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Celebrate the warmth and joy of Christmas AND Kwanzaa with this diverse holiday story for kids! Join an African-American family as they honour both Christmas and Kwanzaa traditions in this inclusive read aloud for ages 4-8. 🎄✨

Free worksheet designed to go with this video: changetheworldwithkaryn.com

This multicultural Christmas story features beautiful rhyming couplets and gorgeous illustrations showing a Black family celebrating Christmas and Kwanzaa together—lighting the kinara, telling stories by the Christmas tree, sharing soul food, singing carols, and coming together with love. Children discover the magic of BOTH holidays and the rich cultural traditions that make them special.

What kids will learn:
🕯️ The seven principles of Kwanzaa (Nguzo Saba)
🎅 The joy and wonder of Christmas celebrations
🍽️ Traditional African-American holiday foods, songs, and decorations
❤️ A heartwarming story about family, heritage, and togetherness

Perfect For:
✅ Diverse holiday books for classroom libraries
✅ Families who celebrate Christmas and Kwanzaa
✅ Teachers seeking multicultural Christmas stories
✅ Parents looking for inclusive holiday read alouds
✅ Homeschool families teaching about African-American traditions
✅ Anyone wanting Black representation in holiday stories

This inclusive Christmas and Kwanzaa story celebrates how families blend traditions, honour their heritage, and create meaningful memories together. The easy-to-read rhyming text makes it perfect for bedtime stories or classroom read-alouds, and the vibrant illustrations capture the soulful spirit of both holidays.

About the author
Ciara L. Hill is the founder of Soulful KidLit™, an international award-winning author, mindful book coach, and therapist, where she combines holistic coaching and creative guidance to help aspiring children's picture book authors bring their stories to life with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Whether you’re navigating creative blocks or the self-publishing process, Ciara provides personalized support at every step.

Ciara’s books have been featured in PBS Kids, Real Simple magazine, Hello magazine, the New York Public Library, and more. Her book Shiloh and Dande the Lion won The Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2020 and was named "Best of the Best" by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. She is also the author of Soulful Holidays and Thank Fall, both seasonal best-sellers, as well as Cocoa Mistletoe.

About Story Time With Karyn: We believe every child deserves to see themselves in stories. Our low-stimulation, curriculum-aligned content celebrates diversity, teaches social-emotional skills, and creates cosy moments for families and classrooms.

🎁 Subscribe for more diverse, inclusive stories that help children become smarter AND kinder!

🎄 Join Elliot the elf on a heartwarming Christmas adventure about giving, kindness, and the true spirit of Christmas!

When Santa asks for a volunteer to collect Christmas gifts from the woodland animals for Ruby, the new baby reindeer, brave Elliot steps forward. But there's a challenge—Elliot must face his fears of dark caves, heights, and tight spaces to visit Brutus the Bear, Roxie the Rabbit, Sammy the Squirrel, and Rosie the Raccoon. Will these animals share their treasures, or will Elliot return empty-handed?

Through Elliot's journey, children will discover a beautiful lesson: it's not always the biggest gift that's the most important, but the love behind it. When little Matilda the mouse offers a nibble of cheese and her very last Christmas cookie, we see that generosity comes in all sizes—and the smallest gifts can have the biggest hearts.

This gentle, low-stimulation read-aloud shows children that persistence, generosity, and a kind heart are the greatest gifts of all.

📝 FREE worksheet and activities: changetheworldwithkaryn.com

🎁 WHAT YOUR CHILD WILL LEARN:
- The joy of giving and generosity
- Kindness and sharing with others
- Overcoming fears and facing challenges
- Persistence and determination
- Social-emotional skills through character lessons

📚 ABOUT THE CHRISTMAS GIFT:
Perfect for ages 4-8, this cozy Christmas story teaches children that the true spirit of Christmas lives in a generous heart. With its calm pacing and lovable characters like Elliot the elf and the woodland friends, it's ideal for holiday storytime, Christmas Eve bedtime, or any time you want to celebrate kindness and giving.

