Ms Melody
Helping Children Shine Through Storytelling and Support
Empowering kids through therapeutic stories that build resilience, celebrate uniqueness, and spark inner light—one sparkle at a time.
About Ms. Melody
Meet the Author Behind the Spark
Ms. Melody (Melody Shirtcliff, QMHP, LPC-A) is a dedicated child and family Counselor who transforms everyday struggles into opportunities for growth. With her innovative narrative therapy approach, she crafts stories that are both sensory-friendly and resilience-building.
Working through Treehouse Therapies (ASPEN Program) in Sisters, OR, she brings warmth, authenticity, and a touch of sparkle into every tale. Melody has three amazing grown children and 4 grandchildren who affectionately refer to her as Nee Nee.
My Mission
To create free, inclusive, evidence-based resources that help children grow emotionally strong, brave, and kind.
Featured Series
The Sparkle Series
A resilience-building collection of stories that help children reshape their inner narratives.
Whether navigating self-doubt, tough memories, or difficult dreams, each story offers a guiding light of kindness, courage, and hope.
Book Include:
- The Sparkle Jar
- The Sparkle Cap
- The Sparkle Bat
- The Sparkle Path
My Books
Sensory Spark Collection
Stories that honor and celebrate children’s unique sensory experiences—using calm, colorful storytelling to help kids feel seen, soothed, and empowered.
Each story encourages emotional exploration and connection in a sensory-friendly way.
Perfect for: Neurodivergent kids, sensory-sensitive learners, therapists, and families.
Titles Include:
- The Brave Bite — A gentle adventure in trying new things.
- Ryley and The Motion Map — Finding calm in a world that moves fast.
- The Tickle Monsters — Turning overwhelming sensations into giggles and grace.
Read the Sensory Spark Series
Free Resources for Kids & Clinicians
Explore our ever-growing library of free tools designed to support emotional wellness through creativity and story. From printable Sparkle Sheets and DIY activity kits to story-based therapy tools and event guides, each resource is crafted to help children reflect, connect, and grow.
Perfect for caregivers, educators, and mental health professionals looking to bring a little more sparkle into a child’s day.
What People Are Saying
Stories that heal. Tools that spark. Moments that matter.
In The Sparkle Jar, Ms. Melody introduces young readers to Charli, a child guided by her wise and loving grandmother, “Nee Nee.” With gentle encouragement, Charli learns to collect life’s small but powerful joys—every kind word, brave smile, and moment of hope—and store them like treasures in her “sparkle jar.”
What seems at first like a simple, heartwarming ritual reveals itself to be a deep source of resilience. As Charli encounters life’s inevitable storms, the sparkles she’s gathered become emotional anchors, reminding her (and the reader) that even in darkness, light can be remembered—and returned to.
This book is both accessible and profound. While young children will be drawn to its comforting language and empowering message, adult readers will find themselves equally moved by its emotional wisdom. The Sparkle Jar gently teaches mindfulness, gratitude, and emotional resilience in a way that feels natural and sincere.
It’s a wonderful choice for bedtime reading, classroom discussion, or any moment when a reminder of hope is needed. With its heartfelt message and universal relevance, this book shines—just like the sparkles inside Charli’s jar.
Katie Diez MS
OTR/L, pediatric occupational therapist