In this episode of the JPF First Aid Podcast, John Fogarty welcomes back children’s author Jessica Radford to discuss her latest book, The Wolves Who Wouldn’t Fit In. A follow-up to her previous appearances, Jessica introduces this new story that tackles themes of bullying, judgement, inclusion, and the power of kindness. Inspired by her own experiences and conversations with children, Jessica explains why it’s important to help young readers understand the value of compassion, especially when dealing with people who may feel different or excluded.

Key Takeaways

Judgement is human, kindness is a choice. We all make snap judgments, but we can choose how we act on them. Jessica’s book encourages children to take time to understand others before forming opinions.

Everyone has something going on behind the scenes. The story helps young readers recognise that people may be facing challenges we can't see, and that kindness can make a big difference.

It’s okay to be different. Children who feel like they don’t ‘fit in’ may find comfort in this story and realise they’re not alone.

Books as a tool for emotional understanding. Jessica believes storytelling is a powerful way to teach empathy and spark meaningful conversations, especially in schools.

Key Moments

“We can’t stop ourselves forming first impressions, but we can control how we treat people after that.”

“The children who seem the happiest can often be carrying the heaviest weight.”

“A little girl once told me, ‘If you don’t fit in, people think you’re weird.’ That really stuck with me.”

“These stories aren’t just for children to be kind, they’re also for the ones who need kindness.”

About the Guest

Jessica always had a love of books and reading from a very early age. She attempted to write a few stories when she was a child and after losing touch with writing for a while, sat down at her laptop a few years ago and her first story, ‘The Squirrel Who Couldn’t Balance’ just ‘happened’. Since then, the stories just seemed to have flowed and Jessica’s love of writing has returned with a vengeance.

Find out more: https://www.jessicaradford.co.uk/

About the Host

John Fogarty has a training background dating back to 2005, with achievements including a teaching qualification and assessor standard. He has previously worked with two first aid charities, delivering sessions in workplace and educational environments.

John has consistently received excellent feedback for his delivery and customer service, as evident in numerous reviews. He ensures learners enjoy and achieve their goals, and works with customers to select the right courses and resolves any issues promptly.

Find out more at www.jpffirstaid.co.uk/

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