StoryLand

MaryAnn Schmidt has enchanted children for years with folktales from around the world. It's difficult to freeze these stories in time because storytelling is a live art embodied by the synergy between the teller and the listener. Now, some of these experiences, recorded live in the classroom have been preserved and shared with children everywhere.

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Episodes

Anansi and the Moss Covered Rock

MaryAnn Schmitt tells another West African folktale about the spider Anansi.

Mar 16, 2020•14 min

Mrs. Crocodile and Mrs. Chicken

In this traditional Liberian folktale, Mrs. Chicken has to think fast to outwit a hungry Mrs. Chicken. Dan, Liberia

Aug 07, 2018•13 min

Old Woman/Jar Of Uums

MaryAnn Schmidt enchants children with Jill Wright's hilarious sequel to the "Little Old Woman and the Willy Nilly Man."

Mar 28, 2018•28 min

The Legend of the Big Dipper - for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

In a special for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, StoryLand releases the old folktale, The Legend of the Big Dipper. The story about kindness imagines the origin of the constellation, which helped guide escaping slaves north to freedom.

Jan 15, 2018•6 min

The Little Rooster and the Diamond Button

In this classic Turkish folktale, a little rooster finds a diamond button and has to deal with the greedy Sultan.

Dec 23, 2017•23 min

One Drop Of Honey

Hear what happens when a king drips one drop of honey on the palace windowsill.

Dec 08, 2017•8 min

Chipmunk And Bear - Thanksgiving Special

In a special release for Thanksgiving, MaryAnn Schmidt tells the Iroquois legend about how chipmunk got its stripes. Never make fun of anyone.

Nov 22, 2017•7 min

Stone Soup - Thanksgiving Special

Storyteller, MaryAnn Shmidt, is back with a classic all about sharing.

Nov 22, 2017•14 min

Fareedah's Carpet

MaryAnn Schmidt tells the Persian folktale, Fareedah's Carpet. The story is part of a collection of Tale Type 480; folk stories of compassion and greed.

Nov 09, 2017•19 min

Halloween Re-Release "The Ghost With One Black Eye"

In this special release for Halloween, MaryAnn tells the story of a whiny, brave little girl who is not afraid to face "The Ghost With One Black Eye."

Oct 31, 2017•5 min

Roly Poly Riceball

Children love the adventure of roly poly riceball in this Japanese version of tale type 480.

Oct 23, 2017•14 min

The Talking Eggs

The Creole version of Tale Type 480, folk stories of compassion and greed.

Oct 13, 2017•21 min

Anansi And The Six Sons

Each of Anansi's six sons are born with a unique difference. In the end, their differences save the day. Anansi is an African folktale character who often takes the shape of a spider. Ashanti, West Africa.

Oct 10, 2017•21 min

How Anansi Got All The Stories

Also known as Anansi Does the impossible, this tale explains why there are so many stories about Kawku Anansi. The popular African folktale character often takes the form of a spider. From Ashanti, West Africa

Oct 10, 2017•17 min

Turtle And Coyote

Children will be "mesmerized" when they hear Turtle and Coyote, a teaching story from the Hopi People in the Southwest Desert. It's also the first story MaryAnn ever learned.

Oct 10, 2017•15 min

Saving Spring

Saving Spring, a fairy tale from Scandinavia, illustrates that everything has its time. Perseverance and remembering who we are saves the day.

Oct 10, 2017•18 min

Brave Margaret

MaryAnn takes listeners on an amazing adventure with the traditional Irish folktale, Brave Margaret.

Oct 10, 2017•20 min

Tatterhood

Tatterhood is a fairytale from Norway that has feminist flavors.

Oct 10, 2017•23 min

The Ghost With One Black Eye

The Ghost with One Black Eye is traditional cumulative tale first heard at a storytelling swap from Priscilla Howe. This short, funny rendition amuses both adults and children.

Oct 10, 2017•6 min

The Old Woman and the Willy Nilly Man

Get ready to laugh out loud when you hear MaryAnn tell this story, written by Jill Wright. It is one of the few stories in the collection that is not a folktale.

Oct 10, 2017•22 min

Giant Without A Heart - Introducing StoryLand

Giant Without a Heart is a Norwegian folktale. It's also MaryAnn Schmidt's most frequently requested story. MaryAnn is a teacher and professional storyteller. She tells her stories live to children listening. Some of the stories are so old, they come from a time before there was even writing. Sit back and listen. But don't forget, the best way to tell a story is to tell it. Life can be a fairytale.

Oct 07, 2017•29 min

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