Sparkle Stories Blog
A home for Sparkle audio stories, crafts, recipes, and kind words!
Friday's Kind Words: Tears of Laughter
There has been huge hilarity here in the UK this rainy and bleak autumnal early morning, thanks to Junkyard Tales “Rocket Ship.” ~ Jessica UK
77 Things to Do Instead of Screens
When kids are away from screens, that means they are free to explore nature, cultivate social connections and foster creativity — explore this list of 55 things to do instead of screens.
Sparkle Kitchen: Kids Cook Round Up
These cookies are very quick to mix up. Your kiddos, depending on their age, might only need help putting the cookies in the oven. If they are younger, let them try measuring out the ingredients and mixing them all on their own.
Put Down That iPad! How We Get Our Kids Offline
Screens! Screens! Screens! It’s a daily (if not hourly) question when you have children, isn’t it? The Sparkle Team shares their own experiences on answering it!
Friday's Kind Words: Beautiful, Ethical, Wholesome
I love that I never have to screen Sparkle Stories or worry about them conveying values I don't believe in to my daughter. ~ Cate
Storybox Playlist: Magical Stories
There are so many ways to look at magic. From card tricks to the mystery of the natural world, magic is a part of all of us. Here are some stories that have magic (and magicians) at their center.
Do You Believe in Magic?
I love to talk about magic. I am happy to discuss magic with friends and strangers alike - and I have found over the years, that virtually everyone is open to that kind of conversation. When I say “Do you believe in magic” the answer is surprisingly ALWAYS yes - even from the most mathematical of materialists.
Friday's Kind Words: Beautiful and Amazing Characters
"Your stories are such an important part of my family’s world! Thank you for continuing to make beautiful and amazing characters!"
~Kristen
The "Lake Days" Celebration Hardtack Recipe
It's pirate food, to go with the Martin & Sylvia story "Pirates!"
Avast Ye! Announcin’ th’ Newest Sparkle Tales!
We're launching our newest story collection: Windward Ho!
Storybox Playlist: Pirate Stories
Why do we love pirates? The adventure? The funny talk? The wild costuming? Well, here are some stories that look at pirates with a little sparkle.
The Gift of Your Attention
One of the biggest perks of being a storyteller is that I am schooled in my own attention. In order to write a story about a lonely squirrel, I need to pay attention not only to squirrels, but to loneliness as well. I need to focus on the sensation of loneliness and recall times when I felt lonely.
Friday's Kind Words: Stories That Hit the Spot
"Your stories hit the spot every time. They inspire us all to have conversations, to ask questions, and to voice concerns." -Sparkle Listener
A Storyteller’s Guide to Building Worlds: Where to Pay Attention
There is a story that is often attributed to the Cherokee people in which a grandfather tells his grandchild a story about two wolves. One wolf is greedy and selfish and the other is kind and generous. The wolves fight. The child asks, “Which one will win the fight?” The child’s grandfather answers, “The one you feed.”
Storybox Playlist: The Magic of Attention
What better way to focus on attention than to share stories about the awesome things that happen when you pay attention!
Favorite Parenting Tool: Growth Mindset
Even my very first, very basic exposure to the ideas within Growth Mindset immediately changed the way I talked to my kids, as well as the way I thought about myself and others. It’s changed the culture of our house, particularly around learning and education.
Friday's Kind Words: The Special Role of Grandparents
" So encouraging to see you presenting stories on the special role of grandparents and the many feelings that come from loving others well even as they are changing." ~Dorinda
The Magic of "Mindset"
Have you ever had a moment when you thought you've finally found the best parenting tool ever? I'm having that moment right now. The parenting tool? Fostering a growth mindset.
FIFTY: The Stars, the States, the Stories — the Territories
This story from the FIFTY collection are all historical fiction— pulling from real historical and biographical facts — but “sparkled” into a narrative that engages and inspires. They are all developmentally appropriate for children 8 years and older.
Storybox Playlist: Growth Mindset
Encouraging a Growth Mindset in your children fosters so many good qualities: patience, persistence, and grit to name a few. It also helps kids value their mistakes, and be curious about the best ways to learn. Here are five stories that demonstrate these qualities.
