Barefoot Books Podcast
135 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 11 years ago - ★★★★ - 176 ratingsDiscover a weekly selection of award-winning children's stories and songs from Barefoot Books. We are an independent publisher specializing in carefully crafted books, gifts and digital content for children that combine the best of the present with the best of the past to educate our children as the caretakers of tomorrow. These classic children’s stories, fairy tales, poems and songs tap into the wisdom of many cultures, while never forgetting that childhood is a time for fun.
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Episodes
The Little Humpbacked Horse
March 20, 2013 09:18 - 21 minutes - 12.1 MBA farmer's son becomes groom to the tsar of Russia and is set a series of impossible tasks. But his friend, the ugly but clever humpbacked horse prooves a valuable companion on his adventures.
Grandmother Spider
March 08, 2013 06:51 - 11 minutes - 6.23 MBThis Native American Tale takes place when the world was still in darkness. When the animals learn about light, they send their bravest to catch it. From The Barefoot Book of Animal Tales, retold and narrated by Naomi Adler, illustrated by Amanda Hall.
The Fish in the Forest
February 26, 2013 08:33 - 9 minutes - 5.37 MBA farmer digs up gold in his field of turnips, but he knows his wife will spread his secret and the whole village would know of his fortune. He devises a cunning plan to show her that it is not wise to spread gossip. From Tales of Wisdom and Wonder, retold by Hugh Lupton and illustrated by Niamh Sharkey.
The Woman in the Moon
February 20, 2013 08:09 - 9 minutes - 5.1 MBOld Heena works hard all her life and is always kind to others. See where Rainbow leads her to relax! From the collection Grandmothers' Stories, retold by Burleigh Mutén and illustrated by Siân Bailey.
The White Mare
February 14, 2013 11:25 - 12 minutes - 7.17 MBPrincess Fifine escapes from marrying an evil spirit disguised as a Golden Prince. The White Mare protects her with magic that swallows the evil spirit into the earth for seven years, and then for eternity. From our Magic Hoofbeats collection, retold by Josepha Sherman and illustrated by Linda Wingerter. Narrated by Ellen Verenieks.
The Shepherd's Dream
February 04, 2013 12:46 - 7 minutes - 4.01 MBAn old shepherd follows a white butterfly while his friend dreams of making an equally tremendous journey. From Tales of Wisdom and Wonder, retold by Hugh Lupton and illustrated by Niamh Sharkey
The Magic Cooking Pot
December 03, 2012 12:58 - 9 minutes - 18.6 MBAn old woman has a cooking pot that’s always full of food, as long as she chants the magic words every night so the faeries will return the pot! From The Barefoot Book of Faeries, retold by Tanya Robyn Batt and illustrated by Gail Newey.
Little Lord Feather-Frock
November 26, 2012 06:32 - 8 minutes - 4.48 MBEvery day, a cat and a blackbird go out in search of food while a rooster stays at home to mind the house. One day Old Foxy comes knocking at the door and lures the rooster outside. Will the cat and the blackbird always be there to save him? From the book, The Story Tree, retold by Hugh Lupton and illustrated by Sophie Fatus.
The Sleeping Beauty
November 12, 2012 06:49 - 11 minutes - 21.5 MBIn this well-loved German tale, the princess’s love for exploration leads her to the spindle that puts her into a hundred-year slumber. From The Barefoot Book of Princesses, retold by Caitlín Matthews, illustrated by Olwyn Whelan and narrated by Margaret Wolfson.
The Slave Woman's Son
October 31, 2012 08:05 - 18 minutes - 30.5 MBNiall, the son of King Eochaid and the slave woman Cairenn, proves himself to be as worthy of the throne as his half-brothers. Will Queen Mongfind stop him so one of her own sons will be King? From the collection Tales from Celtic Lands retold by Caitlín Matthews, illustrated by Olwyn Whelan and narrated by Niamh Cusack.
The Devil's Bet
October 24, 2012 07:30 - 16 minutes - 30.6 MBIn the story that inspired Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” a woodsman named Jamie marries the beautiful but grumpy Nora. The Nicky Nicky Nye, a water demon, bets that Nora won’t last a week. From the collection Shakespeare's Storybook, retold by Patrick Ryan and illustrated by James Mayhew.
The Musicians of Bremen
October 15, 2012 06:26 - 12 minutes - 23.2 MBA donkey, a dog, a cat and a rooster decide to run away to become musicians. They find success in Bremen after using their music to scare away some robbers from a cottage. From the collection The Barefoot Book of Animal Tales, retold by Naomi Adler and illustrated by Amanda Hall.
