Language During Mealtime

Interview with Author and Playwright, Nicole Panteleakos

Today I will be interviewing Nicole Panteleakos. Nicole Panteleakos is an author, playwright, and actor. Her debut novel PLANET EARTH IS BLUE was released on May 14, 2019, with a second middle grade novel to follow in 2020. 

 Outside of writing, Nicole is a Lifetime Member of the VFW Auxiliary and National Home for Children, a godmother of several, and on the Board at her favorite community theatre. 

 I am excited to be interviewing Nicole about her debut middle novel, Planet Earth is Blue.

It’s January 1986, and Nova is eagerly awaiting the launch of the space shuttle Challenger--it's the first time a teacher is going into space, and kids across America will watch the event on live TV in their classrooms. Nova and her big sister, Bridget, share a love of astronomy and the space program. They planned to watch the launch together. But Bridget has disappeared, and Nova is in a new foster home.

While foster families and teachers dismiss Nova as being severely autistic and nonverbal, Bridget understands how intelligent and special Nova is. As the liftoff draws closer, Nova's new foster family and teachers begin to see her potential, and for the first time, she is making friends without Bridget. But every day, she's counting down to the launch, and to the moment when she'll see Bridget again.

To learn more about Nicole, visit her website at nicolepanteleakos.com.

Check out my review of Planet Earth is Blue and learn more about speech and communication, click here! 

 

Interview with Nina G. Author of Once Upon An Accommodation and Stutterer Uninterrupted

Today I will be interview Nina G, who is a comedian, professional speaker, storyteller, writer and educator. She brings her humor to help people confront and understand disability culture, access and empowerment.

Nina G. was the only woman who stuttered in the stand-up comedy world when she started nine years ago. She co-produced the Comedians with Disabilities Act, a national touring comedy show featuring exclusively comedians with disabilities. She also produced the first compilation album to feature Disabled Comedy Only. Nina’s brand of comedy reflects the experiences of many with disabilities. She tours the country as a conference keynote speaker including at a TEDx talk at San Jose State University. She has a doctorate in psychology and teaches at a Bay Area Community College. She also author of the book, Once Upon an Accommodation.

 For more information, visit her website at ninagcomedian.com.

To learn more about Nina G and to read the review of her book, Once Upon An Accommodation, click here.

Interview with Julie Hornok Author of United in Autism Finding Strength within the Spectrum

Julie Hornok is not just the author of this book, she is also the parent of a child with Autism. She is an Autism Advocate that has dedicated her life to helping others. When her daughter, Lizzie, was diagnosed with autism at the age of two, Julie Hornok jumped into researching and implementing a thirty-hours-a-week home therapy program.  A few years later, as her daughter made good progress, Julie went through her videos and began a video blog (www.LizzieHornok.Blogspot.com) showing Lizzie’s progress to encourage others.

As a result of the video blog, Julie became the go-to mom for helping parents with a new autism diagnosis and was honored to accept a position on the board of the National Autism Association of North Texas. She was also asked to blog for AutismSpot. Blogging regularly enabled her to encourage and help thousands across the globe through humorous, heartfelt stories about Lizzie and videos showing the therapies she was using to help her daughter progress.

Through AutismSpot, Julie discovered her love for writing. She has published short stories in multiple Chicken Soup for the Soul books, and her work has also appeared in Scary Mommy, Parenting Special Needs Magazine, Autism Parenting Magazine, The Mighty, That’s Inappropriate and many more. Her first book, United in Autism: Finding Strength Inside the Spectrum released in October 2018.

In this podcast, Julie discusses her own journey of her daughter's diagnosis with Autism and shares her experience of writing the book. Don't miss this special podcast! 

 For more information about Julie, visit her website at Juliehornok.com. 

To read my review of Julie's book, United in Autism, click here. Also visit my website for more recommendations of books and resources about Autism. 

Interview with Denise Barry, Author of Tooth Fairy, You Have Some Explaining To Do!

Today I will be interviewing Denise Barry, an award winning children’s book author and inspirational writer. She is here to talk about her new book, Tooth Fairy, You Have Some Explaining To Do! Her other books include What does the Tooth Fairy Do with our teeth? And Soap on a Rope. She maintains a blog called Raisin’ Kids, for parents who wish to raise children who become adults, not adult children. For more on Denise Barry and her books, visit her website at denisebarry.net.

Don’t miss sample discussion questions and my review with the book here!

 

Interview with Maria Dismondy, Children's Book Author, Speaker and CEO Cardinal Rule Press

Today I will be interviewing Maria Dismondy children’s book author, speaker and CEO of Cardinal Rule Press. I have had the pleasure of learning from Maria as my mentor when my children’s books were released last year. Maria has penned ten books featuring topics ranging from anti-bullying to overcoming adversity to handling friendship trials and tribulations and beyond. Her books are read in classrooms and homes around the world. Maria is dedicated to empowering children, educators and parents through public speaking engagements across the United States. Maria is the founder & CEO of Cardinal Rule Press, a traditional publishing house producing high-quality children’s literature that focuses on realistic fiction picture books that make a difference while reflecting modern-day diversity.

Don’t forget to check out Maria’s website at mariadismondy.com

Interview with Alexis Glaze, author of Koning the Lion

In this podcast, I interview author and storyteller Alexis Glaze. Koning the Lion is a story full of valuable lessons about gaining independence and learning that there is no place like home! This book tells the story of young lion who wants to explore the land beyond his father's kingdom. This book, which takes place in the Kalahari Desert begins with the introduction of Koning who was the son of the king of the kingdom. Koning loved exploring the kingdom with his father but longed to seek great adventures without his father.

Alexis Glaze is not only an author of Koning the Lion, she is also a children's pastor that is a wonderful storyteller. During our podcast, Alexis gives me and a sneak peak into various tips in how she developed her storytelling craft and how she modifies it in various ways for children with autism. She also talks about what inspired her to write this book and how she got it published.

Read the review here.

Don't miss it!

Interview with Toni Buzzeo, author of When Sue Found Sue

I am excited to be interviewing Toni Buzzeo, author of 26 picture books and 11 books for teachers and librarians. Toni has a wealth of knowledge on her website including teachers guides, lesson plans and much more! It’s an excellent resource for teachers, therapists, librarians and parents.

To read more about Toni and her books, go to her website here.

Toni is here today talking about her new book, When Sue Found Sue.

WHEN SUE FOUND SUE tells the story of Sue, a shy, yet curious child who was born to find things. In 1990, Sue made the biggest discovery of her life: the largest (42 feet long!) and most complete T. rex skeleton ever found. Her story is especially timely as Sue the T. rex debuted in a brand-new gallery at the Field Museum of Natural History.

Interview with Alyson Gerber, Author of Focused

Do you have a daughter with ADHD? This interview with Alyson Gerber is a very special interview about her book, Focused and tips for parents as well as young girls with ADHD. Alyson speaks candidly about what inspired her to write her book and how her experiences shaped her writing career. To learn more about Alyson Gerber and her book, check out my review here. To learn more about Alyson Gerber, check out her website here.

Interview with Laura Jiencke, President of Bluebee Pals

In this podcast, I will be interviewing my friend and colleague, Laura Jienke, president of Kayle Concepts. With the increase in technology devices saturating the market, Kayle Concepts recognized that children’s playtime was being replaced by device. Laura wanted to create an inseparable, huggable plush best friend that can also connect to devices.

Check out the Bluebee Pals website here. 

Check out my app reviews here.

Introduction

Welcome to the first episode!