Sparkle Stories Podcast

"Ready to Swim" by The Willowbee Tree

This week's Free story comes from the "The Willowbee Tree" It's called "Ready to Swim" It is back to school time for Piper and Clancy, the two older Willowbee children. Clancy is sad about leaving kindergarten and worried about what first grade will bring. The willow tree seems to understand this and takes the Willowbees to an island in the American south where an alligator, a white ibis and several ghost crabs show them something miraculous: the moment when a little loggerhead turtle ma...

Life as a Martian: Chapter One: The Anomaly in Greenhorn

This week's Free story comes from the Life as a Martian Collection It's called Chapter One: The Anomaly in Greenhorn When the Nebraska family lands in Greenhorn, there’s a lot they don’t know — including the fact that they are Martians sent to Earth as undercover researchers. As they become accustomed to their new town, they study the local culture and even shuttle their youngest son to a podcast camp where he hosts a new show ... and reveals their true identity. Each week on the Spark...

The Storying Project: "The Spanish Moon Moth"

This week's Free story comes from The Storying Project It's called "The Spanish Moon Moth" Emma and Janey may be sisters in the same family, but they are very different. While Emma observed the world around her with curiosity, Janey preferred living out adventures through reading books. It seemed like nothing would ever change — until one day, Janey’s books unexpectedly came to life in the world Emma was inhabiting. Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from o...

The Storying Project: "How the Animals Got Their Colors"

This week's Free story comes from "The Storying Project" It's called "How the Animals Got Their Colors" Once upon a time, when the animals of the world were without any colors on their beautiful coats, they asked for help from their leader. Grandmother Lion listened carefully to their requests and found wonderful solutions, even for those animals who acted foolish and silly. Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our original story series! For ma...

"A Pause Before Tea" A Windward Ho! Story

This week's Free story comes from The Storying Project and Windward Ho! It's called A Pause Before Tea. In a moment of impulse, Fiona Murphy tries something risky: traveling to the pirate world she sometimes inhabits, but this time without the company of her Windward friends. When she lands on an unfamiliar pirate ship, she discovers that the crew has been afflicted by the strangest of ailments. Can she aid them with her herbalist skills? A poignant memory of her mother gives Fiona the c...

Libby & Dish "The Mystery Box"

This week's Free story comes from the Libby & Dish Collection. It's called The Mystery Box Inviting Juan Paco to join Libby and her mother for a walk in the park seems unconventional, but Libby determines it will be worth the risk. As soon as Juan Paco arrives at their door, Libby senses that he is exactly the right person to transform their ordinary walk into an exciting adventure. Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our original story series! ...

Martin & Sylvia: Saturdays! "A Hunting Morning"

This week's Free story comes from the Martin & Sylvia: Saturdays! Collection It's called A Hunting Morning Laura is visiting the Browns next door and Martin and Sylvia are invited over for buttered popovers. Mr and Mrs. Brown then decide to set up a 'popover treasure hunt' for the three children where they need to use their noses to find them. When the hunt begins, however, they are surprised to find they are not the only ones doing the hunting! Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast...

Martin & Sylvia "Goose Eyed Wilderness School"

This week's Free story comes from the Martin & Sylvia Collection. It's called "Goose Eyes Wilderness School" Martin is looking for more adventure in his days: he wants to live in the woods, hunt for his own food, and fashion a sword with his own hands. When Momma and Daddy enroll him in a local wilderness school, Martin has the opportunity to experience adventures in the wild — both unexpected and satisfying. Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of o...

Ella and Ollie Part One: "Open to Possibility"

This week's Free story comes from the Ella and Ollie Collection. It's called "Open to Possibility." Big news! Ella and Ollie and their family might be moving to the country. The idea feels exciting — but also a little scary. Will this new house have good climbing trees? And what about Ella's best friend, Nichole? One thing is for sure: the whole family will need to stick together to weather all of these changes. Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one o...

At Home with Martin & Sylvia "Night Magic"

This week's Free story comes from the At Home with Martin & Sylvia Collection It's called Night Magic Daddy has borrowed Mr. Brown's telescope with the intention of seeing the full moon. They all decide to stay up late that night, but Martin starts to worry he might get scared in the dark. When the sun finally sets, however, he is dazzled by the magic of the night. Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our original story series! For many many ma...