The Taltos Horse
October 05, 2012 06:58 - 15 minutes - 30.1 MBIn this Hungarian story, a king wishes to be reunited with his old friend. With the help of the Taltos horse, his youngest son goes on a journey to cross three bridges, slay dragons, and defeat an army of demons. From the collection Magic Hoofbeats, retold by Josepha Sherman, illustrated by Linda Wingerter and narrated by Ellen Verenieks.
The Giant with No Heart in his Body
September 25, 2012 13:24 - 14 minutes - 24.4 MBWhen a giant turns six princes and their brides into stone, it's up to Ashpattle, the youngest prince, to save them. With help from a princess, a raven, a salmon and a wolf, Ashpattle is able to capture the giant's heart. From The Barefoot Book of Giants, Ghosts and Goblins, retold by John Matthews, illustrated by Giovanni Manna and narrated by Jerry Nelson.
La Cenerentola
September 21, 2012 06:17 - 19 minutes - 31.3 MBIn this Italian, operatic version of Cinderella, Cenerentola falls in love with Prince Ramiro, who is disguised as his own assistant. From the book The Barefoot Book of Stories from the Opera, retold by Shahrukh Husain, illustrated by James Mayhew and narrated by Miranda Richardson.
Magic in the Rainforest
September 12, 2012 11:51 - 9 minutes - 17.4 MBWhen a jaguar is tricked by a magic snake, he must seek the help of the rainforest to reverse his fate. From The Barefoot Book of Animal Tales retold and narrated by Naomi Adler and illustrated by Amanda Hall.
The Twelve Wild Geese
July 10, 2012 12:31 - 12 minutes - 22.6 MBWhen the Queen of Leinster wishes to give up her twelve sons for a daughter, an old woman grants her wish, and the sons turn to geese when her new child is born. From the book Tales from Old Ireland, retold by Malachy Doyle, illustrated by Niamh Sharkey and narrated by Maura O'Connell.
The White Rat
July 10, 2012 11:28 - 9 minutes - 18 MBA king and queen adopt a little white rat when it becomes apparent they will never have any children of their own. When a magician comes to their kingdom, the king and queen ask him to transform their beloved pet into a princess. From the book Tales of Wisdom & Wonder, retold and narrated by Hugh Lupton, and illustrated Niamh Sharkey.
The Flower Princess
July 10, 2012 11:22 - 13 minutes - 26.3 MBIn this story that inspired Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale, the King of Cecelia causes his wife to die of despair and orders for his daughter Flora to be released into the river because he is ashamed of their commonness. From the book Shakespeare’s Storybook, retold and narrated by Patrick Ryan, illustrated by James Mayhew.
The Colt Qeytas
July 10, 2012 11:11 - 13 minutes - 25.4 MBIn this Iranian story, a magical talking, flying colt called Qeytas saves a prince from his stepmother’s plot to kill him. From the book Magic Hoofbeats, retold by Josepha Sherman, illustrated by Linda Wingerter and narrated by Ellen Verenieks.
Go Ask the Wise Woman
July 10, 2012 11:07 - 9 minutes - 18.6 MBIn this Irish folk tale, an old woman and her daughter are harassed by a hoard of mischievous spirits. From the book Grandmother's Stories, retold by Burleigh Muten, illustrated by Sian Bailey and narrated by Olympia Dukakis.
The Rabbit on the Moon
July 10, 2012 10:59 - 10 minutes - 20.6 MBThis Indian folktale tells the story of how wise Rabbit became the moon. From the book The Barefoot Book of Animal Tales, retold and narrated by Naomi Adler, and illustrated by Amanda Hall.
Lushmore and the Faeries
July 10, 2012 10:53 - 9 minutes - 16.6 MBA kindhearted hunchback’s life is changed forever when he overhears faeries singing a strange tune. From the book Tales from Old Ireland, retold by Malachy Doyle, illustrated by Niamh Sharkey and narrated by Maura O’Connell.
The Knight of the Swan
July 10, 2012 10:40 - 16 minutes - 31 MBIn this German tale about chivalry, an evil queen is displeased when her son marries a beautiful woman of mysterious origins, and tries in vain to do away with their magical children. From the book The Barefoot Book of Knights, retold by John Matthews, illustrated by Giovanni Manna and narrated by Anthony Head.
