Exploring Life Connections Through Art and Nature with Juana Martinez-Neal

You know Juana Martinez-Neal as the recipient of the 2019 Caldecott Honor for Alma and How She Got Her Name, her debut picture book as author-illustrator. You might also know her as the New York Times bestselling illustrator recipient of the 2020 Robert F. Sibert Medal for Fry Bread: A Native American Story and the 2018 Pura Belpré Medal for Illustration for La Princesa and the Pea. I first fell in love with La Princesa and the Pea as a spark for early childhood and elementary STEM/STEAM challenges, then quickly collected some of Juana’s other works, such as Swashby and the Sea and Zonia’s Rainforest as inspirations for more STEM/STEAM goodness in the classroom. In addition to chatting about her two newest books, I am also so excited to share that Juana and I are going to be teammates on a Children’s Book Creators for Conservation Wild Tomorrow expedition to South Africa this fall.Join us as we delve into the vibrant world of Juana Martinez-Neal, an award-winning author/illustrator whose passion for art and the environment takes us on a journey from the diverse landscapes of Peru to the dust plumes of the Sahara.  Juana discusses her newest books, Paka Paka con la Papa, a biography of potato hunter Alberto Salas, and A Gift of Dust, highlighting the environmental impact of Sahara dust plumes. She shares her commitment to aligning creative endeavors with personal values and the inspiration behind her collaborations, including a partnership with friend and fellow illustrator Molly Idle on Julie Fogliano's I Don't Care. Juana's stories of personal growth, travel dreams, and artistic expressions offer listeners a rich tapestry of insights and inspirations.Chapter Highlights:01:47: Paka Paka con la Papa04:38: A Gift of Dust05:59: The natural world as connecting thread through Juana's artistry07:58: How Juana approaches her creative process11:20: The joys and surprises of the research process with examples from Paka Paka con la Papa and Fry Bread: A Native American Story15:24: Sponsor Ad17:24: Collaborating on  I Don't Care with Molly Idle21:41: Adventures await in South Africa with Children’s Book Creators for Conservation and Wild Tomorrow 23:55: Upcoming projects26:10 The enduring appeal of Alma, star of Alma and How She Got Her Name 30:49: Let's talk about HOPELinks:Follow Juana Martinez-Neal on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedInJuana Martinez-Neal's websiteExplore her latest books:  Paka Paka con la Papa and A Gift of DustLearn more about Children’s Book Creators for Conservation and the Wild Tomorrow trip to South Africa Support 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.