Sparkle Stories Blog
A home for Sparkle audio stories, crafts, recipes, and kind words!
Storybox Playlist: Stories for the Festival of Lights
This is the season of darkness and light. Darkness due to the short days and long nights — but it is also the season of light because of the gifts we bring each other, the candles we light in our homes and the miraculous promise of the returning sun.
Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Printable Coloring Page: Day 18 – Lil Mamma
The Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Day 18. The following morning, Sergeant tells Lil Mamma that she might return to the old maple tree because there was “something waiting for her.” What could it be, wonders the busy rabbit. Snow? A badger? A broken limb? But what she discovers surprises and delights her.
Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar – Day 18: "Silly Chickens"
In this Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar story, "Silly Chickens", it is a very silly day filled with jokes and funny stories. But nothing is as surprising and silly as what they discover later in the chicken coop!
Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Printable Coloring Page: Day 17 – Squirrel Circus
The Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Day 17. The second big storm comes to the Junkyard and this time, it brings with it some unexpected guests: The Squirrel Circus! This thrills the Junkyard animals — that is, everyone except the steadfast watchdog who worries that the loud and enthusiastic squirrels will bring too much attention.
Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar – Day 17: "Good Ol'Dog"
In this Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar story, "Good Ol'Dog," Brother and sister want to make Christmas gifts for their pets Pickles and Billbill. It is easy to think of a good gift for their kitty, but what do you give a good ol’ dog?
Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Printable Coloring Page: Day 16 – Inventor Mouse
The Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Day 16. When Sally announces that the children would like a full train set as well as a game table called “Foolsball,” the little mouse Newberry steps forward with a plan for how to build them both.
Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar – Day 16: "Forest Treasures"
In this Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar story, "Forest Treasures," Sylvia has a hard time finding acorn caps that she needs for Momma’s gift. Then brother and sister are invited on an Advent Nature Scavenger hunt where they find all sorts of treasures – including acorn caps!
Friday's Kind Words: Thoughtful, Eloquent Stories
Thanks for the positivity and inspiration you bring to families around the world. ~Alaura
Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Printable Coloring Page: Day 15 – Sally
The Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Day 15. Sally comes up with a plan to spy on the Warden’s children and discover what they would like for Christmas. But the best laid plans always have challenges — and Sally needs to change her plan very quickly so that she can accomplish her task without being discovered!
Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar – Day 15: "A Little Singing and A Lot of Love"
In this Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar story, "A Little Singing and A Lot of Love," brother and sister hear Momma coughing on the morning of the Hallelujah Sing Along, they decide to take good care of her for the entire day.
Sparkle Craft: Solstice Sun Tree Topper
Throughout history people who have celebrated Solstice by decorating trees with oranges and candles to invite the sun to return and warm the earth. This Solstice Sun Tree Topper craft is a perfect way to spend time with some sunshine even on the cloudiest days.
Sparkle Kitchen: Turkey Shepherd's Pie
On the thirteenth day of Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar, in the story “Woodshed Theater,” Martin and Sylvia's advent card comes with costumes and an idea that transforms into a Woodshed Theater production called “The King and The Beggar Have Christmas.”
Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Printable Coloring Page: Day 14 – Cats
The Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Day 14. The neighborhood cats are thrilled to help Ben find some Christmas presents for the Warden’s children. The only thing is — fun for cats is different from fun for children.
Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar – Day 14: "Downtown"
In this Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar story, "Downtown," Martin, Sylvia, Momma and Daddy go downtown to look at the holiday window displays, and are delighted to find something… well, surprising in one of them.
SparkleCast Episode 8 – The Twelve Days of Christmas with Meredith Markow
In this episode, Meredith, Rebecca, and David discuss the collection Twelve Tales of a Tullyport Christmas – the stories-within-the-stories of our other holiday collection, Martin & Sylvia’s Twelve Days of Christmas. Meredith and David talk about the history of the festival and then how it has shown up in their lives.
Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Printable Coloring Page: Day 13 - Cowboy
The Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Day 13. It seems Mitzie Niegel has told a number of animals in town about the Junkyard’s challenge. When Ben’s old friend Cowboy comes to help out, he learns that the Junkyard is important to many more animals than he had thought!
Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar – Day 13: "Woodshed Theater"
In this Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar story, "Woodshed Theater," today’s Advent Card provides costumes and an idea that transforms into a Woodshed Theater production called “The King and The Beggar Have Christmas,” featuring Martin and Sylvia!
Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Printable Coloring Page: Day 12 – Hootie
The Junkyard Tales Audio Advent Calendar Day 12. Somehow, several valuable coins keep showing up in the flower pots outside Mr. Flinch’s House of Chairs. When Ben stays up to discover who is putting them there, he is delighted to see an old friend — who has gotten older!
Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar – Day 12: "Spunderful Day"
In this Martin & Sylvia's Audio Advent Calendar story, "Spunderful Day," When Martin visits the Spunderful Shop to get materials for a present for Sylvia, he doesn’t realize that some Advent magic is waiting for him.
Storybox Playlist: Stories for Christmas
With over 100 stories for Advent and Christmas, it is difficult to choose which ones to feature — but these stories highlight the many emotions, traditions, challenges, and miracles of the holiday.
