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Past and Pen: A Creative History Podcast for Kids

Past and Pen: A Creative History Podcast for Kids

By: Rosie
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About this listen

 Welcome to Past and Pen! History isn’t just old facts and dusty dates. It’s a treasure trove of stories waiting to be discovered! I’m Rosie Talley, a children’s author, history lover, and self-proclaimed cheese enthusiast. (Because let’s be real, creativity is best fueled by gouda. 🧀) Every other Tuesday at 4 PM, join me as we uncover quirky, wonderful, and wacky bits of the past, explore bookish discoveries, and wrap things up with a creative writing prompt to spark your imagination. If you love history, storytelling, and a little bit of fun, you're in the right place!Rosie World
Episodes
  • Ep. Nine: This Episode Will Self-Destruct: True Tales of Espionage

    Ep. Nine: This Episode Will Self-Destruct: True Tales of Espionage
    Jul 8 2025
    Welcome to Past and PenHosted by: Rosie Talley, Author of Linus the TrollProduced by: Sweet Meadowlark StoriesAuthor WebsiteEmail: pastandpen@gmail.comIn this episode of Past and Pen, we’re decoding real-life spy stories that sound straight out of a mystery novel. You’ll learn how George Washington stayed one step ahead of the British with help from a secret ink formula, how a lemon led to the capture of a German spy in World War I, and how agents in World War II relied on baking ingredients and ultraviolet lights to send hidden messages. There’s even a 110 year old lemon sitting in a museum.Whether you're a curious kid, or a history lover with a sneaky side, this episode has something for you.So grab your notebook and your imagination. It’s time to uncover what’s been hiding between the lines.Reading List: Keep Your Spy Sleuthing SharpThis post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.Spy Science: 40 Secret-Sleuthing, Code-Cracking, Spy-Catching Activities for Kids by Jim WieseSpies, Code Breakers, and Secret Agents by Carole P. RomanSecret Coders by Gene Luen YangSammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief by Wendelin Van DraanenChasing Vermeer by Blue BalliettThe Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee StewartWriting Prompt: Your Undercover MomentImagine you’ve found a letter that looks ordinary until you treat it with heat or a special chemical and secret words appear.Who wrote it?What does it reveal?Does it warn of danger, lead to a hidden treasure, or launch an unexpected mission?Write a short scene where the message appears at just the right moment. You can send your story, drawing, or ideas to pastandpen@gmail.com. I would love to see what you come up with.Support the ShowBuy me a coffee on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pastandpenpodJoin my Patreon for perks like early access, birthday shoutouts, and a chance to have your voice featured on the showhttps://patreon.com/PastandPenPodcastQuestion of the MonthYou find an old journal buried in the sand. The first page says, "This summer something unbelievable happened."What happens next?If you are looking for even more reading fun, check out Wander and Wonder, a summer reading program for families. It is a parent and child book club for ages 4 to 12. You’ll receive recipes inspired by the books, a printable reading journal with creative prompts, and hands-on activities to bring each story to life.https://sweetmeadowlark.gumroad.com/l/wanderbundleHow to Create Your Own Secret Messages: https://busytoddler.com/secret-letters-activity/Instagram - How to Create Secret Messageshttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DGZPC62sErn/?igsh=aXRrMzlveGo5czVp
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    7 mins
  • Episode Eight- Old Fashioned Summer Shenanigans

