knowonder! stories
by Kai Strand
Laila sucked a deep breath of frigid air into her lungs. She loved the Arctic Tundra’s stark landscape and temperatures so cold your nose hairs froze together when you sniffed.
Her family had just returned from a research trip to Montana. Her parents were habitat conservationists and took the family south for half the year to observe the natural relocation of the snowy owl during a population spike.
While she was away, Laila longed for uninterrupted skylines and suffered the heat of above freezing temperatures. She had also missed her best friend Finn, a Laplander boy whom she only saw a few months of the year since he and his family were nomadic reindeer herders. Reindeer is another name for caribou. Laila was in luck. She returned only two weeks after Finn and his family.
“What is Montana like?” Finn asked.
“Hot,” said Laila.
Finn chuckled.
“It’s not funny. The coldest the temperature ever got while we were there was the warmest it gets here. I thought I was going to burst into flames.”
Finn browsed through the photos Laila had on her iPod. “It’s pretty. So many trees.”
“It was weird. We learned that people build things out of wood, but to see it in person was crazy. Houses, signs, so many fences, everything was made of wood. It was hard to get used to.” Laila frowned. “It seemed so wasteful.”
Finn handed Laila her iPod. “Hot, huh? Was it hot enough to swim in a lake?”
Laila shook her head. “Not while we were there. If we stayed a couple more months it would be.”
“So even though you were born in the states, you prefer permafrost, huh?” Finn asked.
“There’s nothing like bogs in the summer and miles of frozen landscape in the winter,” Laila said. “The colder the better.”
“I’ll just call you Queensicle, Ruler of the Arctic Tundra…”
About the Story
Laila returns to her home in the Arctic and is given a special gift by her best friend, befitting of a queen.
You can read the full version of “Queensicle” and 30 other fantastic read-aloud stories inside Herman’s Horrible Day – Volume 4 in our Story-A-Day Literacy Initiative. The book is a collection of 31 stories (one for each day!) that promotes early childhood literacy through daily reading.
About the Collection
The Volume 4 collection featuring “Herman’s Horrible Day” contains 31 fun, adventurous stories written by professional children’s authors. From hamsters to hippos and mysteries to magic, this collection is filled with stories that will create lasting memories of quality reading time for kids.
Buy the book here: Physical Copy | Kindle version
About the Story-A-Day Literacy Initiative
Reading to your child every single day from birth is the single-m0st important thing a parent can do to ensure that child’s success in school and in life.
The knowonder! Story-A-Day Literacy initiative supports those parents who have made that commitment by giving them a new story every single day, by making it accessible, and by keeping it affordable.
Click here to learn more.
SHARE THIS STORY WITH YOUR FRIENDS:
by Adelaide B. Shaw
Shooz and Sox had lived together since they were new born kittens. Shooz was white with black paws, and Sox was black with white paws. They were always together and were as close as a pair of shoes and socks worn on human feet.
They lived in an apartment on the second floor of a big white house with a kind young lady. Every morning, when the young lady left for work, Shooz and Sox watched from the window.
One morning as she was getting ready to leave, Shooz said, “As comfortable and desirable as our home may be, I would enjoy a sojourn into the outside world.”
“Yes, indeed,” replied Sox. “It would be of considerable amusement to explore the environs outside.”
That’s the way Shooz and Sox spoke all the time. They understood each other perfectly, of course, but the young lady couldn’t understand a word.
Shooz and Sox had never been outside. Every time they tried to go, the young lady sent them back inside the apartment. Shooz and Sox tried to go through the open door now, but the young lady gently nudged them back. “It’s too dangerous outside. You must stay here.”
Shooz and Sox ran to the large window which overlooked the street. Shooz jumped on his black pillow, and Sox jumped on his white one. They watched the young lady get into her car and drive away. It looked exciting and interesting outside. There were trees and birds, people and cars, dogs and flowers, and even other cats.
Soon there was a knock on the door. “Hello,” a voice called. “It’s the landlord. I’m here to repair the leaky faucet.”
Then the door opened, and a man carrying a box of tools walked into the kitchen.
Shooz and Sox looked at each other and both ran through the open door…
About the Story
Shoes and Sox are cats who want adventure but soon realize nothing beats the comforts of home.
You can read the full version of “The Adventures of Shooz and Sox” and 30 other fantastic read-aloud stories inside Herman’s Horrible Day – Volume 4 in our Story-A-Day Literacy Initiative. The book is a collection of 31 stories (one for each day!) that promotes early childhood literacy through daily reading.
