The Lil' Leaders Podcast: Conversations with Kids

In today's episode, we meet a talented and inspiring young guest named Vindhy! She loves Bollywood dancing, gymnastics, and singing. With a big dream of becoming a singer someday, she shares how being recognized as Student of the Month taught her the value of listening and learning from others. She also loves reading and believes being true to yourself means knowing how to say no to things that don’t feel right for you. Get ready to hear her story, her advice, and how she’s already shining bright while staying true to herself!   Picture Book Recommendations: a. Once Upon A Book Author & Illustrator: Grace Lin & Kate Messner A modern folktale about the joy of reading. Once upon a time, there was a girl. She went to a place alive with colors, where even the morning dew was warm.  Alice loves to imagine herself in the magical pages of her favorite book. So when it flaps its pages and invites her in, she is swept away to a world of wonder and adventure, riding camels in the desert, swimming under the sea with colorful fish, floating in outer space, and more! But when her imaginative journey comes to an end, she yearns for the place she loves best of all. Paired with vibrant illustrations, this lyrical, expressive story invites the reader to savor each page and indulge in the power of imagination.                                     b. My Bollywood Dream Author & Illustrator: Avani Dwivedi          It’s Friday night, and on the bustling streets of Mumbai, a girl heads out with her family to the cinema. As she rides through the winding blocks with her maa, baba, and bhai, old melodies fill the car. And as she captures the sights and sounds of the city with her camera, she imagines a movie unfolding before her eyes. A choreographed dance sequence atop a long line of cars! When they arrive at the screening, the room is abuzz with people from all walks of life, waiting to lose themselves in the show. And finally comes the best part: time for everyone to jump up and dance! First-time author-illustrator Avani Dwivedi offers a buoyant, whimsically illustrated love letter to Mumbai and Bollywood—and to children everywhere eager to take mastery of their dreams.   Cool Q's For Discussion: 1. How can you be a better listener? Why does Vindhy feel listening is important? 2. What does it mean to be true to yourself? How can you say no to things you don’t like? 3. If you want to follow your dreams, how can you find help like Vindhy did with her brother? 4. How can you try new things while still doing what you already love? 5. What is your main takeaway from today’s episode with Vindhy?   Have a great week! Keep Leading and Keep Reading, Tina

Have you ever tried something new and realized it wasn’t for you?  Today's guest, Paige, has been exploring her passions since she was just 3 years old! Whether it’s dancing, acting, or modeling, Paige keeps trying new things—even when they don’t always work out—because each step brings her closer to what she truly loves. Each step also gives to the confidence to try the next interest. We can’t wait for you to enjoy our conversation!   Picture Book Recommendations: a. Hooray For You Author & Illustrator: Marianne Richmond Hooray for You! is a celebration of You-Ness, the grand sum of mind, body and heart that makes every person truly unique by bestselling author Marianne Richmond. Look in the mirror. Love who you see. Stand tall. Smile big. Shout, "Hooray for me!" A welcome appreciation of the wonderfulness in us all that makes the perfect kindergarten book to celebrate what makes your kids unique!                                     b. I Will Be Fierce Author: Bea Birdsong                                   Illustrator: Nidhi Chanani Full of positive encouragement to find something you're passionate about and how to get started on making a big difference through small actions, this brilliant factbook for kids is a treasure trove of information and great advice. I Will Be Fierce is a powerful picture book about courage, confidence, kindness, and finding the extraordinary in everyday moments. It's a brand new day, and a young girl decides to take on the world like a brave explorer heading off on an epic fairytale quest. From home to school and back again, our hero conquers the Mountain of Knowledge (the library), forges new bridges (friendships), and leads the victorious charge home on her steed (the school bus).    Cool Q's For Discussion:   1. Paige talks about how trying new things helped her discover her passions. What’s something new you’ve tried recently, and how did it make you feel? 2. Paige says that to be your best self, you have to know what you like. What are some things you’ve discovered about yourself that make you happy? 3. Confidence comes from doing things we love. What’s one activity or hobby that makes you feel confident? 4. Paige encourages kids to try new things. What’s one activity you’ve always wanted to try, and what’s stopping you? 5. After hearing Paige’s story, how do you think exploring new interests can help you learn more about yourself? 6. What is your main takeaway from today’s episode with Paige?   Have a great week! Keep Leading and Keep Reading, Tina

