Little Kids, Big Hearts

Latest Episodes:

Interview: Max & Ruby Author/Illustrator Answers Kids' Biggest Questions! May 29, 2026

Show notes

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.

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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. 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

Bonus Interview: Meet the Tiny T-Rex Children's Book Author! May 22, 2026

Show notes

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

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.

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

Song 🎶: A Real Songwriter Talks & Sings About Siblings! May 15, 2026

Show notes

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

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.

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

Mission: Little Siblings, Big Feelings May 08, 2026

Show notes

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 once again by co-host Georgia, age 6, for an honest, funny, and relatable conversation about one of the trickiest parts of having a little sibling: what to do when they knock things down, rip things up, or want something completely different than you!

Georgia brings her own fresh experience to the table. Her baby brother Wesley ripped apart a picture she made with her friend at art class just before this recording, and she comes in already thinking through solutions. Together, Todd and Georgia listen to stories from Rex, Brooklynn, and Lincoln, each of whom has faced their own little sibling-sized challenge, and each of whom found a way through it.

Kids explore how to take a breath and choose one of three strategies: ask a grownup for help, make space for both people, or try doing things together and then separately. Along the way, Georgia reminds us that even when things get knocked down, sometimes you get to build something even better.

At the end of the episode, kids listening at home get their own mission: the next time a sibling changes your plan, take a breath and try one of these three kid-tested strategies.

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

In This Episode, Kids Will:

Hear real stories from kids navigating the ups and downs of having younger siblings
Learn three simple strategies for handling sibling conflict with patience and flexibility
Explore the idea that big feelings like frustration are totally valid and okay
Discover that sometimes when things get knocked down, you can build them back even better
Reflect on what they love, and what is hard, about the siblings in their lives

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Mission By:

Asking your child: "What's one thing that's hard about having a sibling, and one thing that's great?"
Practicing the three strategies together before a conflict happens
Acknowledging that frustration with siblings is normal and worth talking about
Noticing and naming moments when your child shows patience or flexibility
Sharing your own sibling stories from when you were young

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.

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

Kidventure: Little Siblings Crash the Build Zone! May 01, 2026

Show notes

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 is joined by Rex, Lincoln, and Brooklynn for a magical journey to the Land of Qook-a-lackas, where their friend Queniel the Qook-a-lacka is having a frustrating day. Every time Queniel builds a tower, little sibling Quib comes zooming through and knocks it down.

Together, the kids help Queniel learn what's really going on (spoiler: Quib might just want to play), and then come up with an imaginative, kid-powered plan: a Build Zone, a Crash Zone, and a Together Zone, each with its own rules, timers, and yes, a special crash tower just for Quib. Along the way, they talk honestly about what it feels like to have a younger sibling, including the joy, the frustration, and the moments when you just want your LEGO build to survive the afternoon.

This episode helps kids develop empathy, communication skills, and creative problem-solving, while reminding them that little sibs aren't always trying to cause chaos; sometimes they're still learning.

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

🎭 Special Guest Qook-a-lacka: The voice of Queniel is brought to life by Broadway actor Daniel Reichard. He originated the role of Bob Gaudio in the Tony Award-winning original Broadway cast of Jersey Boys, earning a Drama Desk Award nomination for his performance. His other credits include Radiant Baby at The Public Theater, the title role in New York City Opera's Candide, and over 800 concerts worldwide with The Midtown Men, the vocal group he co-founded with his Jersey Boys castmates.

In This Episode, Kids Will:

Travel to the Land of Qook-a-lackas in a cozy laundry basket
Help Queniel solve a sibling conflict with creative thinking
Learn how to set clear boundaries with younger sibs
Practice using words when things go wrong
Discover that understanding why someone acts the way they do can change everything

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Kidventure By:

Talking about a time a sibling or friend accidentally upset them and what helped
Practicing kind, clear phrases before conflicts happen
Noticing and naming what younger siblings might be trying to communicate
Celebrating your child when they show patience with a younger sibling

Subscribe, Rate, and Share:
If this episode resonated with your family, please subscribe, rate, and share. It helps other families discover LKBH.

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

Interview: A Real Farmer 🧑🏼‍🌾 Answers Kids' Biggest Questions! Apr 24, 2026

Show notes

Welcome friends! In this Interview episode, Todd is joined by farmer Susan Mitchell, owner of Cloverleigh Farm in Connecticut, and returning guest Avery, age six, who you may remember from our episode at the beginning of April called "Can Kids Help Heal the Land?"

Together they dig into what farm life is really like, from growing vegetables in a greenhouse in the spring to caring for beef cattle, pigs, chickens, and turkeys yearround. Susan talks about farming in all weather, losing plants in the freeze of 2026, donating produce to a local soup kitchen, and what it means to build a true community around food.

Avery brings some of the best questions of the season, including whether it is possible to give vegetables to homeless people and whether schools can take field trips to the farm.

The podcast is perfect for kids ages 3 to 11 and for listening together as a family.

