Bird Watching

Liked the episode? Let us know by sending a text message.In this episode, Sophie really wants a cat. She comes up with a cunning plan to convince Dad. But will she succeed?Please note that we've made some big changes to our podcast. We've moved over to a dedicated podcast hosting solution (Buzzsprout), and so our old website is no longer around. The move means that we're now on way more podcast platforms. The only one we're no longer on is Google Play, because Google has announced that their podcasts should now be shared through Youtube. They will be phasing out Google Play Podcasts. If you'd like to stay up to date, please make sure you join our Facebook Group (search for "Sophie and Sebastian").Support the show

Liked the episode? Let us know by sending a text message.It's spring time in Alberta, so let's celebrate with a poem about nature. Between the time when I wrote the episode and recorded it, all the snow melted! In this episode we share some marvelous facts about woodpeckers, as well as a poem.  We talk about the woodpecker's long tongue, its zygodactylic toes, and the fact that its brain doesn't shake around. But here's another neat thing: woodpeckers have three eye-lids! Not only do they have an upper and lower eyelid, but they also have a transparent eyelid that goes across the entire eye. It's called the Nicitating eyelid. I supposed it's handy when bark and woodchips go flying in all directions. Support the show

Liked the episode? Let us know by sending a text message.This is a story I've been meaning to write for a while. Many of the Sophie and Sebastian stories are about relationships and community. So I wanted the kids to do a kind deed. The challenge was to avoid being overly preachy and boring. You'll have to decide if the story succeeds in that.Writing "A Gift With Words" was challenging because it made me reflect on my own shortcomings. Living far away from parents is not always easy. This story is a reflection on what most of us can do better. Note: a couple of times an airplane flew over as I recorded this. So you might hear a bit of background noise. Support the show

Liked the episode? Let us know by sending a text message.This story is a return to the style of some of the earliest Sophie and Sebastian stories. Over time, the stories have of course become more complex, but this one is all about innocence and curiosity. Enjoy! Support the show

Liked the episode? Let us know by sending a text message.Time for another Sophie and Sebastian story. This one is all about using your imagination and telling exciting stories, the kind that make you forget everything you were doing before. It's okay for kids to be a bit bored once in a while: it often leads to great creativity! Support the show

Liked the episode? Let us know by sending a text message.Who doesn't like to have a tea party. The difficulty is finding a good butler to serve you!Support the show

Liked the episode? Let us know by sending a text message.Time for some more poetry! In this episode we feature two poems, including one about the famous pirate Tessa Messa de Delicatessa! Enjoy. Support the show

Liked the episode? Let us know by sending a text message.In this poetry episode, we celebrate the coming of spring and share a little poem about chickadees.Support the show

Liked the episode? Let us know by sending a text message. Time for our first poetry episode! We'll start with something fairly simple: the limerick. Support the show

Liked the episode? Let us know by sending a text message.Time for another Sophie and Sebastian story. Sophie recently broke her arm when she went sledding. Fortunately it was a minor buckle fracture, and she should be better soon. I also wanted to write about people's favourite words, and the way words can start to haunt us when we think about them a lot.Some of the more difficult words in this story are the following:Enjambment: when there is no pause at the end of a line of poetry but the idea spills over to the next line.Flibbertigibbet: a gossipy, talkative personEpiphany: a sudden realization or insight. Also, the Christian feast of Epiphany (Jan. 6) celebrates the revelation of Christ's birth to the magi.Serendipity: when something unexpected happens and it turns out really well. So, what's your favourite word? Support the show