Little Kids, Big Hearts

Welcome friends! We're so glad you're joining us for a brand new Mission episode of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast.
In this episode, Todd is joined by co-host Georgia for a warm and curious conversation about identity, the things that make each of us uniquely ourselves. Georgia's class has been studying identity through self-portraits and the origins of their names. She comes in full of ideas, including her talent for giving compliments, her love of creating things in her own special craft space, and a very impressive fake cry she performs live.
Together, Todd and Georgia listen to three kids share what lights them up: Vivian talks about gymnastics and the things that challenge her in the best way, Charles shares his love of Roblox and his deep curiosity about the Titanic, and Summer describes the joy of playing hide and seek at the park and noticing the world around her. Each story reveals something true: being yourself does not look one way. It shows up through games, art, curiosity, movement, and connection.
At the end of the episode, kids listening at home get their own mission: pay attention to something you really enjoy this month, notice when you feel most like yourself, tell someone about it, and ask them what makes them feel like themselves, too.
Perfect for kids ages 3-11 and for listening together as a family.
In This Episode, Kids Will:
Hear real kids describe the interests and passions that make them feel most like themselves
Explore how identity shows up in all kinds of different ways
Discover that you cannot tell what someone loves just by looking at them
Reflect on what makes them feel most like themselves
Get a mission to notice, share, and ask
Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Mission By:
Asking your child: "When do you feel most like yourself?"
Sharing what lights you up and letting your child ask you questions about it
Noticing and naming something specific your child does that feels uniquely them
Encouraging your child to try the mission with a friend, sibling, or grandparent
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. It's 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 Beats album.
🌈 Visit The Little Kids, Big Hearts Podcast website:
 https://playsparkler.org/podcast

Welcome friends! We're so glad you're joining us for a brand new Kidventure episode of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast.
In this episode, Todd travels to the Land of Qook-a-lackas with Charles, age nine, Vivien, age seven and a half, and Summer, age five, where they meet Quivvy, a Qook-a-leekie who loves performing more than anything in the world. Quivvy sings, dances, turns every game into a show, and fills a journal with ideas for new performances. Quvvy’s sparkles used to burst everywhere. But lately, some friends have been pulling away, and Quivvy has started dimming those sparkles just to fit in.
Together, the kids help Quivvy figure out something really important: you do not have to choose between being yourself and keeping your friends. Along the way, they share what lights them up, from Charles and his deep knowledge of the Titanic, to Vivien's gymnastics and piano, to Summer's pageants and ballet, and discover that the things that make us different are the very things worth celebrating.
Perfect for kids ages 3-11 and for listening together as a family.
In This Episode, Kids Will:
Travel to the Land of Qook-a-lackas through a glowing doorway and their own imaginations
Help Quivvy figure out how to stay true to herself while leaving room for her friends
Share the things that make them uniquely themselves and feel lit up inside
Learn that friendships can stretch and grow without anyone having to shrink
Discover that being yourself sometimes means letting other sparkles shine too
Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Kidventure By:
Asking your child: "What is one thing that makes your sparkle shine brightest?"
Noticing and naming what lights your child up, even if it surprises you
Talking about a time you felt like you had to hide something you loved to fit in
Encouraging your child to try the week's mission: do one thing this week that feels like you
🎭 Special Guest Qook-a-lacka: Crystal Clarke is an American actor and developing writer working across film, television, and voiceover in the UK and US. She is known for portraying Georgiana Lambe in ITV/PBS’s Sanditon. Her narration of One Big Open Sky received a 2025 Audie Award nomination. Her creative focus is quality storytelling that bridges gaps and broadens representation within historical narratives. Crystal also advocates for visibility and inclusion for neurodivergent creators. Follow her on Instagram at @thatcrystalclarke.
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. 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

Welcome friends! In this Interview episode, Todd chats with legendary author and illustrator Rosemary Wells, creator of the beloved Max & Ruby series — and two very special kid interviewers, Ripley, age eight, and Journey, age eleven — who you may remember from season one.
Together, they dig into what it means to write stories that make readers see themselves — and explore how the characters Max and Ruby were inspired by Rosemary's own two children! They find out what it was like too see characters go from the pages of books to the TV screen like Max and Ruby did when they were turned into a show on Nick Jr. Ripley and Journey come prepared with sharp questions about rhyming, getting unstuck, and which of her own books Rosemary loves most. Rosemary answers with warmth, humor, and more than five decades of hard-won wisdom about creativity, confidence, and why the very best thing any author can do is write stories that make a reader say, “I see myself in that."
Perfect for kids ages 3 to 11 and for listening together as a family.

