In which we are introduced to Dante and his single mother and learn that on the morning of his twelfth birthday, he experiences something incredible: he is struck by lightning. He is fine, but it begins a series of events that leads him to the neighborhood welcome wall where he receives a message that changes everything.
Sample Story
4+
The Cooper and the Winter Oak
Subtitle
An old cooper, or barrel maker, is given a large order for special barrels to be made before Christmas. The barrels are for a wine maker who wants them to be made with “winter white oak” wood.
Ordinarily this would not be a problem, but the rareness of the wood, coupled with a sudden and severe snow storm, forces the cooper to make a difficult choice: use his wood for barrels or burn his wood to keep himself warm.
Luckily, a quiet oak elf steps in, introducing the cooper to someone who can help.
Sample Story
4+
Animal Daycamp
Subtitle
Sylvia has been waiting a whole year to go to Animal Camp! She has heard all about it from her brother Martin. But when the time finally arrives, she is no longer quite sure. With Daddy’s encouragement, she decides that she will try camp “for a little while”. How amazed she is to meet ‘the bravest of forest animals’ and find that the very same bravery lives in her as well!
Sample Story
3+
Aiden the Harbor Seal
Subtitle
Aiden the Harbor Seal is curious about people. He has never seen a person, but he has heard stories about how they swim, how they climb, and how they ride in boats. When his mother takes him to see the remains of a very big and very old boat, he is amazed by what he learns about the world of people. And, at day's end, as he curls up with his mother, he is grateful for the enormous adventure.
Sample Story
3+
Introduction Part One: Something's Going On
Subtitle
Five-year-old Libby has just heard her least favorite word in all the world: errands. Her mother is planning for them to spend the morning together, out and about in the city. Libby furrows her brow and retreats to her room. But Dish inspires her with an exciting plan, involving a little secret detective work...
Sample Story
7+
Episode One: Periwinkle's Parrot
Subtitle
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.
Sample Story
3+
Martin and Sylvia - Travel Book Part One: Let's Go!
Subtitle
Join Martin and Sylvia's adventures as they travel from New England to California — by car, plane and train! In the five stories of the Collection, the family brings imagination to each step of the way, and creates delight wherever they are (even delayed in the airport)!
Nearly two hours of audio stories for traveling fun and inspiration.
In Part One: "Let's Go! "
Brother and Sister start to plan their trip and create an Explorer's Map of their travels.
Sample Story
9+
Part One: The Welcome Wall
Subtitle
In which we are introduced to Dante and his single mother and learn that on the morning of his twelfth birthday, he experiences something incredible: he is struck by lightning. He is fine, but it begins a series of events that leads him to the neighborhood welcome wall where he receives a message that changes everything.
Sample Story
4+
Super Raker
Subtitle
Why is it that Daddy never seems to tire when he's raking? This is what Martin wonders out loud. Does he have superpowers? When Daddy answers the questions with more questions, Martin decides for himself that he really does have super strength, Sylvia really can fly, and Momma really can become invisible. Or can she?
Sample Story
8+
Alaska: A Mountain to Conquer
Subtitle
When 14-year-old Epheem Kalmakoff reaches the top of Marathon Mountain and peers out over the thick Alaska fog, he is suddenly reminded of three stories he heard when he was five years old: one from his Aleut grandmother, one from the Russian Orthodox priest of Analaska Island, and one from the teacher in the Methodist home for orphaned boys. These three stories fill him with a sense of history, identity, and finally mission – the mission to win the race.
Note: Though this is historical fiction and the characters have been developed to accommodate a story, their attributes and development may be useful as reference points and inspirations.
Sample Story
6+
The Gentle Woodsman and the Final Fall Phoebe
Subtitle
At an early age Tobias knew he would never marry. His love of the natural world gave him the sense of connection and dedication that he perceived marriage to be. Not until he is an old man and a late-to-migrate phoebe bird leads him to Dorothea, an expert forager who lives on the other side of the forest — only then does Tobias realize that there is a special kind of magic that comes from spending regular time with a particular friend.
Sample Story
3+
True Gifts
Subtitle
It is Mrs. Willowbee's birthday, and all she wants is for the family to attend the local harvest festival. She says "No gifts! No cake! I simply want to have fun at the festival with you." Piper and Little Ty make their mother a gift anyway, but Clancy is confused: What is a birthday without birthday cake? And what can he make his mother so he has a gift to offer too? He gets a great idea, however, after The willow tree transports the children to the coast of Iceland, where they encounter dolphins and a clear-eyed gyrfalcon.
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Cate
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Started in 2010 by Lisabeth & David Sewell McCann, Sparkle has built a community of subscribers from the U.S. to Europe and Australia. Their two boys are not only the original "Sparklers," but they now contribute as editor, composer and brainstormer.
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