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.
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Episodes

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

Mangoes in the Middle feat. Utkarsh Ambudkar

In this tale from India, Utkarsh Ambudkar (Brittany Runs a Marathon, We Are Freestyle Love Supreme) plays an ingenious royal advisor who cunningly proves the true owner of a fruitful treasure.

Mar 16, 202117 minSeason 4Ep. 38

Counting Crocodiles feat. Tiya Sircar

In this playful tale from Indonesia and Malaysia, Tiya Sircar (Star Wars Rebels, The Good Place) plays a cunning mouse deer who teaches a cantankerous crocodile a lesson.

Mar 09, 202119 minSeason 4Ep. 37

The Uncommon Offering feat. Ruthie Ann Miles

Tony Award Winner Ruthie Ann Miles (The King and I, All Rise) stars in this Paraguayan story about giving the most rare and precious gift of all.

Mar 02, 202124 minSeason 4Ep. 36

The Red Leather Shoes feat. Madhur Jaffrey & Aasif Mandvi

Aasif Mandvi (The Daily Show, Evil) and Madhur Jaffrey (Madhur Jaffrey's Curry Nation, I Feel Bad) co-star in this Indian story about a wise king, a generous shoemaker, and a priceless pair of shoes.

Feb 23, 202123 minSeason 4Ep. 35

The Wind Catcher feat. Lea Salonga

Tony Award winner Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon, Les Misérables) headlines this Marshallese tale about how the first sailboat came to be.

Feb 16, 202121 minSeason 4Ep. 34

Encore: One Speckled Hen

This week, we bring back a favorite story from the archives: Tony Award winner André De Shields (Hadestown, The Full Monty) stars in a Jewish tale that tests the old adage, "Finders keepers, losers weepers."

Feb 09, 202120 minSeason 4Ep. 33

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

Dec 01, 202023 minSeason 4Ep. 22
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