Showing results by publisher "Phoenix Books" in Literature & Fiction

Tales like "How the Leopard Got His Spots" and "How the Camel Got His Hump" answer questions only children would ask and answers them in a way only children would believe. Rudyard Kipling very much intended Just So Stories to be read aloud — and no one does it better than Carl Reiner, who brings each original story to life. A superbly amusing and entertaining experience, Kipling's Just So Stories is a children's literature classic that will delight both young and old alike. Stories in this collection are:

Treasury of Classic Children's Stories is a delightful collection narrated by beloved entertainment icons. Bedtime and playtime will never be the same again as families gather to listen to classic tales brought to life by award-winning performers. Audrey Hepburn performs story adaptations by Mary Sheldon; John Ritter tells the story of Jack and the Beanstalk; Sharon Stone delivers an off-the-wall rendition of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs—as retold by Richard Hack—and Orson Welles performs the all-time favorite The Happy Prince by Oscar Wilde.

Jataka Tales is a compilation of stories from an ancient collection of famous legends about the former lives of the Buddha on his long road to enlightenment. Suggestive of Aesop, these beloved fables are fragments of epics and hero tales arising from deep in the collective Indian past. They present challenging circumstances for humans and animals alike, events which elicit courage and the capacity to love. Centered in one of the world's oldest cities on the Ganges River, these delightful stories tell of dramatic adventures resolved by nonviolent, compassionate means.

"...there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." So says Rat, as he welcomes the lonely Mole to the community of the River. Whether messing about in boats, touring in Toad's motorcar, or simply relaxing at home, Mole, Rat, Otter, Toad, and Badger demonstrate the honorable human characteristics of kindness, patience, and tolerance toward all that have made this classic tale beloved by generations since it was first published in 1908.

The evil Duke of cold Coffin Castle fancies he has frozen time by stopping all of the clocks. He is fearful that one day a Prince may come and win away the hand of his niece, beautiful Princess Saralinda—the only warm hand in the castle. Several suitors have tried to court the Princess, but the Duke assigns them impossible tasks to thwart that fate. A few days before Saralinda's twenty-first birthday, a mysterious prince arrives to complete a seemingly impossible task and free Saralinda from the clutches of her uncle.

This star-studded rendition of Ogden Nash's humorous verses—backed by a full-orchestra performance of Saint-Saëns' Carnival of the Animals—will surely delight adults and children of all ages. A great way to introduce children to classical music, youngsters will enjoy the animal depictions in the sounds of Saint-Saëns' composition.

Do you believe in Santa Claus? You will after you've experienced this magical Christmas classic that pits cynics against Santa-believers. Miracle on 34th Street begins when a last-minute replacement in the annual Thanksgiving Day Parade claims to be the genuine Santa. Is he the real thing or just a charlatan in a red fuzzy coat? In a classic courtroom climax, the department store's Kris Kringle must convince everyone, including a skeptical little girl named Susan Walker, that Santa Claus really does exist.

Three bored sisters on a rainy afternoon make wish after wish— for the rain to stop, to play in the puddles— something, anything. Capturing their attention, their grandmother recounts a mesmerizing childhood memory of a magical night long ago when secret wishes came true. She relates what happened when Ying-ying was seven and celebrating the Moon Festival in China. On that long-ago night of the Moon Festival, she encountered the Moon Lady, who granted the secret wishes of those who ask.

It is business as usual down at the Digby, Wisconsin fire house until the day that eight year old Matty, the fire dog, gives birth to seven beautiful puppies. Six of the puppies are perfect in every way, but the seventh has a bad leg. As the chief says, "That poor old dog. It looks like he's got a bad digit" And that's how Digit got his name.

Academy Award-winning actor and author Alan Arkin tells a brilliant tale in this young-adult novel, The Lemming Condition. The story is an allegory on conformity, as Bubber, a lemming, is faced with following his entire race to self-induced extinction. Bubber struggles to decide if he should participate in what appears to be an insane death walk, only to constantly be told by family and friends that this is just the way things are. The story provides a superb lesson on conformity, free thinking and personal accountability.

