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!
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Episodes
Three For Free - A Folktale from Taiwan
March 30, 2020 12:00 - 13 minutes - 18.9 MBOnce upon a time, in a little village by a mountain, an old man came to sell his dumplings. He sold one for one cent, two for two cents and three for free! As the villagers started gobbling up the dumplings three at a time, strange things started happening around them. Listen to this tantalizing tale from Taiwan to see what happened in this village by the Ban Pin Shan Mountain! Written by Greystroke Illustration by P. G. Dinesh Originally published by StoryWeaver, a division of Pratham Boo...
Thembi and the Singing Tree
March 22, 2020 12:00 - 9 minutes - 13.3 MBWhen Gogo finds Thembi all alone under a tree, she needs to get to the root of Thembi's problem. Luckily, a hero at a local clinic is able to help Thembi, and we see how it changes her life. Written by Kenneth Youngstein Illustrated by Debbie Faber-Human Translated by Alisha Berger "Thembi and the Singing Tree" was originally published by Room to Read, and was made available through the Storyweaver project of Pratham Books, on a CC 4.0 license. Birdsong sourced from xeno-canto.org
The Girl Who Owned a Bear
March 16, 2020 03:35 - 20 minutes - 28.6 MBWhen a young girl is given a book "as revenge," she has no idea what to expect. Luckily, she is a very clever girl. This classic story was written by L. Frank Baum, author of The Wizard of Oz, and first appeared in his 1910 book American Fairy Tales, available on Project Gutenberg. Image by Prettysleepy from Pixabay
How Old Mr. Toad Found Out How to Climb
March 09, 2020 03:33 - 13 minutes - 19.1 MBLong ago, Mother Nature needed help protecting the plants from all the insects along the ground. Luckily, Mr. Tree Toad comes up with a new solution! by Thornton W. Burgess, from the book Old Mother West Wind How Stories Illustration by Sunaina Coelho This illustration originally appeared in 'Up World, Down World' by StoryWeaver, Pratham Books. The development of this book has been supported by Oracle Giving Initiative. www.prathambooks.org
Uncle Owl
March 02, 2020 13:00 - 10 minutes - 14.1 MBRats are everywhere in the village! They are destroying rice paddies, wheat fields and chewing clothes and books to bits. The villagers request Uncle Owl to help them scare off the devilish rats. Translated by Magdalena Cooper Original story হুতোম চাচা by Binoy Barman Illustrated by Ariful Islam Uncle Owl is published by Room to Read (© Room to Read) under a CC BY 4.0 license on StoryWeaver. Read, create and translate stories for free on www.storyweaver.org.in For more information about R...
The Quirquincho and the Fox
February 25, 2020 03:57 - 9 minutes - 13.7 MBA quirquincho and a fox are very good friends and spend all their time together having fun. But one sunny morning, the quirquincho decides to start working, while his friend, the fox, has other plans... The Quirquincho and the Fox (English), written by Vidya Mani, illustrated by Greystroke, published by Pratham Books under a CC BY 4.0 license on StoryWeaver. Read, create and translate stories for free on www.storyweaver.org.in
The Pharaoh's Ring
February 17, 2020 13:00 - 26 minutes - 36.4 MBWhen the monorail breaks down en route to see an ancient Egyptian exhibit at the Pacific Science Center, detective Mom has a plan. And when a priceless artifact goes missing, Mom has another plan... but she can't solve this mystery by herself. "My Mom, Detective!" returns for a 4th installment, with a new mystery for Mom and Armando to solve! Story by William Sterr Image by Nadine Doerlé from Pixabay
A Fish and a Gift
February 10, 2020 13:00 - 12 minutes - 17 MBYusuf waits on the beach while Papa pushes out his boat. Surfers, turtles and sharks come from the sea. What will Papa bring back for Yusuf? Created at Book Dash Cape Town on 28 June 2014 by Liesl Jobson (writer), Jesse Breytenbach (illustrator) and Andy Thesen (designer). https://bookdash.org/books/a-fish-and-a-gift-by-jesse-breytenbach-liesl-jobson-and-andy-thesen/ Book Dash engages creative volunteers to create books during day-long events in South Africa, that are translated and dist...