    Episode Eight- Old Fashioned Summer Shenanigans
    Jun 24 2025
    Welcome to Past and Pen!Hosted by: Rosie Talley, Author of Linus the TrollProduced by: Sweet Meadowlark Stories🌐 ⁠Author Website⁠📧 Email: ⁠pastandpen@gmail.com⁠ Old Fashioned Summer ShenanigansIn this episode of Past and Pen, we’re cranking up the nostalgia and heading back to summers long before smartphones and A/C. From penny ice cream to sticky pie-eating contests and itchy wool swimsuits, we’re diving into the surprising, silly, and sometimes unfair history of summertime fun.You’ll discover how kids cooled off, how pie became the centerpiece of chaotic contests, and why the first swimming pools weren’t built for play. Spoiler: it all gets a little gooey.So grab your towel, maybe a popsicle, and get ready to splash into the past with us!Reading List:This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Ice Cream: The Full Scoop by Gail GibbonsFood Fight! by Tanya Steel The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle by Anne Renaud The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies444+ Fun Facts for Sports Kids: Swimming Edition by Dr. Rabea HadiJudy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer by Megan McDonald The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale by Jeanne BirdsallSummer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls Writing Prompt:Imagine you’re a kid in the 1920s spending a summer day at the town fair. You kick things off with a messy pie-eating contest, then cool off in a new public pool—wearing a wool swimsuit that feels like a soggy sweater. Write a journal entry or short story from that kid’s point of view. What’s fun? What’s frustrating? What would surprise a kid from today?Share your stories, drawings, or ideas with me at pastandpen@gmail.com — I’d love to see what you create! Support the Show: Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi Join my Patreon for perks like early access, birthday shoutouts, and even a chance to have your voice featured on the show! Question of the Month:If you could interview any historical figure or book character, who would you choose—and what would you ask them first?P.S. If you want even more summer reading fun, check out my new summer reading program Wander and Wonder. It’s a parent/child book club with options for kids ages 4 to 12. You’ll get kitchen classroom recipes inspired by the books we read, a printable PDF journal with drawing or writing prompts, and hands-on activities to bring each story to life. Sources for This Episode:Smithsonian Magazine – How the Ice Cream Truck Made Summer Cool Ice Cream Nation - Ice Cream in Ancient Times Chamoy City Limits- History of Ice Cream Trucks in America Popsicle Official Site- Our StoryThanks for tuning in! New episodes drop every other Tuesday at 4 PM—so mark your sundials, set your hourglasses, or just hit that subscribe button!Don’t forget to like, share, and leave a review—your support helps Past and Pen reach more curious minds like yours.Stay curious, and keep writing your story.
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    9 mins
  • Episode Seven – The Sweet Origins of Marshmallows

    Episode Seven – The Sweet Origins of Marshmallows
    Jun 10 2025

    Meet Your Host:

    Hosted by: Rosie Talley, Author of ⁠Linus the Troll⁠

    Produced by: Sweet Meadowlark Stories

    🌐 ⁠ Website⁠📧

    Email: ⁠pastandpen@gmail.com⁠

    Episode Summary:

    In this episode of Past and Pen, we’re unraveling a story that begins in the marshes of ancient Egypt and ends beside a crackling campfire. It isn’t a ghost story or a tale of curses, at least not exactly, but it is a piece of history that feels a lot like magic.You’ll learn how a swampy plant once used to heal sore throats eventually became a sugary treat we still enjoy today. From ancient remedies to French candy shops and finally to your mug of hot cocoa, this episode follows the unexpected journey of a now-famous fluff.So grab your graham crackers, maybe a stick or two, and get ready to discover how the humble marshmallow made its sweet mark on history.

    Reading List:

    This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you

    .📖 Sweet: A History of Candy by Tim Richardson – A delicious dive into the history of treats like marshmallows, chocolate, and more.

    📖 The Story of Chocolate by Katie Daynes – Learn how this favorite treat traveled from ancient civilizations to your candy shelf. 📖 The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling – A magical and funny story about a boy who turns everything into chocolate. 📖 Marshmallow by Clare Turlay Newberry – A gentle springtime classic about a fluffy bunny and a tabby cat who become friends. 📖 The Life of a S’more by Kris Taft Miller – A heartwarming picture book about uniqueness and teamwork, told from a marshmallow’s point of view.

    📖 Marshall Mellow by JJ Landis – Follow the sweet and silly adventures of a lovable marshmallow with a big heart.

    📖 A Camping Spree with Mr. Magee by Chris Van Dusen – A fun camping tale with rhymes, a curious bear, and plenty of mishaps.

    📖 Try Not to Laugh Challenge: Would You Rather? Campfire Edition by C. S. Adams – Packed with camping-themed “Would You Rather?” questions, perfect for s’mores and giggles.

    Writing Prompt:

    Time to get creative with your own marshmallow magic!Imagine you’re in Ancient Egypt, and you’ve just created a new remedy using the mallow plant. What does it do? How does it help people—or animals? Could it even have unexpected, surprising effects? Write a journal entry from the point of view of your ancient healer self. Describe what you made, how it works, and whether it might just change the world.

    Support the Show:

    ☕ Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi

    🎙️ Join my Patreon for perks like early access, birthday shoutouts, and a chance to have your voice featured on the show!

    💬 Question of the Month:

    If you could interview any historical figure or book character, who would you choose, and what would be your first question?
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    6 mins

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