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.

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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.