Elderberry Tales
154 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 27 ratingsInspiring and engaging stories for kids, featuring ancient wisdom, timeless tales, and contemporary heroes. Listen here or on your favorite podcast app!
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Episodes
The Maiden and the Boy Who Vanished
March 02, 2021 01:33 - 19 minutes - 27 MBA nobleman's son disappears just days before his 12th birthday. Years later, a room in the nobleman's house seems to be haunted. Can anyone solve the mystery of the haunted room, and bring the nobleman's son back to his family? Note: Even though there is a haunted room in this story, it's not a ghost story. It's a fairy tale, and I don't think it's scary. Based on the story "The Lost Child" from Folk Lore from Foreign Lands by Catherine T. Bryce. Adapted by Elaine Lindy for Stories to Grow...
Boots and his Brothers
February 22, 2021 13:00 - 13 minutes - 19 MBThe King has two problems: there is a giant tree blocking all the light to his castle, and his castle has no fresh well water to drink. Many have tried to solve these problems, and failed. Will Boots and his brothers fare any differently from the rest? "Boots and His Brothers" is based on a story of the same name from A Collection of Popular Tales from the Norse and North German by George Webbe Dasent (London, 1907) Adapted by Elaine Lindy for Stories to Grow By Image by jplenio from Pixab...
Yuuki and the Tsunami
February 15, 2021 13:00 - 13 minutes - 18.3 MBYuuki is high up on the mountain when he feels the earthquake, and remembers what his grandfather has taught him. He knows he needs to warn the people in the village that a tsunami might come, but will he be able to get them to safety in time? Story from "A Living God" from the book Gleanings in Buddha-Fields: Studies of Hand and Soul in the Fair East, by Lafcadio Hearn Adapted by Elaine Lindy for the website Stories to Grow By
Weighing the Elephant
February 08, 2021 13:00 - 9 minutes - 12.4 MBThe Emperor of China has a problem on his hands... how do you weigh an elephant? From an unexpected source comes a surprisingly simple solution! Traditional Chinese folktale, adapted by Elaine L. Lindy for the website "Stories to Grow By". Image by Orla
The Elf House
February 01, 2021 13:00 - 16 minutes - 22.5 MBWhen Charlotte leaves her new mushroom incense burner in the back yard, it's discovered by someone unexpected... who finds an entirely new way to use the little mushroom! If you'd like to try building a fairy house yourself, you can find some inspiration here: https://childhoodbynature.com/fashion-a-fairy-house/ And here's my all-time favorite recipe for homemade playdough, a.k.a. "forest putty": https://tinkergarten.com/activities/forest-putty Thanks to Charlotte Thistle and her daughter...
BONUS EPISODE: Interview with William Sterr, "Grandpa Bill"
January 28, 2021 13:00 - 3 minutes - 5.43 MBWilliam Sterr, author of the "My Mom, Detective!" series, discusses his writing process and what to expect next from the adventures of Armando, Desmond, and their parents.
My Mom, Detective: Desmond and the Moles, Part 3
January 25, 2021 17:44 - 15 minutes - 20.9 MBIn the thrilling conclusion to Desmond and the Moles, Armando and Mom return to the blueberry farm to uncover the mystery of Desmond's strange behavior. All will be revealed! Check back here later this week for a special BONUS episode, an interview with William Sterr - the author of the My Mom, Detective! series and the real-life Grandpa Bill!
My Mom, Detective: Desmond and the Moles, Part 2
January 18, 2021 13:00 - 8 minutes - 11.4 MBAfter Armando and Desmond make it home from the blueberry farm, Armando finds his sleep troubled by disturbing dreams. And Desmond just isn't his normal self. What could be happening with these two brothers? Come back next week for Part 3, where all will be revealed! Story by William Sterr
My Mom, Detective: Desmond and the Moles, Part 1
January 11, 2021 13:00 - 17 minutes - 24.4 MBLeft alone at a blueberry farm, Armando and Desmond decide to play in the "forbidden" section of the field - and uncover a mystery! This is part 1 of a three-part series. Check back next week for part 2! Story by William "Grandpa Bill" Sterr Picture from Pixabay
The Twelve Months
January 04, 2021 13:00 - 26 minutes - 36.5 MBMarushka is often treated unfairly by her step-sister and step-mother. But things take a turn when her step-sister starts making impossible requests - like a bouquet of violets in January?! How could Marushka possibly fulfill Holena's demands? This Czech fairytale is sourced from The Shoemaker’s Apron: A Second Book of Czechoslovak Folk Tales by Parker Fillmore, though the story can be traced back at least as far as the 14th century writer mistr Klaret/Bartoloměj z Chlumce.
