April Eight Songs and Stories

Episodes

• Mookie and the Magic Egg, Story 4

  Listen

  Sep 29 2022

  In Story 4, Mookie comes home to tell his grandpa all about the adventures he and his friends had and the magical creatures they discovered in Hawthorn Grove Woods. Dragons, fairies, kids, and magical cat wizards - there's a lot of fun to be had in this original series of sweet stories from storyteller April Eight. And someone you might know arrives to offer up his  help at the end of this one...  Stay Up Late with April Eight Newsletter - find it at https://aprileightuplate.substack.com/ Find me at aprileight.com...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Mookie and the Magic Egg, Story 3

  Listen

  Jun 23 2022

  Mookie, Larken, Jemi, and Sander follow their fairy friend into the woods to find out how to protect the baby dragon that just hatched out of the egg Mookie had been protecting for weeks. They meet a wise creature, the likes of which they never imagined. What in the world is a Chatabourger? You'll find out in Story 3 of Mookie and the Magic Egg. Find out more at aprileight.com and at instragram.com/aprileightsongsandstories. Stay Up Late with April Eight Newsletter - find it at https://aprileightuplate.substack.com/ Find me at aprileight.com...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• SONG: A Lullaby for a Dragon

  Listen

  Jan 29 2022

  In our last episode, Mookie and his friends watched as a Chromanian Dragon hatched out of her shell. And what could they do with this wee magical creature but rock her to sleep with a baby bottle? ;-)  There's a bit of trouble afoot in Hawthorn Grove, but that's for the next episode! For now, let's sing our dear dragon to sleep with the "Lullaby for a Dragon" that Sander was humming in the last episode. A gentle, magical podcast for innocent ears. Perfect for bedtime, snack, dinner, or car-time – any time you need a sweet, funny, entertaining tale told or song sung. April Eight, Waldorf teacher and world-class storyteller, shares her original fairytales and folk songs to delight and enchant the whole family. Stay Up Late with April Eight Newsletter - find it at https://aprileightuplate.substack.com/ Find me at aprileight.com   ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Mookie and the Magic Egg, Story 2

  Listen

  Dec 30 2021

  Taking care of his chickens is one of Mookie’s favorite things to do. But one day, he was gathering eggs in the chicken coop for his Grandpa and found something quite curious. It was an egg, but certainly not a chicken egg. Still, Mookie cared for the green and blue speckled egg and wondered exactly what or who was in there. Mookie and his Grandpa couldn’t find an egg that looked anything like it in all those books they searched through from the library. Mookie carefully watched over the egg. And when it hatched, he and his friends could not believe their eyes! In our last episode, Mookie and his friends watched as a Chromanian Dragon hatched out of her shell. And what could they do with this wee magical creature but rock her to sleep with a baby bottle? ;-)  There's a bit of trouble afoot in Hawthorn Grove, but that's for the next episode! For now, let's sing our dear dragon to sleep with the "Lullaby for a Dragon" that Sander was humming in the last episode. A gentle, magical podcast for innocent ears. Perfect for bedtime, snack, dinner, or car-time – any time you need a sweet, funny, entertaining tale told or song sung. April Eight, Waldorf teacher and world-class storyteller, shares her original fairytales and folk songs to delight and enchant the whole family. For more April Eight fun, sign up today at  Stay Up Late with April Eight Newsletter - find it at https://aprileightuplate.substack.com/ Find me at aprileight.com  ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• STORY: Mookie and the Magic Egg, Story 1

  Listen

  Sep 09 2021

  “'What do you think it is? It’s getting so big!' Mookie asked Larken as they sat in the basement, staring at the egg." Welcome to Episode 59, "Mookie and the Magic Egg". A gentle, magical tale for innocent ears. Perfect for bedtime, snack-time, dinner-time, car-time, anytime you need a sweet, funny, entertaining tale told. April Eight, Waldorf teacher and "world-class" storyteller, shares her original fairytales to delight and enchant the whole family.  Sign up for joy in your inbox a few times a month at the Stay Up Late with April Eight Newsletter - find it at https://aprileightuplate.substack.com/ Find me at aprileight.com  ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• It's April the Eighth and It's My Birthday!

  Listen

  Apr 08 2021

  I’m having a birthday party and guess who’s here? My Kids Listen podcasting pals from Stoopkids, Dorktales Storytime, Newsy Jacuzzi, Noodle Loaf, At Your Level, The Good Word, Little News Ears, Story On, and Buttons & Figs! You might want to bring your slide whistle!   

  Copy Link to Episode

• SONG: Swinging on a Star

  Listen

  Mar 01 2021

  A Giggle-Along Song from April Eight's childhood, "Swinging on a Star". A funny old-fashioned tune, with a few updated lyrics. Featuring my ukulele! The chorus is, "Would you like to swing on a star, carry moonbeams home in a jar, and be better off than you are? Or would you rather be a...?" Perfect for bedtime, snacktime, car time, or bathtime. Find out more at aprileight.com or on Instagram at @aprileightsongsandstories. 

  Copy Link to Episode

• Fairy, Pixie and Gnome Storytime Questions

  Listen

  Feb 18 2021

  April Eight has a fairytale riddle for you today and a few answers to some questions I have received from a gnome in Canada, a pixie in Ireland. And, a happy birthday to a fairy friend whose party I just could not get to plus a hint at what the next story might just be about… If you have a question from your children, send them to me on Facebook facebook.com/aprileight or on Instagram @aprileightsongsandstories or Twitter @aprileightmusic. Find out more at aprileight.com The April Eight Podcast is perfect at bedtime, bathtime or anytime you and your children need a story. ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• STORY - Larken and the Troll

  Listen

  Feb 08 2021

  Larken and the Troll is an original fairytale for all-ages. “And so, there was Larken, covered in mud, shivering at the back door, socks wet, rain boots lost in a mud puddle and his raincoat who knows where… All his mother could think of to say was, “Larken, you look like a wet rat!” And Larken explained to her, well, he tried at least, over the top of his mug of peppermint tea she’d made for him as he sat by the fire warming up, that it was all on account of a troll. “A TROLL?” Said his mother… Let April Eight’s “magical voice” tell your family a tale both ancient and new.  “We absolutely love April Eight Stories!” - Lynnsey P.  Come find all the goodness at aprileight.com...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 53: SONG: "The Witchy Sing-Along Song"

  Listen

  Oct 28 2020

  Roxie tells a not-really-a-story story about her Halloween past. Of course, like any good witch, the Which Witch likes Halloween so much she wrote a whole song about it – “The Witchy Sing-Along Song”! Find April Eight at -  instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories facebook.com/aprileight aprileight.com And join the April Eight Patreon for lessons and songs, bonus stories, excerpts from April's YA novel, and more - https://www.patreon.com/AprilEight  

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep. 52 SONG: The Cuckoo and the Donkey

  Listen

  May 12 2020

  Today's episode features a traditional, and funny, German song, called the "Cuckoo and the Donkey". Roxie has a bit to say about it... Also, you'll hear the bird songs of the second graders in my class at the Cincinnati Waldorf School! Send me your bird call audio or video online on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram (IG is my favorite) and I just might feature it in a future episode - I'll find it with the hashtag #a8lovesme - because you know I do! Find out more at aprileight.com

  Copy Link to Episode

• STORY 4 of the Lost Fairy Series, "The Forgotten Star"

  Listen

  May 01 2020

  The prince took a step forward. He was just about to speak the magic spell... the magic spell that might just get him his great fairy friend Faith back. What a journey our Fairy Prince Orion has been on. And in today's tale, he knocks on the door of someone who doesn't get a lot of visitors. Who could it be? You'll find out in today's episode, the final story of The Lost Fairy Series.  For more go to aprileight.com

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep. 50 Oh No! April’s Dog Roxie Takes Over the Podcast!

  Listen

  Mar 31 2020

  Well, it looks like Roxie, April’s dog, and podcasting sidekick, is taking over the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast because, no really, April’s daughters have accidentally turned her into a gnome! But no worries, Roxie has all sorts of brilliant songs and, uh, interesting stories to share. What happens next is anybody’s guess but Roxie's having a blast because she's a dog and dogs are awesome. 

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep. 49 A Happy New Year Song!

  Listen

  Jan 12 2020

  I pulled out my ukulele for episode number 49 - a fun song I wrote to ring in the new year. And no matter when you listen to this, you’ll always have a whole year ahead of you, whether it is July 1st or January 1st! Isn’t that a funny idea? April Eight's Happy New Year Song by April Eight  It’s New Years, hey! Such a lovely holiday A whole year ahead for something new… When you shine your light into something bold and bright It makes a magic that will always see you through It’s true! All the rest of the lyrics and uke tabs are on my April Eight Songs & Stories Patreon page. Subscribe at any level and see it all....more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 48, "The Lost Fairy Series, Story 3: The Golden Bee"

  Listen

  Jul 24 2019

  Today's tale is a continuation of our stories from Episode 44 and 46 another episode of part the “The Lost Fairy Series". In today's story, the Fairy Prince meets three new helpers who we've met before on the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast, one of them is quite large! A sweet, funny fairytale story for your kids at bath time, bedtime, car time, and family time.  An excerpt from today's story:  Have you ever flown on the back of a falcon? Well, neither had the fairy prince. Of course, he had flown many times before, being a fairy and all. Flying is a fairy’s preferred mode of transportation, as we all well know. If you had wings, wouldn’t you fly everywhere? Yes, exactly.  Still, falcons fly far higher and faster than any fairy and Haukka was a powerful bird. The prince had been hanging on for dear life to her neck feathers for what felt like hours. Every time Haukka had dipped or swerved he’d been worried that his crown would slide off his head and tumble down down down, far down into the thick forest below.  As some of you may recall, The Fairy Prince had lost his crown once before, and he was not in the business of ever losing it again. Thank goodness that when he had lost it before, his dear friend Faith had rescued his crown and returned it to him before his mother’s birthday party or oh, the trouble he would have been in! Faith was the loyalist friend anyone could ever hope to have.  But Faith. Where was she?... Web: aprileight.com Kids Listen: app.kidslisten.org Insta: instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Facebook: facebook.com/aprileight Get your Reward! patreon.com/aprileight An original Fairytale by April Eight. c2018 All rights reserved. ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 47, SONG: "My Lucky Day"

  Listen

  Jul 07 2019

  It's My Lucky Day! I'm back to my podcast and I have a song to sing for you. It's a stomp and clap song, so get ready to stomp and clap! Great for car time, bedtime, bath time, or anytime you need a little song to sing.  "It's My Lucky Day" by April Eight, copyright 2016 It's my lucky day, it's my lucky day, it's my lucky dayBrother sun shine down on me Sister moon she done set us free. Look around and you will see This old world is the place to be. And it's my lucky day, it's my lucky day, it's my lucky day... From Juntember to Saturday All good things gonna come my way.There is peace between all of us,In this old life, that's enough. And it's my lucky day, it's my lucky day, it's my lucky day... Everybody talk and don't listen at allThey say pride goes first before a fallI can tell you a thing or two,But I can only tell you for myself what's true. And it's my lucky day, it's my lucky day, it's my lucky day... Brother sun shine down on me Sister moon she done set us free. Look around and you will see This old world is the place to be. And it's my lucky day, it's my lucky day, it's my lucky day... __ There's a craft posted up on the aprileight.com website, come make something, or is that someone fun with me. ;-)...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• EP 46, "The Lost Fairy Series Story 2: In the Forest du Lutin"

