BONUS: A Visit from St. Nicholas
A second piece of Christmas bonus content - a reading of the much loved poem, "A Visit from St. Nicholas", or "'Twas the Night Before Christmas" by Clement Clarke Moore.
Dec 18, 2020•5 min•Ep. 54
Willow Audiobooks
Willow Audiobooks is an independent publisher of free audiobooks, released in the form of a podcast. The source texts are all in the public domain, and they are narrated, produced and with original music by Stephen Alexander. Original cover illustrations are by Benjamin Callery.
Willow Audiobooks began in March 2020, prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the UK national lockdown. Stephen Alexander has been storytelling all his life, and recorded his first homemade audiobook on cassette at the age of six (Roald Dahl's Esio Trot)!
Willow Audiobooks began in March 2020, prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the UK national lockdown. Stephen Alexander has been storytelling all his life, and recorded his first homemade audiobook on cassette at the age of six (Roald Dahl's Esio Trot)!
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Episodes
A Christmas Carol | Part 2 (Stave 2)
Selfish, greedy Ebenezer Scrooge despises Christmas and treats those around him with contempt. But a visit from the ghost of his deceased partner Marley forewarns him of three further supernatural encounters, which may be his only chance to turn his life around and save his soul... A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is in the public domain worldwide. This is a Willow Audiobook read by Stephen Alexander. Cover illustration by Benjamin Callery. Original music by Stephen Alexander. To stay update...
Dec 13, 2020•45 min•Ep. 53
BONUS: The Blue Carbuncle | The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
A little festive bonus content - Sherlock Holmes at Christmas! Let me know if you enjoyed this short story and if you would like to hear more.The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is in the public domain worldwide. This is a Willow Audiobook read by Stephen Alexander. Music is "Mystery Bazaar", "Sneaky Snitch" and "Division", all by Kevin MacLeod. To stay updated with Willow Audiobooks, you can follow us on social media. Just search for Willow Audiobooks on Instagram, Faceb...
Dec 12, 2020•52 min•Ep. 52
A Christmas Carol | Part 1 (Stave 1)
Selfish, greedy Ebenezer Scrooge despises Christmas and treats those around him with contempt. But a visit from the ghost of his deceased partner Marley forewarns him of three further supernatural encounters, which may be his only chance to turn his life around and save his soul... A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is in the public domain worldwide. This is a Willow Audiobook read by Stephen Alexander. Cover illustration by Benjamin Callery. Original music by Stephen Alexander. To stay update...
Dec 06, 2020•50 min•Ep. 51
*Willow Branches* | Illustrator Benjamin Callery!
Something a little different! I thought it would be nice to record a conversation with Benjamin Callery who does the beautiful illustrations for each Willow Audiobook (check them out on Instagram/Twitter and our website!). This is the first in a new bonus series called Willow Branches, in which I hope to talk to a variety of guests about the stories we love. Let me know what you think - feedback is always welcome! You can find Ben's personal art page on Instagram @bearinsuits. Instagram/Facebook...
Dec 05, 2020•27 min•Ep. 50
TRAILER: A Christmas Carol
Coming this December from Willow Audiobooks - the classic festive tale by Charles Dickens! Episode 1 released on Sunday 6th December.
Dec 01, 2020•1 min•Ep. 49
Through the Looking-Glass | Part 5 (Ch 9-12)
Alice has finally reached the Eighth Square - but she cannot be a Queen until she has passed the tests the other Queens have in store for her! There is also a dinner party to attend, which brings its own challenges... Through the Looking-Glass (And What Alice Found There) by Lewis Carroll is in the public domain worldwide. This is a Willow Audiobook read by Stephen Alexander. Cover illustration by Benjamin Callery. Original music by Stephen Alexander. To stay updated with Willow Audiobooks, you ...
Nov 29, 2020•33 min•Ep. 48
Through the Looking-Glass | Part 4 (Ch 7-8)
In Part 4, we come across the White King, and his two messengers who seem rather familiar. After watching a fight between the Lion and the Unicorn, Alice is rescued by the clumsiest Knight ever seen. Through the Looking-Glass (And What Alice Found There) by Lewis Carroll is in the public domain worldwide. This is a Willow Audiobook read by Stephen Alexander. Cover illustration by Benjamin Callery. Original music by Stephen Alexander. To stay updated with Willow Audiobooks, you can follow us on s...
Nov 22, 2020•45 min•Ep. 47
Through the Looking-Glass | Part 3 (Ch 5-6)
In Part 3, Alice meets the scatter-brained White Queen, and takes a trip down the river on a boat. She is then amazed to meet the one and only Humpty Dumpty. Through the Looking-Glass (And What Alice Found There) by Lewis Carroll is in the public domain worldwide. This is a Willow Audiobook read by Stephen Alexander. Cover illustration by Benjamin Callery. Original music by Stephen Alexander. To stay updated with Willow Audiobooks, you can follow us on social media. Just search for Willow Audiob...
