Barefoot Books Podcast

In the story that inspired Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” a woodsman named Jamie marries the beautiful but grumpy Nora. The Nicky Nicky Nye, a water demon, bets that Nora

won’t last a week. From the collection Shakespeare's Storybook, retold by Patrick Ryan and illustrated by James Mayhew.

A donkey, a dog, a cat and a rooster decide to run away to become musicians. They find success in Bremen after using their music to scare away some robbers from a cottage. From the collection The Barefoot Book of Animal Tales, retold by Naomi Adler and illustrated by Amanda Hall.

In this Hungarian story, a king wishes to be reunited with his old friend. With the help of the Taltos horse, his youngest son goes on a journey to cross three bridges, slay dragons, and defeat an army of demons. From the collection Magic Hoofbeats, retold by Josepha Sherman, illustrated by Linda Wingerter and narrated by Ellen Verenieks.

When a giant turns six princes and their brides into stone, it's up to Ashpattle, the youngest prince, to save them. With help from a princess, a raven, a salmon and a wolf, Ashpattle is able to capture the giant's heart. From The Barefoot Book of Giants, Ghosts and Goblins, retold by John Matthews, illustrated by Giovanni Manna and narrated by Jerry Nelson.

In this Italian, operatic version of Cinderella, Cenerentola falls in love with Prince Ramiro, who is disguised as his own assistant. 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 jaguar is tricked by a magic snake, he must seek the help of the rainforest to reverse his fate. From The Barefoot Book of Animal Tales retold and narrated by Naomi Adler and illustrated by Amanda Hall.

When the Queen of Leinster wishes to give up her twelve sons for a daughter, an old woman grants her wish, and the sons turn to geese when her new child is born. From the book Tales from Old Ireland, retold by Malachy Doyle, illustrated by Niamh Sharkey and narrated by Maura O'Connell.

A king and queen adopt a little white rat when it becomes apparent they will never have any children of their own. When a magician comes to their kingdom, the king and queen ask him to transform their beloved pet into a princess. From the book Tales of Wisdom & Wonder, retold and narrated by Hugh Lupton, and illustrated Niamh Sharkey.

In this story that inspired Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, the King of Cecelia causes his wife to die of despair and orders for his daughter Flora to be released into the river because he is ashamed of their commonness. From the book Shakespeare’s Storybook, retold and narrated by Patrick Ryan, illustrated by James Mayhew.

In this Iranian story, a magical talking, flying colt called Qeytas saves a prince from his stepmother’s plot to kill him. From the book Magic Hoofbeats, retold by Josepha Sherman, illustrated by Linda Wingerter and narrated by Ellen Verenieks.