Storytime Issue 125 Out Now!

We Live in a World of Possibilities!

Happy New Year, dear readers!

From a certain point of view, the change from December the 31^st to January the 1^st doesn’t really change the world. The sun and moon will continue on their paths through the sky, and life will continue.

But the idea of starting a new year and beginning a fresh calendar is a wonderful chance to make a change that matters. It could be a change of perspective or changing your state of mind. It reminds us that we can change – but that change has to come from within.

The tales in the first issue of Storytime for 2015 are about changes of different kinds. Perhaps they will inspire you to take steps in new directions in the year to come!

The Lime Tree is a classic Slavic tale about a greedy peasant who finds a wish-granting tree. Do you think it will end well for him? Johanka Janošiková did an amazing job of adding an air of enchantment to this story.

We should always allow ourselves to dream of new possibilities… or even impossibilities! However, the heroine of Dolly’s Dreams sometimes takes it a bit too far… Dolly Daydream’s imagination turns even the most mundane events into amazing adventures. Nina Millen will take you along for the ride, courtesy of her vibrant and dynamic art.

The wonderful story of The Morning Star reminds us that we have the ability to change our circumstances and confront problems head on. The animals of Australia live in fear of Mullyan the eaglehawk, who can strike from the sky without warning. So what do they do? They come up with a clever plan to teach him a lesson! The characters are brought to life in style by the immensely talented Tania Avila. When you read this story, remember that you can make changes to a situation but be careful how to do so.

Some of the most profound changes we can make are within ourselves! By admitting that we have our faults and making efforts to do better, we can grow as people! That is the theme of The Hot-Headed Lion, who was transformed into a lion because of his terrible temper. Be sure to check out the amazing art by Wandson Rocha, which also features on our fantastic January cover.

The Seven Foals is another tale of magical transformation, but it only happens thanks to the hard work, truthfulness and determination of a boy called Cinderlad. He’s a fine inspiration for anyone wanting to improve themselves in the New Year by being honest and truthful, and the gorgeous art by Ana Streela will inspire any budding artists, too!

The main character in Katherine Counts! is sure to inspire our readers – especially those who love maths and science. Katherine saw numbers everywhere she looked. When her parents took her to a school where she could learn advanced maths, she learned things that would help her change the world. (No spoilers, but let’s just say it’s out of this world!) A big thank you to Debora Adachi for making that story extra-special with her illustrations.

It can be a good thing to leave some habits behind in the New Year, as it’s the ideal time for a fresh start. The Merry Dancers is a tale from the Orkneys that serves as a cautionary story about what might happen if you can’t put old grudges aside. The chiefs of the Scots and the Picts go to war for the wrong reason, and it doesn’t do anybody any good. Tiago Souza leavens this tale with fun and characterful art!

Our final tale is a fun fable with a great message. Irene Renon rendered wonderful art for The Hare and the Hound – where the animals go on a chase across the countryside. As always, the winner is the one who digs deep and doesn’t give up. Will you do the same in 2025?

Stories are  a great source of inspiration to us all! Make sure to keep reading and embrace a new year of positive changes.

The post Storytime Issue 125 Out Now! appeared first on Storytime Magazine.