  Listen

  Jan 29 2019

  Today's tale is a continuation of our story from Episode 44, “The Lost Fairy Series Story 1, The Tiny Trumpet”. In today's story, the Fairy Prince and his fairy fellows set out on a journey to find a lost friend. They stop for a rest and run into some pixie problems... A sweet, funny fairytale story for your kids at bath time, bedtime, car time, and family time.  An excerpt from today's story:  “Oh no! It’s raining!” said Geraud in a panic, diving under a leaf to keep his wings dry. “What do you mean, I”m not getting wet?” said the Prince. Iris looked up, “That’s not rain, it’s pixies!” she shouted, pointing to the trees above them. Pixie giggles filled the air. Tee hee hee Tee hee hee... “Oh, not pixies!” cried the Fairy Prince! And there, standing on the branches of the tree above the Prince, as naughty as could be, were a dozen little pixies holding buckets of water. And the next thing the fairies knew, they were pouring water all over them. “I knew landing in the forest du Lutin was a mistake,” sputtered Iris, her delicate purple wings now drenched from the buckets of pixie water. “We can’t fly away with wet wings!” “Tee heee tee heeee thee heeeeeee!” giggled the pixies. “Fairies are so much fun! We love fairies!” And the Pixies were so delighted with themselves that they began to sing a little song that went just like this: "Oh fairies so pretty, oh fairies so wise But when you get ‘em wet these fairies can’t flies (tee hee hee hee) Yes they’ll howl and scold us, but what can they do, For a wee soggy fairy can’t chase after you! Pixies play tricks! Pixies play pranks! Pixies Pixies Pixies, Hooray Hooray!   Tee hee heee heee teee heee hee!" But the Pixies didn’t quite know who they were dealing with here… this wasn’t just any group of fairies… If you'd like to hear the story I'm referring to in this story, listen to episode 36: "The Two Sister and the Wolf".  Web: aprileight.com Kids Listen: app.kidslisten.org Insta: instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Facebook: facebook.com/aprileight Get your Reward! patreon.com/aprileight An original Fairytale by April Eight. c2018 All rights reserved. ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 45 SONG: Halloween Songs!

  Listen

  Oct 21 2018

  Happy Halloween! Now I have a few songs for you! Are you ready to sing? Great for car time, bed time, bath time, or anytime you need a little song to sing for Halloween.  Out in the night, there’s an eerie weary soundDown from the darkness and rising from the groundWitches and goblins are gathering aroundFor it’s Halloween! I learned the next song I am going to share with you from one of my first graders at the Cincinnati Waldorf School. Her name is Sophia. Isn’t it funny when you teach something to your teacher? It happens more than you know, dear children, more than you could ever know. Here it is:Halloween, there are witches in the air Halloween, and goblins everywhereSo beware, oh beware, or they’ll pull your hair! And I want to let you know that my friendly fellow podcasters have some Halloween stories for you while you wait to find out what happens next in my story about the Lost Fairy. Rhea over at the Little Stories for Tiny People Podcast has a very silly story about mistaken identities and friendship on Halloween! And of course, my wonderful friend David at the Sparkle Stories Podcast has a story wondering what would happen if all the children suddenly turned into their Halloween costumes! Wouldn’t that be fun? Fiddle Faddle Fee - that’s a little minute with me. And keep listening. I’ll have another lost fairy story for you soon. And have you heard my Gilbert Goblin Halloween stories yet? They are easy to find at aprileight.com. Or You can find them on the KidsListen app along with the podcasts I mentioned before. Check it out and see what I mean. Either way, it’s free!  ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• EP 44, "The Lost Fairy Series Story 1: The Tiny Trumpet"

  Listen

  Oct 06 2018

  Today's story has Jemi and Sander in it. Did you know they were friends? They have some magical visitors who have come in search of a lost fairy that Jemi knows. Fortunately, Sander has an idea of a way to help all the important guests who land in Jemi's backyard. A tale of friendship and kindness. And Thom and Brizbane are there too! A great story for your kids at bath time, bedtime, car time, and family time.  This is the beginning of a series of stories I've been working on for a while. You'll find many of our old friends from other stories I've shared on the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. But of course, if you have never heard a single one, you'll still be able to enjoy the tale. So come on. let's get on with it!  If you'd like to hear the stories I'm referring to, then please listen to the first 10 episodes of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast, as well as episode 20, The Lost Giant.  Web: aprileight.com Kids Listen: app.kidslisten.org Insta: instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Facebook: facebook.com/aprileight Get your Reward! patreon.com/aprileight An original Fairytale by April Eight. c2018 All rights reserved. ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 43 SONG - A Summer Song - "Wild Mountain Thyme"

  Listen

  Jun 22 2018

  Episode 43 is a song! It is a welcome to summer song because today, my friends, summer officially begins here in the United States. This is also the beginning of Season 5 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. I’ve been making this podcast for 2 years now, and I’m so glad that I started it. I love my listeners so much and I have new stories coming your way in the month of July. The next one has Jemi in it! If you don’t know who Jemi is, look no further than the aprileight.com website! Jemi was the friend we met in Episode 1 and she is the first character I ever made for April Eight. You can listen to all three episodes of that story right here.  But now, down to business. We’ve got a song to sing. This one is an old favorite of mine, it is called Wild Mountain Thyme by Francis McPeake. It is an old Scottish song, and I like that because I’ve got some Scottish in me. I love to sing this with my children and I can’t wait to sing it with you. Here is how the chorus goes. Will you go Lassie go, and we’ll all go together, to pull wild mountain thyme all around the purple heather, will you go Lassie go… Now, do you know what a Lassie is? THat’s just another way that Scottish people say “girl”. If you’d rather sing it to a boy, you can say, Laddie, if you want. Whatever works for you works for me. Will you go, Lassie go? New stories are coming in July!...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 42 "Story 4: The Two Sisters and The Wolf"

  Listen

  Apr 03 2018

  The last story of the Two Sisters and the Wolf Series - Two sisters, Sar and Neiva, travel through forests, mountains and now a dense fog to reach the Fairy Ice Skating Ball. Will they make it in time or get lost in the mists? A great fairytale story for your kids at bath time, bedtime, car time, and family time with a sweet, happy ending.  This story might remind you of April Eight Songs & Stories Episode 19, "Grammy and the Star Soup" - listen to that one and this one and see how they are alike and how they are different.  Web: aprileight.com Kids Listen: app.kidslisten.org Insta: instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Facebook: facebook.com/aprileight Get your Reward! patreon.com/aprileight Here is an excerpt from today's story:  “I suppose this is why folks call this place the Veiled Valley”, said Neiva. “But I think we can make it, sister. We have wolf and wolf can find anything.” Neiva ran her hand through wolf’s thick fur. “Right wolf?” she said. Wolf licked her hand and Sar nodded. Wolf *could* find anything. Still, Neiva tried not to think of her dream. She didn’t like this mist at all, and she didn’t want her sister to worry. Neiva was worrying enough for both of them... An original Fairytale by April Eight. c2018       ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 41 Song: "Winter Lullaby, Time to Sleep"

  Listen

  Feb 21 2018

  Episode 41 is a Song! It is a winter lullaby called "Time to Sleep". If you ever listened to Episode 18 Meggie and Felix and the Snowy Little Minute, well then you might know it. If so, then please, by all means, sing along with me! And listen for characters you’ve heard about in some of the April Eight Songs & Stories podcast episodes, like goblins and fairies. http://www.aprileight.com Choose your reward and keep this show singing and storying at http://www.patreon.com/aprileight http://www.instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstoriespodcast http://facebook.com/aprileight Time to Sleep by April Eight Time to sleep Winter's a dreamy time to sleep Curl up tight When the sun goes dim, it's time to turn in... Time to dream Soar through the stars on your fairy wings Howl at the moon like a goblin sings It is your dream to dream When the snow drifts have settled and the birds say goodbye The shelter of slumber kisses your sweet eyes Let go your troubles with your heart on your sleeve the world's at your feet let your dreamer dream.  Time to dream Soar through the stars on your fairy wings Howl at the moon like a goblin sings It is your dream to dream Time to sleep Winter's a dreamy time to sleep Curl up tight When the sun goes dim, it's time to turn in... Until Spring comes again.  Please share the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast with your friends and family and take a minute to write a review to help other parents find these stories for their kids. Until we meet again, remember, i love you and you are wonderful, just as you are right now. © April Eight 2018. All rights reserved. ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 40 "Story 3: The Two Sisters and the Wolf"

  Listen

  Feb 16 2018

  While traveling through the woods, two sisters come across a golden moose in great distress. Yet they are breaking all the rules by helping him - what will they do? A great story for your kids at bath time, bedtime, car time, and family time. This one has a little listener participation in it!  Web: aprileight.com Kids Listen: app.kidslisten.org Insta: instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Facebook: facebook.com/aprileight Get your Reward! patreon.com/aprileight Here is an excerpt from today's episode:  Sar and Neiva looked around. They did not want to get caught breaking the rules about stepping off the high road or touching the Giant King’s animals. And yet, here they were, standing near a giant shiny animal who was making the loudest noise anyone could possibly make. How could they possibly NOT get caught? Still. The girls were determined. They couldn’t just leave him there. Sar dropped her pack on a nearby boulder and carefully approached the golden moose. He was thrashing his huge head around and stomping his powerful hooves in the snow, trying to get his antlers out of branches. “Be careful,” whispered Neiva to her sister. But it was under her breath. There was no way Sar could have heard her over the howls and thrashings of this desperate creature. Sar walking delicately through the snow, singing her most soothing song to calm the creature. (SONG) An original Fairytale by April Eight. c2018 ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 39 Song: "Sarah Shining"

  Listen

  Feb 12 2018

  Episode 39 is a song episode. Today’s song is one of my favorites. Hmmmm, I think I say that every time don’t I? Well my friends, I love to sing. I wrote this song for one of my listeners when she was 6 years old. Well, she must be 12 years old today! This song is about shining with your heart - no matter what!  A great song for your kids at bath time, bedtime, car time, and family time.  http://www.aprileight.com Choose your reward and keep this show singing and storying at http://www.patreon.com/aprileight http://www.instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstoriespodcast http://facebook.com/aprileight   Sarah Shining by April Eight c 2012 Sarah it’s a lovely day The wind blows cold and the skies are grey Even the flowers are hiding away But who cares for we have you, Shining through.   Sarah smile for us. Share the spark that shines from your heart There’s nothing more that the world could hope for Than the wonderful girl that is you, Shining through.   Sarah happy birthday to you Six years old, so much to be and do Remember the light that shines in you Can never go away, Even on the greyest of days You’ll shine through Oh oh You’ll shine through. Happy 12th birthday, Sarah. Today’s episode is part of the All Kinds Of Love podcast series from Kids Listen. You can use the Kids Listen app or go to kids Listen dot org to find quality podcast shows for young listeners on this theme. Like Brains On. Their episode All Kinds of Love episode is about a snail named Sandy who looking for a snail partner who understands her. #AllKindofLove #kidsListen All songs copyright 2012, April Eight. All rights reserved. ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 38 "Story 2: The Two Sisters and the Wolf"

