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I would like to take you on a journey back to that time when you were around five years old and bedtime stories were everything. It's what you looked forward to after your evening bath. Remember? I’m Ruma Tenbrink and welcome to the “Children's Bedtime Stories ” podcast for Adults! Now close your eyes and think back to that time when your mom or dad took you away to another land, another time, a world filled with magic and adventure while you snuggled deep into your bed. You felt so cozy, clean, comfortable and nurtured. You felt like you were lying on a cloud with the comforters hugging you in warmth. Would you like to experience that again? Of course you would! So go get clean, put your pyjamas on and settle in with a hot chocolate or a hot toddy and take a journey with me to another land. If you fall asleep while listening, I have truly done my job! Happy slumbers!!!

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If We Were Giants is an uplifting, sometimes harrowing, tale by rock star and environmental activist Dave Matthews and Clete Barrett Smith. Inspired by the cooperative behavior of bivouac ants, Matthews conceived a story of small people who stood up against overwhelming forces by working together, and co-author Smith built an entire world and cast of characters around that beginning. Protagonist Kirra, 10 years old for the first part of the story, 14 later, is racked with guilt because her own careless eagerness led an army of scary invaders called the Takers to discover and wipe out her family and all who lived in a carefully-hidden town inside a dormant volcano. Adopted by a family of peaceable, self-sufficient tree dwellers, she doesn't talk about her past, but when she's 14, the Takers threaten her new family, too. Between the massacres, the hunting scenes, the scary-looking villains, their shiny weapons, and the hand-to-hand combat, there's a lot of violence, but no gratuitous gore. There are lots of positive messages about family, friendship, courage, collaboration, cooperation, clever thinking, and living in harmony with nature and one another. Also about finding your true path and following it even when obstacles crop up.

If We Were Giants opens as 10-year-old Kirra and her storytelling father/mentor -- the only people allowed to leave their well-hidden town inside a dormant volcano -- are returning home from a tour of neighboring villages and storytelling festivals. They're worried, because word has started to spread about brutal invaders called the Takers who pillage everything in their path, strip the landscape and kill the inhabitants. All is well for a while when they get home, but then Kirra, eager to find her own stories to tell, goes outside the walls again -- and leads the Takers straight back to her home and loved ones. In shock and grief, she falls into a river and nearly drowns before a family of tree-dwellers takes her in. Years pass, and then comes word that the Takers are headed for her new home. She's determined to save her adopted family and their neighbors -- but how?

This whole story came about because Dave Matthews observed the behavior of ants in the wild, and was inspired to see how it might apply elsewhere. Have you ever seen something in nature that made you look at something in your own life in a different way?

Inspired by ants, Dave Matthews and Clete Barrett Smith spin an exciting, harrowing, uplifting story of banding together to use cooperation -- and clever technology -- against predatory invaders. "If We Were Giants," muses a little kid, we could win against these ruthless foes. Fourteen-year-old tree-dweller Kirra, whose home has already been destroyed, has to rise above her survivor's (and other) guilt to help the people who've taken her in -- and maybe help them become giants for real.

• Authors: Dave Matthews, Clete Barrett Smith, Illustrator: Antonio Javier Caparo, Read by: Ruma Tenbrink

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Send us a text

If We Were Giants is an uplifting, sometimes harrowing, tale by rock star and environmental activist Dave Matthews and Clete Barrett Smith. Inspired by the cooperative behavior of bivouac ants, Matthews conceived a story of small people who stood up against overwhelming forces by working together, and co-author Smith built an entire world and cast of characters around that beginning. Protagonist Kirra, 10 years old for the first part of the story, 14 later, is racked with guilt because her own careless eagerness led an army of scary invaders called the Takers to discover and wipe out her family and all who lived in a carefully-hidden town inside a dormant volcano. Adopted by a family of peaceable, self-sufficient tree dwellers, she doesn't talk about her past, but when she's 14, the Takers threaten her new family, too. Between the massacres, the hunting scenes, the scary-looking villains, their shiny weapons, and the hand-to-hand combat, there's a lot of violence, but no gratuitous gore. There are lots of positive messages about family, friendship, courage, collaboration, cooperation, clever thinking, and living in harmony with nature and one another. Also about finding your true path and following it even when obstacles crop up.

If We Were Giants opens as 10-year-old Kirra and her storytelling father/mentor -- the only people allowed to leave their well-hidden town inside a dormant volcano -- are returning home from a tour of neighboring villages and storytelling festivals. They're worried, because word has started to spread about brutal invaders called the Takers who pillage everything in their path, strip the landscape and kill the inhabitants. All is well for a while when they get home, but then Kirra, eager to find her own stories to tell, goes outside the walls again -- and leads the Takers straight back to her home and loved ones. In shock and grief, she falls into a river and nearly drowns before a family of tree-dwellers takes her in. Years pass, and then comes word that the Takers are headed for her new home. She's determined to save her adopted family and their neighbors -- but how?

