{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"From Monet to Blue Butterflies: Picture Books That Celebrate Curiosity and Inclusion","description":"In this episode of Reading With Your Kids, Jed welcomes two picture book creators who celebrate children\u2019s creativity, curiosity, and the beauty of our differences. First, Jed chats with Jean Huxtable Hamerski, author of Marley\u2019s Masterpiece. Inspired by her art\u2011loving granddaughter and a great\u2011nephew who once painted the house during nap time, Jean\u2019s story follows Marley, a young artist who can\u2019t stop thinking about Monet\u2019s towering water lily paintings. After visiting a museum, Marley decides to create her own \u201cmasterpiece\u201d on the walls, hallways, bathroom, and coffee table at home. Instead of punishing her, Marley\u2019s parents teach her about canvases, studios, and famous painters, then work together as a family to clean up\u2014and ultimately give Marley her own \u201cstudio\u201d space in the garage. Jean and Jed talk about supportive parenting, not punishing kids for not knowing better, and nurturing children\u2019s \u201cinnate interests,\u201d whether it\u2019s art, pumpkins, soccer, or \u201cnaturey\u201d adventures. Then Jed is joined by Andrew Ginsburg, stand\u2011up comedian, personal trainer, and author of The Colors of My Sky. Andrew\u2019s book follows Lester, a blue butterfly whose mother insists he only play with other blue butterflies. Through a powerful, kid\u2011friendly metaphor, Lester shows his mom that the sky isn\u2019t just blue\u2014it\u2019s gray, pink, orange, and more\u2014inviting a conversation about racism, exclusion, and embracing difference. Andrew and Jed explore helping kids pivot through life\u2019s changes, the joy of reading aloud, and why Andrew chose bedtime \u201cbook parties\u201d with his kids over late\u2011night comedy clubs. This episode is full of heartfelt stories, practical parenting wisdom, and rich read\u2011aloud opportunities for families and educators alike. ","author_name":"Reading With Your Kids Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/readingwithyourkids.libsyn.com\/site","html":"