The Blind Man and the Hunter
July 05, 2012 06:05 - 9 minutes - 17 MBIn this West African story, a blind man teaches a hunter that a man does not need eyes to see. From the book Tales of Wisdom & Wonder, retold and narrated by Hugh Lupton, and illustrated Niamh Sharkey.
The Three Fayes
June 28, 2012 06:19 - 14 minutes - 27 MBIn this Swedish version of Rumpelstiltskin, a beautiful peasant girl’s dreams come true with the help of three kind seamstresses. From the book The Fabrics of Fairytale, retold and narrated by Tanya Robyn Batt, and illustrated by Rachel Griffin.
The Drinking Companions
June 21, 2012 07:03 - 9 minutes - 15.6 MBKindness toward strangers and respect for the spirits unite two unlikely friends in this ancient Chinese story. From the book The Barefoot Book of Giants, Ghosts and Goblins, retold by John Matthews, illustrated by Giovanni Manna, and narrated by Jerry Nelson.
The Cock, the Mouse and the Little Red Hen
June 14, 2012 06:45 - 6 minutes - 11.3 MBIt takes a frightening encounter with a crafty fox for the Little Red Hen’s friends to realize how much she does for them. From the book Storytime, retold by Stella Blackstone, illustrated by Anne Wilson and narrated by Jim Broadbent.
Making the Stone Smoke
June 07, 2012 05:47 - 6 minutes - 12.4 MBHeroic and quick-witted Anansi competes in a fierce dance competition to rescue a beautiful princess. From the book The Barefoot Book of Dance Stories, written by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple, illustrated by Helen Cann and narrated by Juliet Stevenson.
Only Me
May 24, 2012 06:15 - 10 minutes - 19.2 MBA little girl named Beth stays up with a faery and ends up wishing she had listened to her mother and gone to bed. From the book The Barefoot Book of Faeries, written and narrated by Tanya Robyn Batt, and illustrated by Gail Newey.
The Old Woman Who Was Not Afraid
May 24, 2012 05:56 - 10 minutes - 20.4 MBIn this story from Japan, an old woman is forced to make her famous dumplings for a group of oni. From the book Grandmother's Stories, retold by Burleigh Muten, illustrated by Sian Bailey and narrated by Olympia Dukakis.
Fair, Brown and Trembling
May 17, 2012 06:07 - 12 minutes - 22.5 MBIn this old Irish version of Cinderella, the king’s oldest daughters, Fair and Brown, forbid their younger sister, Trembling, from attending Sunday mass for fear that she will attract a husband before they do. From the book Tales from Old Ireland, retold by Malachy Doyle, illustrated by Niamh Sharkey and narrated by Maura O’Connell.
Monkey and Papa God
May 10, 2012 06:26 - 8 minutes - 16.9 MBIn this Haitian story, a monkey mistakenly believes the word misery to mean honey, and asks Papa God to give him more. From the book Tales of Wisdom & Wonder, retold and narrated by Hugh Lupton, and illustrated Niamh Sharkey.
Terror
May 03, 2012 05:50 - 10 minutes - 20.3 MBIn this traditional tale from north India, a young king must find a hallowed horse to help squash rebellious chieftains who refuse to serve him. From the book Magic Hoofbeats, retold by Josepha Sherman, illustrated by Linda Wingerter and narrated by Ellen Verenieks.
The Horned Snake's Wife
April 26, 2012 07:23 - 9 minutes - 18.1 MBIn this Iroquois story, a picky young woman turns away all of the suitors in her village and leaves her home to become the wife of a mysterious stranger. From the book The Barefoot Book of Princesses, retold by Caitlín Matthews, illustrated by Olwyn Whelan and narrated by Margaret Wolfson.
Whole World
April 19, 2012 06:11 - 3 minutes - 7.51 MBSing around the planet with Fred Penner, from high in the mountains to low in the valleys, in every town and every city, and with all the fish and birds, trees and flowers! From the book Whole World, illustrated by Christopher Corr and sung by Fred Penner.
Pirate Grace
April 12, 2012 05:56 - 8 minutes - 15.3 MBFind out what happens to a brazen chieftain when he crosses the notorious Grace O’Malley, the most famous pirate in Ireland. From the book The Barefoot Book of Pirates, retold by Richard Walker, illustrated by Olwyn Whelan, and narrated by Richard Hope.
Yogodayu and the Army of Bees
April 05, 2012 06:08 - 8 minutes - 15.3 MBWhen a Japanese samurai helps save the life of a bee, he finds an unlikely ally in a fierce battle to defend his lands from his brother-in-law. From the book The Barefoot Book of Knights, retold by John Matthews, illustrated by Giovanni Manna and narrated by Anthony Head.
