logo
episode-header-image
Oct 2021
41m 49s

A Nose that Knows with Katherine Applega...

LITERARY SAFARI
About this episode

This special Story Seeds collaboration brings together nine-year old Jocelyn and Newbery Award-winning Katherine Applegate, author of The One and Only Ivan and Willodeen.

Katherine helps Jocelyn grow this story idea:

My story seed is about a super service dog (based off of my own dog Sally) who helps kids with cancer feel better. 

Join our host Betsy Bird as she guides you through this collaboration full of hope and resilience. Featured segments include:

  • Katherine and Jocelyn's meeting over video chat where they get to know each other, meet each other's dogs, and brainstorm how to grow Jocelyn's story idea (6:44)
  • Real-time voice memo recordings where Katherine chronicles her writing process  for Jocelyn (19:50)
  • An immersive storytime where Katherine narrates the full-fledged tale — "Two Brave Girls, One with Four Paws"—she grew from Jocelyn's story seed (23:56)

This episode is also available on YouTube. Subscribe here

Additional Information

Books mentioned in this episode: The Odyssey, The Mahabarata, Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DeCamillo, the Dogman series by Dave Pilkey, and  The Only and Only Ivan and Willodeen by Katherine Applegate.

Media and Games mentioned in the episode: How to Train Your Dragon, Welcome to the Jungle by Guns N’ Roses, Animal Upon Animal, and Don't Stop Believing by Journey

Calls to Action

Bonus Episode: Check back next Thursday to hear Betsy's bonus interview with Katherine. It’s a fun one and also includes a rapid-fire Q&A with the Newbery Award-winning author herself.

Visit www.storyseedspodcast.com to download a companion printable activity kit for this episode. You can also order a copy of our NYTimes Wirecutter-approved Imagination Lab activity book! Follow us on Instagram @storyseedspod, on Twitter @litsafarimedia, and on Facebook @literarysafari

Show credits

The Story Seeds Podcast is Literary Safari production, created and executive produced by Sandhya Nankani. This episode was produced and written by her and Anjali Sakhrani. Scoring, mixing, and sound design by Ania Grzesik of Ultraviolet Audio. Hosted by Betsy Bird. Music by Andrew VanWyngarden, Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter/musician and co-founder of MGMT.  This episode is sponsored by Macmillan Children's Publishing. 

Special thanks to Joseph Tisdall for post-production support.

Up next
Apr 2022
Whoa, a Webby Award Nomination for our Podcast!
Since 1996, The Webby Awards have honored the best of the Internet, so it is kind of a big deal that our small and independently produced podcast is nominated for one this year! The episode we are nominated for is Episode 11: "A Nose that Knows" which brought together nine-year o ... Show More
2m 34s
Nov 2021
Bonus Q&A: Betsy Bird Interviews Katherine Applegate
Listen along as host Betsy Bird and Newbery Award-winning Katherine Applegate have a fun and heartwarming conversation about what it was like working with 9 year old Jocelyn in a special presentation of The Story Seeds Podcast which raises awareness of childhood cancer. In the in ... Show More
21m 48s
Sep 2021
Kids on Air with Friends & Family: Podcasting Camp Showcase
Priyanka and Riya are best friends. Morgan and Mercedes are daughter and mother. They are just four of the voices you will hear in this montage of eight short interviews created by kids ages 8-15 during the inaugural Story Seeds On Air Summer 2021 Podcasting Camp where aspiring p ... Show More
38m 3s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 14
66. An Interview with Abacus
Find out more about Abacus P. Grumbler and see if Mr Eric can survive his magic! Lessons include: Titles and objects don’t make you what you are, thinking outside the box can get unexpected results. This remastered episode has higher quality and better-balanced sound with new sou ... Show More
15m 49s
Dec 2024
Stump Mr. Eric: Four Short Stories
As a gift to all our listeners, we’re releasing a special episode of Stump Mr. Eric featuring our new short story segment. Fred the Dog, the Learninator, Fair Elise, Alabaster Zero, and several slightly nefarious doubles appear in these stories, all made up on the spot answering ... Show More
25m 3s
Jun 2025
356. Dear Prudence, the Giant Sheepdog
Fred the Dog teams up with Prudence to save a herd of sheep from an evil wizard and cat duo! Lessons include: This fully improvised episode offers tips on telling off-the-cuff stories with your friends and family. Please Subscribe and show your Support! New supporters can listen ... Show More
16m 14s
Feb 2025
40. Naomi asks: What if candy were good for you?
Whendiana and the Learninator are back to face another time-traveling candy crisis!Lessons include: It takes a variety of food to help us feel our best; the effort we put into the things we care about makes us remarkable and unique. This remastered classic has new sound effects a ... Show More
26m 36s
Dec 2024
S22 Ep2: NoSleep Podcast S22E02
It's Episode 02 of Season 22. The voices are calling with tales of sinister solutions. "Bank Deposits" written by Blair Daniels (Story starts around 00:04:00) TRIGGER WARNING! Produced by: Jeff Clement Cast: Lynn - Erin Lillis, Jerry - Kyle Akers "The 17" written by Adrian DeLeon ... Show More
1h 21m
Jun 2025
183. Zero Hour: The Hidden Holiday
Alabaster Zero and Fair Elise share the first episode of their detective show, which was inspired by a listener's question! Lessons include: we can make the best of the holidays, even when they change; our big feelings are the most important to share. We are replaying this classi ... Show More
22m 47s
Dec 2024
S22: NoSleep Podcast Holiday Hiatus 2024 #1
The NoSleep Podcast is taking a Christmas break but that doesn't mean there aren't some Christmas specials to enjoy! "Christmas Santa" written by Jill Benson (Story starts around 00:05:30) Produced & scored by: David Cummings Cast: Narrator - Peter Lewis, Police Officer - Erin Li ... Show More
2h 4m
Aug 18
364. Ryan asks: What if a weird antidote turned you into a shark? (w/Brian Yanish)
Shark and Bot, the famous kids’ comic book characters, visit What If World along with their creator, Brian Yanish. Of course, Brian quickly gets turned into a shark-man by Abacus P. Grumbler… Lessons include: Art takes practice, but that’s part of the fun! This week, we’re joined ... Show More
27m 38s
Feb 2025
343. Lincoln asks: What if the Learninator was interviewed?
We meet the Learninator’s whole family and discover the secrets of time travel. Get ready for lots of lasers and chrome!Lessons include: family celebrates who you are, not who they want you to be; imagine the future you want, then start taking steps to make it happen!Please Subsc ... Show More
22m 10s
Apr 2025
153. Liv asks: What if clocks were bananas and monkeys ate time?
Today, we learn about Mr. Eric as he travels back in time. Can he stop the Time Monkey, or will he get stuck in his past? Lessons include: Our past helps shape who we are today, even the parts that aren’t so great; new challenges are always scary, but they can help us learn about ... Show More
18m 30s