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
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Dr. Diane's Adventures in Learning
The Biggest, Highest Wave: Kerry McQuaide on Picture Books, Poetry, and Resilience
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What if a picture book could help children feel brave in the face of something bigger than themselves? In this episode of the Adventures in Learning podcast, Dr. Diane talks with Hudson Valley author/illustrator Kerry McQuaide about The Biggest, Highest Wave, the power of read-alouds, and why picture books can help young readers see themselves as resilient.
Summary
In Episode 187 of the Adventures in Learning podcast, Dr. Diane welcomes Kerry McQuaide, an author/illustrator based in New York’s Hudson Valley whose picture book The Biggest, Highest Wave, was inspired by surfing, powerful ocean imagery, and the way we recover after getting knocked down. Kerry shares how an early classroom book-making experience helped spark her love of books as objects, why picture books are like poetry, and how she uses a simple visual structure to help children tell their own stories.
They also discuss the emotional power of read-alouds, the role of school visits and book festivals, and why print books still offer something digital media cannot. This conversation is full of practical ideas for teachers, librarians, parents, and anyone who wants to invite children into storytelling, creativity, and courage.
Timestamps
- 00:00:Welcome and introduction to Kerry McQuaide.
- 00:56:How she became an author-illustrator.
- 02:17:Teaching lessons for writers and illustrators.
- 03:50:The inspiration behind The Biggest, Highest Wave.
- 06:04:Reading a passage from the book.
- 07:43:Graphic style, color, and visual scale.
- 09:23:Children’s reactions during readings.
- 10:10:Book festivals, libraries, and reader connection.
- 13:05:How to engage readers in a digital age.
- 15:28:Read-alouds, relationships, and resilience.
- 17:48:What currently brings hope.
Call to Action
If this episode speaks to you, share it with a teacher, librarian, parent, or young reader. Subscribe to the Adventures in Learning podcast, leave a review, and keep the conversation going about picture books, read-alouds, and the power of stories that help children feel brave.
Please check out Kerry McQuaide's website and follow her on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook.
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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.
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*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.
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