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Meet Ann Braden, a modern day Judy Blume, who has written the most wonderful, sensitive middle grade books about that time in your life when you're struggling between being a child and being an adult.  Today we explore the inspiration behind The Benefits of Being an Octopus, Flight of the Puffin, and her latest book, Opinions and Opossums. Join us for a conversation that explores the challenges and joys of writing about real issues for this young audience and the importance of finding and using your voice. 

[00:50] Discussion about Ann Braden's Writing Journey 

• Discovering a passion for writing and activism.
• Self-doubt and early reluctance to write — and pivotal moments that changed things

[07:03] A golden age of middle grade writing

• Authors who inspire Ann
• Representation of diverse emotions and experiences.

[08:54 Inspiration for Ann's Characters 

• The inspiration behind Ann’s unique heroines — and connections to the author

[11:30] How Opinions and Opossums reflects the author’s childhood and struggles with self-doubt and religion.

• Questioning societal norms and why adolescents often lose their self-confidence.
• Struggles boys also face regarding societal expectations and limitations.

[17:08] Opinions and Opossums origin story

[17:29] Ann’s writing process.

• Practice of jotting down one idea per day for two months.
• Bullet journals and colored pens
• Exploring Theme, Setting, Plot, and Characters.
• Connecting unique animals to the theme

[19:16] Flight of the Puffin

• Themes of unity and connection
• Importance of moving beyond surface-level discussions.
• Significance of finding ways to connect, act, and belong.

[24:30] Origins of Local Love Brigade 

• Sending postcards with messages of love and support to counter hate mail
• Impact of acts of kindness and community engagement.
• Connecting to library camps

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Pour yourself a cup of coffee and join me for a chat with rock star Newbery Medalist Katherine Applegate as we celebrate the book birthday of Dogtown, The One and Only Ruby, and Odder. You know her from The One and Only Ivan, but you also know her from so many other books like Crenshaw, Wishtree, and the Animorphs series, now in a new graphic format designed by Chris Grine.

[01:14] How We Met: Shenandoah University's Rally for Reading

• John Schu's ability to get kids excited about books
•  Ways teachers and librarians build connections with books and kids.

[04:16] Katherine's Journey as an Author:

• Her circuitous path to becoming a writer and early struggles with reading.
• The importance of failing and experimenting in the writing process.

[09:11] Writing for Reluctant Readers:

• The  Animorphs series
• The influence of powerful cover art

[13:43] The One and Only Ruby and Dogtown 

[17:47] Writing with Non-Human Characters:

• The appeal of writing stories with non-human main characters
• How writing from a non-human perspective allows her to explore human behavior from an outsider's view.

[20:01] Impact of Winning the Newbery:

• The confidence boost winning  provided and why it's important to fail.

[22:08] Authors Who Inspire Katherine Applegate

• Jason Reynolds and Dav Pilkey

[25:15] Ivan's Last Installment:

• In the works -- a fourth and final book in the Ivan series -- with a tease from Katherine about the main character

[26:21] Research and Animal Behavior:

• The research involved in writing about animals and how it deepens our understanding of animal behavior.
•  The impor

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Meet author/illustrator team Carole Boston Weatherford and Jeffery Boston Weatherford (also mother and son). Carole has authored 70+ books, including award winning Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre;  Box: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom;  and All Rise: The Story of Ketanji Brown Jackson. Jeffery's beautiful illustrations can be found in  We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices and  You Can Fly: The Tuskegee Airman.  On this episode, we  celebrate the book birthday of their new, incredibly powerful joint venture Kin: Rooted in Hope ( I devoured it in one sitting), and we talk about how this duo brings nonfiction to life.

[01:20]:  We discuss their experience collaborating as a mother-son duo.

[03:01]:  Carole talks about their long history of collaboration and how working on books is different from everyday tasks.

[03:30]:  We  discuss the genesis of Kin: Rooted in Hope.

[04:46]: Carole and Jeffery discuss their family's ancestral farm and the inspiration behind Kin.

[06:15]: Carole discusses the research process for Kin and shares some surprising discoveries she made along the way.

[12:48]:  Carole reads a poem about Prissy Copper and explains its significance.

