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Welcome friends! We’re so glad you’re joining us for another Kidventure on the Little Kids, Big Hearts Podcast. Today, Todd is joined by three thoughtful kids, Credence (6), Zuri (7), and Gabe (8), for a warm and curious conversation about community and the many ways kids are already part of communities. Together, they explore what community means, from families and schools to neighborhoods, teams, and places of worship. They discuss how neighbors welcome one another, how teachers and grown-ups help when things feel hard, and how volunteering and helping others can make a difference. Then, the kids close their eyes and travel on a butterfly bus to the Land of Qook-a-lackas, where they meet Quandy, a Qook-a-lacka whose community is facing a BIG problem. A whirlwind has scattered supplies all over the Land just before the big bright block party, leaving Quandy feeling overwhelmed and unsure of how to bring everyone together With creativity, teamwork, and big-hearted ideas, the kids help transform piles of random objects into games, decorations, music, and art. Together, they discover that community isn’t about perfection; it's about sharing ideas, helping one another, and building something meaningful together. Perfect for kids aged 2–11, and for listening together as a family. IN THIS EPISODE, KIDS WILL: Explore what community means in age-appropriate waysLearn how helping others strengthens connection and belongingDiscover that everyone can contribute to their communityUse imagination to turn challenges into opportunitiesGROWN-UPS, YOU CAN EXTEND THE CONVERSATION BY ASKING: What communities are you a part of?Who helps you when things feel hard?How can we help others in our community, even in small ways?🎭 Special Guest Qook-a-lacka: Mandy Gonzalez plays the role of Quandy. Mandy is an award-winning Broadway actress, singer, songwriter, and author. Mandy starred in Hamilton as Angelica Schuyler, originated Nina Rosario in In the Heights, starred as Elphaba in Wicked, performed at Carnegie Hall with the New York Pops, and is the author of the Fearless book series. About Little Kids, Big Hearts: Little Kids, Big Hearts is a social and emotional learning podcast where kids lead the conversation. Through real discussions, imaginative stories, songs, and Kidventures, children explore feelings, relationships, kindness, and what it means to care for others. Subscribe, Rate, and Share:  If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Little Kids, Big Hearts. 🎧 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@littlekidsbighearts 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@littlekidsbighearts 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/little_kids_big_hearts_podcast 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LittleKidsBigHeartsPodcast Credits: Little Kids, Big Hearts is hosted by Todd Loyd. It's produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Meaghan Penrod and Adrianna Arocho. Sound design and mixing by Ryan Marth. Special thanks to Noggin for their support and the song “Like Nobody Else” from the Big Heart Beats Album. 🌈 Visit The Little Kids, Big Hearts Podcast website:  https://playsparkler.org/podcast 

Welcome friends! We’re so glad you’re here for this heart-filled episode of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast. This week, Todd is joined by returning kid guest Carmine and special guest Jessica Love, the award-winning author and illustrator of Julián Is a Mermaid and A Bed of Stars. Together, they explore creativity, imagination, and the many ways family members show love and support for each other. Jessica shares the inspiration behind Julián Is a Mermaid, including how pictures can tell powerful stories with very few words and why Julián’s relationship with his abuela (his grandma) is at the heart of the book. Carmine asks thoughtful questions about being an author, storytelling, and pretending, leading to joyful conversations about mermaids, kitty cats, and chicken nuggets. The conversation then turns to A Bed of Stars, a story about a child and parent camping together in the desert and wondering about the vast universe. Jessica talks about creating the book while pregnant with her son and discusses how stories can help kids feel less small in a big world. This episode celebrates self-expression, imagination, and the many ways families help children feel safe, loved, and understood. Perfect for kids ages 2–11 and for listening together as a family. In This Episode, Kids Will: Learn how stories and pictures work together to share big ideasExplore what family love and support can look likePractice curiosity by asking thoughtful questionsFeel encouraged to draw, imagine, and create their own storiesGrown-Ups, You Can Extend the Conversation By Asking: What stories or pictures make you feel safe and understood?Who helps you feel loved when you want to be yourself?What do you like to imagine when you’re falling asleep?About Our Guest: Jessica Love is an author, illustrator, and theater artist best known for Julián Is a Mermaid, which received the Stonewall Book Award and international acclaim. She is also the author of Julián at the Wedding and A Bed of Stars. A feature-length animated adaptation of Julián Is a Mermaid is currently in development with Cartoon Saloon.  About Little Kids, Big Hearts: Little Kids, Big Hearts is a social and emotional learning podcast where kids lead the conversation. Through real discussions, imaginative stories, songs, and Kidventures, children explore feelings, relationships, kindness, and what it means to care for others. Subscribe, Rate, and Share: If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Little Kids, Big Hearts. 🎧 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@littlekidsbighearts 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@littlekidsbighearts 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/little_kids_big_hearts_podcast 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LittleKidsBigHeartsPodcast Credits: Little Kids, Big Hearts is hosted by Todd Loyd. Produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Meaghan Penrod. Sound design and mixing by Ryan Marth. Special thanks to Noggin for their support and the song “Like Nobody Else” from the Big Heart Beats album. 🌈 Visit The Little Kids, Big Hearts Podcast website for episode resources: https://playsparkler.org/podcast

