Sparkle Stories Blog
A home for Sparkle audio stories, crafts, recipes, and kind words!
Exploring the Dry Gables Series - "Get Your Ducks in a Row"
Clang! Clang! Clang! The school bell is ringing, and we don’t want to be late for our Dry Gables’ school teacher, Mr. Seamus O’Conner.
Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Printable Coloring Page: Day 6 – Peanut
The Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Day 6. The five young mice offer their idea to Sergeant, but are disappointed by his response. Peanut then proposes that they show the other mice how resourceful they can be — and trek to the fairgrounds… on their own! The mice often talk about the star formation.
Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar – Day 6: "The Bakers"
In Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar Day 6 story, "The Bakers," Martin and Sylvia aren’t sure this 6th day of Advent is going to be so magical — they are just running errands with Daddy. But when they get to the bakery, they get a surprise invitation that turns their afternoon into sweet fun!
Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Printable Coloring Page: Day 5 – The Rowlands
The Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Day 5. When the five young mice encounter the French Canadian racoon family, they learn from Roger Rowland, the father, that what people truly value is money.
Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar – Day 5: "Christmas Books"
Oh, how Martin and Sylvia love to pull out the Christmas books each December! This year they enjoy a little something new.
Pulling out all the holiday books is one of the highlights of early December in our house. Here are some fun book related activities to try today.
Storybox Playlist: Preparing
"Make your house fair, as you are able" is one of the most memorable lines from the Advent song, "People Look East" — it is all about preparing your house — and yourself, for all the emotion, excitement, family and indeed, transformation of the holiday season.
Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Printable Coloring Page: Day 4 – Georgia Bean
Ben’s plan for finding treasure is particularly inspiring and exciting for the young mice — Peanut, Dreamy, Bono, Melvin and Starlight. But when another mouse, Newberry, wants to join, Peanut hesitates. He knows that “all belong” in the Junkyard, but he also knows that Newberry will slow them down.
Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar – Day 4: " The Advent Table"
In this Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar Day 4 story, "The Advent Table," Martin and Sylvia’s family creates an Advent Table each year to celebrate the season. This year, they get to go on an Advent hunt for something special to add to the decorations.
Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Printable Coloring Page: Day 3 – Ben
After hearing Mitzie’s story, Ben has an idea about how to save the Junkyard — and the solution is right under their noses. There is something hanging in Mr. Flinch’s House of Chairs that is actually very valuable!Ben loves bells. What do you think his collection of bells looks like? Are they all shapes and sizes?
Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar – Day 3: "Rufus"
In this Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar Day 3 story,"Rufus," Martin and Sylvia wonder where will today’s Advent Card appear? Aren’t the children surprised at what they find, when they go next door to walk the neighbor’s dog Rufus!
Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar – Day 2: "Christmas Cards"
In this Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar story, "Christmas Cards," in their daily lesson, Martin and Sylvia experience the Advent magic of “watching and waiting.” They receive four gifts that set them up for a holiday activity!
Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Printable Coloring Page: Day 2 – Mitzie Niegel
Mitzie Niegel, the mysterious mouse who lives on the Far Side of the Junkyard, tells a tale about the Warden from her unique perspective. It seems that the tiny mouse knows the Warden and his family much better than any of the Junkyard animals could have imagined! Download the printable coloring page here!
Friday's Kind Words: Funny and Delightful Stories
The Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar stories are funny and delightful, and they demonstrate courage, authenticity, compassion, empathy and most of all - service. ~Lizzy Spohr Russinko
Advent Projects: Martin & Sylvia's Audio Calendar – Day 1: "Waiting"
In this Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar Day 1 story, "Waiting," Advent is coming and brother and sister are worried - where is their advent calendar?
The Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Printable Coloring Page: Day 1 – Sergeant
https://www.sparklestories.com/collection/martin-and-sylvia/
Sparkle Kitchen: Risgrøt
This week's recipe is risgrøt, a Norwegian rice porridge that is often served at breakfast on Christmas Eve. As with most traditional recipes, there are as many ways to make it as there are stars in the winter sky. On the first truly cold day of fall, I tested a few and discovered three things.
SparkleCast Episode 7 – Inspiring Service with Laura Chauvin of Her Best Foot Forward
In this episode, Laura, David, and Rebecca use the By Thistle By Thimble story “Purple” as the focus of a conversation about inspiring service in children and families. Laura tells the story of how Her Best Foot Forward was started and then talks about how service is central to her family’s life.
Storybox Playlist: Stories for Inspiring Service
We are busy – we are overwhelmed – emotions are running high and there is so much already scheduled. What is the best way to ground – to slow down – to enjoy the holiday season? Often, it is to shift our attention from ourselves and place it on others.
Sparkle Stories for Advent (including 2 Free Stories!)
We offer nearly 100 audio stories for Christmas and Advent!