  Listen

  Feb 07 2018

  On their way through the snowy mountains of Way Over There, two sisters and their wolf encounter a magical creature who needs their help. But to step off the High Road to his aid means breaking the rules of the fearsome Giant King and risk everything. What will they do? A great story for your kids at bath time, bedtime, car time, and family time.  Web: aprileight.com Kids Listen: app.kidslisten.org Insta: instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Facebook: facebook.com/aprileight Get your Reward! patreon.com/aprileight and I also mention Kids Listen friend Brains On in this episode. #AllKindsOfLove Here is an excerpt from today's story: The fairy sisters left the pixies far behind as they followed their wolf through the ancient snowy forest until it began to thin out and grow steeper. Haukka scouted up ahead. She called down to let them know that they were coming to the foothills of the mountains. The Mountains of Way Over There they were called, but the girls always thought of them as the Mountains of the Giants. They avoided them if they could. For giants had lived in these snowy peaks for uncountable centuries and giants well, they weren’t always friendly. As they hiked, the sisters could see a small village in the distance where gray smoke wsa curling up from stone chimneys to join the gray of the winter sky. Villagers often told tales of these giants as they sat around their fires at night. Oh, for giants are great fearsome creatures who rule their territories with such strength that all who pass through their mountains never ventured off the High Road, the one and only road that lead through these peaks. To wander off the High Road, well, that was just not done, for the price, oh the price, it was was much too terrible to pay. For giants in general were not, let us say, flexible thinkers. And the least flexible thinker of all was the Giant King himself, who loved his mountains and all of his animals that lived within their rolling borders.  l, the price paid for such a venture was very steep, much steeper than the mountains themselves. For if you broke the rules and were caught, well, you might forever be a servant to the Giant King. Perhaps if you lived in the mountain’s village you were safe, but a stranger, oh no. Don’t go off the road! And so the sisters and the wolf stayed on the High Road. It was long and winding as it swooped up steep mountain slopes and down long narrow ridges. The steady foot of the wolf never slipped, never stumbled. And these Earth fairies, they too walked with sure feet that no human possessed... An original Fairytale by April Eight. c2018   ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 37 Song: "The Wasssail Song"

  Listen

  Dec 30 2017

  Today’s Episode is a song - “The Wassailing Song” - to welcome in the new year.  Hello and welcome. I’m so glad you are here. Have you been home for winter break? My whole family is home today, and they are little bit noisy. Of course, they are not as noisy as tiny little Roxie is all by herself because they don’t bark, but you might hear them in the background. They are downstairs right now working on a puzzle and watching a soccer game - if someone scores a goal, oh, we’ll all know about it, dear listener.     http://www.aprileight.com Choose your reward and support this show at http://www.patreon.com/aprileight http://www.instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstoriespodcast http://facebook.com/aprileight   Now, today I have an ancient song to sing for you in celebration of the new year and all the good that comes from kindness and wishing your neighbor well. I’m going to sing the Wassailing Song. Do you know it? Did you know that this song, some say, has been sung for over a thousand years? I hope you’ll sing with me. "The Wassail Song" Here we come a-wassailing Among the leaves so green, Here we come a-wand'ring So fair to be seen. Love and joy come to you, And to you good wassail, too, And God bless you, and send you A Happy New Year, And God send you a Happy New Year.   We are not daily beggers Who beg from door to door, But we are neighbors' children Whom you have seen before Love and joy come to you, And to you good wassail, too, And God bless you, and send you A Happy New Year, And God send you a Happy New Year.   God bless the master of this house, Likewise the mistress too; And all the little children who round the table go. Love and joy come to you, And to you good wassail, too, And God bless you, and send you A Happy New Year, And God send you a Happy New Year." Love and joy come to you indeed, my dear listeners. Spring Sprang Sprong, I hoped you liked my song and that you’ll sing the wassail song to welcome in the new year. Come back soon and I’ll have more of the fairy story of the Two Sisters and the Wolf. There are going to be GIANTS in the next episode...  Thank you for listening to the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. For all things April Eight, please go to aprileight.com. And to support this show, please go to patreon.com/aprileight and choose what fun reward suits your family. And until we meet again, remember, I love you and you are wonderful, just as you are right now.  ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 36 "Story 1: The Two Sisters and the Wolf"

  Listen

  Dec 29 2017

  On their way through the winter forest, through enchanted kingdoms and realms, two sisters and their Wolf trek for days to the Fairy Ice Skating Ball to celebrate the new year, sleeping under the stars as they go. Will they get there in time? Who will they meet? And where is Haukka?  Oh, and there might just be a pixie snowball fight in this story.... Web: aprileight.com Kids Listen: app.kidslisten.org Insta: instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Facebook: facebook.com/aprileight Get your Reward! patreon.com/aprileight  Here is an excerpt from today's story: Walking into the sunlight and the snow, Sar following where the wolf lead, leaving wolf tracks behind them for Neiva to follow as they picked their way deeper and deeper into the depths of the winter forest. The watchful yellow eyes of the wolf, keen to keep Sar close, kept flicking back to make sure she was there. Of course, the wolf didn’t need to look. He heard every noise that hung in the air. The almost imperceptibly silent sound of snowfall, of bird perched on the branches of the dark trees above, the swish of the wind breezing through the pines, and the breath of his dear Sar walking behind, her feet crunching through the drifts of whiteness. Now you might be wondering what this girl is doing in the woods alone with a wolf. Well, if I weren’t telling this story, I’d be wondering that too. But the answer is, they’d always been like this, wolf and girl, companions and friends, from the earliest the girl could remember. For Sar was the wolf and the wolf was Sar. Oh, and also... An original Fairytale by April Eight. c2018 - This is a backstory for a novel I've been writing for a few years. I am so excited to share this tale with you, my dear listeners.  xxoxoxo April  ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep. 35 Song: For Hanukkah, "In the Window"

  Listen

  Dec 17 2017

  Today’s Episode is called “In the Window” it is Episode 35!   I am so excited because today I have a Hanukkah song for you that I get to sing with my dear 7 year old nephew Sander, one of my favorite kids in the whole wide world. Now, some of you might be wondering if he is the same Sander who helped a giant in the Episode 20, “Sander and the Lost Giant’. Well, yes, in fact, he is. Only he might have just met that giant in my imagination… but Sander does have a fuzzy funny little dog named Birdie. That part is absolutely real!   Now, this is one of my favorite times of the year. Yes, it is so dark because it is almost the solstice, the longest darkest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, but that is why, have you noticed, so many different cultures and religions celebrate the light that we people can bring to each other. One of those celebrations is Hanukkah, a festival of lights that people of the Jewish religion observe. Each night they light one more candle on the menorah. http://www.aprileight.com Choose your reward and support this show at http://www.patreon.com/aprileight http://www.instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstoriespodcast http://facebook.com/aprileight This song goes like this: In the window, where you can see the glow of my menorah on newly fallen snow, I will light you one little candle on this the first night of Hanukkah. And then we add a candle until there are eight. Are you ready? Here we go…. “In the Window” In the window where you can see the light of my menorah on newly fallen snow, I will send you one little candle on this the first night of Hanukkah. -- I’d like to thank my brother James for singing with us too, did you hear him? James has a wonderful band called Great Willow that lots of adults like. Maybe your folks would like his beautiful song, “Many Things”. Spring Sprang Sprong, I hoped you liked my song and, if you celebrate Hanukkah, I hope you enjoy it with your dearest ones. Come back soon and I’ll have a fairy story for you for the solstice and a Merry Christmas song too. Thank you for listening to the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. For all things April Eight, please go to aprileight.com. And to support this show, please go to patreon.com/aprileight and choose what fun reward suits your family....more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep. 34 Story 2: The Which Witch and the Goblin

  Listen

  Dec 05 2017

  Story 2: A goblin, a witch, and a muddy white cat walk into a Goblin Gathering... A shy young goblin named Gilbert looks for help from the dreaded Which Witch and her cat Jinxy to speak before the Goblin Council at the Great Goblin Gathering on Halloween night. A delgithful  story for your kids at bath time, bedtime, car time, and family time.  Web: aprileight.com Kids Listen: app.kidslisten.org Insta: instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Facebook: facebook.com/aprileight Get your Reward! patreon.com/aprileight Here is an excerpt from today's story: “You must have been pretty desperate to come to my door,” said the Which Witch.  “What were you hoping I would do for you, Gilbert Goblin? Create a magical spell that would give you the courage to speak before the Great Goblin Gathering?” Gilbert nodded. For the great Goblin Gathering was a night when every goblin stood before the whole goblin assembly and bragged about all the gobliny things they have done over the course of a long year. But Gilbert, being a very shy, rather nervous little goblin, was terrified to even stand before the goblin hordes all alone, let alone brag about his deeds. The Which Witch tried to use her immense powers of imagination to imagine Gilbert standing in front of the hall, confidently boasting about all that he had done that year. Even she, the conjuror or conjurors, couldn’t see it. Well, not yet, anyway… Hmmmm…. “Tell me your goblin deeds, Gilbert,” the Which Witch said, “Let’s make a list. It will make it easier when it is your turn to speak at the Goblin Gathering. You’ll have all of the gobliny things you’ve done all year long practiced in your head. Go ahead, dear. Go ahead… what have you done? ” The Witch pulled a paper and a quill from her desk drawer, dipped it in blackberry ink and readied herself to take down Gilbert’s long list of Goblin deeds. “Um, OK. Um…. yesterday I, I, I, I  helped a snail across a busy road. And, uh, I um, I found a woman’s hat in the lane so I, well, I put it on her front porch so she would find it. Oh, and I, I, I, I closed someone’s mailbox when it was raining in on their letters. And I also, well, I carried a baby squirrel up into the tree when he fell out of his nest.” “Oh Gilbert!” moaned the Which Witch. “This is terrible! These are not goblin deeds! These are good deeds! What are you thinking?  You’ve been too kind, too helpful and too, thoughtful. This is dreadful! You are supposed to make things harder for others, not easier!!” she shook her head, “ What kind of goblin are you? Oh my oh my. The Goblin Council will not be happy.” The Which Witch shook her head in despair.  Thank you for listening. If you’ve been enjoying these fairytales that I write for your children and for you, and for everyone who has an innocent heart. I’d love to hear from you – you can leave a comment below, on Facebook or send me an email. Or, leave a review on your favorite podcast venue and let everyone know. Spreading the word is a lovely thing to do. April Eight has been cited as a podcast expert by the Download on Podcasting. How fancy is that?   © 2017 April Eight "The Goblin Dance" was written and performed by April Eight, all rights reserved.   ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 33 A Song Blessing of Gratitude for Thanksgiving

