Buttons & Figs

Episodes

• Bluebullet to the Rescue - Huzzah! - interview with author Dr. Drew Palacio

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  Nov 18 2022

  Huzzah! as Bluebullet likes to say! On this episode we share our interview with Dr. Drew Palacio, author of "Shrieks and Sounds and Things Abound - the Quiet Wants of Julien J." a fun-filled book of wordplay and nonsense, replete with Superhero advice for times of frustration, from Bluebullet himself - Huzzah! We also got the chance to share Dr. Drew's book with some of the students at Camelview Elementary School in Phoenix, Arizona and to record a few of their voices during their superhero night. You can find "Shrieks and Sounds and Things Abound - the Quiet Wants of Julien J. at most online booksellers, such as Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Shrieks-Sounds-Things-Abound-Julien/dp/1953021506 To see more of Apolline Etienne's illustrations visit: https://www.artstation.com/apollineetienne Thanks for this episodes go to Dr. Drew Palacio for sharing his time and talent, Thanks to Camelview Librarian Savannah Tranguch, for loving wordplay and inviting us in, and thanks to all of the kids and families who recorded with us at superhero night. A special thanks to students Ellie, Levi, Melany, Romel, Max and Grant for sharing your frustrations and for loving superheroes. SFX from Zapsplat...more

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• Original Haunting Tales - Ages 8+

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  Oct 30 2022

  On this episode we share two original stories, written by the winners of the Independence High School scary story contest. These stories are not for young ears, they are for brave souls who like their stories to simmer slowly (recommend ages 8+). The first, read by author Nathan, is titled, "Plastic Eye" a story that will chill you cold. Next you'll hear a haunting tale by Graham titled, "The Singing Bay". This story will creep up on you, humming like the fog. Nathan (Senior) and Graham (Sophmore) are this year's winners of Independence High School's scary story contest, held by librarian Stephanie Ehrick. Independence High is located in Glendale, Arizona. Special thanks to Mark Peña, Independence High School educator and haunted house builder. May haunting tales surround you this Halloween. Happy Halloween from all of us at Buttons & Figs. Sound fx from Zapsplat Sea Shanty performed by Graham...more

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• A Halloween Night Symphony

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  Oct 19 2022

  Halloween Night. Your favorite night. If you could sit back and listen on that night, you might hear an elaborate symphony, where each movement brings to mind the anticipation, preparation, gathering, trick or treating and stories of the night…sit back and listen, as you anticipate the coming of Halloween Night. A Halloween Night Symphony I. Anticipation II. Preparation III. Gathering IV. Trick-or-Treating V. Allocation "A Halloween Night Symphony" was written and performed by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers, (c) Buttons & Figs...more

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• The Scariest Story You've Ever Heard - interview with author Ron Keres

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  Oct 04 2022

  To kick off the Halloween season we have an interview with Ron Keres, author of "The Scariest Story You've Ever Heard", a Reader's Choice Book Award Gold winner. The coolest thing about Ron’s story is that he tells it without any pictures…just spooooooooky onomatopoeia words!!! So… let’s set sail in our sieve to meet Ron Keres, hear an excerpt from his book, and have a little wordplay fun by making our own spooky onomatopoeia sounds….oh, and don’t worry, if you have little ones who scare easily, this story isn’t too scary! Thanks to Buttons & Figs kids Owen, Graham, Emma and Gracie for their onomatopoeia wordplay and art. visit buttonsandfigs.com to see their wordplay. The Scariest Story You've Ever Heard can be founds at: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Scariest-Story-Youve-Ever-Heard/dp/B0B14JLKGL Target: https://www.target.com/p/the-scariest-story-you-ve-ever-heard-by-ron-keres-paperback/-/A-87109340?preselect=87109340#lnk=sametab Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/The-Scariest-Story-You-ve-Ever-Heard-Paperback-9798985911237/688253049 A wonderful reading of The Scariest Story You've Ever Heard by Toadstools and FairyDust: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUUXNMjk9Ng Here is a link to Ron's other book, "It's Not that 'Big a Deal'": https://www.walmart.com/ip/The-Scariest-Story-You-ve-Ever-Heard-Paperback-9798985911237/688253049 All non-kid SFX from Zapsplat Buttons & Figs artwork by Ann Pickard Logo design by Elizabeth Burrill...more

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• Book Recommendation and Musical Play from kid super reader Debra!

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  Sep 17 2022

  Join me and kid co-host Debra for our back-to-school book recommendation episode. This time we sail in a sieve to talk about the book "Lulu the Broadway Mouse!" Debra is a super fan of Jenna Gavigan's book, "Lulu the Broadway Mouse", which is about a mouse who LOVES Broadway musicals. Debra and I not only discuss the book, but Lulu's story sparks Debra to give some great advice for how to stick to your big dreams, even when you feel small. In this episode you'll also hear an original song written by Debra, inspired by Lulu! All of the musical tracks and lyrics to "Tiny Dreamer, Big, Big Dream" were written and created by Debra. (I just helped by pitching our voices a bit so we would sound like Lulu!) Jenna Gavigan: https://www.iamjennagavigan.com/ Lulu the Broadway Mouse by Jenna Gavigan: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/contributor/jenna-gavigan/ Thanks to Debra for sharing one of her favorite books and special thanks to her parents and grandparents for sharing her voice and talent!...more

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• Summertime - The Sheila Show - Sorry!

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  Aug 23 2022

  You are about to travel to the Summertime kid dimension to join the audience of The Sheila Show! The Sheila Show is a summer variety and nonsense sketch comedy show for kids, with skits, musical comedy, and vaudeville-style performances by the eponymous Sheila Carmichael III, along with members of her comedy troupe and various guest stars! Join us each week this summer for new nonsensical episodes! skits written and voiced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers The Sheila Show, Wait a Minute, and We're Not for Everyone music written and produced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers Say Wah written and produced by Pamela Rogers Physical Education music by freemidi.org, voiced by Mark Peña SFX by Zapsplat Artwork by Ann Pickard Graphic design by Elizabeth Burrill Background music by Pamela Rogers © Buttons & Figs...more

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• Summertime - The Sheila Show - Me?

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  Aug 16 2022

  You are about to travel to the Summertime kid dimension to join the audience of The Sheila Show! The Sheila Show is a summer variety and nonsense sketch comedy show for kids, with skits, musical comedy, and vaudeville-style performances by the eponymous Sheila Carmichael III, along with members of her comedy troupe and various guest stars! Join us each week this summer for new nonsensical episodes! skits written and voiced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers The Sheila Show, Wait a Minute music written and produced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers Say Wah written and produced by Pamela Rogers Physical Education music by freemidi.org SFX by Zapsplat Artwork by Ann Pickard Graphic design by Elizabeth Burrill Background music by Pamela Rogers © Buttons & Figs...more

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• Summertime - The Sheila Show - Ummm!

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  Aug 10 2022

  You are about to travel to the Summertime kid dimension to join the audience of The Sheila Show! The Sheila Show is a summer variety and nonsense sketch comedy show for kids, with skits, musical comedy, and vaudeville-style performances by the eponymous Sheila Carmichael III, along with members of her comedy troupe and various guest stars! Join us each week this summer for new nonsensical episodes! written and voiced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers The Sheila Show, Wait a Minute, Pro-Cave and The Ummm Song written and produced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers SFX by Zapsplat © Buttons & Figs...more

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• Summertime - The Sheila Show - Sit Down!

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  Aug 03 2022

  You are about to travel to the Summertime kid dimension to join the audience of The Sheila Show! The Sheila Show is a summer variety and nonsense sketch comedy show for kids, with skits, musical comedy, and vaudeville-style performances by the eponymous Sheila Carmichael III, along with members of her comedy troupe and various guest stars! Join us each week this summer for new nonsensical episodes! written and voiced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers The Sheila Show, Wait a Minute music written and produced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers Physical Education music by freemidi.org SFX by Zapsplat © Buttons & Figs...more

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• Summertime - The Sheila Show - Play All Day!

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  Jul 27 2022

  You are about to travel to the Summertime kid dimension to join the audience of The Sheila Show! The Sheila Show is a summer variety and nonsense sketch comedy show for kids, with skits, musical comedy, and vaudeville-style performances by the eponymous Sheila Carmichael III, along with members of her comedy troupe and various guest stars! Join us each week this summer for new nonsensical episodes! written and voiced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers The Sheila Show, Wait a Minute, Green & Yellow Thermos music written and produced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers Nonsense Playground - written, performed and recorded by Pamela Rogers & Mark Peña SFX by Zapsplat © Buttons & Figs...more

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• Summertime - The Sheila Show - So Pitted!

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  Jul 20 2022

  You are about to travel to the Summertime kid dimension to join the audience of The Sheila Show! The Sheila Show is a summer variety and nonsense sketch comedy show for kids, with skits, musical comedy, and vaudeville-style performances by the eponymous Sheila Carmichael III, along with members of her comedy troupe and various guest stars! Join us each week this summer for new nonsensical episodes! written and voiced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers The Sheila Show, Wait a Minute, Rip Ziskin music written and produced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers Surf Sensation music by FreeMidi.org, voice Mark Peña SFX by Zapsplat © Buttons & Figs...more

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• Summertime - The Sheila Show - Dig, Dig, Dig!

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  Jul 13 2022

  You are about to travel to the Summertime kid dimension to join the audience of The Sheila Show! The Sheila Show is a summer variety and nonsense sketch comedy show for kids, with skits, musical comedy, and vaudeville-style performances by the eponymous Sheila Carmichael III, along with members of her comedy troupe and various guest stars! Join us each week this summer for new nonsensical episodes! written and voiced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers kid question from Buttons & Figs kid Cruz, age 8 The Sheila Show, Wait a Minute, Rip Ziskin, Salty Legume Spread music written and produced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers Dig in the Yard All Summer - music by Pamela Rogers, voice Mark Peña (cover of Toy Dolls, Dig that Groove Baby) SFX by Zapsplat © Buttons & Figs...more

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• Summertime - Introducing The Sheila Show...shhh!

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  Jul 06 2022

  You are about to travel to the Summertime kid dimension to join the audience of The Sheila Show! The Sheila Show is a summer variety and nonsense sketch comedy show for kids, with skits, musical comedy, and vaudeville-style performances by the eponymous Sheila Carmichael III, along with members of her comedy troupe and various guest stars! Join us each week this summer for new nonsensical episodes! written and voiced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers kid question from Buttons & Figs kid Paola, age 5 The Sheila Show, Wait a Minute, Rip Ziskin music written and produced by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers Surf Sensations music by FreeMidi.org, voice by Mark Peña SFX by Zapsplat © Buttons & Figs...more

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• The WZNS: Put on a Poncho

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  Jun 23 2022

  You are listening to The Wordplay Zone Nonsense Show (WZNS)! Do not try and make sense of any of what you are about to hear. It is all nonsense, well, except for the part where we teach kids about being a leader. That is real. Stay tuned, our Summertime nonsense is about to begin! Nonsense skits written and performed by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers. Poncho written, produced and sung by Pamela Rogers Hoot-Hoo-Hooroo poem and music written by Pamela Rogers Buttons & Figs Kid voices come from nonsense lovers far and wide. SFX by Zapsplat B&F Artwork by Ann Pickard Graphics by Liz Burrill For more nonsense visit www.buttonsandfigs.com Copyright @buttonsandfigs...more

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• The WZNS: World Beyond the Ant Farm

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  Jun 15 2022

  You are listening to The Wordplay Zone Nonsense Show (WZNS)! Do not try and make sense of any of what you are about to hear. It is all nonsense, well, except for the part where we teach kids about ants and ant farms. That is real. Tune in to our ring-a-ding-ding, cuz this is the place where we'll be sharing our thing. Nonsense skits and music written and performed by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers. Buttons & Figs Kid voices come from nonsense lovers far and wide. SFX by Zapsplat Midi from Freemidi.org For more nonsense visit www.buttonsandfigs.com Copyright @buttonsandfigs...more

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• Celebrating Poetry with Phoenix Youth Poet Laureate Myra Kamal