The Timid Hare
March 29, 2012 05:50 - 6 minutes - 11.6 MBA hare mistakenly believes that the earth is falling apart and causes widespread panic amongst the animals of the jungle. From the book Storytime, retold by Stella Blackstone, illustrated by Anne Wilson and narrated by Jim Broadbent.
The Faeries and the Cake Baker
March 22, 2012 06:00 - 10 minutes - 19.3 MBEveryone loves the cakes Margaret makes, including faeries. Fed up with not even being able to enjoy leftover crumbs, the faeries decide to kidnap her so she can make them cake for all eternity. From the book The Barefoot Book of Faeries, written and narrated by Tanya Robyn Batt, and illustrated by Gail Newey.
The Children of Lir
March 15, 2012 07:28 - 12 minutes - 21.3 MBIn this Irish folktale, four children are transformed into swans by their evil stepmother and cursed to remain that way for nine hundred years. From the book Tales from Old Ireland, retold by Malachy Doyle, illustrated by Niamh Sharkey and narrated by Maura O’Connell.
When the Goddess Danced
March 08, 2012 10:40 - 7 minutes - 13.7 MBBefore giving birth to the sun god's children, Ruditdidit learns of the healing powers of dance from the goddess Isis. From the book The Barefoot Book of Dance Stories, written by Jane Yolen and Heidi E.Y. Stemple, illustrated by Helen Cann and narrated by Juliet Stevenson.
A Bargain is a Bargain
March 01, 2012 09:30 - 18 minutes - 34.9 MBIn this story that inspired Shakespeare’s play The Merchant of Venice, a foolish young man makes a deal he cannot keep and must rely on the duke’s daughter to save him. From the book Shakespeare’s Storybook, retold and narrated by Patrick Ryan, and illustrated by James Mayhew.
Oona and the Giant
February 23, 2012 06:16 - 9 minutes - 15.4 MBIn this ancient Irish tale, the clever and beautiful Oona uses her wits to save her husband’s life after he is threatened by the fearsome giant Cuchulainn. From the book The Barefoot Book of Giants, Ghosts and Goblins, retold by John Matthews, illustrated by Giovanni Manna, and narrated by Jerry Nelson.
The Princess who Lost her Hair
February 16, 2012 06:56 - 9 minutes - 17.4 MBA vain princess refuses to give a bird a strand of her beautiful golden hair to help build its nest and ends up cursed. Will anyone be able to break the spell that has made the princess bald? From the book The Barefoot Book of Princesses, retold by Caitlín Matthews, illustrated by Olwyn Whelan and narrated by Margaret Wolfson.
The Magic Flute
February 09, 2012 06:28 - 20 minutes - 33.4 MBPrince Tamino finds himself drawn into a quest to find the kidnapped Princesses Pamina in this retelling of Mozart’s famous opera. From the book The Barefoot Book of Stories from the Opera, retold by Shahrukh Husain, illustrated by James Mayhew and narrated by Miranda Richardson.
The Three Journeys of Ilya Murom
February 02, 2012 06:39 - 9 minutes - 17.5 MBThough he’s one of the bravest and most courageous knights in the land, Ilya Murom of Rus proves himself to be a true hero through his good deeds he performs for others. From the book The Barefoot Book of Knights, retold by John Matthews, illustrated by Giovanni Manna, and narrated by Anthony Head.
The Abbey Bells
January 26, 2012 06:38 - 6 minutes - 12.6 MBAfter his fellow monks flee the abbey, sleeping Brother John is left as the only guard of their treasured bells. Will he be able to defend their home and precious belongings from thieving pirates all by himself? From the book The Barefoot Book of Pirates, retold by Richard Walker, illustrated by Olwyn Whelan and narrated by Richard Hope.
Clever Anaeet
January 20, 2012 05:54 - 16 minutes - 30.5 MBWith the help of beautiful and clever Anaeet, Prince Vachagan uses his wits and his newfound trade to outsmart his evil captors in this Armenian love story. From the book The Fabrics of Fairytale, retold and narrated by Tanya Robyn Batt, and illustrated by Rachel Griffin.
Cinderella
January 12, 2012 08:31 - 20 minutes - 36.9 MBWith the help of a magical fairy, beautiful and kindhearted Cinderella attends a royal ball in disguise. From the book The Barefoot Book of Ballet Stories, written by Jane Yolen and Heidi E. Y. Stemple, illustrated by Rebecca Guay and narrated by Juliet Stevenson.