[14:55]: Jeffery discusses his approach to illustrating the book.

[19:40]: We reflect on how Kin provides  a rich context for understanding the lives of enslaved people.

[21:10] : Jeffery discusses his technique and the inspiration behind specific illustrations.

[26:54]:  Jeffery shares an illustration of Frederick Douglass and its significance.

[28:07]: Carole highlights some of her favorite illustrations and their emotional impact.

[31:38]:  Carole expresses the hope that readers will understand the value of preserving family stories and heritage. 

[34:33] Carole talks about her childhood and how her parents, both educators, nurtured her interests in poetry and visual arts.

[35:41] Jeffery discusses how his mother recognized his artistic talent and encouraged his journey in the arts.

[37:21] Dr. Diane shares the story of Archie Williams, the first African American meteorologist in the United States.

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She's STEMspirational! Meet youth inventor Lydia Denton. At 15, she's already been honored for many of her inventions, including the Beat the Heat car seat. In this episode we explore strategies for engaging girls in STEM and inventing, as well as secrets to being well-rounded and happy.

[00:52] Lydia's Background and Inventions:

• Lydia shares her journey as an inventor since the second grade.
• Her diverse education path, from homeschool to charter arts school to early college, has shaped her well-roundedness.
• Lydia shares a prototype of her newest invention, the Halcyon bracelet, designed to address Body Focused Repetitive Behaviors (BFRBs).
• We discuss some of Lydia's winning inventions, including the Beat the Heat car seat, Breathe, and the Picadae Helmet.
• Lydia shares insights on how STEM has taught her resilience and problem-solving through challenges.

[07:33] Problem Solving and Inventing Process:

• We delve into Lydia's invention process and her strategic approach to solving problems.
•  Lydia emphasizes the vital role of mentors in helping young inventors overcome obstacles during the creation process.

[11:21] STEM and Encouraging Diversity:

• The conversation shifts to promoting women's participation in STEM, challenging stereotypes and creating inclusivity. 
• Lydia shares strategies for encouraging young women's interest in STEM and cites examples of role models, including when Miss America did a science experiment as her special talent and ended up winning the whole competition and Emily's Wonder Lab on Netflix.
• Acting and STEM go hand in hand --  Lydia shares how her involvement in acting complements her STEM pursuits, enhancing her communication skills.

[15:09] Upcoming Plans and Dreams:

• Lydia talks about her recent LA trip for a competition on her Breathe invention and the diverse team of females behind it (Spoiler alert: they won first prize in their age group)
• We explore the importance of female STEM role models and the impact of representation.
• Lydia shares some bookspirations -- The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind and Chasing Space 

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Covey Denton is a rock star STEM educator. We met through Steve Spangler, when we were both presenting workshops at Science in the Rockies. Check out her strategies for helping you get your science classroom funded.,

[01:26] - Covey's Journey

• Covey explains her diverse career path, starting from biomedical engineering,  and transitioning into teaching through unconventional pathways.

[04:04] - Contribution to Kesler Science Escape Rooms

• Covey shares how she pitched the idea of writing escape rooms to Chris Kesler at a conference, as well as their effectiveness in formative assessments.

[06:24] - Perspective on STEM Education

• Covey discusses STEM as a departure from traditional teaching, fostering problem-solving and diverse solutions as students are empowered to collaborate for creative solutions.

[08:25] - Applying STEM For Learning at ALL Grade Levels

• The applicability of STEM across age groups is discussed, using The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind as an example.

[12:13] - Getting Started with STEM and Grant Writing

• Covey shares her experience of teaching with a limited budget, the importance of wise spending on reusable materials, and how to request assistance from local businesses.

[17:11] - Grant Writing and Success Stories

• Covey dives into her journey of grant writing, highlighting a seminar she attended that helped her write her first grants.
•  Initial struggles with grant rejections and how she turned it into a learning opportunity with great success.

[19:38] - Building Relationships and Telling Stories

• Covey emphasizes the importance of storytelling and shares strategies for building relationships in grant writing.