Star Gazing from Junkyard Tales

This week's Free story comes from the Junkyard Tales Collection. It's called Star Gazing After a busy day helping his junkyard friends, Ben is ready for a long night's sleep. But then there's an invitation from the Rowlands, the family of raccoons, to do a little stargazing. Always up for an adventure, Ben joins the growing party on the hill for star-sighting and more. Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our original story series! For many man...

Sparkle Sleepytime - "Maggie the Patient Cicada"

This week's Free story comes from the "Sparkle Sleepytime" It's called "Maggie the Patienct Cicada." Maggie the Cicada delights all the other grubs under her tree, while waiting patiently for her day to emerge. This story explores the natural cycles of things, and teaches that everything has its own time and place. And it’s a story about patience for the great things to come! Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our original story series! For...

Martin & Sylvia: More Adventures! Grit

This week's Free story comes from Martin and Sylvia: More Adventures! It's called Grit Martin is excited about giving his friend Sasha a special gift — he wants to make her a microscope. When he is faced with the actual mechanics of how to make a base and an eyepiece and a lens out of the materials he has — he nearly gives up. But then Daddy tells him that the most important thing any builder or inventor must have is grit: sticking with it, especially when things are difficult. Martin he...

Junkyard Games from Junkyard Tales

This week's Free story comes from the "Junkyard Tales" Collection It's called "Junkyard Games" It is hot at the Junkyard. No one wants to work at anything - except finding cool spots to hide from the heat. But the heat doesn't phase Sally the chipmunk or Winnie the puppy -- they can run and play all day! At the weekly meeting, the two have a suggestion for their grumpy Junkyard friends: to turn their daily chores into summertime games! And oh, what fun they have, and what work gets accom...

By Thistle By Thimble: "Sister's Sword"

This week's Free story comes from the By Thistle By Thimble Collection It's called "Sister's Sword" A blacksmith and his son are surprised one day to find a young girl whose father was lost in a recent battle for the king. The blacksmith takes her in and raises her as his own, but soon finds that her true father's courage and sense of adventure is alive and well in the girl — and is strong enough to transform a kingdom. Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story fr...

FIFTY: The Stars, the States, and the Stories; Arizona, "Finding Planet X"

This week's Free story comes from the "Fifty Stories for Fifty States" Collection It's called "Arizona; Looking for Planet X" Wealthy businessman, mathematician, and author Percival Lowell, dedicated the last years of his life and most of his personal riches to one mission: to find the mysterious “Planet X” — the supposed ninth planet in the solar system. His singular focus created the facility and calculations that would accomplish this goal, but it was the diligence and can-do practica...

By Thistle By Thimble "Constable Phelps and the Wondersmith."

This week's Free story comes from the "By Thistle By Thimble" Collection It's called "Constable Phelps and the Wondersmith" Everything in the town of Iontas is in perfect order. Constable Phelps keeps it that way. The people work hard, and there is never any trouble or complaint. But there also aren't any smiles or laughter. That is - until the Wondersmith arrives and quietly, gently changes everything. Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our ori...

"Lil Ring's Full Moon Mother's Night Off" from Sparkle Sleepytime

This week's Free story comes from the Sparkle Sleepytime Collection It's called "Lil Ring's Full Moon Mother's Night Off" Lil Ring and her three ringtail cubs live a hardscrabble life in the open hills of West Texas. Lil Ring works hard all night keeping her cubs safe and well-fed and after a while, her three cubs notice how tired she looks and wants to help. The challenge is that their young eyes don't see well enough at night to hunt or gather food on their own. But on the night of the...

"How to be a Firefighter" from Martin & Sylvia: Saturdays!

This week's Free story comes from the "Martin & Sylvia: Saturdays!" Collection It's called "How to Be a Firefighter" Ever since Sylvia saw a firefighter in action, she has wanted to be a firefighter. When she and her family get to visit the fire station and see the life of a firefighter first hand, she learns that she can start her training right away. Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our original story series! For many many many more stori...

"All Hands: A Story of Moving and Military Families" from Helping and Healing Handy Toolbelt of Stories

This week's Free Story comes from the "Helping and Healing Handy Toolbelt of Stories" original audio story collection. It's called "All Hands: A Story of Moving and Military Families." It’s time for the Weaver family to move. They’ve been stationed at the Navy base in Mississippi for a little over two years and have been fully expecting to be transferred to a new base somewhere else in the country. This is normal for the Weavers, but it doesn’t change the fact that it is difficult — es...

