Springing into Stories

Spring has not fully sprung, but it's well on its way. To help it along, I thought we'd post some of our stories that remind us of new adventures, taking in all the new life around us and enjoying the turn of the seasons. Won't you join us? 

The Walk: (11:46)

A description from a little boy of all the sights he sees on a walk with his family.

Free audio download: The Walk

Blog with activities: The Walk

The Hike: (13:26)

The sequel to "The Walk" describes the boy's adventures he has on a hike with his family.

Free audio download: The Hike

Blog with activities: The Hike

Pedal Power (14:21)

While learning to ride a bike, a boy learns perseverance breeds confidence.

Free audio download: Pedal Power

Blog with activities: Pedal Power 

Bird Seeds (21:10)

When Agnes, an old woman who lives alone in the woods, discovers a mysterious packet of seeds she finds more than just vegetables can grow in her garden. 

Free audio download: Bird Seeds

Blog with activities: Bird Seeds

The Farm Girl and the Feather (22:59)

A fairy tale that proves warriors and their weapons come in different shapes and sizes.

Free audio download: The Farm Girl and the Feather

Blog with activities: The Farm Girl and the Feather

Mojo's Outdoor Adventure (17:01)

Mojo the ferret takes an unexpected trip outside but will he be able to find a way back in?

Free audio download: Mojo's Outdoor Adventure

Blog with activities: Mojo's Outdoor Adventure

The Turns of the Seasons (13:58)

One by one, the seasons take turns impacting people's lives. 

Free audio download: The Turns of the Seasons

Blog with activities: The Turns of the Seasons

CATCH THE IRISH FEVER

Hi All,

Are you ready for St. Patrick's Day? We are! Our leprechaun trap is set and ready to see if we can capture one of those lucky, green lads tonight. Did you make a leprechaun trap? We'd love to see it. Feel free to post a picture on our Facebook page. 

To pass the time while you're waiting, you can check out our leprechaun trap below AND listen to five of our stories that have a leprechaun as a character. We wish you luck tonight! 

Sláinte

Red vs. Green: (22:21)

When a team of Christmas elves goes against a team of 

St. Patrick's Day leprechauns in the Holiday 

Hockey Winter Classic, who will win?

Free audio download: Red vs. Green

Blog with activities: Red vs. Green

The Leprechaun Trap (6:35)

Two leprechauns are caught in a leprechaun trap and try to find 

different ways to escape.

Free audio download: The Leprechaun Trap

Blog with activities: The Leprechaun Trap

The Spelling Bee (19:01)

A boy prepares for his shot at taking home the spelling bee 

championship. Will he succeed? 

Free audio download: The Spelling Bee

Blog with activities: The Spelling Bee

Clementine's Big Mess (16:05)

Clementine the cupid has lost his magical quiver. 

Can his friends help him find it?

Free audio download: Clementine's Big Mess

Blog with activities: Clementine's Big Mess

A Letter from a Leprechaun (5:30)

A reading of a letter written by Seamus the leprechaun

 detailing how he escaped a leprechaun trap. 

Free audio download: A Letter from a Leprechaun

Blog with activities: A Letter from a Leprechaun

PEOPLE'S CHOICE

Happy New Year! We look forward to watching the glow grow brighter in 2014 with all the new (and old) stories we can share together. Feel free to share them with your loved ones, friends, second cousins twice removed and anybody else you can think of at the moment. They can find us here on the blog, on our Facebook page, on Twitter, on our Pinterest board, and on iTunes.

Each member of the Night Light Stories household chose a 

favorite story for your listening pleasure. 

Enjoy!  

TUCKER'S CHOICE (age 8): 

Sled Ride: (6:06)

A little boy tells of his exciting sled ride down 

the hill while tryingto avoid a collision.

Free audio download: Sled Ride

Blog with activities: Sled Ride

MAGGIE'S CHOICE (age 6)

Lulu and Her Lavender Lion: (12:31)

A girl's journey through her memories with her imaginary friend.

Free audio download: Lulu and Her Lavender Lion

Blog with activities: Lulu and Her Lavender Lion

MR. CHRIS' CHOICE (age 39)

Agent Tissue Has an Issue: (14:21)

Agent Tissue is hot on the trail of a runaway nose that is hiding on the playground. Can his two new recruits help him catch the slippery culprit?

Free audio download: Agent Tissue Has an Issue

Blog with activities: Agent Tissue Has an Issue

MS. MEL'S CHOICE (age 36)

The Watermelon Seed: (10:18)

A little boy and his grandmother exchange letters describing the different changes he is seeing in his mom after she swallows a watermelon seed.

Free audio download: The Watermelon Seed

Blog with activities: The Watermelon Seed

If you had to choose a story, which one would it be? 

Share with us in the comments below or over at our Facebook page.

BRING ON 2014!

