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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.
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Episodes

The Horse of a Different Color feat. Christina Anthony & Lindsay Mendez

Christina Anthony (Mixed-ish, Key & Peele) and Tony winner Lindsay Mendez (Carousel, All Rise) play a one-of-a-kind horse and rider in this enchanted tale from across the Spanish-speaking world. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Jan 19, 202124 minSeason 4Ep. 29

The Head and the Heart feat. Hrishikesh Hirway & Joshua Malina

Joshua Malina (The West Wing, Scandal) and Hrishikesh Hirway (Song Exploder, The West Wing Weekly) co-star in this Jewish tale about two brothers who make two very different ways in the world. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Jan 12, 202127 minSeason 4Ep. 28

Three Little Critters feat. Mason Gooding & Allen Maldonado

Mason Gooding (Love, Victor; Scream 5) and Allen Maldonado (Sneakerheads, The Last O.G.) co-star in this East African story about the big power of a little teamwork. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Jan 05, 202125 minSeason 4Ep. 27

Encore: The Emperor's Challenge

As we ring in the new year, we bring back a favorite episode about planting the seeds of honesty, starring Nikki SooHoo (Star Wars Resistance, The Resident) and Christine Toy Johnson (Iron Fist, Come From Away). Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Dec 29, 202024 minSeason 4Ep. 26

Encore: A Bird in the Hand

As we celebrate the winter holidays, we revisit a favorite episode from season two: Broadway legends Rebecca Luker and Danny Burstein play a talking bird and spoiled prince who explore the meaning of true wisdom. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Dec 22, 202017 minSeason 4Ep. 25

Ariana’s Music feat. Mireille Enos

Mireille Enos (Hanna, The Killing) headlines this new spin on an ancient Greek legend about an instrument that captivates everyone who hears it, whether they have skin, scales, hair, hides, feathers, or fur. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Dec 15, 202020 minSeason 4Ep. 24

The Three Tests feat. Kiera Allen

Kiera Allen (Run) plays a wise woman whose cleverness is tested by her father long after he's gone in this story from Armenia, Greece, Russia, Germany and Hungary. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Dec 08, 202021 minSeason 4Ep. 23

The Twin Monkeys feat. Julia Nickson & Lizzy Capri

Julia Nickson (Rambo: First Blood Part II, The Unbidden) and YouTuber Lizzy Capri headline this Tibetan and Burmese tale about finding treasure, playing tricks, and monkeying around. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Dec 01, 202023 minSeason 4Ep. 22

Simple Gifts: Circle Round's Season-of-Giving Special

To celebrate the season of giving, we bring you a special mega-episode revisiting four of your favorite Circle Round stories about generosity. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Nov 24, 20201 hr 5 minSeason 4Ep. 21

The Basilisk’s Stare feat. Nabiyah Be & Evan Whitten

In this tale inspired by a Polish legend, Nabiyah Be (Black Panther, Daisy Jones & The Six) and Evan Whitten (The Resident, Mr. Robot) face off against a fantastical creature whose gaze turns people to stone. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Nov 17, 202018 minSeason 4Ep. 20

The Fantastic Fiddle feat. Adam Irigoyen

This Hispanic tale from the Southwest U.S. stars Adam Irigoyen (Away, Shake It Up) as a fiddler whose magical instrument brings the world to its feet, and the guilty to their knees. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Nov 10, 202023 minSeason 4Ep. 19

Little Frog’s Big Voice feat. Alex Brightman & Dyllón Burnside

Dyllón Burnside (POSE, Prideland) and Tony nominee Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice, School of Rock - The Musical) co-star in this Australian story about small critters, giant egos, and why frogs croak. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Nov 03, 202019 minSeason 4Ep. 18

The Extraordinary Pine Cone feat. Kelly Jenrette & John Carroll Lynch

Kelly Jenrette (The Handmaid's Tale, Uncorked) and John Carroll Lynch (American Horror Story, The Founder) headline this Estonian/Finnish story about how very far a little generosity can go. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Oct 27, 202021 minSeason 4Ep. 17

Coyote’s Flame feat. Brittany O’Grady

In this Native American tale, Brittany O'Grady (Little Voice, Star) plays a cunning creature who uses teamwork to bring light, sun and fire to the dark, cold world. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Oct 20, 202018 minSeason 4Ep. 16