  Listen

  Nov 22 2017

  Welcome to Episode 33 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today’s song is one of gratitude to celebrate Thanksgiving Day in the United States. April Eight is great for your kids at while you are making dinner, at bathtime, bedtime, car time, and family time.  I learned this song from a Norwegian farmer named, Benta, who lives up in Wisconsin. She also taught me how to milk sheep and goats which was wonderful.  patreon.com/aprileight aprileight.com instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories facebook.com/aprileight twitter.com/aprileightmusic It goes like this: Bread is a lovely thing to eat, God Bless the barley and the wheat, a lovely thing to breath this air, God bless the sunshine everywhere, The Earth is a lovely place to know God bless the folks that come and go Alive is a lovely thing to be Giver of life, we say thanks to thee. Thank you for listening to the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. For all things April Eight, please go to aprileight.com. And to support this show, please go to patreon.com/aprileight and chose what fun reward suits your family....more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep. 32 Story 1: The Which Witch and the Goblin

  Listen

  Oct 25 2017

  I’m so excited to have a Halloween Story for you today called "The Which Witch and the Goblin", it is Episode 32! Story 1 : On Halloween night, all goblins gather at Great Goblin Hall to share their tales of the gobliny deeds they've done throughout the year. But Gilbert Goblin doesn't want to - it's too scary! Gilbert goes to the tricky Which Witch for advice. Will she and her cat Jinxy help him or trick him? A special Halloween story about following your heart and honoring your own voice. Web: aprileight.com Kids Listen: app.kidslisten.org Insta: instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Facebook: facebook.com/aprileight Get your Reward! patreon.com/aprileight Now some of my friends and fellow podcasters at Kids Listen are telling Halloween stories too --Just for kids like you! My pal David at Sparkle Stories is sharing a story all about the Teal Pumpkin Project and two best friends who love to go Trick or Treating together only one of them has a food allergy. What will they do? GO find out on the Sparkle Stories Podcast.  And a great place to listen to carefully curated podcast just for kids is on the Kids Listen app. Find it on iTunes. Hooray. Now for Today's Story:    The Which Witch was alone. Of course, that’s just the way she liked it. Ah, solitude. Time to think, time to experiment, time to reread her favorite book, Poisons, Potions, and Perceptions. She was alone for now, but someone was coming to find her. She could feel him on his way. Someone small. Someone confused and worried too. But isn’t that how almost everyone who came to visit the Which Witch felt? No one ever WANTED to visit the Which Witch, so when she did have a visitor, they were usually feeling pretty desperate.   For the Which Witch’s powers: her strength, her magic, her intelligence and her intuition were known far and wide. Everyone feared her, for the conjuring and trickery she could do was beyond the understanding of almost everyone - gnomes, fairies, woodland creatures, pixies and, of course, humans, – were all bedazzled and alarmed by her potent witchcrafting. And what folks don’t understand, well, it scares them sometimes, doesn’t it? Was she a good witch? Was she a bad witch? Who’s to say? She wasn’t called the Which Witch for nothing. You never knew which witch you’d get when you knocked upon her door, so few people ever did unless…   ...The Which Witch’s keen ears picked up the quietest little tap upon her door, so quiet that it sounded like the knock of someone who really didn’t want the witch to even hear it, so quiet was it that it made the Which Witch chuckled to herself. (CHUCKLE)   “I can hear you little goblin. Oh, I can hear you.”   Thank you for listening to the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. For all things April Eight, please go to aprileight.com. And to support this show, please go to patreon.com/aprileight and chose what fun reward suits your family....more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 31 SONG: Season 4 Launch! "Gnomes Are Short"

  Listen

  Oct 19 2017

  Today we launch Season 4 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast with a few special guests! The Which Witch is here and Gilbert Goblin stopped by to sing with me The Merry Gnomes Song - "Gnomes are Short” a fun song in the round and a fun podcast episode for your kids at bath time, bedtime, car time and family time. Hello my friends, and welcome to Season 4 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Oh, I know, I have been away too, too long, but instead of writing stories I’ve been doing all sorts of things to make listening to my April Eight Songs and Stories podcast easier for you and your family. For one thing, I built a whole new website all by myself, which was a little harder than I expected. But it is done now, so go look at it and tell me what you think. It is still at aprileight.com - and that eight is always spelled out, e-i-g-h-t. http://www.aprileight.com Choose your reward and support this show at http://www.patreon.com/aprileight Alright, down to business. I have a silly song to share with you that I learned from my music teacher friend Ms.  Biederman. It goes like this… The Merry Gnomes Round - "Gnomes Are Short" Hi ho cried the merry gnomes It is off to the woods we (x) are (x) We’d like to stay but time is ( x  x)  short Now this is a song that is good to sing with a few friends because, if you do, you can sing it in the ROUND. I invited two of my friends to come in and sing with me.  Dear Listeners, do you remember the Which Witch from Episode 14 of The Fairy Queen and the Three Brothers series? Well, since it is almost Halloween, I thought it would be nice to invite my favorite Witch over to sing with me. How lucky am I that she said yes? A8 “Yes, thank you Which Witch. I truly appreciate you coming to sing with me today.” W “Oh well, was it a good choice or a bad choice? You can decide when it is over… hee hee hee. How do you know I can even carry a tune? Hmmmmm?’ I can't get my friend Gilbert Goblin to sing with us and so I call my daughter in to sing with us. And she said,  “Oh…. wow. Mom? There is actually a witch in your office. You take this fairytale thing pretty seriously! Uh…. Nice to meet you, Which Witch.” Mia and the Which Witch and I sang together and it was silly and then I said, ...Thank you so much for helping me launch Season 4, Which Witch and Mia. I really appreciate it. Fiddle Faddle Fee that’s a little minute with me. I hope all of you friends and listeners out there teach "Gnomes are Short" to your friends and sing it all season. Come back next week and find out what happens when the Which Witch meets Gilbert, our little goblin friend here. It is a Halloween Fairytale story episode….  Thank you for listening to the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. For all things April Eight, please go to aprileight.com. And to support this show, please go to patreon.com/aprileight and chose what fun reward suits your family. http://www.aprileight.com Choose your reward and support this show at http://www.patreon.com/aprileight...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 30 STORY & SONGS: Charlie and Lucy on the Road, A Sing-Along Episode

  Listen

  Jul 13 2017

  Welcome to Episode 27 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today’s story is called “Charlie and Lucy on the Road, a Sing-Along Episode,“ a great story for your kids at bath time, bedtime, car time, and family time.    Now it is a Sing-Along Episode, so I hope you have your singing voice ready. Charlie and Lucy told me to tell you not to worry. They said that the more out of tune and goofy you are, the more fun everyone will have. So sing with all your heart and don’t worry too much about the rest.  I'm so glad you are here, and I can't wait to tell you today's story. Find more April Eight at  aprileight.com Instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories YouTube.com/aprileightmusicFacebook.com/aprileight Today's story references a few other great podcasts for kids as part of our Kids Listen "Hit the Road" Sweeps - you can find them all at app.kidslisten.org.  The podcasts I share are  The Alien Adventures of Finn Caspian Buttons & Figs Good Stuff Kids Podcast and my story The Butterfly Adventurer - for the Wander Song....  Here is an excerpt from today's episode:  --- Charlie and Lucy climbed into the rental car. Ugh. They were going to have to sit there in the back seat for HOURS! HOURS! They’d already been on a plane, which was pretty cool actually, soaring above the birds, above the clouds. They’d seen the tops of mountains covered in snow even in the summer-time and the patterns of rectangles that mom said were farm fields lying like a patchwork quilt across the Earth. Charlie watched as the fluff of white and gray clouds moved at their leisure, casting shadows across the countryside below. Lucy was fascinated by wanderings of the rivers as they wound themselves first one way and then another, never in a straight line, as they cut across the world below them. Lakes shimmered in the sun and looked like puddles from so far above. And then they’d seen the city, all gridded out, with buildings and busy cars, trains and trucks, all moving like tiny ants. And the airport with all of its flashing lights and runways and then they’d landed. Oh, it took forever for them to get their luggage and keys to the rental car and CHARLIE AND LUCY WERE SO HUNGRY! Aunt Cookie and mom were taking them on a big adventure all along the coast of Maine. Charlie and Lucy were pretty excited. They’d been pouring over the map of Maine for weeks. And now here they were. Hey, Wait a minute, Aunt Cookie? Charlie and Lucy have an Aunt Cookie? Well, yes they do. Her real name is Karen,  but they’ve always called her Cookie. --- "The Rock Island Line" is a Leadbelly tune.  "The Happy Wanderer" was written by Antonia Ridge and Friedrich Moller in 1954 "Aikendrum" is a traditional Scottish folk song.  "Do Your Ears Hang Low" is a traditional English folk song. Thank you for listening. If you’ve been enjoying these fairytales that I write for your children and for you, and for everyone who has an innocent heart. I’d love to hear from you – you can leave a comment below, on Facebook or send me an email. Or, leave a review on your favorite podcast venue and let everyone know. Spreading the word is a lovely thing to do. April Eight has been cited as an expert by the Download on Podcasting. How fancy is that?   © 2017 April Eight, except songs cited above, all rights reserved.     ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep. 29 Story 3: Quinn Quillow and the Blue Ribbon

