Pages and Play Podcast

Pages and Play Podcast

Pages & Play is where children’s books meet real life. Each episode, hosts Monique Dupree, known as Nanny Miss Monique, and Dara Green Yates from Seaside Staffing Company take a children’s book and explore how it connects to the ways kids learn, grow, and make sense of the world. They dig into how stories can spark movement, creativity, and deeper conversations—whether you’re a nanny, parent, or educator. Their goal is simple: to give you practical ideas and inspiration you can bring straight to the kids in your life. Every episode ends with the Practical Magic Activity, a quick, hands-on idea that turns storytime into playtime for children ages two to five.

Episodes

March 23, 2026 21 mins
children's books, ambition, leadership, personal development, confidence, generational role models, empowerment, storytelling, education, mindset summaryIn this episode of Pages and Play, hosts Dara and Nanny Miss Monique engage with Crystal Gale Crawford, founder of Hey Crystal Gal Consulting, to explore the themes of ambition, confidence, and the importance of generational role models through the lens of the children's book 'Ambi...
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    Keywords

    children's books, family, care work, parenting, Fair Play, equity, chores, home, love, education

    Summary

    In this episode of Pages and Play, hosts Nanny Miss Monique and Dara welcome Lori Sugarman-Li, author of 'Our Home: The Love, Work, and Heart of Family.' They discuss the importance of recognizing care work, the inspiration behind the book, and how to reframe chores as acts of love. Lori shares insights on the Fair Pla...

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    🎧 Today’s Guest

    Drew Vernon — Marketing Director at Tonies and leader of Tonies Education. Drew partners with schools, libraries, and literacy advocates (including LeVar Burton!) to bring stories, play, and learning to kids in creative, hands-on, screen-free ways.

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    November 23, 2025 37 mins

    In this episode of Pages and Play, Nanny Miss Monique and Dara sit down with children’s author Josh Funk to talk about what makes a story truly connect with kids. Josh is known for creating playful, smart books filled with humor, mystery, and sharp wordplay that keep children engaged and adults entertained during read-alouds.

    The conversation explores how storytelling shapes early literacy and emotional development, why rhyme and r...

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    Keywords

    Gabby's Dollhouse, MerCat, children's education, voice acting, self-care, STEM, inclusivity, imagination, childhood development, Secunda Wood

    Summary

    In this episode of Pages and Play, hosts Monique and Dara welcome Secunda Wood, the voice of MerCat from Gabby's Dollhouse. They explore the importance of storytelling in children's education, the magic of science, and the significance of self-care and inclusivity in media. ...

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    Keywords

    children's literature, identity, self-love, diversity, phonics, storytelling, confidence, names, representation, creativity

    Summary

    In this engaging conversation, Dara and Nanny Miss Monique explore the importance of names, identity, and self-love through the lens of children's literature. They discuss the practical magic activity 'My Name Parade' that helps children connect with their names while learning phonics and bui...

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    🎧 Episode Title

     

    📝 Show Notes

     

    In this special Pages & Play episode, Monique and Dara sit down with Stephen from Vital Theatre Company to talk about Pinkalicious The Musical — the award-winning family production that brings the beloved storybook to life on stage. They explore how theater sparks imagination, what goes into adapting a children’s favorite, and why live performance stil...

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    In this engaging conversation, Nanny Miss Monique and Dara explore the world of children's literature, focusing on the beloved character Pinkalicious. They discuss how stories can facilitate learning and development in young children, emphasizing the importance of play, creativity, and problem-solving. Victoria, the creator of Pinkalicious, shares insights into her writing process, the themes of her books, and the joy of seeing her...

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