Grab Some Sticks

✨ New Story Episode Alert!✨

Story number 32 is here!

It’s called: ‘Amazing Algorithms All Around You!’

Written by Shradha Shah and illustrated by Shailly Gajjar

This story takes you on a journey through the hidden patterns that guide our everyday lives. From the order we get ready in the morning, to the steps a chef follows in a busy kitchen - algorithms are working behind the scenes, helping the world run smoothly!

Shradha Shah:

“As a software engineer with over fifteen years of experience and more importantly, a mum of two. I wrote this book because of a moment that changed everything. During the pandemic, my young boys would watch me coding all day and ask, “What do you do, Mum?” I wanted to answer them in a way that didn’t require screens or apps-just the simplicity of our daily life and the quiet magic of bedtime stories. I realised that our everyday routines already reflect the fundamentals of coding. So I started breaking down those, “big tech words” into something their little minds already understood. This story focuses on one powerful concept: Algorithms. By using relatable examples from your child’s daily life, this book gives them a gentle, screen-free introduction to how coding really works. It’s not just a story, it’s a foundation, helping them build confidence, curiosity and readiness for the digital future. I hope this brings you the same joy it brought our home and helps you see that you don’t need to be a tech expert to raise one”.

Thank you Shradha! The story is a perfect blend of imagination and learning - ideal for curious kids, young thinkers, and families who love exploring how things work!

To buy:

https://codermumslife.com

Available to listen on and

Story links are in the bio ⬆️

Thank you for listening and supporting the story podcast! Every play, share and message means the world 💛

Christmas has started in our home with 😃

My kids had a lot of fun with this, especially the festive sensory rice and super soft snow!They also loved the bubbling Christmas potion mix and my littlest one was mesmerised, watching to see what would happen next! I’ve included some sound bites so that you can hear the fizz and his curiosity! It was literally ready to play within seconds 🌟

It was also a hit with my littles ones during my festive sensory session - little hands busy picking, pouring and exploring the Christmas rice! I also placed the rice in the Enchanted Play bottle for a different sensory experience 🎄

These mum-trepreneurs from Enchanted Play at are incredibly creative, and so much thought goes into each resource. They truly work like elves all year round bringing joy to little ones all over Hong Kong!

Support a small business today and get unlimited amounts of fun for your little ones for Christmas 🧑‍🎄😃⛄️

My code is still valid so use: GRABSOMESTICKS for 20% off. ✨🎄

Explora trays by another mum-treperneur!

💚⛄️🎄😃❤️

Reel songs 🎶

Brenda Lee - Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.
Dean Martin - Let It Snow! Let It Snow, Let It Snow!

🌕✨ New Podcast Episode! ✨🌕

I’m excited to share a brand-new story all about the Mid-Autumn Festival!🏮🐇🍂

When I first moved to Hong Kong eight years ago, the Mid-Autumn Festival was completely new to me. Over the years, I’ve learnt about its beauty and meaning, and now I’m so excited to share that wonder with you! If this festival is new to you, I hope this story helps you discover something special. And if it’s already a tradition you celebrate, may it feel like a comforting reminder of your own memories and traditions 🥰

A very special thank you to all the children who shared their incredible artwork! 🎨💛 Your creativity brings the Mid-Autumn Festival to life! Thank you to Colby for the cover art! I taught Colby when he was only four years old 🥹

Let’s journey into the magic of the Mid-Autumn Festival together 😃🌕✨

Story links are in the bio ⬆️ 🎧

Story number 30 is here and it’s a special one for National Family Day 🫶🏽

It’s called:
‘Where Am I From?’ Written by Jade Amez.

Illustrated by Meg Rafferty

Jade Amez’s story is inspired by her adoption journey and the many ways people are connected. She believes it’s important to show children that love and belonging don’t have just one shape - you don’t have to look alike to share a home, a bond, or a story.

