Rachel & Sam Read A Story

These are the important issues of the day. Crustaceans in leisure-wear. Sure, there are things going on in the world. Important things! But this lobster, you guys, this lobster is in a robe. I mean, yes, we can, and do, briefly reference the Super Bowl. #AllTheFumbles And sure, we could talk about the upcoming Oscars, but you GUYS! There is rhyme scheme and a silly lobster doing silly things! I think we made the correct choice. And also, we've been doing this for a little while and have recently learned about the power of iTunes reviews. So if you have time, please, take a minute and leave us a little something on iTunes. It would go a long way for us, and we'd really appreciate it. And now, on with the show! Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new and old, and also about how little sense these books make when you read them 20 years later. We read the books aloud and make fun of them as we go. Enjoy! Follow Sam (@SamGasch) or follow Rachel (@Sknowite). Either way, please

100. One hundred. Centennial. A Benjamin. Hmmm.... WE HIT A HUNDRED EPISODES!!!!!!! To celebrate, we read a book that we have been asked to read since the podcast began: A Very Hungry Caterpillar. But the thing about this book is that it's pretty short. So, we read FOUR Eric Carle books! That's more books than in any previous podcast in this or any other dimension!! We're also joined by terrific guests and fan favorites Bridget Renshaw and Zach Luna. All in all, it was a great time. Eric Carle is amazing, his books are amazing, and you all are amazing for listening to our fancy shmancy episode 100! Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new and old, and also about how little sense these books make when you read them 20 years later. We read the books aloud and make fun of them as we go. Enjoy! Follow Sam (@SamGasch) or follow Rachel (@Sknowite). Either way, please subscribe!

I want you to know that this episode is specifically for Jennie Crittenden. Because she loves penguins. She probably won't read this message, but I wanted to write it down before I forgot. Episode 99! Are you ready are you excited.... for PENGUINS?!?!?! Penguins. Well, one main penguin, but there are support penguins! This book is fun, it's cute, AND it has familiar joke structures, which I certainly appreciated! I don't know if it teaches kids anything, but it sure would be fun to read to them! It also gives Rachel and I a chance to talk about Angry Birds, which really don't get the publicity they deserve. When will this struggling indy game break into the public focus?? WHEN?? Anyway, read the book! Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new and old, and also about how little sense these books make when you read them 20 years later. We read the books aloud and make fun of them as we go. Enjoy! Follow Sam (@SamGasch) or follow Rachel (@Sknowite). Either way, please subscri

Dinosaurs man. Always be threatening to chomp us if we be continuing to read the book they're in. I mean, it's not like that book constitutes THEIR VERY EXISTENCE!! Either way, there's a secret here and we will get to the bottom of it! I really enjoyed this book (and not just because I got to read it). It was cute and silly and did a few things that were new to our children's book-reading experience. Good work Jory and Bob! Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new and old, and also about how little sense these books make when you read them 20 years later. We read the books aloud and make fun of them as we go. Enjoy! Follow Sam (@SamGasch) or follow Rachel (@Sknowite). Either way, please subscribe!

And we're back! Happy 2016 everyone! This week, we are celebrating the new year with a story from the CrEePy Edward Gorey omnibus. Now, I've never really heard of Edward Gorey, but Rachel loves him. And this was, indeed, a dark tale. There are certainly questions to be answered, like: WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE DAMN LOZENGE? Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new and old, and also about how little sense these books make when you read them 20 years later. We read the books aloud and make fun of them as we go. Enjoy! Follow Sam (@SamGasch) or follow Rachel (@Sknowite). Either way, please subscribe!

One of the books that was the most fun to make fun of, if not to read was Clifford the Big Red Dog! Luckily this episode we had some help. So enjoy week 2 of the Rachel & Sam Read a Story Winter Break and HAPPY NEW YEAR!    One of those classic books that everyone thinks of when talking about kids' literature is Clifford the Big Red Dog, by Norman Bridwell. An absolute classic! (It is from 1963 afterall) Rachel and I CERTAINLY couldn't have handled this on our own. Luckily, we were joined by Bridget Renshaw (@BridgetRenshaw). It was a tough job, but we got through it together! Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books, and also about how little sense these books make when you read them 20 years later. We read the books aloud and make fun of them while we do. Enjoy! Follow Sam (@SamGasch) or follow Rachel (@Sknowite). Either way, please subscribe!