Welcome friends! This month on the Little Kids, Big Hearts 💕  podcast, we’ve been exploring the theme of family and all the ways families help us feel safe, loved, and strong. In this special song and conversation episode, Todd is joined by longtime collaborator, educator, and composer Benjamin Weiner. Together, they revisit what kids shared in our family Kidventure episode — "Who's in My Family?" — about who is in their family, what they do together, and what they learn from their family. Benjamin reflects on listening closely to kids’ words and transforming their ideas, rhythms, and feelings into music. He shares how children’s language naturally lends itself to songwriting and how family memories and storytelling shaped his own creative path. The episode culminates in the debut of I’ve Got My Family, an original song inspired directly by the voices of kids on the podcast. The song celebrates families of all shapes and sizes and reminds listeners that love, care, and connection are what truly make a family. This episode supports social and emotional learning by affirming belonging, inclusion, and safety, while encouraging kids to reflect on the people who make up their own families. Perfect for kids ages 2–11 and for listening together as a family. In This Episode, Kids Will: Hear their words transformed into musicLearn that families can look many different waysReflect on traditions, routines, and shared momentsFeel affirmed that their family is “just right”Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Conversation By Asking: Who are the people that make up our family?What are some things we love doing together?What helps our family feel safe and connected?About Our Guest: Benjamin Weiner is a composer, educator, and longtime collaborator on Little Kids, Big Hearts. A former New York City school teacher, Benjamin creates music inspired directly by children’s voices, ideas, and lived experiences, transforming everyday moments into songs that support connection and emotional growth. About Little Kids, Big Hearts: Little Kids, Big Hearts is a social and emotional learning podcast where kids lead the conversation. Through real discussions, imaginative stories, songs, and Kidventures, children explore feelings, relationships, kindness, and what it means to care for others. Subscribe, Rate, and Share: If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Little Kids, Big Hearts. 🎧 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@littlekidsbighearts 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@littlekidsbighearts 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/little_kids_big_hearts_podcast 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LittleKidsBigHeartsPodcast Credits: Little Kids, Big Hearts is hosted by Todd Loyd and produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Meaghan Penrod, also at Sparkler. Sound design and mixing by Ryan Marth, with original music by Bill English. Special thanks to Noggin for their support and the song “Like Nobody Else” from the Big Heart Beats album. 🌈 Visit The Little Kids, Big Hearts Podcast website: https://playsparkler.org/podcast