Jade:

‘Growing up, I rarely saw children’s books that reflected the adoptee experience or mixed families. So, sharing my own story became not only a way to address this societal need but also a deeply personal healing journey. This book is a conversation starter - a way to talk about family, differences, identity, complex emotions and racial sensitivity. I hope my book helps expand the understanding of what ‘family’ and ‘home’ can truly mean and encourages every reader to feel a sense of belonging’

Her debut book celebrates the beauty of mixed, blended and multi-cultural families, assuring young readers that there is no shame in their unique family structure. Her book gently encourages conversations about cultural diversity and self-discovery, while beautifully illustrating the reality that families are wonderfully diverse. 

Jade’s story offers readers the opportunity to cultivate empathy, reflect on their personal narratives, deepen their understanding of adoption, and ultimately embrace their identity - not letting where you’re born or where you live define you.

Thank you Jade for writing this emotive story ❤️

Where can you buy this book?

www.whereamifrombook.com

Available to listen on & 🎧

Story links are in the bio ⬆️

✨ Story number 29 is here, and it’s a noisy one! 🇭🇰✨

It’s called:
‘Sounds of Hong Kong with Tommy & Lily’
Written by Liudmila Rijk Baksheeva
Illustrated by Kitty N. Wong

This book truly captures the essence of Hong Kong and all the unique daily sounds we hear! From bustling streets to tranquil moments, this book is a celebration of everything that makes so special 🥰🇭🇰 My children loved pressing the buttons and smiling at the familiar sounds 😃

Featuring adorable, hand-painted illustrations by the talented Hong Kong artist Kitty N. Wong this book is a feast for both the eyes and ears!

It’s perfect for little ones who call this vibrant city home or anyone who wants to share its charm with their loved ones.

Perfect for young explorers, little hands (it’s a board book) nostalgic souls, and fans of Hong Kong’s unique charm 😃

Liudmila:
“This book holds a special place in my heart, as it was inspired by my children, George and Isabella! Born in Hong Kong, they’ve grown up surrounded by the city’s unique sounds. They always loved mimicking these sounds in their own adorable way, and they even call this book the ‘Ga Yao’ book because of its first sound—how cute is that?! 🥰”

Where to purchase:
Liudmila is offering this book for a special promotional price of 150 HKD for all our listeners! Send me a message to get the link 🎉

You can also find it at:
📚 Bookazine
📚 The Lion Rock Press
📚 Seeds Children’s Bookstore
🛒 Etsy

Don’t miss out on this special book that brings Hong Kong’s vibrant culture and sounds to life! 🌟🇭🇰

Loved what you created Liudmila! 🥰

Available to listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts 🎧
Story links are in the bio ⬆️

A new story episode is on the podcast and this one shines brightly 🎇😍

Diwali for me represents so many elements. From visiting family and friends and eating some sort of nasto (Indian snacks), going to the mandir (sometimes three!) preparing the tray of sweet treats for guests to have (Smarties galore), homes being filled with delicious delicacies such as my mum’s homemade chakri (spiral shaped snacks) and the night sky being filled with fireworks! 🎆

This episode can be used in schools or simply teaching your own children about the festival.

Recommended age category - 5+ (discretion advised for young children)

Sending love from our family to yours!
Wherever you are in the world - we hope the light of Diwali shines in your heart all year round 🪔 🎆🎇🌅

🎇🪔Happy Diwali everyone! 🪔🎇
🎇✨Happy New year!✨🎇
🎇✨Sal Mubarek✨🎇
🎇✨Nutan Varshabhinandan ✨🎇

If you celebrate - what does Diwali mean to you?

Thank you to my niece Sisi for the cover art 😍

Story number 26 is here!

This next story is about a young girl named Joy. She experiences something negative in her life but through learning EFT (the Emotional Freedom Technique) she finds happiness again.

The story is called: The Magic Within You
Written by: Alessandra Amico-Jones
Illustrated by Febriyana Fadillah

What is EFT?