This whole story came about because Dave Matthews observed the behavior of ants in the wild, and was inspired to see how it might apply elsewhere. Have you ever seen something in nature that made you look at something in your own life in a different way?

Inspired by ants, Dave Matthews and Clete Barrett Smith spin an exciting, harrowing, uplifting story of banding together to use cooperation -- and clever technology -- against predatory invaders. "If We Were Giants," muses a little kid, we could win against these ruthless foes. Fourteen-year-old tree-dweller Kirra, whose home has already been destroyed, has to rise above her survivor's (and other) guilt to help the people who've taken her in -- and maybe help them become giants for real.

• Authors: Dave Matthews, Clete Barrett Smith, Illustrator: Antonio Javier Caparo, Read by: Ruma Tenbrink

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Jenny's Gift is a heartwarming tale about the special relationship little Jenny has with her Grandma. This book was beautifully written and illustrated by my friend, the author and artist and woman of so many talents, Jill Yasmin Kaplan. Jill has taught me so much about how to live the good life and how to live in your truth every single day. Her gentle loving kindness will always stay in my heart. Jill has moved further into nature and is now homesteading in the Northern California woods near the border of Oregon. I miss my beautiful Jill every day. -- Ruma Y Tenbrink

Published by Awakening Press

If you are interested in buying this book so you can enjoy the beautiful watercolor art, please do look this up on Amazon for purchase!

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The Star Children is a poignant reminder of why we must go back to nature to connect with our hearts and the love we have deep inside for ourselves and others. A reminder to shine our own light to find happiness while allowing others to shine theirs. This book was beautifully written and illustrated by my friend, the author and artist and woman of so many talents, Jill Yasmin Kaplan. She has been like a loving mother-figure to me for many years, an amazing inspiration of womanly beauty in heart, body and soul. She taught me that taking care of yourself, eating well, getting back to nature and finding your spirit is the only way to live. I am forever grateful to you Jill. Thank you for allowing me the honor to read your lovely story! -- Ruma Y Tenbrink

In The Star Children, Jill Kaplan's exquisite watercolor illustrations and gentle lyrical text carry a heartfelt message of love and hope reminding all readers to remember their light -- Linda Glaser - Chirldren's author, teacher and lecturer

This book is full of light and is a beautiful remider of our true nature -- Libby Pink - author of Lotus and the Golden Pearl - A young Girl's Peace Odyssey

Awakening Press

If you are interested in buying this book so you can enjoy the beautiful watercolor art, please do look this up on Amazon for purchase!

Support the show

Send us a text

If We Were Giants is an uplifting, sometimes harrowing, tale by rock star and environmental activist Dave Matthews and Clete Barrett Smith. Inspired by the cooperative behavior of bivouac ants, Matthews conceived a story of small people who stood up against overwhelming forces by working together, and co-author Smith built an entire world and cast of characters around that beginning. Protagonist Kirra, 10 years old for the first part of the story, 14 later, is racked with guilt because her own careless eagerness led an army of scary invaders called the Takers to discover and wipe out her family and all who lived in a carefully-hidden town inside a dormant volcano. Adopted by a family of peaceable, self-sufficient tree dwellers, she doesn't talk about her past, but when she's 14, the Takers threaten her new family, too. Between the massacres, the hunting scenes, the scary-looking villains, their shiny weapons, and the hand-to-hand combat, there's a lot of violence, but no gratuitous gore. There are lots of positive messages about family, friendship, courage, collaboration, cooperation, clever thinking, and living in harmony with nature and one another. Also about finding your true path and following it even when obstacles crop up.

If We Were Giants opens as 10-year-old Kirra and her storytelling father/mentor -- the only people allowed to leave their well-hidden town inside a dormant volcano -- are returning home from a tour of neighboring villages and storytelling festivals. They're worried, because word has started to spread about brutal invaders called the Takers who pillage everything in their path, strip the landscape and kill the inhabitants. All is well for a while when they get home, but then Kirra, eager to find her own stories to tell, goes outside the walls again -- and leads the Takers straight back to her home and loved ones. In shock and grief, she falls into a river and nearly drowns before a family of tree-dwellers takes her in. Years pass, and then comes word that the Takers are headed for her new home. She's determined to save her adopted family and their neighbors -- but how?

This whole story came about because Dave Matthews observed the behavior of ants in the wild, and was inspired to see how it might apply elsewhere. Have you ever seen something in nature that made you look at something in your own life in a different way?

Inspired by ants, Dave Matthews and Clete Barrett Smith spin an exciting, harrowing, uplifting story of banding together to use cooperation -- and clever technology -- against predatory invaders. "If We Were Giants," muses a little kid, we could win against these ruthless foes. Fourteen-year-old tree-dweller Kirra, whose home has already been destroyed, has to rise above her survivor's (and other) guilt to help the people who've taken her in -- and maybe help them become giants for real.

