A stranger from the North Woods has just arrived in the Green Forest causing a great stir among the woodland creatures who live there. They quickly discover that this odd fellow with the barbed spikes in his fur is the loyal and brave Prickly Porky the Porcupine. Not long after Prickly Porky arrives, a bit of early morning fun leads to a forest mystery that draws friends and foes alike into the investigation of an unknown headless, tailless, whirling creature seen only at sunrise on the hill by Prickly Porky's home. The Adventures of Prickly Porky includes popular characters from children's author Thornton W. Burgess' other "Bedtime Story-Books" including Unc' Billy Possum, Peter & Mrs. Peter Rabbit, Buster Bear, Granny & Reddy Fox, Sammy Jay and many more. (Summary by Jill Engle)
23 episodes
Doctor Dolittle and his friends travel to South America to meet the greatest naturalist in the New World.
A note to listeners: This book was written in a different time, and as such, contains language and sentiments that are offensive to modern sensibilities.
- Summary by Karen Savage
61 episodes
Lovely book of nature written for children by teacher and naturalist Clara Dillingham Pierson. This book in the "Among the People" series explores the animal inhabitants of the meadow and garden. The charming prose shrinks us down and puts us in the fascinating world of the tiny insects, amphibians, and birds who call the field their home. From the author's Introduction: "In selecting the tiny creatures of field and garden for the characters in this book, I have remembered with pleasure the way in which my six loyal pupils befriended stray crickets and grasshoppers, their intense appreciation of the new realm of fancy and observation, and the eagerness and attention with which they sought Mother Nature, the most wonderful and tireless of all story-tellers." - Summary by Clara Dillingham Pierson & Jill Engle
29 episodes
A wonderful children's book filled with engaging stories about various farmyard animals. Each book ending with a moral which gently encourages children towards better behaviour and attitudes. - Summary by Claire Schreuder
19 episodes
A wonderful children's classic - a collection of moral stories told by animals in the woods. The wittily written stories explore various issues in a fun way. - Summary by Claire Schreuder
9 episodes
One day, ever so long ago, it struck me that I should like to try and write a book about Cats. I mentioned the idea to some of my friends: the first burst out laughing at the end of my opening sentence, so I refrained from entering into further details. The second said there were a hundred books about Cats already. The third said, “Nobody would read it,” and added, “Besides, what do you know of the subject?” and before I had time to begin to tell him, said he expected it was very little. “Why not Dogs?” asked one friend of mine, hitting upon the notion as though by inspiration. “Or Horses,” said some one else; “or Pigs; or, look here, this is the finest notion of all:—
‘THE BOOK OF DONKIES,
BY ONE OF THE FAMILY!’”
Somewhat disheartened by the reception my little project had met with, I gave up the idea for awhile, and went to work upon other things. I cannot exactly remember what I did, or how much, but my book about Cats was postponed sine die, and in the meantime I made some inquiries.
I hope I have not been very prosy, and I hope, in the somewhat large collection of Cat anecdotes here brought together, “the only one worth the trouble of relating” has not been omitted. If this has been the case, allow me to assure you it has not been because I have spared any trouble in gathering together my materials. (C.H.Ross)
14 episodes
Another delightful children's book by Clara Dillingham Pierson about various forest animals - what they do, and what they are like. Each one also giving subtle moral and life lessons to young children. - Summary by Claire Schreuder
21 episodes
The Wibblewobble family of ducks appear in a series of 31 bedtime stories - one for each day of the month - written by Howard R. Garis. Each story is an adventure featuring the ducks and their neighbors, including Uncle Wiggily Longears, the famous old gentleman rabbit with rheumatism. - Summary by Walter Allan
31 episodes
A collections of stories about the animals around our houses, the birds, the cats, and even the bugs! Written in a humorous and very interesting style, the animals sound almost human, and you can learn along with them. You'll learn what happens to a hog caterpillar when he does not take advice, how a a young bird took a nasty fall because he didn't obey his parents, and how happy it made some robins when they helped their parents care for their younger siblings that came so close behind the first ones. Lots of other stories too about the animal's lives, make you realize that the animals in your dooryard may be more interesting than you think! (summary by Trotsa)
18 episodes
Wahb (meaning White Bear) is an orphaned Grizzly Bear who learns to respect his fears, fight for peace, and trust the healing powers of a stinky hot-spring. The story is aptly titled The Biography of a Grizzly because it is about the life of a Grizzly.