EFT stands for Emotional Freedom Technique and it is also known as tapping because of the tapping motion of the fingers on the different spots. EFT is based on the ancient Chinese practice of Acupuncture but instead of sticking needles in our body, we simply tap with our fingertips. It focuses on tapping the 12 meridian points of the body to relieve symptoms of a negative experience or emotion.

Please read Alessandra’s journey (in the comment section below ⬇️) on how EFT came to her life and how it can potentially change yours 💫

Alessandra, thank you so much for sharing your journey and for helping others learn the power of EFT. I hope this story and this method helps you and your family unlock the secret power within you! Let us know if you try this technique and how you feel afterwards. The publication of this podcast episode comes in line with Parent Mental Health Day (January 27th) 🤍

we wish you every success with this and hope you are able to spread the power of EFT in as many schools as possible too 🙌🏾🤍

The links to the episode are in my bio and also in my stories ⬆️

Should you wish to find out more about how EFT Tapping can help you and your family, please visit Alessandra’s website: https://alessandra-amico-jones-eft.square.

To learn the EFT method - visit Alessandra’s Instagram page

Available to buy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BB5S5D6S

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Merry Christmas!
聖誕快樂!
મેરી ક્રિસમસ!
圣诞快乐!
¡Feliz Navidad!
เมอร์รี่คริสมาสต์!
Heri ya Krismasi!
मेरी क्रिसमस!
Joyeux Noël!
Frohe Weihnachten!
শুভ বড়দিন!
Meri Kirihimete!
Buon Natale!
Feliz Natal!
Crăciun Fericit!
Счастливого Рождества!
God Jul!
Glædelig Jul!
Hyvää Joulua!
Gleðileg Jól!
Wesołych Świąt!
Vrolijk Kerstfeest!
Sretan Božić!
Veselé Vánoce!
メリークリスマス!
메리 크리스마스!
Nollaig Shona!
Kirismas Wanaagsan!
Happy Holidays!

🌍 🌎 🎄💚 Wishing you and your loved ones a very Merry Christmas! 🎄💚 🌍 🌎

Thank you to all of the little artists! ✏️🎨😍

“Roshni Masi, when will you read another story?”

“It’s been a long time since you read a new story…”

“Roshni, where have you gone?!”

I am excited to let you know that I’m back! My sincere apologies for the long break from reading stories. It’s been a very busy time including moving back to Hong Kong 🇭🇰 and having a second baby, but I am very happy to finally say that story number 25 is here! Just in time for Christmas 🎄😃

This story is about a relentless Goose named Suzy who wants to top her Christmas tree with a star from the sky. No one can stop her from trying every possible way to get it! A tale of determination and a touch of seasonal magic ✨ 💫

It’s called: “Suzy Goose and the Christmas Star”🪿🌟
Written and illustrated by the one and only .horacek_

Thank you and for this wonderful Christmas story 💫 🧿 🎄🪿

What inspired you to write this story Petr?
“Suzy Goose and the Christmas Star is the third book in the series. The first one is called; Silly Suzy Goose. It’s just a Christmas story although I did write it in the summer walking on the Somerset’s moor. The place where my mother-in-law lives and where we usually spend Christmas”

Ten things you didn’t know about Petr Horáček:
1. I love children’s drawings.
2. I love looking at the sky.
3. I love walking in woods and picking mushrooms.
4. I love snow and I know how to ski.
5. I love cakes (any cakes!) and vanilla ice cream (or any other ice cream!).
6. I love playing tennis.
7. I love watching people walking their dogs.
8. I love music – from the very old to the very loud and rattley.
9. I love listening to the radio.
10. I can’t spell. (It’s rather embarrassing.)

(Cited from https://www.walker.co.uk/contributors/Petr-Horácek-4457.aspx)

www.petrhoracek.co.uk
www.walker.co.uk

Subscribe to his YouTube channel: Petr Horacek

To buy the book:
https://www.amazon.com/Suzy-Goose-Christmas-Star-Horcek/dp/1406326216

To listen to the story search, Grab Some Sticks on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and all major podcast platforms.

Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas! 😃

Send me some of your Christmas pictures!🎄💚