Minka the Tasmanian Devil

STORY

Minka the Tasmanian Devil

Sparkle Sleepytime

Minka is a Tasmanian Devil pup with a very sensitive body. Lights are too bright. Sounds are too loud. Touches are too rough. And though her brothers and sister have all left their mother's pouch, Minka prefers to stay there. That is, until she gets too big and has to leave. Luckily, however, Minka's mother also has a sensitive body and knows the challenges — and benefits — that it can bring.

13 min
3+
Topics: BedtimeSensitivityAnimals

Projects, Crafts, and Recipes for this Story

Helping & Healing

Telling Stories to Sensitive Children

Do you find yourself describing your child as "sensitive"?

Sparkle Schoolhouse

Storybox Playlist: Stories for the Sensitive Child

We wish to honor those children who find situations and encounters a little more intimidating than others. With these stories, we hope to soothe that bring comfort to those children who feel just a little more intensely than others.

Sparkle Sleepytime

Pomichnik the Steppe Lemming

Pomichnik the Steppe Lemming

Comfort arrives when a wise old lemming gathers the little ones around to reassure them about the ways of the lemming community … and to teach them a powerful way to help.
18 min
4+

Halldora the Humpback Whale

Halldora the Humpback Whale

Halldora the whale calf has been waiting to see a real boat and when she finally does, she is just as excited as the people on the boat are to see her!
14 min
3+

Maggie the Patient Cicada

Maggie the Patient Cicada

Maggie the cicada grub patiently awaits her time to emerge from under the tree into the world.
19 min
3+

Lil Ring's Full Moon Mother's Night Off

Lil Ring's Full Moon Mother's Night Off

Lil Ring and her three ringtail cubs live a hardscrabble life in the open hills of West Texas. Lil Ring works hard to keep her cubs safe and well-fed, and she is tired. On the night of the full moon, the cubs work together to give their mother a night off.
16 min
3+

The Caterpillar and the Flower

The Caterpillar and the Flower

A little caterpillar overcomes the doubts of others and undergoes a transformation that proves dreams really do come true.
14 min
3+

Momma Opossum — A Story for Mother's Day

Momma Opossum — A Story for Mother's Day

Momma Opossum has three young kits who dutifully follow their mother. But now, tired and hungry, they are grouchy and don’t want to help. This is a story about Mothers’ patience, Mothers’ strength, and why Mothers sometimes simply need a little rest.
17 min
3+

Cora the Crow

Cora the Crow

Cora's father helps her learn the difference between joking and teasing, and in turn she is able to become a better friend to the other crows.
15 min
3+

Peepski the Rooster

Peepski the Rooster

Peepski is confused. He doesn’t feel like his best friends who are hen chicks, but he also doesn’t feel like his rooster father, either. When he finally admits his feelings to his father, he is surprised (and delighted) in the response.
11 min
3+

Carmen Chameleon

Carmen Chameleon

Carmen the chameleon is convinced that she is really a lion, and a series of coincidences almost helps her to convince her friends it's true!
13 min
3+

Sunny the Raccoon Kit

Sunny the Raccoon Kit

Sunny the raccoon doesn't like to go to bed because he wants to stay up and watch the sunrise, until one morning when his dad lets him stay up and he becomes very, very tired.
12 min
3+

Eula the Penguin Chick

Eula the Penguin Chick

Eula the penguin chick has been raised since hatching by her father, and she has conflicting feelings after learning that her mother will be coming to take over her care.
13 min
3+

Rye the Meerkat

Rye the Meerkat

Rye the meerkat loves his bedtime routine but one night when his parents are away, he finds that a little change to the routine can be fun and surprising.
17 min
3+

Teeny the Toadlet

Teeny the Toadlet

Teeny is a toadlet who is about to go to school for the very first time. When he realizes that going to Toad School means leaving his friends from the pond he grows nervous, but his mother reassures him that he can keep his old friends from the pond.
15 min
3+

Serena the Manatee

Serena the Manatee

Serena the manatee is having trouble going to her favorite place: "dreamland" until she learns a technique that helps the world melt away so she can sleep.
13 min
3+

Goldie the Hawk

Goldie the Hawk

Goldie the hawk is encouraged by her mother to try and look for the beauty and positivity in the world instead of always seeing the challenges.
11 min
3+

Nira the Gray Wolf

Nira the Gray Wolf

Nira the wolf pup hurts her foot and worries the pack will leave her behind, until her parents explain that the pack stays together, no matter what.
11 min
3+

Little Hildy the Arctic Fox

Little Hildy the Arctic Fox

Hildy the arctic fox learns that each autumn her fur will turn white, like the other foxes. This makes her worry about getting older, and if she's still a pup.
15 min
3+

Kiddo the Koala

Kiddo the Koala

Kiddo the koala is a very expressive little one. Luckily he has a very patient momma who is patient through all his feelings and then cuddles him close for a nap.
14 min
3+