Seton writes with a folksy tone that will enlighten children to the gore and war that Grizzly Bears endure. I thought it was fun to learn (through Wahb's story) about their life span, their diet, their ability to survive gunshots and bear-traps. Beautifully written, the author captures each moment in a way that you almost feel as though you're in the story. If a bear had the ability to write his story, in short, a legacy, this would surely be one that "bears" repeating (phil chenevert and wikipedia )
3 episodes
A story of a boy who raised by Indian wolves becomes lord of the jungle. (Summary by Jessie Yun)
21 episodes
Black Beauty is a fictional autobiographical memoir told by a horse, who recounts many tales, both of cruelty and kindness. The title page of the first edition states that it was "Translated from the Original Equine by Anna Sewell." After its publication in 1877, Sewell lived just long enough to see her first and only novel become an immediate bestseller, as well as it encouraging the better treatment of many cruelly-treated animals.
Although initially intended for people who work with horses, it soon became a children's classic. While outwardly teaching animal welfare, it also contains allegorical lessons about how to treat people with kindness, sympathy and respect. The story is narrated in the first person and each short chapter relates an incident in Black Beauty's life, with Sewell's detailed observations and extensive descriptions of horse behaviour lending the novel a good deal of verisimilitude. (Summary by Cori Samuel, Wikipedia, and Mary Kay)
Black Beauty: Arielle Lipshaw
Ginger: Beth Thomas
Squire Gordon: Larry Wilson
John Manly: Oxenhandler
James Howard: Nolan Fout
Jeremiah Barker: Todd
Polly Barker: Kristin Gjerløw
Other roles read by: Nick Bulka, Zames Curran, Nolan Fout, Freakwhency, Kristin Gjerløw, Ricky of Kokiri, Lydia, MaryAnn, Oxenhandler, Adele de Pignerolles, Rachel, Esther ben Simonides, K. Adrian Stroet, Joseph Tabler, Beth Thomas, Todd, Elizabeth Travers, Maggie Travers, Twinkle, Tomas Peter, and Larry Wilson
Audio edited by Kim, Arielle Lipshaw, and Adele de Pignerolles
50 episodes
The Just So Stories generally have the theme of a particular animal being altered from an original form to its current form by the acts of human kind or some magical being. Whale has a tiny throat because he swallowed a mariner, who tied a raft inside to block the whale from swallowing other men. The Camel has a hump given to him by a djinn as punishment for the camel's refusing to work (the hump allows the camel to work longer between times of eating). And so on throughout the book. A fun collection of stories with something for everyone Summary by Michele Eaton
Editor Michele Eaton
How the Whale got His Throat
Narrator: Rachel
Whale: Kristin Gjerløw
Stute Fish: Newgatenovelist
Mariner: Bob Scott
How the Camel got His Hump
Narrator: Beth Thomas
Camel: Gideon Snow
Horse: Newgatenovelist
Dog: Lydia
Ox: E Snow
Man: John Burlinson
Djinn: Kristin Gjerløw
How the Rhinoceros got his Skin
Narrator: Rachel
Rhinoceros: Kristin Gjerløw
Parsee Man: Newgatenovelist
How the Leopard got his Spots
Narrator: Beth Thomas
Leopard: Kristin Gjerløw
Ethiopian: John Burlinson
Baviaan: E Snow
Zebra: Newgatenovelist
Giraffe: Gideon Snow
The Elephants Child
Narrator: Ted Delorme
Elephant's Child: Rachel
Kolokolo Bird: Newgatenovelist
Python: Beth Thomas
Crocodile: Kristin Gjerløw
Baboon: E Snow
The Sing Song of Old Man Kangaroo
Narrator: Peter Tucker
Kangaroo: Algy Pug
Dingo: Beth Thomas
Nquong: Kristin Gjerløw
Nqa: E Snow
