Africa

Begin your journey listening to stories from Africa, where the King of the Jungle roams the wild expansive savanna. Imagine yourself resting under a great baobab tree at sunset as your story begins!

Story:  "Finders Keepers"
by Trudi Cooper  

Story Link     Biography     Abstract  

A legend from Africa for all ages.  Adaptation from various sources.

Story Abstract: Someone is in Ross Rabbit’s house and has locked him out. Marylou Monkey sends a message with a talking drum for the animals to help. An elephant, a rhinoceros and a frog come to help. The one who helps and the one in the house are unexpected.

Story:  "How Ostrich Got His Long Neck"
by Julia Riley   

Story Link     Biography     Abstract  

An animal pourquoi tale from Africa for all ages.  Story was adapted from several sources.

Story Abstract: Ostrich is obsessed with his neck, which he thinks is too short, and is constantly looking for ways to make it longer. One morning, Crocodile convinces Ostrich to pull out her aching tooth, with surprising results.
 

Australia & Oceania

Buckle up and travel Down Under to Australasia the region of kiwis, marsupials and the Great Barrier Reef and don’t be surprised if you meet a talking animal or two!

Story: "Puntan dos Amantes: Two Lover’s Point"
by Lisa Collins   

Story Link     Biography     Abstract

Adaptation of various versions of a local Chamorro legend from Guam for all ages.

Story Abstract: Guam is an island which has seen its share of wars, violence, and ethnic clashes. In this story, two young people demonstrate the humanity of the peoples who have lived here and the enduring nature of love even in the face of cultural collisions.

Story: "How the Kangaroo got her Pouch"
by Tina Ramirez   

Story Link     Biography     Abstract  

An animal pourquoi tale from Australia for all ages. Adaptation of an Australian Aboriginal Tale, the adaptation was written after reading several versions of the story.

Story Abstract: Biambi, the father of all living creatures, is discouraged by all the callousness he is witnessing between the animals in the Australian Outback. He disguises himself as an old Wombat and meets Mother Kangaroo and Joey one beautiful day in the Outback. Biambi finds that not all creatures are callous after all.
 

Europe

Lose yourself in these stories from Europe, a land rich with folklore and tradition. From the highlands of Scotland to the Russian steppes, who knows what delights your journey will hold?

Story: "Medio Polito, the half chick"
by Ashley Dickinson   

Story Link     Biography     Abstract  

A fable from Spain for all ages from various sources.

Story Abstract: A haughty chick, with only one leg and one wing, leaves his farm to travel to Madrid to visit the King. Along the way he meets three friends who are in trouble. Medio Pollito soon learns what goes around comes around.

Story: "Old Rinkrank"
by Kristina Drury   

Story Link     Biography     Abstract  

A Grimm folk tale from Germany for all ages.

Story Abstract: A princess comes to marrying age and her father sets forth a challenge, climb over a glass mountain without falling. The princess decides to help one of her intended and in doing so falls into the mountain and into the realm of Old Rinkrank. There Rinkrank holds the princess hostage and she must find a way to escape in order to see her father and her betrothed again.

Story: "A Dreadfully Short Dialogue in the Wild Woods of Germany"
by April Heath        

Story Link     Biography     Abstract  

An original folk song, adapted and translated from the German poem Waldesgesprach by Joseph von Eichendorff, for young adults and adults.

Story Abstract: One dark, fateful night, a chivalrous man meets a beautiful young lady riding through the woods. He offers to escort her home, but the heartbroken woman asks him to leave her alone. When he pursues, he soon comes to realize his mistake. This chance meeting in the forest changes his life forever.

Story: "The Twelve Dancing Princesses"
by Lisa Phelan   

Story Link     Biography     Abstract  

A Grimm adaptation fairy tale from Germany for all ages.

Story Abstract: How do twelve princesses escape from their locked bedroom and dance the night away? The king will make the man who solves this mystery heir to his throne and husband to the daughter of his choice. The princesses believe no one can uncover the truth, but an unlikely soldier may be destined to discover their secret.

Story: "Tam Lin"
by Megan Prouty   

Story Link     Biography     Abstract  

A border ballad from Scotland for Young Adults and Adults from various sources.

Story Abstract: When a young woman goes to Carter Hall despite the warnings against the place, she is caught and taken as a lover by Tam Lin. When her father discovers she is pregnant, she returns to Carter Hall to learn the truth of her lover’s origins and to rescue him from the Fairy Queen.

Story: "The Elves and the Shoemaker"
by Heather Shaw   

Story Link     Biography     Abstract  

A Grimm fairy tale adaptation from Germany for all ages.

Story Abstract: A shoemaker and his wife are brought out of poverty by the work of elves. He cuts out the leather before night falls, and by the next morning, all the shoes are put together. As each day happens, the amount of shoes sold doubles, with the first day beginning with just one pair. Will the shoemaker and his wife be grateful for the elves work, and will the elves continue to show up in the middle of the night?
 

