{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Trees, Tales and Armadillos: Nuturing Cultural Curiosity And Courage","description":"In this lively episode of the Reading With Your Kids Podcast, Jed welcomes two wonderful guests whose picture books help kids feel seen, brave, and deeply connected to the world around them. First, Jed chats with Jalpa Vaidya Patel, licensed social worker and author of \u201cWizzy: The Worldly Tree: A Tale of Cultural Curiosity.\u201d Jalpa shares how her background in social work and Native American studies shaped a gentle new way to talk about culture with kids. Instead of starting with \u201cwe\u2019re all different,\u201d Wizzy begins with the truth that we\u2019re all interconnected and that every family has a story rooted in the land. Jalpa explains how cultural curiosity\u2014asking \u201cWhat\u2019s your family story?\u201d instead of \u201cWhere are you from?\u201d\u2014can build belonging and naturally reduce prejudice. She and Jed swap family stories, DNA surprises, and powerful examples of how relationships across cultures change the way kids see the world. Then Jed is joined by Mallory J. Stevens, creator of \u201cThe Adventures of Clive and Sydney: The Dancing Armadillos.\u201d Mallory introduces listeners to Clive, Sydney, and their feline friend Nanushka, performers at the Pine Tree Forest Theater. When Nanushka goes missing before a big show, the armadillos must find the courage to dance onstage alone and then venture into the forest to search for their friend. Mallory describes how her background in banking, corporate communications, and conflict resolution led her to write fun, music-filled stories that also teach friendship, empathy, problem-solving, and resilience. She even shares how the series inspired original songs\u2014like \u201cBeetles and Worms\u201d and the award-winning \u201cDo the Dillo\u201d\u2014and her hopes for an animated series and school performances. ","author_name":"Reading With Your Kids Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/readingwithyourkids.libsyn.com\/site","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/42694720\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/content\/205770535"}