How The Bubbling Toad Stories Began

THE BUBBLING TOAD STORIES

How the Magic Began

Wrap your ears around the very first Bubbling Toad Story. It flowed from my quill like falling feathers one cosy, quiet evening between Christmas and New Year 2024. Just the sound of a dog snoring gently beside me. Perhaps you're wondering where it came from?

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Back in 2016, somewhere in the universe a wand was waved, stars shimmered and the strangest of dreams landed in this little bird’s head. A dream that insisted I message Gayanne Potter, the beautiful human who now runs The Bubbling Toad magical experiences at Vogrie Country Park in Scotland. Something told me she wasn’t ok. That something was right and we’ve messaged pretty much every day since.

From a dream and a message, the most astonishing friendship formed and flourished, rooted in love and magic – much like these stories.

2021 Sowing of Seeds.

A seed of an idea took root during lockdown. We talked of it daily for over four years – it grew arms, legs and wands and in the Winter of 2024, the words The Bubbling Toad were uttered. A place for magical experiences, the brewing of potions, cunning crafting and wand whittling.

Ideas began to swoop into this little bird’s brain. The Bubbling Toad was real, and that Toad needed a back story! So, that’s what I wrote and recorded that night between Christmas and New Year. The first of many tales of wildlife and magic, woven with pearls of wisdom to help young minds navigate the world (and older minds relax).

Love & magic.

That’s where these stories come from. I hope you’ll feel it as you listen. The first audiobook The Bubbling Toad Stories Volume One is now available on all good audiobook platforms. Written and read by your little bird, British female voice over Sara Starling – with stunning sound design by the man of the nest, Leon Ford, there are many more stories to come.

We’ll be publishing a very special single story book later this year too, a piece of magic you can hold in your hands.

Oh and you can visit The Bubbling Toad, whittle wands, whisk up potions and create beautiful wish jars. Hop over to thebubblingtoad.com to experience the magic for yourself. Yes, it’s real!

PS. If you’d like to support your local independent book shop, you might want to check out Libro Fm when searching for The Bubbling Toad Stories Volume One.