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  Apr 07 2022

  In celebration of National Poetry Month we have a special guest - this year's Phoenix's Youth Poet Laureate Myra Kamel! In this episode we talk with Myra about how she how she fell in love with poetry and what inspires her to write poetry...but best of all, you get to hear a nature poem she wrote, titled, A Siesta. She also shares how she was inspired her to write her poem and ideas for how you can start writing a nature poem too. If you'd like to hear more about the Phoenix Youth Poetry Program, visit CYAZ.org. If you'd like to start a youth poetry program, visit UrbanWordNYC.org. And if you'd like to read and learn about poets visit poetryfoundation.org Here are links to all of Myra's poetry recommends in the episode: The Borderline (Myra's literary mag)- https://www.theborderlinemag.org/ Write the World - www.writetheworld.com Kid Spirit - www.kidspiritonline.com Scholastic Arts & Writing - www.artandwriting.org Polyphony Lit - (for high school students) www.polyphonylit.org Dandelion Press - www.dandelionpress.com Young Writers Initiative - www.tywi.org ReFrame - www.reframephx.org Virginia Piper Center for Creative Writing - www.piper.asu.edu Desert Dweller Podcast - find it on Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts You can also follow Phoenix Youth Poets on Instagram at @phxyouthpoetlaureateprogram Interview captured on Zoom, SFX from Zapsplat and Garageband...more

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• Epic Encore - War of the Fools

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  Mar 31 2022

  Epic Encore: War of the Fools! Once again, this April Fool's Day, nonsense appears to be on a collision course with reason! We present - Buttons & Figs and the Oyster Actors on the Air in, The War of the Fools. It was on this day, April 1st, in which weird happenings began to happen. Reporters began to report reportable events, reportable strange happenings, reportable odd sightings - a meat shower, a weird alphabet song, odd creatures sailing in a sieve making demands...what if it were all true?! Featuring voices from the pod-o-sphere, including The Past & The Curious, Composer Dad, and What If World. Tune in to Buttons & Figs to find out what the reporters are reporting this April Fool’s day. btw...does anyone have any stilton cheese?! Take care out there and watch out! This is a production of buttonsandfigs.com. Written and recorded in 2019 with Buttons & Figs kids, Kids Listen podcast members and the voices of Buttons & Figs....more

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• The WZNS: Ant Farm

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  Mar 19 2022

  You are listening to The Wordplay Zone Nonsense Show (WZNS)! Do not try and make sense of any of what you are about to hear. It is all nonsense, well, except for the part where we teach kids about ants. That is real. Tune in this winter and spring, cuz this is the place where we'll be sharing our thing. Nonsense skits and music written and performed by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers. Buttons & Figs Kid voices come from nonsense lovers far and wide. SFX by Zapsplat Midi from Freemidi.org For more nonsense visit www.buttonsandfigs.com Copyright @buttonsandfigs...more

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• The WZNS: World Beyond

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  Mar 06 2022

  You are listening to the Wordplay Zone Nonsense Show (WZNS)! Do not try and make sense of any of what you are about to hear. It is all nonsense, well, except for the part where we talk to Hans the Tuba! Tune in this winter and spring, cuz this is the place where we'll be sharing our thing. Nonsense skits and music written and performed by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers. Buttons & Figs Kid voices come from nonsense lovers far and wide. SFX by Zapsplat For more nonsense visit www.buttonsandfigs.com Copyright @buttonsandfigs...more

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• The WZNS: DONUTS!

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  Feb 14 2022

  You are listening to the Wordplay Zone Nonsense Show (WZNS)! Do not try and make sense of any of what you are about to hear. It is all nonsense, well, except for the part about DONUTS! Cuz DONUTS are the TRUTH! Tune in this winter and spring, cuz this is the place where we'll be sharing our thing. Nonsense skits and music written and performed by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers. Buttons & Figs Kid voices come from nonsense lovers far and wide. Picklepear in the Air written and recorded by B&F kids Noah, Maddy and Hannah. The Donut Song written by Mark Peña, music by Pamela Rogers SFX by Zapsplat. Just Because mastered by audio engineer Blaise Collins For more nonsense visit www.buttonsandfigs.com Copyright @buttonsandfigs...more

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• The WZNS: The Ballad of Q & U

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  Feb 04 2022

  You are listening to the Wordplay Zone Nonsense Show (WZNS)! Do not try and make sense of any of what you are about to hear. It is all nonsense, well, except for the true story about the letters Q & U. THAT part is QUite true. Tune in this winter and spring, cuz this is the place where we'll be sharing our thing. Nonsense skits and music written and performed by Mark Peña and Pamela Rogers. Buttons & Figs Kid voices come from nonsense lovers far and wide The Ballad of Q & U written by Carter Dukarm and Mark Peña, lyrics by Pamela Rogers, guitar and pedal steel Carter Dukarm, vocals Mark Pena SFX by Zapsplat. Spurs sfx by https://freesound.org/people/CGEffex/sounds/98816/ For more nonsense visit www.buttonsandfigs.com Copyright @buttonsandfigs...more

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• Introducing: The Wordplay Zone Nonsense Show

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  Jan 28 2022

  You are about to enter the Wordplay Zone. Do not try and make sense of any of what you are about to hear. It is all nonsense. It is the middle ground between stupidity and wisdom, between make-believe and absurdity. It is our playground. And we have been at play. Tune in this winter and spring, cuz this is the place where we'll be sharing our thing. Nonsense skits and music written and performed by Mark Pena and Pamela Rogers Buttons & Figs Kid voices come from nonsense lovers far and wide For more nonsense visit www.buttonsandfigs.com Copyright @buttonsandfigs...more

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• New Show! Introducing the Semi-adventures of Sheila

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  Dec 18 2021

  We have a brand new, semi-short, audio-fiction podcast show to share. It's called, The Semi-Adventures of Sheila! We’ve just released all five chapters and you can subscribe, for free, anywhere you listen to podcasts! The Semi-Adventures of Sheila features none other than our own 9 year old Sheila! Yes! That sugar loving, fact loving, rock loving Sheila! Well, if you haven’t listened to our Summertime Zone series, you may not know who Sheila is, so this episode will introduce you to her and share a little more about her favorite past time - rockhounding! Search and subscribe to 'The Semi-adventures of Sheila' in Apple or Google Podcasts, Spotify, or where ever you listen to podcasts. The Semi-adventures of Sheila is a Buttons & Figs production....more

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• EmOcean Play with Venus Underwater author Julia Hengst

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  Nov 18 2021

  On this episode we get to sail to the land of Mermaidia! Which means you'll get to hear our interview with author Julia Hengst where she tells us all about the wordplay filled mermaid world she created called Mermaidia. You’ll learn about her new book, "Venus Underwater: Songs from Mermaidia" and how mermaids use song, dance, and wordplay which can help you sort through your emOceans. You’ll also get to hear some of the wonderful music that will bring this world to life. And, as always, we have a couple of Buttons & Figs kids who were inspired by Julia’s mermaid world, who will show us their ways to wordplay….so let’s get started... To learn more, visit Julia Hengst: venusandherflytrip.net Illustrations by Ester Samuals-Davis: dirtyliketheweeds.com Music by Rachel Panni and Alison Balano: NightskyMind.com Buttons & Figs kids: Brianna and Ariyah SFX by Zapsplat Interview recorded via Zoom Created and produced by Pamela Rogers Mastered by Blaise Collins...more

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• Wordplay Zone: The First Annual Library Book Cart Race

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  Nov 12 2021

  You are about to enter....the Wordplay Zone! A place where kids get to share their story ideas for Sheila and her gang...and we get to bring them to life with our crazy voices, sounds fx, and nonsense! So...WELCOME to our first episode of the Wordplay Zone. In this episode you get to hear the script of 11 year old Buttons & Figs kid Noah. He come up with a crazy library book cart race for Sheila, Max and Jimmy...not to mention a chipmunk, Robot and Spring-Heeled Jack! Get ready to enter the...Wordplay Zone: The First Annual Library Book Cart Race, by Noah If you enjoyed this crazy story, then be sure to check out Noah's inspiration: Mr. Lemoncello's Library book series, by Chris Grabenstein. If you have a story idea for Sheila and her friends, be sure to email pamela@buttonsandfigs.com If you'd like to add your voice to the Wordplay Zone, find a grownup and ask them to record you saying: Welcome to the Wordplay Zone! This episode was written by Noah, with support from Buttons & Figs Sheila, Max, Jimmy, Spring-heeled Jack voiced by Mark Pena Robot, Chipmunk, Wordplay Zone musical introduction by Noah Writing support and production by Pamela Rogers Audio engineering by Blaise Collins...more

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• Original Scary Stories - Ages 8+

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  Oct 31 2021

  You are about to hear original scary stories by students from Independence High School in Glendale Arizona. These stories were written for you, the listeners of Buttons & Figs...but we must warn you, they are not for those who scare easily...there is a story of a ghost, a girl, and a train...all of them are haunting, scary and spooky! We recommend these stories for those who are brave, ages 8+. The Girl in the White Dress written and narrated by Sarahi, voices by Marisol, Mark, Chloe and student Stitches and Needles written by Madison, narrated by Marisol The Runaway Train by Gio The Spirit of Halloween by Mark Pena Thanks to librarian Stephanie Ehrick for hosting this spooky story contest and a special thanks to Mark Pena for keeping the halloween spirit alive! Recorded and produced by Pamela Rogers Happy Halloween! Boo!...more

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• Storytelling Contest in the Halloween Zone - Ages 7+

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  Oct 29 2021

  You are about to hear Sheila host a spooky story telling contest with her friends. Which one will win? Will there be prizes? What is a bloody book anyway? Before we answer these questions, please note...If you are a kid who scares easily, then you may not be ready for this contest, but if you don’t mind the mention of murder and bloody hooks...or books, then...by all means, prepare yourself to enter... the Halloween Zone. Recommended for kids ages 7+ due to the mention of murder and a bloody hook. Storytelling Contest written and voiced by Mark Pena What Will I Be? written and voiced by Mark Pena Introduced and produced by Pamela Rogers Thanks to Buttons & Figs kids Noah and Hannah for lending their voice to halloween! The Bloody Hook was adapted from "The Hook", a story in the collection "Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark", by Alvin Schwartz. For more scary stories, be sure to check out all of his collections!...more

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• One Halloween Night in the Halloween Zone

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  Oct 27 2021

  Street scenes. Halloween. The past. You are about to listen to several groups of kids who all live near one another, who take to the streets on their own daring journeys this Halloween Night. Their talk of candy and costumes will be familiar to you...until fear sets in and you hear a black cat start talking...a little too much. This next stop will be...in the Halloween Zone. Thanks to Buttons & Figs kid voices Noah and Hannah. Halloween stories written and voiced by Pamela Rogers and Mark Pena Halloween is Coming was written by Mark Pena Produced by Pamela Rogers and Blaise Collins...more

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• Book Recommendation & Dragon Play with kid super reader Debra

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  Sep 18 2021

  Join me and my kid co-host Debra as we sail in a sieve to the land of dragons! Debra is a super fan of Tui Sutherland's book series, "Wings of Fire" and she's here to tell you why she loves these books so much and to share some fun ways to play with dragons! If you fall in love with this series, there are 14 books out now, but there are three more to be published! Wings of Fire Book Series: https://kids.scholastic.com/kid/books/wings-of-fire/ Thanks to Debra for sharing one of her favorite book series and to Donna for encouraging reading in your home!...more

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• Outer Space Music and Noise with Mary Farfisa's Outer Space Radio Theater creator Jim Cheff

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  Aug 23 2021

  Briscoe, Mary Farfisa's space horse friend, has come to visit me because apparently I have some sounds from Mary's Outer Space Library that are overdue! In this episode you'll get to meet the creator of Mary Farfisa's Outer Space Radio Theater, Jim Cheff and you'll also get to hear all sorts of music and noise from his show...and as always, we have a couple of Buttons & Figs kids who will show you ways to wordplay! Links to Jim Cheff's comics and show: Mary Farfisa's Music Album - https://maryfarfisasouterspaceradiotheater.bandcamp.com/album/songs-and-sounds-and-music-and-noise Coloring Books and more - https://www.facebook.com/maryfarfisa Mary Farfisa Comics - https://tapas.io/jimcheff Crater Community Radio - https://craterradio.com/about-mary-farfisa/ Kids Listen - https://app.kidslisten.org/ Thanks to Buttons & Figs kids - Chloe (11) and Sydnee (7)...more

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• Summertime Zone - Coming In Hot!