Nov 15, 2020•42 min•Ep. 46
Through the Looking-Glass | Part 2 (Ch 3-4)
In Part 2, Alice takes a disorientating railway journey and learns about the strange insects which live in this world. She then encounters the iconic duo of Tweedledum and Tweedledee. Through the Looking-Glass (And What Alice Found There) by Lewis Carroll is in the public domain worldwide. This is a Willow Audiobook read by Stephen Alexander. Cover illustration by Benjamin Callery. Original music by Stephen Alexander. To stay updated with Willow Audiobooks, you can follow us on social media. Jus...
Nov 08, 2020•40 min•Ep. 45
Through the Looking-Glass | Part 1 (Ch 1-2)
The time has come! In Part 1, Alice discovers a way through a mirror into a delightfully backwards world, where forward means backward, flowers can talk and chess pieces are alive. Soon she finds herself playing in a gigantic game of chess which will take her all the way to the Eighth Square where, she is told, she will become a Queen. Through the Looking-Glass (And What Alice Found There) by Lewis Carroll is in the public domain worldwide. This is a Willow Audiobook read by Stephen Alexander. C...
Nov 01, 2020•40 min•Ep. 44
BONUS: The Raven & The Tell-Tale Heart
Special spooky bonus content for Hallowe'en! Please enjoy these two readings of Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven" and short story "The Tell-Tale Heart". I hope you find them suitably chilling! Music is "The Chamber" and "Reign Supreme" by Kevin MacLeod.
Oct 31, 2020•27 min•Ep. 43
The Marvellous Land of Oz | Part 5 (Ch 20-24)
Glinda the Good informs our travellers that in fact, neither the Scarecrow nor General Jinjur have a claim to the throne, and that the rightful air is a missing girl named Ozma. But how can she be found? The Marvellous Land of Oz by L Frank Baum is in the public domain worldwide. This is a Willow Audiobook read by Stephen Alexander. Cover illustration by Benjamin Callery. Original music by Stephen Alexander. To stay updated with Willow Audiobooks, you can follow us on social media. Just search f...
Oct 30, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 42
TRAILER: Through the Looking-Glass
"Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast..." Alice returns in Lewis Carroll's popular sequel, "Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There"- coming soon from Willow Audiobooks!
Oct 25, 2020•1 min•Ep. 41
The Marvellous Land of Oz | Part 4 (Ch 15-19)
With the Emerald City under the rule of General Jinjur, the Scarecrow must rack his brains to find a way for him and his friends to avoid death. After devising a marvellous contraption to help them escape, they resolve to ask the most powerful sorceress in the Land of Oz, Glinda the Good, for her assistance. The Marvellous Land of Oz by L Frank Baum is in the public domain worldwide. This is a Willow Audiobook read by Stephen Alexander. Cover illustration by Benjamin Callery. Original music by S...
Oct 24, 2020•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 40
The Marvellous Land of Oz | Part 3 (Ch 11-14)
The Scarecrow takes Tip and Jack Pumpkinhead to meet his old friend, the Tin Woodman, to help him to regain his throne. On their travels, they are beseiged by magical tricks sent by old Mombi, and they also meet a new, and thoroughly educated, friend. The Marvellous Land of Oz by L Frank Baum is in the public domain worldwide. This is a Willow Audiobook read by Stephen Alexander. Cover illustration by Benjamin Callery. Original music by Stephen Alexander. To stay updated with Willow Audiobooks, ...
Oct 17, 2020•48 min•Ep. 39
The Marvellous Land of Oz | Part 2 (Ch 6-10)
In Part 2, Jack Pumpkinhead arrives at the Emerald City and meets His Majesty the Scarecrow, and despite their intellectual gulf, the two become friends. Meanwhile, Tip meets a girl by the name of General Jinjur, who has plans to capture the Emerald City and overthrow the king. The Marvellous Land of Oz by L Frank Baum is in the public domain worldwide. This is a Willow Audiobook read by Stephen Alexander. Cover illustration by Benjamin Callery. Original music by Stephen Alexander. To stay updat...
Oct 10, 2020•57 min•Ep. 38
The Marvellous Land of Oz | Part 1 (Ch 1-5)
Welcome to the second book in the Oz series! In Part 1 we meet Tip, a young boy from the north of Oz, who lives in the custody of the evil witch Mombi. When his pumpkinheaded dummy is brought to life by a magical powder, Tip decides to run away, and thus his adventures begin! The Marvellous Land of Oz by L Frank Baum is in the public domain worldwide. This is a Willow Audiobook read by Stephen Alexander. Cover illustration by Benjamin Callery. Original music by Stephen Alexander. To stay updated...
