For many kids today, stories arrive in fast bursts: short videos, quick clips, swipe and scroll.
Two of the most trusted voices in children’s literature think there’s still room — and a real need — for something gentler.
Kate DiCamillo and Kelly Yang have announced a new podcast, StoryKind, designed to invite young listeners back into the longer rhythms of storytelling.
The show launches January 19, with short weekly episodes that aim to meet children where they are — without rushing them past the joy of a good story.
A Small Podcast With a Big Goal
StoryKind will release new episodes every week, each running about 15 minutes. The format is intentional: long enough to sink into, short enough to fit into busy days at home or in classrooms.
The target audience is children aged eight and up, but DiCamillo and Yang say they’re also thinking about teachers, librarians, and parents — the adults trying to keep reading alive in a digital-first world.
The episodes will feature writing tips, reader questions, conversations about creativity, and reflections on why stories help people connect to one another.
Why These Authors Felt Called to Act
Both DiCamillo and Yang have spoken openly about their concern over declining literacy and shrinking attention spans among children.
They’ve watched how easily long-form reading is replaced by short-form video — content that entertains quickly but rarely lingers. The worry isn’t just about books being ignored; it’s about children losing chances to sit with ideas, characters, and emotions.
Rather than criticizing modern media habits, the authors chose another path: offering an alternative that feels welcoming instead of restrictive.
Not a Replacement — an Invitation
Importantly, StoryKind isn’t meant to compete with books or shame kids away from screens.
DiCamillo and Yang describe the podcast as a doorway — a place where children can listen, imagine, ask questions, and maybe feel inspired to read or write on their own. A story doesn’t have to start on a page, they suggest. Sometimes it starts with a voice.
That approach mirrors how many lifelong readers begin: not with assignments, but with curiosity.
Where Families Can Listen
The podcast will be available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, with additional engagement planned on Instagram.
That mix reflects the balance the creators are aiming for — using modern platforms to nurture older storytelling traditions.
Why This Feels Timely
Reading habits don’t usually change overnight. They fade gradually, replaced by whatever feels easier or faster.
By keeping episodes short, warm, and consistent, StoryKind leans into patience. It doesn’t ask kids to abandon what they love. It simply reminds them that stories can be places to rest, not just consume.
For parents and educators feeling stretched between technology and tradition, the podcast offers something rare: reassurance without panic.
A Gentle Bet on Storytelling
DiCamillo and Yang aren’t promising to fix literacy with a podcast. What they’re offering is smaller — and maybe more powerful.
A calm voice. A thoughtful question. A few minutes each week where imagination gets the floor.
In a culture that moves fast, StoryKind is betting that stories still matter when we give them time.
