Barefoot Books Podcast

Have you ever been outsmarted by a pelican? Find out how a group of animals living in a lake were tricked by their old friend the pelican in this story from Thailand. From the book and CD, The Barefoot Book of Animal Tales, retold and narrated by Naomi Adler and illustrated by Amanda Hall.

How many animals can fit into one old skull? Find out in this tale of a group of animals who all try to make the empty skull their home. From the book, Tales of Mystery and Magic, retold and narrated by Hugh Lupton and illustrated by Agnese Baruzzi.

What happens when a generous woodcutter rescues a faerie and receives a wish in return? He must then decide whether to use it to help himself, his wife or his mother and father. From the book and CD, The Faerie’s Gift, retold by Tanya Robyn Batt, illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli and narrated by Niamh Cusack.

Find out if young Clara and the nutcracker can defeat the evil Mouse King in the Land of Sweets in the classic Christmas tale, The Nutcracker. From the book and CD, The Barefoot Book of Ballet Stories, written by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple, illustrated by Rebecca Guay and narrated by Juliet Stevenson.

Get ready to be spooked in this story about a shipwrecked crew that seeks shelter on a boat only to find out that their new shipmates are skeletons. From the book and CD, The Barefoot Book of Pirates, retold by Richard Walker, illustrated by Olwyn Whelan and narrated by Richard Hope.

In this story from China, Mo Chi is a learned scholar who takes advantage of his loving wife as she helps him rise to power, but he will soon learn the error of his ways in this story of The Beggar Princess's courage. From the book and CD, The Barefoot Book of Princesses, retold by Caitlín Matthews, illustrated by Olwyn Whelan and narrated by Margaret Wolfson.

Meet Romeus and Julietta and find out if their love can overcome hatred in this story that inspired Shakespeare's most famous romance, Romeo and Juliet. From the book and CD, Shakespeare's Storybook, narrated by Patrick Ryan, illustrated by James Mayhew.

Join actress and narrator Juliet Stevenson as she tells the story of a soldier’s kindness to a mysterious old lady that just may give him the key to solving the mystery of the twelve dancing princesses. From the book and CD, The Barefoot Book of Dance Stories, written by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple, illustrated by Helen Cann.

Can you boogie along with acclaimed performer Fred Penner? Down in the Indian jungle, the children and animals are learning about actions like leaping, stomping, shaking and flapping while meeting different jungle creatures. From the book and CD, The Animal Boogie, illustrated by Debbie Harter.

Narrated by actress Juliet Stevenson, this quirky take on "The Princess and the Pea" combines story and math skills. The King and Queen and their three sons are on the search for a real princess, but it is only the Queen who knows the secret. From the book and CD, The Real Princess: A Mathemagical Tale, written by Brenda Williams, illustrated by Sophie Fatus.

Climb the beanstalk with Jack in this quirky take on the traditional tale. When there is no food in the cupboard, Jack goes to market to sell Daisy the cow. But rather than money, Jack procures magic beans and the promise of adventure. Read by Richard Hope. From the book and CD, Jack and the Beanstalk, written by Richard Walker, illustrated by Niamh Sharkey.

Follow the incy wincy spider as it climbs up the water spout. But you may want to stand back once the rain begins to fall! Sung by Susan Reed. From the book and CD Playtime Rhymes for Little People, illustrated by Clare Beaton.

Hop aboard the magic train for a journey across many lands, deep down under the sea, and even up to space. This is a wonderful journey you will never forget. All aboard! Sung by Sally Crabtree. From the book and CD Magic Train Ride, written by Sally Crabtree, illustrated by Sonia Esplugas.

Sing along in Spanish about the wonders of our precious planet, from the trees in the forest to the fish in the ocean. You can connect with the whole wide, wonderful world and rejoice in the marvels of the environment. Sung by Javier Mendoza. From the book and CD El Mundo, illustrated by Christopher Corr.

Chug along with a happy farmer who has one cow, two donkeys, three pigs, four sheep and five chickens in the trailer hitched to his tractor. What will happen when that trailer hits a stone? Rhyme and repetition present colors and counting in this delightful singalong. Sung by SteveSongs. From the book Driving my Tractor, written by Jan Dobbins, illustrated by David Sim.

Touch your head, shoulders, knees and toes – then your eyes, ears, mouth and nose! Susan Reed is back this week, with a whole bunch of familiar rhymes to sing and say. Performed by Susan Reed. From the book and CD Playtime Rhymes for Little People, illustrated by Clare Beaton.

Follow the wheels on the bus as they go round and round. The repetition, sounds, humor and familiarity of this rhyme combine to keep children asking to hear it “just one more time!” Sung by Susan Reed. From the book and CD Playtime Rhymes for Little People, illustrated by Clare Beaton.

Sing along with these well known nursery rhymes, including “Humpty Dumpty”, “Bah Bah Black Sheep”, “Three Blind Mice” and more. Sung by Dave Townsend, Caroline Butler, Charles Spencer and Nick Hooper. From the book and CD Mother Goose Remembers, illustrated by Clare Beaton.