Today, we’re so excited to welcome Andi Smiley to our Big Leader Feature! Andi is the creator of the Family Podcast Guide, a wonderful resource that helps parents find fun, educational podcasts for the whole family. She’s here to share how her guide makes screen-free fun easier and helps families laugh, learn, and connect. Andi’s work doesn’t stop there—she’s also building a supportive podcasting community where parents can share ideas, network, and even start their own podcasts! Join us as Andi gives us a peek behind the curtain of the Family Podcast Guide and inspires us all to dive into the world of family-friendly podcasting.   Picture Book Recommendations: a. The Magic of Me: My Magical Choices Author: Becky Cummings                                     Illustrator: Zuzana Svobodova Do your children realize they have one of life's greatest gifts, the ability to make choices that determine how their day will go? Life can be rough. We can't always control what will happen, but we can always decide how we respond to it. When we teach kids that they have the power to choose their reactions, it shifts everything! By choosing positive actions, kids feel happier and build lifelong healthy habits. No more, "I can't, I don't know, or I'm not!" My Magical Choices presents 13 "I choose" statements that empower children to take responsibility for their days and inspire them to use conscious language and choose to be calm, forgiving, brave, honest, friendly, and much more.   b. The Little Book of Listening Author: Zach Bush & Laurie Friedman              Illustrator: Vitor Lopes Listening to others one of the most important social skills that children can learn. There’s so much to know about listening—how to do it and why it is an essential tool for good relationships at home, at school, and on the playground. It’s all introduced in The Little Book of Listening! With this book, young readers will learn valuable social skills that will help them get along better with siblings, friends, adults, and schoolmates. The Little Book of Listening breaks it all down and shows kids concrete examples of how they can listen to others and why it is so important.    Cool Q's For Discussion: 1. What kinds of podcasts do you think your family would enjoy most together? 2. How could a family podcast routine help you connect and learn together? 3. What ideas do you have for creating a podcast after hearing Andi’s tips? 4. How could listening to podcasts add variety to your family’s screen-free activities? 5. How might joining a podcast community benefit your family? 6. What is your main takeaway from today’s episode?   Have a great week! Keep Leading and Keep Reading, Tina

Welcome to today’s episode! Today on the Lil' Leaders Podcast, meet Harriet! She’s a young girl with a huge heart, on a mission to make sure everyone feels included and loved. Through her charity work, Harriet proves that even small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect of positivity and make the world a better place. Be inspired by her understanding of how important it is to life others up. Let's get started!   Picture Book Recommendations: a. Don't Be Afraid To Drop Author: Julia Cook                                       Illustrator: Anna Laura Sullivan What happens when one little raindrop finds the courage to let go? Way up in the sky, Hopp the raindrop is scared of change. Hopp loves playing with his friends, riding on clouds, and being happy with his safe, predictable life. But he soon learns that staying where he is limits the impact he can have on those around him. "You have so many gifts to share with the world, so many dreams to live. Take a chance little man, let go of this cloud. Discover the ways you can give." Don't Be Afraid to Drop is a book for anyone who is at a transitional point in their life. From the kindergartener heading to school, to an adult nearing retirement, and everyone in between, this creative analogy provides all who read it with a positive perspective on change, taking risks, and giving back. There's so much good that can happen when we step beyond our comfort zones and try something new!   b. How To Make a Better World Author: Keilly Swift                                       Illustrator: Jamie Margolin Full of positive encouragement to find something you're passionate about and how to get started on making a big difference through small actions, this brilliant factbook for kids is a treasure trove of information and great advice. There's a lot that can be changed by just one person if you know what to do. If you are a kid with big dreams and a passion for what is right, you just might be a world-changer in the making! Through ideas as small as creating a neighborhood lending library to as important as public speaking and how to talk about politics, How to Make a Better World is a practical guide to activism for children. Well-written and divided into sections on You, Community, Environment, and more, this educational book helps children to look at what they might like to achieve, and the logical approach makes it easy to navigate if you want to tie topics up with school projects. Brightly illustrated inclusive art makes this factbook as visually appealing as its message. You can easily jump around without any loss of comprehension and dip in for short or longer periods. Learn about tricky social interactions like friendship fallouts, or bullying and how to maneuver them, or find out how to go about creating activist campaigns to tackle climate change or social injustice. If kids are to think positive thoughts and be part of movements for positive change, they need to be encouraged to do it. This book is full of wonderful facts about the world, presenting such positivity as cool, sensible, exciting, and achievable. The perfect starter book to activism for kids.    Cool Q's For Discussion: 1. How does Harriet’s belief in "it shouldn’t have to happen to you to matter to you" resonate with you? Can you think of a time when you applied this in your life? 2. Harriet makes sure her brother, who is autistic, feels included. What are some ways we can promote inclusion for people of all abilities in our own communities? 3. Harriet’s charity work, like blessing boxes and Block Love Charlotte, shows her commitment to giving back. What causes or acts of kindness are you passionate about supporting? 4. How do you think Harriet balances her charity work, modeling, acting, and school at such a young age? What can we learn from her about time management and following multiple passions? 5. What are some ways you can encourage inclusivity and kindness in your everyday life, inspired by Harriet's story?   Have a great week! Keep Leading and Keep Reading, Tina

