This week's free story comes from the Gratitude Stories Collection. It's called "Strong, Warm, and Grateful"   In this story, 7-year old Clancy is having a difficult day in which nothing seems to go his way. The Willow Tree takes him to the forests of Siberia where he meets a group of Yakutian Cows who live in very harsh, cold conditions. But do they complain? No, they keep strong and warm by feeling gratitude for what they have.   If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds and...

This week's free story comes from the Martin & Sylvia: More Adventures Collection. It's called "A Little Bit of Light"   Every year when the trees have all lost their leaves and the ground starts to frost in the morning, brother and sister start to make their lanterns for their annual lantern festival. This year they can't go their normal route and need to choose another place to walk. When Martin suggests going next door to visit the doctor's house, Sylvia worries that it will be too...

This week's free story comes from the Martin & Sylvia's Family Tree of Stories Collection. It's called "Part Six: Nanni's Story." Nanni's story is about how she loved to sing to horses when her father, a large animal vet, was treating them. The horses always responded. When her father took her to the Kentucky Derby to treat one of the competing horses, a most incredible opportunity presented itself. This is a story about what magic can happen when you authentically wish to help others. ...

This week's free story comes from the So Many Fairies Halloween Story collection. It's called "Halloween Story: Part One."   We meet Henry - a creative, delightful boy who would very much like to be an elf. When the Halloween season begins, he throws himself into preparation, for this year he will get to try on his elf-ness! He also meets Brie, a classmate who invites him to trick-or-treat in her neighborhood. On Halloween eve they immediately see that this is no ordinary Halloween:...

This week's free story comes from the Martin & Sylvia's Halloween collection. It's called "Part One: The Thinning of the Veils"   The stories follow the events that unfold over the few days before Halloween as the creative brother and sister prepare for their annual Fairy Ball.   Part One: "The Thinning of the Veils" While Martin and Sylvia wait for the invitations to arrive for their annual Halloween Fairy Ball, Sylvia spies something curious sticking out of the toy shelf in their...

This week's free story comes from the Martin & Sylvia: Dress Up collection. It's called "Part One: Grown-Up Costumes."   One morning, Martin and Sylvia notice that Daddy is taking a particularly long time to get dressed. He's headed to a very big meeting, and he wants to look just right. When they see the ways colorful choices help inspire his attitude, they begin to wonder: what special clothing items might inspire their own outings?   If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds...

This week's free story comes from the Martin & Sylvia: Saturdays! collection. It's called "Sudden Story."   During a visit to Grandma's, brother and sister are inspired by some street performers who create a "flash performance" in the park. They too want to tell a story publicly — and suddenly — without any announcement. When Momma suggests they tell a "sudden story" at Mrs. Brown's birthday party, Martin knows just the right story to tell...   If you enjoyed that story, there are...

This week's free story comes from the By Thistle By Thimble collection. It's called "The Orchardman and the Scarecrow." There is a mystery at Kamwell’s apple orchard. How is it that every morning he finds all the ripe apples neatly picked and lying on the soft grass? When he looks around and sees only his scarecrow – he wonders… could it be? If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds and hundreds more where that came from. Try a Sparkle subscription now - for free. Go to...

This week's free story comes from the FIFTY: The Stars, the States, and the Stories collection. It's called "South Dakota: Trying to Do Some Good."   Most people have heard of the rough-and-tumble Wild West character Calamity Jane and her gun toting, hard talking, men’s clothes wearing reputation. But like many of the larger-than-life heroes and villains of the American West, the truth is much more subtle and complicated. For when an outbreak of smallpox threatens the gold rush town of...

This week's free story comes from the Martin & Sylvia: How to Be a Superhero collection. It's called "Part One: Are Superheroes Real?."   When Martin and Sylvia learn about superheroes from their neighborhood friends, their curiosity is instantly piqued. What is a superhero? Are superheroes real? And what do Momma and Daddy means when they say there are real superheroes living in their own town?   If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds and hundreds more where that came from....

This week's free story comes from the I Am Marvel (How I Became Super) collection. It's called "Part One: An Introduction."   One Saturday morning, a seemingly ordinary husband, father, and elementary school teacher learns that he has the “mark” of a superhero. The moment he decides to rediscover lost superpowers from his youth, his eyes are opened to community of curious local folk who teach him How to Be Super.   If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds and hundreds more where...

This week's free story comes from the How to Be Super: The Violet Crown (Book One) collection. It's called "Part One: The Welcome Wall."   In which we are introduced to Dante and his single mother and learn that on the morning of his twelfth birthday, he experiences something incredible: he is struck by lightning. He is fine, but it begins a series of events that leads him to the neighborhood welcome wall where he receives a message that changes everything.   If you enjoyed that story,...

