Barefoot Books Podcast

Have you ever been outsmarted by a pelican? Find out how a group of animals living in a lake were tricked by their old friend the pelican in this story from Thailand. From the book and CD, The Barefoot Book of Animal Tales, retold and narrated by Naomi Adler and illustrated by Amanda Hall.

How many animals can fit into one old skull? Find out in this tale of a group of animals who all try to make the empty skull their home. From the book, Tales of Mystery and Magic, retold and narrated by Hugh Lupton and illustrated by Agnese Baruzzi.

What happens when a generous woodcutter rescues a faerie and receives a wish in return? He must then decide whether to use it to help himself, his wife or his mother and father. From the book and CD, The Faerie’s Gift, retold by Tanya Robyn Batt, illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli and narrated by Niamh Cusack.

Find out if young Clara and the nutcracker can defeat the evil Mouse King in the Land of Sweets in the classic Christmas tale, The Nutcracker. From the book and CD, The Barefoot Book of Ballet Stories, written by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple, illustrated by Rebecca Guay and narrated by Juliet Stevenson.

Get ready to be spooked in this story about a shipwrecked crew that seeks shelter on a boat only to find out that their new shipmates are skeletons. From the book and CD, The Barefoot Book of Pirates, retold by Richard Walker, illustrated by Olwyn Whelan and narrated by Richard Hope.

In this story from China, Mo Chi is a learned scholar who takes advantage of his loving wife as she helps him rise to power, but he will soon learn the error of his ways in this story of The Beggar Princess's courage. From the book and CD, The Barefoot Book of Princesses, retold by Caitlín Matthews, illustrated by Olwyn Whelan and narrated by Margaret Wolfson.

Meet Romeus and Julietta and find out if their love can overcome hatred in this story that inspired Shakespeare's most famous romance, Romeo and Juliet. From the book and CD, Shakespeare's Storybook, narrated by Patrick Ryan, illustrated by James Mayhew.

Join actress and narrator Juliet Stevenson as she tells the story of a soldier’s kindness to a mysterious old lady that just may give him the key to solving the mystery of the twelve dancing princesses. From the book and CD, The Barefoot Book of Dance Stories, written by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple, illustrated by Helen Cann.

Can you boogie along with acclaimed performer Fred Penner? Down in the Indian jungle, the children and animals are learning about actions like leaping, stomping, shaking and flapping while meeting different jungle creatures. From the book and CD, The Animal Boogie, illustrated by Debbie Harter.

Narrated by actress Juliet Stevenson, this quirky take on "The Princess and the Pea" combines story and math skills. The King and Queen and their three sons are on the search for a real princess, but it is only the Queen who knows the secret. From the book and CD, The Real Princess: A Mathemagical Tale, written by Brenda Williams, illustrated by Sophie Fatus.

Climb the beanstalk with Jack in this quirky take on the traditional tale. When there is no food in the cupboard, Jack goes to market to sell Daisy the cow. But rather than money, Jack procures magic beans and the promise of adventure. Read by Richard Hope. From the book and CD, Jack and the Beanstalk, written by Richard Walker, illustrated by Niamh Sharkey.

Follow the incy wincy spider as it climbs up the water spout. But you may want to stand back once the rain begins to fall! Sung by Susan Reed. From the book and CD Playtime Rhymes for Little People, illustrated by Clare Beaton.

Hop aboard the magic train for a journey across many lands, deep down under the sea, and even up to space. This is a wonderful journey you will never forget. All aboard! Sung by Sally Crabtree. From the book and CD Magic Train Ride, written by Sally Crabtree, illustrated by Sonia Esplugas.

Sing along in Spanish about the wonders of our precious planet, from the trees in the forest to the fish in the ocean. You can connect with the whole wide, wonderful world and rejoice in the marvels of the environment. Sung by Javier Mendoza. From the book and CD El Mundo, illustrated by Christopher Corr.

Chug along with a happy farmer who has one cow, two donkeys, three pigs, four sheep and five chickens in the trailer hitched to his tractor. What will happen when that trailer hits a stone? Rhyme and repetition present colors and counting in this delightful singalong. Sung by SteveSongs. From the book Driving my Tractor, written by Jan Dobbins, illustrated by David Sim.

Touch your head, shoulders, knees and toes – then your eyes, ears, mouth and nose! Susan Reed is back this week, with a whole bunch of familiar rhymes to sing and say. Performed by Susan Reed. From the book and CD Playtime Rhymes for Little People, illustrated by Clare Beaton.

Follow the wheels on the bus as they go round and round. The repetition, sounds, humor and familiarity of this rhyme combine to keep children asking to hear it “just one more time!” Sung by Susan Reed. From the book and CD Playtime Rhymes for Little People, illustrated by Clare Beaton.

Sing along with these well known nursery rhymes, including “Humpty Dumpty”, “Bah Bah Black Sheep”, “Three Blind Mice” and more. Sung by Dave Townsend, Caroline Butler, Charles Spencer and Nick Hooper. From the book and CD Mother Goose Remembers, illustrated by Clare Beaton.

Listen to Jack’s adventures “en español” this week. When this spirited boy turns his simple errand into a voyage beyond the clouds, his mother is understandably miffed. Will Jack’s independent spirit land him in trouble? Or will everything work out for this imaginative boy? Read by Pedro Sabino. From the book and CD Juan y los frijoles, written by Richard Walker, illustrated by Niamh Sharkey.

Get your ducks in a row this week with playful counting rhymes and songs that introduce numbers. Includes “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe”, “Five Currant Buns”, and more. Sung by Susan Reed. From the book and CD Playtime Rhymes for Little People, illustrated by Clare Beaton.