In This Episode, Kids Will:
Hear how the Max & Ruby series was born when Rosemary heard her own children talking when they thought no grown-ups were around
Discover why creative writing is the last gift to show up, and why that is okay
Learn how getting unstuck works the same way for authors as it does for scientists
Find out what Rosemary believes are the two most important things any young writer can do
Be inspired to pay attention to the ideas that go bing in their minds

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Learning By:
Asking your child: "Which character in a book have you ever felt like?"
Reading a Max & Ruby book together and talking about which sibling feels most familiar.
Encouraging your child to read their own writing out loud to catch their mistakes.
Talking about what it means to have someone believe in you the way Rosemary's parents believed in her as a child.
About Rosemary Wells: Rosemary Wells is the author and illustrator of more than 120 books for children, including more than 40 about the beloved bunny siblings Max and Ruby. Born in New Jersey to a playwright father and a ballet dancer mother, she began drawing early and never stopped. Her books have been adapted for television by Nelvana, airing on Nick Jr. for over a decade and available now on streaming. She travels widely as a passionate advocate for literacy and visits schools to teach her Seven Steps to Writing Success. Visit her at rosemarywells.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.
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. It's 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 Beats album.
🌈 Visit The Little Kids, Big Hearts Podcast website:
 https://playsparkler.org/podcast

Welcome friends! In this special bonus Interview episode, Todd is joined by New York Times bestselling author Jonathan Stutzman and returning guest Bea, age 8, who you may remember from our Friendship Kidventure episode.
Together they dig into what it really means to build stories around friendship, from the origins of Tiny T-Rex and his best friend Pointy, to why honest storytelling connects with readers of all ages. Jonathan talks about growing up loving books before he could even read, writing hundreds of songs before a good one comes through, and what it felt like to collaborate with his wife Heather Fox on Llama Destroys the World. 
Bea brings some of the best questions of the season, including what Jonathan's favorite book is, what his favorite hobby is, and whether sock monkeys might actually be behind all those missing socks.
Perfect for kids ages 3 to 11 and for listening together as a family.
In This Episode, Kids Will:
Hear how a New York Times bestselling author got his start telling stories with stuffed animals
Discover that writing lots of bad stories is part of writing a great one
Learn why friendship and always being there are at the heart of the Tiny T-Rex series
Find out about Jonathan's upcoming books including Uh-Oh Hugo and Beware the Sock Monkeys
Be inspired to tell their own stories through drawing, writing, or pretend play
Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Listening By:
Asking your child: "If you wrote a book about friendship, who would the characters be?"
Reading Tiny T-Rex and the Very Dark Dark or Llama Destroys the World together after listening
Encouraging your child to make up voices for their stuffed animals or toys
Talking about what it means to have a friend who is always there, even when things are hard
About Jonathan Stutzman: Jonathan Stutzman is a New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of picture books for children. He is best known for the Tiny T-Rex series, Llama Destroys the World, and Fitz and Cleo. His books have been translated into over a dozen languages and are in development for television and film. Jonathan lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, illustrator Heather Fox, and their French bulldog Hugo, who has his own book coming out soon. Find him on Instagram at @thedustdancestoo or visit jonathanstutzman.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.
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. It's 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 Beats album.
🌈 Visit The Little Kids, Big Hearts Podcast website:
 https://playsparkler.org/podcast

Welcome friends! In this song 🎶 episode, Todd is joined by singer-songwriter Christopher Burkholder and returning guest Carmine, age seven, who you may remember from our episode about family.
Together, they dig into what life as a musician really looks like, from writing hundreds of songs before releasing one, to learning harmonica on the side, to growing up as the second oldest of six kids in a homeschooled family outside Philadelphia. Christopher also shares a brand new original song on the episode called "That's What Big Brothers Are For," written especially for this episode, and the three of them hear it together for the very first time. Carmine comes with a list of questions, his brand new guitar, and an original song of his own called the "Wormy Worm Song" that he performs before signing off.
Perfect for kids ages 3 to 11 and for listening together as a family.
In This Episode, Kids Will:
Hear a brand new original song written just for Little Kids, Big Hearts
Learn how a real songwriter turns feelings and memories into music
Discover that writing lots of bad songs is part of writing one good one
Find out why listening is the most important skill a musician can have
Be inspired to follow the fun when learning something new
Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Listening By:
Asking your child: "If you wrote a song about your sibling, what would it be about?"
Listening to the song together and talking about which lines feel most true
Encouraging your child to write, draw, or sing about a feeling they have had recently
Talking about what "following the fun" looks like when your child is learning something new
About Christopher Burkholder: Christopher Burkholder is a singer-songwriter whose music is rooted in folk, jazz, and blues. Growing up as the second oldest of six kids in a homeschooled family outside Philadelphia gave him plenty of real-life moments and real feelings to write about. He works alongside his family in their coffee business, Twin Valley Coffee, and has been writing and releasing music for over two decades. He wrote "That's What Big Brothers Are For" especially for this episode. Find him on Instagram at @christopher_burkholder
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. It's 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 Beats album.
🌈 Visit The Little Kids, Big Hearts Podcast website:
 https://playsparkler.org/podcast