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  Aug 17 2021

  After meeting Spring-Heeled Jack this summer what if you were inspired to bounce...ok, leap great distances. Where will such leaping lead? You are about to find out….in the SummerTime Zone. You are now bouncing out of the Summertime Zone. We don’t understand why you entered this kid dimension, but we are grateful you found your way into this middle ground between stupidity and wisdom, between make-believe and absurdity. May the kid dimension of stories always find its way to you. Be well. Summertime Zone sketch comedy written and performed by Pamela Rogers and Mark Pena. We now return you to our regularly scheduled program of wordplay, poetry and episodes written for and by Buttons & Figs kids....more

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• Summertime Zone - Bwahahaha

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  Aug 09 2021

  You’ve been playing outside with your friends all day, you’re about to be called in for the night, when out of the shadows a gentleman appears, one with bat wings, red eyes, and clawed hands, known from legend as Spring-Heeled Jack. You are about to hear what fear, or exasperation, sounds like in - the Summertime Zone. written, voiced by mark pena and pamela rogers produced by pamela rogers sfx Zapsplat

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• Summertime Zone Encore - Frosty Pops

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  Jul 22 2021

  Summertime Zone Encore: Two kids, two ideas. One song contest. On the back of a cereal box. Should Sheila and her friend enter? Can they work together? Will they win? What is a lunar launcher? This Summertime Zone Encore episode is sponsored by Strobe Nightlight, a nightlight that will bring a party to your dreams...or might just keep you up dancing all night long! Thanks to Hank, age 6, for sending us the winning guess for what Lulu the Ladybug was selling! Check out Hank and Phoebe's podcast The Adventures of Power Dog in Dogland. If you have an idea for the Frosty Pop contest, send them to pamela@buttonsandfigs.com - you'll receive a Buttons & Figs wordplay zine, drawn by Jim Cheff, the creator of the podcast, Mary Farfisa's Outer Space Radio Theater Frosty Pops written, performed and produced by Mark Pena and Pamela Rogers Audio mastering by Blaise Collins/Pamela Rogers...more

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• Summertime Zone - Game Show

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  Jul 15 2021

  You are about to travel through to the kid dimension, to join the audience of your favorite game show, Guess That Noun. One kid contestant knows the answer to this game, regardless of the actual answer, or what the audience has to say. You are about to play this game...in the Summertime Zone. written and voiced by Mark Pena and Pamela Rogers SFX by Zapsplat Produced by Buttons & Figs

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• Summertime Zone - Picture Day

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  Jul 09 2021

  Hey Buttons & Figs kids….I’m super excited to share this summertime zone journey with you because it was written by a Buttons & Figs kid! One of the kids from our fall semester of wordplay reached out and said that he had an idea for a Summertime Zone episode, featuring none other than Sheila! It’s the middle of the school year, it’s picture day. That day when it was ok for your parent to lick their hand in order to smooth down that one piece of hair sticking up. But what if you missed picture day? You are about to hear an epic journey of what it takes to get the perfect picture….in the Summertime Zone…. written by Noah, age 11 voiced by Mark Pena edited and produced by Pamela Rogers SFX by Zapsplat...more

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• Summertime Zone Encore - Candy Eyes

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  Jul 01 2021

  You are about to journey into the past, when kids took turn telling stories after a long day of play...but sometimes it landed on that kid. The kid who likes candy and slurpees. Next stop, the Summertime Zone. Dodgeball PSA from the Summertime Zone Playground Association written and voiced by Mark Pena and Pamela Rogers sfx by Zapsplat Go play, ready, write, play this summer!

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• Summertime Zone - Let Wordplay Open the Door

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  Jun 24 2021

  Summer is officially here! You know what that means...summer sketch comedy fun at Buttons & Figs! We'll have some summer silliness from the past and present, along with some great summer reading and podcast recommends! To kick off this summer, we have a song, one we recorded with some extraterrestrials we encountered, who happen to love wordplay as much as me and you! But before we kick things off, we have big news here at Buttons & Figs....we have our first sponsor!!! Which means, we have a short commercial message...sort of. If you can help us make sense of this sponsor's message, please ask a grownup if you can call us....please! 623-282-4080 (email: pamela@buttonsandfigs.com)Leave us a message with your first name, age, where you are calling from, and what you think Lulu the Ladybug is trying to sell! Check out Mary Farfisa's Outer Space Radio Theater podcast anywhere you listen to podcasts! And...send us a message, you'll get a free Zine illustrated by Jim Cheff, creator of Mary Farfisa! Be sure to check out our YouTube channel to see the space creatures we met singing, Let Wordplay Open the Door to Your Heart: https://youtu.be/RNwjL9_zM0Q Episode written and voiced by Pamela Rogers and Mark Pena Sign up for Summer Reading at a library near you!!!...more

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• Animal Farm Fun with Kids Place Live Host Kenny Curtis

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  Jun 05 2021

  On this episode we get to wordplay with Dirk, a talking chipmunk! Which means we're sailing our sieve to talk with Kenny Curtis, host, DJ, and animal wrangler for his radio show, The Animal Farm, which airs on Sirius XM Channel 78, Kids Place Live. You'll get to hear about the talking animals on Kenny's radio show, a bit of history about satellite radio, and learn about some of the music and podcast projects he works on. You'll also hear from some Buttons & Figs kids who have a few animal suggestions for Kenny's Animal Farm...not to mention a few interrupting animal jokes, because it's always fun to yell into a microphone! Starring Buttons & Figs kids: Alex, Brooklyn, Evelyn, Georgia and Noah To tune in and listen to Kenny Curtis be sure to check out: Sirius XM Kids Place Live https://www.siriusxm.com/channels/kids-place-live Nat Geo Kids Greeking Out podcast https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/zeus-the-mighty/topic/podcast The Ten News podcast https://www.thetennews.com/ Connections made by Sugar Mountain PR http://sugarmountainpr.com/blog/...more

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• Celebrating Poetry with Phoenix Youth Poet Laureate Annika Clark

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  Apr 24 2021

  In celebration of National Poetry Month we have a special guest - Phoenix's Youth Poet Laureate Annika Clark! In this episode we talk with Annika about how she came to be the youth poet laureate of Phoenix, how she fell in love with poetry, and what inspires her to write poetry...but best of all, you get to hear a poem she wrote for her little sister, titled "For Grace". She also shares the poetry prompt that inspired her to write the poem, so you can write a poem for someone special too! If you'd like to hear more about the Phoenix Youth Poetry Program, visit CYAZ.org. If you'd like to start a youth poetry program, visit UrbanWordNYC.org. And if you'd like to read and learn about poets visit poetryfoundation.org You can also follow Phoenix Youth Poets on Instagram at @phxyouthpoetlaureateprogram Interview captured on Zoom, SFX from Zapsplat and Garageband...more

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• Nonsense Poetry for National Poetry Month

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  Apr 22 2021

  Happy National Poetry Month! We love listening, reading and writing poetry during April and we hope you do too! Here's a poem I wrote, hope you'll say it along with me, it's called, Pails of Shoeshine. You can find the words on our YouTube channel so you can Say-a-Long Verse with me! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MN1KmnzEa8I&t=30s Pails of Shoeshine written by Pamela Rogers Ukulele by Pamela Rogers Beats created with LOC's Citizen DJ and Garageband

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• Epic Encore: The War Of The Fools

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  Mar 31 2021

  Epic Encore: Once again...Nonsense appeared to be on a collision course with reason...presenting Buttons & Figs and the Oyster Actors on the Air in The War of the Fools. It was on this day, April 1st, in which weird happenings began to happen. Reporters began to report reportable events, reportable strange happenings, reportable odd sightings - a meat shower, a weird alphabet song, odd creatures sailing in a sieve making demands...what if it were all true?! Featuring voices from the pod-o-sphere, including The Past & The Curious, Composer Dad, and What If World. Tune in to Buttons & Figs to find out what the reporters are reporting this April Fool’s day. btw...does anyone have any stilton cheese?! Take care out there....more

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• Activity Book Nonsense - New Album and Interview with comedy musician Mike Phirman

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  Mar 30 2021

  Do you like to say the words, Activity Books? Do you like all the puzzles and games found in Activity Books? Then you'll love comedy musician Mike Phirman's new album titled, "Activity Books". In this episode you'll get to hear one of the songs from his new EP, "Word Search/Vacuum", featuring the voice of Weird Al Yankovich, and you'll get to hear our funny and fabulous interview with Mike about how he became famous and about his unfortunate experience with a vacuum. A few of our Buttons & Figs kids were inspired to create their own word search activity after listening to this fabulous album. You can learn more about Mike Phirman's work and find all the ways to purchase the Activity Books EP at https://mikephirman.com/ Thanks for this episodes go out to Buttons & Figs kids Olivia, Sophia and friends, Beth Blenz-Clucas at Sugar Mountain PR, librarian intern Anna Ferguson and comedy musician Mike Phirman. Word Search/Vacuum and song excerpts from the Activity Books album used with permission from the artist. Sound FX from Zapsplat...more

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• Miss Mary Mack Nonsense!

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  Mar 06 2021

  Do you know the rhyme Miss Mary Mack?! If so, then we have a silly, fun, joyful nonsense challenge! In this episode you'll learn a bit about the rhyme Miss Mary Mack, hear Buttons & Figs kid Chloe sing the rhyme AND make up a nonsense version of her own...and of course, we hope her wordplay will inspire YOU to make up your own version too! And IF you don't know this rhyme, then this is as good of time as any to learn it, grab a jump rope...and play! Credits: wordplay by chloe, age 9 music by pamela rogers Inspiration: "Let's Clap, Jump, Sing & Shout; Dance, Spin and Turn It Out! Games Songs and Stories from an African American Childhood" by Patricia McKissack, illustrated by Brian Pinkney - https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780375870880...more

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• Silly Animal Verse inspired by Ogden Nash

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  Feb 18 2021

  Do you love animals at the zoo...us too! For this episode we were inspired by Ogden Nash's "Zoo", a collection of silly animal verse, illustrated by Etienne Delessert. We invited kids at the Velma Teague Library to read some of Ogden Nash's poems and write some of their own. You'll learn a bit about Ogden Nash, hear a few of his poems, and hear original poems about a panda, a bee, a sheep and more! We'll also tell you how we went about our wordplay, so you can play our way by writing some silly animal verse of your own! Thanks to: Greg Kinder and Janet Llyod with Glendale Public Library, Velma Teague Branch - who welcomed us in to read, write and play before Covid took it all away! Zapslat for their SFX Anna Ferguson our Library Intern from the UofA - who has some wonderful book recommends! Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com to see the original writing from the kid on this episode...more

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• Writing Nonsense - A Word Ghost in the Portal

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  Feb 04 2021

  Have you ever wondered what would happen if a Word Ghost were to capture me and a bunch of Buttons & Figs kids after we fell through a portal along with a bunch of other friends, like horses, chickens and Scooby-Doo? Us too! In this episode you get to hear a tale from the land of Wacky Woo, Woo, Woo, spun from the imaginations of the first ever group of online writers for Buttons & Figs. During our online class we played with alliteration, rhyming verse, word rhythms then for our last class, we each wrote a chapter that I’ve woven into a story...sort of. This episode features original nonsense stories written by: C.J., Cruz, Maddy, Noah, Olivia, Piper, and Silver - kids ages 7 to 11. If you want to write some nonsense too...be sure to check out our friends at Storyseedspodcast.com. They have an excellent podcast for kids all about writing and they have a new activity book chalk filled with great ideas to get you started. The class was supported and co-taught by Tamara Fromm, sfx by Zapsplat, audio enginnering by Blaise Collins and hosted and produced by Pamela Rogers. Thanks for listening to me and you and you and me....more

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• WWW - Thanksgiving Thesaurus

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  Nov 25 2020

  Happy Thanksgiving from Buttons & Figs! On this WWW episode your challenge is to figure out which word doesn't belong. Play four rounds of Thanksgiving Thesaurus by listening to a list of words that mean similar things, in other words, synonyms...but one of the words in the list doesn't belong. And of course, there is a trick round, just because. Have a Happy, Joyful, Peaceful, Merry, Jubilant Thanksgiving. be safe. be kind. be playful. visit www.buttonsandfigs.com and look for more Wacky Wordplay Wednesdays written by Pamela Rogers audio produced by Pamela Rogers SFX from Zapsplat...more

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• WWW - Heards of Verbs

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  Nov 18 2020

  Have you Heards of Verbs?! On this Wacky Wordplay we share 4 limericks by Edward Lear and YOU are to listen for how many VERBS you HEARDS! You say that's nonsense? I say a verbs a verb, that's what I heard! GO PLAY! visit www.buttonsandfigs.com and look for Wacky Wordplay Wednesdays to see this wordplay written out to share in class or at home. a little wordplay each day goes a long way! written by Pamela Rogers audio produced by Pamela Rogers SFX from Zapsplat

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• WWW Encore: As Playful as a Simile

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  Nov 04 2020

  Encore WWW: Are you As Playful As a Simile?! Each Wacky Wordplay Wednesday (WWW)episode will feature a wordplay game you can play - with your family, friends, classmates or on your own. Each Wednesday this fall, join us for a wordplay ball. WWW episodes are brought to you by Buttons & Figs, a podcast for kids about playing with words. Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com to find these WWW activities written out for classroom play.