All Hands: A Story of Moving and Military Families - Helping and Healing Handy Toolbelt of Stories

This week's Free Story comes from the "Helping and Healing Handy Toolbelt of Stories" original audio story collection. It's called "All Hands: A Story of Moving and Military Families." It’s time for the Weaver family to move. They’ve been stationed at the Navy base in Mississippi for a little over two years and have been fully expecting to be transferred to a new base somewhere else in the country. This is normal for the Weavers, but it doesn’t change the fact that it is difficult — es...

The Willowbee Tree "Playing With Nothing"

This week's Free Story comes from the "The Willowbee Tree" original audio story collection. It's called "Playing With Nothing." Piper and Clancy have a snow day from school, but instead of a day of snowy fun outdoors, they must stay indoors due to the wind and cold temperatures. They quickly get tired of their usual games and books, and they moan that they don't have anything to do. But then, the willow tree invites them to the barren Penguin Island off the coast of Namibia, and they l...

"Slops and the Princess" from By Thistle By Thimble

This week's Free Story comes from the By Thistle By Thimble original audio story collection. It's called Slops and the Princess. No one knows Slops's real name. All they know is that she is the Garbage Maiden, the one who carries off what no one wants, to burn or bury forever. But Slops has a secret - in fact she has several, for the people of the castle don't realize that she often keeps what they throw away. One day, Slops finds something that is more valuable than anything she has e...

"Let's Get to Work" from Junkyard Tales: All Together Now

This week's Free Story comes from the Junkyard Tales: All Together Now original audio story collection. It's called Let's Get to Work. It is hot in the Junkyard, and the little pond in the back just won't cut it for keeping the Junkyard friends cool. But Ben, Spiro and Sally have an idea: they can make rain! It takes a little ingenuity and a lot of hard work, but in the end, they give a cool gift to all of the Junkyard animals. Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a fre...

"Part One: The Other Side of the World" from The Martin and Sylvia's Whole World Easter

This week's Free Story comes from the "Martin and Sylvia's Whole World Easter" original audio story collection. It's called "Part One: The Other Side of the World". Martin and Sylvia begin a penpal relationship with Ruby and Angus who live south of Sydney, Australia. They learn a great deal, especially that the seasons in Australia are the opposite of their own. Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our original story series! For many many ma...

"Mika and Mukki's Big Baby Brother" from the Helping and Healing Handy Toolbelt of Stories

This week's Free story comes from the "Helping and Healing Handy Toolbelt of Stories" It's called "Mika and Mukki's Big Baby Brother" When a family of raccoons discover a lost baby bear, they take him in and care for him while looking for his mother. Days go by and then weeks and Mike and Mukki, the raccoon kits, begin to think of the little bear as their brother. "What happens if his mother returns — or he wants to join a group of bears?" asks Mukki one day. "Regardless of what hap...

"Sickleman's Riddle" from the By Thistle By Thimble

This week's Free story comes from the "By Thistle By Thimble" It's called "Sickleman's Riddle" Alwin is a Sickleman who travels from farm to farm to mow their fields of hay. He is a strong worker and though he is often hired by farmers across the land, he does have the reputation for never speaking. People often wonder if he can speak at all, but the truth is — he is listening and learning. You see, he has a plan: his aim is to one day enter into a riddling competition with the fair...

"Unshaking Shakira: the Pygmy Sloth who Fell" from the "Helping and Healing"

This week's Free story comes from the "Helping and Healing" It's called "Unshaking Shakira: the Pygmy Sloth who Fell" On her first slow walk out to the end of a red mangrove branch, Shakira, the pygmy sloth experienced something sudden: the branch broke off. She and the branch fell down to the ground, and though she was fine — no breaks or bruises — she was still rather shaken up. Luckily her mother had fallen many times and knew what to do — she would 'unshake' her — or help her bo...

"Idaho: A Brave Day Indeed" from the FIFTY: The Stars, the States, and the Stories

This week's Free story comes from the "FIFTY: The Stars, the States, and the Stories" It's called "Idaho: A Brave Day Indeed" “A Brave Day Indeed” is historical fiction about a railroad town called “Sandy Point” (later became Sandpoint) and a conversation between Wild Horse Tavern owner, Delia Horton, and future President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. They share parts of their biography and the conversation then turns to how to handle bullies who try to stand in your way...