Welcome friends! We’re so glad you’re joining us for another Season 5 episode of the Little Kids, Big Hearts Podcast. In this Mission episode, Todd is joined by our friend Georgia, 5, to continue exploring this month’s theme: FAMILIES! Inspired by our Kidventure to the Land of Qook-a-lakas, kid listeners are invited to go on a special mission: Creating their own family quilt square. Together, Todd and Georgia talk about the people, traditions, foods, adventures, and creative moments that make families unique. Georgia shares her own quilt square, featuring adventures and crafting, and explains how art, imagination, and time together help her family feel connected. We also hear from Carmine, who shares how music, friends, and pizza represent his family.  This episode encourages kids to reflect on love, belonging, and everyday routines — and consider creating their own family quilt squares — to grow the Little Kids, Big Hearts family quilt. Every family looks different and in every family love matters! The podcast is perfect for kids aged 2–11, and designed to be enjoyed together with a grown-up. THIS WEEK’S MISSION: Kids are invited to create their own family quilt square by drawing a square and adding about three things that make their family special. These can include people, pets, foods, games, traditions, or anything that shows love and care. Once you've created your family's quilt square, grown-ups can send a picture to us at [email protected] (or on social media). We love seeing your creativity and growing our Little Kids, Big Hearts Family Quilt. IN THIS EPISODE, KIDS WILL: Reflect on what makes their family specialPractice expressing feelings through art and storytellingCelebrate different family structures and traditionsBuild empathy by seeing how other families share loveTake part in a creative, real-world missionGROWN-UPS, YOU CAN EXTEND THE CONVERSATION BY ASKING: What are three things that make our family special to you?What activities help you feel most connected to our family?How do different families show love in different ways?ABOUT LITTLE KIDS, BIG HEARTS: Little Kids, Big Hearts is a social and emotional learning podcast where kids lead the conversation. Through imaginative Kidventures, missions, stories, and songs, children explore feelings, relationships, kindness, and caring for others. SUBSCRIBE, RATE, AND SHARE: If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share! It helps other families discover Little Kids, Big Hearts. 🎧 Find us on YouTube:  https://youtube.com/@littlekidsbighearts 🎵 Follow us on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@littlekidsbighearts 📸 Follow us on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/little_kids_big_hearts_podcast 📘 Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LittleKidsBigHeartsPodcast  CREDITS: Little Kids, Big Hearts is hosted by Todd Loyd. Georgia, 5, co-hosted today's epsiode! It's produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Meaghan Penrod, also at Sparkler. Sound design and mixing by Ryan Marth, with original music by Bill English. Special thanks to Noggin for their support and the use of the song “Like Nobody Else” from Big Heart Beats. Learn more about the podcast at:  https://www.playsparkler.org/podcast

Welcome friends! We’re so glad you’re joining us for the Season 5 premiere of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast! In this special Kidventure episode, Todd is joined by three thoughtful kids, Georgia, Jaden, and Carmine, for a warm, meaningful conversation about families and what makes them special. Together, they talk about family traditions, bedtime routines, games, meals, and the everyday moments that build love and belonging. Then, the kids close their eyes and travel as tiny imaginary particles to the Land of Qook-a-lakas, where they meet Quilliam, a Qook-a-laka who worries that their family is “just too teeny-weeny” to make a Dream Fest quilt square. With creativity, empathy, and big hearts, the kids help Quilliam discover that families of every size create meaningful memories and that love is what matters most. This Kidventure episode of Little Kids, Big Hearts supports social and emotional learning by encouraging empathy, perspective-taking, emotional expression, and inclusion, while celebrating the idea that families come in all shapes and sizes. Perfect for kids ages 3–11 and for listening together as a family. About Our Guest Star: The role of Quilliam in this episode is played by Ryann Redmond, an actress and singer. Ryann originated Bridget in Bring It On: The Musical, appeared in the original cast of If/Then, performed in Jimmy Buffett’s Escape to Margaritaville, and made history as the first female Olaf in Frozen on Broadway. In This Episode, Kids Will: Explore different family structures in an inclusive, age-appropriate wayPractice empathy through conversation and imaginationLearn that love, care, and connection define “family”Use creative storytelling to solve a problem in the Land of Qook-a-lakasReflect on routines and traditions that build belongingGrown-Ups, Extend the Conversation By Asking: Who is part of our family? What are some special things we like to do together as a family? Do we have any traditions? How are our family routines similar or different from our friends' routines? What helps you feel safe, loved, and included at home?What would YOU include on your quilt square? Find educator resources to keep the learning going at: https://playsparkler.org/familyepisode/ About Little Kids, Big Hearts: Little Kids, Big Hearts is a social and emotional learning podcast where kids lead the discussion through Kidventures, stories, songs, missions, and conversations! Subscribe, Rate, and Share: If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share the show. It helps other families discover Little Kids, Big Hearts! 🎧 YouTube: https://youtube.com/@littlekidsbighearts 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@littlekidsbighearts 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/little_kids_big_hearts_podcast 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LittleKidsBigHeartsPodcast Credits: Hosted by Todd Loyd. Produced by Julia Levy at Sparkler Learning, with support from Meaghan Penrod. Sound design and mixing by Ryan Marth, with original music by Bill English. Special thanks to Noggin for their support and use of “Like Nobody Else” from the Big Heart Beats album. Learn more and find episode resources at: https://playsparkler.org/podcast

