Helping Out

STORY

Helping Out

Martin & Sylvia

Martin and Sylvia wake to a snowstorm and the promise of sledding on the neighbor's horse pasture hill. When the hill turns out to be occupied and they return to see that Momma has taken a sick day from her work, the children recognize the value and delight of letting go of plans and helping out at home.

13 min
4+
Topics: Illness & Injury

Projects, Crafts, and Recipes for this Story

Sparkle Kitchen

Sparkle Kitchen: Homemade Soup Broth

There’s nothing for a sick day like a pot of soup made with good, homemade broth. By preparing the broth ahead of time, even a sick person who doesn’t have helpers as good as Martin and Sylvia can enjoy a bowl of soothing soup.

Characters in this Story

Martin

Sylvia

Martin & Sylvia

Spy Team

Spy Team

Martin's friend Julian is coming over and Sylvia knows that he loves to play spies. She wants to spy with boys but if they're all on the same team, who will they spy on?
15 min
4+

Babbit the Rabbit

Babbit the Rabbit

Sylvia's fun with her special stuffed rabbit helps Martin see a whole new world of magic in his very own familiar back yard.
18 min
4+

Putting on a Play

Putting on a Play

When the whole family is unexpectedly home at once on a very cold day, Martin & Sylvia put on a play, with Daddy as a sled dog!
18 min
4+

The Playhouse

The Playhouse

Daddy finds a surprising way to include Sylvia's imaginative ideas in play time.
17 min
4+

Pick-Up League

Pick-Up League

Martin is too young to join the baseball team, so Daddy pulls together a creative and crazy game with friends and family.
18 min
4+

The Cook Out

The Cook Out

Visitors are returning to Martin and Sylvia's house — friends they haven’t seen in a year! When one of those friends isn't as kind as Martin remembers, Daddy gives him great advice about teasing and everything changes.
19 min
4+

Catching Crayfish

Catching Crayfish

Martin & Sylvia are sure the summer has arrived now that the crayfish have appeared in their brook. They spend the day figuring out how to catch some.
21 min
4+

Mother's Day

Mother's Day

Daddy, Martin, and Sylvia help Momma realize what can make Mother's Day perfect.
16 min
4+

The Drawing Contest

The Drawing Contest

There's a children's’ drawing contest to celebrate Animal Week at the library. Martin wants to enter, but Pickles won't sit still for him to draw and there are no other animals around. What will Martin do?
21 min
4+

Helping Hands

Helping Hands

On a visit to town, Sylvia unexpectedly needs (and gets!) a helping hand.
18 min
4+

Spring Cleaning

Spring Cleaning

It's Spring Cleaning Day, and friends Sasha and Jonathan help make it fun.
17 min
4+

Springtime Fun and Foolery

Springtime Fun and Foolery

It's the first week of spring and the house is abuzz with fun and foolery. Martin plans a suspicious treat, Daddy & Sylvia play a silly game, and Momma surprises everyone at dinnertime.
18 min
4+

Comfort Food

Comfort Food

When family friend Mr. Weber has surgery, they decide to cook for him. The family delights in learning how to cook carefully, slowly and how to fill the food with love.
21 min
4+

Camping Out

Camping Out

Martin wants to live alone in the forest in a hut he and Sylvia made, but Daddy suggests they first try tent camping in the backyard.
18 min
4+

This Is Camping

This Is Camping

It's time for their annual camping trip and Martin and Sylvia are excited to enjoy all of their camping traditions. This year, they learn that camping means different things to different people.
19 min
4+

A Fine Town

A Fine Town

When vacation is over too soon, Momma and Daddy help the children see their own town with fresh eyes.
16 min
4+

The Cabin

The Cabin

When Momma teaches her how to have ‘fox feet’ and ‘deer ears’ Sylvia suddenly finds the woods full of possibilities and indeed, animals.
22 min
4+

Gargoyles

Gargoyles

Martin finds just the thing to help protect him from his new fear of noises in the night.
15 min
4+

The Sit Spot

The Sit Spot

After a day at Wilderness School, Martin tells his sister and Daddy about finding a "sit spot" or personal spot in the woods. Momma is too busy, but finally takes a minute for herself.
23 min
4+

