Showing results by publisher "Spoken Realms" in Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths

"Jack and the Beanstalk" is an English fairy tale that appeared as "The Story of Jack Spriggins and the Enchanted Bean" in 1734 and as Benjamin Tabart's moralized "The History of Jack and the Bean-Stalk" in 1807. Henry Cole, publishing under pen name Felix Summerly, popularized the tale in The Home Treasury (1845), and Joseph Jacobs rewrote it in English Fairy Tales (1890). Jacobs' version is most commonly reprinted today, and is believed to be closer to the oral versions than Tabart's because it lacks the moralizing.

"The Ugly Duckling" was first published in 1843, and the tale has been adapted to various media including opera, musical, and animated film. This story has stood the test of time and become an inspiration to those who are bullied or picked upon.

In 1913, Arthur Ransome traveled to Russia to explore Russian folklore. The result of his studies was the publication of retellings (rather than translations) of a number of stories, including The Soldier and Death, which first appeared in 1920.

This is a fairy tale about two kings who bluster and stumble into a hilarious non-war, a princess who finds true love in an unexpected place, and a conniving, beautiful Countess whose poetry was stolen by Shelley. The plot is driven by a bent ginger whisker, seven-league boots, two cloaks of darkness, and stiff notes. The characters are three-dimensional; the satire is gentle and wise. There is whimsy in every minute.

The Brave Tin Soldier, or The Steadfast Tin Soldier is a classic Andersen tale about a toy soldier with only one leg. His love of the aloof ballerina leads into many adventures where his bravery is tested severely but he always remains brave and steadfast.

Before Toy Story warmed our hearts with toys coming to life after their children left the room, Raggedy Ann was the first to show the exciting and endearing world of a toy's life. Join lovable Raggedy Ann and her friends as they venture on amazing adventures together, inspiring good morals, friendship, and joy to young listeners.

Hans Christian Andersen is well remembered for bringing life to virtually anything he could imagine. In this story, we hear from a flea, a frog, and a grasshopper. All had a strong interest in winning a leaping match. Who would win - and why?

"The Beginning of the Armadillos" is a tale that focuses on two days in the lives of three creatures "who lived on the banks of the turbid Amazon": Stickly-Prickly the hedgehog, Slow-and-Solid the tortoise, and Painted Jaguar.

Glenn Hascall narrates this charming Hans Christian Anderson story of the vain Emperor who rather than be thought stupid or incompetent because he can't see the "beautiful" cloth to conniving weavers have sold him parades through the kingdom naked until a child too young and naïve to go along with the deception spills the beans.

A prince, unloved by his family, yet popular with the people, set out to find his fortunes. Charming met Beauty and with the help of a magic ring Prince Charming helps the princess in what he believes to be a noble quest of releasing her brother from the spell of a magic giant. Charming believes that by rescuing her brother he may win her heart. Princess Beauty rejects Charming, but then she had her own little plot to share with the hearer.

A classic Baltic Fable, The Little Singing Frog is an answer to prayer and a happily ever after wrapped into one delightful story. Many frogs grace fables and fairy tales, but this short tale proves once more that not everything should be judged by looks alone.

The stories told, the mother fell to musing, and the result is the little book here presented to the judgment of children other than her own - a few new fairy tales, on the old, old pattern!

An enchanted frog and his adventures with a beautiful princess - need I say more?

Another Grimm's Fairy Tale, "The Enchanted Stag" is a story about how a little sister cares for her brother while he is under a spell by their wicked step-mother. A King saves them both, and then they are betrayed again by the step-mother.... Will the King be fooled by the step-mother, will the brother always be under the spell? Find out who lives happily ever after. Narrated by Kathy Verduin.

A prince born ugly and a princess born without cleverness--this is the trouble discovered in this classic fairy tale. Each had been given a gift by a fairy, but would they know how to use them to make for a happily ever after?

When the King and Queen were ready to have a child, the Queen did what all good queens do; she visited the local witch. But she forgot to specify the King wanted a boy child. On the Princess’s 18th birthday, the King, who was a very disagreeable King, banished the Princess to an island surrounded by nine whirlpools and guarded by a dragon AND a gryphon. There she would spend eternity sewing her wedding dress and waiting for a Prince clever enough to free her.

A mean step-mother, a wicked witch, and poor starving children...all make up this tale taken from the Grimms fairy tales, and true to the Grimm style it is. However "Innocent Good" triumphs over "Horrible Bad," in this tale narrated by actress, Kathy Verduin.

We cannot control how or when we will be remembered after our passing, but for one family in one small village comes one memorable tale of Preben and Martha. These two are remembered well by one who had been just a child while they lived. Now old, he man shares a story leaving us to wonder if he, too, wondered how he would be remembered when others read his gravestone. Narrated by Glenn Hascall.

The original classic that does not feature some of the elements that have become part of the story we usually share. A princess, a frog, and a broken curse all remain a part this great story for the entire family. A story that never once involves 'kissing'.

This classic fable from Hans Christian Andersen finds the wind, rain, and sunshine vying for the opportunity to tell a story. It seemed that more often than not, the sunshine rose high enough to capture the attention of those in need of a story. It's up to you to determine if the story was worth the time the rain and wind had to listen. A unique fable from a beloved author.