In order to take a little time off for the holidays, Rachel & Sam are taking their first EVER break! So for the next two weeks, enjoy some of the most popular podcasts from our archives. They are in no way digitally re-mastered, and it's weird to think about how far we've come! Welp, HERE WE GO!!   You know who writes good stories? Neil Gaiman writes good stories. Both Sam and Rachel love his books and the Sandman comics, but did you know he ALSO has written some children's books? Well... we've GOT to read that! Chu's Day is a fun story about a panda bear. HA! Panda BEAR! I got the last word Rachel! Also it's illustrated by Adam Rex. A Tucson guy! Man, I like this book. Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books, and also about how little sense these books make when you read them 20 years later. We read the books aloud and make fun of them while we do. Enjoy

It's the Grinch. I should need to say anything else because it's the GRINCH! But I will! Even for a coupla Jews like Rachel and myself, How The Grinch Stole Christmas is one of the classic tales of the season. We've all read it and probably seen BOTH movies. And all of them, ALL the things are great! The book is amazing. The animated movie is superb. And Jim Carrey is the perfect Grinch and anyone who tries to take that from me can go right to hell. But that doesn't mean the book makes any sense. And so, with a solemn heart, we will gleefully give How The Grinch Stole Christmas... the treatment. Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new and old, and also about how little sense these books make when you read them 20 years later. We read the books aloud and make fun of them as we go. Enjoy! Follow Sam (@SamGasch) or follow Rachel (@Sknowite). Either way, please subscribe!

This book, like our podcast, is not intended for children. And that's probably for the best as we head into this, the most festive of months. Also, Happy Hanukkah! Y'all remember Patrick Rothfuss right? He wrote The Name of the Wind? The AMAZING fantasy book that has an also really good sequel that I can't remember the name of? He also wrote a [not for] kids book! And it's this one! And it's about a Princess who lives all by herself in an otherwise abandoned castle! That's not suspicious at all! I'm not suspicious anyway. Why would I be suspicious? Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new and old, and also about how little sense these books make when you read them 20 years later. We read the books aloud and make fun of them as we go. Enjoy! Follow Sam (@SamGasch) or follow Rachel (@Sknowite). Either way, please subscribe!

This is the story about an adorable little Birthday BATTLE Bunny! This book is super neat. It's "written" in the style of an old-timey let's learn a lesson story, but then the "kid" takes the story and makes it AWESOMER!! (Yes, I realize that's not a real word, but Alex probably thinks it is!) Speaking of Alexes, we had a guest Alex for this very episode! Alex, who you may know better as @gaymerinla, has a super cool story with how he ended up our guest and you should listen to hear it! Very nice guy! And this book is just silly. I had the pleasure of reading it, and I was glad to destroy my voice to do it. It was WORTH IT!! Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new and old, and also about how little sense these books make when you read them 20 years later. We read the books aloud and make fun of them as we go. Enjoy! Follow Sam (@SamGasch) or follow Rachel (@Sknowite). Either way, please subscribe!

  I hate this family so so much. Rachel reads the story this week as delve deep into what a Thanksgiving can really be. In this case it's a family of HATE and ANGER, but that's just from me. The family itself is probably fine. They say ignorance is bliss. But oh man, this is a fun episode. But before you listen, let me prep you with this: If they're called The Little Ones, and ONLY The Little Ones, why did they never have names. Are you they one AND many? Are they Legion? Have they come for us all? I don't have the answers, but I fear. I fear deeply. (Not sure that's an actual sentence, but we'll go with it.) Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new and old, and also about how little sense these books make when you read them 20 years later. We read the books aloud and make fun of them as we go. Enjoy! Follow Sam (@SamGasch) or follow Rachel (@Sknowite). Either way, please subscribe!

 You guys, it's important to be yourself. Even if you're not as it turns out, a puppy. And if you belong to a little kid with no noticeable parents AND you happen to be an AWESOME octopus? All the better! We may not know what magic Octopus powers you have, but you use them and it is amazing. If reading about the coolest pet a kid could have doesn't interest you, then I maybe don't want to be your friend. Just kidding! I want to be everyone's friend! Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new and old, and also about how little sense these books make when you read them 20 years later. We read the books aloud and make fun of them as we go. Enjoy! Follow Sam (@SamGasch) or follow Rachel (@Sknowite). Either way, please subscribe!

And now we find ourselves SOLIDLY in Turkey season. Well, Thanksgiving Season. And what is Thanksgiving Season if not also Turkey Season? Fall! (Or Autumn.) The important thing here is "Gobble Gobble." This little book helps us get into the aforementioned season. The on with the birds that we eat. Except this bird doesn't WANT to be eaten. How rude! It wants to be other things that we also eat. I fail to see the logic here, BUT I am prepared to be solidly amused. No spoilers, but this book ends on a really delicious note! Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new and old, and also about how little sense these books make when you read them 20 years later. We read the books aloud and make fun of them as we go. Enjoy! Follow Sam (@SamGasch) or follow Rachel (@Sknowite). Either way, please subscribe!

