Barefoot Books Podcast

Determined to make his mark on the world, a little mouse learns the importance of patience and perseverance in this Inuit story. From the book Tales of Mystery and Magic, retold and narrated by Hugh Lupton, and illustrated by Agnese Baruzzi.

"In this story that inspired Shakespeare’s play Hamlet, Ashboy’s wicked mother and uncle arrange the death of the king. Can Ashboy expose their crime before he too falls victim to one of their evil schemes? From the book Shakespeare’s Storybook, retold and narrated by Patrick Ryan, and illustrated by James Mayhew. "

When Jean runs away from home, he winds up the prisoner of an evil witch. His only chance of escape is to trust her white horse. From the book Magic Hoofbeats, retold by Josepha Sherman, illustrated by Linda Wingerter and narrated by Ellen Verenieks.

Oisín follows his beautiful bride to a land of everlasting youth but secretly pines for his homeland, Ireland. From the book Tales from Old Ireland, retold by Malachy Doyle, illustrated by Niamh Sharkey and narrated by Maura O’Connell.

Many men compete to the death for the hand of the beautiful—but cold—Princess Turandot. Will any of them be able to figure out the key to her mysterious riddles, and to her heart? Find out in this Persian story. From the book The Barefoot Book of Princesses, retold by Caitlín Matthews, illustrated by Olwyn Whelan and narrated by Margaret Wolfson.

In this Scottish story, a lonely old lady wishes for a visitor. Little does she know that when one finally arrives, he will completely defy her expectations for a nice bit of company. From the book Tales of Mystery and Magic, retold by Hugh Lupton, and illustrated by Agnese Baruzzi.

Meet a young prince who refuses to go to sleep! The entire kingdom comes out to lend a hand in this rhyming bedtime adventure. There is a hullabaloo of activity - jugglers juggling, magicians hypnotizing, dancers dancing - but it is the wonder of a good story that finally does the trick. Read by actor Jim Broadbent. From the book and CD, The Prince's Bedtime, written by Joanne Oppenheim, illustrated by Miriam Latimer.

Join actress and narrator Olympia Dukakis as she tells the tale of a kind, beautiful witch from the Mexican city of Cordoba who must use her magic and charm to get out of a sticky situation. From the book and CD, Grandmothers’ Stories, retold by Burleigh Mutén and illustrated by Siân Bailey.

An orphan named Lone Boy teams up with a magical horse to protect his village in this Pawnee tale about kindness, bravery and respect. From the book and CD, Magic Hoofbeats, retold by Josepha Sherman, illustrated by Linda Wingerter, and narrated by Ellen Verenieks.

Ride along on the yellow school bus, and learn about different modes of transport—from planes and trains to trucks and boats! From the book We All Go Travelling By, written by Sheena Roberts, illustrated by Siobhan Bell and sung by Fred Penner.

After being cursed by the wicked Carabosse, Princess Aurora waits for a handsome prince to wake her from her slumber in this classic fairytale. From the book The Barefoot Book of Ballet Stories, written by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple, illustrated by Rebecca Guay and narrated by Juliet Stevenson.

Romantic Lawali longs to be with the beautiful Tiyoro, but in order to woo her he must completely transform himself. From the book The Barefoot Book of Dance Stories, written by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple, illustrated by Helen Cann, and narrated by Juliet Stevenson.

With the help of a talking bird, a young peasant girl conquers her evil mistress in this Scottish folktale about the changing of the seasons. From the book Tales from Celtic Lands, retold by Caitlin Matthews, illustrated by Olwyn Whelan and narrated by Niamh Cusack.

With the help of a talking bird, a young peasant girl conquers her evil mistress in this Scottish folktale about the changing of the seasons. From the book Tales from Celtic Lands, retold by Caitlin Matthews, illustrated by Olwyn Whelan and narrated by Niamh Cusack.

After having her beautiful brocade ripped from her hands by a cruel wind, a devastated old woman puts her faith in her sons to retrieve the stolen masterpiece. From the book Fabrics of Fairytale, retold and narrated by Tanya Robyn Batt, and illustrated by Rachel Griffin.

In this Indian love story, a courageous blackbird recruits the help of a fox, some ants, and even a river while on the journey to save his wife from a cruel king. From the book Tales of Mystery and Magic, retold and narrated by Hugh Lupton, and illustrated by Agnese Baruzzi.

In this classic Greek legend, Orpheus faces the challenge of a lifetime when he must abide by strict rules issued by the god Amor in order to bring his wife, Eurydice, back from the Realm of the Dead. From the book The Barefoot Book of Stories from the Opera, retold by Shahrukh Husain, illustrated by James Mayhew and narrated by Miranda Richardson.

When a villainous fox invades their happy forest home, a cat, a blackbird, and a rooster show the importance of friendship and cooperation in this Russian story. From the book The Story Tree, retold and narrated by Hugh Lupton, and illustrated by Sophie Fatus.

Pick flowers with Little Daughter on her journey to the far-side of the fence, but beware the talking wolf who lurks beyond the gate. From the book The Story Tree, retold and narrated by Hugh Lupton, illustrated by Sophie Fatus.

We’ve all heard the classic story of Cinderella, but have you heard the Indonesian version that features a crocodile as the fairy godmother? Tune in to this memorable tale from the book and CD, The Fabrics of Fairy tale, retold and narrated by Tanya Robyn Batt, and illustrated by Rachel Griffin.