Welcome to today’s episode! I’m excited to introduce our guest, Jen Orr, the creator of Eyewords Learning. Jen developed a unique way to help kids learn to read by using the science of how our brains work best. Her program, Eyewords, combines seeing, hearing, and touching all at once to make learning easier. It connects the sounds, letters, and meanings of words in a way that helps kids remember them faster and feel more confident. Jen’s method makes reading fun again, step by step, and we’re thrilled to hear her story and how Eyewords can help kids. Let’s get started!   Picture Book Recommendations: a. How Rocket Learned to Read Author &  Illustrator: Tad Hills Learn to read with this New York Times-bestselling picture book, starring an irresistible dog named Rocket and his teacher, a little yellow bird. Follow along as Rocket masters the alphabet, sounds out words, and finally . . . learns to read all on his own! With a story that makes reading fun—and will even help listeners learn to read—this book is ideal for kindergarten classrooms and story hour or as a gift for that beginning reader.    b. A Walk in the Words Author  &  Illustrator: Hudson Talbott Hudson Talbott's inspiring story vividly reveals the challenges--and ultimately the rewards--of being a non-mainstream kind of learner. When Hudson Talbott was a little boy, he loved drawing, and it came naturally to him. But reading? No way! One at a time, words weren't a problem, but long sentences were a struggle. As his friends moved on to thicker books, he kept his slow reading a secret. But that got harder every year. He felt alone, lost, and afraid in a world of too many words. Fortunately, his love of stories wouldn't let him give up. He started giving himself permission to read at his own pace, using the words he knew as stepping-stones to help draw him into a story. And he found he wasn't so alone--in fact, lots of brilliant people were slow readers, too. Learning to accept the fact that everyone does things in their own unique way, and that was okay, freed him up and ultimately helped Hudson thrive and become the fabulous storyteller he is today.    Cool Q's For Discussion:   1. Why did Jen Orr create Eyewords, and how does it help kids learn to read? 2. How does Eyewords meet kids where they are in their reading journey? 3. How can learning to read with Eyewords make reading fun again? 4. What is the step-by-step process of Eyewords, and how does it help build confidence in  reading? 5. What is your main takeaway from today’s episode with Jen Orr and Eyewords Learning?   Have a great week! Keep Leading and Keep Reading, Tina

    Lifting Each Other Up : With Smiles And Teamwork What does it take to be a true leader in the face of challenges? Meet Sahasra, today's Lil' Leader! This incredible 7th grader has a heart full of empathy, always finding ways to help those in need. Even when faced with unexpected situations and comments, Sahasra stays optimistic and encourages her classmates to work together for the greater good. In her episode, you'll be inspired by her powerful approach to lifting others up. Don't miss out on this uplifting conversation!   Picture Book Recommendations: a. I Got the School Spirit Author: Connie Schofield-Morrison        Illustrator: Frank Morrison Summer is over, and this little girl has got the school spirit! She hears the school spirit in the bus driving up the street--VROOM, VROOM!--and in the bell sounding in the halls--RING-A-DING! She sings the school spirit in class with her friends--ABC, 123! The school spirit helps us all strive and grow. What will you learn today? This exuberant celebration of the first day of school illustrated by award-winning illustrator Frank Morrison will have every kid cheering for school to begin!   b. Remarkably You Author: Pat Zietlow Miller                           Illustrator: Patrice Barton Heartfelt and timeless, Remarkably You is an inspirational manifesto about all of the things—little or small, loud or quiet—that make us who we are. Great for sharing and gifting, especially to celebrate your remarkable graduate. New York Times bestselling author Pat Zietlow Miller celebrates individuality in her remarkable picture book about the beauty of being yourself. With encouraging text and exuberant illustrations by Patrice Barton, readers will delight in all the ways they can be their remarkable selves. You might go unnoticed, or shine like a star,but wherever you go and whoever you are…don’t change how you act to be just like the rest.Believe in yourself and the things you do best.    Cool Q's For Discussion:    How did moving from India to the Canada change Sahasra's perspective on helping others who struggle? 2. What strategies does Sahasra use to encourage kids in group projects to collaborate, when they don’t see eye to eye at first? 3. How does Sahasra stay focused on the positive things about herself when others may exclude her or say unkind things?            4. Would you handle these situations the same way Sahasra did? Why or why not?                    5. What is your main takeaway from today’s episode with Sahasra?   Have a great week! Keep Leading and Keep Reading, Tina