Abigail (the woodmouse), Russell (the hedgehog), Edgar (the mole), and Michelle (the badger)—known to their teacher as the Furlings—come face-to-face with dangers unintentionally brought to their forest world by the human pursuit of "progress." These woodland friends race against time to and work together as a team to help a friend in need. This exciting audio tale is based on the children's film Once Upon a Forest, produced by Hanna-Barbera studios.

When Yellow Dog saved a boy from drowning, he became a canine hero. But now dog and boy are in danger again, alone in the wilderness after a boat trip separates them from the boy's father and leaves them stranded in the Canadian wilderness. This time, it's the boy's turn to become a hero, and with a little help from this former stray dog, he uses his best judgment in a brave attempt to get home. In this compelling story of loyalty and adventure—as read by actress Mimi Rogers, who appears in the film version—the boy and Yellow Dog become partners in survival and friends for life.

After the loss of her parents, Mary Lennox comes to live at her uncle's great mansion on the Yorkshire Moors. Unsure about her surroundings, Mary struggles to find a place in this new existence. Through the gentle guidance of the maid, Mary gradually becomes interested in a garden at the house, the key to which has vanished. In her quest to find and explore the possibilities the garden holds, Mary befriends a host of loveable characters. Is the garden dead, or can Mary bring it back to life?

Combine a crime, a criminal, a fat man in a fez, and a guy named "Chicken Man," and you get a zany sci-fi adventure that defies gravity. As Wizard of Comedy Daniel M. Pinkwater transports the Snarkout Boys and the Rat through the tunnel under North Aufzoo Street to the warmth of Beanbenders, you'll meet some strange characters and learn much about the versatile avocado.

Lil' Jordan's 9 Holes of Fear is a fun, fictional tale of a courageous kid who, with the support of his father, conquers his fears by challenging a golf course filled with monsters. This story is an exciting and unpredictable adventure that also shares a lesson in the principles of sportsmanship. Lil' Jordan's potential, preparation, and perseverance help him face the nine-hole test.

In this much-anticipated sequel to Tell Me a Scary Story—Carl Reiner's first children's book—odd beams of light come from nowhere, along with oodles of goopy goo, memorable characters, and mysteries for kids to solve. As the story becomes scarier, Reiner pauses to ask if he should proceed, “Or is it too scary?” That's for kids to decide! Here's a fun story with delicious thrills and scary stuff that children will ask for again, and again.

Young and older listeners alike will treasure this collection of Beatrix Potter's beloved animal stories, narrated by Football Hall of Famer Terry Bradshaw and legendary actress, singer, dancer, and comedian Carol Channing, with musical accompaniment. Stories include tales about the adventures of four little bunnies named Flopsy, Mopsy, Cottontail, and Peter; a terrier and a ginger cat who own a shop; a naughty squirrel who loses his tail; and two mischievous mice and a doll house.

Young listeners will adore these two inspirational children's stories that are accompanied by original music. The History of Christmas: In this charming metaphor about the discovery of self-worth and the following of one's destiny, a grandfather tells the story of Jesus' birth and how he found his star. The Smallest Mouse in Town convinces himself that he is a giant, and in the end, he proves that the most important thing is to be who you are no matter what. After all, liking yourself is one of life's most important lessons.

In the excitement of the season, the true meaning of Christmas sometimes gets lost. These warm and humorous stories provide a gentle reminder that it is the day that we celebrate Christ's birth. In Waldo, Tell Me About Christmas, a little boy is more interested in his presents than in why we celebrate this joyous day until his best friend, Waldo, helps him learn the true meaning of Christmas. In The Star of Melvin, the smallest angel—who is responsible for the smallest star—is given a very special task. Can love alone make his star shine bright enough to show the way?

Meet the Silly family—Willie, Millie, Lilly, and Billy—and their silly neighbors, relatives, and friends in this lyrical romp of storytelling. Inspired by his grandson, Hollywood legend and award-winning director and comedy writer Carl Reiner weaves a whimsical tale of family fun. Read by the author, this recording highlights fun rhymes, tongue-twisting tales, and hilarious characters that will make children everywhere giggle with delight.