How Old King Eagle Won His White Head
February 03, 2020 13:00 - 18 minutes - 25.3 MBLong, long ago, when Mother Nature was still forming the world for the animals and birds, Old King Eagle and Hummer were rewarded for their courage. From the book Mother West Wind "How" Stories by Thornton W. Burgess Image by Skeeze from Pixabay If you enjoyed this story, check out the episode "How Old Mr. Otter Learned to Slide" by Thornton W. Burgess
Noah Green: Future Zookeeper and the Dog-Sitting Disaster
January 28, 2020 00:34 - 17 minutes - 23.6 MBNoah Green has always wanted a dog - even though her mother is dead-set against it. When her neighbor heads out of town for the weekend, leaving her spaniel in Noah's capable hands, it's the perfect chance to prove to her mother how great a pet owner Noah would be! written by Carolyn Leiloglou art by Jay Guida "Noah Green: Future Zookeeper and the Dog-Sitting Disaster" is the prequel story to "Noah Green: Future Zookeeper and the Garage Sale Pet" available on Amazon!
Trooper Finds a Bone
January 20, 2020 07:18 - 27 minutes - 38.1 MBWhen the family dog digs up something unusual under the maple tree, Mom goes into full Detective Mode - calling the police, the museum, and local tribal elders to come investigate. What will they uncover in our very own backyard? Part 3 of My Mom, Detective! By William Sterr Picture by Leo_Fontes of Pixabay with special guest stars Ben & Armie Coello If you enjoyed this episode, please check out part 1: "My Mom, Detective!" and part 2: "Mr. Yakamoto's Treasure" here on Elderberry Tales
The Tooth Fairy's Tummy Ache
January 13, 2020 13:00 - 8 minutes - 11.1 MBEllie has been eagerly awaiting the day she can finally trade in her first baby tooth for a coveted prize from the Tooth Fairy. But when the time comes, the unthinkable happens! Ellie swallows her tooth! Knowing she can't disappoint the Tooth Fairy, Ellie decides to lie about what really happened to her tooth. But when her fib leads to big trouble in Fairyland, will Ellie be able to set things right again? Written by Lori Orlinsky Illustration by Vanessa Alexandre This is available in go...
How Old Mr. Otter Learned To Slide
January 06, 2020 13:00 - 16 minutes - 23.2 MBLittle Joe Otter loves sliding in the mud, but Grandfather Frog remembers the story of how Old Mr. Otter invented the very first slippery slide, in the snow. Written by Thornton W. Burgess Published as part of "Mother West Wind 'How' Stories" by Thornton W. Burgess Image by strichpunkt from Pixabay Follow us on Facebook or Instagram for more episodes, audiobook releases and more!
The Birds' Christmas
December 23, 2019 13:00 - 14 minutes - 20.4 MBMrs. Chickadee rushes to tell her friends about her surprising discovery - Thistle Goldfinch didn't head South for the winter with his family! Instead, he's all alone in the cold pine woods. Written by F. E. Mann Published in "The Children's Book of Christmas Stories", Asa Dickenson Ed. Image by grégory Delaunay from Pixabay Thanks to xeno-canto for providing birdsong And to Songbirding, a birding by ear podcast
Yakamoto's Treasure
December 16, 2019 13:00 - 27 minutes - 38.1 MBWhen Armie discovers his neighbor's tragic history, he and his mother resolve to see what they can do to help. Journeying to Seattle's International District, the historic Panama Hotel, riding the monorail, and ascending the Space Needle, they learn about Mr. Yakamoto's childhood, and help him recover a family treasure. Written by William Sterr With guest stars Armando Coello, Desmond Coello, and Ben Coello Image by twarezak of Pixabay
Why the Bear has a Short Tail
December 09, 2019 13:00 - 6 minutes - 8.35 MBWhen Bear sees Fox with a bunch of fish, he asks Fox to teach him how. But will Fox's method work for Bear? By Florence Holbrook Image by hmauck from Pixabay Is it easy for you to tell when someone is teasing or tricking you? How do we tell when people aren't being serious, or aren't telling us the truth?
My Mom, Detective!
