Circle Round - podcast cover

Circle Round

Created and produced by parents of young children, WBUR's Circle Round adapts carefully-selected folktales from around the world into sound- and music-rich radio plays for kids ages 3-103. Each 15 to 25-minute episode explores important issues like kindness, persistence and generosity. And each episode ends with an activity that inspires a deeper conversation between children and grown-ups.

Episodes

Shortie: 'A Cup of Poi'

A bonus story from Hawaii, about the magic that happens when we show kindness to strangers in need. ------ If you’re looking for something extra to do while listening to today’s tale, ask a grown-up to print out the coloring page for this week’s story! You can find it at WBUR.org/circleround. At the end of this episode you'll hear more about how to play "Kindness Bingo." ----------- We’ve been hearing a lot from our listeners around the world - listeners like you! And many of you have been askin...

Apr 03, 202014 minSeason 3Ep. 38

The Search For Rain feat. Amory Sivertson

Have you ever teamed up with other people to get something done? We’re all keeping our distance from other people, to help everyone stay healthy and safe. But just because we’re keeping a physical distance, it doesn’t mean we have to be separated. Even if we’re not in the same room, or the same building, we can still find ways to join up with others, and accomplish things that we can’t do on our own! In the story we’re about to hear, we’ll meet some people who really need to work together. But f...

Mar 31, 202023 minSeason 3Ep. 37

Encore: 'The King And The Cobbler'

This week we present a favorite story from the archives: Keith David (Greenleaf) and Tony Award winner James Naughton (City of Angels, Chicago) play a curious, disguised king and a cobbler who proves the power of self-reliance. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Mar 24, 202024 minSeason 3Ep. 36

The Elephant’s Tub feat. Analeigh Tipton and Stephen Tobolowsky

Analeigh Tipton (Crazy, Stupid Love; Why Women Kill) and Stephen Tobolowsky (One Day at a Time, The Tobolowsky Files) co-star in this Burmese tale about a king who dreams of finding an elusive white elephant. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Mar 17, 202024 minSeason 3Ep. 35

Song of the Horse feat. David Archuleta and Sherry Cola

Pop singer David Archuleta (American Idol) and stand-up comic Sherry Cola (Good Trouble) headline this Mongolian story about the origins of the country's national instrument: the horsehead fiddle. Voices in this episode include Doug Lockwood, Maurice Emmanuel Parent, Kimberly Schraf, David Archuleta and Sherry Cola. Grown-ups, look for stand-up comedian Sherry Cola on the Freeform network drama, Good Trouble. Singer-songwriter and American Idol star David Archuleta kicks off his Ok, All Right To...

Mar 10, 202024 minSeason 3Ep. 34

Granny’s Leather Bag feat. Orla Brady

Orla Brady (Star Trek: Picard, Into the Badlands) stars in this Irish tale about three wise animals, two very different sisters, and one bag of silver coins. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Mar 03, 202024 minSeason 3Ep. 33

The Mountain Spring feat. Kelli O’Hara & Greg Naughton

Tony Award winner Kelli O'Hara (The King and I; Kiss Me, Kate) stars opposite real-life husband, director/musician Greg Naughton (The Independents, The Sweet Remains), in this Korean and Japanese tale about eternal love, kindness and youth. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Feb 25, 202020 minSeason 3Ep. 32

Encore: 'The Lute Player'

This Russian and European folktale stars real-life husband and wife Paul Sparks (House of Cards, Sweetbitter) and Annie Parisse (Friends From College) as a king who's taken prisoner, and a queen whose musical prowess sets him free. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Feb 18, 202021 minSeason 3Ep. 31

The Rooster in the Sky feat. Rachel Matthews

In this adventure story with roots in Russia, Hungary and the Middle East, a magical rooster rewards Rachel Matthews (Frozen 2) for her fearless persistence and precious friendship. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Feb 11, 202022 minSeason 3Ep. 30

The True Mother feat. Alex Landi

In this Japanese tale, Alex Landi (Grey's Anatomy, Insatiable) plays a wise judge who finds an ingenious way to determine the real mother of a bouncing baby boy. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Feb 04, 202019 minSeason 3Ep. 29

The Beggar and the Baker’s Daughter feat. Margaret Cho

Comedian Margaret Cho (The Margaret Cho, Fresh Off The Bloat) headlines this English tale about a greedy woman who bites off more than she can chew. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Jan 28, 202019 minSeason 3Ep. 28

The Very Busy Fairies feat. Parker Bates

In this zany Celtic tale, when fairies come to help Parker Bates (This Is Us) with his chores, he discovers they're far more trouble than they're worth. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Jan 21, 202018 minSeason 3Ep. 27

The Dozen Loaves of Bread feat. Avery Trufelman

Podcast luminary Avery Trufelman (99% Invisible, Articles of Interest) stars as a generous baker touched by magic in this scrumptious Jewish tale. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Jan 14, 202018 minSeason 3Ep. 26

