Language During Mealtime

Interview with Author, Jamie Sumner

Roll With It

Roll With It is a middle grade novel about a strong character named Ellie. Ellie tells it like it is and surprises many people with her strong opinions and no nonsense attitude. Ellie has cerebral palsy and is wheelchair bound, which makes people judge her right away as needing help and being judged as less independent. She has big dreams and craves independence and long lasting friendships. Where will she find this? 

When she moves with her mom to help take care of her grandpa, she finds discovers strength, independence and friendships. Roll With It is a story of friendship, strength, family relationships and working through challenges. It's also a story of learning about misconceptions and being less judgmental. Roll With It builds character and empathy with the reader. 

Tune It Out

Tune It Out is about a young girl named Lou, who has the voice of an angel. In the beginning of story, she lives with her mom and struggles with her sensory processing disorder and finances. After being moved to a new home with her aunt and uncle, Lou discovers things about herself and the importance of family and friendships. She deals with the discovery and treatment of her Sensory Processing Disorder and how to work through the challenges to be the best version of herself. This is a book that should be on all library shelves as well as home libraries! 

To learn more about Jamie and her books for parenting children with special needs, click here.

Interview with Holly Sharp, Author of Dream It and Do It, 100 Possibilities, Stories, Real-Life Role Models for Girls and Boys

Are you looking to help your child learn about different careers? Check out this book, Dream It and Do It written by Holly Sharp that takes the reader through all types of careers. In the book include the following: Artistic Writers, Artistic Performers, Artistic Designers, Helpers: Service, Helpers: Medical, Helpers: Growth, Helpers: Nature, Lemonade Stand (Business), Product Developers and Discovers.

Holly Sharp is a new mom who realized that there weren’t enough career-focused books out there for her daughter. So she wrote Dream It & Do It, a collection of 100 short stories based on real people who have followed their dreams.

The book begins with a short introduction by Holly Sharp which explains the importance of each person making their mark in the world as well as the constant changes in technology. Her question to the reader is, "What will be your role in this change?"

I love this book because it has so many wonderful stories about different people who made the world a better place. Some of the people featured include; Maya Penn, Ocean Ramsey, Sal Khan and many others!

To learn more about the book and author, visit my website here.

Interview with SLP Team, Kristi and Becca from Communication Community

About Kristi and Becca from Communication Community

Today I will be interviewing SLP (Speech Language Pathologists) Kristi and Becca from Communication Community (please disregard mistake in podcast introduction. Their website is communication community, not communications community)

I have worked with this SLP team on a guest post about AAC during Food Prep during cooking. Check out the post here!

Becca is currently living in Denver, Colorado. She works primarily with adults using AAC but has experience in schools and hospitals. Kristi lives in Florida and spends most of her professional time working for programs treating pediatric and young adult populations with autism.

To check out their website, click here.

To access free resources on their TPT store, click here.

To learn more about adapting books and access more free resources, visit my website here!

Interview with Leslie Lindsay, Author of Speaking of Apraxia

Speaking of Apraxia, A Parent's Guide to Childhood Apraxia of Speech

Do you have a child with apraxia of speech? As a speech language pathologist for twenty years, I have worked with many children diagnosed with apraxia of speech. Working in the field of AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication), I have worked with the most severe cases of apraxia where speech is not available for functional communication on a consistent basis.

I am thrilled to have Leslie Lindsay on my podcast to talk about the second edition of her book, Speaking of Apraxia, A Parent's Guide to Childhood Apraxia of Speech.

Now available in an updated, second edition, Speaking of Apraxia (Woodbine House, November 2020), is an award-winning resource on Childhood Apraxia of Speech (CAS). Eight years ago, when Leslie Lindsay, former Child & Adolescent Psychiatric R.N., and mother to a daughter with CAS—now resolved—couldn’t find any parent-friendly books to help her child and family with CAS, she wrote one. This updated, well-researched, and comprehensive work provides readers the benefit of her experience and perspective.

To read more about the book and learn about Leslie, click here.

Interview with Paula and Rosie Quinn, My Hair Went on Vacation

My Hair Went on Vacation written by Paula Quinn and illustrated by Chiara Civati is a wonderful story about a young girl who loses her hair due to the autoimmune disorder, Alopecia.

This book, which is written in the first perspective takes the reader through the journey from Rosie losing her hair and feeling like an outcast to embracing her uniqueness and educating others about Alopecia.

Through art, Rosie feels connected and in touch with her feelings. Her parents take her art creations and turn them into head scarves. Rosie wears this beautiful scarf with pride and takes the opportunity to share this love and help others struggling with Alopecia or another condition that causes lost or thinning hair.

To read the full review and learn about Coming Up Rosies, click here.

Interview with Children's Book Author, Beth Ferry

Fox and Rabbit Graphic Novel Series

written by Beth Ferry and illustrated by Gergely Dudás

Fox & Rabbit

Meet Fox, who likes trying new things and is scared of heights. Meet Rabbit, who likes being prepared and is scared of everything! Together in this book, the readers learns about how these two characters develop a special friendship together and overcome their fears. This book is divided into five chapters and readers will love reading the adventures of these two lovable, funny and amusing characters.

Fox and Rabbit Make Believe

Fox & Rabbit Make Believe is the second graphic novel written by Beth Ferry and illustrated by Gergely Dudás. This vibrant and beautifully illustrated book is a wonderful graphic novel about friendship, make believe, and every day adventures.  In this book, Fox and Rabbit will learn about making new friendships with other characters and watch their friend's imagination go wild! 