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• Halloween Spirit - a mini-musical treat

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  Oct 31 2020

  Halloween Spirit is a mini-musical treat with three songs that follow the story of a young boy whose favorite holiday is Halloween! Happy Halloween "Halloween is Coming" is about the excitement he feels at the start of the season! "What Can I Be?" is about the most monumental decision of the season! "Halloween Spirit" is a reminder, that no matter how different this halloween season might be, the spirit is always inside you...for free. Music by Mark Pena Lyrics by Mark Pena and Pamela Rogers Voice by Mark Pena Production by Pamela Rogers Audio Design and Engineering by Blaise Collins Happy Halloween from Buttons & Figs...more

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• #52 - The Nonsense Show at Velma Teague Library

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  Oct 31 2020

  For this episode kids at the Velma Teague Library in Glendale, Arizona wrote and recorded nonsense poems inspired by Eric Carle's "The Nonsense Show". Be warned, this book of nonsense brings forth all sorts of, well, how shall I say, Nonsense! You'll also hear great nonsense book recommends, and a public service announcement about staying hydrated. What? You say poppycock, fiddle-faddle, surreal cereal?! You're welcome. All nonsense on this episode was written by kids taking part in Buttons & Figs creative wordplay workshops at Velma Teague Library in the Spring of 2020, yup, in the time before. These voices are a nice reminder that we'll gather again. Stay safe, sane, hydrated, and wear a mask. Poems by Buttons & Figs kids Music by Pamela Rogers SFX by Zapsplat...more

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• Original Ghostly Tales - ages 8+

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  Oct 30 2020

  On this episode Buttons & Figs is proud to feature two original ghost stories, for brave kids, (recommend 8+)by Marisol, a student at Independence High School in Glendale, Arizona. In "The Curse" Marisol shares a cautionary tale reminding us we should listen to the stories we are told and in "While I Sleep" she shares a chilling story about a girl who is not there. These stories are read by Marisol, with voices by Mr. Pena. Happy, spooky Halloween from all of us at Buttons & Figs, a podcast for kids about spooky stories....Bawhahahaha!...more

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• WWW Encore: Spoooooky Halloween Vowels

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  Oct 26 2020

  Encore Wacky Wordplay: Spoooooooooky Halloween Vowel Sounds - Which vowels bring your favorite howls? Eeeeeeeeeeeek! I dare you to come up with Halloween sounds for each vowel! Each Wacky Wordplay Wednesday (WWW)episode will feature a wordplay game you can play - with your family, friends, classmates or on your own. Each Wednesday this fall, join us for a wordplay ball. WWW episodes are brought to you by Buttons & Figs, a podcast for kids about playing with words. Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com to find WWW activities - now go play!...more

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• WWW - Fortunately - Unfortunately

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  Oct 20 2020

  We have 3 rounds of the game Fortunately, Unfortunately! Fortunately is an adverb that means to be fortunate...or lucky! Unfortunately...well, that means the opposite (wah-wah-wah-waaah) Each player adds a sentence to a story that evolves and grows, but each sentence must start with either the word Fortunately or Unfortunately. We’ll start each round...then YOU continue the play with friends or family. We’ll tell you when to hit pause at the end of each round. The idea of the game is to continue adding sentences to the story until, Unfortunately, you run out of them! Fortunately, you’ll get the idea once we begin! visit www.buttonsandfigs.com and look for Wacky Wordplay Wednesdays to see this wordplay written out to share in class or at home. a little wordplay each day goes a long way! written by Pamela Rogers audio produced by Pamela Rogers and Blaise Collins...more

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• The Spirit of Halloween

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  Oct 15 2020

  I'm afraid our Halloween musical has been interrupted by an emergency holiday announcement....but wait, who's that at the door?! The Spirit of Halloween written by mark pena lyrics & vocals by mark pena audio produced by pamela rogers & blaise collins sfx by Zapsplat

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• WWW - Oxymorons

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  Oct 14 2020

  Well, I received a letter from my Dear Aunt Agnes and it has so many oxymorons in it, so I can’t figure out WHAT she’s trying to tell me! Can you help identify all of the Oxymorons? What's an oxymoron you ask? Oxymorons are when you place two words next to each other that seem to contradict each other, or have opposite meanings, but when used together, they have meaning! For example, Jumbo Shrimp is an oxymoron….because Jumbo means big and Shrimp means small, but together, it means a something delicious! You can see this letter by visiting Buttonsandfigs.com and looking for Wacky Wordplay Wednesdays. join us for wordplay when you can, perhaps on Wednesdays. written by Pamela Rogers produced by Buttons & Figs audio engineered by Blaise Collins...more

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• WWW - Add A Rhyme

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  Oct 07 2020

  On this episode of Wacky Wordplay Wednesday we're going to play with RHYMES! Who doesn't like to have a good time with a mighty good rhyme?! In this game you'll be listening to our rhyming verse so you can Add A Rhyme when I say it's time! Your challenge…ADD A RHYME. (Wacky, quacky, badacky rhymes get extra points, said I) Get ready to play - ADD A RHYME! visit www.buttonsandfigs.com and look for Wacky Wordplay Wednesdays to see these rhymes written out, so you can take your time playing ADD A RHYME written by pamela rogers audio produced by blaise collins SFX from Zapsplat...more

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• Halloween is Coming - What Can I Be?

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  Oct 06 2020

  What Can I Be? Now that Halloween is Coming it's time to figure it out! Here's a little treat, with a little beat, about a boy figuring out what he wants to be this Halloween. What Will You Be this Halloween?! Hmmm? written by mark pena lyrics & vocals by mark pena audio produced by pamela rogers & blaise collins sfx by Zapsplat

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• WWW - Noun Town

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  Sep 29 2020

  What’s in Noun Town you ask?! Well, Noun Town has people and animals, places, and things! Noun Town always has ideas, but only on Tuesdays. You are about to hear actual headlines read from the Noun Town Newspaper archives. Your challenge is to write down all the Nouns in each headline! Ready to learn a bit about the goings on in Noun Town? Are you sure? http://buttonsandfigs.com/www-noun-town-news/ Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com and look for Wacky Wordplay Wednesday to find these challenges - for your whiteboard, or smart board, or any old board. Each Wacky Wordplay Wednesday (WWW)episode will feature a wordplay game you can play - with your family, friends, classmates or on your own. Most Wednesdays this fall, join us for a wordplay ball. WWW episodes are brought to you by Buttons & Figs, a podcast for kids about playing with words. written by: pamela rogers audio produced by: blaise collins inspired by: ron barrett's Now, GO PLAY!...more

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• Halloween Is Coming!

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  Sep 27 2020

  Orange & black and black & orange, You know what this all means! It’s coming! it’s coming! It’s coming! It’s coming! It's coming! It's HALLOWEEN! Buttons & Figs kids love Halloween, The best time of the year! A night to go out, paint your face, and feel and give out fear! Happy October.....Bah-ha-ha-ha-ha...Boo! written by mark pena and pamela rogers vocals by mark pena audio produced by blaise collins sfx by Zapsplat

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• extra! Super Hero Jokes for National Comic Book Day

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  Sep 24 2020

  extra! extra! It's National Comic Book Day and to celebrate we have SUPER HERO KIDS telling SUPER HERO JOKES! Kids selected a joke from the "DC Super Friends Joke Book" to share with you! We recorded these jokes at the Velma Teague branch of Glendale Public Library during their LibConWest Festival. A Free Festival dedicated to celebrating comics and pop culture! Mark your calendar for this year's event...Sat Dec 5, 2020...we hope! Visit www.libconwest.org or glendaleazlibrary.com to learn more! Wakanda forever, comic books always!...more

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• extra! - Woke - poems about justice with poet Mahogany Browne

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  Sep 21 2020

  Before Buttons & Figs heads back into the school year with more wacky wordplay...we have an extra! episode about social justice. On this episode you'll hear three amazing poems read by Mahogany Browne from the new poetry picture book titled, "Woke: A Young Poet's Call to Justice." You'll also get to hear from some Buttons & Figs kids sharing their thoughts about justice. We hope hearing these poems and conversations will prompt you to talk about social justice with your family. The poems in "Woke" also feature poets Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood, with a forward by Jason Reynolds. This picture book is filled with hope and joy and the poems will help grownups open up conversations with kids about justice. The book is illustrated by Theodore Taylor III and published by Roaring Brook Press. We'll be back to our regularly scheduled wacky wordplay next time. Till then, may your head turn green and your hands turn blue. Thanks for listening to me and you and you and me. audio sound by Blaise Collins sound FX from Zapsplat produced by Buttons & Figs...more

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• Summertime Zone - Frosty Pops

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  Sep 04 2020

  Two kids, two ideas. One song contest. On the back of a cereal box. Should these kids enter? Can they work together? Will they win? What is a lunar launcher? This is the last stop...in the Summertime Zone. You are now leaving the Summertime Zone. We don’t understand why you entered this kid dimension, but we are grateful you found your way into this middle ground between stupidity and wisdom, between make-believe and absurdity. May the kid dimension of stories always find its way to you. Be well. Summertime Zone sketch comedy written and performed by Pamela Rogers and Mark Pena. Frosty Pops written, performed and produced by Mark Pena and Pamela Rogers Audio mastering by Blaise Collins We now return you to our regularly scheduled program of wordplay, poetry and episodes written by Buttons & Figs kids....more

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• Summertime Zone - The Incident

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  Aug 31 2020

  School day. The past. The seasons were about to change, when a moment happened. An incident that caused time to stand still, a moment where you question reality. This incident could only happen...in the summertime zone. written by pamela rogers and mark pena voices by mark pena music includes pieces by mark pena & pamela rogers and turbosol https://www.youtube.com/c/95TurboSol produced by pamela rogers audio mastered by blaise collins

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• Summertime Zone - Y.U.T.

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  Aug 24 2020

  You are traveling through to the kid dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound but great indecision. A time when deciding on what game to play became a game in and of itself...get ready to play in the Summertime Zone! Was this fun? Next time you’re faced with indecision, try our choosing rhyme, it always works when you’re….in the Summertime Zone. written and voiced by pamela rogers and mark pena

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• Summertime Zone - Candy Eyes

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  Aug 17 2020

  You are about to journey into the past, when kids took turn telling stories after a long day of play...but sometimes it landed on that kid. The kid who likes candy and slurpees. Next stop, the Summertime Zone.

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• Summertime Zone - First Day of School

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  Aug 10 2020

  The time is Summer, yet it is time for school to begin. Meet Ms. Fredrickson, Occupation: 3rd grade teacher. It is her first day of school. It is 8:00 a.m….online. The journey you are about to hear could be our journey. Next stop will be….in the summertime zone.

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• The Summertime Zone - The Shadow House

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  Aug 03 2020

  The Summertime Zone is a dimension of stories told by kids in Summertime. You are about to enter that dimension, a journey into the shadows of The Shadow House. We all know a house like The Shadow House. A house on our block where things go on, scary things, shadowy things, familiar things?! Next stop, the Summertime Zone.

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• The Summertime Zone - The Scariest Story

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  Jul 27 2020

  This is the dimension of stories, told in Summertime. Tune in as these adults reminisce about the stories they used to tell in the summer...were their stories as scary as they say they were? Join us next time in the dimension of stories, when we travel back to when these adults were kids, so you can hear their stories and decide for yourself, join us...in The Summertime Zone! written by: pamela rogers & mark pena voices by: pamela rogers & mark pena piano arrangement by: jonny may from https://youtu.be/LV4TA_IhB1U used with permission - to learn to play like jonny may check out: https://pianowithjonny.com/...more

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• Summertime Encore - Camp

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  Jul 23 2020

  Summertime Encore: Summertime is a time for summer. Listen in as the kids at Camp Summer Camp tell scary stories, including one about an abominable butternut squash...yes, you read that right, a squash, a butternut squash, an abominable butternut squash. Summer fun, summer play, summer all day cuz we don't care a button, we don't care a fig. Now go play. www.buttonsandfigs.com [sound fx courtesy of Zapsplat and a casio keyboard.]

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• Summertime Encore: Cryptozoology

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  Jul 15 2020

  Summertime Encore: Summertime is a time for summer. Bigfoot likes a bad joke, in the summertime. This episode is brought to you by - Cryptozoology, when regular zoology is just not crypto enough. Summer fun, summer play, summer all day cuz we don't care a button, we don't care a fig. Now go play. www.buttonsandfigs.com . [sound fx courtesy of Zapsplat and a casio keyboard.]

