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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

Martin is the delightful older brother in all of the various Martin & Sylvia Series. Known for his bright ideas, his enterprising spirit and his kind heart, this seven year old boy finds adventure at all turns, and in all seasons.

Sylvia

Sylvia is the younger sister in the well-loved Martin & Sylvia stories. Five years old, she is known for her cleverness, her delight, and her wonderful sense of humor. She and her brother Martin create adventures and discover marvels -- whether they are at home or out exploring their town.

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Arctic Explorers

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Family Dance

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Dreaming the Garden

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Cabin Fever

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The Cranky Show

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

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

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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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Sweetness

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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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Salamander Crossing

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A Hat for That

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The Dog Park

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Spring Fever

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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?
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The Rainbow Table

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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?
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Smelling Your Way

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

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Sylvia gets an accidental lesson on welcoming people visiting from other countries.
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Spies and Double Agents

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

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

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

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

Strawberry Slushy Siesta

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

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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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Sheep and Shepherds

Sheep and Shepherds

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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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Burger Night and the No No Bug

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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?
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So Much Kale

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The garden is doing great! But what do you with so much kale?
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Listening to the Story Whispers

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

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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?
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Dirt

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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.
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Jam Poetry

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A bumper crop of apricots inspires poetry!
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Four Kinds of Pickers

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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?
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The Fairy Ferry

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

Paddling to Treasure Island

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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 Mud Oven

The Mud Oven

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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?
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Awesome Possum and the Mole Patrol

Awesome Possum and the Mole Patrol

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

The Chimney Sweep

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

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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?
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The Game of Zoo

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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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Grit

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How to Fly

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

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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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The Treeclimber's Code

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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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Pickles for Pickles

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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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A Little Bit of Light

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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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Grandma's Brownies

Grandma's Brownies

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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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Wood Elves

Wood Elves

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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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Hidden Fairies

Hidden Fairies

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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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A Night for Stories

A Night for Stories

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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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Singing Together

Singing Together

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

Special Secret Books

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

Dia De Los Muertos

Martin & Sylvia: More Adventures!
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.
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The Old Apple Tree and the Lambs Wool Blessing

The Old Apple Tree and the Lambs Wool Blessing

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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
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Short Way, Long Way, Right Way, Wrong Way

Short Way, Long Way, Right Way, Wrong Way

Martin & Sylvia: More Adventures!
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
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Planting the Seeds of Summer Camp

Planting the Seeds of Summer Camp

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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
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Butterfly Gifts

Butterfly Gifts

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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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Living Room Nutcracker

Living Room Nutcracker

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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
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Everywhere Explorers

Everywhere Explorers

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

Discovery and Delight

Martin & Sylvia: More Adventures!
As Sylvia waits eagerly for the Longest Night Bonfire she keeps herself busy by exploring her yard and finding some fairy magic!
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Stones in the Brook — a Story for Yom Kippur

Stones in the Brook — a Story for Yom Kippur

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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
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