About the Collection
The Volume 4 collection featuring “Herman’s Horrible Day” contains 31 fun, adventurous stories written by professional children’s authors. From hamsters to hippos and mysteries to magic, this collection is filled with stories that will create lasting memories of quality reading time for kids.
Buy the book here: Physical Copy | Kindle version
About the Story-A-Day Literacy Initiative
Reading to your child every single day from birth is the single-m0st important thing a parent can do to ensure that child’s success in school and in life.
The knowonder! Story-A-Day Literacy initiative supports those parents who have made that commitment by giving them a new story every single day, by making it accessible, and by keeping it affordable.
Click here to learn more.
SHARE THIS STORY WITH YOUR FRIENDS: by Bevin Rolfs Spencer
One day, Grandma decided to go to the store. “I need galoshes.” Grandma pointed to her feet.
“Oh!” I said. “You mean rain boots.”
Grandma smiled. “No, I mean galoshes. Let’s take Buttermilk. She needs exercise.”
“Buttermilk, the horse?” I asked. “To the store?”
Grandma wrapped a thin yellow scarf over her grey curls. “It’s only a mile down the road,” Grandma said matter-of-factly. She smoothed her brown plaid dress and slipped on her old cowboy boots. She picked up her red patent-leather purse and waited.
I jumped up and followed her outside. Grandma had a little stall and a fenced in area just behind the house.
Buttermilk was a white horse with small brown spots. She turned her ears as we walked toward her. As we saddled her, Buttermilk shimmied to the left and right. I think she knew Grandma was up to something…
About the Story
Find out what happens when Grandma, Gracie, and their horse Buttermilk gallop into the store for a pair of galoshes!
You can read the full version of “Galloping Galoshes Grandma!” and 30 other fantastic read-aloud stories inside Herman’s Horrible Day – Volume 4 in our Story-A-Day Literacy Initiative. The book is a collection of 31 stories (one for each day!) that promotes early childhood literacy through daily reading.
About the Collection
The Volume 4 collection featuring “Herman’s Horrible Day” contains 31 fun, adventurous stories written by professional children’s authors. From hamsters to hippos and mysteries to magic, this collection is filled with stories that will create lasting memories of quality reading time for kids.
Buy the book here: Physical Copy | Kindle version
About the Story-A-Day Literacy Initiative
Reading to your child every single day from birth is the single-m0st important thing a parent can do to ensure that child’s success in school and in life.
The knowonder! Story-A-Day Literacy initiative supports those parents who have made that commitment by giving them a new story every single day, by making it accessible, and by keeping it affordable.
Click here to learn more.
SHARE THIS STORY WITH YOUR FRIENDS: by Rolli
Mr. Xavery was a chocolatier – a maker of chocolate. He wasn’t a rich chocolatier (few of them are) but he was a good one, the best in the city. The Great Wave—this was the name of his shop – was forever busy, for the taste of Xavery Chocolate was beyond delicious. It was like a vacation that took only a minute.
He had a daughter named Dochais. A child with hair the very color of chocolate and skin the color of cream. She was lovely. Her duty was to help prepare the chocolate and to stir it as it cooked. She did this in the kitchen, which was in the rear of the shop.
One day Dochais was preparing a small batch of chocolate. She had cooked together the sugar and cream and was just adding cocoa to the pot, when too much fell in—a little too much.
“This chocolate will be too dark to use,” said her father. “You will have to dump it out.” Then he left her to help someone in the shop.
Dochais was going to throw out the chocolate when she noticed something. It looked like a face. In the chocolate. A dark face that for an instant appeared and then vanished…
About the Story
When Dochais puts too much cocoa in the chocolate and doesn’t tell her father, strange things start to happen.
You can read the full version of “Dark Chocolate” and 30 other fantastic read-aloud stories inside Herman’s Horrible Day – Volume 4 in our Story-A-Day Literacy Initiative. The book is a collection of 31 stories (one for each day!) that promotes early childhood literacy through daily reading.
About the Collection
The Volume 4 collection featuring “Herman’s Horrible Day” contains 31 fun, adventurous stories written by professional children’s authors. From hamsters to hippos and mysteries to magic, this collection is filled with stories that will create lasting memories of quality reading time for kids.
Buy the book here: Physical Copy | Kindle version
About the Story-A-Day Literacy Initiative
Reading to your child every single day from birth is the single-m0st important thing a parent can do to ensure that child’s success in school and in life.
The knowonder! Story-A-Day Literacy initiative supports those parents who have made that commitment by giving them a new story every single day, by making it accessible, and by keeping it affordable.
Click here to learn more.
