Anansi is up to his tricks again. Following a greedy feeding-frenzy he tries to distract elephant and his friends by persuading them that watermelons can talk. Does he succeed? Listen to this lively story from the Caribbean told by Wendy Shearer and find out.

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Alton Takiyama-Chung tells this magical fairytale from China about twin brothers who both want to marry the Dragon King’s daughter. To help her decide which one to choose, Princess Li Mei sends them on a quest to find a gleaming pearl from her father’s underwater palace. But which brother will be compassionate, honest and brave and win the heart of the princess? Listen to Alton and find out.

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Paul Alborough tells his upbeat version of this classic Brothers Grimm fairytale. Two siblings pit their wits against a hungry witch and a greedy king and win the day. Note to parents, this story has a scary witch, but the ending is a happy one (for everyone but the witch and the greedy king!)

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Tatterhood is a Norwegian fairytale about two sisters who are very different. Plum is sweet and gentle, Tatterhood is bold and wild and rides around on a goat! When witches steal Plum’s head and replace it with a cow’s, Tatterhood sets off with Plum (mooing loudly) determined to get it back. Listen to Sarah Liisa Wilkinson’s funny retelling of this lively tale and find out what happens. Note to parents, this story could seem unsettling, but only fleetingly and the ending is a happy one.

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A story from our archive: The Best of Super Great Kids' Stories.Talented storyteller Jason Buck narrates the classic French fairy tale "Puss in Boots" written down by Charles Perrault. In this story, a young man inherits a cat, who persuades his owner they can make their fortune if he can give him a hat, a sack, and some fancy boots. All dressed up, the cat charms the king, outwits an ogre and delights the king’s daughter. Tada!

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Tim Ralphs narrates this charming fairytale from Pakistan about Walidad, a simple grasscutter who doesn’t know what to do with all his savings. How can he solve this problem so he can carry on living simply and happily? A thoughtful story which shows us what’s really important in life.

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To mark New Year – Alton Takiyama-Chung – who’s new to Super Great Kids’ Stories, shares two tales from Asia: from Japan, "The Grateful Statues", and from China: "The Magic Pear Tree" about a farmer who encounters a beggar. Both stories have a theme of kindness and generosity and are sprinkled with a little bit of magic.

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A King and Queen living in a cold castle argue and their fire goes out, casting a chill and a gloom over the whole kingdom. They send a servant to fetch more hot coals from the neighbours. Will he succeed and return warmth to the castle in time for the winter festivities? Listen to Wendy Shearer tell this uplifting Christmas story and find out.

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A little fir tree, is not happy, he longs to leave his forest and go out to see the world like the bigger trees which are taken and decorated with sparkly things. Eventually his wish comes true, but does it make the tree happy? Listen to storyteller Anne Johnson's retelling of this Hans Christian Andersen tale to find out. (Note, this version has an upbeat ending.)

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This Cinderella-style story is set in the Appalachian mountains and told by Storyteller from Dragon Fly Tales: Emily Hanna-Grazebrook. It has all the ingredients of a great fairytale: a witch-woman, a mistreated orphan, a kind doctor’s son, some mean stepsisters and some stonkingly good singing from Emily.

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