"Periwinkle's Parrot" from Windward Ho! Fore & Aft (Book One)

This week's Free story comes from the "Windward Ho! Fore & Aft (Book One)" It's called "Periwinkle's Parrot" In this first episode of Windward Ho! book one, Periwinkle "Wink" Mackenzie excitedly waits to purchase the next book in her favorite series, The Windward Chronicles, early on the morning of its release. She never suspects that receiving the new book will be only the beginning of an unforeseen adventure. Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from o...

"A trip to the city" from Martin & Sylvia

This week's Free story comes from the "Martin & Sylvia" It's called "A trip to the city" Martin wakes one morning to see Momma and Daddy packed and ready for an adventure: they’re all going to the City! The Big City! Hotel rooms, huge buildings, scores of people, different languages! It’s a first for Martin and Sylvia. And a trip to a very special restaurant tops it all off. Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our original story series! F...

"The Cat Carrier" from Libby & Dish - Aunt Cecily's wedding

This week's Free story comes from the "Libby & Dish - Aunt Cecily's wedding" It's called "The Cat Carrier" It’s time for Libby to travel with her family to celebrate Aunt Cecily’s wedding to Theo — but Libby has a lot of questions. What will the wedding be like? Will there be loads of people there? Where would they sleep? And most important — will Dish decide to get into the cat carrier and come along too? Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of...

The Long Ride North from The Dory Horde: The Gilded Dragon

This week's Free story comes from the "The Dory Horde: The Gilded Dragon" It's called "The Long Ride North" Aurora and her five children live a quiet life in the woods, until one day they receive a phone call: their grandfather has died suddenly and the family must take the long journey from Kentucky to his mysterious estate in the Yukon territory. But why? And what will they learn once they arrive? Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our or...

Aunt Cecily’s Sister Time from Libby and Dish "The Feel Guide"

This week's Free story comes from the Libby and Dish "The Feel Guide" It's called "Aunt Cecily’s Sister Time" As Libby’s mom packs to leave, Dish helps Libby sort through all of the emotions she’s feeling: sad to say goodbye to her mom, and a bit worried — but also excited — about her grandmother’s visit. When her beloved aunt arrives, Libby can see she’s not the only one feeling big things! She starts to dream of a “Feel Guide” to help everyone navigate so much sensation. Each we...

Feeding the Storm from The Willowbee Tree

This week's Free story comes from the "The Willowbee Tree" It's called "Feeding the Storm" Clancy is mad. His day has not gone well at all and instead of saying anything to anyone, he has only gotten more and more upset. But then the willow tree takes him to the coast of Newfoundland, Canada where a wolf shows him how the storm inside needs to be expressed and fed in order to pass. Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our original story serie...

Kid-Thing Backpack from Libby & Dish

This week's Free story comes from the "Libby & Dish" It's called "Kid-Thing Backpack" As Libby thinks about her Aunt Cecily’s upcoming wedding, she generates a whole host of big questions. What exactly happens at a wedding? Do the two people suddenly become one person? And most importantly, will Libby still get to have special hikes with her soon-to-be Uncle Theo? As Libby explores these questions with Dish and her family, she learns with relief that she can free herself from worry...

Do we have time from Martin & Sylvia: Day of Rest

This week's Free story comes from the "Martin & Sylvia: Day of Rest" It's called "Do we have time" It is the first week of January and Martin and Sylvia's family is both excited and hesitant about beginning their new Day of Rest. First they need to choose a day and decide when to start. When Momma shares something she read about being in the 'present' or 'now' things start to fall in place for the very first Day of Rest Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free st...

The Lambs Wool Blessing from the By Thistle By Thimble

This week's Free story comes from the "By Thistle By Thimble" It's called "The Lambs Wool Blessing" Between the bugs, blight, and bad weather, apples have a difficult time growing in certain parts of the world — but Mr. Dorsett has enjoyed abundant harvests year after year! Journeyman fruit growers flock to him to discover his secret, but no one finds anything unusual about his orchard. What they do not know is that Mr. Dorsett performs a single blessing on a single special winter’s...

The Christmas Gifts from the By Thistle By Thimble

This week's Free story comes from the "By Thistle By Thimble" It's called "The Christmas Gifts" A poor father and son who live in a hovel and work all day in order to afford food and necessities both plan their Christmas gifts for each other in secret. But when a flood washes their hard work away, Christmas magic works out the perfect solution. Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our original story series! For many many many more stories li...