SHARE THIS STORY WITH YOUR FRIENDS: by Debra Friedland Katz
Lucinda studied the poster taped to the window. “Become a Tooth Fairy,” she read. “Travel! Adventure! Excellent pay. Great benefits.”
The tooth fairy on the poster wore shiny gold wings and a big smile. In each hand she held a red velvet pouch, one labeled “Teeth,” and the other “Quarters.”
“That’s the job for me!” said Lucinda, and she walked through the door marked “Tooth Fairy School” to apply.
Three months later, Lucinda stood proudly as her teacher, Ms. Moeller, called on the new tooth fairies to recite the tooth fairy’s oath:
Be not seen where e’re you go,
Be silent as the falling snow,
Leave one shiny quarter, each child’s prize,
Return before the sun begins to rise.
Ms. Moeller handed each tooth fairy a set of temporary wings and two standard burlap pouches.
Next, Ms. Moeller gave each tooth fairy a Lost Tooth List and a map of their first night’s assignment. Finally, Ms. Moeller gave each new tooth fairy a slip of paper with the name of her sandman. It was the sandman’s job to put sleep in the child’s eyes. Only after a child was sound asleep could the tooth fairy enter the room to collect the tooth. If the sandman didn’t do his job, then the tooth fairy couldn’t do hers. And a tooth fairy that didn’t do her job was not going to get her permanent wings…
About the Story
Lucinda the tooth fairy must help her troubled sandman or else she won’t get her permanent fairy wings.
You can read the full version of “The Tooth Fairy and the Sandman” and 30 other fantastic read-aloud stories inside Herman’s Horrible Day – Volume 4 in our Story-A-Day Literacy Initiative. The book is a collection of 31 stories (one for each day!) that promotes early childhood literacy through daily reading.
About the Collection
The Volume 4 collection featuring “Herman’s Horrible Day” contains 31 fun, adventurous stories written by professional children’s authors. From hamsters to hippos and mysteries to magic, this collection is filled with stories that will create lasting memories of quality reading time for kids.
Buy the book here: Physical Copy | Kindle version
About the Story-A-Day Literacy Initiative
Reading to your child every single day from birth is the single-m0st important thing a parent can do to ensure that child’s success in school and in life.
The knowonder! Story-A-Day Literacy initiative supports those parents who have made that commitment by giving them a new story every single day, by making it accessible, and by keeping it affordable.
Click here to learn more.
SHARE THIS STORY WITH YOUR FRIENDS: by Suzanne Purvis
Mei Ling Kyndall had a nose for adventure. And today she couldn’t wait to use her smell-errific, super-sniffer at the most adventurous place of all—the gigantic, titanic store that has everything. Rows and aisles, departments and shelves, stocked and chocked full of adventure.
So when her daddy opened the car door, Mei Ling took a deep snuffly sniff. “Ooooooo, I smell adventure.” She closed her eyes, took another sniffly snuff and said, “Yes! My smell-errific nose tells me there’s a wild blossomy rainforest adventure filled with monkeys and parrots and more.”
But when Mei Ling jumped from the car onto the hard black pavement she said, “Ugh. Greasy, gasoliney, stinky car smells.” So she plugged her smell-errific nose with one hand and grabbed onto her daddy’s big hand with the other. “No time to waste. This is the most fabulous place. I must find my wild blossomy rainforest adventure filled with monkeys and parrots and more,” she said through her pinched-up nostrils.
She skidded through the sliding doors, un-pinched her smell-errific nose, and rose on her toes. “Ooooooooo. Can’t you just smell the adventures?”
But then her daddy pushed over a steely, cagey shopping cart.
Mei Ling frowned. “Riding in shopping carts is for babies. I’m all grown up and ready for adventure.” So she waved and set off, following her smell-errific nose…
About the Story
Mei Ling’s super sniffer leads her to a series of nosy adventures!
You can read the full version of “Mei Ling’s Scents of Adventure” and 30 other fantastic read-aloud stories inside Herman’s Horrible Day – Volume 4 in our Story-A-Day Literacy Initiative. The book is a collection of 31 stories (one for each day!) that promotes early childhood literacy through daily reading.
About the Collection
The Volume 4 collection featuring “Herman’s Horrible Day” contains 31 fun, adventurous stories written by professional children’s authors. From hamsters to hippos and mysteries to magic, this collection is filled with stories that will create lasting memories of quality reading time for kids.
Buy the book here: Physical Copy | Kindle version
About the Story-A-Day Literacy Initiative
Reading to your child every single day from birth is the single-m0st important thing a parent can do to ensure that child’s success in school and in life.
The knowonder! Story-A-Day Literacy initiative supports those parents who have made that commitment by giving them a new story every single day, by making it accessible, and by keeping it affordable.