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• Summertime Encore: Thesaurus

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  Jul 06 2020

  Encore: Summertime is a time for summer. Here's some pastiche from the Thesaurus, because it's always good to have healthy options. Malapropisms are fun in the sun, capiche? Summer fun, summer play, summer all day cuz we don't care a button, we don't care a fig. Now go play. www.buttonsandfigs.com . [sound fx courtesy of Zapsplat, Italian music from Italy's open source project www.canzoneitaliana.it]

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• Summertime Encore: Homonyms

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  Jun 29 2020

  Encore: Summertime is a time for summer. Here's a tasty treat of homonyms, delicious for the whole family whether in a hole during bad weather or at sea. See? You see, sea creatures love homonyms, see? Sea? Summer fun, summer play, summer all day cuz we don't care a button, we don't care a fig. Now go play. www.buttonsandfigs.com

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• About to Begin - Summertime Wordplay

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  Jun 27 2020

  Buttons & Figs is about to begin our Summertime Series of wordplay fun! And, we have an announcement...Buttons & Figs has a new YouTube Channel that will be filling up with wordplay skits, songs, poems, and wacky summertime news...be sure to Subscribe here and there this Summertime!

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• #51 - Jabber-Walking with poet Juan Felipe Herrera

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  May 08 2020

  "And, as in uffish thought he stood, The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, And burbled as it came." Listen as poet laureate Juan Felipe Herrera reads this famous Lewis Carroll line, explaining it is the yeast that made his book, Jabber-Walking, rise. Jabber-Walking is a way to observe the world, inspiring kids to write poetry. On this episode, Juan shares where his love of poetry came from, how he came up with Jabber-Walking, and how YOU can start Jabber-Walking too. It also features 4th grade student voices from Landmark Elementary School in Glendale, Arizona, who share their Jabber-Writing as they walked through the tulgey wood. Visit Buttons & Figs to find the full interview with Juan Felipe Herrera and a free downloadable coloring sheet, by artist Ann Pickard, inspired by this episode. -- now go write and walk...Jabber-Walk!...more

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• #50 - Neologism Play

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  Apr 25 2020

  On this episode we sail our sieve to the land of Neologisms...in other words, we get to make up new nonsense words! Buttons & Figs kids lead the way to wordplay with neologisms, hoping you'll send us your newly invented words so we can add them to the OFFISHAL Buttons & Figs Dictionary, which will only include your invented words! Be sure to download our first coloring page from artist Ann Pickard, featuring a newly coined word! So let's get started with some wordplay today! - coloring and neologism play at buttonsandfigs.com...more

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• WWW - Nursery Rhyme Jeopardy

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  Apr 16 2020

  How well do you know your nursery rhymes?! Test your knowledge on Nursery Rhyme Jeopardy! We have 5 clues. See if you can guess the answers...in the form of a question, of course! Each Wacky Wordplay Wednesday (WWW)episode will feature a wordplay game you can play - with your family, friends, classmates or on your own. Most Wednesdays this spring, join us for this wordplay thing. WWW episodes are brought to you by Buttons & Figs, a podcast for kids about playing with words. Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com to find WWW companion pieces to help you play our way! Now, GO PLAY!...more

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• #49 - Poem Explosion with author Kyle Lukoff

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  Apr 09 2020

  For National Poetry Month, we sail in a sieve to the land of poetry, with author Kyle Lukoff. Kyle just released a picture book titled, "Explosion at the Poem Factory." Kyle shares the story about the good bad poem that inspired his book, you'll also learn about the Philolexian Society he belonged that each year hosts a bad poetry festival each year…and he shares the secret of what makes a bad poem..good. And as always, a few Buttons & Figs kids share their good bad poems to show us the way to wordplay...Now go write a poem! www.buttonsandfigs.com...more

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• Encore: #36 - War of the Fools

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  Apr 01 2020

  Encore: Once again...Nonsense appeared to be on a collision course with reason...presenting Buttons & Figs and the Oyster Actors on the Air in The War of the Fools. It was on this day, April 1st, in which weird happenings began to happen. Reporters began to report reportable events, reportable strange happenings, reportable odd sightings - a meat shower, a weird alphabet song, odd creatures sailing in a sieve making demands...what if it were all true?! Featuring voices from the pod-o-sphere, including The Past & The Curious, Composer Dad, and What If World. Tune in to Buttons & Figs to find out what the reporters are reporting this April Fool’s day. btw...does anyone have any stilton cheese?! Take care out there....more

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• #48 - Gorey Nonsense! with author Lori Mortensen

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  Mar 24 2020

  On this episode we sail in a sieve to the land of Edward Gorey, with author Lori Mortensen to show us the way. Ms. Mortensen just released a biography of Gorey titled, "Nonsense! The Curious Story of Edward Gorey." On this episode you'll get to hear about Gorey's life, his style and his love of anagrams! Join Buttons & Figs listeners as they come up with silly names using the letters of their names, just like Edward Gorey did. You'll also get to hear how Lori Mortensen does research for her biographies, along with some great advice for how YOU can write a biography too. Now go write! www.buttonsandfigs.com...more

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• WWW - Mighty Great Adjectives

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  Mar 21 2020

  Time to play Mighty Great Adjectives! We'll read 4 wacky sentences and YOU have to see if you can count how many adjectives modify the noun in question. Are you ready to play Mighty Great Adjectives?! Each Wacky Wordplay Wednesday (WWW)episode will feature a wordplay game you can play - with your family, friends, classmates or on your own. Most Wednesdays this spring, join us for this wordplay thing. WWW episodes are brought to you by Buttons & Figs, a podcast for kids about playing with words. Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com to find WWW companion pieces to help you play our way! Now, GO PLAY!...more

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• WWW - Spoonerism Play

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  Mar 09 2020

  Time to play - Get That Spoon Out of Your Mouth! - "But mom, you said you would give me $2 for CHEWING the DOORS!" Can you identify the Spoonerism?! If so, see if you can get all 5 spoonerisms to win only the pride you'll feel for being able to PLAY WITH WORDS! Each Wacky Wordplay Wednesday (WWW)episode will feature a wordplay game you can play - with your family, friends, classmates or on your own. Most Wednesdays this spring, join us for this wordplay thing. WWW episodes are brought to you by Buttons & Figs, a podcast for kids about playing with words. Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com to find WWW companion pieces to help you play our way! Now, GO PLAY!...more

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• #47 - Idiom Play

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  Mar 05 2020

  Hold your tongue, because we've got our ducks in a row to sail our sieve to the land of idioms with Ms. LaBrie's class of 3rd graders at Madison Simis Elementary School in Phoenix, Az. These kids were inspired by the book, "The Cat's Pajamas" by Wallace Edwards. These kids had a lot to draw on as they grabbed the tiger by the tail to play with both the figurative and literal meanings of idiom they selected. Not to blow their horns, but they now know idioms are a piece of cake! Face the Music and GO PLAY! --www.buttonsandfigs.com...more

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• WWW - Onomatopoeia Play

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  Feb 27 2020

  What sound does an angry bird make?! Well, your answer is onomatopoeia! Onomatopoeia words are created when you imitate sounds. See if you can come up with onomatopoeia answers for this WWW challenge! Each Wacky Wordplay Wednesday (WWW)episode will feature a wordplay game you can play - with your family, friends, classmates or on your own. Each Wednesday this spring, join us for this wordplay thing. WWW episodes are brought to you by Buttons & Figs, a podcast for kids about playing with words. Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com to find WWW companion pieces to help you play our way! Now, GO PLAY!...more

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• extra! extra! - Poetry IS for the Birds

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  Feb 25 2020

  Buttons & Figs was invited to Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe, Arizona for their Bring on the Birds event! It was organized by the Maricopa County Audubon Society. Kids attending the event were able to visit a magnificent bald eagle, a menacing turkey vulture and learn about other birds brought to the bookstore by Liberty Wildlife Rescue. Because nature fills us with wonder, poet David Chorlton and Buttons & Figs kids shared their poems at the event...and we were even able to capture a few just for you...here are some nature loving friends who stopped by the bookstore proving that Poetry IS for the Birds…...more

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• WWW - Chain Tale Play

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  Feb 20 2020

  Do you know the poem that inspired the podcast that Pam built? This chain tale will lead you to the answer! Each Wacky Wordplay Wednesday (WWW)episode will feature a wordplay game you can play - with your family, friends, classmates or on your own. Each Wednesday this spring, join us for this wordplay thing. WWW episodes are brought to you by Buttons & Figs, a podcast for kids about playing with words. Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com to find WWW companion pieces to help you play our way! Now, GO PLAY!...more

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• #46 - Alphabet Nonsense

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  Feb 18 2020

  Sail in a sieve to the land of Alphabet Nonsense with Edward Lear's Nonsense Alphabet! On this episode you'll learn a bit about Edward Lear and you'll hear Buttons & Figs kids share nonsense letter poems of their own, inspired by Lear. The kids also tell you how they wrote their poems, so you can write them too. And, if you need a little help remembering the letters of the English alphabet, then we got you covered with A BETTER Alphabet song than the one everyone seems to like so much! Jonathon Roberts from Composer Dad podcast and I teamed up with some Buttons & Figs kids to write what we think is a WAY better tune...but you can decide. Be sure to check out "His Shoes Were Far Too Tight" a collection of Edward Lear poems, illustrated by Calef Brown. Now go play with letters...no words...no letters...no words....just go play. buttonsandfigs.com...more

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• WWW - Palindrome Play

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  Feb 13 2020

  Is it a PALINDROME or not?! Listen to 5 words or phrases and YOU decide - PALINDROME or not?! Read forward and backward each and every day. Each Wacky Wordplay Wednesday (WWW)episode will feature a wordplay game you can play - with your family, friends, classmates or on your own. Each Wednesday this spring, join us for this wordplay thing. WWW episodes are brought to you by Buttons & Figs, a podcast for kids about playing with words. Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com to find WWW companion pieces to help you play our way! Now, GO PLAY!...more

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• WWW - Silly Syllogisms

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  Feb 05 2020

  WHAT is the Conclusion?! Play the OTHER game show everyone is talking about - ARE YOU SILLY?! Test your logic, tickle your brain, with 3 Silly Syllogisms! Each Wacky Wordplay Wednesday (WWW)episode will feature a wordplay game you can play - with your family, friends, classmates or on your own. Each Wednesday this spring, join us for this wordplay thing. WWW episodes are brought to you by Buttons & Figs, a podcast for kids about playing with words. Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com to find WWW companion pieces to help you play our way! Now, GO PLAY!...more

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• More Wordplay Coming Your Way

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  Jan 27 2020

  Happy Sorta Not New Anymore Year from us to YOU! This is just a short episode to say, we have more wordplay heading your way! In the meantime, be sure to listen to past episodes, there are all sorts of different ones, with all sorts of different kind of wordplay fun. And, since it's Lewis Carroll's birthday, I have a little song I've been working on called, "Portmanteaus Are Useful!" Stay tuned for more wordplay fun in 2020...too bad it's not 2021 yet, it rhymes better. Now, go play!

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• #45 - Holiday Poem Play at Velma Teague Library

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  Dec 19 2019

  Sail with us this holiday to the Velma Teague Library in Glendale Arizona where we share holiday play inspired by the classic Christmas poem, "The Night Before Christmas" by Clement Moore. But of course we don't just read the poem, we play! Listen in as these Buttons & Figs kids come up with their own reindeer names, and using the poem as inspiration, they set sail to write their own original stories. We hope you'll head to the library this holiday and read The Night Before Christmas so sugar plums will dance and sing in your imagination. May poetry and play come your way this holiday. Till we meet again in 2020, happy new year from Buttons & Figs....more

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• WWW - Synonym Spice

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  Dec 12 2019

  Play the game show everyone is talking about - Synonym Spice! Play 4 rounds of Synonym Spice and see if you can pick which word is NOT a synonym. Each Wacky Wordplay Wednesday (WWW)episode will feature a wordplay game you can play - with your family, friends, classmates or on your own. Each Wednesday this fall, join us for a wordplay ball. WWW episodes are brought to you by Buttons & Figs, a podcast for kids about playing with words. Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com to find WWW activities.

