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 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 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!

Yeast Burps can't stop Rachel and I from doing our job, and our job is READING YOU STORIES.

Let me tell you about this week's book. Hoot Owl has a problem. I mean, he (or she, it's never actually addressed) is hungry. So Hoot Owl has a solution, use a disguise, sneak up on prey, and STRIKE! For Hoot Owl is king. Hoot Owl is leader.

Hoot Owl worships the encroaching permanent darkness. The forever dark is coming for us all. Especially....

You.

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!

Do you know about alternate universes? Did you know that we're IN an alternate universe RIGHT NOW? Either you belive it, or you're a PART OF THE CONSPIRACY!! Want more information? Read this fun article: http://www.avclub.com/article/how-you-spell-berenstain-bears-could-be-proof-para-223615

Far, FAR more important this episode are our guests! Sean David (@TheSeanDavid) and Will Link (@TheRealWillLink) host their own amazing podcast. Rachel and I were guests last week! It's called Will Sean Podcast? (http://willseanpodcast.blogspot.com/) You should listen to it and subscribe and become as big a fan of it as we are!

Now sit back, and relax as we read the story of The Berenstain Bears and The Spooky House!

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'm not sure what this kid is looking for. His parents spelled it out, but I don't know how to spell! What on earth could this t-r-u-c-k be?

*whisper whisper whisper*

OOOOOOoooooh!

Okay, so listen to a fun little book where a poor kid can't quite find his favorite toy, which just so happens to be a TRUCK!

The word truck makes a lot of sense once you think about 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!

Ferrets, Stoats, Minks, but most importantly.... WEASELS! They're here for a very specific purpose: World Domination. And why should we expect anything less?

This fun little book was a surprise in how much we enjoyed it. So much fun literally from beginning to end-papers. (See the pun I did there?) And if you, for one, wish to pay respects to our future weasel overlords, the least you could do is listen to this 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!

Sometimes there is a tale as old as time. And sometimes it is about a crocodile. Now, this crocodile was made promises. Promises of a PARTY nature. And you can't just make a promise like that. It sets expectations WAY to high. Now we have to figure out a way to celebrate reptilian style: by killing everyone because we don't know how to relate empathetically. We're cold-blooded monsters.

Anyway, let's party!

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 is what it says it is. A book with no pictures, but that doesn't mean it lacks frivoloty! And by frivolotyu, we of course mean the potential for a horrendous feedback loop that the reader could be trapped in for all eternity.

Run children. Run for the hills.

Anyway, it's a fun book by a guy I'd heard of before I picked up the book itself. So that's fun!

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 pretty simple. What do you get when you combine and elephant and giraffe?

Why instant comedy for all ages, that's what! Oh those silly kids Giraffe and Elephant may have their differences, but gosh darn it, they still manage to get up to some WACKY hijinks. Gosh darn it, Giraffe and Elephant, can we ever stop loving you?

Answer: no we can not.

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!

No spoilers, but Emma Yarlett's Orion and the Dark had a couple of the most creative pages we'd ever seen in a kids book! It's super cool!

Okay, so it's about this little kid whose scared of, well, basically EVERYTHING! Especially the dark. But that all changes when the Dark comes to life and comes into his room and right up to him! Then it's not scary at all! When it's all anthropomorphic and immediately present in the one place in the world you considered safe! Super comforting forever!

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!

First of all, we apologize to you, the listener, because this has absolutely NOTHING to do with the creation of Nuclear explosives.

Second, we apologize to singing and those implicitly expecting us to be able to sing properly.

Finally we apologize to Chris Ballew. It's just.... we are so so sorry.

Anyway, ENJOY THIS BOOK! YEAH!!!

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!

We kept BJ (@BJcomedy) around for another week before he has to leave to do his fancy schmancy "military training," so what better was to goof around with the ultimate goofball than to read an illustrated picture book not intended for children! Hooray!

You Have to Fucking Eat, by Adam Mansbach and illustrated by Owen Brozman, is a perfect interpretation of a parent's biggest frustration: Getting their goddam kids to eat a motherflipping sandwich. Fuck!

Anyway, this episode may not exactly be SFW, but it's absolutely delightful and evocative. And full of shitty kids.

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!

Joined this week by the improviser and overall very funny guy BJ "Honkey" Lange (@bjcomedy). Now, when we say that BJ knows everyone, we are 100% correct and don't look into it.

The book we read is Dr. Suess' EXTREMELY patriotic Oh Say Can You Say! Now, we SAY that's patriotic, but it's really just a book of tongue twisters. How better to celebrate our nation's independence than by misintrepreting some core texts? This is gonna be great!

