Dorktales Storytime | Stories for Kids Who Love Big Adventures

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Hello boils, ghouls, and non-corporeal entities! Our SCARE-rator is here to tell you a spooky tale that will send shivers up your quivers and make your teeth chatter with delight! It’s party time at Katrina’s house and Ichabod Crane is having the time of his life. Jealous of his fun, Brom Bones gathers the guests to tell the chilling tale of the Headless Horseman, because he knows it will make sweet, but superstitious, Ichabod shriek and head for home. And when he does, poor Ichabod encounters something sinister in the woods. Is it the bully Brom playing an evil prank or the legendary ghoulish ghost? 

• WEBPAGE: https://jonincharacter.com/sleepy-hallows-eve/ 
• FAN PAGE FUN:  https://jonincharacter.com/dorktalesfans/ 
• MORE (NOT SO) SPOOKY HALLOWEEN STORIES FOR KIDS: https://jonincharacter.com/halloween-stories-for-kids-playlist-thats-more-fun-than-fright/ 
• DOWNLOAD DORKTALES HALLOWEEN COLOR PAGES: https://bit.ly/DorktalesHalloweenColorFun 

PARENTS, TEACHERS AND HOMESCHOOLERS: This Halloween stories for kids episode is a reimagined telling of Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Besides being a spooky story with some geeky references to Sonic the Hedgehog, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, there is an opportunity to talk to kids about jealousy, bullying, and standing up for yourself.

CREDITS: This episode has been a Jonincharacter production. Today’s story was written by Amy Thompson, directed and produced by Molly Murphy, and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Pacific Grove Soundworks. 

Support the show

GROWNUPS: Dorktales Storytime is more than a Kids and family stories for kids podcast. Every visit to our Once Upon a Time world invites kids to discover reimagined fairy tales, fables, Greek myths, mysteries, fantasy adventures, pirate adventures, bedtime stories, Halloween stories, dinosaur stories, spy adventures, and inspiring stories about historical figures and STEAM pioneers. We believe a well-told story brings families together, opens the door to meaningful conversations, and helps every child know they belong and their imagination can change the world.

REACH OUT!

• Does your child have a question? Send it to us here.
• We love our fans! Find free goodies: https://jonincharacter.com/dorktalesfans/
• Support Our Storytime for Kids pod: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1267991/supporters/new 
• Music & Lullabies: https://dorktalesstorytime.bandcamp.com/music

Send us Fan Mail

¡La historia del ruiseñor mexicano! Beloved for her remarkable Bel Canto singing style, Ángela Peralta became known the world over as “The Mexican Nightingale.” She made her debut at the young age of 15, rising in demand to appear at leading opera houses throughout Mexico, Italy, France, Spain, Russia, Egypt and the United States. Beyond singing, Ms. Peralta also wrote and composed her own music and boldly started her own opera company. Like the audiences who loved her, we stand up and cheer “¡Bravo, Ángela Peralta, Bravo!"

Episode webpage:
https://jonincharacter.com/angela-peralta/

Dorktales Storytime Podcast website:
https://jonincharacter.com/dorktales-storytime-podcast/

YOUR KIDS ON OUR SHOW: Contact our “Mr. Redge Hotline” for a chance for a shout out or featured in one of our episodes! Leave us a voicemail, email, video or use our color page - https://jonincharacter.com/contact-the-podcast/

CREDITS: This episode has been a Jonincharacter production. Today’s story was written by Molly Murphy, and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Hamilton Studio Recordings. 

Consultation on written and spoken Spanish: Ana Cantorán.

Music Credit: Romeo et Juliette, Juliette Waltz (Gounod) by MIT Symphony Orchestra

Support the show

GROWNUPS: Dorktales Storytime is more than a Kids and family stories for kids podcast. Every visit to our Once Upon a Time world invites kids to discover reimagined fairy tales, fables, Greek myths, mysteries, fantasy adventures, pirate adventures, bedtime stories, Halloween stories, dinosaur stories, spy adventures, and inspiring stories about historical figures and STEAM pioneers. We believe a well-told story brings families together, opens the door to meaningful conversations, and helps every child know they belong and their imagination can change the world.

REACH OUT!

• Does your child have a question? Send it to us here.
• We love our fans! Find free goodies: https://jonincharacter.com/dorktalesfans/
• Support Our Storytime for Kids pod: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1267991/supporters/new 
• Music & Lullabies: https://dorktalesstorytime.bandcamp.com/music

Send us Fan Mail

The lonely Prince is fed up with the Queen and her court! Their snobby standards are keeping him from finding someone who cares about connection over social status. Enter Wilhemina, the rain-soaked and mud-covered girl who makes a mess of a first impression, but ultimately proves that true friendship is more than a popularity contest.  

PARENTS, TEACHERS AND HOMESCHOOLERS: This story is about friendship and making connections with the people who see you and appreciate you for who you are. There is an opportunity for great conversations about popularity and how it feels to be excluded.

Episode webpage:
https://jonincharacter.com/the-princess-and-the-pincushion/

Dorktales Storytime Podcast website:
https://jonincharacter.com/dorktales-storytime-podcast/

YOUR KIDS ON OUR SHOW: Contact our “Mr. Redge Hotline” for a chance for a shout out or featured in one of our episodes! Leave us a voicemail, email, video or use our color page - https://jonincharacter.com/contact-the-podcast/

CREDITS: This episode has been a Jonincharacter production. Today’s story was written by Amy Thompson, edited by Molly Murphy, and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Hamilton Studio Recordings. The music featured in this episode is by Ean Grimm, Tubersongs:  https://www.tubersongs.com/l/LbrXu

Support the show

GROWNUPS: Dorktales Storytime is more than a Kids and family stories for kids podcast. Every visit to our Once Upon a Time world invites kids to discover reimagined fairy tales, fables, Greek myths, mysteries, fantasy adventures, pirate adventures, bedtime stories, Halloween stories, dinosaur stories, spy adventures, and inspiring stories about historical figures and STEAM pioneers. We believe a well-told story brings families together, opens the door to meaningful conversations, and helps every child know they belong and their imagination can change the world.

REACH OUT!

• Does your child have a question? Send it to us here.
• We love our fans! Find free goodies: https://jonincharacter.com/dorktalesfans/
• Support Our Storytime for Kids pod: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1267991/supporters/new 
• Music & Lullabies: https://dorktalesstorytime.bandcamp.com/music

Send us Fan Mail

A tale that leads to an extinct volcano’s summit! Evelyn Cheesman’s deep love of the natural world led her to becoming the first woman curator at the London Zoo and leading entomologist for the Natural History Museum. From 1923 to 1953, she traveled to remote locations on solo-expeditions (unheard of for a woman at the time) where she observed, collected and catalogued previously undiscovered insects, reptiles, amphibians, and plants—over 70,000 of them! Scientists are still identifying new species from the specimens she discovered over 40 years ago.

Episode webpage:
 https://jonincharacter.com/evelyn-cheesman/

Dorktales Storytime Podcast website:
https://jonincharacter.com/dorktales-storytime-podcast/

OUR PODCAST FRIEND: We want to let you know about our pod friend “Girl Tales,” a podcast featuring reimagined fairytales. Damsels in distress? Princesses in need of protection? You won’t find those here. The girls in their stories take control of their own destinies, turning favorite fairytales into exciting new adventures. Check them out wherever you listen to podcasts and go to girltalespodcast.com to find out more! 

CREDITS: This episode has been a Jonincharacter production. Today’s story was written by Molly Murphy, and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and audio production by Jermaine Hamilton at Hamilton Studio Recordings. 

Support the show

GROWNUPS: Dorktales Storytime is more than a Kids and family stories for kids podcast. Every visit to our Once Upon a Time world invites kids to discover reimagined fairy tales, fables, Greek myths, mysteries, fantasy adventures, pirate adventures, bedtime stories, Halloween stories, dinosaur stories, spy adventures, and inspiring stories about historical figures and STEAM pioneers. We believe a well-told story brings families together, opens the door to meaningful conversations, and helps every child know they belong and their imagination can change the world.

REACH OUT!

