Episode 26:The Heebie Jeebies

Click here to download: THE HEEBIE JEEBIES


Click here to leave a comment to enter for a chance to win:
A signed copy of the Imagination Movers' new CD, "In A Big Warehouse".


Hi All,


Happy Fall from the Night Light Stories household.  Personally, this is my favorite time of year. The leaves turning bright reds, oranges and yellows;  the crisp, cool air; eating warm apple pie made with fresh picked apples, and of course watching football on Sundays!  We also really enjoy decorating for the season with pumpkins, scare crows and skeletons!   Some of the decorations we’ve been seeing around the mountain are a little bit spooky.   Mr. Chris and I were talking about how the kids would see the haunted houses and we wondered if they would be scared?  Sometimes its fun to be scared and that’s how the Heebie Jeebies was born.  


Just a quick warning,  this story is read by Mr. Chris in a deep, spooky voice, so if you scare easily, this might be a good one to skip.  But, if you’re the type who enjoys feeling your pulse quicken when you get scared, then sit back, turn off the lights, gather around with people who make you feel safe, and as you listen to the story, ask yourself the following, “What are some ways to stop yourself from getting The Heebie Jeebies?”

LISTENER FEEDBACK

If you like what you hear at Night Light Stories, please go to iTunes and leave a review. More positive reviews make it easier for others to find Night Light Stories in the iTunes Store. Don't forget you can also find us on Twitter at nightlight08 and our Facebook Fan Page. Stay tuned for more Night Light Stories, Lighting the Way With Words, and updates on the book. Thanks so much for your continued support!

CONTEST CORNER

A way the Night Light Stories keeps the Heebie Jeebies at bay is by listening to some positive, fun and creative music while having a dance party in our well lit kitchen. We slip and slide all around the floor and create all sorts of crazy dance moves. You should see Mr. Chris go!

So, since this works for us, we thought it could work for you too. We just so happen to have a really upbeat CD to give away. The CD is of one of our favorite children music bands; the Imagination Movers. We wanted to give you a chance to win an autographed copy of their newest CD, “In A Big Warehouse”.

To enter, first visit the Imagination Movers website and explore all around. Dance to some songs, check out the pictures, play a few games and read their bios. Then, come to the Night Light Stories website and leave a comment about what you found most interesting, fun, or inviting about this intriguing foursome. You can also leave us a comment on the Facebook Fan Page, Twitter at nightlight 08 or email us at nightlightstories@gmail.com. The contest will run until October 31st at Midnight.

If you do not win, no problem! On the side bar of the Night Light Stories website there is a link to the Imagination Mover’s store. If you buy a CD and put “NIGHT LIGHT STORIES” in the comment section when checking out, the Movers will sign their names on the CD for you.

VORACIOUS VOCABULARY

What did you say? A word of the day! In our story there are many juicy words that are fun to use and say.

clutch: to try to seize or grasp
illumination: a supply of light
prowl: to go about stealthily, as in search of prey
tingle: to have a sensation of slight prickles

JUST ADD IMAGINATION!

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

1. Write your own spooky story.  Who are your main characters? Where is your setting?  What are the problems in the story? What are the solutions?


2. List THREE strategies the child in bed uses to keep from getting the Heebie Jeebies. Add THREE new strategies you could use to keep yourself from getting the Heebie Jeebies. 

COMPREHENSION CHALLENGE

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

1. What made the narrator clutch at his blanket?


2. Who told the narrator a spooky tale before bed?


3. Why does counting sheep not work for the narrator?

BRIGHT BIRTHDAY WISHES

We want to send out bright birthday wishes to:

Cori M of New Hampshire

Nana D of Massachusetts

Aunt Kathleen of Valencia, Spain

Aunt Sue of New York

Jason G

Happy Halloween from Night Light Stories! 
As always, we look forward to the many scary stories 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 nightlightstories@gmail.com and we will post it for all to enjoy.

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

Episode 12.5 (Flashlight): CLICK

"Click" here to listen to: CLICK

Hi All,

Happy Autumn! The first day of Fall, September 22nd, was this week and I could not be happier. It is definitely our favorite season in the Night Light household. The crisp chilly air, no more pesky little gnats swarming your head and jumping in huge leaf piles! Although the days do become shorter and it gets darker earlier and stays dark later in the morning. 

Our night lights have to work overtime during this season. Our Lightning McQueen, Mater, and Princess night lights all do a wonderful job of keeping our rooms illuminated and help us feel a little more secure.