Season 5 of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast is coming on Friday, Jan. 9 — so rev up your imagination, and get ready to journey with us to the Land of Qook-a-lackas to explore big feelings and solve problems with our Qook-a-lacka friends.  If you're new to the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast, you should know that the Land of Qook-a-lackas is a special place where children go to share their feelings, but not everyone can see the Qook-a-lackas or little Qook-a-leekies who live there. Some have fur, spikes, scales, and different colors — and they look different to all children.  Get ready to imagine and grow big hearts with us! 💛

It's our eighth and final week of Little Kids, Big Hearts @ Camp Sparkler, and we're focused on our hopes and dreams: What are we looking forward to as the new school year approaches? What do we want to learn? What are we excited to experience?  💚 First, Todd shares some clips from an episode called "Hopes & Dreams With Jolly Abraham." Three kids — Levi, Christine, and Ariel — share some of the amazing things they'd learned in the last year ... and what they're hoping and dreaming for the year ahead . 💚 Then Todd and the kids journey to the Land of Qook-a-lackas where they visit with  Qook-a-lacka friend played by Jolly Abraham. They join in the Qook-a-lacka tradition of Moon Day, where they help to “send off” the old moon and “welcome” the new moon by sharing hopes and dreams.  "I hope and dream for me and my brothers to get along," says Ariel.  What are YOU hoping and dreaming?  This summer, Camp Sparkler is exploring eight different themes related to social and emotional learning (SEL). Learn more about Camp Sparkler and play along throughout the summer with a weekly lineup of off-screen play activities and learning extensions on your Sparkler app: https://playsparkler.org/campsparkler. Thank you to Benjamin Weiner, who wrote and performed the song “Growin’ Up This Summer," which you hear in this video.  Thank you to Ryan Marth — our guru of sound! Learn more about the podcast or listen to whole episodes on our web page:  https://playsparkler.org/podcast. Learn more about Camp Sparkler online at https://playsparkler.org/campsparkler2025/ You can play along in your Sparkler mobile app! It's free, it's fun, it's learning! :)

Week 7 of Little Kids, Big Hearts @ Camp Sparkler is focused on feelings. We all have them — and we all can learn to identify them and manage them!  Feelings are something we discuss a lot on our podcast, Little Kids, Big Hearts. In honor of this week of camp, Todd shares clips from two podcast episodes:  💚 First, Todd shares a clip from an episode called "Feeling Angry," in which Lauren, Esther, and Sam share what musical instrument their anger reminds them of. (Listen to the whole episode and the bonus interview to hear the voice of Tony Winning actress Marjan Neshat, who plays the role of a very ANGRY qook-a-lacka: https://playsparkler.org/little-kids-big-hearts-feeling-angry/)  💚 Then, Todd shares a clip from another episode called "What Can You Do With Big Feelings?" in which Anaya, Eleanor, Raffaele, and Wilder share where they FEEL their feelings. At the end of the episode you can dance your feelings with a special song called Dance Your Feelings: https://playsparkler.org/what-can-you-do-with-big-feelings/   This summer, Camp Sparkler is exploring eight different themes related to social and emotional learning (SEL). Learn more about Camp Sparkler and play along throughout the summer with a weekly lineup of off-screen play activities and learning extensions on your Sparkler app: https://playsparkler.org/campsparkler. Thank you to Benjamin Weiner, who wrote and performed the song “Growin’ Up This Summer," which you hear in this video.  Thank you to Ryan Marth — our guru of sound! Learn more about the podcast or listen to whole episodes on our web page:  https://playsparkler.org/podcast. Learn more about Camp Sparkler online at https://playsparkler.org/campsparkler2025/ You can play along in your Sparkler mobile app! It's free, it's fun, it's learning! :)

It’s week 6 of our summer learning program: Little Kids, Big Hearts @ Camp Sparkler, and we're back for another week of fun and learning. This week, we're focused on helping others! Podcast host/lead camp counselor, Todd Loyd, introduces the big idea and shares some clips from our episode, "How to Help." On the episode, three kids — Zohaib, Orion, and Kaitlin — shared their experiences and big ideas related to helping others in their communities.  What are some ways YOU and your family can help others?  And Todd needs some help, too, naming his plant! Share your ideas with us on instagram @little_kids_big_hearts_podcast.  Thank you to Benjamin Weiner, who wrote and performed the song “Growin’ Up This Summer," which you hear in this video. Thank you to Ryan Marth — our guru of sound! Learn more about the podcast or listen to the whole episode here: https://playsparkler.org/podcast. Learn more about Camp Sparkler online at https://playsparkler.org/campsparkler. You can play along in your Sparkler mobile app! It's free, it's fun, it's learning! :) You can also visit us on our YouTube channel to see a video of the epiosde: https://www.youtube.com/@LittleKidsBigHearts

