{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Magic Marks & Ghost Armies: How Picture Books Build Brave Kids","description":"In this episode, we celebrate two powerful picture books that help kids see their own strength, uniqueness, and courage. First, Jed chats with Dr. Tisha Shipley, educator and author of Writer\u2019s Magic Mark. Inspired by her nephew Ryder, who was born with a distinctive birthmark down his arm, Tisha\u2019s story turns that mark into something literally magical. In the book, Ryder\u2019s birthmark comes to life and helps his friends discover what makes them special\u2014on the outside and the inside. Tisha shares how her 26 years in education shaped the book, why she\u2019s so passionate about mental health and social emotional learning, and how we can get back to telling kids, very directly, \u201cHere\u2019s what makes you unique.\u201d She also talks about her companion curriculum, Growing Gratitude and Confidence, and all the free classroom resources she created to make gratitude and self-worth part of everyday school life. Then, Jed welcomes Sarah Glenn Marsh, author of Ghost Army: The Troop of Artists Who Helped Win World War II. Sarah introduces listeners to the real-life \u201cGhost Army,\u201d a secret unit of artists, designers, and sound experts who used deception\u2014not bullets\u2014to mislead enemy forces and save lives. Through her fictional soldier Charlie, she shows young readers that art can be as powerful as any weapon. Sarah explains how she gently tackles the topic of war for children and shares stories from her wide-ranging writing career, from picture books to adult novels and even Star Wars. Two authors, two unforgettable books, and one big message: your gifts matter, and they can change the world. ","author_name":"Reading With Your Kids Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/readingwithyourkids.libsyn.com\/site","html":"