Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning
🎧 Adventures in Learning with Dr. Diane 🎧
Inspire curiosity. Spark creativity. Fuel a lifelong love of learning.
Are you an educator, librarian, parent, or STEM/STEAM enthusiast looking to make learning come alive for kids? Adventures in Learning with Dr. Diane is your go-to podcast for hands-on, joyful learning that connects STEM/STEAM education, multicultural children's literature, and real-world exploration.
Join Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor, educator and explorer, as she travels the world (literally and virtually!) to bring you conversations with award-winning authors, illustrators, educators, scientists, and STEM leaders. Each episode delivers fresh ideas, engaging stories, and practical tips to inspire early childhood and elementary learners—in the classroom, the library, or at home. Wonder, curiosity, connection, and play -- we bring the world to you!
🌎 Featuring:
- Innovative STEM/STEAM experiences
- Diverse children's book recommendations
- Strategies for inquiry-based, joyful learning through play
- Voices from around the globe that inspire the WOW
🧠 Perfect for:
Early childhood & elementary educators | School librarians | Homeschoolers | Caregivers | STEM/STEAM champions
🔗 Explore featured books: bookshop.org/shop/drdianeadventures
📝 Read full show notes: drdianeadventures.com/blog
💌 Have an idea or guest suggestion? Email: diane@drdianeadventures.com
👉 Subscribe, rate, and review to support more Adventures in Learning!
Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning
Little Monsters, Little Women, and Writing for Young Readers with Máire Roche
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
What makes a classic story feel new again? In this episode of Adventures in Learning, Dr. Diane talks with author Máire Roche about Little Monsters, Little Women, Bromantasy, and the power of stories that help young readers feel seen.
Máire shares how Little Women shaped her as a reader and writer, why Meg has always been her favorite March sister, and how Little Monsters grew from her desire to write a spooky, recognizable story for kids.
They explore literature as mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors, plus anxiety, representation, gender, class, Bromantasy, writing full time, and why hope means planting anyway.
Perfect for Little Women fans, middle grade readers, teachers, librarians, and anyone who loves thoughtful book talk. Also, check out the book club interview with the cast of Riverside Center for the Performing Arts' Little Women!
Timestamps + Chapters
- 00:00 – Welcome and why Little Monsters felt instantly special.
- 02:27 – The origin of Little Monsters and writing Meg's story.
- 05:19 – Reading from chapter one.
- 07:15 – Reimagining Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy for a modern audience.
- 09:55 – Choosing each sister's monstrous power.
- 16:15 – Growing up with Little Women and becoming a writer.
- 22:54 – Bromantasy, anxiety, representation, and hope.
Links
- Pre-order Little Monstersand Bromantasy
- Follow Máire Roche
- Check out Episode 183 and get tickets to Little Women
Share this episode
If this conversation sparked wonder, gave you a helpful strategy, or offered a needed reminder of hope, please share it with a friend or colleague.
Subscribe • Download • Review • Tell a friend
Stay updated with our latest episodes and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and the Adventures in Learning website. Don't forget to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts!
*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.
Podcasts we love
Check out these other fine podcasts recommended by us, not an algorithm.
Solve It! For Kids
Solve It For Kids - Podcast