• Authors: Dave Matthews, Clete Barrett Smith, Illustrator: Antonio Javier Caparo, Read by: Ruma Tenbrink

Support the show

Send us a text

If We Were Giants is an uplifting, sometimes harrowing, tale by rock star and environmental activist Dave Matthews and Clete Barrett Smith. Inspired by the cooperative behavior of bivouac ants, Matthews conceived a story of small people who stood up against overwhelming forces by working together, and co-author Smith built an entire world and cast of characters around that beginning. Protagonist Kirra, 10 years old for the first part of the story, 14 later, is racked with guilt because her own careless eagerness led an army of scary invaders called the Takers to discover and wipe out her family and all who lived in a carefully-hidden town inside a dormant volcano. Adopted by a family of peaceable, self-sufficient tree dwellers, she doesn't talk about her past, but when she's 14, the Takers threaten her new family, too. Between the massacres, the hunting scenes, the scary-looking villains, their shiny weapons, and the hand-to-hand combat, there's a lot of violence, but no gratuitous gore. There are lots of positive messages about family, friendship, courage, collaboration, cooperation, clever thinking, and living in harmony with nature and one another. Also about finding your true path and following it even when obstacles crop up.

If We Were Giants opens as 10-year-old Kirra and her storytelling father/mentor -- the only people allowed to leave their well-hidden town inside a dormant volcano -- are returning home from a tour of neighboring villages and storytelling festivals. They're worried, because word has started to spread about brutal invaders called the Takers who pillage everything in their path, strip the landscape and kill the inhabitants. All is well for a while when they get home, but then Kirra, eager to find her own stories to tell, goes outside the walls again -- and leads the Takers straight back to her home and loved ones. In shock and grief, she falls into a river and nearly drowns before a family of tree-dwellers takes her in. Years pass, and then comes word that the Takers are headed for her new home. She's determined to save her adopted family and their neighbors -- but how?

This whole story came about because Dave Matthews observed the behavior of ants in the wild, and was inspired to see how it might apply elsewhere. Have you ever seen something in nature that made you look at something in your own life in a different way?

Inspired by ants, Dave Matthews and Clete Barrett Smith spin an exciting, harrowing, uplifting story of banding together to use cooperation -- and clever technology -- against predatory invaders. "If We Were Giants," muses a little kid, we could win against these ruthless foes. Fourteen-year-old tree-dweller Kirra, whose home has already been destroyed, has to rise above her survivor's (and other) guilt to help the people who've taken her in -- and maybe help them become giants for real.

• Authors: Dave Matthews, Clete Barrett Smith, Illustrator: Antonio Javier Caparo, Read by: Ruma Tenbrink

Support the show

Send us a text

If We Were Giants is an uplifting, sometimes harrowing, tale by rock star and environmental activist Dave Matthews and Clete Barrett Smith. Inspired by the cooperative behavior of bivouac ants, Matthews conceived a story of small people who stood up against overwhelming forces by working together, and co-author Smith built an entire world and cast of characters around that beginning. Protagonist Kirra, 10 years old for the first part of the story, 14 later, is racked with guilt because her own careless eagerness led an army of scary invaders called the Takers to discover and wipe out her family and all who lived in a carefully-hidden town inside a dormant volcano. Adopted by a family of peaceable, self-sufficient tree dwellers, she doesn't talk about her past, but when she's 14, the Takers threaten her new family, too. Between the massacres, the hunting scenes, the scary-looking villains, their shiny weapons, and the hand-to-hand combat, there's a lot of violence, but no gratuitous gore. There are lots of positive messages about family, friendship, courage, collaboration, cooperation, clever thinking, and living in harmony with nature and one another. Also about finding your true path and following it even when obstacles crop up.

If We Were Giants opens as 10-year-old Kirra and her storytelling father/mentor -- the only people allowed to leave their well-hidden town inside a dormant volcano -- are returning home from a tour of neighboring villages and storytelling festivals. They're worried, because word has started to spread about brutal invaders called the Takers who pillage everything in their path, strip the landscape and kill the inhabitants. All is well for a while when they get home, but then Kirra, eager to find her own stories to tell, goes outside the walls again -- and leads the Takers straight back to her home and loved ones. In shock and grief, she falls into a river and nearly drowns before a family of tree-dwellers takes her in. Years pass, and then comes word that the Takers are headed for her new home. She's determined to save her adopted family and their neighbors -- but how?

This whole story came about because Dave Matthews observed the behavior of ants in the wild, and was inspired to see how it might apply elsewhere. Have you ever seen something in nature that made you look at something in your own life in a different way?

Inspired by ants, Dave Matthews and Clete Barrett Smith spin an exciting, harrowing, uplifting story of banding together to use cooperation -- and clever technology -- against predatory invaders. "If We Were Giants," muses a little kid, we could win against these ruthless foes. Fourteen-year-old tree-dweller Kirra, whose home has already been destroyed, has to rise above her survivor's (and other) guilt to help the people who've taken her in -- and maybe help them become giants for real.

• Authors: Dave Matthews, Clete Barrett Smith, Illustrator: Antonio Javier Caparo, Read by: Ruma Tenbrink

Support the show