Listen to this week’s podcast of Tracey Serebin’s Family Matters and hear me talk about a dad’s role in helping mom recover from childbirth. Actually, I don’t know if anyone actually recovers — perhaps the term should be “reasonably functions.” In any event, Tracey’s interview with me on her Internet radio program runs 30 minutes, following her talk with a postpartum nurse/doula. I’m now a regular guest on Tracey’s show, which is growing rapidly (more news to come on that end). You can log on to the new installment and click “Listen Now” or “Podcast.” Or go directly to the podcast. Let me know what you think.

While the new school year has been kicking my behind, I am presently taking a TV watching respite with my three-year-old. We’re enjoying a video version of Doreen Cronin and Harry Bliss’s Diary of a Spider book as part of a collection of fantastic “critter stories” that also includes Roberto the Insect Architect (narrated by actor Sean Hayes) and The Mysterious Tadpole. This rendition is part of the Scholastic Storybook Treasures series, which has been produced by the Weston Woods studio for decades. These videos, which animate new, old, and award-winning picture books, have long been favorites in my family and, after this latest inspiring installment, I’m shouting out their praises. The animation of these stories can be delightfully dynamic and sometimes a bit rudimentary (especially the older productions), however they do manage to encourage my kids to read more of their own books and want to order the original print versions of the tales they watch. I highly recommend picking up a few of these collections for your own video library. Go to www.newkideo.com to see what you have in store.