🎯 PERFECT FOR:
✓ Ages 4-8 (preschool, kindergarten & early elementary)
✓ Christmas storytime
✓ Teaching kindness, sharing & generosity
✓ Social-emotional learning (SEL)
✓ Holiday & winter stories
✓ Classroom & homeschool use
✓ Character education lessons
✓ Bedtime stories about courage

📚About the author Andrea Hyatt
Andrea Hyatt wrote this heartwarming story, The Christmas Gift, many years ago. She is thrilled to share it with you and add it to her collection of children's picture books that she has written. Other delightfully charming books by Andrea Hyatt include Juliette's Web, Santa's Nice List, Sophie Sparrow Wants to Be a Flamingo, Sophie Sparrow and Friends to the Rescue, Goldie and the Three Kind Bears, and Eloise Evergreen Isn't Keen on the Color Green.

👋 About Storytime with Karyn:
I'm Karyn! I bring wonderful stories to life with gentle, low-stimulation animation. After each story, I chat with the characters about giving, kindness, and the book's themes- helping children understand and celebrate what matters most during the holidays and all year long.

🍂 Join Buzzby the honeybee for a heartwarming Thanksgiving story about gratitude, friendship, and kindness!

In this gentle, low-stimulation read-aloud, Buzzby buzzes through Clover Meadow and meets his woodland friends preparing for the big Thankful Picnic. Along the way, Buzzby discovers that Thanksgiving isn't just about food- It's about gratitude, appreciating friends, helping others, and finding joy in life's little blessings.

📝FREE reading comprehension worksheet and activities designed to pair with this video: changetheworldwithkaryn.com

🌻 WHAT YOUR CHILD WILL LEARN:
- Gratitude and thankfulness
- Kindness and helping friends
- Community and sharing
- Social-emotional skills through friendship stories

📚 ABOUT BUZZBY GIVES THANKS:
Perfect for preschoolers ages 3-6, this cozy fall story teaches children that even small acts of thankfulness make a big difference. A wonderful introduction to gratitude for young learners! With its calm pacing and cheerful woodland friends, it's ideal for Thanksgiving storytime or any day you want to encourage a grateful heart.

🎯 PERFECT FOR:
✓ Ages 3-6 (preschool & kindergarten)
✓ Thanksgiving storytime
✓ Teaching gratitude & thankfulness
✓ Social-emotional learning (SEL)
✓ Fall & autumn stories
✓ Classroom & homeschool use
✓ Bedtime stories about friendship


✏️ About the Author Abigail Kuhn

Abigail Kuhn is an early childhood educator and creative storyteller who believes big lessons can come from small moments. Her stories celebrate curiosity, courage, and kindness—encouraging young readers to explore the world with wonder. When she’s not writing or creating for her preschool program, Abby enjoys coffee, sunshine, and dreaming up new adventures for her characters. Buzzby’s Big Step is her debut children’s book.

👋 ABOUT STORY TIME WITH KARYN:
I'm Karyn! I bring wonderful stories to life with gentle, low-stimulation animation. After each story, I chat with the characters about gratitude, kindness, and the book's themes—helping children understand and celebrate what matters most.

🧁 Get ready for a deliciously fun counting adventure with the Counting Monster Chefs!

Join our fluffy monster friends as they chop, flip, and sprinkle their way through a wacky kitchen, learning to count from 1 to 10. This low-stimulation, interactive counting story is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers who are learning their numbers.

🔢 WHAT YOUR CHILD WILL LEARN:
- Counting 1 to 10
- Number recognition
- Early math concepts
- Following along with interactive prompts

📚 ABOUT COUNTING MONSTER CHEFS:
The Monster Chefs are cooking up something special in their kitchen! With each silly surprise and counting challenge, your little one will giggle while building essential early math skills. The gentle pacing and calm storytelling make this perfect for learning without overstimulation.

📝 FREE COUNTING ACTIVITY SHEET:
Download the Counting Monster Chefs worksheet to practice counting at home: changetheworldwithkaryn.com

🎯 PERFECT FOR:
✓ Ages 2-5 (toddlers & preschoolers)
✓ Learning to count 1-10
✓ Number recognition practice
✓ Interactive storytime
✓ Bedtime learning & giggles
✓ Homeschool & preschool activities
✓ Kids who love monsters & cooking

About the author Ameliessa Richardson:
"Hi, I’m a children’s book author who loves creating colorful and fun stories to inspire young readers. My books are all about sparking imagination and helping kids explore their feelings in a playful way. When I’m not writing, I enjoy drawing, spending time with my family, and dreaming up new ideas to share with little readers around the world. I hope my books bring joy and curiosity to your child’s day!"


