What's a Big Sis to do if her newborn baby brother cannot come home from the hospital immediately? Take a visit to the NICU!


In this episode we have the immense privilege of chatting with neonatologist Dr Terri Major-Kincade about her new children's picture book, 'Big Sis Visits the NICU'. Dr Terri has had over 20 years of experience working in several NICUs (or Neonatal Intensive Care Units), taking care of babies who are born prematurely, or those who are too sick to be cared for at home.

Having a child or sibling in the NICU can be a scary experience, but Dr Terri is passionate about making sure families (including siblings!) are able to stay actively involved and bond with their baby through that process.


For more information about Dr Terri Major-Kincade and her books, or to book a speaking engagement, please visit www.drterrimd.com




Resources for NICU Parents:
Below are some excellent resources that provide education,  support and community for families who have a child in the NICU

March of DIMES NICU Family Support  (https://www.marchofdimes.org/baby/the-nicu-family-support-program.aspx)

Hand to Hold
(https://handtohold.org/nicu-family-support/nicu-family-support-groups/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw8amWBhCYARIsADqZJoWGmBdOau5_o91lvwkrWarLxroPO4zQuLd1Lg-UOufOZRr0agsCh14aAv80EALw_wcB)

NICU Helping Hands
https://nicuhelpinghands.org/

Graham's Foundation
https://grahamsfoundation.org/

PeekabooICU.net
https://www.peekabooicu.com/

There's a thief on the loose, and he's stealing from ' the greatest bank in the world' - the Food Bank! Can Nelson and his friends stop the crook and keep the food bank stocked and running?

 In this episode we talk about food insecurity, its effect on child health, and some important resources that help to address child hunger.

Book:
'The Great Food Bank Heist' by Onjali Rauf


Resources:

Feeding America - Hunger Relief Programs
(https://www.feedingamerica.org/our-work/hunger-relief-programs)
Feeding America is a nationwide network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs. They provide food and support to over 40 million people annually.

Public Assistance Programs
(https://www.publicservicedegrees.org/public-assistance/food-security-hunger-help/)
Detailed information about food insecurity in America, with dozens of resources for anyone who needs help, along with eligibility criteria and steps for applying

No Kid Hungry - Find Free Meals
(https://www.nokidhungry.org/find-free-meals)
Resource Map: you can enter an address to find free, healthy meals being served by organizations in your community. You can also find these resources by texting the word FOOD to 304-304.

June 3rd-5th 2022 is #WearOrange Weekend!
While I am excited to wear my favorite color for three days straight, I am saddened by what it represents - National Gun Violence Awareness Day (June 3rd) and #WearOrange weekend commemorate the 40,000 people who die yearly in America from gun violence.

In this episode, we talk about:
-  the problem of gun violence in America,
- the impact of gun violence on children, and on children's health
- talking to children in the aftermath of a tragedy
- what we can do to keep kids safe

Book:
A Terrible Thing Happened - Margaret Holmes


Resources on Gun Safety and Advocacy:
Every Town: Solutions (www.everytown.org/solutions)
- Every Town Against Gun Safety is 'the largest gun violence prevention organization in America', and their mission is to end gun violence and save lives. Here you will find information on evidence-based policies to decrease gun violence, resources to support gun violence survivors, and much more.

Sandy Hook Promise (https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/our-programs/program-overview/)
- Sandy Hook Promise is a 'national nonprofit organization founded and led by several family members whose loved ones were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.' Sandy Hook's Learning Center offers training programs that teach students and educators how to identify at-risk behaviors and intervene to get help in order to prevent school violence, shootings, and other harmful acts. They also emphasize creating a more inclusive and connected culture in schools

Guns in the Home: Keeping Kids Safe
(https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/at-home/Pages/Handguns-in-the-Home.aspx) 
- See guidance from the American Academy of Pediatrics about keeping children safe when there are guns in the home

The thing about Georgie is that... well, there’s not just ONE thing about Georgie. But the first thing people tend to notice is his height, because Georgie has dwarfism. Listen in to this episode to hear more about dwarfism, and adapting when things are different.

Book:
The Thing About Georgie - Lisa Graff

Other picture books:
Not too big, Not too small, Just right for me! - Jimmy and Darlene Korpai
Mummy, There’s a New Girl - Danielle Webb

Resources:
Little People of America - Little People of America (LPA) is a nonprofit organization that provides support and information to people of short stature and their families.

Dwarfism in School - Great powerpoint outlining educational rights and potential accommodations for a child with dwarfism.
(https://www.lpaonline.org/assets/documents/School%20Accommodations%20LPA.ppt)

Adaptive Products - https://www.lpaonline.org/adaptive-products-

Iva Ballou is a Cleft confidence coach and transformational speaker. She is the founder of RealSophisticatedJoy, a company that empowers those
affected by cleft and craniofacial differences to pivot from Contempt to
Confidence in their cleft journey, so that they can live a life filled with real,
sophisticated joy!

