Welcome friends! We’re so glad you’re joining us for this special interview episode of Little Kids, Big Hearts.

Today host Todd Loyd is joined by his kid friend Keri and award winning author Matt de la Peña to explore the idea of community: what it means, how it shapes us, and how it shows up in stories and everyday life. Together they dive into Matt’s creative process and the themes that unite his books with children’s experiences of neighborhood, belonging, imagination, and care.

Matt talks about how his own upbringing in a working-class community influenced his writing, why community plays a central role in stories like Last Stop on Market Street, and how children’s perspectives can reveal wisdom about the world around them. Keri asks thoughtful questions about family relationships, walking alongside others, and how everyday experiences can become powerful stories.

This episode supports social and emotional learning by helping kids notice the people, places, and relationships that make up their communities and understand how stories help us see ourselves and others with empathy and curiosity.

Perfect for kids ages 3–11 and for listening together as a family.

In This Episode, Kids Will:

• Hear how an acclaimed author thinks about community and belonging
• Learn that stories can help us understand others’ experiences
• Practice curiosity and empathy through conversation

Grown-Ups, Extend the Conversation By:

• Talking about stories you’ve read together
• Encouraging kids to describe kind things that they have done for others or others have done for them
• Reflecting together on how family and neighborhood help shape who we are

About Our Guest:

📚 Matt de la Peña is a New York Times bestselling, Newbery Medal-winning author of picture books and novels for young readers. He won the 2016 Newbery Medal for Last Stop on Market Street and has written award-winning books including Carmela Full of Wishes, Love, Milo Imagines the World, and The Perfect Place. Matt’s writing celebrates diverse communities, everyday kindness, and the beauty of ordinary life. He received his MFA in creative writing from San Diego State University and his BA from the University of the Pacific. 

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 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 Beat’s Album.

🌈 Visit The Little Kids, Big Hearts Podcast website:
 https://playsparkler.org/podcast