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How can a children's book spark a lifelong passion for conservation and inspire young activists to protect our planet's endangered species? Today we learn how "toucan" help endangered species. Dynamic author-illustrator duo Hayley and John Rocco discuss the power of storytelling to empower young conservationists.

We celebrate the book birthday of Hello, I'm a Toucan, the latest offering in their Meet the Wild Things series, and learn some interesting nuggets of information about these vibrantly beaked birds. Discover how the Meet the Wild Things series (Pangolin, Axolotl, Quokka, Sloth, Toucan, and soon to be Loris) brings endangered animals into fun focus, encouraging kids to become champions of the natural world.

Hayley and John co-founded Children's Book Creators for Conservation to be the connective tissue between young readers and the conservationists in the field. As ambassadors for Wild Tomorrow, a nonprofit focused on conservation and rewilding South Africa, Hayley and John travels the world in search of stories they can bring back and share with readers everywhere. I am excited to join them in September.

Before dedicating herself to writing for children full-time, Hayley Rocco worked as a publicist at several major publishers. John Rocco is the #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator of many acclaimed books for children, including Blackout, the recipient of a Caldecott Honor, and How We Got to the Moon, which received a Sibert Honor and was longlisted for the National Book Award.

Chapters:

1:03 Toucan Do It Too! Inspiring Conservation Through Children's Books

16:51 Children's Book Creators for Conservation and Wild Tomorrow

26:28 Supporting Young Conservationists

Links:

Visit Hayley at hayleyrocco.com and follow her on Instagram @hayleyroccobooks.

Visit John at roccoart.com and follow him on Instagram @roccoart.

Learn more about Children's Book Creators for Conservation and

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*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

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When Threat of the Spider, the second installment in the Web of the Spider series, came across my desk, I knew we had to have the author, Michael P Spradlin on the podcast. I couldn't put the book down. It's so relevant to where we are today. Join us for a discussion about why we need to study history and how important it is build meaningful connections from the past to our present.

Spanning the years 1929 to 1934, the series highlights the courageous resistance of the Edelweiss Pirates against the rising Nazi regime in Germany. Michael discusses the historical inspirations behind his storytelling, drawing parallels between the political upheaval of the past and the troubles our world faces today. As we delve into his creative process, we explore themes of friendship, political tension, and the importance of exploring history through literary adventures.

We also tackle the contemporary issues of book banning and censorship, advocating for informed discourse and the empowerment of young readers. Join us for an engaging exploration of storytelling's power to bridge history and modern life, offering both education and adventure.

Chapters with Timestamps:

00:03: The Power of Historical Fiction: Michael Spradlin discusses the inspiration and themes behind the Threat of the Spider, the second installment in the Web of the Spider series.

09:31: Unpacking the Historical Adventure: Explore the author's research process and the immersive settings that bring the fictional world to life, with insights into future character developments.

14:05: Character Development and Plot Resolution: The creative process behind crafting unique characters and maintaining reader engagement.

19:35: Preserving History Through Literature: The transformative impact of World War II and the role of historical fiction in engaging young readers with the past.

25:02: The Impact of Banned Books And Censorship: The importance of reading widely and fostering a love for literature.

36:43: Themes of Friendship and Adventure

Links:

Michael Spradlin's Official Website

Follow Michael Spradlin on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Join us in celebrating the power of storytelling to illuminate history and inspire modern-day readers. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!

Support the show

Subscribe & Follow: Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.

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How can small steps spark significant changes for a healthier planet? Brenda Baker, Vice President of Exhibits, Facilities, and Strategic Initiatives at the Madison Children's Museum, walks us through the newly published (AND FREE) Climate Action Playbook designed to inspire and empower the next generation of environmental stewards. Highlighting the Caretakers of Wonder collaboration and addressing the impacts of federal budget cuts, we delve into the museum's commitment to positive change.

Key Points:

• Introduction to Caretakers of Wonder, a collaborative initiative aimed at promoting sustainability and love of nature for children and families.
• The newly published Climate Action Playbook, designed to guide caregivers and museum professionals in fostering nature connection, empathy, resilience, and hope in young people.
• Challenges faced by museums due to federal funding cuts and the importance of private support for innovative family services.
• The role of museums as community equalizers and spaces for joy, empathy, learning through play, and mental well-being.

Chapters:

(0:00:00) - Caretakers of Wonder Climate Action Playbook

• Overview of the Madison Children's Museum's commitment to sustainability and climate action.
• Brenda Baker discusses Caretakers of Wonder and the Climate Action Playbook.

(0:08:34) - Impacts of Empathy and Learning Through Play for Kids AND Adults

• Emphasis on fostering hope and collective action among young children through simple activities.
• Discussion on the impact of federal funding cuts and the role of museums as community equalizers.

(0:19:24) - Youth Hope in Climate Action

• Urgent need for support at the Madison Children's Museum.
• Brenda Baker shares her sources of hope and the inspiring creativity of young people.

Links:

Madison Children's Museum

Climate Action Playbook: [Download for FREE]

Caretakers of Wonder

Donate to Madison Children's Museum

Contact Brenda Baker: bbaker@madisonchildrensmuseum.org

Tune in to be inspired by the museum's dedication to creating a brighter, more sustainable future for our children and our planet!

Support the show

Subscribe & Follow: Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!

*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.