 For more on Bullying:
How to Talk about bullying: https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/how-to-talk-about-bullying#how-to-talk

For more on Cleft palate: check out Episode 15, and the book ‘Jack’s New Smile’ - by Ruth Trivelpiece, Suzanne West, and Jennifer Rhodes.

Come join in a bit of April Fool's Fun as we chat with Pauly the Clown about spreading laughter and empowering children through 'circus wellness'.

(Watch this episode on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/vjka-cFIQpI)


Paul Hallinan Miller is a professional clown with more than a red nose and big shoes - he's also got big ideas. Since touring with the Ringling Bros (in lieu of attending his senior year of college), Paul has worked with children in a variety of health-related settings, developing his concept of circus wellness.  In 2009, he founded Circus Mojo, a circus arts program for children and adults.

Paul is now working towards creating 'The Institute of Social Circus & Vocational Training Center L3C'. This social venture will be the first training center in the world dedicated to teaching the circus techniques, team building skills and social work principles for the purposes of training, educating and meeting the social service needs of hospitalized individuals, youth in detention or in other institutionalized settings.

To learn more about Paul Miller and his circus wellness projects, please visit www.circusmojo.com or follow @circusmojo on Instagram or Twitter

******* 

The Storytime Clinic is a biweekly podcast, hosted by pediatrician Dr Mfon Umoren, which highlights children's books featuring characters with health conditions (with the occasional interview episode featuring a guest with an interest in children's health). The goal of the podcast is to help us all better understand and support children with health conditions. 

Connect with us! @storytimeclinic  on Twitter and Instagram

Website: www.storytimeclinic.com  

Podcast available on most podcast players: www.storytimeclinic.com/subscribe

In this guest interview episode, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Dr Saneisha Roberts about her first children’s book, ‘Amari goes to the Doctor’. Going to the doctor can be a nerve-wracking experience for many children. 'Amari goes to the Doctor' is a picture book that aims to relieve this anxiety by showing children what they can expect from their doctor's visit - the people, the instruments, the physical exam, and more!

Listen in to this dynamic episode as we discuss:

- Dr Roberts’ journey towards becoming a pediatrician
- How the idea for ‘Amari goes to the Doctor’ came about
- The importance of representation of diverse characters in children’s books
- The talent behind all the beautiful illustrations
- Dr Roberts’ goal for every child visiting the doctor
- How physicians and other healthcare workers can support a child’s emotional and mental health

...and much more! 


 To watch this interview on Youtube, click here.


To learn more about ‘Amari Goes to the Doctor’ and to get your copy, visit www.saneisharoberts.com
You can also stay updated by following @amarigoesotothedoctor on Instagram

To learn more about the illustrator Dr. Joshua Okoro-Sokoh, and to get in touch for any illustration needs, follow him at @joshart2020 on Instagram 

 

In this episode, we are getting down and dirty with the greatest of mythical creatures - the DRAGON!!! 

...A dragon with ADHD, that is. 
Today, we find out what it looks like when a dragon (or a human child) has Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder.

Books:
A Dragon with ADHD, by Steve Herman

Valentine's Day may be behind us, but we've still got hearts on our minds...tiny hearts, that is! In today's episode, we will be learning about congenital heart defects - these happen when a child's heart does not develop properly before birth.



Book:
Hank the Heart - by Dr John Hutton and Dr Ryan Moore


Resources:
Mended Little Hearts - a nonprofit organization providing hope and support, creating awareness and being a strong voice for CHD families everywhere.

MyHeart Visit - a peer support network for patients and families
"Sometimes patients, parents and caregivers need to talk to someone who has already faced a similar diagnosis, procedure or surgery, or has learned to live with heart disease or a congenital heart defect—someone who truly understands them. Now, you can request a “visit” from a trained volunteer who can listen and give support because they are patients, parents and caregivers themselves."


Support:
Consider sending a 'Bravery Bag' to a family. -  "The Mended Hearts, Inc. began the Bravery Bag Program in 2014 under its Mended Little Hearts® program to support families with children in the hospital for heart surgery or other medical procedures. Bravery Bags are filled with toiletry items, comfort items, fun items, and educational resources. The provide families with some of the things they may need during a hospital stay, but more importantly, they let the family know they are not alone—that there are people out there who care about them and are there to support them."

What exactly is melanin, and what happens when it's missing? In this episode, we talk about the roots of  color - skin color, hair color and eye color, that is. Then we'll dive into two children's books featuring characters with albinism - a genetic condition caused by lack of melanin.

