WQED Writers Contest Podcast | Season 1

Problem Solving

Third grader, Connor D, introduces us to his 2018 STEM award winning book “Stumped”! He tells us a tale about Tippy and Chip, two friendly squirrels, who run into some problems when trying to get ready for the quickly approaching winter. Follow their adventure as the two friends use problem solving skills to return home for the cold season. Following our story is catchy tune written by Pittsburgh Puppet Works that tells the story of Tippy and Chip through song! Then be sure to stick around to fill in the blanks of the Tippy and Chip Mad Libs game! Centered around problem solving, now you can have fun telling your own tale of the two fun-loving squirrels!

Taking Turns

“A Bunny Playing With a Dog” is a story of two friends, Bun the bunny and Hot Dog the dog, written by Kindergartner David M! After Bun’s trip to space, he felt like he had to make up for lost time with his friend Hot Dog. He starts to take charge of picking all of their activities! Bun and Hot Dog learn that taking turns is the best way to make sure both friends are happy when choosing what to do on playdates. Following the story is a song written by Pittsburgh Puppet Works! Sing along to the song of Bun and Hot Dog as they learn about taking turns. Then be sure to stick around and fill in the blanks to the Mad Libs game about the beautiful princess Lelah! Now you get the chance to help write your own story!

Helping Others

Join the exploration of helping others with the story “The Secret Life of Greenwood Forest” written by First Grader, Aarav P! Jackson the bunny and Sammy the hedgehog run into trouble when the woodcutters of Greenwood forest threaten to cut down their special Oak Tree friend, Mr.Green. They rush to their teacher, Mr.Ginger the lion, for some help in order to save the dear friend and scare the woodcutters away. After the courageous story of Jackson and Sammy listen to a jazzy tune of the tale, written and performed by Pittsburgh Puppet Works! Then join in on a fun game of Mad libs! Following the theme of helping others, fill in the blanks as a young girl, Sammy, tries to help her new friend Josh with his soccer skills!

Acceptance

Second Grader, Brycen F, is the writer of “Maximus: The Zombie Kid”, a story about acceptance at a new school! Maximus is the only zombie boy at his new school are is struggling to fit in. When he decides to show his classmates some of the best things about being a zombie, Maximus finally feels accepted! Afterward, stay tuned for an upbeat techno cover of Maximus’s story written and performed by the Pittsburgh Puppet Works! Following the theme of acceptance, help finish the story of a shy fairytale creature named Sage with a fun game of Mad Libs. She is longing for some new friends and for you to fill in the blanks!

Friendship

Come listen to a fun story about friendship written by Third Grader, Waverly C! “Samuel Squirrel Finds a New Home” is about a squirrel whose house gets destroyed. He is on the hunt for a new home with the help of all of his friends! Samuel Squirrel, although sad about losing his old home, is happy at his new home with his new and old friends! Following our story is a country tune by the Pittsburgh Puppet Works. Sing along to the story of Samuel Squirrel and his friends! A Game of Mad Libs is shortly after, and tells the unfinished tale of Kings Sam. It’s up to you to finish it! Fill in the blanks as the narrator tells the story of the young King.

Overcoming Fears

Fourth Grader, Xerin Q, reads her thrilling story, “Kiera” which focuses on overcoming fears! Follow Kiera’s story as she tries to return to normal after surviving a terrifying flood. Kiera is now scared of the water and is trying to get her old life back. Just then, Kiera jumps to rescue a drowning bunny, overcoming her fear of water and making her a hero! After, is the story “kiera” told through song by Pittsburgh Puppet Works! Sing along as you jam out to this groovy tune. Then, help fill in the blanks to a game of Mad Libs about overcoming fears with Millie the baby bird!

Acceptance

“The Lonely Blob” by Fourth Grader Bayleigh L. is about Bartholomew, a blobfish who feels lonely because he wears glasses. Because Bartholomew looks different than his classmates he gets teased and left out. One day he runs into a beautiful blobfish and learns that the should not be ashamed of his appearance! She wants to be his friend even with the glasses. Keeping listening for a fun song about Bartholomews story written and performed by Pittsburgh Puppet Works. After the song, it’s your turn to be the author! Help fill in the blanks to a Mad Libs game about mermaids who live in the deep sea!

Teamwork

Come expercise the theme of teamwork and listen to “The Starless Night on Nomo” by Fifth Grader Elly S! It tells a tale of three wolf friends as they watch the stars on Planet Nomo. As the stars begin to fall the three friends have to put their brains together and come up with a plan to return the fallen stars to the darkening sky. After much defeat, they realized that wishing on a star may be the trick! Sign and dance to a song by Pittsburgh Puppet Works about the fallen stars in Nomo! Then, play a game of Mad Libs and help fill in the blanks to a story about working as a team at a science fair!

You Are Never Alone

Fifth Grader, Kyra B. writes a timeless tale of comradarity called, “Fred the Friendly Dragon”. Fred was feared at this new school of mythical creatures because he was the only dragon. He thought he was all alone in the world until he came across a group of friends one day that accepted him for who he was. When Fred went back school his new friends stood up for him! Fred’s bullies then apologized to Fred and learned that you can’t judge someone by the way they look. After the dragon tale, sing along with Pittsburgh Puppet Works as they retell Fred’s story through song! Then, get ready to fill in the blanks to a fun game of Mad Libs! Billy, a young boy who loved chess, needs your help to finish his story!