On that note, we are honored and delighted to be sponsored by The Art of Patrizia. She is a talented woman who designs unique and stunning night lights. She welcomes new ideas for designs and the colors in the night lights can be changed at no extra charge. As our sponsor, she has generously offered to design us a Night Light Stories night light to give away to one of our loyal listeners! Here is the picture of the actual night light. Can you imagine how this will light up a room?

Entering for a chance to win is simple. Leave a comment here at Night Light Stories about your favorite night light design you find over at The Art of Patrizia. We will randomly draw a winner on Thursday, October 8th.

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!

prance: to dance or move in a lively or spirited manner

shimmer: To appear as a wavering or flickering image

Creative Corner

1. Make a list of all the things you can think of that make the sound "click".

2. How many words can you make from the words

"NIGHT LIGHT"?

3. While you are trying to fall asleep, count as high as you can.

As always, I look forward to watching the glow grow brighter with the many stories we can share together!

Episode 12: Untitled Imagination Story

Click here to listen to: A Place for Everyone

Hi All,

The school year is in full swing at the Night Light household. Trail hiking, river swimming and all day family days will have to wait until the weekends. Our minds are rested and rejuvenated from the summer adventures and we are ready to have some new adventures in school! We hope you admire your teacher, are blissful when collaborating with your classmates, never disguise how ecstatic you are about school, flabbergasted by all the new things you learn, and most of all we wish you all a gigantically successful school year!

CREATE A TITLE FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A COOL SNACK BAG!

Our twelfth story was written by Chris and Melissa Bugaj and well, to be honest, it does not have a title! We could really use your help and creativity! After you listen to the story, come up with a creative title for this story. Leave it as a comment on the blog, twitter it to us at nightlight08 or email me at nightlightstories@gmail.com. Our favorite title will win this very fun and reusable snack bag created by Natalia at the Woobie Shop. Great for lunchboxes, purses, book bags, diaper bags or really anywhere you can fit it.

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!

launch:to send forth or release
slogan: catch word or catch phrase
summit:the highest point or part of a hill

swivel: to turn or pivot

JUST ADD IMAGINATION!

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

1. Keep a special journal or notebook where you keep all of your thoughts, ideas and drawings.

2. Sit together as a family and write down three goals for the school year for school and home that you want to achieve.They could be daily goals, weekly goals, monthly goals or yearly goals.

3. Mrs. Brighton made her lunch and packed her backpack the night before so that she would not have to rush to do that in the morning. Think of one or two things you could do the night before school to make the morning a little bit easier for you. Examples would be: Take a shower, pack your lunch, organize your book bag or set out your clothes.

COMPREHENSION CHALLENGE

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

1. Why did Mrs. Brighton have such a difficult time choosing a theme for her classroom?

2. Where is Mrs. Brighton when she thinks about "Leaping into Second Grade" as her theme?

3. What does she finally decide on as a theme? Be as specific and detailed as you can in describing her classroom.

BRIGHT BIRTHDAY WISHES

We want to send out bright birthday wishes to:

Amanda M from New Hampshire

Heather J of Virginia

Saben J of Virginia

Aunt Nenny

Danielle B of Buffalo, NY

Proby of Chigago Illinois.

We hope your day SPARKLED!

If you know someone who has a birthday coming up and you'd liketo send them a Night Light Birthday wish, send us an email at nightlightstories@gmail.com. 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.

Dragonfly, Dragonfly, Show Us the Way

Click here to listen to: Dragonfly, Dragonfly, Show Us the Way

Hi All,

Here we are in the last month of summer vacation. Can you believe it? We have had a great summer taking time to visit with our family and friends. Speaking of our friends, we are having a quick contest in honor of celebrating our little man turning FOUR with all of our friends! What will you win?

Two imaginative, energetic and catchy music CD's.

"FIELD TRIP" from Recess Monkey

"JUICE BOX HEROES" from Imagination Movers

To enter, simply leave us a comment on the blog, at our email nightlightstories@gmail.com, or send me Tweet via Twitter.com at nightlight08 describing one of your favorite things about your best friend. We'll be picking two winners at random from all those who enter. Contest ends on September 1st in honor of Miss Mel's birthday! See my example below:

I love my best girlfriend because she accepts me for who I am.
For 15 years she has always been there for me!

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!

audible: loud enough to be heard
conceal: cover up or keep from sight
shimmied: to shake or vibrate
treacherous: unstable or insecure, as footing

JUST ADD IMAGINATION!

