Sparkle Stories Blog
A home for Sparkle audio stories, crafts, recipes, and kind words!
“Helpers”: How to Support Children in the Wake of Natural Disasters
We live on this planet, and this planet is alive.
Storybox Playlist: Honoring Work
As we gear up for Labor Day, now is a great time to talk with our children about the value of hard work and the rewards and satisfaction that come along with it.
Friday's Kind Words: Silly Sun Hats
Kid made silly sun hats. Inspired by one of their favorite (Martin & Sylvia) stories. Glitter, patches, even felt wings. ~mjhans.at.home (Instagram follower)
Sparkle Craft: Simple Magic Tricks
These three magic tricks are classic fare, and all use common household items. They'll each take a bit of rehearsal to really pull them off well, but, with practice, soon you'll be hocus pocus-ing them up like a real magician!
A Sparkle Supply List for Back-to-School
What are your child’s fears? Her hopes? His questions? You have the honor of preparing your children for their first, and their second, and their fifth, and their twenty-fifth day of school.
Sparkle Kitchen: Lemon Ginger Chia Muffins
In our modern times, we take citrus fruit for granted, but not so long ago lemons and limes and oranges were actually rare and expensive. Even my own mother likes to tell how she used to get an orange in the toe of her stocking each Christmas morning and it was considered a real treat.
FIFTY Study Page: Michigan "The Gotham Hotel"
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore “The Great Migration” of African Americans from the rural south to the industrial cities of the north as well as the history of Detroit and its African American Paradise Valley district.
Storybox Playlist: Homeschool Back to School!
The number of children schooled at home is on the rise, and parents, teachers, and students are looking for more content about what life is like in a homeschool family. Well, there are as many models as there are families, but here are a few stories to offer some perspective!
Sparkle Craft: Daddy's Pollination Game
A beekeeper once told me—about 30 seconds before he pulled the lid off of a box full of tens of thousands of stinging insects just few feet away—that no one has lukewarm feelings the first time they look inside a beehive. You'll either instantly be drawn closer in fascinated awe, or you'll want to run away as fast as your feet can carry you.
Friday's Kind Words: Changed Our Daily Routine for the Better
Sparkle Stories has changed our daily routines for the better and life is infused with so much more peace, inspiration and imagination. ~ Manda , on Facebook
sparkle kitchen: raspberry shrub
Do you know about shrubs? They're drinks made with fruit, sugar, and vinegar. They were popular in the colonial era—both mixed with alcohol and mixed with water as a non-alcoholic "day drink”—and are now enjoying a comeback as trendy craft cocktails and homemade sodas.
FIFTY Study Page: Maine “From the Ashes”
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to create a study of resilience in early America and to instill an appreciation for how difficult life was in the early days of the country.
Difference, Violence, and the Events of Charlottesville
Two years ago we posted the three stories below from our "Diversity" collection. After the events of this past weekend, we feel they are relevant and will offer talking points for families.
Vote for Sparkle! SXSW Edu Conference
SXSW Edu is one of the top conferences for educators. We want to join in 2018 and share David's storytelling techniques. You can help us win a spot by voting for our proposal!
Storybox Playlist: Starting New Routines
Here are some stories about how to start and maintain new routines.
Sparkle Craft: Shrinky Dink Self-Portrait Zipper Pulls
This week's craft project is a celebration of some of that uniqueness — it's a self-portrait. But it isn't just any self-portrait. Oh, no! This week we're going a bit retro and making self-portraits out of shrinky dinks!
Sparkle Kitchen: Teeny the Toadlet Sandwich Stacker
If you're looking for ideas to help make those starting-a-new-school-year transitions easier, give this “Teeny” sandwich stacker a try. A spinach tortilla wrap does most of the work for you—just by being green—and you can customize the filling to suit your child's favorites.
FIFTY Study Page: Hawaii "Queens"
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore how the Kingdom of Hawaii was formed and how the Kingdom became a Republic and then a state.
Storybox Playlist: What Makes You Unique
Here are some stories to help us honor what makes us ...us.