Week 5 of Camp Sparkler is focused on using our imaginations. The host of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast and head counselor at Camp Sparkler, Todd Loyd, introduces the idea and shares some clips from a podcast episode focused on calming down — "Imagination Time." In the episode, three little kids with big imaginations, Shaelan, Sameia and Hunter, discuss the power of imagination with Todd, and then they journey together to the Land of Qook-a-lackas at the invitation of the Qook-a-lacka Mayor, who needs help imagining a new playground and new snacks for the Qook-a-leekies. The role of the Mayor is played by Nadiyah Dorsey, a veteran of stage and screen, who also sings the original song “You Can Use Your Imagination” that you hear in the episode. (The song was written by Benjamin Weiner, a NYC-based writer, composer, and educator.) This summer, Camp Sparkler is exploring eight different themes related to social and emotional learning (SEL). Learn more about Camp Sparkler and play along throughout the summer with a weekly lineup of off-screen play activities and learning extensions on your Sparkler app: https://playsparkler.org/campsparkler. Thank you to Benjamin Weiner, who wrote and performed the song “Growin’ Up This Summer," which you hear in this video. Thank you to Ryan Marth — our guru of sound! Learn more about the podcast or listen to the whole episode here: https://playsparkler.org/little-kids-big-hearts-imagination-time. Learn more about Camp Sparkler online at https://playsparkler.org/campsparkler.  You can play along in your Sparkler mobile app! It's free, it's fun, it's learning! :)

Week 4 of Camp Sparkler is focused on GRATITUDE — feelings of thankfulness and appreciation for the positive people, things, and experiences in your life. Gratitude can be a big, abstract idea for most young children — but it is important! Feeling grateful can help to foster emotional well-being and resilience. Research shows that practicing gratitude can reduce stress and anxiety, improve relationships, and promote a sense of belonging. The host of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast and head counselor at Camp Sparkler, Todd Loyd, introduces the idea and shares some clips from a podcast episode focused on calming down — "Gratitude PowerUp with Lauren Blumenfeld." In this episode, three children (Charlie, Roxy, and Everly) discuss what gratitude means and help a Qook-a-lacka friend, Kwi-loh (played by Lauren Blumenfeld), power up the Gratitude Power Plant in the Land of Qook-a-lackas. This summer, Camp Sparkler is exploring eight different themes related to social and emotional learning (SEL). Learn more about Camp Sparkler and play along throughout the summer with a weekly lineup of off-screen play activities and learning extensions on your Sparkler app: https://playsparkler.org/campsparkler. Thank you to Benjamin Weiner, who wrote and performed the song “Growin’ Up This Summer," which you hear in this video.  Thank you to Ryan Marth — our guru of sound! Learn more about the podcast or listen to the whole episode here: https://playsparkler.org/gratitude-powerup-with-lauren-blumenfeld/. You can also hear the original song "I'm Grateful" inspired by the episode.  You can play along in your Sparkler mobile app! It's free, it's fun, it's learning! :)

Week 3 of Camp Sparkler is focused on CALMING DOWN — strategies people can use to regulate their big feelings.  The host of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast, Todd Loyd, introduces the idea and shares some clips from a podcast episode focused on calming down — "The Key to Calming Down." In the episode, three kids (Charlie, Katrina, and Sienna) join Todd to share tips and tricks they use to calm down — which come in handy when they’re experiencing big feelings. The kids and Todd then take a journey to the Land of Qook-a-lakcas to visit Todd’s friend Quinlan who invited the group to become the first humans ever to attend Camp Quinder-Calm! The role of Quinlan is played by Rebecca Naomi Jones. The original song, “I Have the Key,” which Quinlan shares with the children in the Land of Qook-a-lackas, was composed by Benjamin Weiner, a NYC-based writer, composer, and educator.  This summer, Camp Sparkler is exploring eight different themes related to social and emotional learning (SEL). Learn more about Camp Sparkler and play along throughout the summer with a weekly lineup of off-screen play activities and learning extensions on your Sparkler app: https://playsparkler.org/campsparkler. Thank you to Benjamin Weiner, who wrote and performed the song “Growin’ Up This Summer," which you hear in this video.  Thank you to Ryan Marth — our guru of sound! Learn more about the podcast or listen to the whole episode here: https://playsparkler.org/little-kids-big-hearts-self-regulation/.  Learn more about Camp Sparkler online at https://playsparkler.org/campsparkler2025/ You can play along in your Sparkler mobile app! It's free, it's fun, it's learning! :)

