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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 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. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

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. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

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. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

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." Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

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. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

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. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

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. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

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. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

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. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

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. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

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. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

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." Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

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. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

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. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Sep 17, 201920 minSeason 3Ep. 9

Curious Boots feat. Colin Hanks

This Norwegian adventure tale stars Colin Hanks (Life in Pieces, Jumanji 2) as a precocious little brother whose curiosity earns him a royally big reward. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Sep 10, 201924 minSeason 3Ep. 8

Encore: 'What Am I Hearing?'

Ever wonder what instrument you're hearing during your favorite 'Circle Round' story? We're revisiting a very special episode featuring the music and mind of Eric Shimelonis, resident sound designer and composer. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Aug 27, 201913 minSeason 3Ep. 7

Encore: 'The Unwelcome Guest'

This week, we're bringing back a listener favorite. Richard Kind ("Inside Out") stars in this Middle Eastern folktale about a clever man who teaches his village a thing or two about the dangers of judging a book by its cover. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Aug 20, 201917 minSeason 3Ep. 6

Encore: 'Armadillo’s Song' | feat. Gad Elmaleh

French comedian Gad Elmaleh stars in this episode about one little armadillo who doesn't let anyone discourage him from following his dreams. This lively Bolivian folktale tells the origin story of the "charango," a small Andean stringed instrument. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Aug 06, 201919 minSeason 3Ep. 5

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

In this encore, we revisit an Italian folktale starring Bobby Moynihan ("Duck Tales," "SNL") about a father who gives seemingly simple gifts to his three sons. But there is more to these family heirlooms than meets the eye. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Jul 30, 201928 minSeason 3Ep. 4

The Magic Bowl featuring Boston Symphony Orchestra

Part three of our special summer pop-up series -- recorded live with musicians from the Boston Symphony Orchestra -- comes from Ghana and the West Indies, and explores the dangers of greed. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Jul 23, 201921 minSeason 3Ep. 3

Practice Makes Progress featuring Boston Symphony Orchestra

Part two of our special summer pop-up series -- recorded live with musicians from the Boston Symphony Orchestra -- is a tale from the Antilles about an aspiring musician and a giant adventure. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Jul 16, 201921 minSeason 3Ep. 2

Kangaroo And Joey Too featuring Boston Symphony Orchestra

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

Jul 09, 201921 minSeason 3Ep. 1

Listeners' Favorite: 'The Piper And The Pooka'

This episode was chosen by you, the fans! Thanks for the submissions! In this Irish folktale, Damian McGinty ("Glee," "Celtic Thunder") stars as a musician with a serious case of butterflies. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Jul 02, 201920 minSeason 2Ep. 45

Grandfather Stone feat. Diane Rehm, Jonathan Joss

Jonathan Joss (Comanche Moon, Parks and Recreation) and NPR’s Diane Rehm (The Diane Rehm Show, On My Mind) star in this Seneca tale about a mystical stone who introduces the first stories to the world. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

May 28, 201918 minSeason 2Ep. 44

Lazy Jack and the Leprechaun feat. A.J. Buckley, Euan Morton

A.J. Buckley (SEAL Team) and Euan Morton (Hamilton) headline this Irish tale about a lazy fellow who wants to get rich quick, and the conniving leprechaun who has a big trick up his tiny sleeve. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

May 21, 201919 minSeason 2Ep. 43

Encore: 'The Skylark'

Miriam Shor ("Younger," "The Americans,") stars in this Portuguese folktale about a feathered creature who gives a young, impatient man a lesson he'll never forget. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

May 14, 201915 minSeason 2Ep. 42

'The Three-Legged Pot' featuring Aparna Nancherla

Comedian Aparna Nancherla (The Standups, Corporate) stars as a rambunctious, Robin Hood-esque cooking vessel in this Danish and Middle Eastern story about generosity and greed. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Apr 30, 201919 minSeason 2Ep. 41

The Lute Player featuring Annie Parisse and Paul Sparks

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. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Apr 23, 201920 minSeason 2Ep. 40

'The Star Fruit Tree' featuring Stephanie Hsu

Broadway star Stephanie Hsu (Be More Chill, The SpongeBob Musical) headlines this magical Vietnamese tale about the unexpectedly sweet rewards generosity and contentment can bring. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Apr 16, 201918 minSeason 2Ep. 39

'Sweet Corn and Clever Rabbit' featuring Eris Baker

In this playful tale with roots in Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica, Eris Baker (This Is Us) plays a tricky rabbit who presents her fellow animals with an offer they can't refuse. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Apr 09, 201918 minSeason 2Ep. 38
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