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 celebration of the HISTORIC Supreme Court announcement this past Friday, Rachel & Sam are reading a very special story. And Tango Makes Three is a book that sparked a lot of controversy back in 2005 because it is a TRUE account of two male penguins raising a baby penguin. It's a beautiful and adorable story.

Rachel and I were delighted to be joined (once again) by Courtney (read: Whitney) Kraft (@TheAnimeGoddess)!

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!

This book. Yeesh. Zach Luna (@ZacharyJLuna) joined us again, and man. This one is rough. Is it really so difficult to write what's special about Wonder Woman? If you're a couple of men, probably. And I'm not saying men can't right Wonder Woman, but I am saying that this one can't. Bluch. But WE (Rachel, Zach, and I) had an absolute blast reading it! And we came up with our own versions of super heroes, which are probably the best thing ever.

LISTEN TO IT!!

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!

Joined by special return guest Zachary Luna (@ZacharyJLuna) we read the super fun book George in the Dark by Madeline Valentine. We have Zach read and man, did we enjoy this book. This kid, George y'see, is super brave, but not... in the dark.

And there are implications. Implications of a Demonic Column nature.... Anyway, enjoy!

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!

It's my birthday episode! (This is Sam typing right now) So I wanted to do something epic and fun. I wanted to read one of The Magic School Bus books! These books are... big. For us. So get ready for a long episode, but it's all fun! Do you remember growing up with this book because I sure do! I used to read ALL the Magic School Bus books and watch the TV show! It's great!

Ms. Frizzle, we miss you. Please come back home.

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!

What's that? A SECOND Dr. Suess book in a row? What glorious world do we live in that supplies such fantastic treats??

This one? Oh boy!!

That said, it ain't as good as last week's. Sure there's wonderful pictures and images because it is Dr. Suess after all, but... well... Dr. Suess can phone it in every now and again too. But that don't mean it ain't RIPE for comedy!

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!

Just in time for this year's graduation season, we read the Dr. Suess book that hits the New York Times best-seller list every year! It's Oh, the Places You'll Go! (Because we know the way marketing goes)

It's a fun little story about the path your life will take. This is assuming, of course, that you'll be abandoned by your firends, wallow in grief, and purchase way WAY too many elephants. But isn't that how life goes for all of us when we're in our 20's? (Yes.)

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!

Did you see the title of this week's episode?? It's called The World According to MUSK OX!! How is that not the greatest name that has ever existed? There is no way that it isn't. Man, Erin and Matthew have really got this figured out, man.

Gosh, what else? Oh! The book is a fun journey around the world using a MAGIC travel trunk that allows super-sonic speed for hoofed mammaloids. Dry wit for all.

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!

This fancy day in May has been brought to you by IMAGINATION! Yes, it's Sir Ryan's Quest! And, in addition to Staying Alive, young Ryan journeys the scary corridors of... his house and earns his knightly accoutrement.

We also had special guest Kimberly join us! No, it wasn't the pink ranger, but she was a female who had heard of Zordon. I think you can draw your own conclusions. Kimberly Spillman (@kspillma), ladies and gentlemen!

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!

Zombies are still popular right? The Walking Dead is probably the highest ranking show that's actually good. It's getting a spin off next year, and I hear that iZombie is pretty fantastic, and I can't wait to actually watch it! So why not have good ol' Rachel & Sam get in on the zombie action?

This book is about two zombies that love each other who are then surprised by parenthood, as so many of us often are. Also, a fully functional worm society living right at their feet!

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!

Every once in a while, we stumble upon a book that just falls right into Sam's wheelhouse. This was that book! It was goofy, there was a duck, um.... do we need a third thing? It was good! Just listen to the darn thing!

Jory John and Benji Davies give us a book that fits perfectly with the idea of a bedtime story.

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!

We continue our princess theme by reading The Paper Bag Princess! This, much like last week's book, hails to us from a foreign land! The foreign land of Canadia! What fun!

This was a cute book that may not make the most sense, when you factor in physics. But who ever factored in physics to a children's book? (Hint: us.)

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!

This is the story of Arya-Merida in her quest to be a sword weilding princess who doesn't want her father to marry her off. Arya-Merida is the best princess ever!

Apparently this book is a translation, but you'll just have to wait till the end to find out from which original language! Oh man, worst buzzfeed title ever...

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!

This is another of my favorite books from when I was a kid. Not only is the art absolutely gorgeous, it also is FULL of dinosaurs! Who wouldn't love that? People who are unAmerican, that's who. And you don't want to be unAmerican, do you?

