By clicking the buttons below you can listen to free audio samples of six stories. You will find there is also a synopsis of each of my stories and their accompanying lesson plans.
My site is constantly updated as I regularly add new stories, lesson plans and blogs.
Story Audio Samples
These short story samples are lower resolution
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Coyote's
Trick
The
Tanglebeings
Goldilocks,
Teddy Bear & The Little Witch
The
Day Marrisa Sent Her Baby Brother Back
The
Little Christmas Tree
Latisha & The
Shadow Lion
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The Whole Story Of Goldilocks & The Three Bears provides a sequel to the
traditional story as it answers my granddaughter’s question, “What happened
after Goldilocks ran away from the three bears’ house?” This sequel, in turn,
opened the gateway to a series of short stories about witches and fairytales
that describe the various adventures of the two friends, Teddy Bear and Goldilocks.
The Eco and Green lesson plans and art projects offered with this short fairytale
teach children to respect and value the interconnected web of life. This story
and lesson plan will also appeal to home schoolers.
On the way to visit her friend Teddy, Goldilocks gets lost in a sudden fog.
She finds herself at the house of Matilda, a tiny witch. When Goldilocks and
Matilda fly to Teddy’s house, Matilda explains that she was not always tiny
and pleads with the friends to help her get her magic wand back from the Wicked
Wizard who stole it and shrank her to the size of a mouse.When they agree
to help, the three fly to Castle Gloom, the Wicked Wizard’s home.
This will be of interest to those wanting short stories about witches, and
short fairy tales. It includes art projects for children and discussion topics
that stimulate their imagination making it a good preschool literacy activity.
The because of the open ended quality of the questions, discussion points,
and activities in the lesson plan, it can also be used with older children.
Mischievous Coyote decides to trick Goldilocks and Teddy into fighting first
with each other and then with the fairies. When a fairy gets accidentally hurt,
the two friends try to save her.
The lesson plan accompanying this story
offers nature projects and discussion topics that teach diversity to children,
and reference American Indian values, and the beliefs of indigenous peoples.
The story and lesson plans will appeal to those doing online home schooling.
When Latisha gets sick, her mother finds a porcelain lion to comfort and give
her the courage to fight her sickness. In the nightlight glow the lion’s shadow
grows to the size of a real lion. The Shadow Lion carries Latisha to a land
where she finds her courage and by so doing, overcomes her fear and discovers
she has the inner strength that helps her recover.
The lesson plan and preschool literacy activities, accompanying this short
fairy tale, offers science projects for children of all ages, which encourages
eco and green awareness. The discussion topics help develop compassionate thinking.
The Little Christmas Tree is a short story about a young tree that longs to
grow big enough to be “a lovely living Christmas tree". 'I’ll never
be big enough,’ he whispered to the wind in his branches. A Dark-eyed Junco
bird landed beside him ‘Be patient. You’ll grow. Seasons always change,’ she
chirped cheerily nudging his needles with her beak.”
The accompanying lesson plans focus on giving children an appreciation of
diversity and also inspires eco and green values.
If you’ve ever struggled to brush the tangles from a child’s hair, this short
fairy tale is the perfect solution to your problem. This is a story to be read,
and retold during the hair brushing process. Verses can be added to the soothing
songs.
The description of the Tanglebeings one by one falling asleep as the
nightingale sings and the blue fairy brushes them out, is engaging, and the
telling can be extended by the adult, making the dreaded hair-brushing experience
much more pleasant for all involved.
My story LITTLE RUDE is about “Princess Beauty,” whose bad behavior and tantrums
result in a fairy (after suffering her rudeness) transforming her into Little
Rude.
I wrote the story for my then four-year old granddaughter, so
that she might become more conscious of the way her behavior affected others
(her parents, grandparents, and her peers). She enjoyed the story and her behavior
did change.
After her baby brother is born, Marrisa discovers that her mother doesn’t
have the same amount of time for her. Also, her new baby brother is not as
much fun as she thought he would be. When Marrisa decides to send him back
to the hospital everyone learns an important lesson.
I want this story to give parents and children a vehicle for sharing the emotions
(fears, insecurities and needs) that underlie sibling rivalry.
Seeing Teddy eating stolen honey, the wicked witch, Pivy, decides to have
some fun. Casting a grow spell she makes the angry bee the size of Teddy. Although
the terrified bear gives the honey back, The bee no longer fits in her hive.
She begins to cry. Teddy, compassion overcoming greed, suggests Matilda, the
good witch, can help.
In this short fairy tale, when the former enemies become
friends, everyone wins.
Children who love stories about witches will particularly enjoy this story.
The fairy tale and lesson plan inspires children’s scientific curiosity about
bees and the natural world.
