The Children's Hour

Broadcasting from the ABQBiopark's Aquarium in front of the shark tank with about 100 people in our audience, The Children's Hour kids interviewed the aquarist Damien about what it's like to dive with the sharks. Otter keeper Ashley taught us about our river otters, Mayhem and Chaos. We also learned how Adam grows coral at the Biopark.  "Why The Sun and the Moon Live In The Sky" was performed by storyteller Ramona King, and Rowan McJimsay gave us live music. 

Storyteller Ramona King

Pianist Rowan McJimsey

What is Clean Energy? Kids from the Global Warming Express tell us why clean energy is so important.  Plus, we meet some of the kids who are behind the movement to ban single use plastics in Albuquerque.

The Children's Hour broadcast live from the Tony Hillerman Branch Library in Albuquerque. Daughter Anne Hillerman explained why we named a library after author Tony Hillerman. We had live original music from Sage Harrington kids in the Bosque Song School. Librarian Laura Metzler read us Tony Hillerman's "Buster Mesquite's Cowboy Band" and we learned about the Albuquerque Rose Garden, home to more than 1000 roses.

How does a state's Legislature work? New Mexico State Representative Elizabeth Thomson, and the Wild Friends of New Mexico help us understand the process of making an idea into a law using the legislative process. Kids in Wild Friends have teamed up with Rep. Thomson this year to try to protect New Mexico pollinators. Learn how kids can be a part of their effort and how to participate in the State of New Mexico Legislative Session.

When there's an emergency, firefighters are usually the first to respond. This week on The Children's Hour, the kids visit with firefighters about their work, and the many ways they connect with our community.  In a conversation with Captain Emily Kane, we learn about women who are fire fighters, and what a day in the life of a firefighter is like.

We play some of what we think are the best kids songs from 2018, and we play all the Grammy nominees for 2018's Best Children's Release, plus more of our favorites that came out this year. Find out what happens when a dog or cat ends up in "the pound". Bernalillo County Animal Welfare brought in a furry adoptable kitten named Mittens and told the tale of her journey, and where she goes from here.

This week on The Children's Hour we have sing-a-long holiday music with Andy Mason from Santa Fe, New Mexico in a with The Children's Hour kids crew and Katie Stone. Andy will play his tune that won the "Best Children's Song" at the New Mexico Music Awards. Also, hear the world debut of Milla Marmaras' song "Christmas Means Giving." The Kids Crew picked holiday music that's sure to warm your heart on a cold morning.

This week on The Children's Hour, fifth graders in Mrs. Charles' class at La Mesa Elementary School in Albuquerque teach us about the geologic history of the Sandia Mountains, including how they were created and what treasures they hold. 

Mrs. Charles' Fifth Graders

The Sandia Mountains in New Mexico

This week on The Children's Hour we learn about how some Albuquerque 4th and 5th graders are riding bikes to learn literacy and cultural education through a special after school program called Story Riders. We also got an update from Our Children's Trust about the children who are suing the Federal Government for not doing enough to curb climate change, and violating the civil rights of children across our nation.

This week on The Children's Hour we learn what a treasurer does. Bernalillo County Treasurer Nancy Bearce explains her work. It's more than just collecting property taxes. Find out how a government treasurer's work impacts every person in the district, including kids.

Also John Lanza, author of The Art of Allowance, explains how kids can be treasurers for themselves, and how parents can help. Find out how much kids should be saving, spending and sharing and how simple tools like clear glass jars can help kids develop money smart management to last a lifetime.