Creativity & Pancakes

On this special episode of Reading With Your Kids, host Jed Doherty welcomes two inspiring guests—Cheri Sterman, Senior Director of Education for Crayola, and celebrated children's author Carrie Finison. Together, they spark a lively conversation about nurturing creativity in children through reading, art, and family traditions.

Cheri dives into Crayola Creativity Week, a free global celebration that encourages families, schools, and libraries to blend literacy and art. She shares practical tips for making storytime interactive—like designing new book covers or staging a puppet show with everyday materials. Cheri emphasizes how creative moments foster deeper family bonds and boost children's confidence as readers and artists. She also reveals this year's exciting activities, role models, and how to register for Crayola Creativity Week to access exclusive videos and creative challenges.

Carrie Finison joins to introduce her delightful new picture book, "Plenty of Pancakes," the sequel to her hit "Dozens of Donuts." Carrie explains how she weaves fun, math, and even hidden science facts into her stories—inviting kids to count pancakes and discover the wonders of hibernation! She reveals writing secrets for making picture books engaging and leaving room for young readers' imagination.

Tune in for heartwarming anecdotes, smart creative tips, and discover how "Creativity & Pancakes" can transform your next storytime into a magical, lasting memory! Don't forget to check out crayola.com/creativityweek and carriefinison.com for more resources and fun.