{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"The Admiral of Adventure Meets The Brave Fuzzy","description":"In this episode, we\u2019re celebrating two very special books that help families and kids explore big ideas\u2014through story, science, and faith. First, Jennifer Swanson returns to talk about her new nonfiction Christmas book, \u201cUnto Us a Child Is Born: A Family Celebration of Christmas\u201d (Workman Publishing). Known for her STEM and STEAM books, Jennifer steps into faith-focused nonfiction for kids ages 8\u201312 and their families. She explains how the book weaves Bible verses, narrative explanations, and classic hymns to walk readers through the Nativity story, inviting families to read, reflect, and even sing together. Jennifer shares personal memories of growing up Catholic\u2014family Bible reading, Christmas carols around the piano, and the excitement of midnight Mass\u2014and how researching the historical and cultural context of Jesus\u2019s birth deepened her own understanding of her faith. She also pulls back the curtain on the team effort behind picture books: editors, illustrators, and marketing all shaping the final book. In the second half, we meet teen author and executive director Eliana Miao, who leads a team of 23 students behind \u201cThe Brave Fuzzy: A Microbiome Story.\u201d This imaginative picture book uses colorful \u201cfuzzies\u201d to represent microbes in the gut microbiome, showing how diversity leads to a healthier \u201cvillage\u201d\u2014and a healthier body. Eliana shares how the idea grew from a club into a nonprofit, Pen and Pipette, the challenge of collaborating with 22 peers and an illustrator in France, and what they learned by testing early versions with elementary school students. It\u2019s a joyful look at how young creators can make cutting-edge science feel magical and accessible for kids. ","author_name":"Reading With Your Kids Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/readingwithyourkids.libsyn.com\/site","html":"