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

1. A spelunker is a person who makes a hobby of exploring and studying caves. Think about all the things that a spelunker would find in exploring a cave. What kinds of things do you think they would study?

2. Check out a book or many books at the library on the buffalo, the dragonfly, or the black-footed ferret. Read about one, two or all of these animals.

COMPREHENSION CHALLENGE

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

1. Where did Buffalo and Dragonfly discover Black-Footed Ferret?

2. How did each of the friends help get each other safely through their journey?

3. Before meeting Buffalo, Dragonfly used to live in the meadow. Why did she leave?

BRIGHT BIRTHDAY WISHES

We want to send out bright birthday wishes to:

Gianna S of Peabody, MA

Meme of Georgetown, MA

Nana of Eden, NY

Bethie C of Groveland, MA

Brian C of Groveland, MA

Brian B of Fredonia, NY

Brayden B of Fredonia, NY

Tucker B of Harpers Ferry, WV

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 nightlightstories@gmail.com.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.

Drumroll Please!

The Winner Is

LILY!

Congratulations and we hope you enjoy the book!

A special round of applause to our other entries

who did such a great job:

Kai

Blake

Cori

Saben

Meg

Colton

Brooke

Natalie V

Baby V

Patrick B

Emma

Peyton

Maddy

Keep that summer reading glowing bright!

IF YOU ARE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT...ENTER THE CONTEST!

Hi All!

First things first. We are working on new stories that we hope to have out by the end of summer.

Mr. Chris and I were asked to be involved in a really innovative curriculum project for the county in which we teach, so as of now, that is where our creative writing is flowing. Whenever we have something new for you to check out though, we'll post it here. For now, I hope that this contest can tide you over!

The first half of summer vacation has been busy! We have just returned home from two weeks of traveling to Buffalo, NY and Boston, MA to visit our lovely families. During our trip to Boston, we took a mini-vacation to North Conway, NH to a place called Story Land.
It is a place where they bring many children's stories to life in very creative ways. While my wonderful father was taking pictures, I had an idea for a contest. I contacted one of our favorite children's book publishers, Barefoot Books, and they generously donated a perfect prize to help keep your minds illuminated the rest of the summer!

Here is how the contest works:

1. Look at the pictures below from Story Land.

2. Identify the children's story that each picture features. For each one you identify, that will count as one entry! So, if you correctly identify all 5 of the pictures you have 5 entries.

3. The last picture that is included is the BONUS picture. If you can tell me which children's story it is from, then you will receive an extra 2 entries.

4. If you share this with 5 other people (proved by including me on the email) or posting it on your blog (send me your blog site) you will recieve 5 extra entries.

5. Visit www.barefootbooks.com and search around their easy to use and eye catching new website. Share something you really enjoy about their site and receive an extra 3 entries. Also, if you place an order by today, July 15th and enter the code HAPPY during check out you can receive 20% off your order!

6. Leave a comment on the blog, send me your entries at nightlightstories@gmail.com, or Tweet me at nightlight08. Do just one thing or do them all! Any one of these you choose to post will enter you for a chance to win.

7. Contest ends August 1st!

PICTURE #1

PICTURE #2

PICTURE #3

PICTURE #4

PICTURE #5

BONUS PICTURE (Hint: Search around the blog)

What Do We Win?

I am so HAPPY that you asked!

Barefoot Books is generously sending us a copy of their new book with singalong CD:

"Clap your hands and sing along to this fresh take on a traditional singalong.

The multicultural children in this colorful early learner encourage action and imagination, and two full spreads at the end teach "hello" in thirty-six languages, and the names of the children and their countries of origin."

Even if you do not win the book, everyone can still be a winner! Today, July 15th, Barefoot Books is offering a free download of IF YOU ARE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT on their site. Here is the link to the download. Please click away and ENJOY!

IF YOU ARE HAPPY AND YOU KNOW IT FREE DOWNLOAD

As always, I look forward to watching the glow grow brighter with the

many stories we can share together.

THE WINNER IS:

GUNNAR!

Congratulations! We hope you enjoy the Automoblox Pick-up Truck

Also, thank you for the glowing entries from:

Joe

Maisy

Michael

Saben

Sally

As a special thanks for your entries, everyone is winner! Send us your address at nightlightstories.gmail.com so that we can
send you a complimentary

book from Hatchette Books! Great job everyone!

As always, I look forward to watching the glow grow brighter with the many stories we can share together.