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER...AND STORIES

Hi All,

Grab the hot chocolate, marshmallows, paper, scissors and stapler! Join us in creating some 3D snowflakes to kick off the start of winter! Just follow the link below to the step-by-step video tutorial. Feel free to post your creations on our Facebook Page or send your very own flurry to us at [email protected]! 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

How to Make a 3D Snowflake

 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

And while you're crafting a snowflake, enjoy listening to our collection of holiday stories! Below, you can find all the links to the audio as well as the blog posts with activities. Enjoy and Happy Holidays!

 Chilly's Christmas: (20:08)

An ornament is accidentally placed on the back of the Christmas

 tree and must learn to experience his favorite season using his 

other senses with a little help from his friends!

Free audio download: Chilly's Christmas 

Blog with activities: Chilly's Christmas

       Inky's Christmas: (21:24)

Inky, a nervous octopus, has to figure out a way to control his inking 

so he can attend all of his friends' holiday festivities.

Free audio download: Inky's Christmas

Blog with activities: Inky's Christmas

Red vs. Green: (22:21)

When a team of Christmas elves goes against a team of
St. Patrick's Day in the Holiday Hockey Winter Classic, who will win?

Free audio download: Red vs. Green

Blog with activities: Red vs. Green

Candy Cane Catastrophe (14:56)

Tragedy befalls a boy and his candy cane on a long car 
drive to Grandma's for the holidays.

Free audio download: Candy Cane Catastrophe

Blog with activities: Candy Cane Catastrophe

Sled Ride: (6:06)

A little boy tells of his exciting sled ride down the hill while 

trying to avoid a collision.

Free audio download: Sled Ride

Blog with activities: Sled Ride

Click here to listen to: Ohwhatfunitis (13:33)

Carol is way behind with her Christmas preparations when 

she starts to experience some strange symptoms. 

Can her family step up to help her out?

A Year In Review

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE! This morning, there were a lot of people talking about resolutions and setting goals for themselves in 2013. Mr. Chris and I were right there with them. However, we also took some time recently to reflect on our accomplishments in 2012. Here's what we found.

In 2012, we created 29 Lighting the Way With Words. We joined Julie Hedlund's 12 x 12 in 2012 writing community and completed the challenge of writing 12 picture book drafts over 12 months in 2012. We forged a partnership with the publishing app, Flying Books to bring our story, Dragonfly, Dragonfly Show Us the Way, to life as a fully illustrated ebook.

We also wrote and recorded these twelve stories in 2012:

Toe Jam (18:34)
A boy's personal collection grows into something far bigger than himself.
Free audio download:Toe Jam
Blog with activities:Toe Jam

The Spelling Bee (19:01)
A boy prepares for his shot at taking home the spelling bee championship. 
Will he succeed? 
Free audio download: The Spelling Bee
Blog with activities: The Spelling Bee

Clementine's Big Mess (16:05)

Clementine the cupid has lost his magical quiver. Can his friends 
help him find it?

Free audio download: Clementine's Big Mess

Blog with activities: Clementine's Big Mess

A Letter from a Leprechaun (5:30)
A reading of a letter written by Seamus the leprechaun detailing how he escaped a leprechaun trap. 
Free audio download: A Letter from a Leprechaun
Blog with activities: A Letter from a Leprechaun

Pedal Power (14:21)
While learning to ride a bike, a boy learns perseverance breeds confidence.
Free audio download: Pedal Power
Blog with activities: Pedal Power 

Everything In This Story Stinks! (16:57)
Come along on a tour of the exhibits featured in the Museum of Malodorous Art.
Free audio download: Everything In This Story Stinks!
Blog with activities: Everything In This Story Stinks!

Grabby Goose Gets Greedy (18:41)
Grabby Goose learns the value of true friendship when things awry on Lake Wallawallawampack. 
Free audio download: Grabby Goose Gets Greedy
Blog with activities: Grabby Goose Gets Greedy 

The Mankie (19:46)
Simon receives a mysterious present from his uncle. Can he use his powers of observation to unravel it's special purpose? This episode is sponsored by Nature's Clean Choice baby blanket protected by Fosshield at http://bit.ly/superblanket
Free audio download: The Mankie
Blog with activities: The Mankie 

Migration (6:23)
A boy and his mother discover the wonder of watching a letter fly through the sky.  
Free audio download: Migration
Blog with activities: Migration

The Yawn Contagion (22:29)
Princess Ennui is bored with everything until she meets an imp who offers her a magical intervention with unexpected results. Can Princess Ennui find a way to save the kingdom? 
Free audio download: The Yawn Contagion
Blog with activities: The Yawn Contagion

Auntie Kerry and the Paskamansett Pumpkin Regatta (17:29)
Auntie Kerry recruits her family to fulfill her dream of competing in aunique river race but when she gets sick they are forced to come together as a team without their fearless leader. This episode is sponsored by The Parsonage Soap Company. 
Free audio download: Auntie Kerry and the Paskamansett Pumpkin Regatta 
Blog with activities: Auntie Kerry and the Paskamansett Pumpkin Regatta

Ohwhatfunitis (13:33)
Carol is way behind with her Christmas preparations when she starts to experience some strange symptoms. Can her family step up to help her out?
Free audio download: Ohwhatfunitis 
Blog with activities: Ohwhatfunitis

We'd love for you to share your accomplishments in 2012 with us in the comments or on our Facebook page. 