To read the full review and learn more about Beth Ferry, click here.

Interview with Anita Nahta Amin, Author of Raja's Pet Camel The Magic of Hope

Raja's Pet Camel The Magic of Hope written by author Anita Nahta Amin and illustrated by Parwinder Singh is a wonderful story about a young boys journey finding his forever pet, Kamal. It's also a story that is educational and helps children learn more about Indian culture.

The story begins with Raja walking home from school and finding "a lone baby camel crying". What does he do? Raja moves cautiously towards the baby camel, who is at first scared until she spots Raja's shiny lunchbox. The pair immediately hit it off by playing tag and hide and seek. Raja decides to bring his pet camel home and hopes that his father will accept Kamal as their new pet. His father, Bapu is skeptical but decides to let his son keep Kamal until someone claims her. Raja is overjoyed and has hope that Kamal can stay.

However, as time goes on, Kamal becomes quite a handful! He becomes a trouble maker around the house and Raja's father decides to sell him at the local fair. What will Raja do to keep Kamal? Read the book to find out!

To read the full review, learn about Anita and access the free educator guide click here.

Interview with Lauren and Adam Block, Authors of Kelly Stays Home and Kelly Goes Back to School

Kelly Goes Back to School

Is your child returning to school this Fall in person?

Kelly Goes Back to School More Science on Coronavirus is the second book written by authors and couple Lauren and Adam Block. I originally saw their first children's book, Kelly Stays Home in Newsday  on May 2020 and was immediately impressed with their mission of helping to educate children about the pandemic. 

Kelly Goes Back to School is a well written and beautifully illustrated book about a young girl named Kelly who is returning to school after being home and learning remotely. The book begins with Kelly feeling anxious about returning to school and discussing her feelings with her family. Although Kelly is excited to see her friends and return to school, she doesn't know what to expect. How many kids will be in the class? Will everyone be spaced apart? Do I wear my mask all day? These are common questions that parents face and although we can answer them with our best knowledge, explaining the reasons behind everything is not always simple.

Lauren Block, a primary physician and Adam Block, a health economist, tackle a variety of complicated topics. They explain these topics and terminology in a way that children can understand and relate to them. The authors also review complex vocabulary such as cohorting, convalescent plasma, viral transmission and fomites. Many children may have heard these words before, but may not fully understand them. After reading this book with your child, there will be a better understanding of these words and how they relate to the pandemic and the transmission of COVID-19. The illustrator, Alex Brissenden perfectly illustrates these complex topics throughout the book. 

To learn more about the authors and access their free books downloads online, visit my review here.

Interview with Lisa Selin Davis, Author of Tomboy

Tomboy The Surprising History and Future of Girls Who Dare To Be Different

"I think it's important for parents, and kids, to understand how sex, gender, and sexuality have been understood in different eras, to see that the way we are experiencing and understanding them is part of the evolution, and that we've still got so much more to learn." Lisa Selin Davis (Tomboy, 2020).

Tomboy, written by essayist, novelist, and journalist Lisa Selin Davis "explores the evolution of tomboyism from a Victorian ideal to a twenty first century fashion statement, honoring girls and women-and those who identify otherwise."

Tomboy is a fascinating and comprehensive book that combines research, Lisa's personal life and other girl's experiences and stories. This book helps readers to better appreciate those who defy gender norms and boundaries and the "incredible people they become."

Before reading this book, I didn't think that much about the word "tomboy" and used it within conversation without a thought. My history of the word tomboy included the iconic character Jo from Facts of Life and found it to be a positive term based on my own experiences. I never thought about how this word has been used in history and what it means today.

After reading Tomboy, I became more educated in the topic of gender and understanding the history of the word, "tomboy" after reading this book. I was also able to self reflect on my own childhood and the gender norms of today. As a parent, I am always learning and then never stops!

I highly recommend this book for parents who want to learn more about this fascinating topic and celebrate girls "who dare to be different."

To read the full review and watch the trailer, click here.

Interview with Lori Ann Copeland, Author of Hunter and His Amazing Remote

Are you looking for a picture book to help your child with self-regulation and impulsivity?

Hunter and His Amazing Remote Control by Lori Ann Copeland is a fantastic book for all children, but specifically helpful for those with attention and impulsivity difficulties. The book is about a young boy named Hunter begins the story using a remote control while watching television. He suddenly gets the best idea! What is he invented a remote control that can control his brain? 

Hunter is creative, enthusiastic and full of energy. However, it's sometimes hard to focus and pay attention when needs to. This need for movement and a feeling of not being understood leads to frustration. That's why he has his remote control to help him!

Throughout the book, Hunter explains all of the different buttons a remote control such as "pause", "rewind", "slow motion", and "fast forward". Do you ever wish you can hit "pause" and give yourself some time to think about something before doing it? That's what the pause button is for!

Other buttons on the remote control include "way to go", which reminds children of their own hard work and success. I love the button "zap" , which helps children stay positive and not turn their negative thoughts into reality. 

Hunter and His Amazing Control is a wonderful book for both home and in the classroom setting. In our podcast, Lori and I also discuss how to use it virtually for remote learning. A book such as this one is timeless and very important specifically, especially during this pandemic. It's so easy to become distracted during both remote learning and in person learning.

To learn more about Lori and see the full review of her book and other products, click here.