Nquing: Newgatenovelist
The Beginning of the Armadillos
Narrator: Beth Thomas
Mother Jaguar: Newgatenovelist
Painted Jaguar: E Snow
Hedgehog: Kristin Gjerløw
Tortoise: Bob Scott
How the First Letter was Written
Narrator: Vin Reilly
Taffy: Rachel
Tegumai: ToddHW
Teshumai: Kristin Gjerløw
Tewara Man: Peter Yearsley
Head Chief: John Burlinson
Tribal Lady 1: Beth Thomas
Tribal Lady 2: Lydia
Tribal Lady 3: Newgatenovelist
How the Alphabet was Made
Narrator: Vin Reilly
Taffy: Rachel
Tegumai: ToddHW
Teshumai: Kristin Gjerløw
The Crab that Played with the Sea
Narrator: Beth Thomas
Pau Amma The Crab: John Burlinson
Man: Tony Addison
Magician: Kristin Gjerløw
Girl: Rachel
Elephant: E Snow
Cow: Roohi
Beaver: Newgatenovelist
Turtle: Joseph Tabler
Fisherman: Peter Yearsley
Rat: Lydia
The Cat that Walked by Himself
Narrator: Beth Thomas
Cat: Lydia
Woman: Rachel
Man: E Snow
Wild Dog: Kristin Gjerløw
Wild Horse: Newgatenovelist
Bat: Bob Scott
The Butterfly that Stamped
Narrator: Beth Thomas
Suleiman-bin-Daoud: John Burlinson
Balkis: Newgatenovelist
butterfly: E Snow
Butterfly's Wife: Rachel
Egyptian Queen: Kristin Gjerløw
Ethiopian Queen: Roohi
Persian Queen: Lydia
Animal From the Deep: Gideon Snow
12 episodes
Another 'dog's-eye view' book for children by this early activist for the American Humane Society. In this tale, we follow the travels and adventures of Boy, a loveable and loyal wire-haired fox-terrier in city and country. - Summary by Lynne Thompson
29 episodes
"In this engaging story, Bobby Raccoon suffers a series of mishaps. Following a bad dream, he bites his own tail, is given a dreadful fright, learns that Farmer Brown's Boy is a kind friend, survives an encounter with Buster Bear, gets a terrible shaking and more, but, happily, is rescued by Peter Rabbit and eventually finds a new home."
(Jude Somers)
8 episodes
"In the original preface to "Northern Trails" the author stated that, with the solitary exception of the salmon's life in the sea after he vanishes from human sight, every incident recorded here is founded squarely upon personal and accurate observation of animal life and habits. I now repeat and emphasize that statement. Even when the observations are, for the reader's sake, put into the form of a connected story, there is not one trait or habit mentioned which is not true to animal life."
-- William J. Long, from the book's preface.
Northern Trails, Book I, is one of the last two books in the "Wood Folk" series by William J. Long. It has six stories, with wolves, Indians, caribou, and much more. - Summary by Kangaroo692
18 episodes
This is the 6th compilation of childrens bedtime stories by conservationist and newspaper columnist author Thornton Waldo Burgess. Burgess used his outdoor observations as plots for his stories.
The stories involve his earlier developed characters such as Peter Rabbit, Sammy Jay and Grandfather Frog. - Summary by afutterer.
15 episodes
Jules Lemaître était un auteur qui aimait beaucoup les enfants. Pour préparer ce livre, il passait une grande partie de son temps à imaginer des petites histoires divertissantes et à les raconter ensuite aux enfants pour savoir si eux aussi les trouvaient intéressantes.
Ce livre est une collection de 25 petits contes, surtout amusants, mais parfois aussi un peu tristes et dont la plupart des protagonistes sont des animaux. Chaque titre commence par une autre lettre de l’alphabet (à l’exception de la lettre W qui manque). Lemaître faisait recours à cette petite astuce pour inciter les enfants à apprendre l'ABC et pour les aider à le retenir.
