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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.

Episodes

Catching Fire feat. Lilli Cooper & Chuck Cooper

Broadway stars and father-daughter duo Chuck Cooper ("The Life," "Trouble In Mind") and Lilli Cooper ("Tootsie," "SpongeBob SquarePants") headline this West African adventure tale about using your inner spark to change the world.

Oct 26, 202117 minSeason 5Ep. 15

The Persimmon Sisters feat. Tennille Read

In this story with Jewish, Arab, and Korean origins, Tennille Read (SurrealEstate, Workin' Moms) plays a young woman who learns the true meaning of sisterly love.

Oct 19, 202118 minSeason 5Ep. 14

Encore: The Woman in the Moon

In honor of Indigenous Peoples' Day, we bring back a favorite tale from the archives: Irene Bedard (Pocahontas, Ralph Breaks the Internet) stars in an Alaska Native story about the out-of-this-world power that comes when we work together.

Oct 12, 202120 minSeason 5Ep. 13

Getting Skunked feat. Terrence Terrell

Terrence Terrell (B Positive, Giants) stars in this Native American tale about a gentle giant who brings night and day to the world, and gives a certain striped critter its telltale scent.

Oct 05, 202118 minSeason 5Ep. 12

Fools Thrush In feat. Anthony Alabi

Anthony Alabi (Family Reunion, black-ish) headlines an Oneida and Mohawk story about how one of the most beautiful bird songs of all came to be.

Sep 28, 202118 minSeason 5Ep. 11

Night and Day feat. MASUMI

Actor/singer-songwriter MASUMI (Yakuza Princess) headlines this magical tale from the Yoruba people about how night came to a world of endless day.

Sep 21, 202124 minSeason 5Ep. 10

The Red Velvet Purse feat. Elisa Donovan

Elisa Donovan (Clueless, Sabrina the Teenage Witch) plays a judge who puts honesty on trial in this tale with Chinese, Indian, Ethiopian, and Romanian roots.

Sep 14, 202119 minSeason 5Ep. 9

The Friend Ship feat. Carra Patterson

Carra Patterson (Turner & Hooch, Jitney) stars in a tale from Japan about a woman with enough generosity to last a lifetime, and a man with enough greed to sink a ship.

Sep 07, 202121 minSeason 5Ep. 8

Encore: The Fire On The Other Side Of The World

We wrap up the summer with another listener favorite: a Cherokee tale in which Yeardley Smith (The Simpsons, Oil and Water) plays a feisty, creative spider who proves that power and strength aren't always about physical size.

Aug 31, 202121 minSeason 5Ep. 7

The Laughing Canoe feat. George Salazar

George Salazar (Be More Chill, Superstore) plays a wise-cracking waterborne vessel in this Brazilian story about the extraordinary things teamwork can bring.

Aug 17, 202120 minSeason 5Ep. 6

Encore: The Chattering Clams

This week we bring back a listener favorite: Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz (hosts of "Wow in the World") star in a whimsical Native American tale about the dangers of gossip.

Aug 10, 202119 min

The Laws of Nature feat. Mo Rocca

Mo Rocca (CBS Sunday Morning, Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!) headlines this eco-conscious Estonian/Finnish tale about conservation, courtesy, and how actions speak louder than words.

Aug 03, 202120 minSeason 5Ep. 5

Encore: Sir Luck and Mister Riches

In this favorite tale from the archives, comedian/kids' author Michael Ian Black (I'm Worried, Cock-a-Doodle-Doo-Bop) and actor/director David Wain (Wet Hot American Summer, Medical Police) believe they know the secret to what makes people truly happy.

Jul 27, 202124 minSeason 5Ep. 4

The Patched-Up Coat feat. Peter Sagal

NPR's Peter Sagal (Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!) stars in this Russian story about how fantastically priceless a little generosity can be.

Jul 20, 202119 minSeason 5Ep. 3

Encore: The King's Face

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. This episode was originally released on October 22, 2019.

Jul 13, 202120 minSeason 5Ep. 2

The Mountain Guardian feat. Alonzo Bodden & Audrey Hsieh

Audrey Hsieh (Here Today, Mixtape) and Alonzo Bodden (Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!, Who's Paying Attention) headline this Tibetan tale about two family members who are rewarded appropriately by a stone lion, one for her generosity and one for his greed.

Jul 06, 202125 minSeason 5Ep. 1

Encore: The Magpie With Salt On Her Tail

Rachael Harris (Lucifer, Suits) and Taran Killam (Nature Cat, Saturday Night Live) star in this special encore episode about a young man who learns that -- with a little hard work -- dreams can come true. This episode was originally released on December 19, 2017.

Jun 22, 202122 minSeason 4Ep. 52

Encore: The Princess and the Egg

In this enchanting tale from the archives, Amber Stevens West (Happy Together, Run the World) stars as a globe-​trotting princess who works hard to keep her promises. This episode was originally released on October 23, 2018.

Jun 15, 202120 minSeason 4Ep. 51

Encore: The Goat in the Garden

In this favorite episode from the archives, Ray Magliozzi (Car Talk) plays a stubborn goat who inadvertently reminds us that true heroes comes in all shapes and sizes. This episode was originally released on January 23, 2018.

Jun 08, 202116 minSeason 4Ep. 50

Encore: Sweet Corn and Clever Rabbit

In this favorite episode from the archives, Eris Baker (This Is Us) plays a tricky rabbit who presents her fellow animals with an offer they can't refuse. This episode originally released April 9, 2019.

Jun 01, 202120 minSeason 4Ep. 49

She Tells Seashells feat. Joaquina Kalukango

Tony Award nominee Joaquina Kalukango (Slave Play, One Night in Miami) stars in this Zulu tale from South Africa about how stories came to the world.

May 25, 202122 minSeason 4Ep. 48

The Unfair Share feat. Jon Huertas & Faith Salie

Jon Huertas (This Is Us, Initiation) and Faith Salie (CBS Sunday Morning, Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me) headline this folktale about a generous queen, a cunning farmer, and a devious gatekeeper who takes more than his fair share.

May 18, 202122 minSeason 4Ep. 47

The Bearded Lake feat. Owen Teale

Owen Teale (Game of Thrones, Dream Horse) stars in this Welsh legend about a desperate farmer who becomes too greedy for his own good.

May 04, 202122 minSeason 4Ep. 45

Encore: 100 Rooms

In this favorite episode from the archives, seven-time Emmy-Award winner Ed Asner (Up, The Mary Tyler Moore Show) plays a wise father who challenges his daughters to solve a tricky challenge by thinking outside the box.

Apr 27, 202120 minSeason 4Ep. 44

Growing Courage ft. Kyla Pratt

Kyla Pratt (Call Me Kat, The Proud Family) headlines this Ethiopian story about the power of facing your fears.

Apr 20, 202123 minSeason 4Ep. 43

The Giant’s Causeway feat. Alison Wright

Alison Wright (Snowpiercer, The Americans) stars as a wise and witty Irish giant who proves she's colossal in both size and smarts.

Apr 13, 202121 minSeason 4Ep. 42

The Fire Within feat. Maz Jobrani

Comedian and actor Maz Jobrani (Pandemic Warrior, Back To School With Maz Jobrani) plays a wise man with an on-fire imagination in this clever tale from Turkey, Balochistan, India, Ethiopia, Kenya, the West Indies, and the Hispano community of New Mexico.

Apr 06, 202119 minSeason 4Ep. 41

Encore: The Queen's Gift

This favorite episode from our archives is in loving memory of an actor you've heard in numerous Circle Round stories, including this one: Delores King Williams.

Mar 23, 202118 minSeason 4Ep. 39