ABOUT THIS EPISODE
This week on Raising Confident Girls, your host, Melissa Jones, is joined by Elizabeth Mundt, The Kid Lit Mama—a lifelong book lover, former teacher, and passionate advocate for emotional development through storytelling. Together, they dive into the powerful role that books play in shaping girls’ confidence, empathy, and self-understanding.
Elizabeth shares her personal journey from the classroom to coaching, and how her love for literature became a guiding force in helping girls navigate the ups and downs of growing up. With warmth and wisdom, she and Melissa explore how stories can become a mirror, a map, and a conversation starter for young readers learning to process big emotions and tricky social dynamics.
In this episode, we cover:
- How books can support emotional growth and self-awareness
- Elizabeth’s NEAT lens for choosing empowering, age-appropriate stories
- Why storytelling fosters empathy, connection, and authenticity
- Practical tips for parents on building a book-friendly environment at home
- How to use literature as a tool for discussing difficult emotions
- Creating safe, judgment-free spaces for meaningful conversations
- The lasting impact of sharing stories that reflect and empower young girls
Whether you're a parent, caregiver, or simply someone who believes in the transformative power of words, this episode is full of actionable insights and heartfelt encouragement. You’ll walk away with new tools—and maybe a few new book titles—to help your daughter grow into her most confident, emotionally aware self.
Download the Quick Tips PDF of today’s episode for future reference.
If you know a parent who could benefit from this conversation, share this episode with them! Let’s work together to raise the next generation of confident girls.
Featured Titles from the Episode
• Messy Monkeys — Sabrina Andonegui; illustrated by Lea Marie Ravotti
• I’m Happy-Sad Today: Making Sense of Mixed-Together Feelings — Lory Britain; illustrated by Matthew Rivera
• Stay Angry, Little Girl — Madeleine L’Engle; illustrated by Michelle Jing Chan
• Ready to Soar — Cori Doerrfeld (author-illustrator)
• Way Past Jealous — Hallee Adelman; illustrated by Karen Wall
• Way Past Mean — Hallee Adelman; illustrated by Karen Wall
• Way Past Sorry — Hallee Adelman; illustrated by Josep Maria Juli
• Arya & Everyone Else’s Feelings — Kelsey Fox Bennett Boyd; illustrated by Louie Chin
• The Grand Hotel of Feelings — Lidia Branković (author-illustrator)
• Smile, Sophia — Skylaar Amann (author-illustrator)
You can also find more of her amazing resources at: thekidlitmama.com
Connect with Elizabeth:
Melissa's Links:
• Website
• Instagram
• Facebook
• TikTok
• LinkedIn