👋 ABOUT STORY TIME WITH KARYN:
I'm Karyn! I bring wonderful stories to life with gentle, low-stimulation animation that keeps little ones engaged without overwhelming them. After each story, I chat with the characters about what we learned together.

🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more calm, educational stories every week

📖 Story: Counting Monster Chefs: Numbers in the Kitchen
👩‍🍳 Perfect for little learners who love silly monsters and yummy fun!

📖 Story Time With Karyn | Low Stimulation Educational Storytime for Young Learners

Check out our free reading comprehension worksheet that pairs with this video at changetheworldwithkaryn.com 🌈

Meet Dottie, a young girl who spins elaborate stories to hide a secret she's too afraid to share. With a wild imagination and tales of her adventurous mum, Dottie weaves a world of fantasy to fit in, but her friends soon begin to question the truth...When Dottie finally opens up, we discover she is being fostered. With the help of her friends, Dottie learns that being different is nothing to be ashamed of.

Dottie's Tall Tales is a heartwarming story about a young girl learning to accept herself, embrace her uniqueness, and celebrate the differences that make us all special. Beneath the fun tales in the story lies a deeper message all about inclusiveness, acceptance and celebrating different types of families.

Looking for foster care books for children or adoption stories that help kids understand diverse family structures? This gentle animated read-along is perfect for families navigating foster care, adoption, or simply wanting to teach children about acceptance and inclusion. Dottie's Tall Tales supports children's social-emotional learning through relatable characters and age-appropriate storytelling. Whether you're a foster family, adoptive family, educator, or parent seeking resources about different types of families, this story creates a safe space for conversations about belonging, self-acceptance, and celebrating what makes each family unique. Ideal for story time, PSHE lessons, or bedtime reading for children aged 4-8.


About the author
Vicky Phillips is a Primary School Teacher with a passion for storytelling. She has spent many joyful years working with children and it is often the little things that they say or do that spark new ideas for her stories. Vicky especially enjoys sharing rhyming picture books with those she teaches, watching how the rhythm and wordplay can light up a child’s imagination.

Vicky began writing while working for a teaching resource company, where she created comprehension texts for young readers. Although she enjoyed writing both fiction and non-fiction texts, it was the short, imaginative tales – with playful characters and thoughtful messages – that she found most rewarding and creatively fulfilling.

More recently, Vicky has begun a new chapter in her writing journey by creating a number of picture books. These stories are inspired by the curiosity and playful cheekiness that she sees in her classroom every day. With each book, she hopes to bring smiles to young readers’ faces, while gently sharing lessons that children can carry with them.

A Cozy, Magical Autumn Adventure Awaits!

Join Levi as he explores colorful autumn leaves, smells the cozy scents of fall, and discovers the magic hidden in every seasonal moment while creating the perfect autumn potion.

Thank Fall is a delightful, magical, and inclusive picture book that encourages children to slow down, notice life’s little joys, and practice gratitude. Perfect for families, teachers, librarians, and anyone who loves autumn magic, this story is destined to become a new fall classic and seasonal favorite.

Written by international award-winning author Ciara L. Hill (Soulful Holidays, Shiloh and Dande the Lion, and Cocoa Mistletoe), this picture book brings warmth, joy, and mindful fun to every page.

A Must-Have Autumn Story for Home, Classroom, and Storytime:

•Sparks imagination and sensory exploration in this autumn picture book with colorful leaves, cozy scents, and fall magic.
•Encourages mindfulness and gratitude, helping children savor the little moments of the season.
•Ideal for family reading, classroom lessons, or a beloved fall story time tradition.
•Engaging for ages 4–8, yet enjoyable for the whole family

*Thank Fall, a story welcoming all readers and crafted to celebrate autumn without focusing on any specific holidays.

About the author
Ciara L. Hill is the founder of Soulful KidLit™, an international award-winning author, mindful book coach, and therapist, where she combines holistic coaching and creative guidance to help aspiring children's picture book authors bring their stories to life with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Whether you’re navigating creative blocks or the self-publishing process, Ciara provides personalized support at every step.

