Nicole S. Kluemper is the author of the new children's picture book Simon the Scared Rottweiler. She is a child psychologist.
Q: What inspired you to write Simon the Scared Rottweiler?
A: I saw a need within my own practice for a tool to help therapists (myself included) working with young children dealing with anxiety. I couldn’t find what I needed, so I created it. Sometimes I read books like this out loud during a session. It can be a place to start in terms of conversation and a common language.
I also knew that such a book could help young kids dealing with anxiety just in general. Sometimes barriers get in the way of families getting their kids to the therapy setting. Whatever that reason is, I wanted to bring a little piece (and peace) to them.
I think parents struggle with how to help their kids aside from bringing them to therapy, sitting in the waiting area for 45 minutes, then driving them home again. In this book, I give the parents of young kids something they can do to help their kids at home.
My Rottweiler, Simon, has dealt with a lot of behavioral issues that stemmed from his underlying anxiety. I thought it would be a cool twist if this stereotyped “tough guy” dog was the one dealing with the worry.
Q: How does your work as a child psychologist intersect with your writing for kids?
A: Both come from the same place in my heart in which I want to help children, and especially those dealing with emotional concerns.
To use an analogy – adjusting a ship’s heading very early in the journey will result in a very big change in terms of its destination. In other words, helping someone during childhood has the potential to create change in a way not seen at any other period across the lifespan.
This desire stems from my own childhood experiences. During a very difficult time in my life, a mental health professional listened and cared what I had to say without his own agenda.
This impacted me deeply. So much so that from the age of 5 years old I knew I wanted to be a child psychologist and help other kids who had been through hard things. I believe my calling in life is to help, with a primary focus on kids.
Q: What would you say are some of the most common perceptions and misconceptions about Rottweilers?
A: Rottweilers have this reputation for being vicious or mean, and it just isn’t true. Most of them aren’t even really all that tough! Simon is my fourth Rottie, and I can say with certainty that most of these gentle giants are as loyal and loving as they are goofy. I wish people could see that.
Simon is such a little cuddle bug. He’s quick to roll over and ask for tummy rubs or lick our faces when he gets excited. He’s a very good boy.
Q: What do you hope kids take away from the book?
A: I hope kids learn the coping skills, of course, but I also hope that they see that they are not alone. Anxiety can feel so isolating, and I want every child to feel seen and understood. They don’t have to “be strong” or “tough it out.” It’s okay to feel all the feels.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: In terms of writing, I’m waiting for inspiration to strike again! I certainly hope my creativity hasn’t run out!
I work full time at a community clinic seeing patients and supervising graduate students.
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: Our veterinarian says we have a gift for caring for tough cases when it comes to dogs. Honestly, Simon has been our biggest challenge yet. The trainer we hired (to train us more than him) believes Simon may be neurodivergent. She loves him as much as we do. (He may love her more than us!) She still comes over to have dinner and sit with Simon, even though she no longer trains with him.
While the real Simon still has his moments, he is doing pretty well these days. We support him through them and love him just the way he is!
--Interview with Deborah Kalb. This Q&A was conducted in partnership with Nicole S. Kluemper. Five lucky readers who follow along on this virtual book tour will have a chance to win a paperback copy of Simon the Scared Rottweiler.
No comments:
Post a Comment