What if "What do you want to be when you grow up?" is not the best question to ask young people?

In this episode, Tricia speaks with beloved author and illustrator Peter H. Reynolds about creativity, identity, student voice, and his latest book, When You Dream Big. Together, they explore why educators matter so deeply in helping children make meaning from books, not just read them. Peter shares why teachers and librarians have always been central to his work, how curiosity can help us better understand young people, and why quieter students may need different kinds of invitations into learning.

The conversation also looks at the pressure children can feel when asked to define their future too early. Peter offers a more humane and useful frame: not only what do you want to do, but what kind of person do you want to be while you figure life out? This is a thoughtful episode for educators, school leaders, parents, librarians, and anyone interested in creativity, belonging, and helping students imagine futures that feel open rather than fixed.

Peter H. Reynolds is the author and illustrator behind beloved books including The Dot and The North Star. In this conversation, he discusses his new book When You Dream Big and reflects on the questions that help young people better understand themselves.

Learn more about the EKG:

https://ekgcollective.com/toolkit