally normal. Your child is discovering that they have opinions and they have a voice. While their vocabulary may still be limited, the two letter word NO is used with vigor. YOU are being tested. Kids are curious, what will you say/do when they say no to you? How will you act?
2. Acknowledge their “no” and their feelings. But remember YOU are the parent. Try to avoid questions they would want to answer with NO when that is not an option…
”Do you want to go to school today?” – NO!
“Do you want to eat broccoli?” NO!
“Do you want to go to bed early?” NO!!!
3. Give two options when you need them to choose something. Instead of asking a yes/no question, offer 2 options for them to choose from…
Instead of saying, “Do you want to put your shoes on?” Ask, “Do you want to wear your black shoes or green shoes.” You are avoiding the NO of them wanting to wear shoes while giving them the choice to be the boss of what color shoes they wear.
3 Picture Book Suggestions:
No! by Tracey Corderoy ; illustrated by Tim Warnes – Otto has learned a new word, NO! He has decided this is his favorite and only preferred word to use no matter what the situation. When the weather changes, Otto learns that maybe he needs a new favorite word.
Grumpy Monkey Says No! by Suzanne Lang ; Illustrated by Max Lang – Jim the chimpanzee has woken up grumpy and decided that the only response he will give to the day is NO! His friends try to help him and Jim even knows that he is being very stubborn. Will Jim refuse to do anything but say NO and will he accept help from his friends to feel better?
No, David! by David Shannon - The Caldecott Honor-winning book is a part of a series of 6 books featuring rambunctious, mischievous, and silly David. While David is not the one saying no in this book, it is a great reminder that our children aren’t the only ones shouting NO! during the toddler years.
29 Sept 2026
E5 - Sharing is Caring?
Welcome to Parenting with Picture Books with your host, educator and mom, Danielle Porte. On episode 5, we tackle the challenging topic of sharing. As the saying goes, "Sharing is caring." But, is it?
3 Takeaways:
1. Sharing is a hard concept for young children (adults, too)
2. Special items are not for sharing
3. Sharing can be seen as “giving away”, try using the phrase “taking turns.
3 Picture Book Suggestions:
1. Should I Share My Ice Cream? by Mo Willems: Gerald the elephant wants to get an ice cream cone. But should he share one with his best friend Piggie? This sweet story is a great depiction for kids on how the concept of sharing can be complex and challenging.
2. We Found a Hat by Jon Klassen: Two turtles find a very stylish hat. This discovery leads to a funny story about fairness and friendship. You can also follow this one up with I Want My Hat Back.
3. I Can Share! By Karen Katz - This lift and flap book is a great introduction to sharing for toddlers. This interactive book features simple and repetitive text. It allows for instant conversation and practice with the concept of sharing.
22 Sept 2026
E4- Meet Danielle Porte and Your BFF Books
In today's episode of Parenting with Picture Books, Danielle shares a little bit about herself, her why in the podcast, and reminds listeners that reading is a JOY! Every 4th episode, Danielle will share 3 BFF titles...Books For Fun. No parenting or social emotional takeaways needed, just the pure joy of reading a book with your child.
3 BFF Titles:
The Book with No Pictures - B.J. Novak
The Legend of Rock, Paper, Scissors - Drew Daywalt and Adam Rex
Elephant and Piggy - Mo Willems
15 Sept 2026
E3 - They Can Do It!
Today’s episode will focus on supporting your little ones as they develop into independent and self sufficient little people.
3 Takeaways:
1. Encourage
2. Model
3. Extra Time
3 Picture Book Suggestions:
1. All By Myself – Mercer Mayer
2. Owl By Myself by Pete Oswald
3. I Can Do That!: 1,000 Ways to Become Independent by DK (Dorling Kindersley)
8 Sept 2026
E2 - Drop Off Transitions
Hello everyone and welcome back to Parenting with Picture Books. I am so happy that you took the time to stop by today and I want to make it worth the listen. Today’s topic is transitions and more specifically, transitioning to the school year. Last week we discussed how to start preparing your child’s routine to prepare for the school year and now the time has come to actually go to school.
3 takeaways for transitioning back to school….
1. It’s okay if they cry and say they don’t want to go. The key is to validate and let them have their feelings while not giving them an option to not go.
2. Ask your child’s teacher for a copy of the day’s schedule/routine. Knowing what to expect can eliminate much of the fear of the unknown.
3. Keep it short and sweet. I know it’s hard, but trust me on this.
3 Picture Book Recommendations:
The Kissing Hand written by Audrey Penn and illustrated by Ruth E. Harper and Nancy M. Leak
Llama Llama Misses Mama written and illustrated by Anna
Heart String by Brooke Boynton-Hughes
Follow along on Instagram @parentingwithpicturebooks
1 Sept 2026
E1 - Back to School
In the FIRST episode of Parenting with Picture Books, we discuss 3 ways to attempt to enter the school year smoothly. In addition to the 3 parenting takeaways we discuss the following picture books...
School's First Day of School by Adam Rex and illustrated by Christian Robinson
The Crayons Go Back to School by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers
First Day Jitters by Julie Dannenberg and illustrated by Judy Love
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
12 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Contact Parenting with Picture Books
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Parenting with Picture Books?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