26 episodes
The wild folk in Pleasant Valley agreed that Ferdinand Frog was an agreeable person to have around. No matter what happened, he was always cheerful. Nobody ever heard of his losing his temper, though to be sure he was sometimes the means of other peoples losing theirs. These stories are about Ferdinand Frog's adventures with his animal neighbours. - Summary by Jude Somers
8 episodes
These are the fantastic adventures of Galopoff, the talking pony, and his friends. Galopoff experiences some amazing adventures in Russia, meeting some famous people of his time, and joining a circus, until his story finally culminates in a great happy end. - Summary by Carolin
15 episodes
The trees, flowers, and animals of a peaceful pasture meet together to discuss and learn of theology. Summary by Scarlett Martin.
6 episodes
This charming collection of short stories features a bumblebee called Buster, his (extensive) family, and a great number of other animals who he meets after they move home to a new meadow. - Summary by Rosslyn Carlyle
23 episodes
This is the story of Peter Rabbit, a mischievous, but cautious, lagomorph who lives in the Green Meadows. Peter Rabbit begins his adventures with a quest for a new name, since his name is far too common for his taste. Having a new name is not quite what he thought it would be, however, and soon he is on to new exploits like outsmarting Reddy Fox and discovering where all his friends spend the winter. This tale co-stars Reddy Fox, Jerry Muskrat, Unc' Billy Possum, Jimmy Skunk, Ol' Mistah Buzzard, Bowser the Hound, and many more of Thornton W. Burgess' delightful characters. - Summary by Jill Engle
9 episodes
Is Santa Claus real? Six year old Elinor thinks so as she sends her letter, and persuades her friend Bill to do likewise. On the other side of town, a stray kitten adopts a lonely bachelor. As the two worlds come together, the magic of Christmas is kept alive for all ages in this heart-warming tale.( Lynne Thompson)
5 episodes
Who would have thought dropping a nut would cause so much trouble? No sooner does Happy Jack the Gray Squirrel go scampering down the tree than he finds himself in trouble with Chatterer, the Red Squirrel -- and then running for dear life -- away from Shadow the Weasel!
Thornton Burgess's entertaining tales of wild nature have entertained children and adults alike for nearly a century. - Summary by Jude Somers
11 episodes
A fight in the Midwest leaves the dog's owner dead. He searches for a new friend and encounters Trading Jeff. Jeff is a traveling peddler. Beware, though, because life as a peddler isn't easy (and it's definitely not safe!) Join us for the adventures of Jeff and his dog in this delightful children's book. Summary by Adele de Pignerolles.
12 episodes
This is the first collection by this author of charming folk tales from India. There is a second entitled The Talking Thrush (LibriVox audio here). Parents or those in loco parentis should be aware that as in all folk literature, in addition to humor and wisdom, here is some degree of suffering and death. These tales may not be suitable for the very young. (Summary by david wales)
5 episodes
This is the second collection by this author of charming folk tales from India. The first collection is entitled The Giant Crab (Librivox audio here). Parents or those in loco parentis should be aware that as in all folk literature, in addition to humor and wisdom, here is some degree of suffering and death. These tales may not be suitable for the very young. (Summary by david wales)
8 episodes
When the story of 'Tilda Jane appeared serially in The Youth's Companion in 1901, the original manuscript was very much condensed. When the time for book publication arrived nearly all the omitted matter was restored. However, some incidents were still left out, and they have formed the beginning of a new story written to please the many boys and girls who have expressed a wish to know something more of the fortunes of the orphan and her dogs.That the orphan's old friends will follow with interest, her often groping and stumbling, yet never-wearying steps along the path of uplift for human beings and dumb creatures, is the earnest hope of the author. (Marshall Saunders - from the Prefatory Note)
28 episodes
"Here are 150 nature myths and short stories from all parts of the World. They are the kind that children delight in -- tales of transformations of maidens into trees and fountains, of youths into flowers, and of men into birds. Blossoms, fragrance, and joy are the themes of many of these tales, while a few a tender, pathetic, or humorous." (From the Foreword of the book.) - Summary by Frances Jenkins Olcott
141 episodes
Jim Kjelgaard has long wanted to tell the story of the gallant dogs who have gone out with the monks of St. Bernard Hospice to rescue travelers lost in the deep snows of the Swiss mountain passes. Unable to find the facts, he decided to reconstruct the tale as he feels it might have been. The result is this very moving story of a simple mountain boy and his devoted dog.