The Dark

The Dark

Martin is feeling nervous about the dark, so Momma guides him through a hearing, smelling and feeling exercise that not only reassures him, but relaxes him enough to fall deeply asleep
16 min
4+

The Enchanted Frog

The Enchanted Frog

When Martin & Sylvia try to find something to do on their own, they can’t agree on a good idea. When they they find Mrs. Brown having her quiet “idea time” by the frog pond, they find the best magic flows from the quietest spot!
18 min
4+

Super Raker

Super Raker

Why is it that Daddy never seems to tire when he's raking? Does he have superpowers? Maybe they ALL have superpowers!
19 min
4+

Fairy Snow Fort

Fairy Snow Fort

When Sylvia wakes with a plan to build a Fairy Snow Fort, the whole family pitches in and experiences the joy of working together.
15 min
4+

The Sick and Tired Day

The Sick and Tired Day

What’s a Sick and Tired Day? With Momma's help, morning play, snack time, lessons, lunch and even clean-up time become fun!
16 min
4+

Good Old Dog

Good Old Dog

Sad news from Nana and Poppi about their old cat makes Martin and Sylvia appreciate Billbill and celebrate having him in their lives.
17 min
4+

First Day

First Day

The downtown’s First Day celebration is here and the group decides to make Martin's idea for a snow sculpture. When Sylvia feels left out, who can help her create the snow sculpture of her imagination?
14 min
4+

Thank-You's

Thank-You's

How can Martin be thankful when he is feeling so mad?
21 min
4+

Festival of Lights

Festival of Lights

Martin discovers the similarities between all the festivals and holidays that take place during this time of year and he and Sylvia are inspired to create a festival of their very own.
20 min
4+

Winters Little and Big

Winters Little and Big

When the first snow falls and brother and sister get the winter books down from the attic, they discover not only books that they dearly love, but also treasures that inspire sweet memories of years past.
18 min
4+

Family Farms

Family Farms

When the Brown's farm can't supply enough milk, Momma and Daddy take Martin & Sylvia to a farm run by three families. Brother and sister are resistant, but find the farm offers much more than they thought!
19 min
4+

Independence Day on the Green

Independence Day on the Green

Martin & Sylvia come up with a plan to help their dog Billbill through his fear of fireworks so everyone can enjoy the Independence Day celebrations.
19 min
4+

Apple Pies

Apple Pies

Martin comes up with a secret ingredient for entry in Mr. & Mrs Brown's pie contest. Will his unique concoction win the competition?
20 min
4+

Animal Daycamp

Animal Daycamp

After waiting a whole year to go to Animal Camp, Sylvia feels nervous when it's finally time to go.
18 min
4+

A Proper Uniform: A Story for Military Holidays

A Proper Uniform: A Story for Military Holidays

Seeing the military uniforms during the Memorial Day parade inspires Martin & Sylvia to ponder what an official explorer's uniform would look like, and results in family fun and creativity.
17 min
4+

Stuck in the Mud

Stuck in the Mud

The children wake up to melting snow and rain and they, along with some friends, spend the day getting stuck in the mud!
18 min
4+

Tracking

Tracking

When an autumn snow doesn't stick, Martin and Sylvia's friends Jonathan and Sasha come up with an idea that melts all disappointment.
18 min
4+

Throwing a Party

Throwing a Party

Martin & Sylvia work hard to earn money for and throw a party for their parents and friends. On the day of the party, they feel a little nervous - what will it be like? Will everyone enjoy themselves?
21 min
4+

Cousins

Cousins

The cousins are coming! They only visit every few years, so the changes are BIG. It's not long before they remember, though, that cousins are special.
20 min
4+

A Trip to the Doctor

A Trip to the Doctor

When Sylvia hurts her arm and needs to get an xray, she and Momma use a special imagination game to help them feel brave and relaxed, and, in the process, even delight the hospital doctor.
20 min
4+

Goose Eye Wilderness School

Goose Eye Wilderness School

When Momma and Daddy enroll him in a local wilderness school, Martin has the opportunity to experience adventures in the wild -- both unexpected and satisfying.
21 min
4+