[24:17] - Practical Grant Writing Tips

• Key tips include obtaining administrator support, starting with small grants to build confidence, setting aside dedicated time for grant writing, and expressing genuine excitement in grant applications.

[25:53] - Challenges and Joys of STEM Education

• Covey discusses the challenge of storage for ongoing STEM projects and shares her strategy of using non-consumables and recyclables.
• Joy of witnessing students who aren't necessarily top academic performers excelling in hands-on problem-solving and showing resilience in the face of failure.

[29:48] - Picture Books for STEM Connections

• Some of Covey's go-to picks include The Most Magnificent Thing and the Ada Twist, Scientist series for their relatability and diversity of characters.

[34:25] - Opportunities and Challenges for the Upcoming School Year

• Covey shares opportunities she sees in STEM educati

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Dr. Ronda Taylor Bullock is the co founder and executive director of we are (working to extend anti-racist education), a nonprofit in North Carolina that provides antiracism training for children, families, and educators. I first met Dr. Ronda at the North Carolina Reading Conference, and she blew me away with the resources and the thoughtfulness she had put behind helping teachers and families really think through how to create an antiracist environment. 

[01:00] Setting Kids Up for Success

• The importance of setting families and children up for success, especially in terms of antiracist education.
• Empowering children to recognize fairness and unfairness based on skin color.
• Encouraging conversations about diversity and reading books with characters from various racial and ethnic backgrounds.
• Affirming the identity of children of color and addressing colorism within communities.

[03:33] Creating Inclusive School Environments

• Fostering a welcoming environment in schools for children of all backgrounds.
• The significance of pronouncing students' names correctly and respecting their identities. 

[05:38] Diverse Picture Books for Welcoming Environments:

• Book suggestions for building a diverse and inclusive classroom environment.

07:51] Using Books as Windows, Mirrors, and Sliding Glass Doors

• Reflecting on Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop's concept 
• The importance of representing diverse experiences and perspectives, and the power of books to affirm children's identities and help them recognize the broader world.

[10:24] Embracing Diverse Stories

• Encouraging authentic representation of children of color as protagonists in all kinds of stories.
• Moving beyond oppressive narratives to explore stories of joy, adventure, and Afrofuturism.

[11:54] Selecting Culturally Authentic Books

• Providing a checklist for reviewing materials and books for culturally authenticity, as well as potential red flags.

[13:48] Recommended Authors and Resources

[15:00] Sponsor Ad:

[17:55] Founding "we are" and Its Growth

• Dr. Ronda explains the inception of "we are" and her vision to teach antiracism to children, families, and educators through camps, family engagement, and working with schools.

[23:39] Schools Embracing Antiracism

• Dr. Ronda highlights schools that are working towards embracing antiracism, such as Northside Elementary and Durham Public Schools.

[29:34] Becoming a Peaceful Disruptor

• Dr. Ronda identifies herself as a

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Meet Wincey Terry-Bryant, an incredible, knock your socks off edutainer who knows how to connect history, STEM, cultural, and the performing arts in a way that engages early childhood and elementary audiences. She's the CEO of  WinceyCo,  and an international artist who has performed with Sting and Tina Turner and guested on Sesame Street In 1988, Wincey combined her love for music, education and children to found a performing arts troupe that educates audiences about serious social issues and academic subject matter. These dynamic live educational shows are presented by professional Winceyco actors, singers, dancers and musicians. Wincey has produced two educational music cds, one cartoon dvd and a children’s book on bullying.