  Listen

  Jul 06 2017

  Welcome to Episode 29 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today’s story is “Story 3 - Quinn Quillow and the Blue Ribbon", a great story for your kids at bathtime, bedtime, car time, and family time.  aprileight.com instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories facebook.com/aprileight twitter.com/aprileightmusic Quinn Quillow is a storycatcher. On his way to the Town Beside the River with the Leaning Clock Tower, he caught this tale, and he is now sharing it with the townspeople young and old. Today's we here the last part of the story, "Quinn Quillow and the Blue Ribbon." It made me laugh when I wrote it, and I hope it makes you laugh too. It is up to Stella Squirrel and her buddy It is up to Stella Squirrel and her buddy Brizbane, a tiny mouse with a lot of attitude, to see if they can get the lost ribbon from Mrs. Robin's nest. Here is an excerpt from today's story...  --  Stella was pulled out of her chestnut stew reveries by the sound of a shrill small voice calling up to her, “Stella! Stella!” And there on the ground, way, way, way below, almost just a tiny speck of trouble he was, a small mouse, the smallest mouse the Old Woman had ever seen, was calling up from the ground. He was waving his arms vigorously or she’d never even have seen him.“Stella! Are you up there? Come down and get me, will ya?” “Brizbane!” Stella called and she gave a “Chickory!” of delight at the sight of her wee friend. And with a flick of her tail, Stella Squirrel skittered down the oak and then right back up again with the small mouse riding astride her like a horse and holding tightly to the fur of her neck to keep from falling to the ground. “What are we doing? Why did you call me? Is there danger maybe” he said hopefully, “Because I love danger... ” Brizbane said jumping off of Stella’s back and bowing grandly to the Alice and the old woman. The Old Woman chuckled and smiled at Brizbane. “Thank you for coming to my home. It is nice to meet you, wee mouse.” “Who you callin’ a mouse? I am not a mouse. I am Brizbane, the Conquer.”  said Brizbane, flexing his “muscles”. “Oh, yes, of course. Nice to meet you Brizbane the Conquerer,” said the mourning dove. She seemed to be trying not to laugh…. Stella said to her friend, “Brizbane, thanks for coming. I am glad you are here because I need your help. Here is what’s going on.” and she explained the whole story to her jaunty friend. Once he’d heard the details, Brizbane’s eyes sparkled with glee. “Yeah, that sounds nice and terrifyingly dangerous what with the mama robin and her sharp beak, protecting her babies! Good thing I brought my sword!” he said, pulling out a tiny twig strapped to his waist that none of them had even noticed. “I’m in! Let’s go!” said Brizbane. “I don’t believe you’ll be needing a sword.” said the old woman gently. Brizbane sighed and put his sword away. Then he swung back up on Stella’s back and off she flew as only a squirrel can do - sprinting across branches, scurrying up and down and around tree trunks, nimbly leaping from maple to elm, hackberry to birch. Brizbane was quite dizzy by the time they got to the foot of Mrs. Robin’s tree, and he slid off of Stella’s back to catch his breath. “What’s the matter?” asked Stella in confused and concerned. --- Subscribe today and never miss an episode! Now this story references a few other stories, including the return of Brizbane the Conquerer from Episode 6, "Thom and the Goblins".  Listeners, do you remember what other story Brizbane showed up in when he wasn't with his best friend, Thom Gnome?  Thank you for listening to the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. If you’ve been enjoying these tales, please let me know. I’d love to hear from you – you can leave a comment below, on Facebook or send me an email. And come be my friend on instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories where I have so much fun. Or, leave a review on your favorite podcast venue and let other parents know you the value these stories have brought to your family. Spreading the word is the nicest thing you could do for this podcast. xoxo! As Quinn Quillow says at the end of the story, "A tale I’ve told, a tale I shared, a tale that had never been told. But if I can tell it, it must come from somewhere. But where? We may never know. And I’ll ask you, where did it go...?"  All songs, stories, and illustrations are copyrighted by me, ©April Eight 2017. It is my favorite thing to do!    ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep. 28 SONG: A Little Minute about Us!

  Listen

  Jun 14 2017

   Today’s episode is called “A Little Minute about Us!” because today’s episode is the one-year anniversary of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast! It is Episode 28! I called it a little minute about us because I love us, you and me together, so much! I have loved sharing my songs and stories and joy with you, my dear listeners. And we’ve been doing that for a whole year! Can you believe it? A whole year of fun for your kids at bathtime, bedtime, car time and family time.  Find more April Eight at  aprileight.com Instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories YouTube.com/aprileightmusicFacebook.com/aprileight If April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast was a one-year-old baby whale, it would be almost 43 feet long even though it is still practically a baby! (or 13 meters for those of you who measure that way). But instead of growing I’ve been writing! I’ve written 24 stories, shared 5 different little minutes with you, well six including this one, sung lots of silly and sweet songs and come up with as many different voices as I could think of for a whole bunch of characters I hope you’ve enjoyed, from opossums to fairy queens, gnomes to woodsman to falcons, grouchy brothers who turn into kind brothers, and a small mouse with a whole lot of attitude. Do you have a favorites character? Stop by my April Eight Facebook page and let me know. Oh, how I would love to hear about that! So I’d like to send a big shout out of love to Sander and Emerson, Victor and Vivia and their Grandma Susan, to Bonnie, my mom, to Hunter and Mae and Elsie, to Griffin and Nathan and Jonathan, Neala and Taylor, Kaya and Shae, to Annarose and Elias, to Ethan and Verity, to Izzy and Liam, Summer and Annabel, Matia and Ezra, Carolyn and Ollie, Aliza and Nez, Noah, Liam and Theo, Noah and Audrey, Grace, Charlotte and Adelynn and Stone and Solen. And a big thank you to the Cincinnati Waldorf School - you've been such a big inspiration to me. And to my kids-podcasting pals at KIDSLISTEN.ORG, I get to hang out with the coolest people in podcasting. And all of you who have been listening in Iceland - I wrote a report on Iceland when I was in the 6th grade and I’ve been in love with it ever since, so HELLO!  Ireland, and Scotland, Australia, Germany and Vive La France, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Japan and our neighbors from in Canada. My friends in India, Israel, and Spain, Hola Mexico! and The United Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Chile Bangladesh and Nepal, Bahrain and Bangladesh, Iran, Pakistan, Brazil, Switzerland and here in the USA in Ohio and California, Tennessee and Virginia, North Carolina, Illinois, New York and Michigan, Texas and Washington, and Washington DC, Oregon and Indiana, where I was born, Missouri, Massachusetts, Utah, Pennsylvania, Georgia and New Jersey, Iowa, Alabama, Arizona, Kansas and Wyoming, Rhode Island and Oklahoma, and NEVADA! Louisiana, Vermont, Florida, and Utah! Hi, Matilda and Ada! Minnesota, Colorado and Maryland, and oh my goodness, if I forgot your special spot on the globe, well, tell me about it and I’ll give you a shout out next time. Send me an email at april @ aprileight.com.  I have a celebration of a song for you. I wrote it with a bunch of kids who called their band The Peaceful Narwhals at my April Eight Songs for Peace Camp. This song I’m about to play for you was the first song we wrote at my first camp, so it seems like a perfect one to sing hooray for the first year of the April Eight Songs and Stories Podcast. --- "Hello Friend" a song by April Eight and the Peaceful Narwhals c 2012 Here it is:  Hello good morning, good afternoon It’s good to see your smile, my friendMy best friend, forever and alwaysI haven’t seen you in awhile, but your smile makes me happyMy friend The way your eyes sparkle I can see you really shineWhen you share your heart with me and I can share back mine. It’s your personality, your joy, your kindness and your laughterYour trust and your hugs keep us happily together, my friend! I la la la la la la la la love being your friend, my friend! Hello good morning, good afternoon It’s good to see your smile, my friendMy best friend, forever and alwaysI haven’t seen you in awhile, but your smile makes me happy,My friend.  I la la la la la la la la love being your friend, My friend! ---  I guess that is all I really have to say to you today, I love being your friend. Thanks for listening to my podcast! Fiddle Faddle Fee - that’s a little minute with me. Come back next time and I’ll tell you a story right here on the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. I’ve been laughing the whole time I’ve been writing the next one, and I hope it will make you laugh too… that Brizbane!...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep. 27 Story 2: Quinn Quillow and the Blue Ribbon

  Listen

  Jun 10 2017

  Welcome to Episode 27 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today’s story is called “Quinn Quillow and the Blue Ribbon“. This story is a continuation of the story we started at Episode 24, Quinn Quillow, Story Catcher" a great story for your kids at bath time, bedtime, car time, and family time.   I'm so glad you are here, and I can't wait to tell you today's story. Find more April Eight at  aprileight.com Instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories YouTube.com/aprileightmusicFacebook.com/aprileight Today's story references a few characters from other stories I've told, and the most important ones are from the Jemi Series of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Here they are: Episode 1, Jemi and the Birthday Surprise, Episode 2, Jemi and the Lost Crown and Episode 3: Jemi and the Strawberry Moon. If you haven't heard those, well, it might be fun to go back and listen to them now while you listen to these stories too.  Here is an excerpt from today's story: ... And so he began… and here is the story he told: A tale I tell, a tale I know, a tale that's never been told. But if I can tell it, it must come from somewhere. But where? We may never know. Hmmmm….  There once was a wise old woman who lived at the top of an ancient oak tree. Now how could a person live in a tree? Well, I’m about to tell you, aren’t I?  This oak had deep ridges in her bark that grew almost like a staircase that wound from way down at the roots and then all the way up, around and around, winding up the tree and then, there at the top, why, quite a fine spot for one table, one chair, one stove, one candle, one bed. What more could an old woman ask for? For she loved her tree and her tree loved her and that is all that matters, isn’t it? In the mornings the birds were singing in the branches, in the afternoon the old woman was comforted by the shade of the leaves and the music of the breeze rustled through the branches like a song. And in the evening the owls stopped by to inquire about her day, “Whooo whooo whooo whoo?” Now our old woman had many friends, both up in the tree and down upon the ground as you can imagine. And one of her particular friends was a... --- Thank you for listening. If you’ve been enjoying these fairytales that I write for your children and for you, and for everyone who has an innocent heart. I’d love to hear from you – you can leave a comment below, on Facebook or send me an email. Or, leave a review on your favorite podcast venue and let everyone know. Spreading the word is a lovely thing to do. April Eight has been cited as an expert by the Download on Podcasting. How fancy is that?   © 2017 April Eight "A Little Jump Rope Song" was written by April Eight, all rights reserved.    ---  ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep. 26 SONG: A Little Minute About Donuts

  Listen

  Jun 01 2017

  Happy National Donut Day! Today’s episode is called “A Little Minute about Donuts ” It is Episode Number 26! How about that? Did you KNOW there was such a thing as NATIONAL DONUT DAY? Well, there is. And it is coming up here in just a minute. Okay, a few days. ---- Find more April Eight at  aprileight.com Instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories YouTube.com/aprileightmusic Facebook.com/aprileight  ---- Now a few years ago I was teaching at a summer camp. I called it April Eight Songs for Peace Camp and the camp kids and I would write songs together all week. We would brainstorm all of our ideas about Peace on the first day of camp and then we would use that big list we made to write songs from all week. And we would also do other stuff like make crafts and do yoga and hike and stuff. It was really fun.   There was this one day that was hot and sticky and everyone was having fun making crafts and playing games but well, they weren’t really in the mood to write a song. The thing was, we had a performance to put on for their moms and dads in a few days so I said, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO WRITE A SONG ABOUT. They thought and they thought and they drew and they painted but they didn’t have any ideas for a song. And then, well, I think they all got hungry. And because they were hungry, they started talking about what they really liked to eat. And once someone mentioned DONUTS, well, it was all over. That was the only thing anyone could talk about. So, I said, hey, let’s write a song about donuts. And they said, CAN WE REALLY DO THAT? And I”m like, when you are a songwriter, you get to write about whatever you want. And so we did. And their families thought that the kids’ donut song was the very best song of all. This song was written, with a little help from me, by a group of kids ages 6-11. They named their band PEACE LOVE AND DONUTS and this song is called “The Donut Song”. I hope you like it. "The Donut Song" by April Eight and Peace, Love and Donuts  We could write a song about peace, we could write a song about friendship, we could write a song about freedom, but we want to sing about donuts!…   We like donuts with sprinkles and chocolate icing Custard in the middle! Ew, that’s totally disgusting. We could sing a song about compromise We could sing a song about hamsters We could sing a song about serenity But we want to sing about donuts. We like donuts, they’re yummy with glaze and powdered sugar Cinnamon and chocolate For breakfast lunch and dinner We could sing song about nonviolence We could songs about inner wisdom But donuts make the world go round That’s why we sing about DONUTS.    Happy National Donut Day! Bah bad dah! Fiddle Faddle Fee - that’s a little minute with me. Now next week I’ll have TWO, YES TWO, episodes of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast for you because, guess what, it will be the ON E YEAR ANNIVERSARY of my podcast. And there is almost nothing in the world I am more proud and pleased about than sharing these stories I’ve written with all of you, and so I’m ready to celebrate. And I hope you’ll join me and tell your friends too!   April Eight has been cited as an expert by the Download on Podcasting. How fancy is that?   © 2017 April Eight "The Donut Song" was written by April Eight and Peace Love and Donuts, © 2013 all rights reserved. ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep. 25 SONG: A Little Minute about Mothers