Franz Halle felt he was worthless because he could not manage book learning, but his schoolmaster and the village pastor knew that the boy had a priceless knowledge all his own. The kindly priest secured work for Franz at near-by St. Bernard Hospice, helping a gentle giant of a man who made it possible for him to keep his beloved Alpine mastiff, Caesar, although the huge animal refused to earn his keep, even by turning the spit. When the scarcity of food forced Caesar's reluctant banishment, Franz—who had joined the monks in their daily patrol of the dangerous passes—proved that where even he, with all his rare knowledge of the ways of the blizzards, might fail, a dog could detect a man buried under an avalanche! So Franz and his brave helper initiated the rescue work of the St. Bernard dogs that was to become famous throughout the world. - Summary from the book
14 episodes
After poor health forced Klickmann to move from London to the country, she began writing a series of sketches for The Girl's Own Paper and in 1916 she published the first of a series of books based on them. Her cottage, known in her books as "Rosemary Cottage", had an idyllic country garden and spectacular views over the River Wye and Tintern Abbey. The book, The Flower-Patch Among the Hills, was highly successful; a reprint was needed after two weeks. In later years, she wrote six more Flower Patch books, the stories growing to involve her household and the local people, combining nature description, anecdote, autobiography, religion, and humour. - Summary by Lynne Thompson
17 episodes
Howard Garis, one of the most prolific children's writers of the 20th century, is credited with writing over 1500 Uncle Wiggily stories, originally appearing in the Saturday Evening Post. In this collection, we have 31 more charming bedtime stories in which the loveable old gentleman rabbit and his woodland friends entertain us. - Summary by Lynne Thompson
31 episodes
Gypsy is a particularly smart little dog, who knows a lot of tricks which he performed with his owner, a street artist. But one day, he is stolen from this owner and kidnapped, and brought aboard a ship to be transported away. Luckily he gets to meet Galopoff, the talking pony, on that ship, who helps him escape. A world of adventure opens to Gypsy, until he finds a good home. - Summary by Carolin
20 episodes
"Now who ever heard of a fish's setting up and telling his own story...I am not a bit proud but just a good natured chap that has decided to spin a sea yard for the amusement, and I hope the instruction, it may be of young Folks, being perfectly willing that older Folks should hear it too, if they like." Summary by Lord Dolphin
10 episodes
Dogs are great, everyone knows that. And they can be heroes, too! This book brings together eleven dogs from around the world who have proven themselves heroes. - Summary by Carolin
12 episodes
This is the life story of a Black Bear in the western US, as told by the bear himself. He tells of the days when humans began to invade the territory where they and their ancestors had been kings for many eons. - Summary by philip chenevert
15 episodes
The story of Ker-Chunk, the frog, and his friends on the Long Pond. How he became known as the Rock-Frog and was called Judge Ker-Chunk, due to the wisdom he dispensed to the froglings who came and visited his rock. his encounters with the large frog Boom-a-Room, and his encounters with nature are all told in a story designed for the child in all of us. - Summary by DrPGould
10 episodes
Lightfoot and his friends, Sammy Jay and Paddy Beaver, help each other through hunting season in the Green Forest. - Summary by Jude Somers
13 episodes
The Squirrel family lived half-way up a tall tree in their cozy little home, lined with soft, dried leaves and white, fluffy cotton. Slicko and her siblings are getting jumping lessons today from Mr. Squirrel. Slicko meets a new friend and goes on an adventure which gets her into a bit of trouble. What will happen to poor Slicko? (Ann Boulais)
12 episodes
Drawing on childhood days spent at his grandparents' New England farm, the author tells of a community of animals who gather around the old trysting tree, led by Nimrod, the old crow, with Cock-Robin, Bob the Rabbit, squirrels Frisk and Frolic, and many others. Stories of bright summer days and the camaraderie of friends are mixed with tales of danger and fear as the little foresters live out their lives in the woods. (Summary by MaryAnn)
14 episodes
Mappo lived in a tree in the jungle with his family. He is the oldest of his siblings, and very smart, which would explain why he has so many adventures! But Mappo finds himself on a very long adventure, bringing him to a new land, new friends and even more adventures!