• Does your child have a question? Send it to us here.
• We love our fans! Find free goodies: https://jonincharacter.com/dorktalesfans/
• Support Our Storytime for Kids pod: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1267991/supporters/new 
• Music & Lullabies: https://dorktalesstorytime.bandcamp.com/music

Send us Fan Mail

Rushing out to attend the annual Honey Harvest Hullabaloo, the three bears absentmindedly leave their home in haste and end up with an uninvited guest! Goldiquills—a discourteous and disrespectful golden-quilled hedgehog—feels entitled to slurp, smartphone, and sleep her way through their things. Can she widen her eyes (and heart) to her bullying ways when the bear family returns and growls her from her snoring slumber?

PARENTS, TEACHERS AND HOMESCHOOLERS: This episode’s themes include disrespect for others and their possessions, ignoring others feelings, and verbal bullying.

Episode webpage: https://jonincharacter.com/the-goldiquills-effect/

Dorktales Storytime Podcast website:
https://jonincharacter.com/dorktales-storytime-podcast/

OUR PODCAST FRIEND: We wanted to let you know about our pod friend “Like You: Mindfulness for Kids.” Noah Glenn, creator and host, gently guides kids through breathing, affirmations, music, and imagination to explore feelings, relieve anxiety, encourage self-esteem, and grow empathy, all while having fun! Check them out wherever you listen to podcasts and go to likeyoupodcast.com to find out more!

CREDITS: This episode has been a Jonincharacter production. Today’s story was written by Amy Thompson, edited by Molly Murphy and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Hamilton Studio Recordings. 
 

Support the show

GROWNUPS: Dorktales Storytime is more than a Kids and family stories for kids podcast. Every visit to our Once Upon a Time world invites kids to discover reimagined fairy tales, fables, Greek myths, mysteries, fantasy adventures, pirate adventures, bedtime stories, Halloween stories, dinosaur stories, spy adventures, and inspiring stories about historical figures and STEAM pioneers. We believe a well-told story brings families together, opens the door to meaningful conversations, and helps every child know they belong and their imagination can change the world.

REACH OUT!

• Does your child have a question? Send it to us here.
• We love our fans! Find free goodies: https://jonincharacter.com/dorktalesfans/
• Support Our Storytime for Kids pod: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1267991/supporters/new 
• Music & Lullabies: https://dorktalesstorytime.bandcamp.com/music

Send us Fan Mail

A story of sportsmanship, record breaking feats and the Spirit of Aloha! Hawaii’s Duke Kahanamoku is the father of modern surfing, known for catching big waves and globally popularizing the sport. But the Big Kahuna's legendary status went beyond his surfing talents -- he won six Olympic medals for swimming, acted in 30 films, served 13 terms as Honolulu's Sheriff and orchestrated a heroic ocean rescue that forever changed the lifeguard profession. Most importantly, “The Duke” taught us how to live with integrity, show respect for others and approach the world with open arms!

Episode webpage:
 https://jonincharacter.com/duke-kahanamoku/

Dorktales Storytime Podcast website:
https://jonincharacter.com/dorktales-storytime-podcast/

OUR PODCAST FRIEND: We wanted to let you know about our pod friend “Fina Mendoza Mysteries.” It's "The West Wing" meets "Nancy Drew" - a podcast for little girls and political junkies. Check them out wherever you listen to podcasts and go to chesapeakepress.org/finamendozapodcast to find out more!

CREDITS: This episode has been a Jonincharacter production. Today’s story was written by Molly Murphy, and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Hamilton Studio Recordings. 

Support the show

GROWNUPS: Dorktales Storytime is more than a Kids and family stories for kids podcast. Every visit to our Once Upon a Time world invites kids to discover reimagined fairy tales, fables, Greek myths, mysteries, fantasy adventures, pirate adventures, bedtime stories, Halloween stories, dinosaur stories, spy adventures, and inspiring stories about historical figures and STEAM pioneers. We believe a well-told story brings families together, opens the door to meaningful conversations, and helps every child know they belong and their imagination can change the world.

REACH OUT!

• Does your child have a question? Send it to us here.
• We love our fans! Find free goodies: https://jonincharacter.com/dorktalesfans/
• Support Our Storytime for Kids pod: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1267991/supporters/new 
• Music & Lullabies: https://dorktalesstorytime.bandcamp.com/music

Send us Fan Mail

Mr.Redge and Jonathan are off on their jam-packed-awesome-times-very-cool summer adventure, so they’ve asked their friends to fill in with their own unique kind of storytelling: It’s Lyndee and Leela, the mother-daughter duo at Newsy Pooloozi! They’re here to share their love of stories and wild, wacky news about science, technology, art, culture, politics, and more. 