Encore: Grandfather Stone feat. Diane Rehm and Jonathan Joss

In honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day, we're revisiting this Seneca tale from Season 2 about the origin of stories -- co-starring NPR veteran Diane Rehm and Jonathan Joss (Parks and Recreation, Comanche Moon). Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Oct 13, 202020 minSeason 4Ep. 15

The Glittering Gourd feat. Glenn Fleshler & Corey Stoll

Corey Stoll (Billions, West Side Story) and Glenn Fleshler (Billions, Joker) bring to life this Brazilian story about the sweetness of humility and the sting of greed. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Oct 06, 202019 minSeason 4Ep. 14

The Olive Jar feat. Maggie Siff, Santino Fontana & Denim Richards

Maggie Siff (Billions, Mad Men), Santino Fontana (Tootsie, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend), and Denim Richards (Yellowstone, The Chickasaw Rancher) co-star in this Northern African/Middle Eastern/Jewish tale about spoiled olives and fresh starts. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Sep 29, 202024 minSeason 4Ep. 13

Long Hair and the Waterfall feat. Rosalind Chao

Rosalind Chao (Mulan, The Joy Luck Club) headlines this Chinese tale about a tall mountain, a big radish, and the magic of giving back to your community. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Sep 22, 202022 minSeason 4Ep. 12

Little Cu feat. Desmin Borges

Desmin Borges (You're The Worst, Utopia) plays a tiny bird with an ever-growing ego in this playful story with roots in Mexico and Puerto Rico. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Sep 15, 202023 minSeason 4Ep. 11

Dirt Into Gold feat. Tzi Ma & Jimmy Wong

Tzi Ma (The Farewell, Mulan) and Jimmy Wong (Wish Dragon, Mulan) co-star in this Burmese tale about turning soil and dirt into an invaluable treasure. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Sep 08, 202019 minSeason 4Ep. 10

Circle Round: Fan Edition!

At the end of season 3, we asked fans to send us their own Circle Round story. This week, you’ll hear some of the submissions we received! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Sep 01, 202031 minSeason 4Ep. 9

Encore: 'The Forbidden Knot'

This favorite story from season one, starring Mel Rodriguez (The Last Man on Earth, Electric Dreams), is about the importance of being honest and keeping your word... especially when you’re a leader in charge of something big. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Aug 25, 202022 minSeason 4Ep. 8

The Charming Flute feat. Amy Hargreaves

In part four of our summer series with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Amy Hargreaves (13 Reasons Why, Homeland) plays a mystical flute player who teaches a greedy landowner to sing a different tune. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Aug 18, 202024 minSeason 4Ep. 7

Encore: 'A Taste Of Honey'

Hannah Simone ("New Girl") stars alongside her real-life father Naren Simone in a South Asian tale about the power of self-reliance. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Aug 11, 202020 minSeason 4Ep. 6

Naming the Tree feat. Chloe Coleman

In part three of our summer series with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Chloe Coleman (Timmy Failure, My Spy) stars in an African tale about how bigger isn't always better, and how slow and steady can be best of all! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Aug 04, 202022 minSeason 4Ep. 5

Encore: 'Latchkey Stew'

Jurnee Smollett-Bell stars in this classic tale about a young girl who teaches a group of neighbors what it means to really share. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Jul 28, 202021 minSeason 4Ep. 4

The Farmer’s Coin feat. Jin Ha and Greta Jung

In part two of our summer series with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Jin Ha (Devs, Love Life) and Greta Jung (Modern Family, Station 19) headline a Korean folktale about a hardworking farmer whose generosity brings a surprising reward. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Jul 21, 202027 minSeason 4Ep. 3

Encore: The Enchanted Paintbrush feat. Phillipa Soo

Phillipa Soo (Hamilton) and Stacy Keach (Man With a Plan) headline this favorite episode from season 3: a tale from China about a kind, humble artist whose paintings come to life. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Jul 14, 202024 minSeason 4Ep. 2

Every Other Friday feat. Melora Hardin and Gildart Jackson

Part one of our special summer series with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Melora Hardin and Gildart Jackson co-star in this tale about a crafty countess who teaches a broke baker never to look a gift horse in the mouth. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Jul 07, 202026 minSeason 4Ep. 1

Encore: 'Kangaroo And Joey Too'

Recorded live with musicians from the Boston Symphony Orchestra as part of our 2019 summer pop-up series, this Aboriginal story from Australia imagines how the kangaroo got her indispensable pouch. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Jun 30, 202023 minSeason 3Ep. 54
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