It is a pleasure to present our friend Keith David, who will read a wonderful story for the holiday season, titled "I’m Dreaming of A Brown Christmas," by Steven Gray and Vernon Gibbs.   "I’m Dreaming of A Brown Christmas" was inspired by the lyrics of the classic Christmas song, “White Christmas,” but as imagined through the eyes of a young African American child living in the city.  You will also be pleasantly surprised by the music accompanying Keith’s reading of "I’m Dreaming of A Brown Christmas," which was composed by Steven Gray.  Although this song is a holiday song, I am sure you will agree that it can be enjoyed throughout the year.

Please visit cuzzosmedia.com for more information on the authors, additional books and family friendly media.  I am excited to share that Keith will make another appearance on Tell Me A Bedtime Story in the very near future!  You may purchase "I'm Dreaming of A Brown Christmas" at Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com and many other outlets where books are sold.

We are back for Season 3 of Tell me a Bedtime Story with Dr. Lori and Friends!  I am happy to kick-off this new season with some previously aired and enjoyed episodes by some of our friends.  You can also look forward to listening to many new bedtime stories by some of our new friends!  

It is a pleasure for me to replay this bedtime story read by our friend Maria Howell. Maria is back by popular demand. I hope you heard her first reading of The Giving Tree. Her rendition was phenomenal. Maria’s second reading is titled I Am Every Good Thing written by Derrick Barnes and beautifully illustrated by Gordon C. James. This book is another must have for your bookshelf.  In this story, Maria will share what it takes to become every good thing that makes the world go round!

Enjoy listening, then go and buy the book!  It will make a great Christmas gift for many on your list!

For tonight's bedtime story, our friend Kay Solomon reads a Bantu Folktale titled The Name of the Tree by Celia Barker Lottridge.  I am sure you will enjoy this tale about a quest to learn the name of a tree in order for the animals in the forest to obtain food.  We are so happy to have Kay read for us again.  We know how much you enjoyed her first reading, and as usual she does not disappoint with this bedtime story.  

Please share the Tell Me A Bedtime Story Podcast Series with friends and family.  Also, like and subscribe to our podcast.  If you have questions, or would like to reach out to us, please send us an email message at [email protected].  We love hearing from you!  

A. A. Milne said, If ever there is a tomorrow we are not together, there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believer, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.  But the most important thing is, even if we're apart, I'll always be with you.  

I think this is a perfect quote for this bedtime story selection, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein.  I am excited that this episode is being read by one of The Foundation's friends, actress, jazz vocalist and composer Maria Howell.  I promise you will love her rendition of this classic story.  Also, I want to introduce our first contest of the season.  Please visit our Facebook page, James M Dixon Foundation, for more information.  The contest is easy and the prizes are great.  If you have any questions or comments, feel free to email me at [email protected].

This bedtime story is brought to you by our friend Kay Solomon.  I am ex is reading a delightful Native American tale titled Moon's Cloud Blanket.  Have you ever wondered why we have weeping willow trees?   Listen to this bedtime story and you may find the possible answer!  

This weeks meditation speaks about the resilience we have and often forget because of all of the noise that is going on around us, and we often let guide our lives.

Enjoy!

It is a pleasure for me to bring you excerpts from a wonderful story by Kristen Bell and Benjamin Hart titled, "The World Needs More Purple People."  My favorite colors have always been blue and white.  Until three years ago, I had never added another color to the list of favorites. Then, I discovered the color purple.  When I came across this book, the title intrigued me, so I thought I would bring it to The Bedtime Story Series because the story also made me smile.  In this wonderful story, Kristen Bell and Benjamin Hart tell you why the best things in life are purple!  If you are ready to "learn how to point the world to purple," take a listen to this week's bedtime story.  Enjoy!

The Tell Me A Bedtime Story Podcast is brought to you by The James M. Dixon Foundation.  Stories are read by Dr. Lori and friends.  Tonight's story is another wonderful tale by Shel Silverstein, titled The Missing Piece Meets the Big O. Last week, you listened to Shel Silverstein’s The Missing Piece, it is a pleasure to bring you the follow-up, The Missing Piece Meets the Big O. The missing piece sat alone, waiting for someone to come along and take it somewhere. The different ones it encounters and what the missing piece discovers, are described simply and compassionately in the words of Shel Silverstein.  

Be sure to listen to the meditation moment after the bedtime story.  This week's meditation moment are from the words of Anna Barnes are she teaches you to Smile Through Your Body.  

Remember to subscribe to the Tell Me A Bedtime Story page.  We will begin our contests and give-aways next week.  However, you must be subscribed to win!  Also, feel free to email us with comments, questions or suggestions.  

Enjoy your bedtime story.

Welcome to the Tell Me A Bedtime Story Podcast , brought to you by The James M. Dixon Foundation. I am Dr. Lori and I am excited to read tonight’s story. It is a pleasure for me to bring to you a wonderful tale by Shel Silverstein, titled The Missing Piece. It was missing a piece, and it was not happy. So, it set off in search of its missing piece. What it finds on its search for the missing piece is simply and touchingly told in this story that explores the nature of quest and fulfillment.

Remember to stay tuned after the bedtime story for your meditation moments.  This week's meditation is a very short story by Amy Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld titled, I Wish You More.  Please enjoy this week's bedtime story.

Welcome to the Tell Me a Bedtime Story Podcast Series.  Thank you joining us for our second season.  It's great to have you back.  I am really excited for this new season! This episode describes the Bedtime Story Series and what's new for this season.  For this season, we have selected some wonderful books and extraordinary readers.  Some readers will be familiar to you.  We are also including a short meditation, at the end of each story, as well as a little music for you to enjoy.

Please visit our website on March 30th @ tellmeabedtimestory.com, and feel free to email us at [email protected].  We have some great contests this season, along with some exciting and fun prizes!  Be sure to listen and win!

The Tell Me a Bedtime Story Podcast Series is brought to you by The James M. Dixon Foundation, Inc.  Visit our website to learn more about The Foundation at https://thejamesmdixonfoundationinc.com

Thank you again for joining us, and I look forward to reading our first bedtime story.  New stories will post each Monday evening at 7:00pm EST.  All bedtime stories will be archived for future listening.  If you would like to recommend a book, or have a question, be sure to send us an email message.

Happy Reading and Sleep Well!

Dr. Lori

Welcome to the Tell Me a Bedtime Story, Bedtime Stories Series, with Dr. Lori. 

This bedtime story is titled Black Sheep of the Family, by Thomas Davis, III.  This is a short story published by Carolyn Banks and Janis Rizzo, in their collection of short stories titled A Loving Voice.  This short story explores the tale of Uncle Bud and his unexpected demise, after first retelling the story of the narrator's unfortunate Sunday dinner with the Baptist preacher and a fork full of slimy, smelly okra.  This story is a little country, a little silly, and filled with a bit of humor.  I hope you have a good laugh, before you fall to sleep.

Remembering your Mindfulness practices, I end this episode with a quote from Gary Zukav's book, The Seat of the Soul.  Just a little something to think about.  

Please share this episode with friends and family members.  Stories are selected with our older adults, who enjoy listening to a good read, in mind.  If you are a Caregiver, I hope the bedtime stories allow you a few moments of relaxation, as your loved one listens.  

Please feel free to reach out to me with questions and comments at [email protected].  You may visit our website @ thejamesmdixonfoundationinc.com.

Thank you for listening and sharing,

Dr. Lori