Ciara’s books have been featured in PBS Kids, Real Simple magazine, Hello magazine, the New York Public Library, and more. Her book Shiloh and Dande the Lion won The Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2020 and was named "Best of the Best" by the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. She is also the author of Soulful Holidays and Thank Fall, both seasonal best-sellers, as well as Cocoa Mistletoe.

📥 Grab the free worksheet made to go with this video at changetheworldwithkaryn.com

“If you could be any bird in the world, what would you be?” asked Sullivan, Sophie’s best friend.

For Sophie Sparrow, that is an easy question. She would be a beautiful flamingo named Pinky with a long, graceful neck and feathers the color of pink cotton candy, and she would eat delicious shrimp ice-cream sundaes. Luckily, Miss Sapphire, the new, young Blue Jay who moved into the penthouse suite on Maple Lane, had magical powers.

‘‘Hold the pink feather, and say the magic words, Bingo, Lingo, Ringo, I want to be a Flamingo, three times,’’ said Miss Sapphire.

Poof! Sophie disappeared into a cloud of pink smoke. Will Miss Sapphire’s magic spell make Sophie Sparrow’s dream come true, or will it be a nightmare?

This amusing and heartwarming story will remind you that the perfect life you wish for is often in front of you and found in the magic of friendship, family, and simple delights like a chocolate-covered worm with rainbow sprinkles.

📚About the author Andrea Hyatt
Sophie Sparrow Wants to Be a Flamingo is Andrea Hyatt’s third children’s book. Inspiration came from the cheerful but noisy birds that chirp outside her bedroom window, making her wonder, ‘What are they tweeting about this early in the morning?’ Perhaps they are chirping about her previous books, Juliette’s Web and Santa’s Nice List. When Andrea isn’t writing heartwarming stories, she teaches first graders and enjoys baking sweet treats with her curious cat, Ivy. Although she loves anything chocolate, she has yet to try Juliette’s chocolate beetle soufflé or Sophie Sparrow’s chocolate-covered worms with rainbow sprinkles – sounds interesting! Coming Soon… Sophie Sparrow and Friends to the Rescue

This gentle read-aloud is perfect for ages 5-7, with calm animation that won't overstimulate and a thoughtful discussion at the end where we chat with the characters about what the story means. It's great for bedtime, quiet afternoons, or classroom time when you want something meaningful that holds their attention.

After the story, we explore themes of gratitude, contentment, and finding happiness in the everyday moments—perfect conversation starters whether you're a parent, teacher, or homeschooling.

GOLDIE AND THE THREE KIND BEARS!

The three bears looked at the frightened girl before them. She ate all their crunchy cereal, broke a comfy chair, and read books in one of their cozy beds. They should be angry, but they felt sorry for her. With a smile, they said, "You must need a home." Goldie couldn't believe how generous and kind the three bears were. To show her appreciation, she baked her favorite thing for them, a Gingerbread Man. Will the three kind bears enjoy their delicious treat, or will the Gingerbread Man escape just in the nick of time? This heartwarming and amusing story puts a unique and clever spin on two classics, Goldilocks and the Three Bears and The Gingerbread Man, and will remind you that kindness is a special gift to receive but even better to give away.

Sometimes the most beautiful friendships begin with simple acts of kindness. This sweet tale shows children how generosity and compassion can create unexpected joy and turn strangers into family. Perfect for bedtime conversations about empathy, helping others, and the magic that happens when we open our hearts, this story will leave families talking about the wonderful things that can happen when we choose to be kind.
✨ Perfect for: Ages 3-8, bedtime stories, teaching kindness and empathy, family reading time, and classroom discussions about friendship.

📚About the author Andrea Hyatt
Inspiration for Goldie and the Three Kind Bears came from Andrea's love for baking delicious treats in her cozy kitchen. Like her sweet main character, Goldie, one of Andrea's favorite things to make is a Gingerbread Man. She has one tip for you when baking Gingerbread Men: never leave them alone, or they may escape. Like the delightful treats Andrea bakes for her family and friends, she hopes her heartwarming books, with a sweet message and whimsical illustrations, bring joy to those who read them. Other charming books by Andrea Hyatt include Juliette's Web, Santa's Nice List, Sophie Sparrow Wants to Be a Flamingo, and Sophie Sparrow and Friends to the Rescue.