Click here to learn more.
SHARE THIS STORY WITH YOUR FRIENDS: by Rolli
I was so happy to see my cave-friend that I just about tapped on the glass – but then I remembered that the whole point of snooping is not to be seen. After all, I still wanted to find out what Kabungo was up to. So I crouched there, watching, and listening.
The old man started talking again, but his voice was so low that I still couldn’t make it out. I had no trouble, though, making out what Kabungo said.
“Ha ha, Grandpa!” she laughed, slapping her knees. “Funny!”
If my friend had looked out the window just then, she’d have seen me looking stunned. Because I didn’t know Kabungo even had a sense of humor. But then, I didn’t know she had a Grandpa, either. Before that, if someone had told me cavegirls could be secretive, I’d have never believed them.
The old man said something else, now, and my friend tipped backwards with laughter, right into the basket. The big dog growled at her – but all she did was put her arm around him and guffaw.
The big dog growled again (a bit louder, this time). At first, I thought there’d be a fight – but no, it wasn’t Kabungo he was growling at. He lifted his head up. He sniffed the air.
“Hmm?” said Kabungo. “Hmm, dog? Meat? Meat?” Now Kabungo lifted her head and started sniffing.
The big dog barked – and looked right at the window.
Uh-oh, I thought, ducking down. A few seconds later, I heard the front door open…
About the Story
Beverly discovers Kabungo’s unusual grandpa has a very unusual pet.
You can read the full version of “Kabungo’s Grandpa, Part II” and 30 other fantastic read-aloud stories inside Herman’s Horrible Day – Volume 4 in our Story-A-Day Literacy Initiative. The book is a collection of 31 stories (one for each day!) that promotes early childhood literacy through daily reading.
About the Collection
The Volume 4 collection featuring “Herman’s Horrible Day” contains 31 fun, adventurous stories written by professional children’s authors. From hamsters to hippos and mysteries to magic, this collection is filled with stories that will create lasting memories of quality reading time for kids.
Buy the book here: Physical Copy | Kindle version
About the Story-A-Day Literacy Initiative
Reading to your child every single day from birth is the single-m0st important thing a parent can do to ensure that child’s success in school and in life.
The knowonder! Story-A-Day Literacy initiative supports those parents who have made that commitment by giving them a new story every single day, by making it accessible, and by keeping it affordable.
Click here to learn more.
SHARE THIS STORY WITH YOUR FRIENDS: by Rolli
Mysterious. It’s not a word I thought I’d ever use to describe Kabungo (she’s normally as mysterious as a rhino). Lately, though, my cave-friend had been acting – well, mysterious. Half the time, when I stopped by her place, there was no sign of her, and the one time I did catch her at home and brought her a biscuit with butter on it – a biscuit with butter on it is her favorite thing in life – she just burped and said, “Oh too fully Belly.” That’s when I knew she was up to something.
So when I saw Kabungo sneaking out of her cave on my way to Gobshaw’s Drug Shop (I really needed some toffee), I automatically spun around and followed her. I know it wasn’t any of my business, and I probably shouldn’t have gone after her, but my feet did anyway. Feet aren’t always reasonable.
Following Kabungo, though, was a major challenge. She’s naturally suspicious and never took three steps that day without looking over her shoulder at least once. Luckily, there was always a mailbox or a friendly person I could duck behind when I needed to. Now, if it was Kabungo following me – she’s like a bloodhound – all she’d have to do is follow my scent. My sense of smell may not be that great, but my sense of snooping is amazing.
Pretty soon, Kabungo was on the outskirts of town – and I was close behind her. At first, I thought she might be heading to the garbage dump (Kabungo loves garbage), but she trotted right past the gate without even stopping to sniff. I followed her for another mile down the road and then she turned onto another road – a dusty little path, really – looked slyly all around her (I jumped into the ditch), and slipped into the trees…
About the Story
Beverly follows Kabungo into the woods and meets her cavegirl friend’s unusual grandpa.
You can read the full version of “Kabungo’s Grandpa, Part I” and 30 other fantastic read-aloud stories inside Herman’s Horrible Day – Volume 4 in our Story-A-Day Literacy Initiative. The book is a collection of 31 stories (one for each day!) that promotes early childhood literacy through daily reading.
About the Collection
The Volume 4 collection featuring “Herman’s Horrible Day” contains 31 fun, adventurous stories written by professional children’s authors. From hamsters to hippos and mysteries to magic, this collection is filled with stories that will create lasting memories of quality reading time for kids.
