The Wonder of Words -- Adventures with Picture Book Author Beth Ferry

This podcast episode explores Beth Ferry's love for words and the impact of her picture books on empathy, friendship, and environmental awareness.00:43: Guest Introduction Dr. Diane welcomes Beth Ferry, an acclaimed author known for books like Stick and Stone,  Christmassy Cactus, and the upcoming Solar Bear 00:46: The Power of WordsBeth shares her favorite words, "anticipation" and "vehement," and discusses the joy of mastering and using impactful words.Dr. Diane emphasizes the importance of vocabulary enrichment and recalls childhood experiences with words like loquacious (Thank you , Mrs. Ledbetter).Beth reflects on the magic of words when used effectively in writing.07:11: Journey to Becoming an Author Beth discusses her love for reading, her journey from being an English major to becoming an author, discovering picture books with her children, and her decision to pursue writing.10:25: Writing Process and Stick and StoneBeth's writing process, including setting word limitsEvolution of Stick and Stone and the joy of seeing it resonate with children.12:36: Using Books in Professional DevelopmentDr. Diane shares an innovative professional development activity using Beth's book, Swashby and the Sea Connecting books with important themes in teaching14:35: Inspiring Teachers Surprising ways teachers use Beth's books in the classroom. 18:11: New Books: Christmassy Cactus  Inspiration behind Christmassy Cactus, an unusual holiday story about belief, anticipation, and taking action.21:51: Solar Bear and Environmental Activism Solar Bear shines a light on environmental issues and the importance of inspiring awareness and action.Dr. Diane and Beth delve into the challenge of addressing environmental issues in picture books and the role of literature in initiating conversations with young readers.Beth emphasizes the significance of picture books in gently introducing important topics and sparking discussions.25:43: Challenges in Education Dr. Diane and Beth touch upon challenges in education, including time constraints for reading aloud in the classroom.29:04: Current Projects 30:54 Finding Joy and Hope 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.