Stories that Sparkle.

I am delighted to introduce Lisabeth, from Sparkle Stories. As a mom who has bought into the concept that most television is not worthy of our time, I am in love with this idea. Stories are so much part of a Waldorf way of life. They teach, they enchant, they nurture and to have a subscription of new stories for us to listen to together, as a family, is a magical idea. Welcome, Lisabeth. Thank you for introducing Sparkle Stories and for offering one lucky reader a free, 1 year subscription to your super stories. (Giveaway info is at end of this post)

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Our description: Sparkle Stories is an audio story treasure chest for children ages 3 to 10. Our three original story lines are designed to entertain and inspire the whole family. Each week families can download new episodes from their favorite storylines, and for Sparkle Series Subscribers, additional games, songs, poetry and more stories in Saturday Sparkle. For the price of a single CD, subscribers receive over 5 hours of new content every month. www.sparklestories.com

Our story:

The idea for Sparkle came in a flash one day: I was reading the blog Soulemama -- and Amanda Soule was asking for story suggestions to share with her kids. It was one of those times for her -- like we all have -- when we're nearly desperate for something to entertain our kids for a bit so that we can have space. When you're cautions about media -- like a lot of families are now -- it can be tricky! And so I was reading the suggestions that were coming in -- and I had this flash. WE HAVE WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR.

When I say we, I mostly mean David. David can spin a story like no one I've ever met. You give him a few words-- like "a mouse, a traveling circus, and a missing ring" -- and he can weave the most amazing tale. He's a Waldorf teacher by training, and a performer at heart, and I've watched many a room-full of children and adults sit motionless while he shares that magic gift of his.

So my thought was this: if I could just capture what he does, and offer it up, what a business that would be! The idea wouldn't let me go. And so that's how Sparkle was started.

My part is that I'm a playwright by training, and a natural editor. So he spins, and I tailor it to make it ready for audio recording. We record here at home -- sometimes the kids join us as well in the recording (in Saturday Sparkle)!

The stories often come from our own lives -- like things we're experiencing in our home, or ideas our kids are asking for -- or questions we're hearing come up in our own community. Sometimes readers write and ask for a story about a certain theme or challenge - and we enjoy taking that up too!

Of all the stories in the series, Martin & Sylvia stories are most closely related to -- and inspired by - our own lives.






This is the stream in our yard that inspires the stream in Martin and Sylvia's yard -- a place where the kids play endlessly and find their own magic. Martin & Sylvia stories are constantly delightful for us -- as the stories flow, we find idea for our own lives and answers to our own questions! (Like -- how to inspire kids to help us clean, or how to meet "boredom" on a rainy day.)

We mostly offer stories by subscription -- each Friday new stories are delivered to each subscriber's Story Box, where they can download and enjoy. We have stories about fairy magic in So Many Fairies, animal adventures in Junkyard Tales, as well as tales of the day to day explorations of the favorite Martin & Sylvia. And then there's Saturday Sparkle -- which contains part original work, and part classic tales songs and verses from all over the world. You can read about them all here: http://www.sparklestories.com/stories/

We have a big vision for the business: we would love to be a platform for alternative media for families, a place parents can go to find audio material that they love and trust. AND parents can know that the material will not only be entertaining but also inspiring and nurturing.

GIVEAWAY: one year of the Sparkle Stories subscription (a $150 value). This includes fresh stories from our 4 story lines every Friday!

PLUS DISCOUNT for Magic Onions Readers --: enjoy the first month of Sparkle Stories subscription for $1! We want everyone to have a chance to try our story series, including Saturday Sparkle. Enter gift certificate code F4087 on the Subscribe page of our site.

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You are amazing, Lisabeth... I know of so many families who are going to seriously enjoy your gifts. Thank you so much for sharing your story with us... what super cute boys you have.

Dear Readers... Giveaway time. Lisabeth has offered to give away a FREE 1 years subscription to Sparkle Stories to one lucky family. Wow!

To enter, simply leave your comment at the end of this post.

You can enter multiple times by also:

1. blogging, Facebooking or tweeting about this giveaway (if you do all three, give yourself three extra entries).
2. 'liking' the Sparkle Stories Facebook page.
3. 'liking' The Magic Onions Facebook page.
4. 'friending' The Magic Onions on Facebook.

Be sure to add a new comment for each of your additional entries.

Good luck to all,
And a huge THANK YOU to Lisabeth of Sparkle Stories,
Blessings and magic,
Donni

This Giveaway is now closed... the winner is Our Lovely Mess - congrats!!!!