A Traveling Teacher: Helping Kids Learn Everywhere Meet Peter Panopolous, this week's Big Leader feature! After 12 years of classroom teaching, Peter pursued his next dream—teaching online to support kids who needed alternative learning options. In this episode, we explore his strategies and compassionate approach as he created ATravelingTeacher.com. His platform helps students, whether they’re ill or facing challenges that keep them out of traditional classrooms, find comfort and confidence in an online learning environment.   Picture Book Recommendations: a. School Is Wherever I Am Author &  Illustrator: Ellie Peterson From Ellie Peterson, the author-illustrator of How to Hug A Pufferfish comes a timely new picture book about learning, exploration, and the ever-expanding definition of school. Is school only one place? Are there other classrooms? Different teachers? New Lessons? In this charming, thoughtful picture book, author-illustrator Ellie Peterson explores learning, adventure, and the thousands of the things you can discover outside of a classroom―about the world, about your family, about yourself. Because school is truly wherever you are.     b. Because You Are My Teacher Author: Sherry North                                Illustrator: Marcellus Hall One devoted teacher will stop at nothing to show her class the wonders of the world. From soaring over the Great Wall of China to hang gliding in the Australian Outback, the class has all kinds of adventures, across all seven continents. Because You Are My Teacher, is an exciting introduction to geography and makes a touching gift for any teacher who has broadened your child’s horizons. The book includes a note about the seven continents and each of the places or creatures mentioned in the book.   Cool Q's For Discussion: 1. What stood out to you about Peter’s approach to helping students adjust to online learning? 2. How do you think online education can benefit students who face challenges in traditional classrooms? 3. Have you ever had to step out of your comfort zone like Peter did when he changed careers? How did it feel? 4. How can you help someone who may need to attend online school temporarily? 5. What is your main takeaway from today’s episode with Peter?   Have a great week! Keep Reading and Keep Leading, Tina

Show Notes   Big Heart, Brave Choices: Being a Friend and a Leader Meet Veera, our first Lil' Leader of the season! She's an elementary school student who loves helping others, even during her lessons. Supporting her peers and family is incredibly important to her! Her episode, 'Big Heart, Brave Choices: Being a Friend and a Leader,' is also her first time on a podcast. Congratulations Veera! Enjoy our conversation with Veera and learn more about her inspiring story.   Picture Book Recommendations: a. The Scarecrow Author: Beth Ferry                                    Illustrator: The Fan Brothers Bestselling author Beth Ferry (Stick and Stone) and the widely acclaimed Fan Brothers (The Night Gardener) present a gorgeous and poignant picture book about two unexpected friends and the special connection they share. This tender and affectionate story reminds us of the comforting power of friendship and the joy of helping others—a tale that will inspire and delight children for generations to come. All the animals know not to mess with old Scarecrow. But when a small, scared crow falls from midair, Scarecrow does the strangest thing.… He saves the tiny baby crow. Soon a loving bond grows between the two unlikely friends. But is it strong enough to weather the changing of the seasons?   b. Stick and Stone Author: Beth Ferry                                 Illustrator: Tom Lichenfeld When Stick rescues Stone from a prickly situation with a Pinecone, the pair becomes fast friends. But when Stick gets stuck, can Stone return the favor? With a subtle anti-bullying message even the young will understand, Stick and Stone have energy, emotion, and personality to spare and share a story of kindness and friendship that all will enjoy.   Cool Q's For Discussion: How does Veera handle situations when other kids aren’t being nice at school? What special skill did Veera learn from her mom that she enjoys doing? Who did Veera help during a math lesson, and what was she helping them with? What are some of Veera's favorite activities to do when she’s not in school? Why does Veera think it's important to help others, even when she's busy with her own work? What is your main takeaway from today's episode?   Have a great week! Keep Reading and Keep Leading, Tina