Oct 03, 2020•49 min•Ep. 37
TRAILER: The Marvellous Land of Oz
"The Emerald City has been ruled by men long enough." From author L. Frank Baum comes a yellow-brick sequel... The Marvellous Land of Oz, coming soon from Willow Audiobooks!
Sep 27, 2020•1 min•Ep. 36
Asking a favour!
Asking a quick favour! Please leave Willow Audiobooks a rating or a review wherever you get your podcasts. It will be so helpful! Also please follow us on social media. We are @willowaudiobooks on Instagram and @willowaudiobook (no S) on Twitter. See you soon for another audiobook! Stephen
Jul 22, 2020•1 min•Ep. 35
TRAILER: The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is in the public domain worldwide. This is a Willow Audiobook read aloud, produced and with original music by Stephen Alexander. Cover illustration by Benjamin Callery.
Jul 22, 2020•1 min•Ep. 34
The Secret Garden | Part 8 (Ch 24-27)
Final part! Colin and the others continue to work and play in the garden, and he feels himself getting stronger each day. Is it Magic, or something else? The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is in the public domain worldwide. This is a Willow Audiobook read by Stephen Alexander. Cover illustration by Benjamin Callery. Original music by Stephen Alexander.
Jul 15, 2020•1 hr 34 min•Ep. 33
The Secret Garden | Part 7 (Ch 21-23)
Colin's health begins to make some remarkable improvements, but he is anxious to keep this a secret from the adults. The children are surprised by an unexpected visitor to the garden. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is in the public domain worldwide. This is a Willow Audiobook read by Stephen Alexander. Cover illustration by Benjamin Callery. Original music by Stephen Alexander.
Jul 13, 2020•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 32
The Secret Garden | Part 6 (Ch 18-20)
Mary finally reveals her secret to Colin, and, with the help of Dickon, takes him outside to experience the garden for himself. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is in the public domain worldwide. This is a Willow Audiobook read by Stephen Alexander. Cover illustration by Benjamin Callery. Original music by Stephen Alexander.
Jul 11, 2020•53 min•Ep. 31
The Secret Garden | Part 5 (Ch 15-17)
Mary and Dickon continue their work on the garden. Is Colin jealous, or is there something else troubling him? The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is in the public domain worldwide. This is a Willow Audiobook read by Stephen Alexander. Cover illustration by Benjamin Callery. Original music by Stephen Alexander.
Jul 09, 2020•54 min•Ep. 30
The Secret Garden | Part 4 (Ch 13-14)
Mary finally discovers the source of the mysterious crying... The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is in the public domain worldwide. This is a Willow Audiobook read by Stephen Alexander. Cover illustration by Benjamin Callery. Original music by Stephen Alexander.
Jul 07, 2020•53 min•Ep. 29
The Secret Garden | Part 3 (Ch 9-12)
Having found her way into the secret garden, Mary develops the urge to plant things and watch them grow. She meets Martha's brother, Dickon, who is just as wonderful as she expected. Archibald Craven, Mary's uncle, requests a meeting with her. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is in the public domain worldwide. This is a Willow Audiobook read by Stephen Alexander. Cover illustration by Benjamin Callery. Original music by Stephen Alexander.
Jul 05, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 28
The Secret Garden | Part 2 (Ch 5-8)
Mary is intrigued by the closed-off garden which seemingly has no door. She also begins to hear a strange sound within the house - the sound of someone crying. Who could it be? The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is in the public domain worldwide. This is a Willow Audiobook read by Stephen Alexander. Cover illustration by Benjamin Callery. Original music by Stephen Alexander.
Jul 03, 2020•59 min•Ep. 27
The Secret Garden | Part 1 (Ch 1-4)
Content warning: racism. See statement below and at start of episode for more info. Chapter 1 begins at 02:41. The explicitly racist dialogue takes place between 47:18 - 49:43. Mary Lennox, the daughter of a colonist in India, is sent back to England when her parents die to live with her uncle in a Yorkshire manor house. Used to being waited on by servants in India, Mary struggles to adjust to her new life. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett is in the public domain worldwide. This is a...
Jul 01, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 26
BONUS: Just So Stories (1-3)
A little bonus content! On Sunday I did a livestream on Instagram where I read the first three of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories. Here is the audio of those three stories: "How the Whale Got His Throat", "How the Camel Got His Hump" and "How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin". Stay tuned for the next fully-fledged audiobook coming to your feeds very soon!
Jun 29, 2020•22 min•Ep. 25
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