Uma, an umbrella bird residing in the cloud forest of Monteverde, Costa Rica, has a deep-seated fear of rain. However, Uma's fear is put to the test when 21 consecutive days of rain pass, leaving her hiding under the same leaf. With no choice but to brave the rain, Uma cautiously steps into the downpour, determined to find sustenance. To her surprise, Uma discovers that she possesses a unique adaptation—a built-in umbrella atop her head—that shields her eyes from the rain! While rain may not be her favorite weather, Uma no longer fears it, thanks to her remarkable adaptation and newfound courage. Through her journey, listeners learn the importance of facing fears, adapting to challenges, and discovering hidden strengths within themselves.

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Timmy the Turtle is shy, but very observant. In contrast, his friend Tessa is outgoing and doesn't stop talking or moving. Tessa becomes frustrated with Timmy's shy behavior, but when she sees his observant behavior save a new friend from eating something he can't, she has a change of heart. They now appreciate the beauty and depth of Timmy's personality, acknowledging that being observant is a great skill! The episode encourages listeners to look beyond surface appearances and recognize the beauty within themselves and others.

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Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect on what and who we love!  This special episode is filled with messages from our very own open-hearted, playful and intelligent listeners. 

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Sandy the sloth struggles with waking up early, while her friend Steve the songbird is naturally an early riser who loves to sing. Sandy finds herself annoyed by Steve's cheerful morning melodies. As Sandy starts kindergarten and needs to wake up earlier, she struggles to adjust her sleeping habits despite her parents' efforts to help. Feeling frustrated and unable to solve her problem,  Steve knows how he can help - with song! Steve's singing does the trick, and Sandy finally appreciates his talent. With Steve's help, Sandy learns to wake up early and arrives at school on time. Through this experience, Sandy learns the value of appreciating the unique strengths of others, even if they initially seem annoying or bothersome. The episode teaches listeners about the importance of teamwork, understanding, and embracing differences in friendship.

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Ragnar and Runar are twin reindeer brothers from Iceland who may look alike but have very different interests and perspectives. While Ragnar idolizes Rudolf, like most reindeer, Runar is fascinated by Halloween and dreams of being a rabbit instead. Their divergent interests often lead to disagreements and fights, causing Runar to feel left out during recess. However, Ragnar steps in to help his brother communicate and bridge the gap between their differing perspectives. Despite their differences, Ragnar and Runar realize that, while their thinking may not change, their love and respect for each other remain unwavering. Together, they invent a game called "Holiday Smashup" that incorporates elements from all holidays and can be played in any way they like. Through their creative collaboration, they demonstrate the importance of understanding, compromise, and inclusivity in friendship. The episode celebrates diversity and teaches listeners the value of embracing differences while finding common ground.

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Come along with us and enjoy a bonus episode, recorded live at Lurie Children's Hospital. In this Halloween story we had some extra help from the children there, and we hope you have fun listening! 

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Quinn the quail is deeply passionate about baseball and loves watching a little league team play. She becomes particularly enamored with pitcher number 17 and is fascinated by how she pitches the ball. However, Quinn's enthusiasm inadvertently becomes a distraction for the pitcher, as she flies too close to her during pitches. Recognizing the problem, the team's coach advises Quinn to be more mindful of her surroundings and not to distract the pitcher during crucial moments. Taking the coach's advice to heart, Quinn learns to pay attention to her actions and adjust her behavior accordingly. Even better, the players and coach decide to make her the team mascot. Through this experience, Quinn gains a valuable lesson in the importance of being mindful of her surroundings and understanding when to move and when to stay still. 

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Penny, a lively and sociable penguin, resides with her parents in Antarctica. One day, she stumbles upon a book about climate change in a suitcase. Through the book, Penny learns about the alarming effects of climate change, particularly the melting ice in her habitat. As the penguins witness firsthand the accelerated melting of the ice, Penny's parents become separated from her on a drifting ice block. In their absence, the other penguins rally together to protect and care for Penny. Through this experience, Penny comes to understand that family is not solely defined by blood relations but by the bonds of love and support. This episode emphasizes the significance of community, empathy, and resilience in the face of adversity.

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Ozzie the Octopus decides to throw a party for his best buddy, Sammy the Seahorse. With the help of his amazing mother, Ozzie gets to work planning. However, Ozzie realizes throwing a party is harder than he thought! While shopping, Ozzie also misplaces his favorite stuffed animal, Opal the Owl. Will he find Opal in time for Sammy's party? Listen along and find out!  

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The Notes, a family of nightingales live in Oxford, England. The Note children learn to love Jazz from their father and start a band. With a prestigious contest approaching, Noah, one of the Note children, feels immense stress about the competition and worries about coming in last, as the team has never placed before. His anxiety prevents him from fully enjoying the music and the experience. Fortunately, Noah's mother steps in to help him learn a valuable lesson: to enjoy the present moment. They teach him the importance of being present and embracing the joy of playing music together, regardless of the outcome of the contest. Through this experience, the Note family learns that true fulfillment comes from living in the present and appreciating the journey rather than fixating on the end result. The episode teaches listeners the importance of mindfulness, teamwork, and finding joy in the moment.

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