This summer, Little Kids, Big Hearts is teaming up with Camp Sparkler, and we'd love for all of our listeners to join us for 8 FREE & FUN weeks of virtual summer camp. LKBH Host Todd Loyd is the head counselor at Camp Sparkler this year and each week, we'll be exploring big feelings, creativity, and a whole lot more! You can listen to the podcast, watch on YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@LittleKidsBigHearts), and you can play along with play and learning activities in the Sparkler mobile app!

This week — week 1 — we're focused on BELONGING, who we are and how we fit together. ❤️🌟

In our Little Kids, Big Hearts episode called "We Belong," four amazing kids — Providence, River, Yonatan, and Valencia — discussed what it means to belong. Todd and the kids then journey to the Land of Qook-a-lackas, where they meet a Qook-a-lacka named Quinnie (played by Alexis Michelle), who needs help figuring out how to help the Link-a-doos, who are coming to the Land as refugees after a big storm destroyed their island.

Sound design and mixing is by Ryan Marth, and the original song "Growin' Up This Summer" that you hear in the episode is by Benjamin Weiner.

Listen to the original episode and find episode resources online at https://playsparkler.org/little-kids-big-hearts-we-belong-with-alexis-michelle/.

Find out more about Camp Sparkler and play along at https://playsparkler.org/campsparkler2025/

Once, in the Land of Qook-a-lackas, where the sky shimmers lavender in the mornings and the grass hums softly under your feet, there stood a tree that… didn’t do anything. It didn’t blossom in spring. It didn’t drop colorful leaves in the fall. It didn’t blossom or grow fruits like the other trees — no Quinklepuffs, no Quiddleberries!

Welcome to the newest original story from the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast.

This month, we're focused on the natural world and how it makes us feel.

And this story is all about a very special tree. Was it quiet ... or was it just waiting to share its true self with people who were patient?? Listen along to find out.

At the end of the episode, listen up for a new song by our friend Benjamin Weiner inspired by the power of nature to help us learn and grow! The song is called GROWIN' UP THIS SUMMER! And in addition to listening on the podcast feed, you can watch a music video of it on our YouTube channel! So visit and sing/dance along.

Thanks for joining us for Storytime!

Visit us online (https://playsparkler.org/lovingnature/) or on our Youtube channel to learn more (https://www.youtube.com/@LittleKidsBigHearts).

This month, Little Kids, Big Hearts is focused on the natural world — and how it makes us feel!

And this month's "mission" is The Nature 🔍🌻 Detective Mission.

Todd and Christy challenge listeners to learn about something new about the nature that surrounds you. See if you can find out the name of a tree or flower near where you live...or discover something else you'd never noticed about the natural world! The more we notice, the more connected we feel — to nature, to others, and to ourselves.

Parents/caregivers: Share the results of your kids' Nature Detective Missions with us! You can email it to us at support@playsparkler.org or share it on social media.

Have fun out there, Nature Detectives!

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