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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

Encore: The Lumps of Clay

Maulik Pancholy (Phineas and Ferb, Sanjay and Craig) stars in a classic Indian story about a witty royal adviser who finds an ingenious way to bring the truth to light. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Feb 04, 202521 minSeason 8Ep. 32

The Zodiac Twelve

Tzi Ma (Five Blind Dates, Interior Chinatown) and Jimmy Wong (Mulan, Wish Dragon) co-star in an action-packed legend about the origin of the Chinese zodiac animals. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Jan 28, 202530 minSeason 8Ep. 31

Hot Potatoes

Arlen Escarpeta (Found, The Oath) headlines a tale from southern Africa about stolen spuds and hare-brained schemes. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Jan 21, 202523 minSeason 8Ep. 30

The Cobbler’s Soul

John Patrick Amedori (Three Women, Dear White People) headlines an internationally-inspired story about fixing soles and saving souls. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Jan 14, 202530 minSeason 8Ep. 29

Encore: Ariana’s Music

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 .

Jan 07, 202522 minSeason 8Ep. 28

Encore: Three Clever Brothers

Alexandra Billings (Transparent, Paddleton) stars in a North African, Middle Eastern and central and north-central Asian folktale about the power of a keen eye and a quick mind. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Dec 31, 202420 minSeason 8Ep. 27

Encore: Getting Skunked

Terrence Terrell (B Positive, Giants) stars in this Abenaki tale about a gentle giant who brings night and day to the world, and gives a certain striped critter its telltale scent. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Dec 24, 202419 minSeason 8Ep. 26

The Peach of Life

Recorded live at Symphony Space, a star-studded cast brings to life this Chinese and Vietnamese legend about the healing power of a kind and honest heart. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Dec 17, 202427 minSeason 8Ep. 25

The Wild Goose Chase

Recorded live at Symphony Space with a star-studded cast, this magical tale inspired by Ukrainian and Russian lore follows a kindly tailor as he embarks on an unforgettable chase. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Dec 10, 202427 minSeason 8Ep. 24

Encore: The Most Fabulous Fur of All

Q'orianka Kilcher (Yellowstone, Dora and the Lost City of Gold) stars in a Cherokee tale about a clever rabbit who craftily tries pulling the wool — and fur — over everyone’s eyes. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Dec 03, 202425 minSeason 8Ep. 23

Dancing to a Different Tune

World-renowned violinist Hilary Hahn plays a musician with a miraculous gift in this whimsical folktale from South America, North Africa, Europe and the US. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Nov 26, 202423 minSeason 8Ep. 22

The Caged Bird

Tim Matheson (The West Wing, Virgin River) and Jonathan Tucker (Kingdom, Westworld) co-star in a Jewish and Persian tale about a parrot, a prince, and the priceless value of freedom. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Nov 19, 202425 minSeason 8Ep. 21

A World of Music

Jon Huertas (This Is Us, Tracker) headlines an Aztec legend about how music first came to the world. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Nov 12, 202420 minSeason 8Ep. 20

In the Wolf’s Mouth

Jennifer Hale (Stars Wars: The Clone Wars, X-Men ‘97) stars in a Portuguese tale about a big bad wolf and a sharp shrewd owl. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Nov 05, 202417 minSeason 8Ep. 19

The All-Wish Stick

Amy Tsang (Star Wars: The Acolyte, Kung Fu) stars in a Chinese tale about a magical gift that makes wishes come true, provided you make them with an honest heart. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Oct 29, 202428 minSeason 8Ep. 18

The Face-Off

Actor Kelly Jenrette (All American: Homecoming, The Handmaid’s Tale) and producer/actor Lamar Richardson (Appropriate, Merrily We Roll Along) co-star in a Shona legend that proves how big strength can come in little sizes. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Oct 22, 202420 minSeason 8Ep. 17

Top Banana

Tatyana Ali (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Abbot Elementary) and Jack De Sena (Lego Monkie Kid, Avatar: The Last Airbender) headline this Filipino story about getting the upper hand by taking the lower half. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Oct 15, 202425 minSeason 8Ep. 16

Pride and Proverbs

Real-life couple David Giuntoli (Grimm, Batman: Soul of the Dragon) and Elizabeth Tulloch (Grimm, Superman and Lois) face off as a wise farmer and proud queen in this tale with Georgian, Kazakh and Ghanaian roots. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Oct 08, 202419 minSeason 8Ep. 15

The Hiding Place

Broadway's Aaron Bartz, Erik Christopher Peterson and Cara Ricketts (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) headline a Jewish and Egyptian story about a high-stakes game of hide and seek. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Oct 01, 202426 minSeason 8Ep. 14

Encore: The Princess and the Bee

Duchess Sarah Ferguson of York (Storytime with Fergie) and Suzie McGrath (Star Wars Resistance, The Punies) star in this charming tale about the importance of having a sound, sensible head, and a warm, fuzzy heart. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Sep 24, 202424 minSeason 8Ep. 13

Encore: Chameleon’s Contest

Jonica Booth (Rap Stuff, Bad Girls Club) and Jay Pharoah (Out of Office, Saturday Night Live) co-star in this West African tale about a clothing-obsessed goddess and a crafty, colorful chameleon. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Sep 17, 202422 minSeason 8Ep. 12

A Horse for Hire

Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a star-studded cast, this Haitian and Creole tale is all about hefty horses and broken deals. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Sep 10, 202425 minSeason 8Ep. 11

The Price Master

Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a star-studded cast, this Indian tale shows what happens when the price is right... and the price is wrong! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Sep 03, 202425 minSeason 8Ep. 10

The Farmer and the Cow

Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a star-studded cast, this Icelandic tale features a magical bovine who's able to moooooove mountains! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Aug 27, 202423 minSeason 8Ep. 9

Laughing and Crying

Recorded live at The Athenaeum Center in Chicago, IL, this tale with East Asian and Egyptian roots pits a proud king against a sharp-witted schoolteacher who proves she's nobody's fool. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Aug 20, 202426 minSeason 8Ep. 8

Giant Steps

Recorded live at The Athenaeum Center in Chicago, IL, this tale from the Iraqi Jewish tradition gives a whole new meaning to "putting your best foot forward." Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Aug 09, 202427 minSeason 8Ep. 7

The Spotted Goat

Recorded live at Town Hall Seattle, this tale with Palestinian and Lebanese roots suggests that when somebody gets your goat, don't be shy about putting them on the spot! Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Aug 06, 202430 minSeason 8Ep. 6

Granny Snowstorm

Recorded live at Town Hall Seattle, this Ukrainian tale follows a sister and brother as they meet the supernatural spirit who brings winter. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Jul 30, 202428 minSeason 8Ep. 5

The Doggies in the Window

Recorded live at The Aladdin Theater in Portland, OR, this Japanese tale about fragile statues and tough shopkeepers proves that every dog can have its day. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Jul 23, 202422 minSeason 8Ep. 4

The Sea and the Sky

Recorded live at The Aladdin Theater in Portland, OR, this high-flying tale explains how the islands of the Philippines came to be. Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here .

Jul 16, 202419 minSeason 8Ep. 3
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