Showing results by publisher "Spoken Realms" in Literature & Fiction

A timeless Christmas story - ideal for children and adults alike to enjoy or reminisce. Saint Nicholas, reindeer, snow, fireside, gifts...all there and beautifully narrated in a classic British manner by Phillip J. Mather.

This Irish version of the Cinderella story is a classic fairy tale as you have never heard it before. Master storyteller and folklorist Padraic Colum creates a completely unique world of enchanted woods, marauding giants, gossiping geese, and a supernatural cloak made of crow feathers. Through her many adventures, Maid-Alone, Colum's heroine, remains steadfast in her quiet strength and wisdom. Listeners of all ages will enjoy this magical retelling of a familiar legend.

Annie and Willie's Prayer was written by Sophia P. Snow in 1884 and has since become a family tradition for many. It's a heartwarming story of how two children help teach their father the true meaning of Christmas.

Shakespeare wrote for grown-up people, for men and women, and in words that little folks cannot understand. Hence Nesbit's Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare: to reproduce the entertaining stories contained in the plays of Shakespeare, in a form so simple that children can understand and enjoy them.

This classic story by Margery Williams, published in 1922, imparts the timeless message that toys need not be expensive or modern to be appreciated and loved. Through giving and receiving love, even a commonplace stuffed animal can become real in the eyes of a child, and millions of them do every day. Love is the magic ingredient of course, and it works on all of us.

Hans Christian Andersen's classic "The Little Mermaid" read by award winning narrator, Mike Vendetti. Sit back relax, and escape for an hour to the world of bittersweet happy endings.

From the author of The Wind in the Willows comes this humorous tale of a poetic dragon who defies stereotypes with the help of a bright little boy and a certain English saint....

One husband. One wife. One trusting relationship. A fable from master storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. Did they participate in a con, or is it possible that these two old folks simply came to the place where love and trust could help her say, "What the old man does is always right"?

This memorable tale written by the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz follows a mannequin who is brought to life by a mischievous elf. More modern stories bear a resemblance to this story as audiences are encouraged to suspend belief and follow the lives and times of inanimate objects.

A short fable from acclaimed author Hans Christian Andersen. In this memorable tale, Andersen tackles the subject of prejudice by looking at the subject through the eyes of an apple branch that assumes he is superior to the dandelion. This story may be viewed as both great story as well as a powerful object lesson.

From Rudyard Kipling's classic The Jungle Book, Rikki Tikki Tavi is the story of a mongoose and two cobras. Taken in after being washed into the garden of a British family in India, he protects the house from the devious cobras Nag and Nagaina with help from his friends and mongoose cunning.

In this short tale, young Margery is learning to spell out words and thinks herself a fine writer. The first word she mastered was "baby". The faithful uncle attempts to teach her some of the best ways to create a solid and enjoyable story. In the end, her story was just three words, but perhaps there was a depth no one expected. Perhaps the uncle was just overthinking things.

These stories came before the more famous "Winnie the Pooh", but point to the master storyteller A. A. Milne always was. In this beloved tale, the unnamed uncle describes correspondence with his niece Margery. The young girl has as unique a perspective on life as her uncle and has derived her own unique spelling of words.

Another masterful interaction between young Margery and her uncle. From the mind of the creator of Winnie the Pooh comes one in a series of short stories that captures the joy of childhood and the frustration of an uncle unused to interacting with children.

Reddy and Granny Fox must outsmart Farmer Brown's Boy who is out to get Reddy for stealing his pet chicken. Along the way, Reddy encounters many of the citizens of the Green Meadows and the Green Forest and with him we learn little lessons about life such as: the perils of being a show off; the importance of using all of one's senses; that it is a fine thing to show sympathy and kindness to others - even our enemies; and that the value of a grandmother's wisdom is inestimable.

This short fable from Hans Christian Andersen speaks to the end of the glory of growth and the coming of spring. Those who have enjoyed the warmth and growth lament what they believe to be death and destruction.

The Brothers Grimm were not alone in collecting folk fables. Charles Perault has provided dozens of stellar short stories from the same era. In this short story, we consider the difference between a kind sister and one who is less than grateful. It will be easy to decide who was most deserving of the fairy’s favor.

This is the classic story of the earliest years of Israel's great prophet, Samuel. Even when Samuel was young, God trusted the boy with a message. Memorably imagined by Amy Steedman and narrated by Glenn Hascall.

Classic author Amy Steedman delivers a memorable retelling of the story of David, the shepherd boy that would be Israel's most famous king. From the sheepfolds to the palace, from Golaith's taunts to the shepherd's faith.

This is a delightful retelling of the life of Moses. From infancy to leader, acclaimed author Amy Steedman guides us through the difficulties he faced and retains the heart of this biblical story.