Elderberry Tales

Blue Booties

This week's story is about Dorothy, a short tailed albatross, and a team of humans who rescue her and nurse her back to health. It's a selection from the book "Wild Rescues: Amazing Stories from a Wildlife Shelter" by Amanda Mander.

In her book, Amanda profiles different wild animals that were rescued by kids, and treated by a veterinarian. It's based on the West Sound Animal Shelter on Bainbridge Island in Washington State. Here's some info about the book:

Can you imagine a hawk falling down into your mom's wildflower garden? Or a duck family that decides to make your swimming pool their pond? Read about these and other rescue stories based on wild animals treated at a real wildlife shelter. Learn amazing animal facts that can help you too to become a wildlife rescuer and help humans and animals be good neighbors!

You can find out more about the book HERE. 

You can also connect with Amanda Mander on Facebook.

Zaid and the Gigantic Cloud

Zaid is excited to go on a camping trip with his cousin Ahmed. Just as he's getting his bag ready, he receives the news that Ahmed is sick and the camping trip is cancelled. Disappointment sets in and Zaid's day gets gloomier by the minute! What will make Zaid's gloomy day bright again?

An engaging story with a wonderful Islamic theme that will allow children to explore and understand their stormy emotions, and learn how to cope with them!

Story by Helal Musleh
Art by Sabrina Pachardo

Published by Ruqaya's Bookshelf, a small but wholesome company dedicated to publishing bright, fun, and engaging Islamic children’s books to add to your home and school libraries. 
https://ruqayasbookshelf.com/

The Princess, the Dragon, and the Baker: A Chanuka Fairytale

When a wise princess is imprisoned by a hungry dragon, it seems that no one can save her. Can Chanoch the baker succeed where others have failed, and free the princess? 

This tale will delight children of all ages, while subtly teaching about the deeper meaning of Chanuka: the relationship between physical and spiritual, the importance of gratitude, and how to turn the pleasures of eating into something more profound.

Written by Oren Litwin
Illustrated by Shir Dahan and Manthos Lappas
Available on Amazon

Moyo's Journey

With Moyo, we follow the rainbow on a journey of discovery around the world. Moyo's name means 'heart' in Swahili. In Inuit culture, polar bears symbolize courage and strength, and serve as guides between the earthly and spirit worlds. Moyo shows us, through her journey, that by being receptive to all that we don't yet know, and by choosing to learn from life's opportunities, we can grow and thrive.

Written and Illustrated by Miranda Roberts, this gorgeous book is available at MoyosJourney.com and through Amazon. 

You can also follow Miranda Roberts on Instagram for more examples of her amazing silk paintings and illustrations!

When Sam Set Sail

A delightful seafaring tale of adventure and goodwill with a rollicking, rolling, sea-shanty rhyme. Sail along on this voyage to meet the unknown; what lies beyond the horizon and slinking in the deep. 

Thanks to LeAnn Beck of Split Rail Studio for sharing this story with us!
Illustration by Milena Vitorovic and Jelena Vitorovic.

This beautifully illustrated book is available on Amazon. Check it out!
Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for opportunities to engage - enter to win a free copy of the book; share your drawings of the sea monster; tell us what you liked about the story!

The King of Mkolokolo

The King of Mkolokolo offers his crown to anyone who can capture the snake that is tormenting his village. Mighty villagers from across the land take on the challenge. But what happens when a small girl asks for her turn?

Written by Ntombikayise Malaza
Translated by Alisha Berger
Art by Vusi Malindi

This story is associated with Room to Read, an international organization that promotes literacy for all children, and access to secondary education for girls in particular, worldwide.

Thanks to Storyweaver and Pratham Books for making this story available via a Creative Commons License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Follow along HERE

Agasi Kidnaps Weensy

When Teensy comes home to find that his wife Weensy has been kidnapped by the giant Agasi, he sets out on a quest to rescue her. He receives help from the most unexpected set of companions - from a centipede, an egg, and many others! Enjoy this funny tale from the Sama people of the Philippines. 

"Agasi Kidnaps Weensy" is translated and published by Kauman Sama Online, an organization devoted to sharing Sama culture and language worldwide. Proceeds from the sale of this book will be used to print books in the Sama language for kids in the Philippines, as well as making more Sama Stories available to a wider audience.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07QX973BH/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0 

Illustrations by Vanjoy Sanchez and Elmo Anggilan
Translation by Luke Schroeder

Jadav and the Tree-Place

Jadav has the best job in the world: he makes forests! How does he do it? In honor of Earth Day and Arbor Day, today's episode features the true story of Jadav "Molai" Payeng, conservationist and visionary. 

Written by Vinayak Varma
Art by Vinayak Varma

For more information about Arbor Day, including ideas for how to plant trees in your area, please visit https://www.celebratearborday.com/

Thanks to Storyweaver and Pratham Books for making this story available via a Creative Commons License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

Follow along HERE

Misha vs. the Donut

When Misha moves to a new country, he encounters something unfamiliar and unappetizing: a pink donut. A humorous battle of wills ensues. 

Big thanks to Christina Hill for the use of this story. You can read more of her work at https://pastelninja.wordpress.com/

Photo by rawpixel.com from Pexels

An Ordinary Mother

When Katrina Katrinka finds a 60 foot tall crane in her backyard, she does what any ordinary mother would do...

Story by Phil Shapiro
Find Phil on Twitter

Follow along HERE