The In-Between

The In-Between

When the family takes a day-trip to the ocean, Martin and Sylvia discover that fairy magic can appear in the most unlikely places.
17 min
4+

Loose Tooth

Loose Tooth

As homeschoolers, Momma and Daddy have a special way of telling when it's time for certain lessons. Sometimes something unexpected happens, which can turn the day's lesson on end.
19 min
4+

Pirates

Pirates

Pirates have invaded Lake Days! Could that be Martin in the black pirate’s hat? Could that be Sylvia at the helm of the pirate canoe? Could that be Daddy leading them to invade a friend’s sailboat and attempt to steal some "booty"?
17 min
4+

A Trip to the City

A Trip to the City

Martin wakes one morning to see Momma and Daddy packed and ready for an adventure: they’re all going to the Big City!
19 min
4+

The Woodpecker Tree

The Woodpecker Tree

When it's time to take down the Woodpecker Tree, Karl the playful woodsman teaches Martin and Sylvia about trees, cutting firewood, and a secret way to stay safe from black flies!
20 min
4+

The Cruds

The Cruds

Will a case of "the cruds" keep Martin from joining Daddy on his birthday canoe ride?
20 min
4+

Signs of Spring

Signs of Spring

Momma creates a springtime game that transforms impatient waiting into springtime magic.
19 min
4+

Big Brother

Big Brother

Martin is having a bad day. Luckily, Momma and Daddy have a plan!
17 min
4+

St. Patrick's Day

St. Patrick's Day

Martin & Sylvia are ready for spring, but all they see is SNOW. Momma comes home with a St. Patrick's Day surprise to cheer them up!
16 min
4+

Fairy Detectives

Fairy Detectives

Could there be fairy magic afoot in the house? Martin and Sylvia form a "fairy detective agency" to find out.
18 min
4+

Going on a Date

Going on a Date

After a day of Martin working with Daddy, and Sylvia working with Momma, they go on "dates" to their favorite places in town, ending the day in a fun surprise.
19 min
4+

A Trip to Grandma's

A Trip to Grandma's

Martin and Sylvia are going on a road trip to Grandma's! But they've never been in the car together for that long before. What will they do, stuck in the car for all that time?
20 min
4+

Telling the Truth

Telling the Truth

Sylvia accidentally breaks one of Martin's inventions and blames the damage on their cat Pickles. Sylvia feels miserable, until Momma whispers something in her ear...
19 min
4+

A Plane Trip

A Plane Trip

Christmas is over and it's cold and the family is restless. Daddy has an idea - "Let's go to the beach!" Sylvia learns how much fun a plane trip can be
21 min
4+

Moving

Moving

Martin's friend Peter is moving away, and Martin finds it difficult to say goodbye.
15 min
4+

The Kitty

The Kitty

Martin & Sylvia get to know their new kitten, Pickles. They wonder why she seems to prefer Momma to them and follow her around to find out her secret.
18 min
4+

Father's Day

Father's Day

Martin joins Daddy for a day of work. From yard to field to downtown studio, Martin studies his father, and wonders — why does he do things just this way?
19 min
3+

Grandma's House

Grandma's House

As the family goes to Grandma’s to help her pack up her big old house and move, the kids worry she will have to give away some of the many treasures they find.
29 min
4+

The Birthday Book

The Birthday Book

Martin ponders what to get Sylvia for her birthday and after thinking about her favorite things, he envisions the perfect gift.
15 min
3+

Helping Out

Helping Out

When Momma takes a sick day from work, the children recognize the value and delight of letting go of plans and helping out at home.
13 min
4+

The Finger-Knit Necklace

The Finger-Knit Necklace

Martin & Sylvia are hard at work making a gift for the children's librarian, but when they end up with two gifts, they have to decide — who will get the second one?
16 min
3+

Get our Newsletter

Sign up to receive weekly email updates with new stories, Sparkle news, and seasonal activities!

Stay Connected

Download on the Apple App StoreDownload on the Google Play
©2024 Sparkle Stories. All rights reserved.