Elderberry Tales

My Mom, Detective: The Birthday Present, Part 3

In the conclusion of "The Birthday Present," Armando has one more vivid dream - and wakes up on the morning of his birthday. He is finally able to see for himself what Grandpa sent from Mexico!

Story by William Sterr
Image by Gwendal Uguen

My Mom, Detective: The Birthday Present, Part 2

Armando's unusual dreams take him deep into the jungle, up a pyramid, and to a surprising meeting with an old friend.

This is part 2 of a 3 part story! Check back next week for part 2.

Story by William Sterr
Image by Gwendal Uguen

My Mom, Detective: The Birthday Present, Part 1

Grandpa Bill sends Armando a mysterious package for his 8th birthday - what secrets does the package hold? And what is it's power over Armando's dreams?

This is part 1 of a 3 part story! Check back next week for part 2.

Image by Gwendal Uguen

The Bear Feast Story

Once upon a time in Alaska, there lived an old man who had lost his family and friends. He headed into the woods to give himself to the bears, only to find unexpected comfort. 

This is based on a Tlingit tale, told to John R. Swanson in 1904. This version was adapted by Elaine L. Lindy for the website Stories to Grow By, and used here with permission. 

Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay 

The Great Fire

Long ago in Bolivia, two groups of people fought. Their conflict ended in a great fire that burned up the world. Only one couple escaped to begin a new life after the terrible fire.

This story was adapted by Elaine L. Lindy for Stories to Grow By, and is used on Elderberry Tales with permission. 

Image from Pixabay.

The Apple Dumpling

An old woman has a tree full of plums, but longs for apples. Is there a way for her to trade a basket full of plums for a basket full of apples? Find out in The Apple Dumpling Story.

"The Apple Dumpling" is from The Story Teller, by Maud Lindsay, published by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co., 1915. Adapted by Elaine Lindy, ©2001, and published on the website Stories To Grow By. 

Image by Oberholster Venita from Pixabay 

Sapana and the Birds of Prey

Sapana, friend to the birds of prey, is distressed when she finds several of them injured by porcupine quills. When she finds the giant porcupine, she gives chase up a cottonwood tree - and right through the sky.

This Arapaho Caddo tale was adapted by Elaine L. Lindy for the website Stories to Grow By, and is used here with permission. You can find a wealth of stories for children, selected for their value in developing character, at www.storiestogrowby.org.

Image by Chris Robbins from Pixabay 

My Mom, Detective! The Boy on the Porch, Part 3

Here it is, the third part in our series "The Boy on the Porch". 

Learning to deal with loss is an important part of our emotional development as humans. During this global pandemic, we are all experiencing loss. Perhaps your family knows someone who has died of covid-19, or someone who has lost a job, had to move or been displaced. We are also all experiencing the loss, or change, in our everyday social interactions.

Here is a resource to help you support your child (and yourself) during times of loss and grief:
https://childmind.org/

Story by William Sterr

My Mom, Detective! The Boy on the Porch, Part 2

If you haven't listened to part one yet, be sure to listen to that here first!

In part 2 of this story by William Sterr, Armando and Kofi deepen their friendship. Kofi teaches Armando how to play his favorite game, chess. 

My Mom, Detective! The Boy on the Porch, Part 1

Armando finally gets to meet the boy on the porch from The Magic Library. He isn't quite what Armie was expecting, but this is the start of a beautiful friendship <3

Story by William Sterr

If you'd like some backstory, check out our episode The Magic Library Part One and Part Two where Armando first sees the boy on the porch.