Brightest and Best

The Mistletoe

"The Mistletoe" is a whimsical Christmas poem in which the speaker addresses young children — Neddy, Charley, Janey — imagining mistletoe as a nest where a magical "kissy-bird" hatches endless kisses to be caught and given freely. With teasing riddles about why birds choose their nesting spots, the poem builds toward a tender warning: not all kisses are honest, and the only net that catches true ones is a heart that loves faithfully and keeps loving the old love newly. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ririro-com-kids-stories-0-6-years--6559507/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ririro-com-kids-stories-0-6-years--6559507/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Mother’s Cookin’ Up

"Mother's Cookin' Up" captures the delicious anticipation of Christmas through the eyes of an eager child counting down the days as Mother swaps her gingham apron for white, fills the house with cooking smells, and the front door swings open for arriving family. The poem builds from early preparations to the moment the stage stops outside and the whole household hums with warmth — ending with an irresistible plea: now that everyone's finally here, can't we start to eat? Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ririro-com-kids-stories-0-6-years--6559507/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ririro-com-kids-stories-0-6-years--6559507/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Bobby’s Christmas Plaint

"Bobby's Christmas Plaint" is a humorous poem narrated by a boy named Bobby, who laments the unwanted changes that came with his family's newfound wealth. Uprooted from the simple joys of Pawpaw Center, Bobby watches his sisters adopt fancy new names, his parents grow anxious and nervous, and his old friendships become socially forbidden. Now Christmas is approaching, and with no chimney in the grand new house — only electric wires — Bobby fears Santa Claus won't be able to get in at all. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ririro-com-kids-stories-0-6-years--6559507/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ririro-com-kids-stories-0-6-years--6559507/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Looking Out for Santy

"Looking Out for Santy" is a short Christmas poem in which a child listens to their parents debate what matters most in a new house — Mamma wants plenty of closets, Papa wants room to spare — but the child has just one simple wish: a chimney wide enough for Santa Claus to squeeze through. The poem captures childhood wonder and single-minded holiday magic with warmth and gentle humor, contrasting grown-up practicalities with a child's pure, generous priority. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ririro-com-kids-stories-0-6-years--6559507/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ririro-com-kids-stories-0-6-years--6559507/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].

Christmas Bells

"Christmas Bells" by Minna Irving rings out across a snow-white world, tracing the sound of Christmas bells from a shepherd boy's field in ancient Judea to every frosty hill and valley. A young shepherd wakes, rubs his sleepy eyes, and spots a brilliant star blazing overhead — the star of Bethlehem — announcing the birth of the Prince of Peace. The poem follows that original cry of wonder as it echoes and multiplies through time and distance into the joyful peal of bells heard on Christmas morning. Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ririro-com-kids-stories-0-6-years--6559507/support [https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/ririro-com-kids-stories-0-6-years--6559507/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss].