Author Christy Mihaly talks water, insect eating, and the first amendment as inspiration for her writing. We share ideas for kids (and their grown ups) about everyday steps that can make an impact for climate change. And we discuss Christy's fascinating adventures in learning.

“And I think that making kids feel empowered and helping them channel the energy that they have is what we want to do. Because kids do care. Kids have an immediate, visceral, emotional reaction when they see dirty water and when they see suffering animals. They want to help. And that's where I want to go. It's like, here's the information you need, and here's how we can be active in making things better.” 

— Author Christy Mihaly (@19:20 Adventures in Learning podcast) 

Author Christy Mihaly is a nature lover, a former lawyer, and a poet. She writes for kids because she believes that our best hope for the future is raising young people who love to read and giving them the knowledge and skills to lead. Christy has written more than 30 children's nonfiction titles on topics from hayfields to free speech to food. Her fall 2021 picture book with Barefoot Books Water: A Deep Dive of Discovery, illustrated by Mariona Cabassa was awarded a Kirkus Star and a gold in the Nautilus Book Awards. I’m a huge fan of Christy’s work, particularly the nonfiction she writes that helps educate kids about the environment and about the importance of making their voices heard. Please listen, subscribe, and leave your comments. You can check out the full show notes here.

[02:07] Connecting Past and Present — From Environmental Lawyer to Children’s Book Author

[05:17] Taking on Big Issues and Making Them Accessible and Fun for Young Readers  Free for You and Me and The Supreme Court and Us

[08:08] Building connections with Water. A Deep Dive of Discovery. 

[14:02] How Eating Insects Might Help Combat Climate Change (And other ideas for you to digest with Diet for a Changing Planet: Food for Thought)

[17:20] Action Steps for Reducing Carbon Footprints 

[24:34] A Writer's Process

[24:34] Dr. Diane: So what are you currently working on? Are you able to share?

[27:34] A Possible Hint to Christy's Next Project?

[28:55] What Brings You Joy?

What Brings You Hope?

Hope. I find hope comes from the kids. Again, talking with kids about these issues and just seeing them and seeing their emotional reactions to nature, to the world, to beauty and their instinct to make things better and to help the world. I don't think that there's anything else that gives me such great hope as watching, you know, being with the kids. The kids give me hope. -- Christy Mihaly [31:55]  

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