
Circle Round
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.
Latest episodes

Dec 12, 2023 • 19min
Encore: Coyote's Flame
Brittany O'Grady stars in a Native American tale about Coyote's mission to bring fire to a dark world. Coyote and her friends devise a plan to steal fire from the fire beings. Coyote encounters the fire beings firsthand while her friends help her pass the fire stick. They successfully bring fire to the world and celebrate. The podcast also features children sharing their favorite Circle Round stories and discussing their favorite moments.

Dec 5, 2023 • 26min
The Secret of Success
Helen Hong shares a tale about imagination and effort affecting supply and demand. The podcast explores the concept of supply and demand through a lemonade stand example and tells a folktale about Yuna starting her own business. It highlights the importance of imagination and innovation on the road to success. Eunice learns from a businesswoman and comes up with a new idea after seeing a flower shop with less beautiful blossoms. Yuna's hard work and determination lead her to achieve her goal of buying a house and bringing her parents.

Nov 28, 2023 • 20min
The Valley Visitor
A Chinese tale about a mysterious guest, a raging storm, and the true fruits of kindness. Maylene encounters a man who turns out to be the yellow dragon in disguise. Maylene and her grandfather face a flood during a storm, only to wake up to a peaceful morning. They witness the surprising benefits of the flood on their land. The podcast emphasizes kindness, introduces an instrument, and encourages listener engagement.

Nov 21, 2023 • 25min
Encore: The Red Leather Shoes
Aasif Mandvi and Madhur Jaffrey star in an Indian story about a wise king, a generous shoemaker, and a priceless pair of shoes. The shoemaker's struggles, disappointment, and eventually, kind act towards a beggar leads to an unexpected opportunity as the official royal shoemaker. Listeners also share their favorite Circle Round stories.

Nov 14, 2023 • 23min
Riches to Rags
A Dutch tale about a wealthy woman obsessed with increasing her wealth. Captain Willem is tasked with finding a precious treasure. The crew encounters a storm at sea and ends up in a humble village. A disagreement about the value of wheat leads to disastrous consequences. The podcast also includes discussions on books, featured instruments, and fan responses.

Nov 7, 2023 • 20min
The Upside-Down Tree
Comedian Alonzo Bodden tells an African legend about an animal's mischief that led to the creation of the savanna's most magical trees. The story emphasizes the consequences of anger and the significance of the Upside Down Tree in legends. The hyena's late arrival and disappointment at the tree planting event highlight the theme of managing anger. The hyena's brute force in planting the unique sapling leads to its value as a resource for all. The episode explores the importance of acknowledging and managing anger and features insights on dealing with anger and the episode's fan favorites.

Oct 31, 2023 • 23min
The Four Winds
Kimberly Guerrero stars in a tale about a thieving fox and four wise winds. A boy seeks the winds' help to catch the fox, resulting in her transformation. The podcast also includes stories about life in the Arctic and promoting the Circle Round Club.

Oct 24, 2023 • 25min
The Crowning Achievement
A princess learns the importance of leading with her head and her heart in a Jewish legend. The princess faces a challenge in constructing a palace made of birdbeaks and seeks help from the birds. The birds request something from the princess instead. The princess gains wisdom from answering riddles posed by Hoopo. She presents a miniature crown to Hupo, emphasizing the significance of combining logic and emotions. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on a time they followed their head and heart.

5 snips
Oct 17, 2023 • 20min
The Sweetest Sounds
A tale about a violinist facing challenges with poverty and homelessness, who is offered a life without struggle. She must choose between her love for music and a life of luxury. Accused of cheating her violin's magic, she defends herself by explaining that it was her soul and passion that brought out the sweet sounds.

Oct 10, 2023 • 25min
Heart and Stone
Joshua Johnson, host of The Night Light and Now Tonight, tells a captivating tale about a farm boy's journey to find his heart-turned-to-stone sisters, encountering obstacles like a bullfrog and wolf along the way. He strikes a deal with a heartless troll to save his sisters, embarking on a dangerous mission to retrieve the troll's heart. With the help of a giant eagle and green bullfrog, he successfully retrieves the golden egg containing the troll's heart, leading to a heartwarming chapter of gratitude, rewards, and newfound happiness for all.
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