Little Hammer, the Nubian Ibex - A Story for Hanukkah

This week's Free story is called "Little Hammer, the Nubian Ibex - A Story for Hanukkah" Little Hammer, a young mountain goat, lives at the top of a dry, craggy mountain in Israel with his mother and aunts and grandparents. His father and uncles are away, working to push a group of leopards out of the valley they usually call home. When a messenger comes and says they must delay their descent into the valley, they understand, but they wonder how they will manage to find food in the m...

"First Snow" from Junkyard Tales

This week's Free story comes from the "Junkyard Tales" It's called "First Snow" Ben Thompson, a most unusual cat, wakes one morning to a disappointing sight: snow. He does not like snow — it is sticky, cold, and confusing. But the day turns around when he follows a long line of mice headed for some surprising winter fun. Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our original story series! For many many many more stories like this one, visit the ...

"Mr Gabriel and his Toy Shop" from By Thistle By Thimble

This week's Free story comes from the "By Thistle By Thimble" It's called "Mr Gabriel and his Toy Shop" At the end of the central square of a small town, is a very old toy shop owned and run by Mr. Gabriel. He is a grumpy fellow and not known for his customer service - but my, does he have beautiful toys. The most incredible part of his toy shop, however, is what happens to the front window during December as it transforms into a magical Christmas scene. Each week on the Sparkle S...

Story One: "Where to Start" from The Castlechanter Fairy Advent Calendar

This week's Free story comes from the "The Castlechanter Fairy Advent Calendar" It's called "Where to Start" December has finally arrived — Oscar Grimmson’s favorite month. As he begins dreaming about the upcoming winter festivities (including his own birthday), Oscar and his sister receive a surprise invitation to explore a new feature of the enchanted land of Hillwyn: the fairy advent spiral walk. Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our o...

"Libby and Dish" from "Family and Friends"

This week's Free story comes from the "Libby and Dish" It's called "Family and Friends" As Libby's mom wrestles with one Thanksgiving dinner mishap after another, Libby finds ways to help the situation by telling stories with her grandparents and watching a new story unfold before her very eyes. Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podcast, we share a free story from one of our original story series! For many many many more stories like this one, visit the Sparkle website: www.spar...

Strong, Warm, and Grateful From The Willowbee Tree

"The Fischer from the Top Branch" from By Thistle By Thimble

This week's Free Story comes from the "By Thistle By Thimble" original audio story collection. It's called "The Fischer from the Top Branch". A water hole in the Serengeti plains needs a leader who will represent all creatures who need water. So - a ‘Prefect’ is elected every wet season to monitor the water and make sure everyone is served. But choosing the ‘Prefect’ is often contentious. This year the choice is between a Fischer’s Lovebird and a Leopard - and the election is emot...

"The Trick and the Treat" from By Thistle By Thimble

This week's Free story comes from the "By Thistle By Thimble" It's called "The Trick and the Treat" Septimo the magician has one trick: a card trick where the Jack of Hearts mysteriously flies into the air and disappears – only to reappear over someone’s head and then float back to the deck. But the truth is, it is not a trick at all – it is real. Septimo received the trick one Halloween night when he was seven years old – and he has been using it ever since. Until one Halloween n...

"Knight and Magician" from By Thistle By Thimble

This week's Free Story comes from the "By Thistle By Thimble" original audio story collection. It's called "Knight and Magician". This story is about Ellie and Arnold, two six-year-old twins who share a wonderful idea: what would happen if all the children suddenly turned into their Halloween costumes? What if the children dressed as wizards, tigers, scarecrows, and baseball players actually became wizards, tigers, scarecrows, and baseball players? Each week on the Sparkle Stories P...

"Episode One: The Long Ride North" from The Dory Horde: The Gilded Dragon

This week's Free Story comes from the "The Dory Horde: The Gilded Dragon" original audio story collection. It's called "Episode One: The Long Ride North." Aurora and her five children live a quiet life in the woods, until one day they receive a phone call: their grandfather has died suddenly and the family must take the long journey from Kentucky to his mysterious estate in the Yukon territory. But why? And what will they learn once they arrive? Each week on the Sparkle Stories Podc...

"All the Pretty Voices" from Martin & Sylvia's Nature School

This week's Free Story comes from the "Martin & Sylvia''s Nature School" original audio story collection. It's called "All the Pretty Voices." From the moment Martin got up in the morning, he found himself thinking about voices: how much he enjoyed Helmut's voice and how he sometimes found his sisters voice to be irritating. When he gets to Wilderness School, Eva teaches them another place where they can enjoy all the wonderful voices in nature: in birdsong. Each week on the Sparkle ...