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

Encore: 'The Barber's Secret' | feat. Noah Schnapp

Noah Schnapp ("Stranger Things") stars in a story about a prince, a barber, and a secret that was impossible to keep. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Apr 03, 201818 minSeason 1Ep. 28

'Maushop And Grandfather Sun' | feat. Wes Studi

Wes Studi ("Penny Dreadful," "Dances With Wolves") stars as the Wampanoag mythical figure 'Maushop,' a kind, gentle giant who tries to convince the sun to come back home. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Mar 27, 201817 minSeason 1Ep. 27

'The Hat, The Horn, And The Purse' | feat. Bobby Moynihan

Bobby Moynihan ("Duck Tales," "SNL") stars in an Italian folktale about a father who gives seemingly simple gifts to his three sons. But they is more to these family heirloomsl than meets the eye. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Mar 20, 201826 minSeason 1Ep. 26

'Three Wishes' | feat. Patrick and Mandy Fabian

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

Mar 13, 201818 minSeason 1Ep. 25

'Share and Share Alike' | feat. Tiffany Boone and Glynn Washington

Tiffany Boone ("The Chi") and Glynn Washington ("Snap Judgement") star in a classic folktale about a lazy bear who isn't big on sharing--until he meets a clever rabbit that teaches him a thing or two. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Mar 06, 201817 minSeason 1Ep. 24

'The Drum' | feat. Shankar Vedantam

Shankar Vedantam (NPR's "Hidden Brain") retells an Indian folktale about a young girl whose generous heart takes her on a surprising adventure. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Feb 27, 201818 minSeason 1Ep. 23

'The Magic Cloth' | feat. Kelly Hu and Albert Tsai

Kelly Hu ("Dietland") and Albert Tsai ("Dr Ken," "9JKL") star in a Chinese folktale about a mother, her three sons, and a very special magic cloth. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Feb 13, 201822 minSeason 1Ep. 22

Sadko And The Sea | feat. Max Greenfield

Max Greenfield ("The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story") stars in this Russian folktale about the power of music. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Jan 30, 201825 minSeason 1Ep. 20

"The Forbidden Knot" | feat. Mel Rodriguez

Adapted from the original Estonian folktale, Mel Rodriguez ("Last Man On Earth" "Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams") stars in a story about a fisherman who learns how important it is to keep your word. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Jan 16, 201820 minSeason 1Ep. 18

'Latchkey Stew' | feat. Jurnee Smollett-Bell

Jurnee Smollett-Bell ("Underground," "Friday Night Lights,") stars in this classic tale about a young girl who teaches a group of neighbors what it means to really share. Find your free coloring page for this episode at: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Jan 02, 201819 minSeason 1Ep. 17

'The Answer You Seek' | feat. Ari Shapiro and Wade Goodwyn

NPR's own Ari Shapiro and Wade Goodwyn star in a Thai folktale that explores the power and universality of empathy. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Dec 26, 201719 minSeason 1Ep. 16

'The Magpie With Salt On Her Tail' | feat. Rachael Harris and Taran Kilam

Rachael Harris ("Lucifer," "Suits") and Taran Killam ("Nature Cat," "Killing Gunther") star in a classic Swedish tale about a little boy who learns that--with a little hard work--dreams can come true. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Dec 19, 201720 minSeason 1Ep. 15

'The Shepherd's Disguise' | feat. Tony Hale

Tony Hale ("Veep," "Arrested Development") stars in a German folktale about a royal advisor whose dishonesty gets him into a royal mess. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Dec 12, 201720 minSeason 1Ep. 14

'Clever Manka' | feat. Bridget Moynahan

Bridget Moynahan ("Blue Bloods") re-tells this Czech folktale about a clever young woman who uses her intelligence to win the hearts of her town. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Dec 05, 201718 minSeason 1Ep. 13

'Onions And Garlic'

The second installment from our live performance at the Boston Jewish Film Festival. In this old Jewish folktale, we tell a story about spicy, flavorful onions... but we promise it won’t make you cry. If anything you’ll laugh and laugh. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Nov 27, 201726 minSeason 1Ep. 12

'Princess In The Mirror'

Live from the Boston Jewish Film Festival! In this Israeli folktale, an adventurous princess learns that the greatest lessons may not be learned in far flung lands but rather--right at home. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Nov 21, 201721 minSeason 1Ep. 11

'Thunder and Lightning' | feat. Yetide Badaki and Dayo Okeniyi

Yetide Badaki ("American Gods") and Dayo Okeniyi ("Shades of Blue") star in this Nigerian folktale about thunder and lightning and how they found their home in the sky. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Nov 14, 201717 minSeason 1Ep. 10

'The Lion's Whisker' | feat. Marsai Martin and Miles Brown

Marsai Martin ("Black-ish"), Miles Brown ("Black-ish"), and NPR's own Ofeibia Quist-Arcton star in this story about a brother and a sister who are prepared to do just about anything in order to get along. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Nov 07, 201712 minSeason 1Ep. 9

'The Woman Who Lived In A Vinegar Bottle' | feat. Sela Ward

Sela Ward ("Graves," "Independence Day") stars in a traditional English tale about a woman who can't seem to find home sweet home. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Oct 31, 201713 minSeason 1Ep. 8

'The Owner Of The Sun' | feat. Joanna Hausmann

YouTuber and comedian Joanna Hausmann stars in a Venezuelan folktale about an enterprising young girl and her quest to free the sun. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Oct 24, 201711 minSeason 1Ep. 7

'The Barber's Secret' | ft. Noah Schnapp

Noah Schnapp ("Stranger Things") stars in a story about a prince, a barber, and a secret that was impossible to keep. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Oct 17, 201717 minSeason 1Ep. 6

'The Rice Cakes And The Oni' | ft. Tamlyn Tomita and Hudson Yang

Tamlyn Tomita ("The Good Doctor") and Hudson Yang ("Fresh Off The Boat") star in this Japanese story about a mother and son team with a seriously good sense of humor. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Oct 10, 201715 minSeason 1Ep. 5

'The Happiest Person In The World' | ft. Jon Cryer

Jon Cryer ("Two and a Half Men") stars in a story about a man chasing happiness--and the elusive shirt that will make him smile again. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Oct 02, 201712 minSeason 1Ep. 4

'Stella And The Dragon' | feat. Kathryn Hahn

Kathryn Hahn ("Bad Moms Christmas") stars in this Romanian folktale about a clever mother and her quest to outwit a powerful dragon. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Sep 18, 201717 minSeason 1Ep. 2

'It Could Always Get Worse' | feat. Jason Alexander

Whether we’re 3 or 93, we all love a good story. Jason Alexander ("Seinfeld") stars in our first episode, a classic Yiddish folktale. Download a coloring page for this episode here: wbur.org/circleround/coloring-pages

Jun 08, 201713 minSeason 1Ep. 1

Miss Tilda | Ep. 282

Arienne Mandi (The L Word: Generation Q, The Night Agent) and Patrick Renna (You Gotta Believe, The Sandlot) go head-to-head in a battle of wits in this tale with roots across Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and the American Southwest.

Dec 31, 196924 minSeason 8Ep. 39
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