The Story Pirates Podcast, which has been downloaded more than 50 million times since its launch in 2019, announces the launch of Season 5 on Thursday, May 26th. Stream the Season 5 preview HERE.
In part 1 of the season premiere, Lee, Peter and other Story Pirates begin their journey to the center of the Earth and meet the bearer of a mysterious voice (Michael Urie). The episode features two new stories inspired by kids' ideas: “Driving Bumblebees,” a song about the buzziest Manhattan traffic jam ever, written by Maya, a 9 year old from New York; and “The Bad Dog Who Was Smart,” the story of a sharp canine with a taste for misbehavior, written by a 12 year old from Virginia named Breckin.
Just since the start of 2022, the Story Pirates Podcast has won a Best Podcast for Kids & Family by iHeartRadio Podcast Awards and a Webby Award for Top Family & Kids podcasts.
The episodes will be available on most podcast platforms, and anyone can catch up by listening to the first four seasons here: https://www.storypirates.com/
I had a chance to learn more in this interview with Story Pirates creative director and co-founder Lee Overtree and Story Pirates Changemakers Director of Development Amy Fiore.
What is the best part about creating stories inspired by kids?
The best part of creating stories inspired by kids is reading the actual stories that kids send in to us! They are so funny, weird, meaningful and endlessly entertaining. We are never short on inspiration because the kids are never short on imagination.
Can you share a little bit about the Changemakers?
Story Pirates Changemakers is the nonprofit arm of Story Pirates. It exists to ensure that our programs are accessible to kids who wouldn’t otherwise have access by teaching and inspiring creative writing through school and community programs for under-resourced elementary students and by ensuring that each story submitted to us is read by a caring adult who writes back a personalized note of encouragement.
How does Story Pirates make sure to keep content fresh?
We keep our work fresh by always trying to make ourselves and each other laugh. With comedy of any sort, it's essential to keep a sense of play and surprise with your collaborators.
Why is it important for families to encourage kids' creativity and imagination?
Creativity is the engine of life. No matter what you do or how old you are, keeping your imagination active, engaged and telling stories is the way to go!
In other news, the hilarious and literacy-inspiring Story Pirates Changemakers program, SPTV, now airs on public television in Los Angeles and throughout Michigan. Segments from SPTV can also be seen nationally this summer on PBS as part of THIRTEEN's Camp TV programming. SPTV won a prestigious Anthem Award, which celebrates purpose and mission-driven work.
Throughout the hardships of the past two years, Story Pirates and Story Pirates Changemakers have managed to serve thousands of young people with their special brand of interactive comedy-improv creativity. They inspire kids every day to express themselves through story and song.
Recently, the American Library Association announced that the 2021 Story Pirates album The Strawberry Band was selected as one of the 2022 "Notable Recordings for Children". This is akin to the Caldecott awards for children's books, and it's one of the Youth Media Awards which the ALA gives out each year. The kid-powered Story Pirates album was one of the very few musical recordings so honored this year. The ALA's national committee of children's librarians recommend it as a "vibrant and zany mix of songs which pays hilarious homage to concept albums."
Coming up this month are various live performances in the "Cats Sit on You" tour, including a benefit for Story Pirates Changemakers on May 15 at the Manhattan Center in NYC. Story Pirates will also appear at Wilco's Solid Sound Festival on May 27.
Don't forget to check out the Story Pirates Creator Club!
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