Books: 

Golden Like Me - Brandi M. Green
A Blind Guide to Stinkville - Beth Vrabel

Resources:
National Organization for Albinism and Hyperpigmentation - NOAH is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide accurate and authoritative information about all aspects of living with albinism, and to provide a place where people with albinism and their families, in the United States and Canada, can find acceptance, support and fellowship.  (http://albinism.org)

Beyond Suncare - A nonprofit organization focused on the health and wellbeing of people with albinism in Africa. 
Their mission: "We go beyond sun protection to ensure that no person with albinism dies unnecessarily from skin cancer. We promote their insertion in society through the promotion of more tolerant societies and dignified attention that helps them to raise their self-esteem and self-confidence."

A teenager with a vision for the visionless. A doctor with an eye for eyes. 

Who might these people be? Stick around and you'll find out, because it's Biography day! 

First we'll explore some of the causes of blindness and visual impairment in childhood. Then, stay tuned and hear the stories of Louis Braille and Dr Patricia Bath; learn about the great contributions they made towards improving life for people with visual impairments, and then go get the books below!


Books: 

Six dots: A Story of young Louis Braille – Jen Bryant
The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes – The Story of Dr Patricia Bath - Julia Finley Mosca

Resources: 

Family Connect - Resources for parents and caregivers of children who are visually impaired–and professionals who work with them.

Sources of Free Braille Books - from Paths to Literacy

Braille Bug - Get familiar with Braille patterns through games, puzzles, and other fun activities.

Biography; Dr. Patricia E. Bath - from 'Changing the Face of Medicine - an exhibit of the U.S. National Library of Medicine that honors the lives and achievements of women in medicine.

Happy New Year everyone!

Do you have a long list of things you are planning to change in 2022? Well, this year I am actually going to challenge you to 'Do more  of the SAME!'

In this episode, I'll be talking about 4 areas you and your children can focus on for a healthier year ahead!

• S - Sleep
• A - Adventure
• M - Movement
• E - Eating Vegetables

You'll also learn a few tips to increase the chances of success when setting these goals with your children.

Finally, listen up pediatricians! The kids have some goals for you, too!



Books:
Jabari Jumps - Gaia Cornwall
Jabari Tries - Gaia Cornwall

Looking for the perfect gift to give this Christmas?
Even if you finished all your shopping back in the summertime (you overachiever, you!), this episode just might convince you to give one more gift..
I promise, there will be no long walk around the mall,  your wallet will stay in your pocket, you can give the same gift to multiple people and it will never be returned, but it will always be appreciated!


What is this magical gift? It is the gift of a blood donation.


Resources:
Red Cross - Blood Donation Process

B. Rashy. 
Atopic D. 
Scratchmaster X.

Whatever name you know it by, today we're talking about the itch that won't quit... eczema!

Listen in to find out more about this chronic skin condition that affects more than 10% of children, why it happens and how to manage it.


Books:

•  'An Itch for Agnes' - Elisabeth Anne George
• 'My Ecz-ellent Day at Camp' - Tracee Blackburn

11 year old Jarrett is used to having babies coming in and out of his house - his mom is a foster mother. But this time around, the baby comes with a twelve year old brother Kevon - who is older, taller and everything-er than Jarrett. And he's gonna be sharing Jarrett's ROOM?! How is it even fair?!

'Kinda Like Brothers' is a middle grade book by Coe Booth that gives readers a glimpse into the world of children who enter the foster care system when their parents are unable to care for them

Listen to this episode to hear about 
- the origins of the foster care system
- who goes into foster care and why?
- How might foster care impact a child?
- How to support children in foster care

Clap with all your might for the Pearly Whites! This episode is dedicated to teeth. Did you know dental caries is the most common chronic condition in children? How do kids learn to take care of these precious little chompers? What is the difference between a dentist and orthodontist? And which kids have the unique privilege of needing braces? Listen in and find out!


Books:
'Sugarbug Doug' - by Dr. Ben Magleby
'Wearing Braces' - by Harriet Brundle

Resources:
'Smiles Change Lives' - Smiles Change Lives is a national organization in USA that provides access to life-changing orthodontic treatment for children from families that cannot afford the full cost of braces. With close to 750 orthodontists participating in the program, SCL has helped nearly 12,000 children receive braces to date


Want more? Visit our podcast website or Twitter!

What on earth does your body have in common with a gas station? Listen to this episode to hear me crush this analogy (haha!), but much more importantly, to hear about some great books/comics focused on Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

Books:
- Portia's Incredible Journey - by Emma L. Price
- The 'Type 1' Series - by Revolve Comics



Want more? Visit our podcast website or Twitter!

'Am I going to die?' It's a question no parent wants to hear from their child. However, for families dealing with childhood cancer, it is an unfortunate possibility.


