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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
  • Episode Five – Knights and Dragons: Oh My!

    Episode Five – Knights and Dragons: Oh My!
    May 13 2025

    Host: Rosie Talley, Author of the Linus the Troll series Produced by: Sweet Meadowlark StoriesWebsite: sweetmeadowlark.wixsite.com/past-and-penEmail: pastandpen@gmail.com🎙️ Episode Summary:In this episode of Past and Pen, we’re galloping straight into the exciting—and sometimes messy—world of medieval knights! Forget fairy tales about dragons and damsels—today, we’re digging into what real knights were like. From clanking armor to grueling battles the truth might surprise you!Get ready to separate myth from metal as we explore the real life of knights, famous tournaments, and the not-so-glamorous parts of life behind the shield.What You’ll Learn:✅ How knights trained from childhood to become fierce warriors✅ What being a real knight was actually like (spoiler: it wasn’t all shining swords and hero moments!)✅ The truth behind medieval armor—and how heavy it really was✅ How tournaments were more bruises than glory📚 Reading List:Amazon Associate Disclosure: I may receive a commission if you purchase something through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.📖 You Wouldn't Want to Be a Medieval Knight! by Fiona Macdonald – A fun (and kind of gross) look at the real dangers of knighthood. 📖 Knightology: A True Account of the Most Valiant Knights by Dugald Steer – A beautifully illustrated book packed with facts and fantasy.📖 The Making of a Knight by Patrick O’Brien – Follow a boy’s journey to knighthood in this gorgeously illustrated story. 📖 The Time Warp Trio: The Knights of the Kitchen Table by Jon Scieszka – A funny time-travel adventure full of medieval mayhem. 📖 The Sword in the Stone by T.H. White – A classic story blending myth, magic, and history. 📖 The Underwear Dragon by Scott Rothman 📖 The Return of the Underwear Dragon by Scott Rothman ✍️ Writing Prompt:Your quest awaits!Imagine you’re a young knight-in-training living in a huge stone castle. One night, you stumble upon a secret chamber hidden behind an old tapestry. Inside, you find something unbelievable—a real dragon’s egg, a magic spell, or a lost piece of history no one else knows about.Write a story about what you find... and what you do next!📩 Send your story to me at pastandpen@gmail.com, and I might feature it in a future episode!❤️ 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 step into the world of any book or story—fiction or nonfiction—where would you go, and what would you do there?
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    9 mins
  • Episode Four – Whispers Through Time: The History of Folktales for Kids

    Episode Four – Whispers Through Time: The History of Folktales for Kids
    Apr 29 2025
    🎧 A storytelling podcast for curious kids, homeschoolers, and young writers ✍️ Includes a creative writing prompt + kid-friendly reading listHost: Rosie Talley, Author of the Linus the Troll series Produced by: Sweet Meadowlark Stories Website: https://sweetmeadowlark.wixsite.com/past-and-penEmail: pastandpen@gmail.com🎙️ Episode Summary:In this episode of Past and Pen, we’re traveling back in time to explore the magical world of folktales for kids. These powerful stories have been passed down for thousands of years—from ancient oral traditions to bedtime favorites around the globe.✅ What makes a folktale a folktale?✅ The oldest known folktales—some over 4,000 years old!✅ How stories evolved from ancient myths to modern retellings✅ A creative writing prompt that turns kids into young storytellers!Whether you're a parent, homeschooler, or educator, this episode is packed with inspiration and educational value for middle-grade learners (ages 8–12).✍️ Writing Prompt:No need to wish upon a star—your imagination is all you need for today’s writing prompt. Create your very own folktale! Imagine you live thousands of years ago—before science could explain thunderstorms, the stars, or earthquakes. Create a short folktale to explain a natural event!Is thunder just the sound of a giant’s belly rumbling after too many bean burritos?Is the fog just a lazy cloud looking to take a nap?Is the wind just created by invisible dragons beating their wings as they soar through the sky?📩 Send your story to pastandpen@gmail.com for a chance to be featured in a future episode!📚 Reading List: This list contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.Ready to turn the page on happily ever after? Check out these books!📖 Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin – A beautifully written fantasy inspired by Chinese folklore, following a girl’s journey to change her family’s fortune.📖 The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill – A Newbery Medal-winning fantasy with a folktale feel, featuring a magical girl, a tiny dragon, and an ancient witch.📖 Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff – A humorous and clever retelling of Rumpelstiltskin from the misunderstood character’s perspective.📖 The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste – A Caribbean folklore-inspired adventure featuring mythical creatures and a brave girl facing dark magic. This book includes some spooky moments which might be a little scary for sensitive readers.📖 Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia – Blends African American folktales and West African mythology in an action-packed adventure.This book deals with themes of grief and loss, as the main character struggles with the death of a friend. It’s handled well for middle-grade readers, but it’s something to be aware of.📖 The Serpent’s Secret (Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond) by Sayantani DasGupta – A fast-paced fantasy rooted in Bengali folklore, following a girl who learns she’s a princess from another dimension.📖 Treasury of Magical Tales from Around the World by Donna Jo Napoli – A gorgeously illustrated collection of folktales from different cultures, perfect for young readers.📖 Best-Loved Folktales of the World by Joanna Cole – A classic collection of folktales from around the world, with simple and engaging storytelling.📖 D’Aulaires’ Book of Norse Myths by Ingri & Edgar Parin d’Aulaire – A beautifully illustrated introduction to Norse mythology, perfect for middle-grade readers.Join the Fun!✅ Subscribe to Past and Pen for more historical deep dives and creative prompts. ✅ Leave a review on your favorite podcast platform—it really helps! ✅ Support the podcast on Patreon for exclusive perks.✅ Fuel the Folktales on Ko-fiThanks for listening! Stay curious and keep writing your story.
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    9 mins
  • Past and Pen – Episode Three: "A Slice of Democracy: The Story of Connecticut's Election Cake"