In This Episode, Kids Will:

Hear what a real working farm looks like from someone who built one
Discover that farming is hard, hopeful, and deeply connected to community
Learn how bees, soil, seasons, and care are all part of where our food comes from
Find out how to look for a farm near where they live
Be inspired to think differently the next time they see produce at the grocery store

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Listening By:

Asking your child: "Where do you think the food in our kitchen came from?"
Looking up a local CSA or farm stand in your area
Talking about what it means to support small businesses in your community
Encouraging your child to try a vegetable straight from a garden or farm stand

About Susan Mitchell: Susan Mitchell started her journey into agriculture as a public high school teacher in New York State, where she grew food with her students in the school's garden. She quickly fell in love with the practice and left teaching to apprentice on a farm in the Hudson Valley, then managed farms throughout Connecticut before finding her own property in Columbia, CT. She is also one of the founding members and current Steering Committee member of the New Connecticut Farmer Alliance, a farmer-led statewide network of new farmers. Learn more at cloverleighfarm.com.

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.

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

Storytime: Slow Down and Notice! Apr 17, 2026

Show notes

Welcome friends! It's time for a Little Kids Big Hearts Storytime. This month's story comes from the Land of Qook-a-lackas and is all about what happens when you slow down just enough to notice what matters.

In this story, we meet Quince, a gentle Qook-a-leekie who loves the forest and moves through it slowly, noticing everything. Quince spots something others have missed: the Quilips are leaning, the Quoodle keeps dropping its twig, and the forest feels a little off. One small thing at a time, Quince begins to help. Not in a big way or a loud way, but in a small, steady, slow way. And slowly, others start to notice too.

Todd and Rose, age eight, read the story together and share the magic of a world where paying close attention is its own kind of superpower.

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

In This Episode, Kids Will:

Visit the Land of Qook-a-lackas and meet some wonderful new characters
Discover that slowing down helps us notice things that others miss
Learn that small, quiet actions can create real and meaningful change
Explore what it means to care for the world around you in your own small way
Be reminded that the best things usually start small

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Listening By:

Going on a slow walk with your child and asking: "What do you notice that you usually miss?"
Talking about one small thing your family could do to care for your neighborhood or environment
Asking your child: "Is there something or someone you have noticed lately that needed a little help?"
Celebrating the quiet, steady helpers in your child's life

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.

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

Mission: Kids Can Help The Earth! Apr 10, 2026

Show notes

Welcome friends! It's time for a Little Kids Big Hearts Mission, where kids help kids make the world a little kinder, a little braver, and a little better.

In this episode, Todd is joined by his co-host Georgia, who is now 6️⃣ years old and full of big ideas. Together they explore what it means to take care of our environment, from picking up trash and planting seeds, to recycling, reducing pollution, and even raising money for charity. Georgia shares her genius "making things bins," her stop pollution sign, her carrot planting project, and her plans for a summer perfume and face mask shop to raise money for environmental causes.

Along the way, they hear from Rose and Avery about beach cleanups, gardens, and why caring for the Earth matters. Then Todd and Georgia deliver this week's mission together.

The mission: Choose one small way to help the Earth 🌎. Pick up trash 🗑️, turn off lights 💡, plant something 🌱, save water 💧, or find a way to reuse ♻️ something you already have.

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

In This Episode, Kids Will:

Explore what the environment is and why it matters
Hear real ideas from kids about how they help take care of the planet
Discover that small actions, done by lots of kids, can make a big difference
Get inspired to try their own version of Georgia's "making things bin"
Receive this week's mission and think about which step to take first

Grown-Ups, You Can Extend the Mission By:

Asking your child: "What is one small thing you could do this week to help the Earth?"
Setting up a "making things bin" at home with boxes, scraps, and craft supplies
Going on a walk and picking up litter together
Talking about where trash goes and why it matters for animals and oceans
Celebrating whatever small step your child decides to take

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.

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

Kidventure: Can Kids Help Heal The Land? 🍀💚 Apr 03, 2026

Show notes

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.

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.

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

Interview: A 68-Year Friendship Story! Mar 27, 2026

Show notes

Welcome friends! We're so glad you're joining us for a brand new episode of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast.

This one is extra special. Todd is joined by two people who have been best friends since the first grade: his mom, Claudia, and her childhood best friend, Vicky. They have been friends for nearly seven decades, and the love and laughter between them is something you can feel in every single word. Also joining us is Zuri, returning co-host and seven-year-old friendship expert, who brings her own big questions and big heart to the conversation.

Together, they travel all the way back to first grade in Texas, where two six-year-olds sat down next to each other and just clicked. From basketball and cheerleading to navigating distance, family changes, and life's harder chapters, Claudia and Vicky show us what it looks like when a friendship truly stands the test of time. And Zuri, who has secret handshakes with most of her friends, reminds us that the magic of close friendship starts young and matters at every age.

This episode is a warm, funny, genuine conversation about what it means to choose someone again and again, through laughter, distance, and all of life's changes.

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

In this episode, kids will:

Hear the real story of a friendship that has lasted nearly 70 years and counting
Discover that friendship isn't about never disagreeing. It's about choosing each other again and again
Explore how staying connected looks different at different stages of life
Laugh along with two lifelong best friends who still make each other giggle
Reflect on the friendships in their own lives and what makes them special

Grown-ups, extend the learning by:

Asking your child: "What do you think makes a friendship last a really long time?"
Sharing a story about one of your own long-time friends with your child
Talking about what it feels like to have someone who is always in your corner
Encouraging your child to think about the friends they have now and what they love about them
Asking: "Is there a friend you want to make sure you stay close to as you grow up?"

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.

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

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