Super Great Kids' Stories

Masako Carey takes us to Japan for our first fairy tale of the season. Stranded in the dark without a lantern, a young monk is offered shelter by a kind and beautiful woman - who turns out to be a hungry mountain witch. Eek! Luckily, the monk has three lucky charms to help him. But will they be enough to ensure his escape from the clutches of a child-eating witch? Listen to Masako’s tale and find out. This story is a little bit scary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Storyteller Tuup returns to tells us a First Nation story about a young girl who is unwell, and her father’s quest to find a fox who can help her get better. Her father sets off in a blizzard, to find the fox and bring it back to the family home. Will this wild animal allow itself to be taken, and will the young girl recover? Listen to Tuup tell this mysterious story and find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Storyteller Dave Tong, tells us a medieval English Tale about Robin Hood and his merry men who hear about an archery competition organised by the evil Sheriff of Nottingham. In spite of warnings from Maid Marian, Robin Hood decides to take part and attend the competition in disguise. Will Robin Hood be able to outwit the Sheriff, and lead his band of merry men back to safety with the silver arrow for his prize? Listen to Dave Tong tell this gripping tale and find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Storyteller Simone Schuemmelfeder shares this delightful Spanish tale of a miserable old woman who hates autumn because of children stealing the delicious pears from her tree. One day, an old man appears and asks for a pear using the magic word ‘please’. He gets his pear. In return, the old woman is given a wish which means she never hates autumn again, and the local children learn an important lesson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One little weeping willow annoys his friends so much with his complaining that eventually they all move away to the other side of the land. So who will help him when he’s faced with a serious problem? Listen to genius North American storyteller Sheila Arnold to find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An old Welsh farming couple mourn the loss of their farm assistant. Shortly after, they’re joined by a mysterious creature called a Bwca who starts helping them at night - unseen and uninvited. But suddenly he stops being helpful, and starts causing big trouble. Can the farmer and his wife make friends with the Bwca, once again, or will they have to flee their home? Listen to master storyteller Daniel Morden weave another of his magical tales from Wales. Warning: this slightly scary story has a death in it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Take one fierce hairy Buggane (an ogre-like creature), a trickster tailor, and a ruined church and you have the setting for quite a story told by Kim. Be a little bit afraid. Feel the fear and listen anyway. Warning: this story is a little bit scary because it has a hairy monster in it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A grumpy witch, an overworked donkey, and a mean merchant. Amy Douglas tells this entertaining story from Shropshire in England about an animal-loving witch who gets revenge and teaches locals a lesson. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To conjure up our new theme - Stories of Magic, we have: a powerful wizard, a book full of secrets, a curious boy, wriggling words, and a clawed creature determined to be free. It’s all here, blended into one magical story told by master storyteller from Wales: Daniel Morden. Don’t miss it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A long time ago - back in the Dreamtime, the animals hold a competition to decide who is best at jumping, dancing, singing and running. Joolah the Lyrebird wants to dance, but he’s too shy and embarrassed by his straggly tail feathers to compete. So Joolah stands apart to watch the events. But watching and listening can bring its own reward. Listen to Warren Foster Junior tell this moving story to discover who the real winner is in these games. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A long time ago- back when the animals could talk, the earth is dark and cold. But when a lightning storm sets fire to a tree in the distance, the animals delight in the light and warmth - and agree they want some of that for themselves. But how can they safely fetch it and bring it back across the water to their camp? Listen to Lisa La-Rue Baker tell this beautiful story of ingenuity and courage and find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A word to the grown-ups: this story told by Jason Buck is not scary, it’s very funny – and brilliantly told, but it’s does include toilet humour including quite a few sound effects - so, if you want to discourage giggles about ‘p-o-o’ this is probably not the story for your children. We also have another fun story this week from Greece called The magical sneeze. In this funny story from Scandanavia, told by Jason Buck, a poor family are asked to donate a barrel of their finest ale to a troll. Would you give a troll a barrel of beer? Well it’s just as well this family did, because they were given a