The Nine Sticks feat. Nikesh Patel and Maulik Pancholy

Maulik Pancholy (30 Rock, Grand Horizons) and Nikesh Patel (Four Weddings and a Funeral) headline this Indian story that asks what's more precious: glittering jewels, or good friends? Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Jan 07, 202019 minSeason 3Ep. 25

Encore: The Months Of The Year

What would it be like to experience the months of the year--out of order? Joshua Rush ("Andi Mack") and Ailsa Chang (NPR) co-star in this story which has its origins in Russia, Greece, and the Czech Republic. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Dec 31, 201924 minSeason 3Ep. 24

Encore: Three Wishes

Patrick Fabian ("Better Call Saul") and Mandy Fabian ("Dropping The Soap") star in a story about a husband and wife whose generosity leads them to an unexpected challenge. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Dec 24, 201920 minSeason 3Ep. 23

The Gloomy Pine Tree feat. Mykal-Michelle Harris

Mykal-Michelle Harris (Mixed-ish) stars as a discontented sapling in this classic "grass is always greener" tale from Germany. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Dec 17, 201919 minSeason 3Ep. 22

Nilsa And The Troll feat. Raegan Revord

In this story with roots in Denmark, Raegan Revord (Young Sheldon) plays a generous young woman who proves that small gestures of kindness can make a big difference. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Dec 10, 201920 minSeason 3Ep. 21

The Banker’s Riddles feat. Jeannie Mai

Jeannie Mai (Listen Hunnay, The Real) headlines this Chinese and Vietnamese tale about a wise, witty woman who gives a greedy, riddle-loving banker a run for his money. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Dec 03, 201918 minSeason 3Ep. 20

Encore: 'Fiona And The Fairies'

Selenis Leyva ("Orange is the New Black," "Maniacs") stars as a clever baker in this retelling of a Scottish folktale about the power of a little "please" and "thank you." Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Nov 26, 201919 minSeason 3Ep. 19

The Enchanted Paintbrush feat. Phillipa Soo

Phillipa Soo (Hamilton, The Code) and Stacy Keach (Man With a Plan, American Greed) headline this Chinese tale about a kind, humble artist whose paintings come to life. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Nov 19, 201924 minSeason 3Ep. 18

Sir Luck and Mister Riches feat. Michael Ian Black and David Wain

Comedian/kids' author Michael Ian Black (I'm Worried, Cock-a-Doodle-Doo-Bop) and actor/director David Wain (Wet Hot American Summer, Stella) star in this supernatural story from Spain, Portugal, Czech Republic and the Dominican Republic. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Nov 12, 201922 minSeason 3Ep. 17

The Fire On The Other Side Of The World feat. Yeardley Smith

In this Cherokee story, Yeardley Smith (The Simpsons) plays a feisty, creative spider who proves that power and strength aren't always about physical size. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Nov 05, 201921 minSeason 3Ep. 16

The Chattering Clams feat. Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz

Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz — hosts of NPR’s "Wow! in the World" podcast — star in this whimsical Native American tale about the dangers of gossip. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Oct 29, 201919 minSeason 3Ep. 15

The King's Face feat. Derrick Baskin and Brandon Uranowitz

Broadway stars Derrick Baskin ("Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations," "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee") and Brandon Uranowitz ("An American in Paris," "Burn This") play a curious king and clever farmer in this tale with roots in Russia, Italy, India, Greece, Africa and Iran. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Oct 22, 201919 minSeason 3Ep. 14

Encore: 'Maushop And Grandfather Sun'

Wes Studi, who later this month will become the first Native American actor to receive an Oscar, stars as the Wampanoag mythical figure 'Maushop,' a kind, gentle giant who tries to convince the sun to come back home. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Oct 15, 201920 minSeason 3Ep. 13

The Rusty Cowbell featuring Lake Bell

Lake Bell (The Secret Life of Pets, Bless This Mess) stars as a struggling farmer who gives a selfish landlord a run for his money in this folktale from Russia, Germany, Indonesia and the Netherlands. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Oct 08, 201921 minSeason 3Ep. 12

One Speckled Hen feat. André de Shields

Tony Award winner André De Shields (Hadestown, The Full Monty) stars in this Jewish tale that tests the old adage: "finders keepers, losers weepers." Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Oct 01, 201920 minSeason 3Ep. 11

The Great Acorn Robbery feat. Katy Mixon and Diedrich Bader

Katy Mixon (American Housewife, Minions) and Diedrich Bader (American Housewife, Veep) headline this Seneca tale about an industrious squirrel and the sneaky critters who pilfer her prized acorns. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Sep 24, 201920 minSeason 3Ep. 10

Rabbit's Wish feat. Ryan Michelle Bathé

In this story with roots in West Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America, Ryan Michelle Bathé (This Is Us, First Wives Club) plays a clever Rabbit who discovers that power and strength aren't just about physical size. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

Sep 17, 201920 minSeason 3Ep. 9
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