
Building a Home Library with Nell O'Leary
From The Votive Podcast by Haley Stewart
November 28, 2025 · 38 min
About this episode
Haley interviews Nell O'Leary about developing a home library and fostering a reading culture in families.
Haley interviewes Nell O'Leary, Institute Consultant for the Word on Fire Institute and mom of five living in St. Paul. This episode explores developing a home library and what kind of books to stock in it. Nell and Haley talk about raising readers, helping children develop their moral imagination and learn to strengthen the muscle of critical thinking as they encounter new media, and building a bookish family culture Learn more about the children's literature available from Word on Fire Votive . Stay up-to-date with the latest episodes of the The Votive Podcast biweekly on WordonFire.org or wherever you listen to podcasts. Do you enjoy this podcast? Become a Word on Fire IGNITE member to support the production of the Votive Podcast and other initiatives from Word on Fire. Our ministry depends on the support of listeners like you! Become a part of this mission and join IGNITE today to become a Word on Fire insider and receive some special donor gifts for your generosity.
People in this episode
Host: Haley Stewart
Guest: Nell O'Leary
Topics covered
- home library
- children's literature
- raising readers
- moral imagination
- critical thinking
- bookish family culture
Keywords
- home library
- children's books
- reading culture
- moral imagination
- critical thinking
- family
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Word on Fire Institute
Places: St. Paul
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