In this week's REPOST episode, Baxter and Ethan stopped by to share a special family story. Currently in Austrailia, these young brothers share their story about the difficult times their family experienced during the pandemic and the project they created together to get them through with joy. Their story is one filled with family, love, determination, persistence, bravery and empathy. Enjoy listening to Baxter and Ethan in this week's interview.   Picture Book Recommendations: a. The Holdin Pott Author: Chandra Ghosh Ippen                                               Illustrator: Erich Ippen Jr.   A worn pressure cooker and a sweet little pot learn new ways of dealing with difficult feelings. Meet the Potts. Holdin Pott grew up learning to keep in feelings of sadness and anger. He is one tough pressure cooker. Little Pott is watching and wants to be just like him, but when you’re little and the heat is on really high, it’s hard to keep the lid on and hold tough stories and feelings inside. What will Little Pott do? How will Holdin Pott help him?   b. The Hugging Tree: A Story About Resilience Author:  Jill Neimark                                                                  Illustrator:  Nicole Wong Alone on a mighty cliff by the sea, a tiny tree struggles to grow and thrive. She is nurtured by the sea, sun and moon, and becomes home to a family of loons. But winter ice storms and bitter cold break her boughs and roots. Will she survive? Find out how the hugging tree grows until she can hold and shelter others. Even though childhood can be a wondrous and carefree time, children must deal with difficulties as they grow. Those range from minor disappointments like losing a game, arguing with a friend or sibling, earning a poor grade…to significant blows such as the death of a parent or loved one, abuse, or neglect.   c. Love Grows Everywhere Author: Barry Timms                                                                  Illustrator: Tisha Lee Evelyn Del Rey is Daniela’s best friend. They do everything together and even live in twin apartments across the street from each other: Daniela with her mami and hamster, and Evelyn with her mami, papi, and cat. But not after today—not after Evelyn moves away. Until then, the girls play amid the moving boxes until it’s time to say goodbye, making promises to keep in touch, because they know that their friendship will always be special. The tenderness of Meg Medina’s beautifully written story about friendship and change is balanced by Sonia Sánchez’s colorful and vibrant depictions of the girls’ urban neighborhood.   d. Big Tree Is Sick Author:  Nathalie Slosse                                                           Illustrator:  Rocio Del Moral Snibbles and Big Tree are best friends! They have always hung out together, and Snibbles loves Big Tree very much. When Big Tree unexpectedly falls ill with woodworm, Snibbles is very upset and angry. The illness is a very bad one and Big Tree does not feel well and doesn't want to play for a long time. Poor Snibbles! He wants Big Tree to get better, but he feels as if there is nothing he can do. What can Snibbles and his friends do to help Big Tree through his treatment and recovery? This beautifully illustrated storybook describes the anger and emotion that many children encounter when a close relative or friend is diagnosed with a long-term illness, such as cancer.  Questions For Discussion:   -Have you ever been in a new situation and not sure how to handle it?   -Did you share your feelings with someone like a parent, frien, or sibling? Was it helpful?   -Share some examples of how we can learn about ourselves through tough situations. Were you surprised with yourself? -What is your main take away from today's episode? Why? Have a great week! Keep Reading and Keep Leading, Tina

We are revisiting with the amazing Jill Cofsky, a voice actor and primary grade reading intervention specialist. Discover the fascinating world of voice acting and how Jill's voice, paired with engaging sound effects, brings stories to life, taking listeners on a magical literary adventure. Listen in as she shares her journey and the meaningful experiences she hopes to create for young readers. Enjoy this special feature interview!   Picture Book Recommendations:    a. Rattlesnake Rules Author: Conrad J. Storad                                         Illustrator: Nathaniel P. Jensen If these babies shake their rattles, you’d better pay attention! This book helps children learn about rattlesnakes. Much maligned primarily because they are too often misunderstood, rattlesnakes have gotten a bad rap over the years. Conrad J. Storad, an award-winning author of more than 30 science and nature books for young readers, wants to do something about that. In his just released book, Rattlesnake Rules, Conrad demystifies the world of rattlesnakes and introduces children to such topics as who, when, and what rattlesnakes eat. He shows readers why rattlesnakes have rattles and what it means if you hear one. You will learn how the snakes’ forked tongues help them survive. The delightful and colorful illustrations of Nathaniel P. Jensen help bring the story alive.   b. My Bonus Mom! Taking the Step Out of Stepmom Author: Tami Butcher                                                 Illustrator: Feras Nouf Who is this woman? Is she going to replace mommy? Will daddy love her more than me? What if she doesn't like going to the zoo? When children of divorced or widowed parents first hear of their father's intention to remarry, they not only have to work through their own fears and feelings of uncertainty, they have to battle with century-old fairytales and modern movies that depict stepmothers as evil. However, Tami Butcher's first book in a series of books that address family matters in child-friendly rhyme opens the doors to their hearts and minds, by showing kids the positive possibilities of gaining a "bonus mom."   Questions For Discussion:  -Have you listened to books narrated by a voice actor? How did this enhance your listening experience?  -Which sound effects are your favorite?  -Do you search for stories that have both narration and sound effects? -What is your main take away from today's episode? Why?   Have a great week! Keep Reading and Keep Leading, Tina