Welcome friends! In this Kidventure episode, Todd is joined by Avery (age 6, Dallas TX), Rose (age 8, Alameda County CA), and Nicholas (almost 7, Columbia CT). Together they explore the environment and what worries them about the earth, before floating off on dandelion parachutes to the magical Land of Qook-a-lackas, where something feels very wrong.

Their friend Qwade needs their help. The gummy bears are tired, the Quilips have been over-picked, the bees are struggling, and the weather is all mixed up. The kids become nature detectives, piecing together clues and coming up with thoughtful ideas about what it means to care for a living, breathing world. Qwade is brought to life by award-winning Broadway actor Wade McCollum.

Perfect for kids ages 2 to 11 and for listening together as a family.

In This Episode, Kids Will:

• Travel to the Land of Qook-a-lackas and help solve an environmental mystery
• Explore the connection between bees, flowers, weather, and the natural world
• Discover that caring for the environment starts with small, meaningful choices
• Learn that it is okay to sit with big feelings without having all the answers
• Make a Qook-a-lacka promise to care for the earth in their own way

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Listening By:

• Asking: "What is one small thing you could do today to help the earth?"
• Going on a nature walk and looking for signs that plants and animals are connected
• Encouraging your child to reuse something before throwing it away
• Reminding your child that practice makes progress and every effort matters

🎭 Special Guest Qook-a-lacka: Wade McCollum is a Broadway actor, filmmaker, singer, composer, writer, director, and co-founder of a neuroscience/music startup. Broadway credits include: Water for Elephants and Floyd Collins. Screen credits include: The Knick, FBI: Most Wanted, and Madame Secretary. Learn more at https//www.wadesong.com.

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.

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 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
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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 with ukulele 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