  Listen

  May 13 2017

  Today’s episode is called “A Little Minute about Mothers! because it is almost Mother’s Day… ” It is Episode Number 25! Hurray!  Now of course to say all the nice things that we have to say about mothers we need WAY MORE than a little minute right? but a little minute is what we have and so we’ll make it work. That’s what mother’s do too, so they’ll understand… ---- Find more April Eight at  aprileight.com Instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories YouTube.com/aprileightmusicFacebook.com/aprileight My video for my mother's birthday is right here!  There is much to be said for my own dear Mother, and her name is Bonnie. I made a whole video about her for her birthday on my April Eight Songs & Stories YouTube Channel - you can check that out. Now my mom, Bonnie, was a teacher and she taught 5th grade for what seemed like a million years. And everywhere we would go when I was little, big kids and teenagers and adults of all ages would come up to us when we were out and about and say, Mrs. Combs, YOU WERE MY FAVORITE TEACHER. Because yeah, my mom is super smart and knows how to make learning interesting and fun for everyone. Do you have a favorite teacher?  Another thing about my mother is that she collects great children’s books too, so if I’m turning out to be a story writer, well, I think she had something to do with it, don’t you? Now I am a mother myself and the whole reason I turned into April Eight is because I was inspired by my own children, my two daughters whose names are Lyla and Mia. I’m going to play a little song for you now that is a song I wrote for my sweet Lyla one day when things weren’t going very well for her. Do you ever have those days when you just feel sad? I’m pretty sure just about everyone does. It is okay, right? Everyone feels every sort of way at one time or another. Sometimes we feel angry - everyone gets angry. Sometimes we feel grouchy - everyone gets grouchy. Sometimes we can’t stop giggling because everyone feels giggly. I love to giggle with my girls. But anyway, I wrote this song for my Lyla when she was little and feeling sad. Next week she graduates from high school. Moms out there, time FLIES!   Little Blue by April Eight Oh Little Blue, We had a bad day Didn’t we have a bad day, Little Blue. You know what they say, The more you cry the more you cry And you have such a lovely smile And a wonderful way of being perfectly you Shadows and delight A star of wonder a lamb and a lion Ooh hoo oh oh My Little Blue. And you will always be Filled with pure light and energy And when beauty brings a beast You can tame it.   Oh Little Blue, With all of the colors you could choose Rosey cheeks, a carrot nose Brown buckeyes and green that grows, Golden racing stripes And starry silver-dotted nights And the peaceful white dove ‘Cause you know what they say, All you need is love. Love is all you need And that’s why you’ve got me, Little Blue. And why I’ve got you, My Little Blue. So Happy Mother’s Day to all of you out there. Give your mom an extra squeeze. I’m certain she deserves it. Fiddle Faddle Fee - that’s a little minute with me. Come back next time and I’ll tell you a story right here on the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast.  April Eight has been cited as an expert by the Download on Podcasting. How fancy is that?   © 2017 April Eight "Little Blue" was written by April Eight, © 2012 all rights reserved. ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep. 24 Story 1 Quinn Quillow, Story Catcher

  Listen

  Apr 26 2017

  Welcome to Episode 24 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today’s story is called “Quinn Quillow, Story Catcher“, a great story for your kids at bath time, bedtime, car time and family time.  aprileight.com instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories facebook.com/aprileight twitter.com/aprileightmusic I'd like you to meet Quinn Quillow, walking through the Three Kingdoms of Greenbriar, catching stories as he goes. He is a fool of the old fashion kind, wide open to the beauty of the world around him, a listener, a dreamer and a collector of tales. He'll be spinning tales and singing songs all through May and June here at the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Let's see how he goes about catching tales, my friends....  Listen to Episode 24 "Quinn Quillow, Story Catcher" now. Here is an excerpt from today’s story: ... And who do you think that was? Well, mighty fine indeed, it was a wandering minstrel, sometimes called a fool. And since the month was April, well, he must be an April Fool, hows about that? Now I know I know, these days calling someone a fool will get you in all sorts of trouble, but back in those days, well, it was just a bit different. A fool is what you might call someone who was a teller of jokes, a singer of songs, a storyteller. Why, they are delightfully fun folk to have around, if you can find one. Which you almost never can. For they are rare, rare indeed although, here in the Three Kingdoms of Greenbriar there are more than the usual amount, truth be told. For the three Kingdoms of Greenbriar, well some call it the Land of Fairytales, is where these Fools come, looking for songs and stories, enough to share and sing and tell to folks far and wide across the land and then they can come back and get some more. For stories and songs want to be told, but if no one takes them out of the Kingdoms of Greenbriar, well, not many would hear them. But how do these storytelling folks come by these songs and stories they tell in the three Kingdoms of Greenbriar? Well, my friends, you are about to find out. Now our friend the fool, whose name was really Quinn Quillow, was resting on an old stone wall along the ancient road from Fimby to LeeBrook deep in Hawthorn Grove. Quinn was wearing what he always wore, a scarlet cap and a yellow jacket with golden buttons (given to him as a gift from a king for a story well told.) Quinn was also wearing a smile upon his face... Subscribe today and never miss an episode! Now this story references a few other stories, including the brief return character Brizbane the Conquerer from Episode 6, "Thom and the Goblins". Do you remember what other story  Listeners, do you remember what other story Brizbane showed up in when he wasn't with Thom?  Thank you for listening to the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. If you’ve been enjoying these tales, please let me know. I’d love to hear from you – you can leave a comment below, on Facebook or send me an email. And come be my friend on instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories where all I have so much fun. Or, leave a review on your favorite podcast venue and let other parents know you the value these stories have brought to your family. Spreading the word is the nicest thing you could do for this podcast. xoxo! All songs, stories, and illustrations are copyrighted by me, ©April Eight 2017. It is my favorite thing to do!  (Except today, My Lady Spring, a traditional poem set to song passed down through oral tradition lo these many years.) .... ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 23 SONG: "The Fairy Birthday Song"

  Listen

  Apr 07 2017

  Welcome to Episode 23 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today's Episode is called, A Little Minute About Birthdays! On today's episode, we talk about birthdays birthdays birthdays. So whether yours is soon or way far away, I think you'll find some fun things to think about in this episode.  For not only is it my birthday month, it is the month of APRIL, my favorite month of the year. And there is quite a noisy thunderstorm happening while I am recording, and my nervous little dog Roxie, well, she has a few things to say about that.  I tell you about how birthdays are celebrated in my family and I share a little story about how extreme some people I know are about celebrating their own birthday. And we sing the Fairy Birthday Song from Jemi and the Strawberry Moon. Have you heard that one yet? If you haven't, I'd start at Jemi and the Birthday Surprise, because you won't understand Episode 3 if you haven't heard Episode 1 and 2 before it.  The lyrics for the Fairy Birthday Song by April Eight ©2016 Birthday, birthday, today is your special day. Birthday, birthday, today is your special day. The years are as nothing for the world turns on and on But today is your birthday everyone sing along! Birthday, birthday, today is your special day. Birthday, birthday, today is your special day. We celebrate you and all the things that you do, You are wonderful in every way. You get better with every day! Birthday, birthday, today is your special day. Birthday, birthday, today is your special day… And I also share with you a poem that I wrote about the month of April, when Winter says goodbye and Spring says hello. It is called April Appears.    April Appears, by April Eight ©2016 April appears but for one month a year, Breezing in on the season’s changing Splashing in through rain puddles Slogging through deep mud. Flying in on the wings of songbirds Rolling in like the rivers flooding. Peeping through the pink magnolias budding Smiling like tulips in the sun. Rest awhile and rejoice, for Spring has finally come. Fiddle faddle fee – that’s a little minute with me. Come back next time and I’ll tell you a story right here on the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. I can’t wait! I am always happy to say that the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast is now available on not only iTunes, but also GooglePlay, Stitcher and SoundCloud as well as iHeartRadio and really everywhere that podcasts are found! That makes it easy for folks to find a way to listen that is fun for them. The best place to find all things April Eight: aprileight.com Instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories/ My YouTube Channel for videos and songs Facebook.com/aprileight And please come share how you listen to your April Eight stories, in the bathtub? on the way to school? at bedtime? I have Waldorf family and homeschoolers, big kids, little kids, Montessori kids and unschoolers, regular schoolers, and world schoolers listening in. And a lot of adults who just want a good fairytale. I love that!  I have listeners across the globe these days. I can't even tell you how much joy that brings me. April Eight is for the innocent heart in all of us everywhere. xoxoxo    ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 22 A Little Minute about A Little Minute!

  Listen

  Mar 23 2017

  Welcome to Episode 22 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today’s episode is  “A Little Minute about a Little Minute“. On today's episode, I share with you a new thing I'm going to do called "A Little Minute". I always have more songs and poems and ideas and shout-outs and happy birthdays and gratitudes that I want to share with you, and all of that doesn't always fit into a story. So I thought, hey, what about doing a little minute every now and again to share all the things that don't fit into a story? And so, this is the first one. And it is about What is a little minute? So we talk about that.  I also say Happy Birthday to Izzy - she turned nine years old just last week! and Thank you to Summer for sharing her wonderous Fairy Sandcastle Ball with me on Instagram. Her mother said that she was thinking about "The Night of the Fairy Ice Skating Ball" song from the "Grammy and the Star Soup" story, Episode 19. You can also download that song from iTunes.  I send out some love to Annabel who is one of my first podcast listeners and I share with you a song from her current favorite episode, The Old Man and the Seagull.  I give a little shout out to my buddy Stone, and his mama Michelle Duncan Wilson, creator of the thoughtful and meaningful mom podcast, Soul Work for Moms. Mothers, check it out when you get a chance and let me know what you think.  Lastly, it is one of my favorite times of the month - time for another Stay Up Late with April Eight! See you on my April Eight Facebook Page on SATURDAY, March 25th at 8PM EST. xoxxoxo! Fiddle faddle fee - that’s a little minute with me. Come back next time and I’ll tell you a story right here on the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. LINKS: Soul Work for Mom: http://soulworkformoms.com/ The Old Man and the Sea, Episode 9 of the April Eight Songs and Stories Podcast: https://aprileight.com/2016/08/03/the-old-man-and-the-seagull/ Grammy and the Star Soup, Episode 19 of the April Eight Songs and Stories Podcast: https://aprileight.com/2017/02/11/grammy-and-the-star-soup/ The Night of the Fairy Ice Skating Ball from "Songs for a Magical Winter" by April Eight: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/songs-for-a-magical-winter-ep/id484863272 STAY UP LATE WITH APRIL EIGHT! http://www.facebook.com/aprileight...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 21 Birdie and the Leprechaun

