{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Robots, Werewolves, and Wonder: Picture Books that Celebrate Imagination and Culture","description":"In this episode, \u201cRobots, Werewolves, and Wonder: Picture Books that Celebrate Imagination and Culture,\u201d Jed welcomes two sets of brilliant guests who show just how magical\u2014and meaningful\u2014picture books can be. First, author Jose Lourenco and illustrator James Braithwaite join us from Toronto to celebrate their best-selling debut picture book, Billie Builds a Robocorn. Jose explains that Billie, a kid navigating a move and new school, builds a homemade robotic unicorn\u2014\u201cRobocorn\u201d\u2014to ease her loneliness. James shares how their early idea started as a bedtime book and evolved into a richer introduction to Billie\u2019s world, shaped by a larger creative team. They talk about designing a robot that kids could actually build from household items, their unusual author\u2013illustrator partnership, and the long collaborative journey from shared studio space and BLT-fueled brainstorming sessions all the way to the Bologna Children\u2019s Book Fair. Then we travel to the Louisiana bayou with Johnette Downing, musician, storyteller, and author of My Parrain is the Loup Garou. Johnette reimagines the traditionally scary Cajun werewolf (the loup garou) as part of a loving, adventurous bond between a boy and his godfather. She talks about turning fear into fun, preserving Cajun folklore, and blending music and story\u2014many of her books are singable, and this one even has its own song on her new Zydeco album. Johnette also shares stories from performing for children on five continents and why seeing the world through a child\u2019s eyes keeps the magic alive. ","author_name":"Reading With Your Kids Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/readingwithyourkids.libsyn.com\/site","html":"