In this Newsy  Pooloozi (formerly known as Newsy Jacuzzi) episode drop, you’ll hear about Maldives’ floating city to combat rising seas, Russia and US race to get dramatic in space, the cicada stink and snail snot soap! (This episode originally aired on June 2, 2021.)

Find more Newsy Pooloozi episodes: https://www.newsypooloozi.com/
 
This bonus episode also references the following Dorktales Storytime Podcasts:

• Episode 2: Three Little…Hogs?!
• Episode 24: Merry Band of Bremen
• Episode 25: Ruth Asawa

HEY EVERYONE! Mr. Redge and Jonathan will be back to bring you an epic new “Hidden Heroes of History” episode on August 19th.  Until then, surf’s up on summer reading so have fun diving into your favorite stories!

Dorktales Storytime Podcast website:
https://jonincharacter.com/dorktales-storytime-podcast/

CREDITS: This episode has been a Jonincharacter production. Today’s vacation message was written by Molly Murphy and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Hamilton Studio Recordings. Today’s episode was created and provided by the amazing Newsy Pooloozi team, Leela Sivasankar Prickitt and Lyndee Prickitt.

Support the show

GROWNUPS: Dorktales Storytime is more than a Kids and family stories for kids podcast. Every visit to our Once Upon a Time world invites kids to discover reimagined fairy tales, fables, Greek myths, mysteries, fantasy adventures, pirate adventures, bedtime stories, Halloween stories, dinosaur stories, spy adventures, and inspiring stories about historical figures and STEAM pioneers. We believe a well-told story brings families together, opens the door to meaningful conversations, and helps every child know they belong and their imagination can change the world.

REACH OUT!

• Does your child have a question? Send it to us here.
• We love our fans! Find free goodies: https://jonincharacter.com/dorktalesfans/
• Support Our Storytime for Kids pod: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1267991/supporters/new 
• Music & Lullabies: https://dorktalesstorytime.bandcamp.com/music

Send us Fan Mail

Christmas cookie baking and storytelling in July?! It's always a good time for a merry tale about a worried shoemaker who awakens one morning to find his luck has finally changed! How did a perfectly pair of stitched shoes magically appear on his workbench? When he and his wife hide in the cupboard to find the answer, they catch a glimpse of the clever cobblers: two tiny elves who are going through hard times too! Grateful for their new-found fortune, the duo devises a plan to create a holiday miracle for their crafty companions.

PARENTS, TEACHERS AND HOMESCHOOLERS:This episode talks about gratitude, appreciating others strengths and generosity, and the benefits of collaboration.

Episode webpage:
 https://jonincharacter.com/cookie-cobbler-caper/

Dorktales Storytime Podcast website:
https://jonincharacter.com/dorktales-storytime-podcast/

OUR PODCAST FRIEND: We wanted to let you know about our friends “At Your Level.” Join kid host Ari Kelly in light hearted segments where you guess mystery sounds, tell “Bad Dad” jokes, and “Nerd Out” by diving deep into the episode’s topic. Check them out wherever you listen to podcasts and go to atyourlevelpod.com to find out how you can be on the show!

CREDITS: This episode has been a Jonincharacter production. Today’s story was written by Amy Thompson, edited by Molly Murphy, and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Hamilton Studio Recordings.

Surf Music by Turbo Tornado by Admiral Bob (c) copyright 2016 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. http://dig.ccmixter.org/files/admiralbob77/54272 Ft: Blue Wave Theory

Support the show

GROWNUPS: Dorktales Storytime is more than a Kids and family stories for kids podcast. Every visit to our Once Upon a Time world invites kids to discover reimagined fairy tales, fables, Greek myths, mysteries, fantasy adventures, pirate adventures, bedtime stories, Halloween stories, dinosaur stories, spy adventures, and inspiring stories about historical figures and STEAM pioneers. We believe a well-told story brings families together, opens the door to meaningful conversations, and helps every child know they belong and their imagination can change the world.

REACH OUT!