• [01:30] The journey from singing in the church choir to becoming the CEO of Wincey Co, a company focused on music and early childhood education.
• [05:11] Highlights of an incredible 30-year career, including the joy of impacting young minds and supporting teachers through professional development.
• [07:47] Challenges teachers face today.
• [08:29] Creating programs that focus on under-celebrated figures in history.
• [11:31] How "faction," a mix of fact and action, helps to make history engaging.
• [12:16] The  importance of hands-on learning and EQ (emotional quotient) development in  fostering problem-solving and collaboration among students.
• [14:35] Virtual STEAM course Ad 
• [15:48] The OG Black History assembly, including African kings and queens, the contributions of African and African American inventors, and how they were not always credited due to discrimination.
• [17:17] A jingle Wincey uses to teach children about inventions made by Black inventors.
• [18:16] The joys of being a teaching artist for the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) and how she developed her show "Character Rocks."
• [26:55] Teacher resource guides and lesson plans created to accompany WinceyCo's assembly programs.
• [29:17] The challenge of being holiday-centric when it comes to celebrating Black History Month and Latin Heritage Month, stressing the importance of integrating these celebrations throughout the school year.
• [30:30] Professional Development Ad
• [32:01] Creating educational content that connects and appeals with young audiences.
• [36:30] Working with Wolf Trap as a teaching artist providing performing arts and STEM connections for early childhood educators. She discusses the importance of teaching math skills to young children and making learning fun for them.
• [40:18] The importance of empowering teachers to be creative in their teaching methods and provi

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Could this be the first podcast broadcast from inside a volcano's magma chamber? As Iceland braces itself for another potential eruption, join us for a special episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast. In this episode, we go Inside the Volcano with co-founder Ólafur Þór Júlíusson and Science of Iceland host Steve Spangler. Join us to learn about the Three Peaks Crater, as well as the difference between a tourist eruption and a seriously impactful eruption. If you want to see the video, check out the youtube upload of the podcast episode.

If you are looking for a good children's picture book to support learning about volcanoes, try Sue Fliess' Kid Scientist: Volcano Experts on the Edge or Eruption! The Story of Volcanoes by Anita Ganeri.

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 Corinna Luyken joins us to share her journey and the story behind her latest book, ABC and You and Me. This delightful picture book celebrates movement, creativity, and the power of imagination.  We  delve into the inspiration and collaborative process behind, Patchwork, written by Matt de la Pena and illustrated by Corinna. We also touch upon the influence of mindfulness in Corinna's work and her personal connection to Thich Nhat Hanh's teachings. Join us as we explore the creative journey and profound messages embedded within Corinna's beautiful illustrations. Youtube link.

• [00:49] Corinna shares her background and how she discovered her passion for storytelling through illustrations and words.
• [02:30] Corinna discusses her unconventional path,  finding inspiration in dance improvisation classes and mindfulness practices.
• [06:45] Corinna shares the story behind her latest book, ABC and You and Me, and its evolution over the years.
• [13:07] Corinna highlights the importance of inclusivity and diversity in children's literature, and the joy of drawing people from all walks of life.
• [15:50] Corinna discusses the resources she is creating for teachers, including a movement script and interactive activities for ABC and You and Me.
• [19:18] Dr. Diane discusses using Patchwork as a tool to connect STEM and STEAM learning with multicultural picture books, encouraging teachers to reflect on their past, present, and future selves.
• [20:15] Corinna shares her experience working with Matt de la Pena on Patchwork and elements of the book that resonate with them both.
• [26:20] The influence of mindfulness in Corinna's work, inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh's book,  Peace Is Every Step
• [31:33] The connection between mindfulness and The Book of Mistakes, where changing perspectives can transform how we perceive the world.
• [33:06]The importance of giving kids the opportunity to look at the world from different perspectives
  [37:51]Mycorrhizal networks and how they connect to  The Tree in Me
  [40:35] Corinna shares her favorite contemporary au

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Welcome to Adventures in Learning, where curiosity and connection lead to exciting discoveries. In this episode, we delve into the world of STEM picture books with the acclaimed author Sue Fliess.

With a passion for combining science, technology, engineering, and math with captivating storytelling, Sue has captured the hearts of young readers and educators alike. Sue is the author of more than 50 picture books, including Goldilocks and the Three Engineers, Little Red Rhyming Hood, Mary Had a Little Lab,  Beatrice Bly's Rules for Spies series, Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket, the Kid Scientist series, and the recently published Cicada Symphony to name just a few.

Join me as Sue and I discuss her journey as an author, her inspiration for STEM-themed fractured fairy tales, as well as her natural curiosity and wonder that is leading her into more science and nature-based books. What follows are excerpts from our conversation. For the show notes, pictures, and links to Sue's books and activities, visit the Adventures in Learning blog.  You can find all of the books discussed in the podcast on my bookshop.org shop.

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