One summer day as Teddy and Goldilocks play in the lush garden, they are shocked
to see all the colors vanish. Suddenly everything fades to black, white, and
shades of grey. When Matilda the witch arrives asking for their help rescuing
the rainbow fairy from the Wicked Wizard’s clutches, the friends need their
wits, and all their courage, to free the fairy and return colors to the world.
The lesson plan and discussion topics accompanying this short fairy tale,
encourages children’s scientific curiosity. The because of the open ended quality
of the questions, discussion points, and activities in the lesson plan, it
can also be used with older children.
The princess cries because there is no butter. Her father the king, offers
a generous reward to anyone with a cow who can provide it. Smitz, a poor farmer,
counts on the reward to buy schoolbooks for his daughter. When the selfish
king reneges on his promise, the fairies transform the king’s head to that
of a bull to teach him a lesson. When the princess learns the reason for the
change in her father’s appearance, she is angry and races to correct the wrong
her father has done.
The lesson plan that accompanies this fairytale has both activities geared
to preschoolers and older elementary students as well. A children’s story with
a moral, this is a good teaching short story.
Sebastian wears his new boots when he goes to visit his Tanta Lulu and her
little dog, Bridget. While eating toast and jam, they are alerted by Bridget’s
furious barking. It seems the mischievous ferrets have stolen and hidden
Sebastian’s boots. It is only Tanta Lulu’s ingenious idea, and a few stitches,
that persuade the ferrets to return the boots.
In spite of the simplicity and preschool level of the story, the lesson
plan that accompanies this short story will be inspiring not only to preschoolers,
but older children with an interest in the natural sciences.
On a day in early spring, Goldilocks and Teddy go to visit Matilda, the witch.
Although they promised to remain on the path, Goldilocks leaves it to pick
a beautiful red tulip. Tugging the flower, Goldilocks begins sliding into the
giant ant’s trap. When Teddy tries to help, he too falls in. Fortunately, at
the last moment, Matilda hears their cries and rescues them.
This will also appeal to those who like somewhat scary short stories about
witches and monsters. The accompanying lesson plan was designed to inspire
children’s scientific curiosity.
Roger and Ellie are two painfully shy children who, while simultaneously attempting
to avoid a social interaction, crash into each other. The accident cracks open
their protective walls and they discover the comfort of being understood and
the delight of having a friend.
The lesson plan and discussion topics that accompany this teaching story,
opens the door to communication about feelings that shy children often have
trouble expressing. The discussion topics can help children become more articulate
about their emotions.
“Violet lived in a time when people rode in carriages pulled by horses,
and in ships with sails driven by wind rather than gas or electricity, as they
are today.” So begins the story wherein Violet, separated from her parents
finds herself shipwrecked alone on an island. Moon Water, discovers the crying
child and in spite of her strangeness brings Violet to her mother. One day
on their way to the beach, the girls discover pirates have landed with two
ragged slaves (Violet’s parents). With the girls help, in a daring raid Violet’s
parents are freed, and the terrified pirates, banished. In a great celebration,
the reunited family joins the island community.
The because of the open ended quality of the questions, and the focus on understanding
and valuing cultural diversity, the discussion points, and activities in the
lesson plan, will also be of interest to older children.
This short fairy tale begins: “Once upon a time the Rainbow Fairy lived
on a cloud with her three oldest children who each had their own bubble room.
Their mother called them her three Primaries because they were the first of
their kind and primary means first. The little fairies names were Primary Red,
Primary Yellow, and Primary Blue. They were called that, because each fairy’s
color was so clear and strong.”
THE COLOR FAIRIES is both a fairy tale and lesson plan, as the fairies dance
and play music, mixing colors while they visit each other’s bubble worlds.
It provides an excellent art project for children to learn about the color
wheel.
One snowy day the wicked witch, Pivy, having grown bored mixing her potions,
flies off looking to make trouble. Spying Goldilocks on her new sled, Pivy
sprinkles un-grow powder on the child. The next morning, Goldilocks alarmed,
realizes she is shrinking but to her dismay only her friend Teddy believes
her. The two finally turn to their last hope for help, Matilda, a good witch.
This short story about witches addresses the important issue of asking for
help if you are worried or troubled. It stresses the importance of continuing
to search and speak out until you find a caring adult who will listen and help.
The accompanying lesson plan is perfect for preschoolers and elementary age
children.
Diego and his dog Luca live in a tree house in the tallest tree in the forest.
When loggers come to cut his tree down, Diego begs them to give him a little
time. The loggers agree to give him two weeks. One evening before bed, Diego
from his high perch, notices a distant fire. When he calls the forest service
to warn them he manages to save not only the forest but his home as well.
