Once Upon a Time at Camp Sparkler

Stone Soup, a European Folktale

To wrap up Once Upon a Time at Camp Sparkler, Todd Loyd, an early childhood educator and the host of the Little Kids, Big Hearts podcast, shares his thoughts on the power of stories AND shares one of his favorite stories that he share with his preschool students: "Stone Soup." It's a European folktale about the power of community.  Stay after the story to hear the full "Once Upon a Time" song, composed and performed by Benjamin Weiner.  Camp Sparkler is a free, mobile summer learning program produced by Sparkler Learning for families who have children from birth through age 5. In July and August, 2023, participants are taking imaginary journey around the world to hear eight weeks of stories from around the world.  Thank you to Todd, Benjamin, and Dana Stewart, Sparkler's education director, who hosts this stories series and produced Camp Sparkler! Learn more at PlaySparkler.org/CampSparkler23

In the Beginning, a Filipino Story

"In the Beginning" is a Filipino folktale told by a Filipino-American teacher, actor, and storyteller, Zoë Laiz. Zoë tells the story as part of "Once Upon a Time at Camp Sparkler."  "In the Beginning" is a creation story from the Philippines. It helps to explain how the earth and humans came to be.  Camp Sparkler is a free, mobile summer learning program produced by Sparkler Learning for families who have children from birth through age 5. In July and August, 2023, participants will take an imaginary journey around the world to hear eight weeks of stories from around the world.  Thank you to Benjamin Weiner, who wrote and performed the song "Once Upon a Time" for Camp Sparkler. Thank you to Dana Stewart, the host of this series and director of education at Sparkler.  Learn more at PlaySparkler.org/CampSparkler23

Why the Cheetah’s Cheeks are Stained with Tears, a Zulu Story from South Africa

Kwasuka sukela (once upon a time), a lazy hunter sat under a tree watching a herd of springbok graze in a nearby field... "Why the Cheetah’s Cheeks are Stained with Tears" is a Zulu story with an important lesson about a mother's love, the importance of hard work, and the consequences of being lazy. The story is told by Phumzile Thembelihle Ndlovu, a South African storyteller who is part of the Zulu ethnic group, as part of "Once Upon a Time at Camp Sparkler." Camp Sparkler is a free, mobile summer learning program produced by Sparkler Learning for families who have children from birth through age 5. In July and August, 2023, participants will take an imaginary journey around the world to hear eight weeks of stories from around the world.  Thank you to Benjamin Weiner, who wrote and performed the song "Once Upon a Time" for Camp Sparkler. Thank you to Dana Stewart, the host of this series and director of education at Sparkler.  Learn more and find parent and educator resources at PlaySparkler.org/CampSparkler23.

The Empty Pot, a Folktale From China

Chung chin (once upon a time ), an old man planted a turnip seed... On this episode of Once Upon a Time at Camp Sparkler, a Chinese-American mother, Winnie Cheung, shares the story "The Empty Pot." "The Empty Pot" is a Chinese folktale with an important lesson about telling the truth — even when it's very scary or hard to tell the truth.  This Episode of Once Upon a Time at Camp Sparkler was produced by Sparkler Learning as part of Camp Sparkler 2023 and hosted by Sparkler's Education Director, Dana Stewart. Thank you to Benjamin Weiner, who created the song "Once Upon a Time," which you'll hear at the beginning and end of the episode. Learn more and find parent and educator resources at PlaySparkler.org/CampSparkler23.

The Enormous Turnip, A Story from Russia

Davnym-davno (once upon a time ), an old man planted a turnip seed... On this episode of Once Upon a Time at Camp Sparkler, Alla Ilyasova, a teaching artist and storyteller who was born in Russia and who now lives in New Jersey, shares the story "The Enormous Turnip." "The Enormous Turnip" is Russian progressive story in which more and more characters collaborate to pull up an enormous turnip. The song teaches an important lesson about teamwork — and how even a tiny bit of extra help can make an effort successful!   Following the story, hear an original song based on the story, created by educator/composer Benjamin Weiner. This Episode of Once Upon a Time at Camp Sparkler was produced by Sparkler Learning as part of Camp Sparkler 2023 and hosted by Sparkler's Education Director, Dana Stewart. Thank you to Benjamin Weiner, who created the song "Once Upon a Time," which you'll hear at the beginning and end of the episode.  Learn more and find parent and educator resources at PlaySparkler.org/CampSparkler23.