Christmas Rerun: The Bird's Christmas
December 25, 2020 13:00 - 15 minutes - 21.4 MBPlease enjoy this episode from last year while I rest & rejoice over the holidays! Elderberry Tales will be back with a nice, long, brand-new episode January 4th.
The Snow Queen, Part2
December 21, 2020 13:00 - 11 minutes - 16.4 MBThe classic Hans Christian Andersen story of an evil glass, a malevolent queen, and a young girl's quest to save her best friend. Adapted by Elaine L. Lindy for the website Stories to Grow By. Image by Humming-Birdie (pixabay.com)
The Snow Queen, Part 1
December 14, 2020 13:00 - 11 minutes - 15.9 MBThe classic Hans Christian Andersen story of an evil glass, a malevolent queen, and a young girl's quest to save her best friend. Adapted by Elaine L. Lindy for the website Stories to Grow By. Image by Humming-Birdie (pixabay.com)
The Young Hunter and the Old Woman
December 07, 2020 13:00 - 8 minutes - 12.3 MBA chance encounter with an old woman reveals secrets about a young man's family history, how to hunt reindeer, and even how to be a better listener. This Sami tale from the Arctic Circle was adapted by Elaine L. Lindy for the website Stories to Grow By, and is used here with permission.
The Long Winter
December 01, 2020 03:39 - 12 minutes - 17.1 MBAfter winter lasts for three long, dark years, the animals gather in council to determine what should be done to end the season and bring heat back to the earth. Originally published by Robert Bell as "Legends of the Slavey Indians" in the Journal of American Folklore in 1901, this version was adapted by Elaine L. Lindy for the website Stories to Grow By, and is used here with permission.
Nugget the Nomad: Adventures of a Yoga Dog
November 24, 2020 03:48 - 10 minutes - 14.3 MBNugget loves going to yoga class and hanging out with his Human Mama. But one day he gets into a kerfuffle with one of his doggie brothers and gets into a bad and sad and scary situation. Find joy with Nugget in this endearing romp as he explores life away from his family and eventually returns to his home sweet home and yoga class with his Human Mama. “Nugget was happy! Human Mama was happy. And everyone he met was happy, too.” Joy works when... you go with the flow. Author: Janet Lawless ...
Audun and His Bear
November 16, 2020 01:43 - 15 minutes - 21.7 MBLooking for a life of adventure, Audun leaves Iceland to sail to Greenland, Denmark, and Norway. Along the way he captures a magnificent polar bear, a gift worthy of a king. But which king will end up with the bear? This Icelandic tale from the 13th century work Morkinskinna has been adapted by Elaine L. Lindy for the website Stories to Grow By, and is used here with permission. Image by Peter Fischer from Pixabay
The Spellbook in the Forbidden Room
November 10, 2020 07:05 - 19 minutes - 27.1 MBA father wants his three daughters to learn to read, but only one takes interest. Then an evil sorcerer comes to town, and tricks the oldest daughter into marrying him. Who will save her - and how? This Polish folktale was adapted by Elaine L. Lindy for the website Stories to Grow By. Image by Oberholster Venita from Pixabay
Two Grains of Sand
November 02, 2020 07:11 - 10 minutes - 14.6 MBWhen two travelers are forced to seek refuge from a sandstorm, they each meet someone unexpected - and it changes their lives forever. "Two Grains of Sand" is an Iraqi tale published by C G Campbell in "Told in the Marketplace," and retold by Elaine Lindy for Stories to Grow By, used by permission.
The Beekeeper and the White Rabbit
October 26, 2020 12:00 - 16 minutes - 22.6 MBA young beekeeper is surprised when a white rabbit with blue eyes comes to live with him. But this rabbit is not what she seems to be... and when a stranger comes looking for her, the beekeeper needs to learn how to protect her. This Halloween story from Scotland is retold by Elaine L. Lindy for Stories to Grow By, and is used on Elderberry Tales with permission.
