

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

Nov 22, 2022 • 24min
The Scholar’s Reward | Ep. 188
This Indian tale starring Summer Bishil (The Magicians, Four Samosas) and Michael Maliakel (Aladdin on Broadway) tells how the first chess game came to be, while teaching a powerful lesson about the ripple effects of our actions.
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Nov 15, 2022 • 19min
Like Oil and Water | Ep. 187
In this courtroom tale with roots in Chinese lore, Michelle Ang (The Bad Batch, Riddle Me This) plays a wise judge who proves that dishonesty and justice just don't mix.
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Nov 8, 2022 • 24min
The Most Fabulous Fur of All | Ep. 186
In this Cherokee story, Q'orianka Kilcher (Yellowstone, Dora and the Lost City of Gold) plays a clever rabbit who craftily tries pulling the wool — and fur — over everyone’s eyes.
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Nov 1, 2022 • 26min
The Wheat and the Chaff | Ep. 185
In this tale with Finnish roots, Christopher Rivas (Call Me Kat, Brown Enough) plays a sly fox who tricks a pair of bullies into reaping what they sow.
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Oct 25, 2022 • 26min
The Sorcerer’s Offer | Ep. 184
Inspired by a tale from Armenia, this story starring Amber Nash (Archer, How To Ruin The Holidays), Bill Ratner (Family Guy, G.I. Joe), and Alondra Delgado (All American, Is Mejor to Say ADIÓS) shows how small risks -- and acts of kindness -- can pay off in big ways.
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Oct 18, 2022 • 19min
The Banana Split | Ep. 183
Amirah Vann (A Jazzman’s Blues, Underground) and Jim Conroy (Jellystone, FETCH! with Ruff Ruffman) star in this Panamanian tale about a slow, steadfast tortoise who teaches a swift, stingy monkey about sharing.
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Oct 11, 2022 • 25min
Encore: The Fantastic Fiddle
In this favorite tale from the archives, Adam Irigoyen (Away, Shake It Up) plays a fiddler whose magical instrument brings the world to its feet, and the guilty to their knees.
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Oct 4, 2022 • 19min
Finding the Light | Ep. 182
Kennedy Kanagawa (Into The Woods) plays a young man who brings light to a dark world in this tale with roots in Alaska Native and First Nations legends.
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Sep 27, 2022 • 21min
Chameleon’s Contest | Ep. 181
Jonica Booth (Rap Stuff) and Jay Pharoah (Out of Office, Saturday Night Live) co-star in this West African tale about a clothing-obsessed goddess and a crafty, colorful chameleon.
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Sep 20, 2022 • 28min
The Little Blue Pebble | Ep. 180
In this magical story with roots all over the world, Broadway performers Bret Shuford and Stephen Hanna (Broadway Husbands) play farmers who receive a little magic that leads to big transformations!
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