High above the Folktale Forest, teams of geese, sparrows, falcons and seagulls show off their best stunts in the annual sky surfing competition. With flips, spins, swirls, and daring dives, the teams dazzle the cheering crowds and impress the judges. When a member of the Sky Soaring Seagulls gets injured mid-flight, the team’s hopes rest on Shrimp, the nervous fifth alternate’s out-of-town swing’s understudy (try saying that five times fast). Worried he’ll let his teammates down, Shrimp learns from an unexpected source that even the wobbliest wings can still do wonderful things.

What if hope wasn’t just something you felt—but something you did? That idea comes to life in author Deedee Cummings’ beautifully inspiring children’s book, Hope in the Nick of Time. Through the story of Nick Saint, young readers learn that hoping skills can help them see the good even when things feel tough. It’s a message that resonates deeply with the mission of Dorktales Storytime, the reimagined fairytales, fables and folklore we tell and the real-life heroes we spotlight.

Inspired by Deedee's new book, we released hopeful heroes playlist, a collection of Dorktales episodes that celebrate barrier breakers and big dreamers and show young listeners that they, too, can be a force for good.