December 02, 2019 19:16 - 24 minutes - 33.3 MBWhen the last of the homegrown apples goes missing, Armie and his mother must work together to discover what happened. Was it his father, his brother, his next door neighbor? A raccoon, a cougar, the family dog? Bigfoot, an elephant, or something else? "My Mom, Detective!" was written by William Sterr, and is the first in a series featuring the Elderberry Tales family. Thank you, Grandpa, for sharing your gift with us! Image by mploscar at pixabay.com
Anansi Gives People Stories
November 25, 2019 13:00 - 11 minutes - 15.5 MBLong ago, the sky kept all stories locked up in a wooden box. People asked clever Anansi to ask the sky god for the stories. The sky god agreed, but only if Anansi performed three seemingly impossible tasks. By Wiehan de Jager Thanks to the African Storybook Initiative and the StoryWeaver division of Pratham Books for making this story, along with so many others, available through a Creative Commons license CC by 4.0. "God and Spider" is an image created by Wiehan de Jager. This illustrat...
Swimming Pool Takeover
November 18, 2019 13:00 - 20 minutes - 28.6 MBWhen a family of ducks lands in Suki's backyard pool, she and her brother figure they have a cute family of duck pets to take care of. But will taking care of wild ducks be what she expected? Trying to help others sometimes backfires, despite our best intentions. Today's episode, "Swimming Pool Takeover" by Amanda Mander, is a selection from the audiobook Wild Rescues, available on Audible and narrated by yours truly.
My Father's Dragon Part 5
November 11, 2019 13:00 - 15 minutes - 21.4 MBHere it is - the finale of My Father's Dragon! In this episode, my father encounters a river full of crocodiles and finally meets the baby dragon. I'd love to hear from you how you feel about this episode format - telling one long story over several episodes. If you'd like to go back to having short stories, if you'd like more long stories like this one, or if you'd like a mixture of both, please let me know! I'm on Facebook, Instagram, and Discord: https://www.facebook.com/elderberrytale...
My Father's Dragon Part 4
November 04, 2019 13:00 - 13 minutes - 18.8 MBThis is part 4 of My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett. Be sure to listen to parts 1-3 first! In this episode, my father encounters two more terrifying inhabitants of Wild Island: a lion and a gorilla. We also take a moment to think about how my father managed to pack his backpack so perfectly to meet his needs.
BONUS Episode: Charlie Saves Christmas
November 01, 2019 19:10 - 25 minutes - 35 MBHello, listeners! I'm excited to announce my participation in a holiday audiodrama, created by the talented folks over at HappyGoLukky! They graciously allowed me to share with you Episode 1 of "Charlie Saves Christmas". If you like it and would like to listen to the next chapters, you'll need to head on over to the HappyGoLukky Podcast channel and subscribe here: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-ayvzg-c42fdf Or search for HappyGoLukky on your favorite podcast player. Elderberry Tales retur...
My Father's Dragon Part 3
October 28, 2019 04:42 - 16 minutes - 22.5 MBThis is part 3 of a 5 part series. If you haven't heard parts 1 & 2 yet - go back! You don't want to miss the beginning! In this week's episode, my father TRICKS a pack of tigers, HELPS a rhinoceros, and we spend some time discussing his CHARACTER. Hope you enjoy it! My Father's Dragon is by Ruth Stiles Gannett, and is in the public domain. The illustrations are by Ruth Chrisman Gannett.
My Father's Dragon Part 2
October 22, 2019 00:16 - 17 minutes - 23.4 MBHere it is folks - part 2 of My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett. If you haven't listened to part 1 yet, please go back to the previous episode! Feel free to keep sending in your dragon pictures to Facebook or Instagram, we treasure each one, whenever they arrive.
My Father's Dragon Part 1
October 14, 2019 13:00 - 17 minutes - 23.7 MBThis week I'm trying something new on Elderberry Tales - releasing just the first two chapters of a much longer story. I'll be sharing this book in 5 parts over the next several weeks. I hope you enjoy the story of Elmer Elevator's adventures on Wild Island as much as I do! "My Father's Dragon," by Ruth Stiles Gannett, is available on Project Gutenberg. Feel free to submit your dragon pictures at any time by posting them on my Facebook page, or mentioning @elderberrytales in an Instagram P...