This week's free story comes from the Windward Ho! Fore & Aft (Book One) collection. It's called "Episode One: Periwinkle's Parrot." In this first episode of Windward Ho! book one, Periwinkle "Wink" Mackenzie excitedly waits to purchase the next book in her favorite series, The Windward Chronicles, early on the morning of its release. She never suspects that receiving the new book will be only the beginning of an unforeseen adventure. If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds and...

This week's free story comes from the Back to School Stories collection. It's called "Libby & Dish: What Is School Time?."   When Libby starts showing some back-to-school energy, Dish knows just how to stoke the fires! Libby has settled into summer and the easy rhythms of life at her grandparents’ house. Dish, however, feels ready to get back to their predictable city ways. When the clever cat notices telltale signs that Libby is itching to learn some new skills, he invites her to...

This week's free story comes from the Life as a Martian collection. It's called "Chapter One: The Anomaly in Greenhorn." When the Nebraska family lands in Greenhorn, there’s a lot they don’t know — including the fact that they are Martians sent to Earth as undercover researchers. As they become accustomed to their new town, they study the local culture and even shuttle their youngest son to a podcast camp where he hosts a new show ... and reveals their true identity. If you enjoyed that...

This week's free story comes from The Willowbee Tree collection. It's called "Introduction Part One: The Lion's Eye." In the backyard of an ordinary house on an ordinary street in an ordinary town, there was once a most extraordinary tree. It was an enormous willow tree and in the middle of its trunk there was a hole. And if you found yourself near that willow tree with a certain wonder stirring in your heart, you might notice a colorful sparkle coming from that hole. And what was that...

This week's free story comes from the Junkyard Tales: All Together Now Collection. It's called "Let's Get to Work" It is hot in the Junkyard, and the little pond in the back just won't cut it for keeping the Junkyard friends cool. But Ben, Spiro and Sally have an idea: they can make rain! It takes a little ingenuity and a lot of hard work, but in the end, they give a cool gift to all of the Junkyard animals. If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds and hundreds more where that came...

This week's free story comes from the By Thistle By Thimble Collection. It's called "Camp Over The Hills And Far Away."   Frances has a particular camp that she wishes to attend — the only problem is that everyone tells her that it doesn't exist. But one morning at the library, she finds a flier on the floor; it is for a camp named "Over the Hills and Far Away". She soon learns that it is not only the perfect camp, but a place that sees her for who she truly is.   If you enjoyed that...

This week's Free story comes from the At Home with Martin & Sylvia Collection. It's called "Really Explorers." One morning Daddy wakes brother and sister early in the morning to hike Mount Mooseberry. He and Momma give them the added challenge of leading the way up the trail to discover magical secrets the mountain may be saving for them. If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds and hundreds more where that came from. Try a Sparkle subscription now - for free. Go to...

This week's Free story comes from the Martin & Sylvia Collection. It's called "Spy Team." Listen here!  Martin's friend Julian is coming over and Sylvia knows that he loves to play spies. Sylvia likes spies too but she really wants to be on Martin and Julian's team - not by herself. When Julian suggests they all be together, Martin wonders who they will spy on. Their solution makes for an exciting afternoon. If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds and hundreds more where that...

This week's Free story comes from the Libby & Dish Collection. It's called "Introduction Part Two: Adventure Checklist." Libby and Dish prepare for Libby’s outing to the city with their Adventure Checklist. All four items — including a Mask of On-and-Off Invisibility and a Shelter Cloak of Safekeeping — serve to provide Libby with everything she needs for the trip. Ready for a little detective work, she ventures out and finds the first clue in the elevator, thanks to Mr. Bhachu, her...

This week's free story comes from the Stories for Boredom collection. It's called "A Trip to Boredomville" In this Sparkle Car story, "A Trip to Boredomville," Javon goes to visit his Pappi at a cabin in the woods for a month. He is convinced the month will be the most boring time of his life — that is, until his Grandfather introduces him to Boredomville, and the whole world transforms into one of wonder and exciting possibilities. If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds and...

This week's free story comes from the Junkyard Tales: All Together Now collection. It's called "Now That's a Camp!" Ben wants to create a summer camp for the mice, but he isn't sure how to do it. Sally gives him advice and encourages him to enroll the other Junkyard animals — but Ben knows they are all very busy. When he suggests they all offer to teach something they truly love, the camp quickly comes together. And what a unique camp it is! If you enjoyed that story, there are hundreds...

This week's Free story comes from the Sparkle Car Collection. It's called "Our First Trip Together." Listen Now! Included in this episode is an original Martin and Sylvia story called “A Visit from Uncle Phil”: In this story, Daddy’s adventuring friend Phil comes to visit for the weekend. And a visit from “Uncle Phil” means a whole lot of fun. Brother and sister have great ideas about what they’d each like to do, but they can’t seem to agree. When Uncle Phil arrives, he challenges them to...