• Does your child have a question? Send it to us here.
• We love our fans! Find free goodies: https://jonincharacter.com/dorktalesfans/
• Support Our Storytime for Kids pod: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1267991/supporters/new 
• Music & Lullabies: https://dorktalesstorytime.bandcamp.com/music

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome to Brave Aviator Airlines, where stories take flight! Unbuckle your curiosity as we take off on an adventure through time to meet four pioneers of aviation: Bessie Coleman, Hazel Ying Lee, Maggie Gee and Mae Jemison. From flying circuses and Avenger Field to the space shuttle Endeavor, these women broke through racial and gender barriers to reach new heights of acceptance in the field of aviation and beyond! 

Join us for future "Hidden Heroes of History" episodes of the Dorktales Storytime Podcast where you’ll discover more hidden heroes in science, technology, engineering, arts, math and human rights who changed the world. Join us as we uncover the stories of the STEAMers and dreamers who made history!

Episode webpage: https://jonincharacter.com/brave-aviators/

Dorktales Storytime Podcast website: https://jonincharacter.com/dorktales-storytime-podcast/

CREDITS: This episode has been a Jonincharacter production. Today’s hero story was written by Molly Murphy and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Hamilton Studio Recordings. 

Support the show

GROWNUPS: Dorktales Storytime is more than a Kids and family stories for kids podcast. Every visit to our Once Upon a Time world invites kids to discover reimagined fairy tales, fables, Greek myths, mysteries, fantasy adventures, pirate adventures, bedtime stories, Halloween stories, dinosaur stories, spy adventures, and inspiring stories about historical figures and STEAM pioneers. We believe a well-told story brings families together, opens the door to meaningful conversations, and helps every child know they belong and their imagination can change the world.

REACH OUT!

• Does your child have a question? Send it to us here.
• We love our fans! Find free goodies: https://jonincharacter.com/dorktalesfans/
• Support Our Storytime for Kids pod: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1267991/supporters/new 
• Music & Lullabies: https://dorktalesstorytime.bandcamp.com/music

Send us Fan Mail

When an acorn strikes a blow onto Henny Penny’s head, she mistakenly fears the worst and believes that the whole sky is falling! As she waddles off to warn the farmyard, her fine-feathered friends join in the panic. When a fiendish fox offers to help, Henny Penny realizes that she and her bird buddies are in for some real trouble. Can her sense of danger help her save the day? 

This stories for kids episode, The Great Acorn Incident, is a reimagining of the folk tale Henny Penny or, sometimes known as, Chicken Little.

• WEBPAGE: https://jonincharacter.com/the-great-acorn-incident/
• FAN PAGE FUN: https://jonincharacter.com/dorktalesfans/ 
• DOWNLOAD WORKSHEET/COLOR PAGE: https://bit.ly/dorktales26worksheet
• GRAB YOUR FREE PDF list of conversation questions: https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/ep26freePDF

PARENTS, TEACHERS AND HOMESCHOOLERS: This Dorktales Storytime stories for kids episode is a reimagined traditional European folktale, Henny Penny or Chicken Little. It explores worry, anxiety, uncertainty, and how strong feelings can sometimes make a situation seem much bigger or scarier than it really is. The story also shows that fear can sometimes be an important signal when something truly feels unsafe and dangerous.

IF YOU LIKED THIS EPISODE, you may also like this stories for kids episode about a hen who was brave enough to be herself in EP66 The Valley Hen Taylor: https://jonincharacter.com/the-valley-hen-taylor/

CREDITS: This episode is a Jonincharacter production. It was written by Amy Thompson, edited and produced by Molly Murphy, and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Pacific Grove Soundworks.

Support the show

GROWNUPS: Dorktales Storytime is more than a Kids and family stories for kids podcast. Every visit to our Once Upon a Time world invites kids to discover reimagined fairy tales, fables, Greek myths, mysteries, fantasy adventures, pirate adventures, bedtime stories, Halloween stories, dinosaur stories, spy adventures, and inspiring stories about historical figures and STEAM pioneers. We believe a well-told story brings families together, opens the door to meaningful conversations, and helps every child know they belong and their imagination can change the world.

REACH OUT!

• Does your child have a question? Send it to us here.
• We love our fans! Find free goodies: https://jonincharacter.com/dorktalesfans/
• Support Our Storytime for Kids pod: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1267991/supporters/new 
• Music & Lullabies: https://dorktalesstorytime.bandcamp.com/music