    Past and Pen – Episode Three: "A Slice of Democracy: The Story of Connecticut's Election Cake"
    Apr 15 2025
    In this episode of Past and Pen, we dive into the history of Connecticut’s Election Cake, a tradition that turned Election Day into a grand celebration. Inspired by Tasting History, we explore how voting in the late 1700s wasn’t just about casting ballots—it was also a time for community gatherings, long sermons, and, of course, baking generous batches of spiced fruitcakes. These hearty cakes, often made days in advance, helped fuel the festivities and symbolized civic spirit. Writing Challenge: Imagine you’re in 1796 Connecticut, preparing for Election Day. Write a diary entry about the chaos and excitement of baking the Election Cake in your home. Who’s involved? What challenges do you face? How does the community come together for this event?Send your entries to pastandpen@gmail.com. I’d love to read them!Reading List: Amazon Associate Disclosure: I may receive a commission if you purchase something through links in this post. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.📚"Duck for President" by Doreen Cronin (A Click Clack Picture Book) A duck who walks and talks like a duck might just be the next president of the United States!📚 The Election Day Dilemma: An Election Day Holiday Special (The Boxcar Children Mysteries) The Alden children find adventure while searching for a home during Election Day—full of wholesome excitement and mystery!📚 "The Night Before Election Day" by Natasha Wing. Wave your flags! It’s time to vote in this fun, election-themed story from Natasha Wing's best-selling series.📚 A Colonial Quaker Girl: The Diary of Sally Wister, 1777-1778 by Sarah Wister. the diary of the sixteen-year-old daughter of a prominent Quaker family who moved with her family from British-occupied Philadelphia for the safety of the countryside during the Revolutionary War.📚 "When I Was Young in the Mountains" by Cynthia Rylant. This book is a cozy read that takes you to the mountains where life was simple and special. It’s about a little girl remembering her childhood, and even though it’s not about Election Cake, it gives you a taste of what life was like long ago. The beautiful pictures and stories will help you imagine the past in a whole new way.❤️ 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 time-travel to any historical period, where would you go and why? Sign up for Patreon to have your answer featured on the show! 👍 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you enjoyed this episode! New episodes drop every other Tuesday at 4 PM—so mark your calendars! Past and Pen - Young Historians' Treasure Trove Looking for the perfect gift for a young history lover? I've put together a curated list of books, creative writing tools, and fun educational items to inspire kids aged 8-12! Whether they're fascinated by ancient civilizations, legendary figures, or storytelling, this list has something special for them. Check out the full list here. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Your support helps me continue creating educational content for young historians and storytellers! Past and Pen - The Bookworm's Adventure Box : Got a young reader who loves to get lost in stories? This list is packed with engaging books, creative writing tools, and fun literary gifts perfect for bookworms aged 8-12! Whether they dream of epic adventures, historical tales, or crafting their own stories, this collection is sure to spark their imagination. Explore the full list here.
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    8 mins

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