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• #44 - Alliteration Play with Brainstorming Bella and her Fabulous Friends

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  Dec 01 2019

  Sail with Brainstorming Bella and her Fabulous Friends as they steer our sieve to the land of alliteration. Bella, a Buttons & Figs fan, begged and beguiled her classmates at the West End Montessori school in Richmond, Virginia into hosting this episode of alliterative fun. You'll get to hear them define alliteration, play with alliteration and challenge you to write your own alliteration too. If you'd like to send in your own perfect poem, call 623-282-4080 and leave your little lighthearted lines. No go play. www.buttonsandfigs.com...more

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• #43 - Nonsense Play with Calef Brown

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  Nov 21 2019

  On this episode we're sailing our sieve to the land of Nonsense with Calef Brown's latest book, "Up Versus Down: Poems, Painting and Serious Nonsense." Calef's nonsense verse shook up our minds, inspiring us to gather wacky words and play. Buttons & Figs kids show you how we played with word associations in order to write nonsense verse of our own - we hope you'll give it a try at home. Calef has great advice if you'd like to write too, be sure to listen to his whole interview. Read all Calef Brown's books aloud (13 to be exact!)for a super, earlicious treat (not to mention reading 13 books would be a nifty little feat.) www.buttonsandfigs.com...more

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• WWW - Mnemonic Tonic

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  Nov 21 2019

  How am I supposed to remember our wordplay this week?! Perhaps this Mnemonic Tonic will help....{gulp}! Listen and learn a mnemonic to help you remember the order of the planets...it's one I learned in 5th grade from Mr. Barnett! Then, make up your own. Each Wednesday this fall, join us for a wordplay ball. WWW episodes are brought to you by Buttons & Figs, a podcast for kids about playing with words. Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com to find WWW activities.

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• WWW - Cow and Crow

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  Nov 14 2019

  Cow and Crow think their names should rhyme, which gets them all confused about how to pronounce words ending in O.W.! Listen in on a phone conversation between Cow and Crow and see if you can figure out what they are talking about! Each Wacky Wordplay Wednesday (WWW)episode will feature a wordplay game you can play - with your family, friends, classmates or on your own. Each Wednesday this fall, join us for a wordplay ball. WWW episodes are brought to you by Buttons & Figs, a podcast for kids about playing with words. Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com to find WWW activities....more

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• WWW - Bombostic Acrostic Play

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  Nov 07 2019

  We're going to play with a Bombostic Acrostic Poem! - Listen for the first letter of each line of this acrostic poem and see if you can figure out what phase it spells! (Hint: It's a phrase you hear on just about every episode of Buttons & Figs!) Each Wacky Wordplay Wednesday (WWW)episode will feature a wordplay game you can play - with your family, friends, classmates or on your own. Each Wednesday this fall, join us for a wordplay ball. WWW episodes are brought to you by Buttons & Figs, a podcast for kids about playing with words. Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com to find WWW activities - now go play!...more

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• #42 - Audubon Poetry Play with poet David Chorlton

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  Nov 06 2019

  Sail in a sieve to the land of Audubon Poetry Play with poet laureate David Chorlton and his bird Maxi. On this episode David shares his poetry and inspires kids to write poetry in order to better understand their relationship with nature. The Buttons & Figs kids use acrostic poetry play to explore how they feel about the nature and birds and if families want to learn more, we share information about the Maricopa Audubon Society and Audubon.org. If you would like to have some acrostic poetry fun, visit ButtonsandFigs.com and download the free activity sheet that goes with this episode. Beware of the kingdom of the claw...Kakawwwww!...more

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• Spooky Halloween Play at Velma Teague Library

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  Oct 30 2019

  Buttons & Figs sailed in a sieve to the Velma Teague Library in Glendale, Arizona for some Spooky Halloween Play. We asked kids to write spooky stories, tell us about their costumes or favorite characters, and share some of their best spooky sounds. Be sure to write your own spooky story this Halloween. For ideas of what to write about, visit www.Buttonsandfigs.com for free downloadable activity sheet. Happy Halloweeeeeeeen!

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• Ghosts of Podcasts Past: Spooky Skul-a-Mug Nonsense

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  Oct 29 2019

  Sail in our way-back sieve to visit the ghost of Halloween past with a listener favorite from 2017 - What is a Skul-a-Mug-Mug you ask? This episode is inspired by "Black is Bittern" by Robert Heidbreder, a fabulous nonsense book about these creatures! Be sure to download our spooky activity sheet filled with ideas for the season....and stay tuned....we will have more spooky stories heading your way...Bawhahahahaaaaaa!

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• Original Ghostly Tales - Ages 8+

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  Oct 27 2019

  On this episode Buttons & Figs is proud to feature original ghost stories, for brave kids, (recommend 8+)by Tony and Pike, students at Independence High School in Glendale, Arizona. Tony shares a haunting story of a family ghost and a headless rooster and Pike shares a chilling delicious folk tale of the Windigo. Stories include mention of decapitation and cannibalism, as many a folk tale will do...but rest assured, we have more, happier stories on the way, for the youngest of listeners! Happy, spooky Halloween from all of us at Buttons & Figs, a podcast for kids about playing with words and stories....Bawhahahaha!...more

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• WWW - Halloween Vowel Play

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  Oct 24 2019

  Spoooooooooky Halloween Vowel Sounds - Which vowels bring your favorite howls? Eeeeeeeeeeeek! I dare you to come up with Halloween sounds for each vowel! Each Wacky Wordplay Wednesday (WWW)episode will feature a wordplay game you can play - with your family, friends, classmates or on your own. Each Wednesday this fall, join us for a wordplay ball. WWW episodes are brought to you by Buttons & Figs, a podcast for kids about playing with words. Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com to find WWW activities - now go play!...more

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• #41 - Idea Play

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  Oct 22 2019

  Sail in a sieve to the land of ideas with Ms. Harding's class of 2nd graders at Madison Simis Elementary School in Phoenix, Az. These kids were inspired by the book, "What Do You Do With An Idea?" by Kobi Yamata, illustrated by Mae Besom. The last page of the book says ideas can change the world, so these kids set out to think about ideas to make oceans, lands, schools, playgrounds, and zoos better...they even have ideas for how to make cobras better! What ideas do you have to change the world? --www.buttonsandfigs.com...more

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• WWW - Dialogue Play

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  Oct 16 2019

  We're going to play with Dialogue! - Who's a hog? - No, Dialogue. - There's no smog! - No Dialogue! - What's that? - We have some questions to get you playing with dialogue! Each Wacky Wordplay Wednesday (WWW)episode will feature a wordplay game you can play - with your family, friends, classmates or on your own. Each Wednesday this fall, join us for a wordplay ball. WWW episodes are brought to you by Buttons & Figs, a podcast for kids about playing with words. Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com to find WWW activities - now go play!...more

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• WWW - Limerick Tricks

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  Oct 09 2019

  Have you ever met that flighty Old Person of Phoenix? Our Limerick Tricks will show you the patterns of play for making limericks this way! Each Wacky Wordplay Wednesday (WWW)episode will feature a wordplay game you can play - with your family, friends, classmates or on your own. Each Wednesday this fall, join us for a wordplay ball. WWW episodes are brought to you by Buttons & Figs, a podcast for kids about playing with words. Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com to find WWW activities.

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• WWW - Hoarse Horse

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  Oct 02 2019

  Hoarse horse knows his nose needs blowing! How many homonyms do you hear here? Each Wacky Wordplay Wednesday (WWW)episode will feature a wordplay game you can play - with your family, friends, classmates or on your own. Each Wednesday this fall, join us for a wordplay ball. WWW episodes are brought to you by Buttons & Figs, a podcast for kids about playing with words. Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com to find WWW activities.

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• #40 - Simile Play with Neon Words

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  Oct 01 2019

  On this episode we're sailing our sieve to the land of Neon Words with some Simile Play! We were inspired by the new book, "Neon Words: 10 Brilliant Ways to Light Up Your Writing." Our writing play comes from Chapter 1 of this book and we had a chance to interview authors Marge Pellegrino and Kay Sather from Tucson, Arizona, to ask them where they got all of their bright ideas! We hope you'll play along as we share some of our favorite Neon Words! www.buttonsandfigs.com

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• WWW - As Playful As a Simile

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  Sep 25 2019

  Are you As Playful As a Simile?! Each Wacky Wordplay Wednesday (WWW)episode will feature a wordplay game you can play - with your family, friends, classmates or on your own. Each Wednesday this fall, join us for a wordplay ball. WWW episodes are brought to you by Buttons & Figs, a podcast for kids about playing with words. Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com to find WWW activities.

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• WWW - Alphabet Circus

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  Sep 18 2019

  At the Alphabet Circus - A Hurt His Arm as he fell from a flying trapeze! What will happen next? Each Wacky Wordplay Wednesday (WWW)episode will feature a wordplay game you can play - with your family, friends, classmates or on your own. Each Wednesday this fall, join us for a wordplay ball. WWW episodes are brought to you by Buttons & Figs, a podcast for kids about playing with words. Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com to find WWW activities.

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• More Wordplay Heading Your Way - Reprise with Story Pirates

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  Sep 17 2019

  Buttons & Figs has set sail for another season of wordplay! We have a fabulously full fall of wordplay fun for everyone! We'll be playing with similes, nonsense poems, nature, ideas and more. We'll be interviewing authors of wordplay and showing you our way to play....so stay tuned. If you're looking for literary listening - try on these for size - The Good Words Podcast, KitLitTV, Book Power for Kids, The Book Club for Kids, and of course....The Story Pirates! In the meantime, enjoy this Reprise of episode #39 featuring the song Backstroke Raptor from the Story Pirates album of the same name. Play, play, play with words. www.buttonsandfigs.com...more

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• Summertime - Creativity

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  Aug 12 2019

  Summertime is a time for summer, but summer has come to an end. Summer is at The Beach with an exclusive interview with Pamela Rogers and Mark Pena, the creative minds behind this Summertime series. Can Pam and Mark figure out a way to say goodbye to summer? Tune in and find out. Then, go back to school and play, cuz we don't care a button, we don't care a fig. www.buttonsandfigs.com . [sound fx courtesy of Zapsplat and a casio keyboard.]

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• Summertime - Encounter

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  Jul 29 2019

  Summertime is a time for summer. We have an exclusive interview with a pilot of a spacecraft that has just landed on The Beach. Find out about what they do during the summer on their planet. Summer fun, summer play, summer all day cuz we don't care a button, we don't care a fig. Now go play. www.buttonsandfigs.com . [sound fx courtesy of Zapsplat and a casio keyboard.]

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• Summertime - Camp

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  Jul 22 2019

  Summertime is a time for summer. Listen in as the kids at Camp Summer Camp tell scary stories, including one about an abominable butternut squash...yes, you read that right, a squash, a butternut squash, an abominable butternut squash. Summer fun, summer play, summer all day cuz we don't care a button, we don't care a fig. Now go play. www.buttonsandfigs.com . [sound fx courtesy of Zapsplat and a casio keyboard.]

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• Summertime - Cryptozoology

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  Jul 15 2019

  Summertime is a time for summer. Bigfoot likes a bad joke, in the summertime. Cryptozoology jokes, when regular zoology is just not crypto enough. Summer fun, summer play, summer all day cuz we don't care a button, we don't care a fig. Now go play. www.buttonsandfigs.com . [sound fx courtesy of Zapsplat and a casio keyboard.]

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• Summertime - Thesaurus

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  Jul 08 2019

  Summertime is a time for summer. Here's some pastiche from the Thesaurus, because it's always good to have healthy options. Malapropisms are fun in the sun, capiche? Summer fun, summer play, summer all day cuz we don't care a button, we don't care a fig. Now go play. www.buttonsandfigs.com . [sound fx courtesy of Zapsplat, Italian music from Italy's open source project www.canzoneitaliana.it]

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• Summertime - Homonyms

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  Jul 01 2019

  Summertime is a time for summer. Here's a tasty treat of homonyms, delicious for the whole family whether in a hole during bad weather or at sea. See? You see, sea creatures love homonyms, see? See? Summer fun, summer play, summer all day cuz we don't care a button, we don't care a fig. Now go play. www.buttonsandfigs.com

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• #39 - Wacky Song Lyric Play with Story Pirates

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  Jun 26 2019

  On this episode we're sailing our sieve to the land of wacky song lyrics with Story Pirates! Story Pirates just released a new wacky song album, "Backstroke Raptor." The album is filled with wacky songs written by kids, performed by wacky musicians for kids. We get to share two songs from the Story Pirates album and talk with founder Lee Overtree about what makes a great song lyric. We also have a few wacky song ideas from our own Buttons & Figs kids. We hope you'll sing and play along. www.buttonsandfigs.com...more

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• #38 - Poetry (part 2) - Noun Play

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  May 16 2019

  On this episode we sail our sieve back to the land of POETRY! Rosemarie Dombrowski, poet laureate for Phoenix, celebrated National Poetry Month by writing two special poems for Buttons & Figs! Rosemarie reads her poem "Cat Lady." The 3rd graders at Camelview Elementary School play with nouns from 5 famous poets, creating original wordplay sentences & poems of their own. Enjoy the creativity & voices of the students in Ms. Lisa Petrauschke's class and Ms. Perkins class. Poetry everyday, we say! www.buttonsandfigs.com...more

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• #38 - Poetry (part 1) - Poetry Prompt Play

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  May 16 2019

  On this episode we sail our sieve to the land of POETRY! Rosemarie Dombrowski, poet laureate for Phoenix, celebrated National Poetry Month by writing two special poems for Buttons & Figs! Rosemarie shares her poem "Why I Want to Be a Lizard." The 3rd graders at Camelview Elementary School play with the poetry prompt "Why I Want to Be....," creating original wordplay poems of their own. Enjoy the writing and voices of the students in Ms. Cowen's class and Ms. Stiles class. Poetry everyday, we say! www.buttonsandfigs.com...more

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• extra! extra! - Improv Play

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  May 07 2019

  extra! extra! we have a bit of improv play for you today! on this episode, these Buttons & Figs kids share and play two improv games. we hope you'll play along. be sure to share your way to play at 623-282-4080. we say, play is the way! www.buttonsandfigs.com

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• #37 - Repetition Play Play Play

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  Apr 16 2019

  On this episode we set sail to the cave of repetition, repetition, repetition. You'll hear many, many, many ways to play with this literary device with original stories from our Buttons & Figs kids. We were inspired by Julian Sheer's book, Rain Makes Applesauce, and several of Dr. Seuss's books too. We hope you'll listen, listen, listen and play, play, play. Visit ButtonsandFigs.com for more wordplay fun.

