EP #77 How a Fredericksburg Adventure Book Help Kids Thrive

A troll who loves snacks, a dragon with good intentions, and a city full of stories—this conversation lifts the curtain on how reading support can be both deeply personal and wildly fun. We welcome educator and author Jacquelene D'Amico, founder of Smart Cookies Education Services, to share how individualized tutoring turns reluctant readers into confident communicators and why local settings can spark big learning moments.We walk through Smart Cookies’ one-to-one model and why a confidence-first philosophy outperforms one-size-fits-all curricula. Jacquelene explains how she targets handwriting, phonics, grammar, language arts, and essay writing for every learner—from preschoolers sounding out blends to teens writing personal statements. Then we step into The Adventures of Trollee and Alice, her new children’s book that transforms Fredericksburg landmarks into a playground for imagination and vocabulary growth. Bolded “tricky words” and a back-of-book guide make it easy for kids to expand their word banks while parents and teachers enjoy literary nods to classics like Alice in Wonderland.You’ll hear how summer writing workshops weave games, themes, and snacks into practical skill-building that actually sticks. We also explore the book’s deeper heart: values like kindness, integrity, confidence, and optimism—and how a moving personal loss shaped its message about memory, love, and what truly lasts. With shoutouts to beloved local shops and venues now carrying the book, this is a love letter to community, storytelling, and the art of helping kids feel brave with words.If you care about literacy, tutoring, children’s books, or the Fredericksburg creative scene, you’ll find ideas you can use tonight—whether that’s a playful vocabulary routine or a new way to talk about big feelings. Listen, share with a friend, and tell us which local landmark you’d love to see in Trollee’s next adventure. Subscribe, leave a review, and help more neighbors discover the show.The Adventures of Trollee and Alice:📸 Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/author_jacquelene_damico/📚 Website: www.jacquelenedamico.com📖 Facebook: facebook.com/trolleeandaliceSmart Cookies Education Services:📖 Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/SmartCookiesEducation/📚 Website:https://smartcookiesedu.wixsite.com/educationJacquelene D'AmicoSmart Cookies Education Services smartcookiesedu.wixsite.com/[email protected]