Literacy is an important topic — and one we don’t talk about often enough.
“The more you read, the more things you know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” — Dr. Seuss
We all want to see our kids grow up to to be strong and enthusiastic readers.
But with busy lifestyles and screens so readily available, you may wonder how to actually make it happen. It’s not difficult, but it requires being intentional with our time and efforts.
Need a little extra help?
Below, you’ll find a collection of 9 engaging podcasts on Pinna with a specific focus on literacy. Many of them have corresponding extension activities available at no extra cost to subscribers.
Let’s get started.
9 Pinna Podcasts With a Focus on Literacy
1. Quentin and Alfie’s ABC Adventures*
Join Alfie and his babysitter, Quentin, on alphabet adventures spanning A to Z. Each day, they journey down a magical sidewalk to fantastic destinations where they explore letter sounds, sing songs, and meet new friends.
2. Hey Story Go!*
Storytellers Carly C. and K.B. are here to take you on a wild, musical, fantastical story adventure! But they can't do it alone – they need your help to keep the story moving. So get up on your feet and get in on the action with Hey Story Go!
3. HiLL-LaRRy-uS: Word of the Day!*
What happens when you combine the zany friendship of Hillary and Larry with a plethora of new words? Now's your chance to find out! Join your favorite BFFs for some HiLL-LaRRy-uS word play. Tune in for a new word, then challenge yourself — and your friends — to use it in conversation.
4. The Kid Lit Show*
Love books? Then you've got a lot in common with 10-year-old host Olivia Van Ledtje. In each episode, Liv uncovers the magic of books through conversations with best-selling children's book authors, interviews with kids on the street, lists of favorite books and much more!
5. Story Time With Benny and Buddy*
Listen to the most beloved books in children’s literature with Benny and his puppy, Buddy! In each episode, Benny and Buddy share their curiosity about the world, along with a favorite story aimed at helping Buddy understand everything around her.
6. The Start*
Dive into a new adventure and let each episode be The Start of something – a story, a work of art, a song, a performance… wherever your imagination takes you!
7. Julie’s Library
Join beloved icon Julie Andrews for story time! Julie and her daughter, children’s author and educator Emma Walton Hamilton, invite you into their library to read their favorite children's books. Every story comes to life with sound, music and activities. Authors, kids and other special guests chime in, too! It’s a show that will inspire lively conversations and a lifelong love of reading.
8. Grimm, Grimmer, and Grimmest*
Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest is a wildly enchanting fairy tale podcast made in partnership with Adam Gidwitz, bestselling author of A Tale Dark and Grimm. Each episode features a classic fairy tale, bringing to life a world full of curious creatures and mischievous foes. These tales are retold with a surprising flourish to a group of inquisitive kids who anticipate plot twists, crack jokes, and share their own perspectives on these very Grimm tales.
9. The Story Seeds Podcast
The Story Seeds Podcast celebrates young people's imagination and creativity. On each episode, kids meet up and collaborate with famous authors to grow their story ideas. Follow along as the author takes inspiration from their meeting and grows an original story that you get to hear on the show!
*See an asterisk next to a podcast title? That means you’ll find a teacher guide full of extension activities and printable worksheets if you click on the Educator tab above!
The Wrap-Up
Pinna has a ton of resources for promoting literacy in kids ages 3-12 (and beyond!) and outside-the-box ideas to make learning fun.
Try out the podcasts + bonus extension activities shown above and let us know what you think!
Want more? Check out listening recommendations for amateur sleuths, animal lovers, and tweens on the hunt for their next great adventure!
We’ve also got blog posts answering all your questions about listening to audiobooks with kids, sharing why eyes and brains need the occasional break from screens, and how to use podcasts as a teaching tool for every learning style.
We’re all ears!
Which podcast on this list are you most eager to check out? We’d love to hear from you! Find us on all our social platforms – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest – or email us at contact@pinna.fm.