My Mom, Detective: The Birthday Present, Part 3
October 20, 2020 06:51 - 16 minutes - 23.1 MBIn the conclusion of "The Birthday Present," Armando has one more vivid dream - and wakes up on the morning of his birthday. He is finally able to see for himself what Grandpa sent from Mexico! Story by William Sterr Image by Gwendal Uguen
My Mom, Detective: The Birthday Present, Part 2
October 12, 2020 17:08 - 11 minutes - 15.9 MBArmando's unusual dreams take him deep into the jungle, up a pyramid, and to a surprising meeting with an old friend. This is part 2 of a 3 part story! Check back next week for part 2. Story by William Sterr Image by Gwendal Uguen
My Mom, Detective: The Birthday Present, Part 1
October 08, 2020 00:39 - 17 minutes - 23.8 MBGrandpa Bill sends Armando a mysterious package for his 8th birthday - what secrets does the package hold? And what is it's power over Armando's dreams? This is part 1 of a 3 part story! Check back next week for part 2. Image by Gwendal Uguen
The Bear Feast Story
September 28, 2020 23:22 - 11 minutes - 15.7 MBOnce upon a time in Alaska, there lived an old man who had lost his family and friends. He headed into the woods to give himself to the bears, only to find unexpected comfort. This is based on a Tlingit tale, told to John R. Swanson in 1904. This version was adapted by Elaine L. Lindy for the website Stories to Grow By, and used here with permission. Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay
The Great Fire
September 21, 2020 12:00 - 9 minutes - 12.5 MBLong ago in Bolivia, two groups of people fought. Their conflict ended in a great fire that burned up the world. Only one couple escaped to begin a new life after the terrible fire. This story was adapted by Elaine L. Lindy for Stories to Grow By, and is used on Elderberry Tales with permission. Image from Pixabay.
The Apple Dumpling
September 14, 2020 12:00 - 13 minutes - 18.6 MBAn old woman has a tree full of plums, but longs for apples. Is there a way for her to trade a basket full of plums for a basket full of apples? Find out in The Apple Dumpling Story. "The Apple Dumpling" is from The Story Teller, by Maud Lindsay, published by Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Co., 1915. Adapted by Elaine Lindy, ©2001, and published on the website Stories To Grow By. Image by Oberholster Venita from Pixabay
Sapana and the Birds of Prey
September 07, 2020 07:38 - 15 minutes - 21 MBSapana, friend to the birds of prey, is distressed when she finds several of them injured by porcupine quills. When she finds the giant porcupine, she gives chase up a cottonwood tree - and right through the sky. This Arapaho Caddo tale was adapted by Elaine L. Lindy for the website Stories to Grow By, and is used here with permission. You can find a wealth of stories for children, selected for their value in developing character, at www.storiestogrowby.org. Image by Chris Robbins from Pix...
My Mom, Detective! The Boy on the Porch, Part 3
August 31, 2020 12:00 - 14 minutes - 19.5 MBHere it is, the third part in our series "The Boy on the Porch". Learning to deal with loss is an important part of our emotional development as humans. During this global pandemic, we are all experiencing loss. Perhaps your family knows someone who has died of covid-19, or someone who has lost a job, had to move or been displaced. We are also all experiencing the loss, or change, in our everyday social interactions. Here is a resource to help you support your child (and yourself) during ...
My Mom, Detective! The Boy on the Porch, Part 2
August 24, 2020 12:00 - 18 minutes - 24.9 MBIf you haven't listened to part one yet, be sure to listen to that here first! In part 2 of this story by William Sterr, Armando and Kofi deepen their friendship. Kofi teaches Armando how to play his favorite game, chess.
My Mom, Detective! The Boy on the Porch, Part 1
August 17, 2020 12:00 - 20 minutes - 28.3 MBArmando finally gets to meet the boy on the porch from The Magic Library. He isn't quite what Armie was expecting, but this is the start of a beautiful friendship
My Mom, Detective! The Boy on the Porch part One
August 17, 2020 12:00 - 20 minutes - 28.3 MBArmando finally gets to meet the boy on the porch from The Magic Library. He isn't quite what Armie was expecting, but this is the start of a beautiful friendship <3 Story by William Sterr If you'd like some backstory, check out our episode The Magic Library Part One and Part Two where Armando first sees the boy on the porch.