We tried something a little different this episode, going with a book more driven by story than by the illustrated pages. The art, impressive though it is, is largely superfluous.

But it is an enjoyable, andwonder-filled book. And I still like it!

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!

Here's a story where reality... shifts. Who knows what hidden terrors lurk in the realm of REDACTED disguised as cows? I know that we don't. Together, we all can explore this mysterious realm of the crazy, cat-loving farmer and his cows(?) of squatter's rights.

Lotta swearing in this one for some reason. Sorry!

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!

Turns out Wombats are dicks. But at least they're cute.

Written by Jackie French and illustrated by Bruce Whatley, we have an adorable story told from the perspective of a Wombat who gets some new neighbors.

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!

We've got a bit a twist this week! It's the story of the three little pigs, but this time the wolf has a bit of a cold! What hilarity will ensue from this? (Answer: a reasonable amount)

Brought to us by Steve Smallman (author) and Bruno Merz (illustrator) is a goofy new take on a classic story!

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!

We have a guest this week, one of the first people I met when I moved to LA. (I've even known him longer than I've known Rachel *gasp!*) It's Steve Saunders! Join all three of us as we discover things about dragons, tacos, and the love dragons have for tacos.

Turns out there is a lot of dragon love when it comes to tacos.

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!

I gotta be real with you for a second. This is one big hamster. Also, I may have read this story entirely as a weird old man. We came up with the idea, Rachel and I, thought it would be funny, and then promptly forgot to mention it at ALL during the actual podcast.

Because we are dumb.

So go ahead and enjoy this very silly story, but be warned: I'M OLD!!

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!

We're continuing Season 2 strong! This week the very fun... but weird, Pirates Love Underpants by Claire Freedman (author) and Ben Cort (illustrator). Every pirate has to have a theme, I suppose, so what happens when a particular pirate crew is underpants themed? Shenanigans is the only possible outcome.

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!

Welcome to Season 2 of Rachel & Sam Read a Story! Now with an intro! Isn't it so shiny and fancy? We certainly think so.

To debut the intro we have it's performer Kari, or she likes to be called "Karrat Time", with us for the episode. And Kari brought a friend! We are also joined by bassist extraordinaire Aaron Leonard! Fun for everyone! AND in honor of our new season, we decided to pay tribute to our most popular podcast from last year: Curious George! We read the second installment in the series, and man oh man. It's just as bad as the first.

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!

It's Valentine's Week everyone! And if you're like us, then you're miserably alone. So...very...alone... Let's make ourselves feel better by listening to silly books! Hooray! I like this story, and the horrible implcations of the creation of sentience in this universe! Brenda A Ferber and Tedd Arnold did a very fun job creating a story I will use to question the meaning of life in the universe for many years to come!

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!

This is a quite old book of riddles/jokes for kids. It was published in 1960! It's called Bennett Cerf's Book of Riddles (with drawings by Roy McKie). Sam's sister got it for him for Hannukah this year. Isn't that nice? It is especially nice because this old book was turned into a journal by Ex Libris Anonyous. Jaboc (jacob@bookjounals.com) apparently takes old kids books and turns them into quirky little journals! What a fun idea! I get a journal, and you get to enjoy some classic riddles at the same time!

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 this silly little book by Ben Joel Price, we leave the earth and the present behind. Everything is all cute and cuddly in space until..... MONSTERS!! RUN!

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!

This week, we at the podcast try something experimental. It's a podcast of a children's book with limited story! No, wait... that's every week. Um...it's a podcast about a book with a different structure? Sure, ok. We play around with a Where's Waldo book! (By Martin Handford) It's a longer episode, and possibly less interesting! Who knows? Please give us a listen and let us know how it compares to other episodes. We'd love to know if you'd like us to try other experimental things like this! It's Where's Waldo! (Spoiler alert: We find him)

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!

Alright! 2015 is in full swing, and Rachel and I had a great new year! She did.... something. I don't remember. And I was in Tucson and it SNOWED!! Because this is the first podcast we actually recorded in 2015, I figured, let's read about someone's first day of school! Edda, by Adam Auerbach, is the story of the littlest Valkyrie as she attends school for the very first time! Let's listen!

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!

Remember when Bridget Renshaw joined up for episode #39? Well she's back! This time we're reading a book that SHE WROTE? Isn't that awesome? (Answer: yes.) Bridget self-published a wonderful collection of poems for children in a book called Cornucopia. It is delightful and I highly recommend that you go find it on Amazon right now! Well, listen to our podcast, and then go get yourself a copy! Cornucopia by Bridget Renshaw! (@BridgetRenshaw)

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!