This lesson plan inspires children’s scientific curiosity. It’s also focused
on the importance of protecting our old growth forests, and teaching eco and
green values as children are inspired to think “out of the box,” and learn
about alternative building materials. It makes a perfect story for home schooling.
Romeo lives with a girl named Sally. To earn their keep, Sally
runs the box office in the theater below and Romeo keeps the place free of
rats and mice. All goes well until Romeo spies a mouse racing for the dressing-room
during a Production of Romeo and Juliet. Giving chase, he accidentally discovers
open pots of makeup and decides to fulfill his dream of becoming an actor.
This amusing story and the accompanying lesson plans, includes art projects
for children and discussion topics that stimulate their imagination. It will
be especially appealing to children who love acting and playing dress-up.
The lesson plan’s literacy activities will also be of interest to elementary
age and older children.
Goldilocks is a clever girl, smart enough to run into her house and lock the
door as the Wire Wizard approaches her. However, when she hears scratching,
she peeps out. When she sees the Wire Wizard in his disguise as a “kitty,”
the unsuspecting girl invites him inside.
While Goldilocks offers the kitty
a bowl of milk, the wizard throws off his disguise and thrusts her into his
sack. As the wizard heads for Castle Gloom, Teddy (on his way to visit Goldilocks)
hears her cries for help and follows.
The lesson plan accompanying this story contains both literacy activities,
and an opportunity for children to work with movement exploration and Yoga
positions.
When Tamar and Samuel’s prayers are answered, Tamar gives birth to a beautiful
baby girl, Zipporah. All goes well until her first day of school. Although
mercilessly taunted by the other children at school, Zipporah must return.
With her mother’s guidance, she makes a friend, and everyone learns an important
lesson about the value of uniqueness.
The lesson plans that accompany this short fairytale contains projects and
discussion topics formulated to help children with their self esteem by helping
them learn to accept and value their own and other’s uniqueness. Children of
all ages are helped to appreciate the usefulness and the importance that having
differences contributes to any given group.
Arthur is a dreamer who’d rather watch a beautiful sunset or listen to music
than burn, pillage and create mayhem like the other dragons. Worst of all,
much to his parents’ dismay, he even fails at hoarding. Finally exiled from
Dragondom, the world of his childhood, he discovers a new world and a makes
a new friend.
Like the previous lesson plan this one The lesson plan contains projects and
discussion topics formulated to help children with their self esteem. It can
them learn to accept and value their own and other’s uniqueness. It also opens
the door for children to explore and discuss the difficult emotional issues
of hearing their parents fight and talk about them as if they’re not there.
This short fairy tale for children is my response to my granddaughter’s request
for a “scary story.” Although she loved it, I’ve labeled it
PG, since some
children are more sensitive then others and I don’t want to be responsible
for any child’s nightmares.
In this scary short story for kids, Goldilocks
and her friend Teddy, break their promise to her mother to “stay on the path.”
Instead they enlist the help of their dragon friend Arthur in an end of summer
adventure. The friends discover a haunted castle and are trapped in an evil
magic mirror.
The accompanying lesson plan contains scientific experiments, and discussion
around mirrors and the way we see.
In this short fairy tale, The Ice Demon freezes Princess Spring, Teddy and
Goldilocks in blocks of ice while creating an unseasonable ice storm. When
the demon’s storm freezes the bad witch, Pivy’s toxic plants, and the good
witch Matilda’s herbs, the two enemy’s find a way to work together in order
to defeat him and bring back the spring.
The lesson concerning the importance of learning to collaborate (even with
those you don’t like) in order to create a mutual benefit is important for
children to learn. In our increasingly contentious world, this fairytale could
provide a good lead in to discussion and exercises in conflict resolution.
"Don’t Apologize Jane” addresses the issue of emotional abuse
in a real and yet imaginatively entertaining way. Jane’s story speaks
even to children who’ve no
experience of abuse since most have, at one time or another, felt a lack of
self-esteem.
Because her empowering journey invites class discussion and sharing around
a difficult
topic, it can help identify children in need. “Don’t Apologize Jane” can also
provide an
effective tool in a therapeutic setting.
This adventure begins when Teddy arrives at Goldilocks door with his new spelunking
hat and a map. The friends discover a petrified forest and a cave.
This adventure
story includes much information about petrified forests and caves.
There are
other lessons in the story including the importance (even if someone appears
attractive) of listening to the warnings of our intuition, the still small
voice within.
While preparing for Hanukah (the celebration of the festival of lights) Lev
and Evie’s embattled family experiences their own miracle. A moment of enlightenment
lifts them.
This sudden distance vision allows them to step back from their
anger, laugh at themselves, remember their love and together defeat the monster
their rage created.
The lesson plan accompanying this story includes a recipe
for Challah and definitions of the Hebrew and Yiddish words used in the story.