In Search of the Magic Lake
August 10, 2020 12:00 - 18 minutes - 25.3 MBWhen her two older brothers fail to return from the quest to find the healing waters of the magic lake at the end of the world, Ampata decides to head out on her own - and makes an important choice along the way. An Incan folktale, retold by Elaine L. Lindy of Stories to Grow By, used by permission.
Fur and Feathers
August 03, 2020 12:00 - 8 minutes - 12.1 MBWhen Mama Lion steals Mama Ostrich's chicks to raise as her own, Mama Ostrich sets out to find another animal willing to stand up to the fierce lioness. Adapted by Elaine L. Lindy from the story, "The Story of the Ostrich Chicks," from the book, The Masai: Their Language and Folklore, by A.C. Hollis (Oxford, 1905) p. 198. Copyright Elaine L. Lindy ©2002.. Used with permission from Stories To Grow By. Image Giacomo Zanni from Pixabay
A Surprise in the Oven
July 28, 2020 02:21 - 13 minutes - 18.5 MBWhen Tante Adela discovers a skunk in her oven, it will take the entire village to figure out how to - very carefully - remove it. This French Canadian tale was adapted by Stories to Grow By, and is used here with permission. Visit Stories to Grow By for more tales that entertain and build character.
The Frog and the Condor
July 20, 2020 07:54 - 10 minutes - 14.7 MBHigh in the Andes mountains of Peru lives a frog that is not like the other frogs. When she discovers a girl held prisoner by a condor, her compassion compells her to take a big risk and help the girl. Will they both be able to escape? How will this chance encounter transform their lives? This traditional tale is adapted by Elaine L. Lindy and is part of the Stories to Grow By collection, used here with permission. Visit the Stories to Grow By website for a wealth of stories that entertain ...
The Four Friends
July 13, 2020 12:00 - 11 minutes - 15.6 MBWhen Deer goes missing, her friends Turtle, Rat, and Crow work together to find her and help her escape. This classic story has it's origins in the Panchatantra, and has been adapted by Elaine L. Lindy from Rev. W. Knatchbull's 1818 work "Fables of Bidpai". Published on the website Stories to Grow By, it is used here with permission.
The Mermaid, a Ring, and a Wish for Love
July 06, 2020 12:00 - 16 minutes - 22.7 MBRejected by his first love, a young man moves to a deserted island. When he catches a mermaid, she offers him a magic ring that will give him a second chance at love - but will he take it? This story is part of the Stories to Grow By collection, and is used with permission here on Elderberry Tales.
The Ram, the Pig, and the Big Bad Wolf
June 29, 2020 12:00 - 13 minutes - 17.9 MBA group of animals want to build a house for themselves in the middle of the forest, but what will happen when the Big Bad Wolf arrives for a visit? This story is produced in collaboration with Stories to Grow By, a collection of fables and folktales from around the world, carefully selected and adapted to inspire character growth in children.
The Doves and the Hunter
June 22, 2020 12:00 - 8 minutes - 12.1 MBWhen a flock of doves is captured in a hunter's net, they need to work together to escape. This classic story is adapted from the Panchatantra, an ancient Indian collection of interrelated animal fables attributed to Vishnusharma. This story is produced in collaboration with Stories To Grow By, an award-winning collection of stories from around the world, carefully selected and adapted to build character in children. Image by Gerhard Gellinger from Pixabay
Something Happened in Our Town
June 15, 2020 12:00 - 14 minutes - 19.7 MBEmma and Josh heard that something happened in their town. A Black man was shot by the police. "Why did the police shoot that man?" "Can police go to jail?" Something Happened in Our Town follows two families — one White, one Black — as they discuss a police shooting of a Black man in their community. The story aims to answer children's questions about such traumatic events, and to help children identify and counter racial injustice in their own lives. Written by Marianne Celano, PhD, AB...
Refiloe and the Washed Chickens
June 08, 2020 12:00 - 12 minutes - 17 MBRefiloe's sister is getting married. Refiloe's chickens are very dirty and she decides to wash them for the wedding. The chickens do not like being washed. Refiloe cannot find her chickens when it is time for the wedding, and everyone is in for a big surprise! This story: Refiloe and the Washed Chickens is written by Marion Drew. Illustrations by Wiehan de Jager. © African Storybook Initiative, 2014. Some rights reserved. Released under CC BY 4.0 license. African Storybook Initiative provi...