Happy the Honey Bee

Happy the Honey Bee

Happy the honey bee's disappointment over moving to a new hive, turns to excitement after meeting some other bees who will be going along with her.
12 min
3+

Terrance the Fox

Terrance the Fox

Terrance the little fox uses his super sensitive nose to explore every corner of the hay field where he lives, and then finds himself ready for some deep sleep.
12 min
3+

Lucy Goose

Lucy Goose

Lucky the goose is excited to fly South until she learns how very far away it is, but then Chief goose helps her overcome her overwhelm.
16 min
3+

Davis the Gray Squirrel

Davis the Gray Squirrel

Davis and his brother Micky like to watch their squirrel parents dig holes in the forest, then one day they discover what is hiding in those holes — nuts!
14 min
3+

Dustin the Sand Crab

Dustin the Sand Crab

Dustin the crab learns that it's better to create change than to complain about what you don't like, and this leads to fun with the other crabs.
12 min
3+

Mariah the Angus Calf

Mariah the Angus Calf

Mariah the Angus calf ignores the caution of others to stay away from the old horse next door and instead learns the secret to his "trick".
15 min
3+

Minka the Tasmanian Devil

Minka the Tasmanian Devil

Minka is more sensitive than her siblings and doesn't want to leave her mothers pouch, but learns from her mother that sensitivity has it's benefits too...
13 min
3+

Gobi the Camel Calf

Gobi the Camel Calf

Gobi thinks she is just like her camel mother, with one exception: jokes. But she's surprised to find that they may have that quality in common too!
16 min
3+

Luke Alden the Bald Eagle

Luke Alden the Bald Eagle

Luke Alden is a young bald eagle who has lots of ideas. All day long he thinks, and then one evening those ideas get in the way of falling asleep. Luckily his mother has an idea herself about how Luke Alden can let go and feel his sleepy body.
12 min
3+

Malcolm the Chipmunk

Malcolm the Chipmunk

Malcolm the chipmunk's favorite thing in the world is to snuggle but his parents can't snuggle all the time so he finds ways to sneak in extra hugs and squeezes.
10 min
3+

Addie the Opossum

Addie the Opossum

Addie the possum is proud of her older brother, and of her ability to help care for her younger one. But one day she is asked to lead the family herself and develops a new sense of pride.
15 min
3+

Marcos the Peregrine Falcon

Marcos the Peregrine Falcon

While waiting for his injured wing to heal, Marcos the falcon learns that there's more to life than just flying fast.
14 min
3+

Condy the Star-Nosed Mole

Condy the Star-Nosed Mole

Condy the mole's amazing vision sometimes makes her life seem challenging, until her father shows her that her gift is very useful to her community.
15 min
3+

Lorillai the Lambkin

Lorillai the Lambkin

Lorillai the lamb loves to joke and pretend, but sometimes this makes the other sheep distrust her. She soon learns that even lambs shouldn't cry wolf...
15 min
3+

Yoskolo the Polar Bear

Yoskolo the Polar Bear

Yoskolo the polar bear wants to be like his older brother but instead of being able to do the same things, he learns he has his own impressive talents.
14 min
3+

Starlight and Sampson the Seagull Twins

Starlight and Sampson the Seagull Twins

Starlight doesn't love the schedule that the seagulls have to keep in her flock, but she does love how it ends — by going to bed!
12 min
3+

Celia the Bear

Celia the Bear

Celia the bear is obsessed with food, and she wants to eat all day and all night! When she greedily demands more, her mother ends up very tired after gathering it.
16 min
3+

Tip the Wilson's Snipe

Tip the Wilson's Snipe

Tip wants to learn a special flying technique that the adult snipes can do, and his parents agree to teach him, if he agrees to rest in return.
12 min
3+

Yasoda the Water Buffalo

Yasoda the Water Buffalo

Yasoda doesn't appreciate the respect that the villagers give to water buffalo and just sees that it's nice to be served, until her mother helps her focus on the right things.
14 min
3+

Colum the Common Pigeon

Colum the Common Pigeon

Colum the pigeon wants to go somewhere nobody has ever been before until he learns from a visiting pigeon that you can find newness in every moment.
13 min
3+

Kayono the Komodo Dragon

Kayono the Komodo Dragon

A young Komodo dragon with a habit of waking early learns of an intriguing way to indulge his curiosity while preserving household peace.
12 min
3+

Rocco the Gorilla

Rocco the Gorilla

Rocco the gorilla doesn't like being known as big and strong. He just wants to be a kid but is worried his father will be disappointed, until he shares his concerns.
17 min
3+

Kushka the Siberian Tiger

Kushka the Siberian Tiger

Kushka has always longed for big adventure and decides to go on one by herself. After getting lost, and then found, she decides small adventures are enough for her!
16 min
3+

