When things get you down, sometimes it helps to imagine you can just take off and fly. The story of a law-abiding citizen – except when it's the law of gravity.

written by Sheila Cowley

performed by Lisa Tricomi

directed by Jim Rayfield

recorded by Chris Cathcart at Opera in the Ozarks

Feature image – "Seeing Is Believing" by Ivy J. at creativeclay.org

Ana hates to admit that she still doesn't know which way is Left and which is Right - but she finds a fun way to remember when she takes a boat ride to see dolphins.

https://www.tbwdiscoverycenter.org

You can find this story in Spanish on our Sparks En Español podcast – and a gorgeous illustrated version on our Sparks Creative Stories YouTube channel.

written and produced by Sheila Cowley performed by Beth Gelman and Jan Neuberger directed by Vickie Daignault

#sensoryfriendlychildren

#audiostoriesforkids

#bilingualstories

Not everybody can get to the beach, but there are so many whales in my imagination. . .

A bilingual bedtime story of imagining the ocean, in English and in Spanish.

written and produced by Sheila Cowley

performed by Dora Arreola and Eugenie Bondurant

translated by Dora Arreola

directed by Jim Rayfield

Inspired by the creative marine researchers at the University of South Florida College of Marine Science, with many thanks to Makenzie Kerr and Dr. Mya Breitbart. Part of a year-long Sparks collaboration with the amazing artists with disabilities at Creative Clay St Pete and amazing scientists at the USF College of Marine Science.

Feature image by Samuel S. from Art & Science Night 2024.

Produced with the support of the National Endowment for the Arts, Creative Pinellas, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners and the State of Florida.

Celebrating the beautiful diversity of families in our world, as a young girl tries to tell the story of her family in a class where creativity bursts beyond all Florida state-mandated lesson plans. A bilingual story of creativity, imagination and resilience – a joyous celebration that welcomes LGBTQIA+ families, blended families, step-families, single parent families, chosen families and friendship, and a child finding beautiful ways to remember when her mother dies. written by Sheila Cowley

performed by Eugenie Bondurant, John Huls, Fernando Chonqui, David Warner and Jay Hoff Recorded live at St Pete Pride and the LGBTQ Resource Center at the Gulfport Library, thanks to a grant from the St Pete Arts Alliance and the St Petersburg Office of Cultural Affairs.

Feature image – Origami Family in a Rocket by Jennifer Ring

Noodle doesn't want to rest like the vet told him to – but his hurt leg won't get better until he discovers that using his imagination can make getting well a little easier. A gentle, funny story about being patient while you're healing.

Written by Sheila Cowley and performed by Vickie Daignault and Kate Young

A small dog barks at buses. . . until he gets to ride one! A story about being scared of new things until you try them – and finding out they're not so scary after all.

Written by Sheila Cowley and performed by David Warner and Kate Young

Feature image – Sunrunner Bus Stop public art installation by Catherine Woods

When you can't sleep, call the Bedtime Bears and a playful bunch will invite you to use your imagination – and use up up today's energy! – before everybody falls asleep.

Written by Sheila Cowley and performed by Dave Waterman

Feature image – Moon over Tampa Bay by David Waterman

A fun story for younger kids learning names of fruits and veg, and the many parts of you!

Written by Sheila Cowley and performed by Fanni Green

Feature image – head gardener Robin Clemmons at Daystar Life Center's Food Pantry Farm