LIGHTING THE WAY WITH WORDS

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

On Christmas Eve, it snowed about four inches here. Then, for a week and a half, the temperatures hovered around freezing. We wasted no time getting our snow pants, boots, hats, mittens and coats on so that we could go outside to play. Have you had snow in your area? If so, what did you do while it was on the ground? Share with us in the comments! 

Lighting the Way With Words

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

I know when we are going somewhere special, our kids will gambol around the house in anticipation of the event. Have you done anything exciting lately that  has caused you to gambol? Share your visual definition of gambol with us at nightlightstories@gmail.com or on our Facebook page.

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

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!

LIGHTING THE WAY WITH WORDS

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

Today is December 21, 2012. Do you know what that means?

It's the official first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, also known as Winter Solstice. Everything North of the Equator, or the top half of the planet, will face away from the sun. Due to the Earth's tilt, today is marked as the shortest and darkest day of the year. 

I know our family is looking forward to the first flurry of the season. For now, we'll have to settle for making our own, like our friend Viv, in the picture above. 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 nightlightstories@gmail.com! 

How to Make a 3D Snowflake 

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

Episode 53: Ohwhatfunitis

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?

Hello All,

Can you believe it? The new year is but a few weeks away! We are excited to present to you our fifth holiday story. We hope that you will be able to take some time over the school break to enjoy your time together. Stay healthy!

Extra! Extra! Read All About It!

I wanted to take a moment to send out a big 
CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. Chris. His solo
podcast, The A.T.TIPSCAST won the
 Edublog Award for Best Podcast!

Need a last minute holiday gift idea?
A fully illustrated version of Dragonfly, Dragonfly Show Us The Way 

is now available as an in-app purchase from the Flying Books app.

It is available for download on your iPhone or iPad. 

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.
 

crescendo: to grow in force or loudness.

delve: to carry on intensive and thorough research for data.

expulsion: the act of driving out or expelling.

malady: any disorder or disease of the body. 

perpetual: continuing or enduring forever, everlasting.

JUST ADD IMAGINATION!

Try these activities to keep your imagination glowing

after hearing the story.

1. Create a 3D Snowflake by watching our step-by-step tutorial. Thanks to our friend, Viv, who made so many snowflake, it looked like a blizzard! 

2. Complete one of these five crafts in the linked article that my friend and I wrote. 'Tis the Season to be Crafty: 5 Easy Holiday Crafts. 

3. Listen to our other holiday stories and visit the blog posts to complete the fun activities we have posted. We've outlined them below.

      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

COMPREHENSION CHALLENGE

After listening to the story, can you recall the

details to answer these questions?

1. Who brought Carol a cup of hot chocolate?

2. What fell out of Carol's ear onto the mattress?

3. Where did Carol find tinsel? 

4. Why did Carol need to apply lotion to her arms? 

5. When did Carol tell her family about her strange symptoms?

6. How did Carol's family help her heal from Ohwhatfunitis?

We want to send out bright birthday wishes to:

Robert P of Virginia

Matthew A of South Carolina

Tre of Louisiana
Bill P of West Virginia

Mr. Chris of the Night Light Stories Household

We hope your days SPARKLED!

CHECK IT OUT! 

Nature's Clean Choice antimicrobial baby blankets are now just 

$12. A great gift for the holidays for a little one on your list.

Don't forget to enter 'nightlightstories' at checkout to 
receive a 5% discount.