Ep. 11: A Nose That Knows

Episode Summary

Katherine Applegate and Jocelyn, Age 9

10/28/2021

The Story Seeds Podcast is back with a special (and Webby-nominated!) episode that raises awareness for childhood cancer. Nine-year old Jocelyn joins forces with Newbery Award-winning Katherine Applegate to grow her story seed about a super service dog named Sally who helps a girl with cancer feel better. Jocelyn’s story seed was inspired by her own experience. When she was first diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia—the most common type of childhood cancer in the world—her dog Sally sensed Jocelyn had cancer even before the doctors knew.

Listen along as Jocelyn and Katherine meet up on a video chat with their BFF canine companions to hash out Jocelyn’s story idea, then sit back and hear the story Katherine grew out of their collaboration, “Two Brave Girls, One with Four Paws.” This episode is sponsored by Macmillan Children’s Publishing. Click here for complete episode notes.

After Listening

Enter the Imagination Lab with our companion digital activity kit “Find a New Point of View!” This printable mini-magazine centers on deep listening, creative partnership, and empathic connections by inviting kids to explore how different beings (both human and animal) perceive the world. Like our Wirecutter/New York Times-featured activity book, you’ll also find literary and informational passages, writing prompts, a STEM experiment, and more!

Companion Activity Kit

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This Episode Features

Jocelyn, age 9

If I were a spy, my code name would be ... Diamond11

The grossest thing I have ever eaten was ... Broccoli (even Sally doesn’t like it.)

My most favorite piece of clothing is ... Probably loungewear because it’s comfy.

In my pockets right now, I have ... A Triceratops. And another dinosaur. (Mini action-figures btw.)

If I were on The Voice, I would sing ... I would say Guns N’ Roses, Welcome to the Jungle. I really like them.

If aliens landed on Earth and I met one, the first thing I would show them is ... I would show them probably food or houses. Because they need to eat and they also need houses.

If I had an extra day off from school, I would … I would play with my dog Sally. And probably jump in the pool. And look for some lizards.

My superpower is … Being strong.

Katherine Applegate

If I were a spy, my code name would be ... Dogface 102

The grossest thing I have ever eaten was ... I've had crickets, and the usual snail - that kind of thing. Nothing I couldn't handle. I'll eat anything.

My most favorite piece of clothing is ... Oh, my sweatpants. I live in them. I lived in them even before the pandemic.

In my pockets right now, I have ... A dog treat, actually.

If I were on The Voice, I would sing ... Hmm … oh, some old blues tune. I'd like to be like a happy Billie Holiday.

If aliens landed on Earth and I met one, the first thing I would show them is ... I think you got to start with an icebreaker, so maybe some popcorn.

If I could have dinner with one famous dead person, I would pick ... E.B. White, the author of Charlotte's Web. If he's not available, Abraham Lincoln would be fun.

I write books because ... It helps me figure out the world.

BONUS EPISODE

In our bonus interview episode, host Betsy Bird chats with Newbery Award-winning Katherine Applegate (author of the newly published eco-fable Willodeen) after her starring appearance in Episode 11 “A Nose that Knows.” Listen for a behind the scenes look at Katherine’s collaboration with nine-year old Jocelyn on her real-life inspired story idea about a dog who helps a girl with cancer (and the story that grew out of it, “Two Girls, One With Four Paws".) The episode concludes with a fun rapid fire Q&A with Katherine on everything from why she writes to the grossest thing she has ever eaten! Click for episode notes and transcript.