The Reader Reads

For Halloween, we have for you a story of a horrible giant who devours fat little children. The story was “retold” in the 1970s by Ellin Green, and wonderfully illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman. Here, we tell the original tale first published in a collection of children’s stories called “The Pot of Gold.” “The Pumpkin … Continue reading TRR: Episode 87, “The Pumpkin Giant” →

The power of the written word is the subject of out show this week. Literature has the ability to take a reader any where, any when, and to see the world through the eyes of men long dead. This selection comes from a preamble to a textbook for junior high school students. “The Three Joys … Continue reading TRR: Episode 86, “The Three Joys of Reading” →

This week we share a short excerpt from Henry van Dyke about the freedom and peace found in the art of camping, and the beauty of the white birch tree. “Under the White Birches” from “Little Rivers” (1895) by Henry van Dyke The Reader TRT: 12:23 The musical accompaniment for the show is provided through … Continue reading TRR: Episode 85, “Under the White Birches” →

Sorry I’ve been absent for so long. Truth is, I’ve been sick as a dog since the middle of June, and was unable to record anything for you. I’m on the mend, though, and finally managed to croak out this lovely poem for you. Hopefully there will be a full episode for you next week! … Continue reading TRR EXTRA: “The Wind of Summer” by Madison Cawein →

I’m off and away this weekend, so in lieu of our usual episode, I’ve put together this little rainy extra for you. “Rain” and “Between Two Rains” by Nora May French The Reader TRT: 03:46 The musical accompaniment for the show is provided through the kind generosity of Incompetech.com. Continue reading

Trees are among the longest-lived organisms on our planet. In this episode, we share a story about a yellow pine that was over a thousand years old. “The Story of a Thousand-Year Pine” (1909) by Enos A. Mills The Reader TRT: 29:40 The musical accompaniment for the show is provided through the kind generosity of … Continue reading TRR: Episode 84, “The Story of a Thousand-Year Pine” →

The purpose of Memorial Day seems to have been lost over the past several decades. Instead of a day of remembrance to honor our fallen soldiers, the day has become little more than an excuse for a three day weekend and big sales events. Ironically, we hear people saying, “Happy Memorial Day,” and they do … Continue reading TRR: Episode 83, “The Unknown Soldier” →

A study in solitude and the quiet nature of loneliness is the subject of this week’s show. “Studies in Solitude” (1917) by Fannie Stearns Gifford “Tall Lilac-tree Beside My Door” (1913) by Fannie Stearns Gifford The Reader TRT: 27:00 The musical accompaniment for the show is provided through the kind generosity of Incompetech.com.

We all have our ideal, formed in our youth, of the perfect mate. In this story from the September 1962 issue of “Worlds of If” magazine, we learn what happens when such idol worship is wedded to unnatural power. “1,492,633 Marlon Brandos” (1962) by Vance Aandahl The Reader TRT: 16:38 The musical accompaniment for the … Continue reading TRR: Episode 81, “1,492,633 Marlon Brandos” →

As we enter the month of May, we begin to enjoy the wealth of the Springtime. In this episode, we have a lyrical description of the English garden, and a poem by Amy Lowell. “The Spirit of Gardens” (1911) by Dion Clayton Calthrop “Lilacs” (1922) by Amy Lowell The Reader TRT: 27:01 The musical accompaniment … Continue reading TRR: Episode 80, “The Spirit of Gardens” →