Pay It Forward

Pay It Forward

Martin & Sylvia: More Adventures!

One morning everyone is surprised to see Mr. Brown's son arrive ready to mow the lawn for them.  He says that he wanted to do something nice for them because they did something nice for the Browns.  Brother and sister are curious about this and Daddy explains that sometimes instead of paying someone back for a kindness, they pay it forward to someone else.  Then Martin and Sylvia think of things they can do to "pay it forward."

19 min
3+
Topics: Gratitude

Characters in this Story

Martin

Sylvia

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Martin & Sylvia: More Adventures!

Butterfly Gifts

Butterfly Gifts

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.
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Sylvia and the Junkyard Porcupine

Sylvia and the Junkyard Porcupine

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.
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Salamander Crossing

Salamander Crossing

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

Sweetness

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.
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A Night for Stories

A Night for Stories

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

Hidden Fairies

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!
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Wood Elves

Wood Elves

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!
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Grandma's Brownies

Grandma's Brownies

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

A Little Bit of Light

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.
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Pickles for Pickles

Pickles for Pickles

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

The Treeclimber's Code

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

Butterflies

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'.
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How to Fall

How to Fall

Daddy insists that learning how to fall is the first step in learning how to skate. Can that be true?
18 min
3+

Too Much

Too Much

Momma helps Martin & Sylvia be honest about their feelings...
19 min
3+

How to Fly

How to Fly

When Martin asks, "Well, how do birds fly?", Momma suggests that they all try to answer the question in their own way.
21 min
3+

Grit

Grit

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.
18 min
3+

The Game of Zoo

The Game of Zoo

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!
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3+

The Necklace

The Necklace

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?
20 min
3+

The Chimney Sweep

The Chimney Sweep

When a bird is trapped in the chimney, Daddy calls Malcolm, the chimney sweep, to get the bird out safely.
21 min
3+

Awesome Possum and the Mole Patrol

Awesome Possum and the Mole Patrol

Sylvia is excited - and also nervous - when she hears that the author of her favorite book is coming to visit the library.
16 min
3+

The Mud Oven

The Mud Oven

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?
24 min
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Paddling to Treasure Island

Paddling to Treasure Island

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.
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The Fairy Ferry

The Fairy Ferry

A dinner adventure leads Sylvia on a hunt to find fairies ... on a ferry!
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Four Kinds of Pickers

Four Kinds of Pickers

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?
18 min
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Jam Poetry

Jam Poetry

A bumper crop of apricots inspires poetry!
18 min
3+

Dirt

Dirt

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.
20 min
3+

Projects

Projects

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?
17 min
3+

Listening to the Story Whispers

Listening to the Story Whispers

When brother and sister attend a storytelling workshop, Sylvia learns that some of the best stories come from listening.
25 min
3+

So Much Kale

So Much Kale

The garden is doing great! But what do you with so much kale?
23 min
3+

Burger Night and the No No Bug

Burger Night and the No No Bug

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?
19 min
3+

Sheep and Shepherds

Sheep and Shepherds

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.
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The Tides

The Tides

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".
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Strawberry Slushy Siesta

Strawberry Slushy Siesta

It's strawberry-picking season, and Martin is feeling competitive!
20 min
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Names of Green

Names of Green

Martin & Sylvia inspire their favorite librarian when they try to name all the shades of green.
18 min
3+

Lamb's Wool

Lamb's Wool

When Martin's knitting plans require lots more wool, he and Sylvia scheme up ideas to get a sheep of their own...
18 min
3+

Pay It Forward

Pay It Forward

Martin & Sylvia learn what it means to "pay it forward".
19 min
3+

Green Up!

Green Up!

When Martin & Sylvia find out that roadside cleanup includes wearing reflective vests, their imaginations begin to spin...
21 min
3+

Spies and Double Agents

Spies and Double Agents

Martin and Julian play spies without Sylvia. Momma teaches her how to become a double agent - who spies on spies!
17 min
3+

Welcoming Dozer

Welcoming Dozer

Sylvia gets an accidental lesson on welcoming people visiting from other countries.
18 min
3+

Smelling Your Way

Smelling Your Way

A trail of ants inspires scent guessing games and then a grand hunt for treats using nothing but noses!
17 min
3+

The Rainbow Table

The Rainbow Table

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?
21 min
3+

Spring Fever

Spring Fever

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?
18 min
3+

The Dog Park

The Dog Park

Is Billbill too old to go to the dog park, or will he make new friends?
17 min
3+

Discovery and Delight

Discovery and Delight

As Sylvia waits eagerly for the Longest Night Bonfire she keeps herself busy by exploring her yard and finding some fairy magic!
16 min
3+

A Hat for That

A Hat for That

Ellie the babysitter has such wonderful and creative ideas for play. She can think of a hat for everything... even for naps!
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3+

Digbe and Firble

Digbe and Firble

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!
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3+

Everywhere Explorers

Everywhere Explorers

When Martin & Sylvia must spend the whole day in Momma's office they wonder if they can find something exciting to explore.
25 min
3+

The Cranky Show

The Cranky Show

Sylvia is cranky about a trip downtown, and then they come upon a cranky show!
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3+

Cabin Fever

Cabin Fever

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?
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Dreaming the Garden

Dreaming the Garden

Mr. Brown invites brother and sister over to help his garden dream!
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3+

Family Dance

Family Dance

Martin learns some fancy steps at a Family Dance!
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3+

Dia De Los Muertos

Dia De Los Muertos

When Martin goes to his Spanish teacher’s house for his weekly lesson, he is impressed by all the decorations and learns about Dia de Los Muertos.
19 min
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Arctic Explorers

Arctic Explorers

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.
20 min
3+

Neighborhood

Neighborhood

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.
18 min
3+

Friend Cake

Friend Cake

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!
20 min
3+

Short Way, Long Way, Right Way, Wrong Way

Short Way, Long Way, Right Way, Wrong Way

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.
16 min
3+

Special Secret Books

Special Secret Books

When Martin & Sylvia discover Momma keeps a journal, they each want a special secret book of their own - but what to put in it?
18 min
3+

Singing Together

Singing Together

On the night of a downtown singalong, Martin & Sylvia they learn how important it is to ignore hearsay and "see for yourself"!
18 min
3+

Stones in the Brook — a Story for Yom Kippur

Stones in the Brook — a Story for Yom Kippur

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.
19 min
3+

Living Room Nutcracker

Living Room Nutcracker

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!
28 min
3+

Planting the Seeds of Summer Camp

Planting the Seeds of Summer Camp

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.
19 min
4+

The Old Apple Tree and the Lambs Wool Blessing

The Old Apple Tree and the Lambs Wool Blessing

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.
21 min
3+

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