

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

Feb 25, 2025 • 20min
Diamonds in the Sky | Ep. 278
Kyriana Kratter (Star Wars: Skeleton Crew) and Mila Harris (Mary, World-Breaker) headline an out-of-this-world Filipino tale about how the sun and moon came to be.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Feb 18, 2025 • 24min
The Salmon Famine | Ep. 277
Dive into an enchanting tale from the Pacific Northwest, featuring a cunning coyote who embarks on a daring rescue during the 'Salmon Famine.' With shapeshifting skills, he deceives three giant sisters hoarding fish and devises a clever escape plan. The narrative highlights themes of cooperation and sharing, as Coyote faces challenges while ultimately triumphing. Engaging moments from young listeners add a personal touch, inviting reflection on community and generosity.

Feb 11, 2025 • 23min
The Well of Honor | Ep. 276
Recorded live at Symphony Hall with Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians and a star-studded cast, this Egyptian, Iraqi, Palestinian, Sudanese and Tunisian tale shows the importance of never biting off more than you can chew.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Feb 4, 2025 • 21min
Encore: The Lumps of Clay
Maulik Pancholy (Phineas and Ferb, Sanjay and Craig) stars in a classic Indian story about a witty royal adviser who finds an ingenious way to bring the truth to light.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Jan 28, 2025 • 30min
The Zodiac Twelve | Ep. 275
Tzi Ma (Five Blind Dates, Interior Chinatown) and Jimmy Wong (Mulan, Wish Dragon) co-star in an action-packed legend about the origin of the Chinese zodiac animals.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Jan 21, 2025 • 23min
Hot Potatoes | Ep. 274
Arlen Escarpeta (Found, The Oath) headlines a tale from southern Africa about stolen spuds and hare-brained schemes.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Jan 14, 2025 • 30min
The Cobbler’s Soul | Ep. 273
John Patrick Amedori (Three Women, Dear White People) headlines an internationally-inspired story about fixing soles and saving souls.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Jan 7, 2025 • 22min
Encore: Ariana’s Music
Mireille Enos (Hanna, The Killing) headlines this new spin on an ancient Greek legend about an instrument that captivates everyone who hears it – whether they have skin, scales, hair, hides, feathers or fur!
Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Dec 31, 2024 • 20min
Encore: Three Clever Brothers
Alexandra Billings (Transparent, Paddleton) stars in a North African, Middle Eastern and central and north-central Asian folktale about the power of a keen eye and a quick mind.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.

Dec 24, 2024 • 19min
Encore: Getting Skunked
Terrence Terrell (B Positive, Giants) stars in this Abenaki tale about a gentle giant who brings night and day to the world, and gives a certain striped critter its telltale scent.
Sign up for our monthly newsletter, "The Lion's Roar", here.