Listen to Jack’s adventures “en español” this week. When this spirited boy turns his simple errand into a voyage beyond the clouds, his mother is understandably miffed. Will Jack’s independent spirit land him in trouble? Or will everything work out for this imaginative boy? Read by Pedro Sabino. From the book and CD Juan y los frijoles, written by Richard Walker, illustrated by Niamh Sharkey.

Get your ducks in a row this week with playful counting rhymes and songs that introduce numbers. Includes “One, Two, Buckle My Shoe”, “Five Currant Buns”, and more. Sung by Susan Reed. From the book and CD Playtime Rhymes for Little People, illustrated by Clare Beaton.

Hike through the rainforest, scale a mountain, swim across the ocean, and still make it home for dinner. Rhyme and repetition make learning fun in this selection that teaches actions, animal sounds and exotic settings around the world. Sung by Fred Penner. From the book and CD, Walking through the Jungle, written by Stella Blackstone, illustrated by Debbie Harter.

Sing and dance along with a young boy who introduces different members of his family along with a new farmyard animal and animal baby in every verse of this rollicking song, inspired by a Chilean folk tale. The toe-tapping story offers a playful way to practice counting skills. Sung by Bob King. From the book and CD, The Farmyard Jamboree, written by Margaret Read MacDonald, illustrated by Sophie Fatus.

Should the little red hen share her bread with her lazy companions, even if they have not helped her to plant, cut, thresh or mill the wheat, nor make the flour or bake the bread? Find out in this funny but poignant tale, read by author Hugh Lupton. From the book and CD, The Story Tree: Tales to Read Aloud, illustrated by Sophie Fatus.

Watch what happens as a misfit duckling tries to find his place in the world. Will he ever figure out where he fits in? Read by actor Jim Broadbent. From the book and CD, Storytime: First Tales for Sharing, written by Stella Blackstone, illustrated by Anne Wilson.

A playful hide-and-seek game with a dragon, a crocodile, a gorilla and all sorts of weird and wonderful creatures. The rhyming lyrics explore familiar rooms of the house, and encourages imaginative play. From the book and CD, Dragon on the Doorstep, written by Stella Blackstone, illustrated by Debbie Harter, sung by Fred Penner.

Clap your hands and sing along to this fresh take on a traditional singalong. The multicultural version of this early learner encourages action and imagination. Sung by Susan Reed. From the book and CD, If You're Happy and You Know It!, adapted by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Sophie Fatus.

Enter the Land of Icy Darkness and the Land of the Flaming Sun and discover how their people learn to share the Earth, and how the rotating seasons of winter and summer are born. This imaginative story demonstrates the importance of balance, community and sharing. Read by Ellen Verenieks. From the book and CD, Winter King, Summer Queen, written by Mary Lister, illustrated by Diana Mayo.

Travel into the dark and snowy night to meet the big brown wolf, who has a very special recipe. This clever story about the power of community is read by actor Jim Broadbent. From the book and CD, Storytime: First Tales for Sharing, written by Stella Blackstone, illustrated by Anne Wilson.

Find out how four children from Mali, Europe, India and China go through their morning routines. The catchy song encourages creative movement and imagination, while focusing on familiar habits. Sung by Fred Penner. From the book and CD, Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush, illustrated by Sophie Fatus.

Find out all about the house that Jack built in this traditional story that uses repetition and rhyme to make for a great read aloud that gathers pace and complexity as it tumbles across the page. Narrated by Ellen Verenieks. From the book and CD, The House that Jack Built, illustrated by Diana Mayo.

Catch him if you can! The gingerbread man is on the run in this quirky tale read by actor Jim Broadbent; he may be fast, but he is also about to learn an important lesson about taunting. From the book and CD, Storytime: First Tales for Sharing, written by Stella Blackstone, illustrated by Anne Wilson.

Hop in the yellow car and look out for all the other forms of transportation on the way home from Grandpa's. This singalong features cars, trucks, diggers and more, and introduces colors as well. Sung by Fred Penner. From the book and CD, The Journey Home from Grandpa's, written by Jemima Lumley, illustrated by Sophie Fatus.

Join the three billy goats gruff in a lively romp as they trip-trap over a rickety bridge, take on a hungry troll, and journey to where the grass is greener. The repetitive text in this simple story imparts the all-in-it-together message. Narrated by Ellen Verenieks. From the book and CD, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, written by Mary Finch, illustrated by Roberta Arenson.

Did you know that what a monkey sees, a monkey does? In this humorous tale, a hat seller finds out just that when he pushed his cart through the Indian jungle one day, and came across a tree-full of monkeys who very much liked his hats! Read by author Hugh Lupton. From the book and CD The Story Tree: Tales to Read Aloud, illustrated by Sophie Fatus.

Follow Goldilocks as she ventures to the house of the three bears, and learns an important lesson about respecting the property of others. Narrated by actor Jim Broadbent, this story uses humor, drama and repetition to keep readers entertained. From the book and CD collection, Storytime: First Tales for Sharing, written by Stella Blackstone, illustrated by Anne Wilson.