North America

Explore the wondrous variety life in North America has to offer as you continue your journey. From the pine forests of Maine to the passion and traditions of Mexico, you’re sure to find an adventure waiting for you here.

Story: "Bluebonnets: The Wildflower of Texas"
by Jaime Eastman   

Story Link     Biography     Abstract  

A legend from the U.S. for all ages. Story adaptation of ‘The Legend of the Bluebonnet’ from various sources, including Tomie dePaola’s Legend of the Bluebonnet.

Story Abstract: One summer, the land of the Comanche faces great drought and famine, killing many of the tribe. One little girl lives alone with her doll, the sole survivor of her family. The doll loves the little girl, and wishes only to take care of her, but she cannot. When the leaders tell the People that the Great Spirits command the sacrifice of their most prized possessions to bring the rains back to the land, each member of the tribe contemplates this decree. Ultimately, they make selfish decisions to save their own treasures. The doll knows that she must do something to save the little girl, but she is afraid of the necessary actions. In the midst of the suffering, the little girl and the doll search for a way to save the people, reaching deep into their hearts for the ultimate sacrifice. In the end, their selflessness saves the People and brings them both the healing rains and a lasting testament to love and sacrifice.

Story: "Senor Don Gato"
by Nathan Jones  

Story Link     Biography     Abstract  

An animal folk song adaptation of a traditional Mexican folk song by same name for children. One version of source lyrics can be accessed at http://www.kididdles.com/lyrics/s038.html

Story Abstract: You’ve heard the traditional Mexican children’s song, now listen to the events that inspired it. Senor Don Gato falls from the roof of his casa while reading a love note from Senorita Blanca, and a whole town of kitties falls into despair. Will their love be enough to bring him back from the grave, or will his broken solar plexus get the better of him? Find out in the surprising conclusion of Senor Don Gato.

Story: "The Wild Little Gingerbread Boy from Texas"
by Carol Rico   

Story Link     Biography     Abstract  

A folk tale from Texas for all ages. This is an adaptation of the original story "The Gingerbread Boy." I decided to "Texanize" the story, so I set it in west Texas close to the Mexican border. After I first recorded my version, I found the children’s picture book The Gingerbread Cowboy by Janet Squires. Squires’ version is also set in the West, in an undisclosed location. Her villain is also a coyote. While I did not base my version at all on Squires’ book, I do want to acknowledge her book and let my audience know that the two versions are similar.

Story Abstract: A lonely old man and woman who live in West Texas long for a little boy or girl of their own. The old woman bakes up a gingerbread boy who she has dressed in cowboy boots, a jacket, and cowboy boots. The little gingerbread boy decides life is not exciting enough with the little old man and little old woman, so he runs away. The gingerbread boy encounters an armadillo, a rattlesnake, and a longhorn, who all want to eat him. The gingerbread boy outruns them all, laughing at how clever and fast he is. Soon the gingerbread boy meets a coyote who promises to carry him across the Rio Grande to safety; however, the trip is not what the gingerbread boy expects.

Story: "Danny Boy"
by Amber Sady   

Story Link     Biography     Abstract  

An old Irish-American ballad for all ages.

Story Abstract: Danny Boy is a love song full of hope and longing from one deceased to her lover, whom she hopes will keep her grave company and join her one day in peace.

Story: "Sleeping Beauty: The True Story"
by Jamie Williams   

Story Link     Biography     Abstract  

This is an adapted Grimm fairy tale from the U.S. for all ages.

Story Abstract: The Bad Fairy has been viewed as the classic villain since the tale of Sleeping Beauty was first told; well, not anymore! In this adaptation of the Grimm Brothers’ "Sleeping Beauty," the Bad Fairy tells her side of story, starting with the King’s foolish pact with the so-called Good Fairies, and chronicling the series of mishaps that began with Princess Aurora’s conception. After she gives the princess the gift of common sense, the King and Queen banish her from the land, leaving Princess Aurora to be bored to tears by her jock husband.
 

Scandinavia

Welcome to Scandinavia, land of the Vikings! Wander through these tales of great heroes, keeping in mind that only the bravest souls may pass into Valhalla.

 Story: "Tatterhood, the Wild Twin"
by Stacy Jensen   

Story Link     Biography     Abstract  

A folk tale from Norway and Iceland for all ages. Various Sources.

Story Abstract: A childless queen gets more than she what she wished for. Tatterhood is wild and unpredictable child. Unlike other princesses, she wears tattered clothing and rides a goat. Hear how she battles trolls, ‘repairs’ her sister and holds her own against a prince. She does all this with nothing but her goat and a wooden spoon. But can this wild child find her Happily Ever After?

Story: "How Some Animals Became Tame Ones"
by Jeanie Runion   

Story Link     Biography     Abstract 

Adapted from a story found in Andrew Lang’s Brown Fairy Book, published in 1904.

Story Abstract: When the miller invites all the wild animals to his wedding feast, a young boy tries to help the animals make their best decision about whether or not to attend. Will the animals listen to the boy? Or will their pride get in the way?