Buy the book here: Physical Copy | Kindle version
About the Story-A-Day Literacy Initiative
Reading to your child every single day from birth is the single-m0st important thing a parent can do to ensure that child’s success in school and in life.
The knowonder! Story-A-Day Literacy initiative supports those parents who have made that commitment by giving them a new story every single day, by making it accessible, and by keeping it affordable.
Click here to learn more.
SHARE THIS STORY WITH YOUR FRIENDS: by Laird Long
It had been two years since the great detective Sherwood House had last seen his good friend Doctor Waters. So, when the two men finally met again at the Doctor’s home for a backyard barbeque, they heartily shook hands with one another.
“And you remember my sons, Travis, Tyler, and Timothy?” Dr. Waters said, gesturing at the three boys lined up in the living room.
“Of course I do!” Sherwood exclaimed, startling the boys. “But, my, how they have grown since I saw them last!”
Sherwood proceeded to solemnly shake hands with each of the Doctor’s sons, grimacing only slightly when he gripped the dirt-stained hands tipped by dirt-laden fingernails of Travis and Tyler.
“They’ve all been recently playing in the woods out back,” Dr. Waters explained.
“Ah!” Sherwood nodded and then smiled when he gripped and shook Timothy’s hand. “But here’s a lad who values cleanliness, eh?” He turned Timothy’s hand over in his own, admiring the scrubbed cleanliness of it. “You’ll be a doctor like your father, no doubt,” he joked.
“And where is your fourth son, Thomas?” the great detective inquired.
“Oh, I suppose he’s out in the backyard or the woods somewhere,” Dr. Waters replied. “Come, I have hot dogs grilling on the barbeque as we speak.”
Sherwood clapped and rubbed his hands together with gustatory delight and to freshen them up a bit.
The two men were just stepping out onto the backyard patio when Dr. Waters’ youngest son, Thomas, raced around the back of the garage, over the lawn, and up to his father. “Someone’s stolen my bag of candy!” the boy wailed.
Sherwood’s eyes glowed like the coals in the barbeque. “Show me!”
About the Story
Detective Sherwood House gets his hands dirty solving another mystery–the case of the stolen candy!
You can read the full version of “He Digs Candy” and 30 other fantastic read-aloud stories inside Herman’s Horrible Day – Volume 4 in our Story-A-Day Literacy Initiative. The book is a collection of 31 stories (one for each day!) that promotes early childhood literacy through daily reading.
About the Collection
The Volume 4 collection featuring “Herman’s Horrible Day” contains 31 fun, adventurous stories written by professional children’s authors. From hamsters to hippos and mysteries to magic, this collection is filled with stories that will create lasting memories of quality reading time for kids.
Buy the book here: Physical Copy | Kindle version
About the Story-A-Day Literacy Initiative
Reading to your child every single day from birth is the single-m0st important thing a parent can do to ensure that child’s success in school and in life.
The knowonder! Story-A-Day Literacy initiative supports those parents who have made that commitment by giving them a new story every single day, by making it accessible, and by keeping it affordable.
Click here to learn more.
SHARE THIS STORY WITH YOUR FRIENDS: by Donna Koppelman
“Boys, we need to know,” said Mrs. Evans, the principal.
I could tell she meant it.
“It wasn’t one thing exactly,” Frankie began.
“It was more like, a series of events,” I said.
Frankie nodded.
Gibby looked miserable. “It’s all my fault.”
“No,” Frankie said, but he was being nice.
“Tell me—now,” Mrs. Evans said.
So we did.
“It all started when the bus was late and Gibby brought Herman, his hamster, outside to show the Parker girls…”
About the Story
When Gibby brings his hamster Herman to school, it turns into a series of humorous mishaps!
You can read the full version of “Herman’s Horrible Day” and 30 other fantastic read-aloud stories inside Herman’s Horrible Day – Volume 4 in our Story-A-Day Literacy Initiative. The book is a collection of 31 stories (one for each day!) that promotes early childhood literacy through daily reading.
About the Collection
The Volume 4 collection featuring “Herman’s Horrible Day” contains 31 fun, adventurous stories written by professional children’s authors. From hamsters to hippos and mysteries to magic, this collection is filled with stories that will create lasting memories of quality reading time for kids.
Buy the book here: Physical Copy | Kindle version
About the Story-A-Day Literacy Initiative
Research shows that reading to your child every single day from birth is the single-most important thing a parent can do to ensure that child’s success in school and in life.
The knowonder! Story-A-Day Literacy initiative supports those parents who have made that commitment by giving them a new story every single day, by making it accessible, and by keeping it affordable.
Click here to learn more.
SHARE THIS STORY WITH YOUR FRIENDS: 