  Listen

  Mar 16 2017

  Welcome to Episode 21 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today's episode is called "Birdie and the Unexpected Guest" a great story for your kids at bath time, bedtime, car time, and family time.  On today's episode, Grammy and the kids, that's Sage, Sander and Arwen, and of course, Birdie, the dog, have an unexpected guest. A leprechaun! Turns out, Lucky Mr. Liam and Grammy are old friends, and he comes to stay with her for safety from all those dangerous leprechaun traps that children all over the world are setting this time of year.  The best place to find all things April Eight: aprileight.comInstagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories/My YouTube Channel for videos and songsFacebook.com/aprileight Well, leprechauns like a good limerick, and Lucky Mr. Liam likes to speak in them. And he tells the kids and Grammy all about his adventures out in the world, trying to keep out of trouble. It is a fairytale, and a tall tale, and a story of friendship -- a fun story for St. Patrick's Day or any day at all.  "There once was a wee dog named Birdie Who lived in a cottage most pur-ty I asked, “Tell me why Dis Birdie can’t fly?” She told me I was just being churly." The Leprechaun also explains why children set traps for leprechauns...   "Why would ya catch a leprechaun, oh They are just wee men in green trousers, no? It’s magic we have Could be good or bad But everyone wants a pot o’gold." Lucky Mr. Liam also gives a few tips on how best to set a good leprechaun trap: "For a leprechaun trap to be tricky You might think to add something sticky Perhaps a wee treat Candy nice and sweet But ta think ya can catch us, yer daffy" I am so happy to say that the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast is now available on not only iTunes but also GooglePlay, Stitcher and SoundCloud and everywhere that podcasts are found! Please share your favorite episodes with your friends. When people ask me about how to get my April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast, they just hand me their phones and I set them all up – once you know how to subscribe it is so easy, but sometimes folks need a little help. It is a pretty nice thing to do to provide fresh, sweet, happy, family-friendly fairytales for your friends and their kids. It just takes a second to set them up – just click subscribe! It is always nice to share - #trypod Oh, and I changed the name/address of my Instagram account to aprileightsongsandstories to go better with my Podcast. If you are an Instagrammer, come say hi! It is my fav spot online: instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories And please come share how you listen to your April Eight stories, in the bathtub? on the way to school? at bedtime? I have Waldorf family and homeschoolers, big kids, little kids, Montessori kids and unschoolers, regular schoolers, and world schoolers listening in. And a lot of adults who just want a good fairytale. I love that!  I have listeners across the globe these days. I can't even tell you how much joy that brings me. April Eight is for the innocent heart in all of us everywhere. xoxoxo All songs, stories, and illustrations are copyrighted by me, ©April Eight 2017. It is my favorite thing to do! ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 20 Sander and the Lost Giant

  Listen

  Mar 03 2017

  Welcome to Episode 20 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today's story is called "Sander and the Lost Giant" a great story for your kids at bath time, bedtime, car time, and family time.  I'm so excited to celebrate my 20th episode. Twenty fairytale stories written, narrated and illustrated and shared with you, dear Wonderfuls - that's a lot. And I have so many new ideas and characters to create and share that I can't help but cheer. Hooray!  In today's episode our friend Sander, who we met last week in Episode 19, "Grammy and the Star Soup", goes out on his own snowy adventure, this time with his dog Birdie.  Here is an excerpt:  The clouds overhead had been snowing all morning and the Snowflake Fairies voices could be heard calling, “Come out and Play!”  Sander had heard their calls from the window of his Grammy’s house as he’d watched them fall, giggling and laughing, doing somersaults and backflips and sparkling like they do. He asked his sister Arwen to come out in the snow with him, but she was far too busy reading her favorite book, The Secret Garden, to even look up at him. She just shook her head and murmured (something indiscernible). And his little sister Sage, well she was helping Grammy bake bread - her favorite thing to do. Sage was really too little to play into the wilds of the forest without an adult anyway. And so, Sander finally decided to go out on his own with Birdie as his guide, out into the glittering wonder of snow to see what the world looked like under this fresh blanket of delight. “Don’t go too far into the forest, Mr. Sander. Leave that for the giants.” Grammy had laughed as he headed out the door. She didn’t think he’d get into too much trouble. All the bears were hibernating….  I am so happy to say that the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast is now available on not only iTunes but also GooglePlay, Stitcher and SoundCloud and everywhere that podcasts are found! Please share your favorite episodes with your friends. When people ask me about how to get my A8 Podcast, they just hand me their phones and I set them all up – once you know how to subscribe it is so easy, but sometimes folks need a little help. It is a pretty nice thing to do to provide fresh, sweet, happy, family-friendly fairytales for your friends and their kids. It just takes a second to set them up – just click subscribe! It is always nice to share - #trypod Oh, and I changed the name/address of my Instagram account to aprileightsongsandstories to go better with my Podcast. If you are an Instagrammer, come say hi! It is my fav spot online: instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories And please come share how you listen to your April Eight stories, in the bathtub? on the way to school? at bedtime? I have Waldorf family and homeschoolers, big kids, little kids, Montessori kids and unschoolers, regular schoolers, and world schoolers listening in. And a lot of adults who just want a good fairytale. I love that!  I have listeners across the globe these days. I can't even tell you how much joy that brings me. April Eight is for the innocent heart in all of us everywhere. xoxoxo All songs, stories, and illustrations are copyrighted by me, ©April Eight 2017. It is my favorite thing to do! ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 19 Grammy and the Star Soup

  Listen

  Feb 11 2017

  Welcome to Episode 19 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today's episode is called "Grammy and the Star Soup" a great story for your kids at bath time, bedtime, car time, and family time.  facebook.com/aprileight instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories aprileight.com Download the song from this week's episode right here or here.   You can listen to today’s episode and every episode of the “April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast” on your iPhone or Android. Subscribe at iTunes, GooglePlay, Stitcher or Soundcloud and never miss a story. Did you catch my references to last week's episode in this week's episode. Pretty tricky, huh? Do you think Grammy and her father were at the SAME pond as Meggie and Felix were last week? Hmmmm....  Tune in next week for a special Valentines episode just for you. Thank you for listening and please let me know what you think of these stories, I’d truly love to hear from you. And if your child is inspired to draw a picture or make a painting, you know I would love to see it. If you have a friend or a family who you think might like these stories, please go ahead and share with them. Sharing makes the world a nicer place for everyone, don’t you think? And if you'd like to stay in touch, please sign up for the April Eight Songs & Stories newsletter. And the best place to find me is on Instagram where I am @aprileightsongsandstories. I love it.  See you next time! All songs, stories, and illustrations are copyrighted by me,© April Eight 2017.  ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 18 Meggie & Felix and the Snowy Little Minute

  Listen

  Feb 03 2017

  Welcome to Episode 18 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast! I'm so excited about this one because it makes me giggle - I just love my little Felix. Maybe because, just like him, I'm a younger sibling myself. Today's story is called "Meggie & Felix and the Snowy Little Minute" a great little tale for your kids at bedtime, bath time, car time, or anytime your family needs a story.  facebook.com/aprileight instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories aprileight.com Download the song from this week's episode right here or here. Now you might be wondering what a "little minute" is. Well, I gotta tell you, it is an expression that I've used forever but I really don't know if anyone else does. When I say, "I'll be there in a little minute," people have always looked at me like "What's a 'little minute'?" So, I'll tell you what I mean when I say it: It means, a short amount of time but I don't exactly know how long it will be. Have you ever heard anyone else who says "a little minute"? If you do, let me know. I'd love to know that I'm not alone. Or maybe I am. Either way, I like my 'little minute' and I'm not giving it up. Did you catch my poetry reference from the Snowflakes episode in this one?  I am so happy to say that the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast is now available on not only iTunes but also GooglePlay, Stitcher and SoundCloud! Please share your favorite episodes with your friends. When people ask me about how to get my A8 Podcast, they just hand me their phones and I set them all up – once you know how to subscribe it is so easy, but sometimes folks need a little help. It is a pretty nice thing to do to provide fresh, sweet, happy, family-friendly fairytales for your friends and their kids. It just takes a second to set them up – just click subscribe! Oh, and I changed the name/address of my Instagram account from aprileightmusic to aprileightsongsandstories to go better with my Podcast. If you are an Instagrammer, come say hi! It is my fav spot online: instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories All songs, stories, and illustrations are copyrighted by me, ©April Eight 2017. It is my favorite thing to do! How do you and your family listen to the April Eight Songs and Stories Podcast? It would really help me out to know how best people are connecting.       ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 17 Winter Songs & Stories "Snowflakes"

  Listen

  Jan 10 2017

  Welcome to Episode 17 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. With so much to enjoy about winter, I'm glad it is here! Today's story is called, 'Snowflakes" a great little tale for your kids at bedtime, bath time, car time, or anytime your family needs a story.   The poem I tell about in my story in this podcast is Robert Frost's Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening. And, if you'd like to find my song, Snowflake Fairies from the April Eight Songs for a Magical Winter, you can download it right here.  To find my world-traveling friends and their family, go to Journey of the Globe  (@journeyoftheglobe) on Instagram and Follow them so that you too can be a part of their grand adventures. And while you are over there on Instagram, follow me, and also my brother James and his band, Great Willow.  And, if you want to Stay Up Late with April Eight on my Facebook Live Slumber Party on January 28th, come on over to Facebook and Like the April Eight page. We'll be staying up late on the last Saturday of every month! And as I mentioned, if you haven't heard the Jemi Stories, you are in a for a treat.  And subscribe today to the April Eight Newsletter and get all the exclusive fun extras that come along with it.  Thank you for listening. If you’ve been enjoying this episode, let me know. I’d love to hear from you – you can leave a comment on Facebook or send me an email. And, it would be great if you would leave a review on your favorite podcast venue and let everyone know you like what is happening at April Eight. Spreading the word is a lovely thing to do. ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 16 Story - 5 The Fairy Queen and the Three Brothers, The Woodsman

  Listen

  Dec 31 2016

  Welcome to Episode 16 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today’s story is the end of the tale I've been telling for the whole Autumn Season, and this last one is called  “The Fairy Queen and the 3 Brothers – Story 5 – The Woodsman”, a great little tale for your kids at bedtime, bath time, car time, or anytime your family needs a story.  Our fairy queen, now forgotten by all who once knew her, makes a happy new life for herself in the forest. But the rest of the kingdom is falling apart without her! And you'll never believe who comes to the rescue... Subscribe today and never miss an episode! Website: http://www.aprileight.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Newsletter Sign-up: http://eepurl.com/b9fh...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 15 Story 4 - The Fairy Queen and the Three Brothers, The Fairy Queen Forgotten