The Magic Library Part 2
June 01, 2020 12:00 - 16 minutes - 22.8 MBIf you haven't yet, please listen to "The Magic Library Part 1" before listening to this episode! When we left Armie, he was having a nightmare about a chimera! In this second half, we learn what Armie's dream means, and the family returns to the magic library to fulfill their half of the bargain. Written and Illustrated by William Sterr Featuring Armando Coello and Desmond Coello as themselves If you're enjoying Elderberry Tales, the best way you can support us is to share your favorite...
The Magic Library Part 1
May 25, 2020 12:00 - 18 minutes - 25.3 MBThe latest and greatest installment in the "My Mom, Detective!" series! When Armando and his mother find a little library in their neighborhood, Armando is delighted to bring home "Wonders of the World." However, strange and unsettling events start to concern him. Could it be connected to the library and the book? Written and Illustrated by William Sterr
Tom Thumb
May 18, 2020 12:00 - 9 minutes - 13.1 MBIn this classic English Fairy Tale, a couple wishes for a child, even if he is only as big as thumb - and that is exactly what they get. It isn't easy being small in a big person's world! Listen to how Tom gets into - and out of - trouble. This version of the classic tale appeared in the Beacon Second Reader, by James H. Fassett, published in 1914 and available here through Project Gutenberg.
Making the Best of It
May 11, 2020 12:00 - 10 minutes - 14 MBWhen a cold dreary day with no food brings the roosters, hens and geese down into "the dumps," one rooster manages to lift their spirits and make the best of things. Followed by a discussion about how we can lift our mood when we face challenges and disappointments. Story by Frances M. Fox Illustrator unknown Published as part of "The Child's World Third Reader", edited by Hetty Browne, Sarah Withers, W.K. Tate and available here. Originally appeared in The Outlook.
The Emperor and the Peasant
May 04, 2020 12:00 - 13 minutes - 18.7 MBLong, long, ago an Emperor grows up so spoiled that no one is willing to do anything that might upset him, or make him think he is wrong in any way. It takes an honest peasant to make him aware of how he is being deceived. Written by Anna von Rydingsvard From the Wide Awake Third Reader, 1908. Available through Project Gutenberg
The Ant's Monday Dinner
April 27, 2020 12:00 - 13 minutes - 19 MBIn today's story, we observe a single ant over the course of several minutes as she does what ants do: wander, find dinner, carry it back to the nest, and share it with her friends. We also take a moment to reflect on how we can interact with nature while we #stayathome, wherever we may be. Story by Helen Jackson Hunt From the Wide Awake Third Reader, 1908. Available online through Project Gutenberg Photo by Michael Willinger from Pexels
The Missing Salmon, Part 2
April 20, 2020 23:08 - 19 minutes - 27 MBMake sure you listen to "The Missing Salmon, Part 1" before you enjoy this episode! When we last visited our heroes, Armie & Desi, and their Detective Mom, they were convinced Desi had seen Bigfoot in the woods near the Issaquah Creek. In this week's episode, they head back to the creek with their old friend Mr. Suquardle to get to the bottom of the case of the missing salmon... Written by William Sterr Image by chanwity of Pixabay
The Missing Salmon, Part 1
April 13, 2020 16:42 - 15 minutes - 21.3 MBIn this latest installment of the "My Mom, Detective!" series, Armando and his friends track Desmond into the woods near the Issaquah Creek. Desmond claims to have seen Bigfoot - could it be true? Warning: This episode ends on a cliffhanger! Tune in next week for part 2! Written by William Sterr Featuring Armando and Desmond Coello as themselves
Lion on the Loose
April 06, 2020 06:35 - 14 minutes - 19.9 MBDo rainy days make you feel that the world is full of possibilities? The lion in the story certainly believes so! Listen this story to meet him as he takes a rainy day holiday from the zoo and have as much fun as the children in the story. After all, the author maintains that this story is ‘almost true’! Written by Paro Anand Illustration by Avishek Sen Here's my favorite pakoda recipe, if you'd like to make some at home: http://www.manjulaskitchen.com/vegetable-pakora/ Thanks to StoryWea...