Why the Evergreen Trees Never Lose Their Leaves
October 07, 2019 13:00 - 10 minutes - 14 MBWhen a little bird with a broken wing seeks shelter in the forest, not all trees are willing to help. Written by Florence Holbrook Image by pasja1000 from Pixabay This story is a selection from "The Book of Nature Myths" by Florence Holbrook of the Forestville School. The full text can be read online thanks to Project Gutenberg. Elderberry Tales is a member of the Podicon Go network of family friendly podcasts.
Are You My Dad?
September 30, 2019 13:00 - 12 minutes - 17.2 MBWhen a tiny emperor penguin hatches in the Antarctic, she is surprised to find that her normally protective father is very lost! So the determined little bird sets off on a quest to find him- sliding over icy ridge, slipping around snowy rises, and waddling across frozen bridges... Written by Leslie Kelley Art by Kirk Werner "Are You My Dad?" is available on Amazon For more information about the book, and some great activities that tie into the story, visit Leslie Scott Kelley's website....
Magezi and the Finger of Millet
September 21, 2019 13:00 - 16 minutes - 22.5 MBA humorous tale about friendship and the gains from a finger of millet. This story gives us the opportunity to talk about "trickster" characters - neither perfectly good, nor evil, we can admire their clever ways... from a distance. This traditional story was written and translated by Cornelius Wambi Gulere. It was made available to the African Storybook Project by the Uganda Community Libraries Association. For more incredible stories in English and a wide variety of African languages, v...
Dima and Owl
September 16, 2019 13:00 - 10 minutes - 14.6 MBIt is a time when only Owl has sun, water and fire, and life is very difficult for humans. Dima wants these things, and makes a plan to take them from Owl. This traditional San story was told by Katunga Carimbwe and translated by Titu Mangumbu, Kapilolo Mahongo and Marlene Winburg. It was made available to the African Storybook Project by the Manyeka Arts Trust. For more incredible stories in English and a wide variety of African languages, visit The African Storybook Project. Image by ...
Alfi Blows Bubbles
September 09, 2019 13:00 - 11 minutes - 15.2 MBAlfi enjoys blowing bubbles, and doesn't mind if the bees pop them. The bees hate the bubbles, and want to keep from getting splashed! But when Alfi gets into trouble, will the bees come to his rescue? Written by Tony J Moon This story, and many more by Tony J Moon, are available for free download at Tony On The Moon. Image by Alexas_Fotos, published by Pixabay.
Emma's Gems
August 29, 2019 13:00 - 7 minutes - 10.9 MBThe moments Emma shares with Grandpa Phil are always filled with beautiful discoveries. That is because her grandfather knows so much. He even knows how to change ordinary stones into precious gems by doing good deeds to others and for the environment. And now Emma, in turn, learns to transform plain beads into precious gems by performing kind and generous deeds. Written by Anne Renaud Art by Leanne Franson "Emma's Gems" is available in English from Peanut Butter Press. Unfortunately the F...
Help! I've Lost My Llama
August 22, 2019 13:00 - 10 minutes - 14.7 MBTim is nervous about starting school. So he comes up with a VERY clever plan to bring his pet llama Lottie with him. But things don’t go exactly to plan. Join Tim and Lottie on their adventure as Tim discovers that school isn’t so bad after all. By Colette Warbrook Art by Mark Wilcox Help! I've Lost my Llama is available on Amazon.
For No Reason
August 15, 2019 16:14 - 10 minutes - 14.5 MBFor No Reason is an insightful tale about a better way to handle a bullying situation, following Jamie Higgins and a new boy in her class who keeps picking on her. Can Jamie solve this problem without getting into trouble? By Kathleen Gauer Art by Sari Richter This is a book that plays very well in audio - but if you only experience it as an audiobook, you're missing out on the way the illustrations comment on and add additional layers to the text. Check it out at Skipping Stone Press, whe...
A Whole Other Magic
August 08, 2019 13:00 - 9 minutes - 12.7 MBA Whole Other Magic is the jubilant ballad of a rogue fairy godmother who pawns off her wand, her wings, and all her magical powers for a sackful of old-fashioned toys, treasures, and "other things." She is moved by the plight of children today who are playing alone, inside, "in the blue and white glow of some other spell." To remedy their lackluster imaginations she has a whole new kind of magic up her sleeve... With her smorgasbord of unusual bibs and bobs and nature bits, and a rather ras...
