Sparkle Stories Blog
A home for Sparkle audio stories, crafts, recipes, and kind words!
Friday's Kind Words: Inspiration & Creativity
Thank you for all the inspiration and creativity your stories provide.
Sparkle Craft: Salamander Pencil Pouch Patch
It turns out that our whole family has a lot of feelings about heading off to the forest of first grade.
And what better to way to help work some of that out than with a good, back-to-school art project.
Sparkle Kitchen: Raspberry Tarts
In The Schoolmaster, a boy named Micajah is looking for a teacher. Due to his father's job, Micajah's family has moved many times: from Concord, New Hampshire to Buffalo, New York to Rapid City, South Dakota to Denver, Colorado and finally to San Mateo, California.
August Tips for a Day of Rest
If you’re interested in sharing your Day of Rest with friends as Martin and Sylvia’s family does, here are a few tips to get you started
FIFTY Study Page: Colorado “One Hundred and One Nights”
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore the history of the American West and Southwest as it shifts from Spanish to Mexican to American control.
Storybox Playlist: Back to School Launch
Whether your child is going back to the same school, changing schools or going to school for the first time, it is a big big deal. Mixed in with excitement and anticipation can be anxiety, doubt, self-consciousness and indeed fear. Here are some stories to help with the transition.
Fairy Teepee Project for Kids
This sweet teepee makes a perfect getaway for any local fairies (or favorite dolls) who need a special spot to relax in the great outdoors.
Sparkle Kitchen: Tuna Fish Kitty Cookies
Whether you need a bit of obedience or you just want to spoil your pet, give these treats a go for a guaranteed winner.
FIFTY Study Page: Arizona "Finding Planet X"
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore the history of Astronomy and the Lowell Observatory.
Storybox Playlist: Stories of Fairy House Creation
We love making fairy houses — it is this wonderful mix of engineering, design, magic and inspiration. Here are some stories to inspire some fairy house building in your neck of the woods.
Friday's Kind Words: David Sewell McCann for President
You guys (and the beloved characters) are like family. David Sewell McCann For President!
~ Kathleen
Sparkle Craft: Soap Boat Races
Even if you don't live close enough to a river or lake to sail a real boat, you can experience a bit of the marvel of sailing in your own backyard with these carved soap racing boats.
FIFTY Study Page: Kentucky - "Electrification"
Citizens of Kentucky considered both the benefits and cost of bringing electricity to rural farms in 1953. This story from the FIFTY collection is historical fiction. The characters can be useful as reference points and inspirations. Read about our suggested topics for investigation!
Storybox Playlist: Growing Like Weeds — the Gifts & Challenges
Sometimes this growth can be welcome and exciting, but other times it can be intimidating and stressful — here are some stories that might help.
Friday's Kind Words: Just Like Martin & Sylvia
Kiddo wanted to do Thursday Nature School, just like Martin and Sylvia. So off to the river we went this morning. ~mummyandmama
Sparkle Craft: Recycled Humming Bird Feeder
This week's craft is an easy-peasy, recycled hummingbird feeder. And once you've got your feeder put together, making the nectar to fill it is, literally, as easy as boiling water.
sparkle kitchen: campfire raspberry basil grilled cheese sandwiches
With sweet, tangy raspberries, and mellow brie cheese, these grilled cheese sandwiches are a bit more magical then their American cheese cousins. And they're made to be cooked outside over a grill or campfire, which will give the bread a whiff of smokiness that's impossible to replicate indoors.
Summer Nature Crafts Round Up
Since time immemorial, people have been drawing inspiration from nature. From the cave paintings in France to architects who build houses around boulders, from the tree character Grut to the Marvel comic "Guardians of Galaxy," nature has helped to shape and inspire the things that humans create.
Storybox Playlist: Stories of Nature's Inspiration
In this age of digital devices, virtual assistants, and Internet of everything — we can often find ourselves overwhelmed, anxious, and ungrounded. Luckily, the cure is patient, welcoming, and enduring — nature!
Sparkle Craft: Firefly Habitats
If you want to add “catching fireflies” to your summer bucket list, this sweet firefly habitat will get you equipped in style.