magic barrel in return for their kindness, and it’s a gift which keeps on giving. But listen on, there’s a twist in the tale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, a storyteller new to Super Great Kids’ Stories - Despina Ariou tells a fun quest tale about 6 animal friends who meet a pedlar and then mysteriously lose their voices. They head into the forest to find the pedlar and discover what they need to do in order to recover their lost voices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Indigenous Australian, Warren Foster Senior, tells a dreamtime story about Bungoo the Flying Fox. Bungoo is bored, because all his friends want to do is search for fruit. So he decides to go off in search of more exciting friends. Bungoo finds himself caught up in battles between the furry and the feathered creatures. Listen to this ‘How and Why’ story, and find out what Bungoo learns on his travels about friends and family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Did you know that in many Spanish speaking countries, children who lose a tooth are visited by Ratoncito Pérez – a tooth mouse! Juliana Marin the travelling storyteller from Colombia tells a story about a little boy who happens to be a King, and a rather hairy tooth fairy …ok he’s a mouse really. What gift will the tooth mouse give the young King? Listen to Juliana tell this heart-warming tale and find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Word has it that Bad King John is coming to the village of Gotham for a royal hunt. The villagers know that this greedy King will kill and eat all the wild animals in their woods. So, they come up with a cunning plan: when the King’s Herald arrives to organise the hunt for the King, he’s greeted by a bunch of ‘ninny-hammers’ or sillies. Will the villagers succeed in stopping, the King from coming? Listen to storyteller Dave Tong and find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A selkie is a seal which can shape shift into human form by taking off its seal skin. Gillian Brownson relates this moving story from Ireland about a selkie who loses her beautiful skin and is trapped on land in the shape of a young woman. Will she get back to her seal family under the Irish sea? Or will she and her daughter be stuck on land forever? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this ‘How and Why’ story Emily Hennessey takes us back to a time when there was no vast beach near her home in the North West of England, back to a time when the sea was in danger of being swallowed up by a hungry giantess. Did the giantess succeed? Or did the sun, the moon the wind or the rain manage to stop her? Listen to Emily’s powerful story about the battle for sea and sand, and discover what part the little curlew bird had to play in the story. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this old Japanese legend – a fisherman, ‘Urashima Taro’ is rewarded by the Emperor of the Sea, for rescuing a small turtle. He’s taken underwater to the Palace of the Dragons where he meets the Emperor's daughter, and spends three happy years. The daughter gives Taro a box to take home with him, but makes him promise not to open it. Listen to Japanese storyteller Masako Carey, and see if he keeps his promise. (It’s a sad ending.) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jebro is a small boy who lives on an island with his nine older brothers in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. With the seas rising, they have to find a new island to live on, but who will be their leader? Their wise mother suggests they decide with a race. When that day arrives, Jebro has to make a decision which might well mean he loses the race. What should he do? Listen to storyteller Marion Leeper, share this thoughtful traditional tale from the Marshall Islands and find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We have a legendary Welsh water monster to kick off this month’s theme of watery stories. The Afanc is described as a cross between a crocodile and a giant beaver. This enormous creature is causing floods and eating anyone who comes near. Many brave souls have tried to kill it, but its hide is so tough that no spear, or arrow can pierce it. How can the local people stop the Afanc from flooding their land? Listen to Welsh singer/storyteller Gillian Brownson and find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

According to this Cherokee legend, Unetlanvhi, The Great One, created little corn people to help the first woman on earth, with the chores. The corn people were very beautiful, but spent more time admiring their reflection, than helping out. The Creator was not happy, and did something dramatic to teach them an important lesson about beauty. Listen to Lisa La Rue Baker tell this traditional tale from the Cherokee Nation and discover what happened. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Thor, the Norse god of thunder goes on a quest to ask a favour from Hymir the stone giant. The two of them embark on a fishing competition. Thor comes close to disaster when he hooks out of the ocean a ……. Listen to Jason Buck tell this entertaining Norse tale to find out what he pulls out of the sea. Will he survive to complete his quest? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