  Listen

  Dec 21 2016

  Welcome to Episode 15 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today's story is "The Fairy Queen and the 3 Brothers - Story 4 - Fairy Queen Forgotten" a great little tale for your kids at bedtime, bath time, car time, or anytime your family needs a story.  Oh, those 3 brothers sure do cause our Fairy Queen a lot of trouble! For example, on today’s episode, I tell you the story of how the whole kingdom magically forgets that the Fairy Queen is, well, the Fairy Queen. And what happens next, well, she is in for an adventure. And so are you, so come along!  Subscribe today and never miss an episode! Website: http://www.aprileight.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Newsletter Sign-up: http://eepurl.com/b9fh  ...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 14 Story 3 - The Fairy Queen and the Three Brothers - The Which Witch

  Listen

  Nov 24 2016

  Welcome to Episode 14 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today's story is "Story 3 - The Fairy Queen and the 3 Brothers -The Which Witch" a great little tale for your kids at bedtime, bath time, car time, or anytime your family needs a story. On today’s episode, I tell you the story of Pell, the oldest brother, and how he goes out into the woods to see if he can meet the Which Witch to ask for a potion that will help him foil the Fairy Queen. All the villagers will tell you, if you are foolish enough to go and see the Which Witch, you would never know which witch you'll get when you knocked on her door. Oh my! Which witch will Pell meet? (Don't worry, this is not too scary for the littles.) Subscribe today and never miss an episode! Website: http://www.aprileight.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Newsletter Sign-up: http://eepurl.com/b9fh...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 13 Story 2 - The Fairy Queen and the Three Brothers - The Scepter

  Listen

  Oct 18 2016

  Welcome to Episode 13 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today’s story is the second part of a five-part story, “The Fairy Queen and the 3 Brothers, The Scepter” a great little tale for your kids at bedtime, bath time, car time, or anytime your family needs a story. On today’s episode, I tell you the story of Mell, the middle brother, and how he tries to steal the scepter from the Fairy Queen believing it must be the source of all of her magic. What happens next, oh my goodness!  Subscribe today and never miss an episode! Website: http://www.aprileight.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Newsletter Sign-up: http://eepurl.com/b9fh...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 12 Story 1 - The Fairy Queen and the Three Brothers - The Muddy Mess

  Listen

  Sep 28 2016

  Welcome to Episode 12 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today's story is "The Fairy Queen and the 3 Brothers - Story 1 - The Muddy Mess" a great little tale for your kids at bedtime, bath time, car time, or anytime your family needs a story. ". Our two friends, Lillyanna and her little brother Josh chased a frog under a Great Willow Tree, and what should they find by an enchanted circle of fairies listening to a story from the Bard of Fairyland. And what a tale he tells! All about a Fairy Queen like no other, and the naughty brothers who want to ruin her.  “Let us make a bet my brothers,” said Pell. “A bet?” Said, Mell, “I like the sound of that.” “A bet,” said, Quell. “What kind of a bet?” “I bet this here house right where we now stand. How about that? Let us see which one of us can bring down the fairy queen by making the citizens of this kingdom see that she is not as great as they all think. She can’t be, can she? And we can prove it. Won’t that be fun? Hee hee hee. What say you, brothers? Whoever wins this bet get this here house all to himself and the other two will live in the barn with the pigs and the goats, the sheep and the chickens.” And with that, the three brothers make all sorts of mischief for the kindest of queens. Will she fall? Subscribe today and never miss an episode! Website: http://www.aprileight.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Newsletter Sign-up: http://eepurl.com/b9fh...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 11 Under the Great Willow Tree

  Listen

  Sep 09 2016

  Hooray! Welcome to Episode 11. It is the Launch Day of Season 2 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today’s story is “Under the Great Willow Tree” a great little tale for your kids at bedtime, bath time, car time, or anytime your family needs a story. Here is a little bit of today's story: “He’s so cool!” shouted Josh. “Gosh, be careful!” Lillyanna shouted behind him and they both raced behind the biggest frog either of them had ever seen. He was as green... Subscribe today and never miss an episode! Website: http://www.aprileight.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Newsletter Sign-up: http://eepurl.com/b9fh...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 10 Season One Mash-Up! - Jemi and the Adventurers

  Listen

  Aug 12 2016

  Welcome to Episode 10 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast.This might just be my favorite story of the whole season! It just makes me LAUGH! But you need to listen from episode 1, Jemi and the Birthday Surprise to get all the jokes...  Today’s story is “Jemi and the Adventurers” a great little tale for your kids at bedtime, bath time, car time, or anytime your family needs a story.  . On today’s episode, I share a story that I have been so excited to write and tell. Wouldn't it be fun, I thought, if Jemimah got to meet, well, some folks you have met in a few of the other stories I've shared here on the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast! My teenager daughters call it a "mash-up". I can’t tell you a whole lot more about the story because, well, it is a SURPRISE! Subscribe today and never miss an episode! Website: http://www.aprileight.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Newsletter Sign-up: http://eepurl.com/b9fh...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 9 The Old Man and the Seagull

  Listen

  Aug 03 2016

  Welcome to Episode 9 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today’s story is a sweet little stand alone seafaring tale “The Old Man and the Seagull” a great little tale for your kids at bedtime, bath time, car time, or anytime your family needs a story.  This one is for all of you on or dreaming of a beach vacation. On today’s episode, I tell you the story of an old fisherman and his seagull and the things that come and go in the sea...  Subscribe today and never miss an episode! Website: http://www.aprileight.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Newsletter Sign-up: http://eepurl.com/b9fh...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 8 Story 5 - "The Butterfly Adventurer - Thom Gnome, The Butterfly Adventurer”

  Listen

  Jul 26 2016

  Welcome to Episode 8 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today’s story is “Thom Gnome, The Butterfly Adventurer” a great little tale for your kids at bedtime, bath time, car time, or anytime your family needs a story.  On today’s episode, I tell you the end of the tale of our friend Thom Gnome and his side-kick Brizbane the Conqueror and their search for the Golden Butterfly. I'm real sorry about ending the story right at the most exciting moment last time but... Subscribe today and never miss an episode! Website: http://www.aprileight.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Newsletter Sign-up: http://eepurl.com/b9fh...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 7 Story 4 - The Butterfly Adventurer - Thom and the Dragon

  Listen

  Jul 19 2016

  Welcome to Episode 7 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today’s story is “Thom and the Dragon” a great little tale for your kids at bedtime, bath time, car time, or anytime your family needs a story. Well, our friend Thom Gnome started off on his journey to find the Golden Butterfly a few weeks ago. Since then, he has met a Trumpeter and avoided a band of dancing Goblins, but he is still searching. Today our hero, Thom, comes across something he never thought he would meet. A dragon! YIKES! Of course, with his friend Brizbane at his side, almost anything could happen... Subscribe today and never miss an episode! Website: http://www.aprileight.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Newsletter Sign-up: http://eepurl.com/b9fh...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 6 Story 3 - The Butterfly Adventurer - - Thom and the Goblins!

  Listen

  Jul 12 2016

  Welcome to Episode 6 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today’s story is “Thom and the Goblins” a great little tale for your kids at bedtime, bath time, car time, or anytime your family needs a story.  Today our hero, a young gnome named Thom, meets a, uh, mighty friend who helps him on his way in search of the Golden Butterfly. He also comes across a party he would rather not go to. A Goblin Party! Oh my! Well, fortunately, with his new friend at his side, they end up okay, but those goblins, well, let's just say, they really like to dance. Subscribe today and never miss an episode! Website: http://www.aprileight.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Newsletter Sign-up: http://eepurl.com/b9fh...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 5 Story 2 - The Butterfly Adventurer - Thom and the Trumpeter

  Listen

  Jul 06 2016

  Welcome to Episode 5 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today's story is "Thom and the Trumpeter" a great little tale for your kids at bedtime, bath time, car time, or anytime your family needs a story.  On today’s episode, I tell the story of “Thom and the Trumpeter”, the second story in a whole series called “The Butterfly Adventurer”. Today our hero, a gnome named Thom starts his real adventure, heading out of his village to see if he can find the Golden Butterfly. He comes across a big party and a shy snail, a grouchy opossum and a helper who may be more than she seems.... (The Butterfly Adventurer Series, story 2 of 5) Subscribe today and never miss an episode! Website: http://www.aprileight.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Newsletter Sign-up: http://eepurl.com/b9fh...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 4 Story 1: The Butterfly Adventurer - Thom and the Golden Butterfly

  Listen

  Jun 28 2016

  Welcome to Episode 4 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. On today’s episode, I tell the story of “Thom and the Golden Butterfly” a great little tale for your kids at bedtime, bath time, car time, or anytime your family needs a story. This is the first story in a whole series called "The Butterfly Adventurer". Today we meet our hero, a gnome named Thom and his family. Oh, and we meet the Pixie Peddler too. Do you remember him from the Jemi stories, particularly "Jemi and the Lost Crown"? Well, he is here too, and we get to know him a little better. I even sing you a song I wrote all about him called, "The Pixie Peddler". I hope you'll sing along with me! (The Butterfly Adventurer Series Story 1 of 5) Subscribe today and never miss an episode! Website: http://www.aprileight.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Newsletter Sign-up: http://eepurl.com/b9fh...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 3 Jemi Series - Story 3 - Jemi and the Strawberry Moon

  Listen

  Jun 22 2016

  Welcome to Episode 3 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today's story is "Jemi and the Strawberry Moon" a great little tale for your kids at bedtime, bath time, car time, or anytime your family needs a story.  This is the last episode of the three Jemi's Birthday Stories Series. Maybe we'll find out today just how our fairy friend got the prince's crown away from naughty old Sly Fox. This story has a brand new song called the"Fairy Birthday Song" - look for a little music video here on April Eight blog. In the story, you'll also meet a few new characters, including a very nervous... well, you'll find out. (The Jemi Series, story 3 of 3) Subscribe today and never miss an episode! Website: http://www.aprileight.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Newsletter Sign-up: http://eepurl.com/b9fh...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 2 Jemi Series Story 2 - Jemi and the Lost Crown

  Listen

  Jun 14 2016

  Welcome to Episode 2 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today's story is "Jemi and the Lost Crown" a great little tale for your kids at bedtime, bath time, car time, or anytime your family needs a story.  We finally find out just what the fairy had to say in "Jemi and the Birthday Surprise" and how in the world a tiny fairy crown came to be in the hands of our birthday friend, Jemi. There are a few very silly characters in this one... (The Jemi Series, story 2 of 3) Subscribe today and never miss an episode! Website: http://www.aprileight.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Newsletter Sign-up: http://eepurl.com/b9fh...more

  Copy Link to Episode

• Ep 1 Jemi Series: Story 1 - Jemi and the Birthday Surprise

  Listen

  Jun 07 2016

  Welcome to Episode 1 of the April Eight Songs & Stories Podcast. Today’s story is “Jemi and the Birthday Surprise” a great little tale for your kids at bedtime, bath time, car time, or anytime your family needs a story. . On today’s episode, I share my favorite “I’m about to tell a story!” song. And then I tell a little story I just wrote called “Jemi and the Birthday Surprise”. I can’t tell you a whole lot more about the story because, well, it is a SURPRISE! But here, my friends, is how it starts… The Jemi Series, Story 1 of 3. Subscribe today and never miss an episode! Website: http://www.aprileight.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprileightsongsandstories Newsletter Sign-up: http://eepurl.com/b9fh...more

  Copy Link to Episode