Free Illustrated Audiobooks
for Kids
a Sparks Collaborative Ensemble series
Artists of all ages are welcome to create your own illustrations, sparked by these stories! You can send a photo of your artwork to SparksArtStPete@gmail.com – we’d love to share your creativity.
Boing!
Balls bounce, so why not me?
An illustrated audiobook for kids – performed by Mimi Rice and illustrated by Creative Clay, with sound design by Matt Cowley.
You can download the read-along script here.
Isaac’s Firetruck
A live radio theatre-style performance of Isaac’s Firetruck where our wonderful audience joined in on the vocal sound effects – and created the visuals for a new free illustrated audiobook!
It’s a fun story about how a Firetruck who gets in trouble for putting out barbecues and birthday cakes, and Eloise who’s trying to save their neighborhood from interstellar danger, team up to put out an actual fire – and all ends happily. Performed by the amazing actors David Warner, Mary Rachel Quinn, Robin O’Dell and Bridget Bean, directed by Jim Rayfield.
You can download the read-along script here.
Made possible by the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance and the St. Petersburg Office of Cultural Affairs
Bedtime Bears
When you can’t sleep, call the Bedtime Bears! Featuring a wonderful performance by the amazing voice actor and guitarist Dave Waterman, with lovely illustrations from his ongoing photography series focused in his beautiful backyard and on the grounds of USF’s Contemporary Art Museum.
Download the script, so you can read along
Spanish version in the works, thanks to a St Pete Arts Alliance grant!
Walter Barks at Buses
A free illustrated audiobook for kids – about a small dog who barks at buses, until he gets to ride one. Performed by David Warner and Kate Young, illustrated by Catherine Woods and directed by Jim Rayfield.
Download the script, so you can read along.
The Rainbow Book
A free illustrated audiobook for kids – with visual, literary and performing artists creating work inspired by rainbows, and the word “rainbow” in many voices.
Find the many lovely artists involved here.
When the Tuba Shows Up,
It’s a Party
Illustrated by Creative Clay and performed by Jan Neuberger, with original music by Kendrick Wilson.
Spanish version in the works, thanks to a St Pete Arts Alliance grant!
When the Tuba Shows Up,
It’s Creative Clay’s Big Fundraiser
A spectacular dance-theatre-music performance developed with the Member Artists and Transition Students of Creative Clay, choreographer Paula Kramer, dancer Helen Hansen French, actor Stephanie Roberts and Tuba player Kendrick Wilson.
Splish Splash
Illustrated by Creative Clay and performed by Jan Neuberger and David Warner.
Download the script so you can read along.
Live Performances!
Isaac’s Firetruck
October 1, 2023 at 2 pm
Free
at The Studio@620
A live radio theatre-style performance of Isaac’s Firetruck where our wonderful audience joined in on the sound effects with creative vocal space sounds and sirens, and drew their favorite moment – to illustrate a free online video, coming soon!
It’s a fun story about how a Firetruck (who gets in trouble for putting out barbecues and birthday cakes), and Eloise (who’s trying to save their neighborhood from interstellar danger) team up to put out a small actual fire – and all ends happily. Performed by the wonderful actors David Warner, Mary Rachel Quinn, Robin O’Dell and Bridget Bean, directed by Jim Rayfield.
Made possible by the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance and the St. Petersburg Office of Cultural Affairs
Twice as Spectacular
November 4, 2023 at 2 pm
Free
at St Pete Pride‘s outdoor courtyard
3251 3rd Ave. N.
and
December 9, 2023 at 2 pm
Free
at the LGBTQ Resource Center at the Gulfport Library
Come enjoy a live theatre-and-dance performance of Twice as Spectacular and join in on the dancing! After this short play, you can make a drawing of family – to illustrate a free online video you can watch, and share. Admission is free but a reservation is requested – see the links below.
This short play celebrates the beautiful diversity of families in our world, as a young girl tries to tell the story of her family in a class where creativity bursts beyond the state-mandated lesson plan. Performed by Eugenie Bondurant, Fernando Chonqui, John Huls and David Warner at St Pete Pride. Performed by Eugenie Bondurant, Fernando Chonqui and Fanni Green at the Gulfport Library. Directed by Jim Rayfield.
You can RSVP for the St Pete Pride performance on November 4 at 2 pm here.
You can RSVP for the Gulfport Library performance on December 9 at 2 pm here.
Creative Clay will be there with art supplies and paper, and we’ll be recording the audio portion and some video of the performance. We hope you’ll enjoy sharing your voice and creativity!
Made possible by the St. Petersburg Arts Alliance and the St. Petersburg Office of Cultural Affairs
Coming Up. . .
Boing!. . . balls bounce when they fall, so why not me? With illustrations by Creative Clay and sound design by Matt Cowley!
And thanks to a grant from
the St. Petersburg Art Alliance and
St. Petersburg Office of Cultural Affairs –
There’s Broccoli On Your Elbow. . . a fun short play teaching younger kids the names of vegetables and parts of the body. Performed by Fanni Green and illustrated by Daystar Life Center‘s Edible Garden and Food Pantry.
¡Plus Spanish-language versions of
Boing!
Twice as Spectacular
When the Tuba Shows Up It’s a Party
There’s Broccoli On Your Elbow
and Bedtime Bears!