An old Japanese folktale about an inch high boy who becomes the guardian of a princess and bravely takes on a dreaded giant red ogre. Will his cunning and courage be enough to see the beast off and save the Princess? Listen to storyteller Masako Carey and find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Long ago, the people in Kemmy’s village regularly fed the beautiful Rain Bird who would reward their kindness by making sure the rains always came and the food always grew. But gradually, people forgot about the beautiful bird, and then came the drought and the hunger. What could they do? Listen to Maia Ganatra tell this moving story from Southern Africa and find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Our second story this week is from Paraguay and is told by travelling storyteller Juliana Marin - which is about a brave little humming bird whose courage inspires all the animals in the rainforest to work together to prevent a big disaster from ruining their home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week we have two two Wise bird tales. First up is the talented Tuup telling a tale about an eagle who was quite unaware of his amazing talents. He was convinced he was a humble chicken until one day, someone told him something different! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Listen to genius storyteller Jason Buck tell this funny tale of the Gingerbread Man complete with great animal sound effects. This story, about a plucky little Gingerbread man who leapt out of the oven and ran away - was published in the US in 1875 and its European counterpart: The Runaway Pancake was published in the late 1800's and they're still going strong. Jason’s version has a delightful twist in the tale. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What would you ask for if you had a secret wishing ring? Jack uses it when he’s in danger, and it brings help from the most unexpected creatures in the most surprising ways. This Welsh Romani tale is beautifully told by writer and storyteller Daniel Morden who gave us the story ‘Hey Ho!’ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is a story from Spain about a little chick who only has one eye, one wing and one leg. But he’s a determined little chick and rather proud. He decides to take himself off on an adventure to the Royal Palace in Madrid to see the King. As with many journeys, it doesn’t quite turn out how he expected. Listen to storyteller Rebecca Lemaire and find out what happened to him. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this story from Aotearoa, New Zealand, a small bird who mysteriously loses her song, she wanders through the forest asking for help from her feathery friends. Will she get her song back? Listen to this beautifully told rhyming tale from Maori storyteller Eliza Bidois to find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What would you ask for if you were granted one wish? In this Native American tale told by Cherokee storyteller Lisa LaRue Baker, the animals are each rewarded with a wish for good behaviour. All is going well, until Owl is overcome with curiosity and breaks the rules by taking a peek as The Great One – Unetlanvhi works to make the wishes come true. Listen to Lisa LaRue Baker and find out what happens to poor Rabbit as a result. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Greedy Anansi is at his tricks once again. Can he trick his friends so he can share everyone’s dinner without having to help them? Or will it backfire? Listen to storyteller Emily Hennessey tell this fun ‘How and Why’ story and find out. A good story to learn to tell yourself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The national bird of New Zealand is the Kiwi. It has brown hairy feathers, a very long beak and no wings. Listen to Maōri storyteller Emmy Bidois tell her version of this moving story written by author and broadcaster Alwyn Owen.The story explains how the Kiwi gave up its wings and became a national hero. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Long time ago, in the African Bush, things were not as they are today. Elephant had a small nose, and Giraffe a short neck - so what happened? It all began with the little animals disobeying their parents. Listen to this lively, story told by Wangari from Kenya to find out more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anansi is keen to join the birds at their feast on a mountain ledge. But can Anansi fly? With a little help from his feathered friends – he can! But once he’s abandoned by the birds, how can he save himself? Listen to this fun ‘How and Why’ story from Ghana, shared by storyteller Tuup, and find out how Anansi learns a very useful skill. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Maui the trickster is fed up with Ra the Sun. Ra is so lazy, that he’s always rushing across the sky to get back to his bed again. This leaves the days so short that Maui doesn’t have enough time to do all his chores. Maui and his brothers set out on a quest to capture the sun, and teach him a lesson. But is it possible to stop something so hot and powerful? Listen to Maori storyteller - Emmy and find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A lively re-telling of a traditional African tale, Anansi might be cunning, but he’s also just a small, spider, so can he really beat Elephant in a tug of war? Listen to gifted storyteller Emily Hennessey and find out if brains are more important than size. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can a cheeky, talking pot save the day for a poor farmer and his wife who are down on their luck? Listen to this lively, interactive tale from Denmark told by master storyteller Daniel Morden and find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anansi is always boasting about how clever he is. The king is not happy. He decides to set Anansi an impossible challenge - one which will he thinks will get rid of that trickster once and for all. Anansi is confident he can trick anyone out of anything….but can he trick Death - the master trickster? Listen to Wendy Shearer telling this captivating tale, and find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Do you ever feel that everything is against you and unhappiness is following you around like a smelly dog? Well, you’re not alone. In this trickster tale from Poland, nothing seems to go right for a young couple. Until one day, they decide to try a bit of trickery. Can they succeed in banishing misery from their lives? Listen to this tale brilliantly told by storyteller Emily Hennessey and find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To mark St Patrick’s Day, Kate Corkery is back with a hair-raising tale about Finn McCool. It’s a quest story stuffed with giants, witches and princes in peril. Can Finn rescue the kidnapped princes from a wicked witch? With a little help from his friends, anything is possible. Warning this story is a teeny bit scary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brer Rabbit is up to his tricks again – trying to steal water from Brer Wolf’s well. But after he’s caught once, will he be sensible and leave the well alone? You’d think so wouldn’t you, but this is Brer Rabbit we’re talking about. Listen to Baden Prince Junior’s delightful telling of this old tale and see how Brer Rabbit uses his wit to escape from Brer Wolf’s trap. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A forest elf or ‘sylph’ is made homeless by a careless woodcutter. Luckily, he’s adopted by a kind couple. But what happens to the dreamy woodcutter who cut down his tree? Will he be punished, or will he marry the princess of his dreams? Listen to Belgian storyteller Rebecca Lemaire tell this delightful tale, and find out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this Brothers’ Grimm fairytale, beautifully told by Simone Schümmelfeder – a poor cobbler discovers elves in his house, and finds they’re remarkably good at lending a hand and helping him out of poverty. But what happens when he wants to help them back? Have a listen to Simone tell this magical tale which comes from the forest near her childhood home, and be awed! There’s even a song in it too! ---- Super Great Kids' Stories is now available on Storybutton. Visit www.storybutton.com and enter code supergreat10 to get 10% off your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

To celebrate Chinese New Year, Kim retells the story of Nián, the terrifying monster who emerged from the sea every New Year’s Eve - to eat cattle, and people, and crops. Until one year, a brave old man, came up with a plan. This old tale explains some of the traditions and celebrations which still take place today at this popular Festival to mark the beginning of Spring. ---- Super Great Kids' Stories is now available on Storybutton. Visit www.storybutton.com and enter code supergreat10 to get 10% off your first order. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this moving Cinderella-style story, beautifully told by storyteller Nick Hennessey, a young girl is sent away from home by her Dad who misunderstands her declaration of love. But she doesn’t despair, she dusts herself down, and sets off disguised in a cap made of rushes to prove him wrong. Nick accompanies this old English fairytale with beautiful music which he’s written and arranged. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A enchanting quest, tale from Norway about a bewitched prince and a determined girl. This story includes a troll princess, a magic potion, a snow bear, some witchy women, ooh, and even a song! Listen to this story retold by Kim and be transported to a far-away land. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Two Fairy stories set in Northern Ireland - told by veteran storyteller Liz Weir. One is about a boy named Jim who has a scarily close encounter with fairies who drag him beneath the fairy hill, the second story is about two boys in need, who find a fairy fisherman willing to help them – since this is a fairy story – each of them gets what they deserve. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

One snowy day, a young boy drops his mitten - a mole finds it and uses it to shelter away from the cold wind. One by one, various woodland animals come along and ask for shelter in the mitten. Eventually a bear decides to join them in the warmth. Is that a good idea? Listen to Masako Carey retell this kindly old tale from Ukraine and enjoy the unexpected ending! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices