Fools Thrush In feat. Anthony Alabi
Anthony Alabi (Family Reunion, black-ish) headlines an Oneida and Mohawk story about how one of the most beautiful bird songs of all came to be.
Episodes
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.
Episodes
Night and Day feat. MASUMI
Actor/singer-songwriter MASUMI (Yakuza Princess) headlines this magical tale from the Yoruba people about how night came to a world of endless day.
The Red Velvet Purse feat. Elisa Donovan
Elisa Donovan (Clueless, Sabrina the Teenage Witch) plays a judge who puts honesty on trial in this tale with Chinese, Indian, Ethiopian, and Romanian roots.
The Friend Ship feat. Carra Patterson
Carra Patterson (Turner & Hooch, Jitney) stars in a tale from Japan about a woman with enough generosity to last a lifetime, and a man with enough greed to sink a ship.
Encore: The Fire On The Other Side Of The World
We wrap up the summer with another listener favorite: a Cherokee tale in which Yeardley Smith (The Simpsons, Oil and Water) plays a feisty, creative spider who proves that power and strength aren't always about physical size.
The Laughing Canoe feat. George Salazar
George Salazar (Be More Chill, Superstore) plays a wise-cracking waterborne vessel in this Brazilian story about the extraordinary things teamwork can bring.
Encore: The Chattering Clams
This week we bring back a listener favorite: Mindy Thomas and Guy Raz (hosts of "Wow in the World") star in a whimsical Native American tale about the dangers of gossip.
The Laws of Nature feat. Mo Rocca
Mo Rocca (CBS Sunday Morning, Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!) headlines this eco-conscious Estonian/Finnish tale about conservation, courtesy, and how actions speak louder than words.
Encore: Sir Luck and Mister Riches
In this favorite tale from the archives, comedian/kids' author Michael Ian Black (I'm Worried, Cock-a-Doodle-Doo-Bop) and actor/director David Wain (Wet Hot American Summer, Medical Police) believe they know the secret to what makes people truly happy.
The Patched-Up Coat feat. Peter Sagal
NPR's Peter Sagal (Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!) stars in this Russian story about how fantastically priceless a little generosity can be.
Encore: The King's Face
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. This episode was originally released on October 22, 2019.
The Mountain Guardian feat. Alonzo Bodden & Audrey Hsieh
Audrey Hsieh (Here Today, Mixtape) and Alonzo Bodden (Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!, Who's Paying Attention) headline this Tibetan tale about two family members who are rewarded appropriately by a stone lion, one for her generosity and one for his greed.
Encore: The Magpie With Salt On Her Tail
Rachael Harris (Lucifer, Suits) and Taran Killam (Nature Cat, Saturday Night Live) star in this special encore episode about a young man who learns that -- with a little hard work -- dreams can come true. This episode was originally released on December 19, 2017.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Missing Knight feat. Sarah, Duchess of York & Jason Mantzoukas
Duchess Sarah Ferguson of York (Storytime With Fergie) and Jason Mantzoukas (How Did This Get Made, Housebroken) play a crafty queen and scheming advisor who face off in an unforgettable game of chess.
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.
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.
Growing Courage ft. Kyla Pratt
Kyla Pratt (Call Me Kat, The Proud Family) headlines this Ethiopian story about the power of facing your fears.
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.
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.
The Governor’s Puzzle feat. Tiffany Espensen
Tiffany Espensen (Spider-Man: Homecoming, Kirby Buckets) stars in this Chinese folktale about thinking outside the box and inside the boat.
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.
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.
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.