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• #36 - War of the Fools

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  Apr 01 2019

  Nonsense appeared to be on a collision course with reason...presenting Buttons & Figs and the Oyster Actors on the Air in The War of the Fools. It was on this day, April 1st, in which weird happenings began to happen. Reporters began to report reportable events, reportable strange happenings, reportable odd sightings - a meat shower, a weird alphabet song, odd creatures sailing in a sieve making demands...what if it were all true?! Featuring voices from the pod-o-sphere, including The Past & The Curious, Composer Dad, and What If World. Tune in to Buttons & Figs to find out what the reporters are reporting this April Fool’s day. btw...does anyone have any stilton cheese?!...more

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• extra! extra! - Carnation Celebration! a one-sided phone conversation

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  Mar 20 2019

  extra! extra! They say we have an astronomical, astrological double header here, March 20th, to be clear - a Super Moon and Equinox! Only one thing is certain on this day, when the tilt is tilted in just the right way, we can hear a telephone conversation, but just one side, of a gentleman with a great deal of pride, who happens to like carnations….listen in.... For more one-sided phone conversation play, check out Chris Raschka's book, "Ring, Yo!" and of course, call Buttons & Figs at 623-282-4080 if you have a one-sided conversation to share with me. Thanks for listening to me and you and you and me....more

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• extra! - Librarian Library Lounge - Alliteration Play at the Library

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  Mar 16 2019

  extra! Welcome to the Librarian Library Lounge featuring the fabulous book recommends of Erin Meadows, librarian at the Desert Foothills Library in Cave Creek, Arizona, and the fabulous voices of kids playing with alliteration at the library. Join us here and there, or at a library near you. You can find the free downloadable activity sheet we used on Read Across America day to play with alliteration, alright? www.buttonsandfigs.com

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• Nonsensilicious - Alliteration Play

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  Mar 01 2019

  Alliterate-ate-ate-ate-ate! On this Nonsensilicious episode we share a great way to remember how to play with alliteration...with our very own Buttons & Figs song! Hear the debut of "What a Word!" as we celebrate Dr. Seuss's birthday on March 2nd. Find a Read Across America event near you and play with nerds...I mean words! Play-play-play-play-play-play-play

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• #35 - Palindrome Play with Jon Agee

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  Feb 27 2019

  Wow, wow, wow! On this episode we're sailing our sieve to the land of palindromes where we get to meet the master of wordplay himself -Jon Agee. Our Buttons & Figs kids, Elle, Sophie, Samuel, Asher, Claire and Jayleigh, will define and play with palindromes and they’ll share how they used Jon Agee’s palindrome books to inspire their play AND Jon Agee will be answering their questions….like - how did you make a job out of palindromes?! Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com for more word play fun.

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• extra! - Happy Thesaurus Day!

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  Feb 05 2019

  extra! extra! We've got a little extra! nonsense to celebrate Thesaurus Day! On this extra! episode we celebrate words by sharing a Thesaurus Day game YOU can play here or there and you also get to meet a few peculiar Buttons & Figs kids! AND...Be sure to call in and share YOUR list of synonyms that best describe YOU 623-282-4080. Wishing you and your family a Happy, Delightful, Cheerful, Joyous, Peaceful, Pleasant, Jubilant (Belated) Thesaurus Day from Buttons & Figs!!! Thanks for listening to me and you....more

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• #34 - Rhyming Rocks

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  Jan 29 2019

  On this episode we introduce new Buttons & Figs kids who set us sailing to the land of Rhymes...isn't it about time?! We'll be sharing three literary devices for creating rhymes, Consonance, Assonance and Rhyme, we'll have great examples of each, and we'll also try to sell you a C.A.R. so you can go far. Visit ButtonsandFigs.com for more wordplay fun.

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• extra! Happy Peculiar People Day

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  Jan 11 2019

  a little extra nonsense to celebrate Peculiar People Day! What makes YOU peculiar?! So celebrate those who are different, unique! Even if sometimes they have smelly feet. Thanks for listening to me and you.

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• #33 - Adaptation Play - Arizona National Parks

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  Jan 08 2019

  As we adapt to the new year, take a listen to this special episode of adaptation stories written by the 4th grade students in Ms. LaBrie's class at Simis Elementary School in Phoenix, Az. The student's combined researched facts and scientific concepts about adaptations to create imaginary beings that have adapted to Arizona National Parks. Have fun listening closely to these stories, because they are filled with fact and fiction...see if you can tell which is which! Enjoy the unique, playful, creative voices of Ms. LaBrie's class and be sure to visit a National Park this year and create your own imaginary beings. www.buttonsandfigs.com...more

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• Sing! Food Play with Gunnar Madsen

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  Dec 11 2018

  On this episode we sail our sieve to the land of food and song with award winning children's musician Gunnar Madsen. We share a track from Gunnar's latest album, "I Am Your Food," and Gunnar shares some tips and tricks for playing with your food! The episode also features 1st graders from Ms. Allegrina's class at Simis Elementary School in Phoenix, AZ who take up Gunnar's food play challenge by becoming the foods they like best. Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com for more word play fun.

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• Full Interview with Gunnar Madsen

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  Dec 09 2018

  Enjoy the full, fun interview with musician Gunnar Madsen. Learn about his inspiration for some of the songs on his latest album, "I Am Your Food" and can you guess what band influenced him when he was young? (hint: they sold wigs so kids could look like one of the members of this band!). Be sure to listen to the episode "Sing! Food Play with Gunnar Madsen" featuring the song "I Am Your Food" and you'll get to hear kids playing with their food. Enjoy.

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• extra! - National Park Wordplay - 4th grade pass

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  Nov 04 2018

  On this wordplay extra! we have a real live National Park Ranger, a real live 4th grader, and a couple of funny Buttons & Figs fans who all LOVE U.S. National Parks! Sarah Stannard, Park Ranger at Glen Canyon and Rainbow Bridge, and Aurora, 4th grader from Washington, D.C., share fabulous information about our National Parks and the 4th Grade Pass. Ms. Sarah also shares a fun wordplay challenge played by Reese and Linnea...and hopefully by you too! Visit your parks, listen and play with words! www.buttonsandfigs.com...more

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• Ghost Stories - original spookiness

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  Oct 27 2018

  On this episode Buttons & Figs is proud to feature original ghost stories, for brave kids, by Nathaly and Zoe, students at Independence High School in Glendale, Arizona. Nathaly shares stories from her childhood, stories of haunting, stories of mystery and asks you - do you have any ghosts stories of your own? Zoe then shared a story told by her father, about a time when a dead lizard turns a kind ghost into a ghoulish one! Happy, spooky Halloween from all of us at Buttons & Figs, a podcast for kids about playing with words and stories....Bawhahahaha!...more

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• Ghost of podcasts past: Halloween Nonsense

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  Oct 23 2018

  Sail in our way-back sieve to visit the ghost of Halloween past with a listener favorite from 2016 - Halloween Nonsense with the Kit-Kats! This was a special Halloween episode hosted by the Kit-Kats, Mr. Kaegi's 2nd grade class in Oak Park, IL. Be sure to download our spooky activity sheet filled with ideas for the season....and stay tuned....we will have more spooky stories heading your way...Bawhahahahaaaaaa! #kidslistensweeps #podghasts

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• #32 - An Odcast - Take Away Letter Play

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  Oct 15 2018

  On this Odcast episode we sail our sieve to the land of letter take aways...wait, did Alex just steal the letter P from Podcast?! Join Alex, Chloe, Olivia, Sophia and Ava as they play with letter take aways. And see if you can help May and Bad solve the mystery of the missing letters. Take away play was inspired by the book, "Take Away the A" by Michael Escoffier and Kris Di Giacomo. Visit www.buttonsandfigs.com for more word play fun.

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• #31 - Ballyhoo! Hyperbole Play

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  Oct 01 2018

  Ballyhooooooo!!! You should listen to this episode because it's the most musical, entertaining, funny and colorful episode EVER! On this episode we sail our sieve to the land of Hyperbole. Join Catherine, Ellie, Lucy, and Sophie as they define, play and plot using as much hyperbole and sound FX as humanly possible, see if you can write a hyperbolic sentence about you, and if you are looking for hyperbole inspiration, check-out Swamp Angel by Anne Isaacs, illustrated by Paul Zelinsky! Ballyhooooooo!...more

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• Nonsensilicious - The Onomatopoeia Man

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  Sep 10 2018

  On this Nonsensilicious Buttons & Figs episode The Onomatopoeia Man has a challenge for you...to see if you can make some onomatopoeia sounds too. The Onomatopoeia Man is an interactive word play song, so we hope you'll sing along. We also recommend another great kids podcast that plays with words and sounds - Noodle Loaf. For more onomatopoeia word play, listen to episode #25 of Buttons & Figs.

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• #30 - Personification Play at the Library

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  Aug 14 2018

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about playing with words. On this episode, sail in a sieve to the land of personification at Phoenix Public Library's Burton Barr Central location! Phoenix Public Library hosted Buttons & Figs for an afternoon of listening to great Kids Listen podcasts and recording kid creations as they played with personification. Visit www.phoenixpubliclibrary.org, www.kidslisten.org and www.buttonsandfigs.com for more wordplay fun.

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• Nonsensilicious - More Collective Noun Play

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  Aug 07 2018

  Nonsensilicious episodes are bite-size Buttons & Figs episodes designed to give you a taste, a treat, a wordplay challenge for the classroom, library or wherever you eat. On this short, Kyle Lukoff shares a wordplay challenge inspired by his book, "A Storytelling of Ravens." Listen and play along because a wordplay-a-day keeps the doctor away. Visit us at buttonsandfigs.com for more wordplay fun.

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• #29 - Punny Puns

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  Jul 11 2018

  Lettuce sieve we can sail in our sieve to the land of punny puns! Join us for this punny episode and hear opunions and advice from none other than the 2017 O'Henry Pun Champion - Southpaw Jones! He'll be sharing some tips and tricks for how you can be punny too, and we have Buttons & Figs kids, Sophia and Angelo, sharing some groan worthy puns they found at the library. Be sure to include your podcast listening as part of your summer reading program! For more reading ideas and wordplay punnery visit www.buttonsandfigs.com...more

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• #28 - Summer at Imagination Inn

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  May 30 2018

  School's almost out, summer's almost here, let's sail away in our sieve to the land of....oh no, I think we're lost! Quick, IMAGINE a place - a castle, a cabin, a resort or an inn! Wait, no worries, no fear, Nancy Willard is here and William Blake's Inn is just beyond that bend. On this episode Nancy Willard inspires us to let our imaginations soar, Buttons & Figs kids imagine places for summer fun, and we'll share ways for you to have summer reading and listening fun at your library. For more reading ideas and wordplay fun visit www.buttonsandfigs.com...more

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• #27 - A Colony of Collective Nouns

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  Apr 29 2018

  Jump aboard our sieve with this army of ants, troop of baboons, bunch of bananas, swarm of bees and litter of kittens as they set sail to the land of collective nouns. On this episode we'll define collective noun, hear original collective noun poems read by a bevy of Buttons & Figs kids and we'll find out whether Inspector Fig solves the case about a misuse of a collective noun...Dunnn-da-dunt-dunt-duuuuun. for more wordplay fun visit www.buttonsandfigs.com

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• #26 - Ricochet Word Play

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  Apr 08 2018

  Stop your dilly-dallying and jump aboard....we're sailing our sieve to the land of Ricochet Words! On this episode we'll explain how to play with ricochet words, we'll stop in to visit Shim-Sham the Shoe Man and our Buttons & Figs kids travel from Wibbleton to Wobbleton, making up their own ricochet words along the way. Subscribe to play with words at www.buttonsandfigs.com

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• #25 - We're Going on an Onomatopoeia Hunt

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  Mar 12 2018

  We're going on an ONOMATOPOEIA hunt! We can't go over it, we can't go under it....I guess we'll have to go through it! On this episode Buttons & Figs is going to sail in our sieve to the land of onomatopoeia words. Hear excerpts of the great Michael Rosen's "Going on a Bear Hunt," learn the meaning and how to spell this crazy word, and hear some Buttons & Figs kids come up with some great onomatopoeia words. Squawk. Squelch. Burp. Play with words at www.buttonsandfigs.com

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• #24 - I Love You Like a Simile

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  Feb 14 2018

  Are you silly like a Button and nonsensical like a Fig? On this episode Buttons & Figs is going to sail in a sieve to the land of love similes or would that be simile love?! On this special Valentine's Day episode #AllKindsofLove are expressed in simile form. Using the book "I Love You Like a Pig" by Mac Barnett we share ways to play with love similes. Join the kids in Mr. Smith’s 1st Grade class at Givins Shaw Public School in Toronto, Ontario to hear the fun ways they played with love likes or would that be like loves?! www.buttonsandfigs.com...more

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• #23 - Scat Singing with Annette Lowman

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  Jan 30 2018

  Buttons & Figs sails in a sieve to the land of scat singing. The great jazz singer Annette Lowman travels along sharing tips for how kids can start scat singing too. Visit buttonsandfigs.com for a free downloadable activity to help you shoo-bop-shoo-bop-shoo-bop-bop-bow!