12 episodes
Arthur Scott Bailey, a native of the state of Vermont, wrote over forty children's books using a variety of animals, birds and even insects to entertain. The Tale of Jolly Robin is one of 16 stories of his Tuck-Me-In Tales series. - Summary by Larry Wilson
23 episodes
Arthur Scott Bailey, a native of the state of Vermont, wrote over forty children's books using a variety of animals, birds and even insects to entertain. The Tale of Old Mr. Crow is one of 16 stories of his Tuck-Me-In Tales series. - Summary by Larry Wilson
23 episodes
Another Tuck-Me-In book from Arthur Scott Bailey. This time still in Pleasant Valley, we find ourselves on the Green Farm where Johnnie got a lamb from his father. The regular cast of animals and birds from the "Tales" books are still to be found participating in life in the valley. - Summary by Lynda Marie Neilson
24 episodes
From his Tuck-Me-In series, Arthur Scott Bailey wrote many "Tales" books about animals and birds to be read to children for bed-time stories. This story is about Jimmy Rabbit and his friends (who are focused on in other books) in Pleasant Valley. - Summary by Lynda Marie Neilson
20 episodes
A fox aspires to reach his 1000th birthday safely and be rewarded with nine golden tails in this wise and charming fairytale.
5 episodes
Sanni Metelerkamp was a South African playwright and author born in 1867. She is well known for her biography of her great-grandfather, George Rex, the British born entrepreneur who founded the town of Knysna and was rumoured to have been an illegitimate son of King George III.
Possibly her greatest legacy however is the publication of a collection of folk tales which in her own words "… are the common property of every country child in South Africa." By the time she published "Outa Karel’s Stories: South African Folk-Lore Tales" in 1914, South Africa had come through a time of great turmoil. There had been years of conflict between the Boer settlers, the Zulus and the British. The arrival of peoples from all over the world seeking gold and diamonds together with the advent of the railroads, was opening up the country and changing society. Sanni was afraid that many of the old traditions and stories would be lost and so set down these few for posterity.
She also stated " I greatly regret that (the stories) appear here in what is, to them, a foreign tongue. No one who has not heard them in the Taal - that quaint, expressive language of the people - can have any idea of what they lose through translation, but, having been written in the first instance for English publications, the original medium was out of the question." However, even The Taal (which in South Africa refers to Afrikaans) would not have been the language from whence these tales originated. They came from the oral traditions of the indigenous peoples of South Africa .
The storyteller is Outa Karel, an old family retainer and though they are told here in English, there are several words and expressions in the "Taal". There is however an excellent Glossary at the beginning of the book which is read as a separate file for reference.
( Noel Badrian)
16 episodes
Another Sleepy Time Tale from Arthur Scott Bailey, this time Nimble Deer is the focus of the story and how he was such a tiny, frail, spotted baby when he was born that his mother was worried that he might not survive life in the woods and swamps in Pleasant Valley beneath the Blue Mountains. - Summary by Lynda Marie Neilson
24 episodes
Old Granny Fox and grandson Reddy Fox must use all their cunning to hunt up enough food to survive the long winter. Food in the Green Meadow is scarce but Farmer Brown's hens are locked up tight and protected by Bowser the Hound, so Granny takes a conceited Reddy hunting and teaches him some surprising new tricks to lure in their dinner. Old Granny and Reddy Fox encounter danger and adventure in their quests to keep their bellies full, including a close encounter with Farmer Brown's boy, a clever plot to steal Bowser's food, and an unforeseen thief who might outsmart this sneaky pair. Note: The chapter numbering unfortunately misses #15. The whole book, however, is here for your listening pleasure. Summary by Jill Engle
10 episodes
