Past and Pen: A Creative History Podcast for Kids

Rosie
  • 5.0 (2)
  • History
  • Updated Biweekly

Welcome to Past and Pen! History isn’t just old facts and dusty dates. It’s a treasure trove of stories waiting to be discovered! I’m Rosie Talley, a children’s author, history lover, and self-proclaimed cheese enthusiast. (Because let’s be real, creativity is best fueled by gouda. 🧀) Every other Tuesday at 4 PM, join me as we uncover quirky, wonderful, and wacky bits of the past, explore bookish discoveries, and wrap things up with a creative writing prompt to spark your imagination. If you love history, storytelling, and a little bit of fun, you're in the right place!

  1. 09/10/2025

    Why School Buses Are Yellow (and Other Back-to-School Stories)

    Welcome to Past and Pen Hosted by: Rosie Talley, Author of Linus the TrollProduced by: Sweet Meadowlark StoriesAuthor Website: https://sweetmeadowlark.wixsite.com/storiesEmail: pastandpen@gmail.comIn this episode of Past and Pen, we head back in time for a Back to School Special. From the very first public school in America to one-room schoolhouses, yellow buses, summer vacation myths, and sweet traditions like Germany’s candy-filled Schultüte, we explore the history behind the rituals and routines that shape school as we know it. We also look at why apples became the classic teacher’s gift.Reading List: Dear Teacher by Amy HusbandHow Not to Start Third Grade by Cathy HapkaSplat the Cat: Back to School, Splat! by Rob ScottonSchooled by Gordon KormanTales of a Fourth Grade Nothing by Judy BlumeWriting Prompt: What is your favorite back-to-school tradition, or one you would like to start? Share your story with me at pastandpen@gmail.com, and it may be featured in a future episode. Looking for more summer reading adventures? Check out Wander and Wonder: A Literary Adventure, a book club for kids and grown-ups packed with activities, recipes, discussion questions, and stories: Become a Patreon member to support the show and unlock fun extras like early access, birthday shoutouts, and a chance to answer the Question of the Month: What is one special memory you made this summer?New episodes drop every other Tuesday at 4 PM, so let history repeat itself and tune in!

    10 min

  2. 09/09/2025

    Wheels of Change

    Meet Your Host:Hosted by: Rosie Talley, Author of ⁠Linus the Troll⁠Produced by: Sweet Meadowlark Stories🌐 ⁠Author Website⁠📧 Email: ⁠pastandpen@gmail.com⁠ Episode Summary:In this special episode of Past and Pen, we explore a surprising connection between disaster and discovery. What does a volcanic eruption have to do with your favorite two-wheeled ride? Quite a lot, actually!Part of Wander and Wonder: A Literary Adventure, this episode was made for Pathway 2: The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle. Find the curriculum here! Wheels of Change takes listeners on a journey from the ash-covered skies of 1816 to the birth of the modern bicycle. Meet the imaginative minds behind the celerifere, the dandy horse, and the velocipede—and discover how necessity and creativity turned a transportation crisis into one of the most beloved inventions in history.So hop on as we roll through time to uncover the wheels of change. Reading List: Bicycle Book by Gail Gibbons – An introduction to the history and mechanics of bicycles. Wheels of Change: How Women Rode the Bicycle to Freedom by Sue Macy – Discover how bicycles played a role in women's liberation. 100 Amazing Facts about Cycling: A Breathtaking Tour in the World of Bicycles by Marc DresguiWriting Prompt:Imagine it’s the year 1817, and you've just seen a strange new invention rolling down the street—it doesn’t have pedals, and people are calling it a “running machine.” Write a journal entry as a curious kid living in that time. What do you think of this odd two-wheeled contraption? Would you want to try it? How do you think it could change the way people travel? Email your stories to pastandpen@gmail.com and I may share them on a future episode! How You Can Support the Show: Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi Join my Patreon for perks like early access, birthday shoutouts, and a chance to have your voice featured on the show! Dinner Conversation: If you could invent something to solve a problem in your community, what would it be and why? Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share the show with a fellow history lover or curious kid.New episodes every other Tuesday at 4 PM. Stay curious—and keep writing your story.

    6 min

  3. 09/09/2025

    The Road to the Kentucky Derby: The Story Behind America’s Greatest Horse Race

    Meet Your Host:Hosted by: Rosie Talley, Author of ⁠Linus the Troll⁠Produced by: Sweet Meadowlark Stories ⁠Author Website⁠📧 Email: ⁠pastandpen@gmail.com⁠ Episode Summary:In this galloping episode of Past and Pen, we’re off to the races—literally! From polished saddles to fancy hats, The Road to the Kentucky Derby explores how a single dream turned into America’s most iconic horse race.Part of Wander and Wonder: A Literary Adventure, this episode was created especially for Pathway 2: The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle. The curriculum is available here!Journey back to 1875 and meet Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr.—a visionary inspired by Europe’s grand racing traditions—who brought his bold dream home to Kentucky. Learn how the rolling hills of Louisville became the birthplace of Churchill Downs and how the thunder of hooves grew into “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.”From Aristides to secret magical Derbies, this episode is filled with fast facts, historic charm, and a big helping of imagination. Saddle up and ride through time as we uncover the story behind the Kentucky Derby! Reading List: Seabiscuit vs War Admiral: The Greatest Horse Race in History by Kat ShehataD is for Derby: A Kentucky Derby Alphabet by Helen L. WilburSeabiscuit the Wonder Horse by Meghan McCarthyThe Mystery at the Kentucky Derby (Real Kids! Real Places!) by Carole Marsh Writing Prompt:Time to trot into your imagination!In a secret version of the Kentucky Derby hidden from the public, magical creatures race instead of horses—like flying pegasi, thundering unicorns, or shape-shifting shadow beasts. You’ve just been chosen as the youngest rider in history!Write a story about your first magical Derby:What creature are you riding?What challenges do you face on the track?Do you discover a secret during the race?And most importantly—can you win?Send stories to pastandpen@gmail.com⁠ and I may read them on a future show! Support the Show:Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi Join my Patreon for perks like early access, birthday shoutouts, and a chance to have your voice featured on the show!Dinner Question:If you could design a race—any kind, anywhere, with any creatures or machines—what would it look like?Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share the show with a fellow history lover or curious kid.New episodes every other Tuesday at 4 PM.Stay curious—and keep writing your story.

    5 min

  4. 08/15/2025

    Stay Tuned! Be Back Soon !

    Hi friends and history lovers! I wanted to pop in with a quick update about Past and Pen. 
My daughter is starting school this week, and between that and some exciting events—like being at the Lubbock Book Festival in just a few days, I’m in a busy season. So I’ve decided to press pause on the podcast, just until September 9. Don’t worry, I have so many more fascinating stories to share with you when I’m back.
In the meantime, if you’re at the Lubbock Book Festival, please stop by my table and say hello. I’d love to meet you. And to everyone starting a new school year, whether in a classroom, at home, or somewhere in between, I’m wishing you a great start. See you September 9!

    1 min

  5. 08/04/2025

    Episode 11: Driven to Discover

    Welcome to Past and PenHosted by: Rosie Talley, Author of Linus the Troll Produced by: Sweet Meadowlark Stories Author Website: https://sweetmeadowlark.wixsite.com/stories Email: pastandpen@gmail.com In this episode of Past and Pen, we hit the open road with real stories of invention, adventure, and determination. Meet Bertha Benz, the trailblazing woman who took the very first road trip in a motor car—proving to the world that the future of travel had arrived. With clever fixes (and a hatpin or two), Bertha's 66-mile journey changed everything. Then, take a pit stop in France, where two brothers created the Michelin Guide—a clever way to sell more tires that eventually became one of the most prestigious restaurant awards in the world. Finally, we cruise across the United States on the Lincoln Highway, the first transcontinental road—and discover how it helped spark America’s love for road trips (with a young Dwight D. Eisenhower along for the ride!). Reading List: “Read Trip” This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Bertha Takes a Drive by Jan Adkins Road Trip Fun Facts For Kids by Ben Clardy Road Trip! by Gary Paulsen The Sun Will Come Out by Joanne Levy Road Trip with Max and His Mom by Linda Urban The Vanderbeekers on the Road by Karina Yan Glaser For grown-ups: The Lincoln Highway: A Novel by Amor Towles Writing Prompt: “Wheel-y Fun Writing Prompt” Imagine you're Bertha Benz in 1888, setting off on the world’s first long-distance car trip. What do you see, hear, and feel? What unexpected challenges do you face—and how do you solve them? Send your stories or art to pastandpen@gmail.com. I might feature them on a future episode! Question of the Month: What’s one special memory you made this summer? Become a Patreon member for as little as $1 to send in your answer and unlock fun extras like early access and birthday shoutouts. Looking for more summer reading adventures?Check out Wander and Wonder: A Literary Adventure—a book club for kids and grown-ups with activities, recipes, and more: New episodes drop every other Tuesday at 4 PM—so let history repeat itself and tune in!

    10 min

  6. 07/22/2025

    Episode 10 – Tinker, Thinkers: 10 Brilliant Kids You Should Know

    Welcome to Past and PenHosted by: Rosie Talley, Author of Linus the TrollProduced by: Sweet Meadowlark Stories⁠Author Website⁠Email: ⁠pastandpen@gmail.com⁠ In this special tenth episode of Past and Pen, we’re diving into ten amazing inventions created by kids just like you. From swim fins to solar flashlights, and even bacon-cooking gadgets, these young inventors saw a problem and thought, what if? You’ll learn how Benjamin Franklin tried to swim faster, how Louis Braille created a system for reading without sight, and how a girl named Abbey helped make bacon crispier in kitchens across the country. Some stories begin with fun and curiosity, while others begin with compassion or heartbreak. Each invention is a reminder that kids can make a big impact. Whether you love tinkering or just want to hear about kids who made their ideas real, this episode is filled with inspiration and surprising history. So grab your notebook and your imagination. It’s time to celebrate young thinkers and future inventors. Reading List: Keep the Curiosity GoingThis post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Out of Darkness: The Story of Louis Braille by Russell Freedman Real Engineering Experiments: 25+ Exciting STEAM Activities for Kids by Anthony Tegtmeyer Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty Epic Stories for Kids and Family - Accidental Inventions by Riddleland The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba Earmuffs for Everyone! by Meghan McCarthy Kid Innovators by Robin Stevenson Girls Think of Everything by Catherine Thimmesh Teen Innovators by Fred EstesLouis Braille: The Boy Who Invented Books for the Blind by Margaret Davidson Helen Keller by Margaret Davidson Writing Prompt: What If You Invented Something by Accident?Imagine you are a gadgeteer who loves tinkering in your workshop. One day, while trying to invent a device that helps you untangle knots in shoelaces, you accidentally create a machine that can freeze time for one full minute. It only works once every hour. At first, it seems like the coolest thing ever. You can use it to win races or save a plate of cookies from falling. But then strange things begin happening. Is someone following you? Will you keep the invention a secret, or destroy it? And what if you’re not the only one who has one? Send your story or artwork to pastandpen@gmail.com. I may read or share it on a future episode. Dinner Conversation Questions Which invention from this episode was your favorite and why? Which invention do you think helped the most people? If you could meet one of the kid inventors, who would it be and what would you ask them? Why do you think so many inventions begin with the question "What if?" What is a “What if?” question you could ask to solve a problem in your own life? Support the ShowBuy me a coffee on Ko-fiJoin my Patreon for early access, birthday shoutouts, and the chance to have your voice featured Question of the MonthYou find an old journal buried in the sand. The first page says, "This summer something unbelievable happened."What happens next? Looking for more reading fun?Check out Wander and Wonder, a summer book club for kids ages 4 to 12 and their grown-ups. Includes themed recipes, hands-on activities, and a printable reading journal Sources for This Episodehttps://247wallst.com/special-report/2021/06/02/20-everyday-products-you-never-knew-were-invented-by-kids/https://princeea.com/alex-deans-iaid-visual-impairment-navigation/ See the full list of resources on my website.

    10 min

  7. 07/08/2025

    Ep. Nine: This Episode Will Self-Destruct: True Tales of Espionage

    Welcome to Past and PenHosted by: Rosie Talley, Author of Linus the TrollProduced by: Sweet Meadowlark StoriesAuthor WebsiteEmail: pastandpen@gmail.com In this episode of Past and Pen, we’re decoding real-life spy stories that sound straight out of a mystery novel. You’ll learn how George Washington stayed one step ahead of the British with help from a secret ink formula, how a lemon led to the capture of a German spy in World War I, and how agents in World War II relied on baking ingredients and ultraviolet lights to send hidden messages. There’s even a 110 year old lemon sitting in a museum. Whether you're a curious kid, or a history lover with a sneaky side, this episode has something for you. So grab your notebook and your imagination. It’s time to uncover what’s been hiding between the lines. Reading List: Keep Your Spy Sleuthing SharpThis post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Spy Science: 40 Secret-Sleuthing, Code-Cracking, Spy-Catching Activities for Kids by Jim Wiese Spies, Code Breakers, and Secret Agents by Carole P. Roman Secret Coders by Gene Luen Yang Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief by Wendelin Van Draanen Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart Writing Prompt: Your Undercover MomentImagine you’ve found a letter that looks ordinary until you treat it with heat or a special chemical and secret words appear. Who wrote it?What does it reveal?Does it warn of danger, lead to a hidden treasure, or launch an unexpected mission? Write a short scene where the message appears at just the right moment. You can send your story, drawing, or ideas to pastandpen@gmail.com. I would love to see what you come up with. Support the ShowBuy me a coffee on Ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/pastandpenpodJoin my Patreon for perks like early access, birthday shoutouts, and a chance to have your voice featured on the showhttps://patreon.com/PastandPenPodcast Question of the MonthYou find an old journal buried in the sand. The first page says, "This summer something unbelievable happened."What happens next? If you are looking for even more reading fun, check out Wander and Wonder, a summer reading program for families. It is a parent and child book club for ages 4 to 12. You’ll receive recipes inspired by the books, a printable reading journal with creative prompts, and hands-on activities to bring each story to life.https://sweetmeadowlark.gumroad.com/l/wanderbundle How to Create Your Own Secret Messages: https://busytoddler.com/secret-letters-activity/ Instagram - How to Create Secret Messageshttps://www.instagram.com/reel/DGZPC62sErn/?igsh=aXRrMzlveGo5czVp

    7 min

  8. 06/24/2025

    Episode Eight- Old Fashioned Summer Shenanigans

    Welcome to Past and Pen!Hosted by: Rosie Talley, Author of Linus the TrollProduced by: Sweet Meadowlark Stories🌐 ⁠Author Website⁠📧 Email: ⁠pastandpen@gmail.com⁠ Old Fashioned Summer ShenanigansIn this episode of Past and Pen, we’re cranking up the nostalgia and heading back to summers long before smartphones and A/C. From penny ice cream to sticky pie-eating contests and itchy wool swimsuits, we’re diving into the surprising, silly, and sometimes unfair history of summertime fun. You’ll discover how kids cooled off, how pie became the centerpiece of chaotic contests, and why the first swimming pools weren’t built for play. Spoiler: it all gets a little gooey. So grab your towel, maybe a popsicle, and get ready to splash into the past with us! Reading List:This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Ice Cream: The Full Scoop by Gail Gibbons Food Fight! by Tanya Steel The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle by Anne Renaud The Lemonade War by Jacqueline Davies 444+ Fun Facts for Sports Kids: Swimming Edition by Dr. Rabea Hadi Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer by Megan McDonald The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale by Jeanne Birdsall Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls Writing Prompt:Imagine you’re a kid in the 1920s spending a summer day at the town fair. You kick things off with a messy pie-eating contest, then cool off in a new public pool—wearing a wool swimsuit that feels like a soggy sweater. Write a journal entry or short story from that kid’s point of view. What’s fun? What’s frustrating? What would surprise a kid from today? Share your stories, drawings, or ideas with me at pastandpen@gmail.com — I’d love to see what you create! Support the Show: Buy me a coffee on Ko-fi Join my Patreon for perks like early access, birthday shoutouts, and even a chance to have your voice featured on the show! Question of the Month:If you could interview any historical figure or book character, who would you choose—and what would you ask them first? P.S. If you want even more summer reading fun, check out my new summer reading program Wander and Wonder. It’s a parent/child book club with options for kids ages 4 to 12. You’ll get kitchen classroom recipes inspired by the books we read, a printable PDF journal with drawing or writing prompts, and hands-on activities to bring each story to life. Sources for This Episode: Smithsonian Magazine – How the Ice Cream Truck Made Summer Cool Ice Cream Nation - Ice Cream in Ancient Times Chamoy City Limits- History of Ice Cream Trucks in America Popsicle Official Site- Our Story Thanks for tuning in! New episodes drop every other Tuesday at 4 PM—so mark your sundials, set your hourglasses, or just hit that subscribe button!Don’t forget to like, share, and leave a review—your support helps Past and Pen reach more curious minds like yours.Stay curious, and keep writing your story.

    9 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to Past and Pen! History isn’t just old facts and dusty dates. It’s a treasure trove of stories waiting to be discovered! I’m Rosie Talley, a children’s author, history lover, and self-proclaimed cheese enthusiast. (Because let’s be real, creativity is best fueled by gouda. 🧀) Every other Tuesday at 4 PM, join me as we uncover quirky, wonderful, and wacky bits of the past, explore bookish discoveries, and wrap things up with a creative writing prompt to spark your imagination. If you love history, storytelling, and a little bit of fun, you're in the right place!

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