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.

YouTube at: JoAnn M. Dickinson Author

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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

🎧 Listen now on Spotify🌐 Learn more at joannmdickinsonauthor.com

🌐Mariacedolinithompson.comFollow Maria @mariadolinithompson

YouTube: @MariaThompson

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