

Circle Round
WBUR
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
Mentioned books

Jul 29, 2025 • 25min
Encore: The Unselfish Shellfish
Eric Bauza (Bugs Bunny Builders, Woody Woodpecker) and Harry Shum Jr. (Everything Everywhere All At Once, Crazy Rich Asians) star in an Indonesian story about a bad egg who winds up in a real pickle when he tries having his cake and eating it too.

Jul 22, 2025 • 21min
Encore: The Missing Mountainside
Karen Huie (Welcome to Flatch, Abominable and the Invisible City), stars in a Taiwanese tale about the bad taste it can leave when you bite off more than you can chew!

Jul 16, 2025 • 26min
Encore: The Mountain Guardian
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.

Jul 8, 2025 • 25min
Encore: Of Beans and Bunnies
Efren Ramirez (Napoleon Dynamite, Lightyear) portrays a beloved trickster who lives by his wits, and uses them to outwit others, in this folktale from the Spanish-speaking world.

Jul 1, 2025 • 19min
Encore: Mangoes in the Middle
Utkarsh Ambudkar (Ghosts, We Are Freestyle Love Supreme) stars in an Indian tale about an ingenious royal advisor who cunningly proves the true owner of a fruitful treasure.

Jun 24, 2025 • 24min
Encore: Hungry Hippo
Scott Lawrence (Star Wars Resistance, Vader Immortal) stars in this African legend about how the hippopotamus came to be the decidedly distinctive creature it is today.

Jun 17, 2025 • 28min
Encore: Strong Mind and Kind Heart
In this engaging conversation, Christopher Sean, celebrated for his roles in Star Wars Resistance and Gotham Knights, dives into the Vietnamese folktale 'Strong Mind and Kind Heart.' He explores the powerful themes of friendship and sacrifice as two friends chase their dreams. The podcast unveils their emotional struggles, especially Kindheart's turmoil over rejection and his selfless heroic act. Listeners are treated to enchanted transformations and insights into the consequences of greed, all while celebrating creativity through children's artwork inspired by the story.

Jun 10, 2025 • 19min
Encore: Counting Crocodiles
Tiya Sircar, renowned for her roles in Star Wars Rebels and The Good Place, lends her voice to a clever mouse deer in a delightful Southeast Asian folktale. She cunningly devises a plan to outsmart a large crocodile blocking her friends' access to water. With wit and resourcefulness, Mouse Deer navigates dangers and executes a humorous ploy to gather fruit for her friends. The story emphasizes the value of friendship and community, reminding listeners of the joy found in kindness and cleverness.

Jun 3, 2025 • 22min
Encore: The Rooster in the Sky
Dive into a magical adventure that spans cultures as Tatiana faces her challenges with courage. A talking rooster leads her to a golden hand mill that creates delicious food. But when a greedy merchant threatens to take it away, an epic confrontation unfolds at a lavish party. Friendship and loyalty shine brightly as Tatiana and her rooster team up to reclaim what's theirs. The story offers listeners a chance to reflect on their own kindness and creativity!

May 27, 2025 • 25min
Out of Time
A captivating Japanese tale unfolds around a clockmaker and her exquisite creations, highlighting the importance of reading between the lines. The suspense builds as she pursues a thief who steals a crucial clock, leading to a tense courtroom drama where suspects’ alibis clash. A wise judge explores clever narratives to reveal truths, while a farmer enlists local children to crack a mystery involving missing rabbits. The gripping conclusion invites listeners to share their own stories, emphasizing the power of tales that connect us all.