This summer, Little Kids, Big Hearts is teaming up with Camp Sparkler, and we'd love for all of our listeners to join us for 8 FREE & FUN weeks of virtual summer camp. LKBH Host Todd Loyd is the head counselor at Camp Sparkler this year and each week, we'll  be exploring big feelings, creativity, and a whole lot more! You can listen to the podcast, watch on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@LittleKidsBigHearts), and you can play along with play and learning activities in the Sparkler mobile app!  This week — week 2 — we're focused on WORKING TOGETHER, teaming up to discuss issues and solve conflicts.  In our Little Kids, Big Hearts episode called "Let's Work it Out," three big siblings with a lot of problem solving experience — Audrey, Cole, and Miles — share some of their experiences and then work together to suggest solutions to challenges they're facing in the Land of Qook-a-lackas.  Sound design and mixing is by Ryan Marth, and the original song "Growin' Up This Summer" that you hear in the episode is by Benjamin Weiner. Listen to the original episode and learn more about the podcast online at https://playsparkler.org/podcast.  Find out more about Camp Sparkler and play along (for free) in the Sparkler mobile app with lots of do-together activities  at https://playsparkler.org/campsparkler2025/ You can also visit our YouTube for videos and resources: https://www.youtube.com/@LittleKidsBigHearts

This summer, Little Kids, Big Hearts is teaming up with Camp Sparkler, and we'd love for all of our listeners to join us for 8 FREE & FUN weeks of virtual summer camp. LKBH Host Todd Loyd is the head counselor at Camp Sparkler this year and each week, we'll  be exploring big feelings, creativity, and a whole lot more! You can listen to the podcast, watch on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@LittleKidsBigHearts), and you can play along with play and learning activities in the Sparkler mobile app!  This week — week 1 — we're focused on BELONGING, who we are and how we fit together. ❤️🌟 In our Little Kids, Big Hearts episode called "We Belong," four amazing kids — Providence, River, Yonatan, and Valencia — discussed what it means to belong. Todd and the kids then journey to the Land of Qook-a-lackas, where they meet a Qook-a-lacka named Quinnie (played by Alexis Michelle), who needs help figuring out how to help the Link-a-doos, who are coming to the Land as refugees after a big storm destroyed their island. Sound design and mixing is by Ryan Marth, and the original song "Growin' Up This Summer" that you hear in the episode is by Benjamin Weiner. Listen to the original episode and find episode resources online at https://playsparkler.org/little-kids-big-hearts-we-belong-with-alexis-michelle/.  Find out more about Camp Sparkler and play along at https://playsparkler.org/campsparkler2025/

Once, in  the Land of Qook-a-lackas, where the sky shimmers lavender in the mornings and the grass hums softly under your feet, there stood a tree that… didn’t do anything.  It didn’t blossom in spring.  It didn’t drop colorful leaves in the fall.  It didn’t blossom or grow fruits like the other trees — no Quinklepuffs, no Quiddleberries! Welcome to the newest original story from the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast.  This month, we're focused on the natural world and how it makes us feel.  And this story is all about a very special tree. Was it quiet ... or was it just waiting to share its true self with people who were patient?? Listen along to find out.  At the end of the episode, listen up for a new song by our friend Benjamin Weiner inspired by the power of nature to help us learn and grow! The song is called GROWIN' UP THIS SUMMER! And in addition to listening on the podcast feed, you can watch a music video of it on our YouTube channel! So visit and sing/dance along.  Thanks for joining us for Storytime! Visit us online (https://playsparkler.org/lovingnature/) or on our Youtube channel to learn more (https://www.youtube.com/@LittleKidsBigHearts).