Sparkle Stories Blog
A home for Sparkle audio stories, crafts, recipes, and kind words!
Storybox Playlist: The Very Best of Martin & Sylvia
This week we've put together a double playlist, one featuring Martin and the other Sylvia. Most stories have both brother and sister in them, but the playlists below specifically feature either Martin or Sylvia as the main character.
Friday's Kind Words: Whimsical Yet Adventurous Stories
I absolutely LOVE Sparkle Stories for my son. We started listening when he was 4½. His favorite series is Junkyard Tales ~Lisa
Sparkle Crafts: Paper Animal Ears
These paper animal ears make for some simple but fun costumes for kids, whether your little ones want to dress up as a wolf, rabbit, cat, or a creative imaginary creature! They'd make a great project to work on while you listen to one of our many Halloween audio stories.
Sparkle Kitchen: Tuna Cakes
Tuna cakes are our family’s ordinary-day substitute for fancy crab cakes. A can of tuna and an egg or two are pretty non-negotiable, but you can customize the rest depending on what you can scavenge from your own junkyard…er, refrigerator.
Meet Ben Thompson!
The adventures of Ben Thompson are often at the center of the Junkyard Tales stories. A clever and world-savvy cat, he is friend to all in the Junkyard. He is always ready to share an adventure or pull together a group for some community fun.
Storybox Playlist: Stories of Ben Thompson the Junkyard Cat
This week we meet Ben Thompson! If you haven't met Ben, he's the Junkyard cat. He is kind and mindful of what others need. He's adventurous and cautious at the same time. In this playlist, we get to know him better and we get to see just what kind of awesome cat he is.
Friday's Kind Words: Elegant Simplicity
I am so impressed with the elegant simplicity, depth and richness of the Libby & Dish story, "Threesome" I enjoyed last night. ~Susan
Sparkle Craft: Easy Cat Wand
This week's craft project is an easy-to-make cat toy. These “cat wands” use around-the-house materials and are simple enough to whip up in just a few minutes. Don't let their simplicity fool you, though — they'll be good for weeks of fun for you and your best feline friend.
Sparkle Kitchen: Pastelitos
As Mr. Cortez says in the story, pastelitos hail from Cuba. A cousin to an empanada, they are made by enfolding sweet guava paste and cheese into fluffy pillows of puff pastry. These warm pockets of gooey goodness make a wonderful midday snack or dessert.
Libby & Dish Paper Dolls!
Do your kids love coloring? Do they love the Libby & Dish series? Well now your kids can play along as they listen with the Libby & Dish paper dolls.
Meet Libby!
This is Libby. She is a fantastic kid whom we know you'll love. Through her stories, she teaches us all about big feelings and how to navigate them. Below are some things we thought would be helpful as you get to know her better.
Storybox Playlist: Stories About Libby
This month we are exploring one character from a different series each week, and this week is all about Libby from Libby & Dish.
Friday's Kind Words: Long Term Listener
I wanted to say thank-you for the wonderful stories your team produces. [My son] has been a long-term listener to the podcast, loving the “Martin & Sylvia” series. His favorite story in the past has been the Nutcracker. ~ Gabe & Timothy
Sparkle Team's Favorite Reads for Kids
We've compiled a list of books that our Sparkle team has read to their children or that their children are reading. It's broken down into three age brackets to help you decide what books might be work best for your family — but don't hesitate to break free of the mold if you'd like!
Storybox Playlist: For the Love of Books
Books. It is one of life's great pleasures to sit on a lazy afternoon with your favorite beverage by your side reading a great book. Or to snuggle with your little ones and read their favorite picture books as they ooh and ahh for the hundredth time, wanting to hear the story again and again with endless enthusiasm.
Friday's Kind Words: Pure Awesome
"Your work is inspiring, healing, compassionate, and pure awesome. We love Sparkle Stories in our lives." ~ Paulina - mamma bear to 3 cubs,
aged 9, 6 & 4 years old
Libby & Dish "Feel Guide" Printable
Here's a simple printable for families who want to create a "Feel Guide" just like Libby does in "Libby & Dish: The Feel Guide" collection.
Storybox Playlist: Stories for Different Kinds of Feelings
Some of the most important skills a child can learn center around social and emotional control and recognition. (Many adults can use a refresher on these topics, too.) We've rounded up five stories for you that will help your child navigate this issue if they are having trouble.
Friday's Kind Words: Peace and Popcorn
"I love Sparkle Stories as much as my 9 yr old son, but don't tell him!" Peace and popcorn, Bob
The Ultimate Sparkle Back-to-School Tool Kit
Darn — the lazy days of summer are over. But don't let that get you down! With school starting again, we've rounded up all of our best back-to-school content in one place.
