Sparkle Stories Blog
A home for Sparkle audio stories, crafts, recipes, and kind words!
Storybox Playlist SPECIAL: Immigration Stories
Now, more than ever, it is necessary to remember our common history. Here are a few stories to help us remember.
Sparkle Craft: Recycled Castle
Not only is this castle fit for gallant deeds and brave adventures, it is also mostly made out of things you would otherwise throw away. Beginning with a box and a few empty cardboard tubes — and adding in some adult help with a box cutting knife — this is a castle King Arthur would be proud of.
FIFTY Study Page – "New Mexico: Running for the Rebellion"
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore the Native American interaction of European colonists, especially Spain. We also examine the Pueblo people in particular and how the different pueblos were autonomous, having their own language and culture.
Sparkle Kitchen: Steamed Artichokes
There are only two parts of an artichoke that are edible. The first is a tiny bit of tender flesh at the base of each leaf, which is best scraped off between your front teeth. The second is the heart, a tender disc buried underneath the fuzzy choke.
Welcoming New Baby with Bryn Huntpalmer. SparkleCast Episode 11
In this episode, Bryn, David, and Rebecca talk about the new story “New Brother/New Sister” – a story about a boy named Nathan who gets some important advice from a Tulip Tree elf about how to welcome his new sibling.
Storybox Playlist: Stories of New Babies
When a new baby is born, an entire community transforms. It is a celebration that is at once renewing and enormous. Here are some stories that celebrate the big event.
Friday's Kinds Words: A Little Bit of Home
We have been so grateful for your stories which have been a part of our life since the kids were wee pre-schoolers. ~Jennifer
Sparkle Crafts: Ice Boats
These ice boats take advantage of children's enchantment with water by using it in two forms — frozen and liquid — and also commemorate Benno's family's trip across the sea.
sparkle kitchen: cranachan
Cranachan is a Scottish dessert, through and through. In its classic form it has only five ingredients—oats, raspberries, honey, cream, and whisky — all as Scottish as a tartan plaid. To make it suitable for kids, the version below substitutes orange juice for whisky, but other than than I wouldn't dare tinker with such a classic.
Exploring the Dry Gables Series - "When Wide is Not Enough"
Hello, Sparklers! If you are anything like Jane Mayer, you hardly have a moment to quiet yourself to read this! As you know, when we are like Jane, we can hardly sit still, there's so much to do and so much to explore, and we have all of the reserves of enthusiasm to do it all!
Storybox Playlist: Stories of Shadows
When we forgive the entirety of who we are, it becomes easier for us to do the same with our community, country and the world. Here are some stories to help!
Friday's Kind Words: Positive Forces
I just would like to thank you for being absolutely amazingly positive forces of (human) nature. ~Bolaji O
Sparkle Craft: Sungka
This week's craft comes from the Philippines and will leave plenty of room for individual interpretation — it's a homemade Sungka game.
FIFTY Study Page - "Ohio: The View from Above”
This story from the FIFTY collection uses historical fiction to explore the history of the oil business, transportation, and flight.
SparkleCast Episode 10 – Inspiring a Love of History with Steve Sheinkin
In this episode, Steve, David, and Rebecca talk about “The View from Above," (the first story in our new story series called FIFTY: The Stars, the States and the Stories), explore the difference between history and historical fiction, and ask the question, "What is true?"
Sparkle Kitchen: Collard Green Chips
While you could make that full soul-food feast in honor of MLK day, if you're still feeling a bit feasted-out from the holidays, why not bake up a batch of lighter, healthier collard green chips, instead?
Storybox Playlist: Kings and Queens
Here is a collection of leadership stories that help us look at our own relationship to power and how we use it.
Friday's Kind Words: New Ways of Thinking
Thank you to David for sharing his talent and to Lisabeth for recognizing it and helping it become available to us all. We appreciate you and what you have brought to our family. ~Alison
Sparkle Kitchen: Honey Ginger Cough Drops
This recipe turns a natural remedy into a more portable form — a honey cough drop. While you could flavor these cough drops with anything you wanted, ginger, cloves, and lemon are three additions that will further help soothe a sore throat.
Exploring the Dry Gables Series - "What Nothing Can Bring"
Hello, Sparklers! Please, pull up a chair and do nothing productive with Lena Denken and me! Doing nothing productive isn’t so easy for folks like Lena and me, but deep down, we know that sometimes, doing nothing is the most productive thing we can do!