It's Halloween! Or it just was, anyway. So why not relax with a spooky fairy tail? Even better, what if it's a spoooooky fairy tail retold by Neil Gaiman? Because awesome. Nail Gaiman is a legend. If you've been listening, you should know this because we've already read two of his books! Check out episodes 30 & 31 where we read Chu's Day and Blueberry Girl respectively. I've been wanting to read this version of Hansel & Gretel for a while. It's a little longer than we normally read, but it's absolutely gorgeous. Both verbally and visually. I mean, we all know the basic story of Hansel & Gretel, right? If not, please watch Looney Tunes and they'll eventually cover it. (HANsel??) This is a brilliant version and Rachel and I had a lot of fun with the re-telling. If you're a fan of Nail Gaiman, or children's books, or old fairy tales, or witches, or beautiful drawings, this book has something for you, and it's a wonderful opportunity to discover the other things too! Rachel & Sam Read a Story is a

It's getting closer to Halloween everyone, and that means it's time for ScAaAaAaAaAaAry stories! This one is about a g-g-g-ghost!! We're joined by Xach Fromson (@_mythogenesis_) to read a silly little book that has no sense of establishing a baseline! Sure the book is fun, but inconsistent. If you like the episodes where we really tear into a book, then this is the one for one! Because Halloween is not the time to be nice. Halloween is the time for candy! Also this book. Specifically this book on our podcast. You should listen. Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new and old, and also about how little sense these books make when you read them 20 years later. We read the books aloud and make fun of them as we go. Enjoy! Follow Sam (@SamGasch) or follow Rachel (@Sknowite). Either way, please subscribe!

Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith are LEGENDS (in the world of kids' books). (And also everything else.) We read a Lane Smith book two weeks ago and it was amazing. This week's book, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs is something I remember from back when I was but a wee little baby. Apparently Jacquie remembered it too (@JacquieWaldman) because she's BACK and specially requested this book. And boy, is it great! That poor wolf. He never called himself "Big Bad." That was ASSIGNED to him by the MEDIA. And we all know how accurate they tend to be. This is HIS story. The TRUE story. Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new and old, and also about how little sense these books make when you read them 20 years later. We read the books aloud and make fun of them as we go. Enjoy! Follow Sam (@SamGasch) or follow Rachel (@Sknowite). Either way, please subscribe!

  Joined this week by Jacquie Waldman (@JacquieWaldman) we learn something important that I, for one, did not know. Did YOU know that everybody poops? Me neither! Especially because the book is ACTUALLY called EveryONE Poops and I've been saying it wrong this ENTIRE TIME! So sit back and relax because what's happening is very natural. Poop. Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new and old, and also about how little sense these books make when you read them 20 years later. We read the books aloud and make fun of them as we go. Enjoy! Follow Sam (@SamGasch) or follow Rachel (@Sknowite). Either way, please subscribe!

Lane Smith is pretty much the best. He's illustrated all SORTS of amazing books, and this month we just kept running into his name. It's a Book is fun. Especially because I just liked saying "uhhhh It's a Book." This one is cute, quirky, and carries a bit of a message, which I would be super interested in hearing, if I wasn't too busy playing Fruit Ninja on my iPhone. And the INCORRECT depictions of Apes/Monkeys continues... Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new and old, and also about how little sense these books make when you read them 20 years later. We read the books aloud and make fun of them as we go. Enjoy! Follow Sam (@SamGasch) or follow Rachel (@Sknowite). Either way, please subscribe!

Have you ever been in caveman times, y'know the Paleolithic era, and thought to yourself, "Hmmm. This is fun and all. What with the creation of fire and newfangled "wheel" thing the kids are going on about, but gosh darnit if I don't want some form of animal companionship to keep me company!" Well, you're in luck! Me Want Pet! explores the necessities of caveman-pet ownership and the intrinsic struggles therein. Also, silly story! Ug! Read book! Laugh lots! Thud! Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new and old, and also about how little sense these books make when you read them 20 years later. We read the books aloud and make fun of them as we go. Enjoy! Follow Sam (@SamGasch) or follow Rachel (@Sknowite). Either way, please subscribe!

Oh man, am I a huge fan of Kate Beaton and Hark a Vagrant! (www.harkavagrant.com) So I talk about this during the actual recording, but I discovered her in a Toronto bookstore and have been bonding with people over our mutual Vagrant love since then. Now the book. It is adorable. It is about a Princess and her Fat Pony. Fat Pony is the greatest American (read: Canadian) hero. I mean, Princess Pinecone is kinda amazing too, but Fat Pony steals the show. Honestly, I really shouldn't be typing anymore. Listen to the episode! Rachel & Sam Read a Story is about the fun of reading children's books new and old, and also about how little sense these books make when you read them 20 years later. We read the books aloud and make fun of them as we go. Enjoy! Follow Sam (@SamGasch) or follow Rachel (@Sknowite). Either way, please subscribe!