Jennifer Nestor on Empowering Young Readers!

In this uplifting episode, I sat down with children’s author and communications professional Jennifer Nestor shares the powerful inspiration behind her debut picture book Jane Escapes to the Jungle of Individuality.

What started as a story of self-discovery became a much-needed message of mental health, courage, and acceptance—especially for young readers facing anxiety or pressure to fit in. Jennifer opens up about:

• Why she wrote Jane to celebrate individuality and emotional strength

• How her school visits use hands-on learning and storytelling to inspire confidence

• Partnering with her illustrator, an art teacher, to create a jungle filled with color and heart

• The personal feedback that affirmed her mission as an author

• A sneak peek into the next book in the Jane series!

Whether you’re a parent, educator, or aspiring author, this episode is a beautiful reminder that what makes us different is also what makes us powerful.

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Behind the Scenes with a Rhyming Pro in Children’s Publishing!

In this episode of "Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson."

I sits down with her longtime editor and rhyme expert, Robin Katz, to talk all things children’s book editing, from structure and metering to fun facts and emotional beats.

Robin is the founder of Word Wiz Editing and specializes in helping authors craft engaging, developmentally appropriate stories for young readers.

With a background in rhyming texts, metered verse, and educational content, she’s helped bring countless children’s books to life—including JoAnn’s own Rylee, Amelia Ophelia, and Lou’s Zoo series.

We talk about:

✔️ Why rhyme is harder than it looks

✔️ What makes a manuscript kid-friendly

✔️ How Robin helps authors simplify educational content for young readers

✔️ Wearing multiple hats: from fact-checker to sounding board

✔️ Tips for self-published authors looking for the right editor

✔️ The difference between editing for kids vs. adults

✔️ And which of JoAnn’s books was her favorite to edit!

Whether you’re a self-published author, illustrator, or aspiring editor, this episode is full of wisdom, encouragement, and behind-the-scenes magic.

Who's New At Lou's Zoo children's book, was mentioned in this episode, won Best Cover by Best Independent Book Awards, and book of the year by The Golden Wizard Book Prize. My books are available on my website (autographed copies) or on Amazon.

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In this episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson, I sit down with self-published author, screenwriter, and mother Vix Browne to talk about the emotional power behind her stories.

We discuss her heartfelt children's books—The Day My Clock Broke, The Day My Monster Spoke, and The Night My Feelings Spoke—and how they were inspired by her journey helping her son navigate big emotions.

Vix also shares her experience writing several novels, and we dive into her exciting new comic book launching on June 28th, 2025, which was sparked by her son's simple (but deep) question about thunderstorms.

This episode is a thoughtful look at parenting, creativity, and how storytelling can help children—and adults—better understand their feelings.

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In this episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson, I sit down with author and educator Maria Cedolini Thompson, whose book Mistakes Are Gifts was inspired by a powerful real-life moment in her classroom.

When a new student was afraid to participate out of fear of making a mistake, Maria knew it was time to create a story that would help all children see mistakes differently. Mistakes Are Gifts teaches young readers that our brains grow when we learn from our missteps—and that mistakes are a vital part of learning, not something to be ashamed of.

We talk about Maria’s passion for creating books that teach life lessons in supportive, relatable ways. From emotional growth to classroom confidence, her stories are perfect for sparking meaningful conversations at home or in school.

Whether you're a parent, educator, or fellow author, this episode is filled with heart, practical wisdom, and powerful reminders about the value of resilience and growth.

Additional Resources from Maria Cedolini Thompson:

To support the brain research and growth mindset concepts discussed in this episode, Maria recommends the following short videos and TED Talks for educators, parents, and students:

• Your Brain is Like a Muscle

• Mistakes Help You Grow

• The Power of Yet

• Keep Trying!

• The Magic of Mistakes

• Carol Dweck – The Power of Believing You Can Improve

• Jo Boaler – How You Can Be Good at Math

💬 “Your brain is like a muscle. Every time you make a mistake, a synapse fires in your brain, creating new pathways. If you’re not making mistakes, your brain isn’t growing. Challenges help it grow!” – Maria Cedolini Thompson

🎬 Class Dojo Growth Mindset Series for Kids (2–3 min videos):🎓 TED Talks for Parents and Educators:

• Carol Dweck – The Power of Believing You Can Improve

• Jo Boaler – How You Can Be Good at Math

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YouTube: @MariaThompson

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In this inspiring episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson, I chat with self-published author Liliana Tommasini, creator of the empowering Octavia Can Do It series. Liliana shares her journey into writing children’s books that celebrate courage, curiosity, and confidence in young readers.

We also discuss her upcoming release, Oslo's Surprise Adventure, which is launching on August 26, 2025. A charming new addition inspired by real-life wonder and imagination.

Liliana publishes through Miriam Laundry Publishing, a hybrid publishing company known for helping authors bring meaningful, empowering stories to life. She now also serves as an author coach, supporting new writers through their own publishing journeys.

Tune in to hear how Liliana’s storytelling empowers kids to believe in themselves.

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In this episode of Beyond the Book, I sit down with self-published author Douglas Berry, whose life has been anything but ordinary.

From growing up on a chicken farm to serving 20 years in the U.S. Air Force—and even trying out for the Cincinnati Reds—Doug shares how his journey shaped the stories he now writes for children.

We talk about his books A Day at the Beach with Jasper and Friends, Farmer Jasper, The Night I Spent in a People House, and his upcoming sci-fi-inspired story Guardian of the Galaxy, which draws from his own military experiences.

Doug's heart, humor, and message that "it’s never too late to start writing" make this an inspiring episode for readers, writers, and anyone who loves a good story.

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In this inspiring episode of Beyond the Book with JoAnn Dickinson sits down with children’s book author Melissa Ahonen to explore how her stories help kids celebrate who they are and manage big feelings with confidence and heart.

Melissa shares the personal inspiration behind her books, including Aspen’s Magical Mermaid Necklace and It’s Great to Be Me—uplifting stories that support emotional growth and self-love in young readers. She also gives us a sneak peek into her upcoming projects, including a book about a young boy chasing his hockey dreams and a new romance novel set to release next year.

Together, we discuss what drives her storytelling, the importance of representation and emotional connection in children’s literature, and how her life as a mom fuels her creativity.

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Follow her at www.melissahonen.com

Instagram: @melahonen

Whether you're a parent, educator, or aspiring author, you’ll love this behind-the-scenes conversation with Melissa and walk away encouraged to write and read with heart.

In this Episode of Beyond the Book, I had the absolute honor of interviewing Heidi Brooks, a passionate author and grandmother whose stories are rooted in love, family, and inclusivity.

Heidi opens up about how her journey into self-publishing was inspired by her grandson and other family members with Down syndrome. We talked about how representation matters in children’s books and how she brings laughter and heart into her stories.

From Missy Moo and the Great Fart Mishap to Noodles, Noodles Everywhere, Gator Grey Getaway, and The Adventures of Bronx, each of Heidi’s books is inspired by her grandchildren and real-life moments that celebrate uniqueness, humor, and belonging.

Whether you’re an author, grandparent, or simply love meaningful stories for kids, this episode is filled with warmth, real talk, and heartfelt inspiration.

Learn more about Heidi Brooks at Books | Heidi Brooksand follow her @mrs._bs_books