Bonbon the Elephant

Bonbon the Elephant

Bonbon the elephant acts very differently at school and at home until his mother and teacher work together to bring his good school behavior home with him.
17 min
3+

Bartholomew Beaver

Bartholomew Beaver

Bartholomew the beaver kit has always had a hard time relating to the other young beavers, but his mother explains that if he listens carefully he may just fit right in.
13 min
3+

Winger the Wombat

Winger the Wombat

Winger the little wombat is hesitant to find food by going through garbage and compost because he doesn't want to be rude or make a mess.
16 min
3+

Rama the Rhino Calf

Rama the Rhino Calf

Rama the rhino loves how mud baths make him feel invisible, then one day he meets a real boy who luckily can't see him.
13 min
3+

Safi the Giraffe Calf

Safi the Giraffe Calf

Safi the giraffe calf is quick to give up when learning to walk is difficult, but changes her mind when she sees all the things her persistent sister can do since learning.
16 min
3+

Goldwater the Turtle

Goldwater the Turtle

Goldwater the turtle learns a lesson from his grandmother that doing things well can often have better results than doing them quickly.
15 min
3+

Greycat the Kitten

Greycat the Kitten

A family adopts three kittens born under their farmhouse and the children soon find that the one they were the least excited about is actually quite surprising.
13 min
3+

Simon the Mouse

Simon the Mouse

Simon the little mouse wonders what life outside the kitchen where he lives is like, and soon finds out when his Aunt tells him all about her adventures.
16 min
3+

Chip the Border Collie Pup

Chip the Border Collie Pup

Chip the border collie pup is torn between life with his parents and brother tending sheep, and his favorite person in the world, the little girl next door.
12 min
3+

Flemming the Otter

Flemming the Otter

Flemming wants to be chief of the sea otters one day but tires of always trying to be strong and bossy. Then he learns you can be a good leader just by being yourself.
15 min
3+

Piper the Frog

Piper the Frog

Piper the froglet helps a big bullfrog to overcome his fear of diving, and in the process learns to overcome her fear of going on land.
11 min
3+

Farrah the White-Tailed Deer

Farrah the White-Tailed Deer

Farrah the little doe learns that even though change can be scary and challenging, it also has its benefits.
17 min
3+

Johnny Shark

Johnny Shark

Johnny the young shark loves to explore with his relatives, and one day he finds himself on his very own exploration... in a shipwreck!
13 min
3+

Nova the Emu Chick

Nova the Emu Chick

Nova the emu loves being a bird and can't wait to learn to fly! When her mother tells her that emus do not fly, she is very sad, but soon learns what she can do instead.
14 min
3+

Alex and Toph the Hummingbird Twins

Alex and Toph the Hummingbird Twins

Hummingbird twins are reluctant to leave their parents nest and move to their own until their parents suggest they build nests, just for fun...
12 min
3+

Rocky the Donkey

Rocky the Donkey

A little donkey is embarrassed by his unusual and very long name, until he meets some other donkeys are find it impressive and interesting.
17 min
3+

Minnie the Dolphin

Minnie the Dolphin

Minnie the dolphin learns that by being bossy trying to make the other dolphins follow rules, that she herself is actually breaking an important one.
17 min
3+

Bunny Wonder the Rabbit Kit

Bunny Wonder the Rabbit Kit

Bunny Wonder has to stay underground because there's a bobcat in the area. He can't stand being cooped up and wants to run and leap and hop so he comes up with a plan.
12 min
3+

Sobek the Crocodile

Sobek the Crocodile

Sobek the crocodile feels pressure to be like the grandfather he's named after, but his father helps him understand he can be little a while longer.
14 min
3+

Maurice the St. Bernard

Maurice the St. Bernard

Maurice the St. Bernard has a very special sense of his own body and it comes in very handy when a hiker gets lost on the mountain.
12 min
3+

Hucho the Panda Cub

Hucho the Panda Cub

Hucho the panda cub is very big for his age and one day is challenged to a contest by an adult panda. Luckily his mother is there to set things right and make him feel better.
12 min
3+

Ubi the Unicorn Filly

Ubi the Unicorn Filly

What to do with a bright and sensitive young unicorn who asks big questions at bedtime?
14 min
3+

Firefox the Red Panda

Firefox the Red Panda

As a young red panda begins to grow up, his mother helps him to practice some independence — all while she continues to stay close to him.
11 min
3+

Jameela Lee the Leatherback Sea Turtle

Jameela Lee the Leatherback Sea Turtle

As an unhatched sea turtle anticipates her arrival into the world, her excitement interferes with her rest — until she hears a sweet story.
10 min
3+

Putiri the Pangolin Pup

Putiri the Pangolin Pup

When a nocturnal pangolin pup turns out to be afraid of the dark, this causes difficulty — but a spontaneous adventure and conversation with her elders helps.
12 min
3+

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