Go To School, Kanunu!
August 01, 2019 13:00 - 11 minutes - 16.1 MBKanunu doesn't want to go to school. How could his mother possibly convince him to go? In this goofy, silly, absurd, and ridiculous Syrian tale, it takes a household to send Kanunu off to school... or does it? Written by Chris Esper Art by Cardigan Broadmoor "Go To School, Kanunu" is available on Amazon.
Being Small (Isn't So Bad After All)
July 25, 2019 13:00 - 9 minutes - 12.4 MBBeing small is the worst! No one ever picks me for their sports team and my feet hurt from standing on my tiptoes all the time. There can’t be anything good about being small…right? Told in dialogue between parent and child, this adorable rhyme is for every person who struggles with seeing the positive side to their unique traits. Written by Lori Orlinsky Check out the book on Amazon or find extra resources on Facebook!
Violet's Cloudy Day
July 18, 2019 13:00 - 15 minutes - 21.3 MBIt's Violet's first day at a new school, and she is starting to feel worried. What if nobody likes her? What if her teacher is mean? Unlike your ordinary first day jitters, these thoughts refuse to stay inside Violet's head. They pop into the air and become 'worry clouds' that won't stop following her! Feeling small, alone and invisible, Violet must figure out what she's going to do about the worry clouds. If her thinking got her into this mess, can it get her out, too? Written and Illustr...
Squeaky and the Stinky Mouse
July 11, 2019 13:00 - 10 minutes - 14.4 MBWhen a stinky mouse knocks on Squeaky’s door and asks for food, Squeaky rudely refuses to help and sends him away. But later, when Squeaky is the one who needs help, he finds himself at the mercy of the very same mouse he turned away. Will the stinky mouse leave Squeaky behind or come to his rescue? Written by Sarah Cash Art by Jason Smith "Squeaky and the Stinky Mouse" is available in both hardcover and paperback at squeakytales.com. You can find more examples of kindness in action at the...
Aidan The Wonder Kid Who Could Not Be Stopped!
July 04, 2019 13:00 - 11 minutes - 10.3 MBHe was a super hero with a furry sidekick. She was a secret mad scientist in the kitchen. But he was sick... and she was stumped. Can they work together to find out what is stealing his superpowers, and restore his boundless energy once again? Meet Aidan the Wonder Kid and his Super Smart Detective Mom. When food allergies strike, they bond together to fight back. But can they win? Kids will cheer for Aidan, and parents and teachers everywhere will love the message. Two kids in every cl...
The Stone Who Learned To Sing
June 27, 2019 13:00 - 24 minutes - 22.2 MBFollow the journey of a sparkly white Stone from birth upon the Mountain’s peak and down Creek & River to Ocean where tropical sunsets and white sandy beaches await. Along the way, Stone goes through an amazing transformation, learns many things about the world, and gets some help from good friends. The Stone Who Learned to Sing is written by Sylvan Brightwolf. You can connect with him on Facebook. It's also available as an ebook on Lulu.com.
Evie Okay & the Thought Buffet
June 20, 2019 04:10 - 10 minutes - 9.53 MBEvie Okay & the Thought Buffet is a story about a little girl whose afternoon of worrisome thoughts turns to hope after a blue monkey walks her through an epic buffet. Evie Okay is a children's book written for everyone. The story offers a simple understanding of the mind-body connection without denying the complexity of it all. In the end, it's not that Evie picks the right thoughts and all’s well, but that she believes her thoughts matter, and that she cares to try. It is the belief th...
Blue Booties
June 13, 2019 13:00 - 19 minutes - 26.2 MBThis week's story is about Dorothy, a short tailed albatross, and a team of humans who rescue her and nurse her back to health. It's a selection from the book "Wild Rescues: Amazing Stories from a Wildlife Shelter" by Amanda Mander. In her book, Amanda profiles different wild animals that were rescued by kids, and treated by a veterinarian. It's based on the West Sound Animal Shelter on Bainbridge Island in Washington State. Here's some info about the book: Can you imagine a hawk falling d...