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• #22 - Wacky Waffle Nonsense - Shel Silverstein Inspires

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  Jan 10 2018

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. Are you a dreamer? then come on in and listen to this Wacky Waffle Nonsense episode. the nonsense on this episode was inspired by Shel Silverstein. Ms. Weck's 3rd grade class wrote and recorded their nonsense in oak park, il. each episode of Buttons & Figs features great nonsense literature recommendations, kid recordings of nonsense that will inspire YOU to make a little nonsense of your own - at home, in the car, at school, or wherever you are. thanks for listening to me and you and you and me. buttonsandfigs.com...more

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• spooky episode - Halloween Nonsense II

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  Oct 28 2017

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. this is a special Halloween episode inspired by the book "Black and Bittern Was Night" by Robert Heidbreder, illustrated by John Martz. several kids act out the book, in radio theater style...well, sort of. after listening and reading this book, be sure to find this episode's free downloadable activity @ buttonsandfigs.com. Happy Halloween!

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• extra - "facts"

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  Oct 10 2017

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. this is a little extra with Oscar, who shared some "facts" with us at the Oak Park Public Library. Which ones are facts and which ones spark your imagination? (Unicorns DO make the best rainbows!) Thanks Oscar! we hope you'll share a little extra nonsense with us @ buttonsandfigs.com

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• #21 - Funny Girls - Interview with Betsy Bird

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  Sep 30 2017

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. On this episode, sail in a sieve to the land of Funny Girls! Our funny girls interview the funny librarian, author, and fellow podcaster, Betsy Bird. Be sure to check out "Funny Girl: Funniest. Stories. EVER." edited by Betsy Bird, a fabulously funny middle school anthology with more than 25 female authors. Visit Buttonsandfigs.com to subscribe for more.

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• #20 - Tongue Twisters at the Library

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  Aug 30 2017

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. On this episode, sail in a sieve BACK to the library for tons of tongue twisters! The Oak Park Public Library welcomed back Buttons & Figs for an evening of podcasting and word play! Kids write their own tongue twisters inspired by "Dr. Knickerbocker and Other Rhymes" a Canadian collection of all sorts of silliness, illustrated by Maryann Kovalski. Be sure to find the free downloadable activity @ buttonsandfigs.com and write a few nonsense twisters of your own....more

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• #19 - Math Nonsense

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  Aug 15 2017

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. On this episode, sail #backtoschool in a sieve with some Math Nonsense! Special co-hosts, twins Luke and Oliver, or is it Oliver and Luke?!, host this special back-to-school Math Nonsense episode, featuring verse from "Math Curse" by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith. Subscribe and listen for more nonsense this school year @ buttonsandfigs.com.

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• #18 - Jokes at the Library

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  Jul 24 2017

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. On this episode, sail in a sieve to the library to hear some great jokes! Oak Park Public Library hosted Buttons & Figs for an evening of podcasts and joke telling! Kids tell jokes from Michael Dahl's joke books. Sign up for #summerreading and discover more great podcasts @ buttonsandfigs.com.

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• #17 - Crazy Cars

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  Jul 11 2017

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. Rev up your sieve and #hittheroad! with nonsense inspired by "Poem-Mobiles: Crazy Car Poems" by J. Patrick Lewis and Douglas Florian. Discover more great kid podcasts in this episode and @kidslisten.com. Hit the road this summer with podcasts and downloadable activities @ buttonsandfigs.com.

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• #16 - Gertrude is Gertrude

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  Jun 26 2017

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. Sail in a sieve to the land of Gertrude Stein! Listen in to hear the newly discovered audio of Gertrude Stein meeting with some of the greatest artists of the 20th century! This episode was inspired by "Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude is Gertrude" by Jonah Winter, pictures by Calef Brown. Discover more great nonsense @ buttonsandfigs.com.

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• #15 - Seven Wonder Flags

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  Jun 12 2017

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. this is a special episode about design thinking and the creative process. listen in as The Kit-Kats design an amusement park. this episode was created in collaboration with Mr. Kaegi's 2nd grade class in oak park, il. visit buttonsandfigs.com to view the video of this episode. thanks for listening to me and you and you and me. buttonsandfigs.com

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• #14 - Blackhawk Nonsense

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  May 23 2017

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. this is a special Blackhawk Nonsense episode about their school year. this episode is hosted by Ms. Beljung's 2nd grade class in oak park, il. each episode will feature great nonsense literature recommendations, kid recordings of nonsense, and hopefully inspire YOU to make a little nonsense of your own - at home, in the car, at school, or wherever you are. thanks for listening to me and you and you and me. buttonsandfigs.com

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• extra - happy valentine's day

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  Apr 25 2017

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. this is a little extra, extra nonsense written, recorded and produced by Charlie and Matias. Patrick the squink shares his love of capers instead of chocolates! Happy Valentine's Day! we hope you'll share a little extra nonsense with us @ buttonsandfigs.com

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• #13 - Rube Goldberg Machines

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  Apr 11 2017

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. Sail in a sieve to the land of Rube Goldberg Machines! Inspired by Rube Goldberg's cartoons, some Buttons & Figs kids design a couple of their own machines. How many cartoons do you think Rube Goldberg drew during his lifetime?! Find out the answer to this and more @ buttonsandfigs.com.

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• #12 - BFG

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  Mar 19 2017

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. Sail in a sieve to the land of giants to hear a great recommendation for Roald Dahl's book, "The BFG". Recommended by kids in the Horace Mann Elementary School Book Club. buttonsandfigs.com

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• #11 - Sandburg - Part 2

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  Mar 14 2017

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. On part 2 of our Sandburg episode the kids, inspired by Rootabaga Stories, create some wacky characters of their own. be sure to check out Rootabaga Stories from a library near you, America's own fairy tales. buttonsandfigs.com

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• extra - fog

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  Mar 07 2017

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. this is a little extra, extra nonsense to go along with our exploration of Carl Sandburg's works. here is a little extra poem by Sandburg, read by Luna & the Rarin'Sharin'Librarin', with background music by Christian VanCampen. we hope you'll share a little extra nonsense with us @ buttonsandfigs.com

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• #11 - Sandburg - Part I

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  Mar 03 2017

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. On this episode the kids, inspired by Carl Sandburg's Rootabaga Stories, create some wacky characters of their own. be sure to listen in for more Carl Sanburg inspired nonsense on Part II! be sure to check out Rootabaga Stories, America's own fairy tales. buttonsandfigs.com

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• extra - something

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  Feb 12 2017

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. this is a little extra, extra nonsense. this piece was created by makai, recorded by makai, joaquin, & hannah. we hope you'll share a little extra nonsense with us @ buttonsandfigs.com

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• #10 - Limericks

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  Jan 30 2017

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. On this episode the kids share Edward Lear limericks and have some fun by becoming the characters in the limericks! be sure to download this episode's activity sheet to learn a limerick or two and write a limerick of your own, so you can join the list of great authors, from Shakespeare to Isaac Asimov to Ogden Nash, who love limericks too! buttonsandfigs.com

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• #9 - Over the Button and Through the Fig

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  Jan 17 2017

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. this first episode of the new year features kids making a little nonsense out of the song "Over the River and Through the Woods." be sure to download this episode's activity sheet so you can write a nonsense version of your own! buttonsandfigs.com

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• #8 - Alliteration

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  Dec 11 2016

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. this episode features kids playing with alliteration and different voice styles...and a special interview with Mike from Ecuador! who shares his many versions of 'how much wood could a woodchuck chuck?' thanks for listening to me and you and you and me. buttonsandfigs.com

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• Sing! About Boredom with Justin Roberts

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  Nov 29 2016

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. this episode features the music of Justin Roberts and a kid-conducted interview with the musician about his new video for the song "Me and My Kangaroo." thanks for listening to me and you and you and me. buttonsandfigs.com

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• #7 - Dreams

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  Nov 14 2016

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. each episode will feature great nonsense literature recommendations, kid recordings of nonsense, and a fun downloadable activity designed to inspire YOU to make a little nonsense of your own - at home, in the car, at school, or wherever you are. thanks for listening to me and you and you and me. buttonsandfigs.com

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• #6 - Jabberwocky

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  Oct 31 2016

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. each episode will feature great nonsense literature recommendations, kid recordings of nonsense, and a fun downloadable activity designed to inspire YOU to make a little nonsense of your own - at home, in the car, at school, or wherever you are. thanks for listening to me and you and you and me. buttonsandfigs.com

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• spooky episode - Halloween Nonsense

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  Oct 28 2016

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. this is a special Halloween episode hosted by the Kit-Kats, Mr. Kaegi's 2nd grade class in oak park, il. each episode will feature great nonsense literature recommendations, kid recordings of nonsense, and a fun downloadable activity designed to inspire YOU to make a little nonsense of your own - at home, in the car, at school, or wherever you are. thanks for listening to me and you and you and me. buttonsandfigs.com

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• #5 - Portmanteau Words

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  Oct 18 2016

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. each episode will feature great nonsense literature recommendations, kid recordings of nonsense, and a fun downloadable activity designed to inspire YOU to make a little nonsense of your own - at home, in the car, at school, or wherever you are. thanks for listening to me and you and you and me. buttonsandfigs.com

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• #4 - Alligator Pie

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  Oct 03 2016

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. each episode will feature great nonsense literature recommendations, kid recordings of nonsense, and a fun downloadable activity designed to inspire YOU to make a little nonsense of your own - at home, in the car, at school, or wherever you are. thanks for listening to me and you and you and me. buttonsandfigs.com

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• #3 - Moose - Alpaca

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  Sep 19 2016

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. each episode will feature great nonsense literature recommendations, kid recordings of nonsense, and a fun downloadable activity designed to inspire YOU to make a little nonsense of your own - at home, in the car, at school, or wherever you are. thanks for listening to me and you and you and me. buttonsandfigs.com

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• #2 - Sing a Song of Sixpence

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  Sep 13 2016

  Buttons and Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. each episode will feature great nonsense literature recommendations, kid recordings of nonsense, and a fun downloadable activity designed to inspire YOU to make a little nonsense of your own - at home, in the car, at school, or wherever you are.

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• #1 - The Jumblies

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  Sep 08 2016

  Buttons & Figs is a podcast for kids about nonsense. On this first episode we share Edward Lear's nonsense poem, The Jumblies. You'll learn a bit about Edward Lear's life and you'll hear some Buttons & Figs kids share they ideas for what they might take to the Western Sea if they were sailing along with the Jumblies. visit buttonsandfigs.com for a downloadable Wordplay Activity designed to inspire YOU to make a little nonsense of your own - at home, in the car, at school, or wherever you are. thanks for listening to me and you and you and me. buttonsandfigs.com Check out the nonsense book: "His Shoes Were Far Too Tight", masterminded by Daniel Pinkwater, illustrated by Calef Brown For more about Edward Lear visit poetryfoundation.org and nonsenselit.org Buttons & Figs kids: Grace, Lee, and Teagan...more

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