In this episode, we chat with Rachel Franklin, a wonderful Child Life specialist with over 10 years of experience supporting the positive coping of children and their families as they navigate difficult health-related circumstances.

Listen in to learn:
- Rachel's experience working with families through a cancer diagnosis, treatment, relapse and end-of-life.
- how Child Life supports healthy coping and grieving throughout the process of a serious illness
- how parents can model and encourage  open communication with their children about difficult emotions
- strategies to keep siblings involved and emotionally supported
- how Child Life can assist families in creating meaningful final moments when a child is terminal



Resources:
Helping Kids Grieve | Sesame Street
Voicing My Choices / My Wishes | Helping seriously ill children and adolescents voice their wishes.
Wonders and Worries - Coping, Grief and Bereavement support for children of parents with an illness
The Dougy Center | Safe spaces and free resources for children and families who are grieving.

Books:
The Invisible String - A picture book about love and connection despite physical separation
Help Me Say Goodbye - An art therapy and activity book for children coping with death.


Connect with us!
Twitter: @storytimeclinic
Website: www.storytimeclinic.com

What's a girl to do when she doesn't recognize her own mother anymore? Natalie's mother has changed - she doesn't laugh anymore, she doesn't eat with the family, she barely comes out of her room. Natalie is not sure what happened, but she's determined to try and fix it. But, can she?

In this episode, we talk about depression, one of the most common mental health conditions. We'll explore how a parent's depression can affect a child's health and wellbeing, and we'll learn how to support children who are impacted by depression.


Books:
The Science of Breakable Things - Tae Keller
The Color Thief - Andrew and Polly Peters

Show Notes: Depression
Social Media: @storytimeclinic



Resources:
When a parent is depressed - What kids want to know | CAMH 

Helping Children Understand and Cope with Parental Depression (mentalhelp.net) 

Adolescent Depression - What Parents Can Do to Help (healthychildren.org)

10 Things Parents Can Do to Prevent Suicide (healthychildren.org)

We all have days when we're just 'in our feelings', and kids do too! How can we help children learn about their emotions? Listen in to find out!

Books:
'Ruby Finds a Worry' - Tom Percival
'The Good Egg' - Jory John
'Trying' - Kobi Yamada

To learn more about the podcast, check out our website.
To connect with us: @storytimeclinic 

What does a comeback look like after being 'away' for two years? Though some people refuse to use the C-word, Norah has been absent from school all this while because of cancer - leukemia, to be precise.  'Halfway Normal' by Barbara Dee explores what it is like readjusting to the "real world" of middle school after cancer.


Show Notes: www.storytimeclinic.com/cancer2
Social Media: @storytimeclinic 


September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month!

Resources:
Returning to School After Cancer Treatment  (American Cancer Society)

Ross wants nothing more than to 'live peacefully under the radar' as he passes through 7th grade. But there's a little thing called cancer that's standing in the way of his dream.
Now all eyes are on Ross. And it all began with a swollen eye...

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, so today's episode is all about cancer and the novel 'Wink', by Rob Harrell



Show Notes: www.storytimeclinic.com/cancer1
Social Media: @storytimeclinic on Twitter, Instagram


Resources:
Children with Cancer - A Guide for Parents (cancer.gov)
Talking to Your Child About Cancer (St Jude's Children's Hospital)

Book: 'When Your Child Is Sick - A Guide to Navigating the Practical and Emotional Challenges of Caring for a Child Who Is Very Ill' - Joanna Breyer, PhD



Want to support research for Childhood Cancer? Learn about one of the many ways you can do so here: 

Why does hair mean so much to us? What happens when your hair is here today and gone tomorrow? And most importantly, What's Silly Hair Day with No Hair? 

Well, we don't have ALL the answers to your burning philosophical questions, but we do have a great picture book for you today! 'What's Silly Hair Day with No Hair?' is a picture book by Norene Paulson. In it, you will meet Bea, a little girl with a love for costumes, and a condition called Alopecia. Don't know what that is? Well listen in, because September is National Alopecia Awareness Month!


Show Notes: www.storytimeclinic.com/alopecia

Resources: 

National Alopecia Areata Foundation - www.naaf.org
Children’s Alopecia Project - www.childrensalopeciaproject.org

We're back!!! Woohoo!! 

Tourette or not Tourette, that is the question! ...Just kidding, there's no Shakespeare in this episode. There is, however, a really great middle grade novel called 'Forget Me Not', by Ellie Terry.  This one is about Tourette Syndrome, friendship and the dilemma of being a bystander to bullying.


Show Notes: www.storytimeclinic.com/tourette

Resources:
Tourette Association of America (www.tourette.org)

The Storytime Clinic is taking a quick break to properly soak up the rest of the summer...and you should too! But don't go too far! We'll be back in September with more great episodes for you!