Books, Belonging, and Conservation — Lessons from South Africa with Ann Dye

In Episode 167 of Adventures in Learning, Dr. Diane Jackson Schnoor welcomes Ann Dye, Vice President of Sales Operations at HarperCollins, for a powerful conversation about books, belonging, and conservation.Ann shares her journey into publishing, how books help children (and adults) slow down in a noisy, screen-filled world, and why matching the right book to the right reader still matters. Diane and Ann also reflect on their life-changing trip to South Africa with the Children’s Book Creators for Conservation, including volunteering at a rhino orphanage, learning from local conservation leaders, and witnessing the power of community-driven change.This episode explores how reading, empathy, creativity, and service connect us—to each other, to nature, and to hope.Topics include:children’s books • literacy • publishing • conservation • empathy • community • play-based learning • hope📚 Key TakeawaysWhy matching the right book to the right reader can change everythingHow books offer a powerful counterbalance to screens and constant noiseWhat conservation really looks like on the ground — and why community mattersHow creativity, play, and service build connection across culturesFinding hope through everyday acts of care, kindness, and commitment🕒 Chapter Titles & TimestampsMeet Anne Dye: A Life in Publishing01:01 – Anne’s path into children’s publishing and sales operationsMatching Books to Readers04:04 – Helping kids (and adults) fall in love with readingBooks vs. the Noise of Modern Life06:06 – Why reading still matters in a screen-saturated worldHoliday Books & Finding “Just Right” Stories09:09 – Gift ideas, animals, and beloved children’s booksSouth Africa: Why This Trip Mattered12:11 – What drew Anne to conservation work abroadVolunteering at the Rhino Orphanage18:17 – Trust, vulnerability, and unforgettable moments with rhinosDehorning, Ethics, and Human Responsibility22:21 – Conservation choices and protecting endangered animalsThe Power of Community & the Green Mambas26:25 – Local leadership, women in conservation, and sustainable changeArt, Play, and Creative Connection31:30 – What illustrators, murals, and playfulness teach usBeing Present in Extraordinary Moments34:33 – Wildlife encounters, awe, and putting the camera downBiodiversity, Humility, and Lifelong Learning37:36 – Rethinking what we know about the natural worldWhat Brings Hope40:39 – Acts of service, everyday goodness, and closing reflectionsSupport the showShare this episodeIf 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 friendStay 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.