As always, we look forward to watching the glow grow brighter with the many stories, words, Spreecasts, and ebooks we can share together!

The Night Light Stories "Patchwork Pumpkin"

Hi All,

The Night Light Story household carved our pumpkins last night. There was a lot of laughter, pumpkin "guts", and pumpkin seeds! Below is the picture of our very own "Patchwork Pumpkin". You can download Episode 13 and Episode 14 by clicking on the links.


Feel free to share the pictures you take during this Harvest Season. We would love to post them for all to enjoy!

Also, don't forget! The fantastic and charastmatic children's band Rocknoceros is offering their new CD, PINK, as a prize to one of our loyal listeners. Click HERE to find out the details on how to enter! Contest ends October 31st.

EPISODE 14: The Patchwork Pumpkin, Part 2

Click here to listen to Part 2 of the Patchwork Pumpkin

Hello All,

We hope you enjoyed part two of the Patchwork Pumpkin. We plan on posting the pictures of our jack-o-lanterns this weekend after our "Carvefest" with the kid's grandparents. We would love to see yours as well! Send us a picture of how you are celebrating this time of year and we will post it for all to enjoy!

CONTEST CORNER

To help celebrate our 1st two part story, the Northern Virginia based band, Rocknoceros, generously offered their newest CD, PINK, as a prize for a contest. To enter, simply visit Rocknoceros' website and explore all around. Dance to some songs, check out their podcast, and read their bios. Then, come back to this post and leave a comment about what you found most interesting, fun, or inviting about this intriguing trio!

What did you say, a word of the day? That is right, in our story there are many illuminating words. Try and use them in your conversations this week!

awkward:lacking grace or ease in movement

exasperated:annoy extremely

flinch:to draw back or withdraw from

silhouette:the outline or general shape of something

COMPREHENSION CHALLENGE

After listening to the story, can you recall the details to

answer these questions?

1. What made Millie flinch in the hay loft?

2. Do you think Millie raked the leaves like her mom asked? What did she do with them?

3. Where was Millie's father before she showed him the scarecrow?

JUST ADD IMAGINATION!

Try these activities to keep your imagination glowing after hearing the story.

1. Make a list of things you could reuse around your house to make a scarecrow.

2. Visit Crayola.com's coloring website http://bit.ly/pwpump to create a picture from your favorite part in the story. Send it us at [email protected] and we will post it for all to enjoy.

3. Carve your own digital pumpkin at http://www.puffgames.com/pumpkincarving

Episode 13: The Patchwork Pumpkin, Part 1

Click here to listen to: The Patchwork Pumpkin, Part 1

Hello All,

Have you ever carved a pumpkin or made a scarecrow? The Night Light Stories household loves to do both. So far, we have created the scarecrow that is pictured below. The pumpkins are scheduled to be carved next weekend when the grandparents arrive for a visit.

We would love to see a picture of your pumpkins, scarecrows, or any of the Harvest time decorations you created this year. Send the pictures to [email protected] and we will post them on the site for all to enjoy, as well as in our Fan Art.

What did you say? A word of the day! That is right! In our story there are

many juicy words that are fun to learn and say!

Crest: the highest part of a hill or mountain range

Ferocious: savagely fierce

Girth: the measure around anything

Muffled: To deaden (a sound)

COMPREHENSION CHALLENGE

After listening to the story, can you recall the details to answer these questions?

1. Where does Millie find her father first in the story? The second place she finds him? The third place she finds him?

2. Why does Millie’s father carve the pumpkin without her?

3. Can you name all of the things that are on her father’s list to complete?

JUST ADD IMAGINATION!

Try these activities to keep your imagination glowing after hearing the story.

1. Making lists are a very helpful and useful tool. I use them daily so that I do not forget to complete the many tasks that need to get done throughout the day. Make a to do list. Check each thing off as you complete them.

2. Create a scary face for Millie's jack-o-lantern. What shapes would you use to make it ferocious looking?

3. Millie's mom uses the idiom "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" in the story. An idiom is a phrase which has a meaning that is commonly understood by speakers of the language, but whose meaning is often different from the normal meaning of the words. You can find a list of idioms at the website http://www.idiomsite.com/. See how many on the list that you have heard of or used before.

BRIGHT BIRTHDAY WISHES

We want to send out bright birthday wishes to:

Aunt Kathleen of Valencia, Spain

Nanny D of Danvers, MA

Grammie of Ocala, FL

We hope your day SPARKLED!

If you know someone who has a birthday coming up and you'd like to send them a Night Light Birthday wish, send us an email at [email protected].
Please send us your loved one's first name and the first initial of their last name only and we'll pass along the birthday wish. There are no age limits!

As always I look forward to the many stories we can share together.