Zaid and the Gigantic Cloud
June 06, 2019 13:00 - 15 minutes - 21.5 MBZaid is excited to go on a camping trip with his cousin Ahmed. Just as he's getting his bag ready, he receives the news that Ahmed is sick and the camping trip is cancelled. Disappointment sets in and Zaid's day gets gloomier by the minute! What will make Zaid's gloomy day bright again? An engaging story with a wonderful Islamic theme that will allow children to explore and understand their stormy emotions, and learn how to cope with them! Story by Helal Musleh Art by Sabrina Pachardo Pub...
The Princess, the Dragon, and the Baker: A Chanuka Fairytale
May 30, 2019 14:00 - 15 minutes - 21.5 MBWhen a wise princess is imprisoned by a hungry dragon, it seems that no one can save her. Can Chanoch the baker succeed where others have failed, and free the princess? This tale will delight children of all ages, while subtly teaching about the deeper meaning of Chanuka: the relationship between physical and spiritual, the importance of gratitude, and how to turn the pleasures of eating into something more profound. Written by Oren Litwin Illustrated by Shir Dahan and Manthos Lappas Avai...
Moyo's Journey
May 23, 2019 07:53 - 12 minutes - 17.2 MBWith Moyo, we follow the rainbow on a journey of discovery around the world. Moyo's name means 'heart' in Swahili. In Inuit culture, polar bears symbolize courage and strength, and serve as guides between the earthly and spirit worlds. Moyo shows us, through her journey, that by being receptive to all that we don't yet know, and by choosing to learn from life's opportunities, we can grow and thrive. Written and Illustrated by Miranda Roberts, this gorgeous book is available at MoyosJourney...
When Sam Set Sail
May 16, 2019 22:29 - 10 minutes - 14.4 MBA delightful seafaring tale of adventure and goodwill with a rollicking, rolling, sea-shanty rhyme. Sail along on this voyage to meet the unknown; what lies beyond the horizon and slinking in the deep. Thanks to LeAnn Beck of Split Rail Studio for sharing this story with us! Illustration by Milena Vitorovic and Jelena Vitorovic. This beautifully illustrated book is available on Amazon. Check it out! Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram for opportunities to engage - enter to win a fre...
The King of Mkolokolo
May 10, 2019 05:20 - 8 minutes - 11.9 MBThe King of Mkolokolo offers his crown to anyone who can capture the snake that is tormenting his village. Mighty villagers from across the land take on the challenge. But what happens when a small girl asks for her turn? Written by Ntombikayise Malaza Translated by Alisha Berger Art by Vusi Malindi This story is associated with Room to Read, an international organization that promotes literacy for all children, and access to secondary education for girls in particular, worldwide. Thanks ...
Agasi Kidnaps Weensy
May 02, 2019 21:56 - 8 minutes - 11.1 MBWhen Teensy comes home to find that his wife Weensy has been kidnapped by the giant Agasi, he sets out on a quest to rescue her. He receives help from the most unexpected set of companions - from a centipede, an egg, and many others! Enjoy this funny tale from the Sama people of the Philippines. "Agasi Kidnaps Weensy" is translated and published by Kauman Sama Online, an organization devoted to sharing Sama culture and language worldwide. Proceeds from the sale of this book will be used to...
Jadav and the Tree-Place
April 26, 2019 16:44 - 11 minutes - 16.5 MBJadav has the best job in the world: he makes forests! How does he do it? In honor of Earth Day and Arbor Day, today's episode features the true story of Jadav "Molai" Payeng, conservationist and visionary. Written by Vinayak Varma Art by Vinayak Varma For more information about Arbor Day, including ideas for how to plant trees in your area, please visit https://www.celebratearborday.com/ Thanks to Storyweaver and Pratham Books for making this story available via a Creative Commons Licen...
Misha vs. the Donut
April 23, 2019 06:01 - 12 minutes - 17.4 MBWhen Misha moves to a new country, he encounters something unfamiliar and unappetizing: a pink donut. A humorous battle of wills ensues. Big thanks to Christina Hill for the use of this story. You can read more of her work at https://pastelninja.wordpress.com/ Photo by rawpixel.com from Pexels