Kate and Mandy chat with Julie Anne Grasso - children’s author, mum, Middle-Grade Mavens podcaster, former paediatric nurse, current library book wrangler, Instagram reels tragic and of course Pea!

Julie takes us on a whirlwind journey through the story of her fascinating life – from her ‘p-nurse’ career, the births of her children, the autism diagnosis for her son ‘Boy Wizard’ and using songs and stories to help him eat, and her next career as a librarian and writer! She also talks about her book review podcast Middle Grade Mavens, which is all about children’s literature for primary school-aged kids – check it out.

Julie also shares her story of being ‘pea-brarian’ who is a strong advocate for everyone accessing the amazing offerings that all library users can use for free, from books and films, homework help, free computer and printing access, community rooms and even just a safe place to feel a part of a community. Julie also strongly encourages destigmatising a lack of interest or inability to read and expanding the options -  think Instagram captions, car manuals, graphic novels, food labels, audiobooks, comic books – it’s all reading.

Mandy also talks about confronting her own ableism, ‘reading snobbery’ and expectations about her peashoots’ reading capability and interest. It’s okay if reading doesn’t come naturally and it’s okay if you just can’t. 

As a children’s author, Julie also talks about “writing diversity into stories” and always includes characters with different abilities in her books, and also makes sure inclusive books are available in her library. They also discuss the power of special schools and again confronting ableism, expectations and accepting and embracing what is.

Plus:

·      Check out Julie’s Middle Grade Mavens podcast

·     Find her books on her website - www.julieannegrassobooks.com

·      Donate money to Special Olympics and support our athletes!

·      Book tickets to our forthcoming live shows via our website

·      Buy our book The Invisible Life Of Us 

·      Listen to our Spotify playlist – Too Peas: Songs Our Guest Peas Love

·      Melbourne forecast for Thursday March 23– Partly cloudy, 20 degrees

·      Join our Facebook Hangout

·      Find us on YouTube

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Website: www.toopeasinapodcast.com.au

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