Pay It Forward

When brother and sister have to change their annual lantern festival tradition, the magic of the evening shows Sylvia just how much can be seen with the light of a single lantern.

At their neighbor's annual Cider Pressing Party, brother and sister find more than just apple treats — they get to hear stories from an old orchard man about apple tree magic and wonder.

When Martin asks, "Well, how do birds fly?", Momma suggests that they all try to answer the question in their own way.

Momma helps Martin feel less nervous about his upcoming summer camp by making a list of "seeds for summer camp" that help him think about his perfect camp experience.

When Daddy suggests they paddle to "Luck Island", they find out that the island does indeed have treasure, but not at all the kind they were expecting.

When Martin decides he'd like to be a wood elf, Momma suggests that he just try - and he is surprised that he can do everything they do - with the help of a little magic and imagination!

As Sylvia waits eagerly for the Longest Night Bonfire she keeps herself busy by exploring her yard and finding some fairy magic!

Sylvia is cranky about a trip downtown, and then they come upon a cranky show!

Mr. Brown invites brother and sister over to help his garden dream!

When Martin and Sylvia discover a sparkling winter landscape in their yard, Martin decides they need a real fire and a real cookout! When it begins to snow, he and Daddy are undaunted, just like the original arctic explorers.

On the night of a downtown singalong, Martin & Sylvia they learn how important it is to ignore hearsay and "see for yourself"!

When a bird is trapped in the chimney, Daddy calls Malcolm, the chimney sweep, to get the bird out safely.

When Martin's knitting plans require lots more wool, he and Sylvia scheme up ideas to get a sheep of their own...

When the family spends an evening telling stories, Daddy says that stories almost always bring magic — but that evening, the magic surprises even Daddy.

Is Billbill too old to go to the dog park, or will he make new friends?

After Sylvia enjoys a book about a feast using all the colors of the rainbow, she plans a Rainbow Table potluck! Will everyone bring Green?

When Martin gets discouraged while making something special, Daddy tells him that the most important thing any builder or inventor must have is grit: sticking with it, especially when things are difficult.

When Momma says that the Brown's are going to make a bread oven that is made out of mud, brother and sister are confused. Mud? How can you cook bread in something mud?

When Mr. Brown gives the children a chance to care for Pinochle and Raspberry, his new sheep, they also have a chance to learn about empathy.

Martin & Sylvia learn what it means to "pay it forward".

Momma helps Martin & Sylvia be honest about their feelings...

Martin learns that the children who attend the town school give "teacher gifts" on the first day and suggests that Sylvia and he do the same for their teachers: Momma and Daddy.

Daddy insists that learning how to fall is the first step in learning how to skate. Can that be true?

When Martin & Sylvia must spend the whole day in Momma's office they wonder if they can find something exciting to explore.

It's time for the annual Spring Fling and brother and sister are delighted — until they get sick. Will they miss out on all the fun?

When Martin and Sylvia's family travels south to Grandma's House, Sylvia has one question - how many brownies can she have?

When brother and sister help Daddy get ready for his latest gallery show, they meet two other artists and then visit a special, and familiar, Junkyard.

It's a once-a-year event: the Salamander Crossing! Oh, what an adventure!

When the farm is surprised by a sudden ice storm, Mr. Brown is faced with a difficult decision about his favorite tree - and the children know just how to help.

When Martin & Sylvia can't decide what to paint, Daddy suggests they let the paint decide. Sylvia is delighted to see something magical in one of the paintings!

When Momma decides to pickle the harvest, Sylvia is determined to find something to pickle for her kitty Pickles. What would a cat enjoy?

When Martin wants to climb an extra tall maple tree, Daddy introduces him to the three rules of The Treeclimber's Code.

When Martin prepare to recite a poem in front of an audience, he learns that the fluttery feeling in his belly is called 'having butterflies'.

One rainy morning, when Martin and Sylvia can't agree on what game to play, Momma suggests they build their own board game. When they play it with friends, it becomes even more fun!

Sylvia notices Momma's beautiful necklace and gets an idea - she and Martin can make their own necklaces! But what special charms should the make?

Sylvia is excited - and also nervous - when she hears that the author of her favorite book is coming to visit the library.

A dinner adventure leads Sylvia on a hunt to find fairies ... on a ferry!

It is blueberry season and when Nanni and Poppi come to visit, Poppi teaches Sylvia that there are four different kinds of blueberry pickers. Which kind are you?

A bumper crop of apricots inspires poetry!

When brother and sister visit a farmer friend who doesn't mind a little dirt inside the house, they wonder if maybe Momma and Daddy might not mind a little dirt in their house either.

When everyone wakes with a separate project in mind, each need help but no one feels they have space to offer any. What to do?

When brother and sister attend a storytelling workshop, Sylvia learns that some of the best stories come from listening.

The garden is doing great! But what do you with so much kale?

Martin and Sylvia's family is excited about a new offering by a local farm: Burger Night! Except Sylvia - she's not excited at all. How can they convince her to take a chance on something new?

Martin and Sylvia's family are taking a trip to the coast of Maine and the children learn all about the amazing natural rhythm of "the tides".

It's strawberry-picking season, and Martin is feeling competitive!

Martin & Sylvia inspire their favorite librarian when they try to name all the shades of green.

When Martin & Sylvia find out that roadside cleanup includes wearing reflective vests, their imaginations begin to spin...

Martin and Julian play spies without Sylvia. Momma teaches her how to become a double agent - who spies on spies!

Sylvia gets an accidental lesson on welcoming people visiting from other countries.

A trail of ants inspires scent guessing games and then a grand hunt for treats using nothing but noses!

Ellie the babysitter has such wonderful and creative ideas for play. She can think of a hat for everything... even for naps!

When the children complain that they are tired of playing out the same books over and over, Momma suggests they make up their own story!

After three days of solid snow, Martin, Sylvia, Momma, and Daddy have cabin fever. Momma sends them all outside, but doesn't she have cabin fever too?

Martin learns some fancy steps at a Family Dance!

When Martin and Sylvia's family visit old friends who have moved away to a neighborhood, they learn the benefits of living in a neighborhood - and the benefits of living where they do - in the country.

Sylvia has a fun dream that inspires her to make "friend cake". When she and Martin and Momma take it to a friend, they realize it can be not only for old friends, but for new friends, too!

When Daddy proposes they take a new route while running errands, they all enjoy the magic that can happen when taking short ways, long ways, right ways, and wrong ways.

When Martin & Sylvia discover Momma keeps a journal, they each want a special secret book of their own - but what to put in it?

Sylvia is inspired by a book about Yom Kippur and decides to "right" a recent untruth she told by tossing a stone into their brook.

When Sylvia is disappointed that she's too young to attend the Nutcracker performance with Martin, he decides to bring the Nutcracker to their living room with a family performance!