{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Gifted, Overwhelmed and Deeply Loved","description":"In this episode, Jed welcomes two wonderful guests who are using story to build kids\u2019 hearts and minds. First, Allie Slocom joins us from Colorado to celebrate her middle grade novel Is There Hope for Theodore Cope. Theo is an 11\u2011year\u2011old aspiring magician who\u2019s also neurodiverse and gifted. He\u2019s brilliant at math, reading, basketball, dog walking, and magic tricks\u2014but struggles with executive functioning. Allie explains that Theo isn\u2019t irresponsible; he simply hasn\u2019t yet developed the skills to manage his time, commitments, and big \u201cyes\u201d energy. Drawing on her work as a gifted education teacher, Allie talks about the importance of helping kids practice executive function through games and real-life experiences. She shares how her Character Club\u2014an after\u2011school group she ran in her home\u2014grew into an entire book series focused on traits like responsibility, compassion, integrity, and forgiveness, with historical vignettes featuring figures such as Ernest Shackleton and Clara Barton. Next, Jed heads to New Jersey to chat with Nicole Smith\u2011Schultz, school librarian and author of the picture book My Baby Doll. Inspired by her own daughter, Nicole\u2019s book beautifully mirrors getting a beloved baby doll as a child with becoming a mom for the first time. She reflects on the joy and surprise of motherhood, the innocence of play, and the powerful ways kids imitate the care they receive. Nicole also shares her passion for librarianship, media literacy, and making sure every child finds a book they truly love\u2014while advocating for the vital role of school librarians in our communities. ","author_name":"Reading With Your Kids Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/readingwithyourkids.libsyn.com\/site","html":"