Classic Childrens Literature

The St. Charles Players present a unique telling of Jules Verne's classic underwater adventure, in a new multi-cast dramatization performed in exciting Radio Theatre style.

One of the Hardys’ favorite writers, Nathan Foxwood, has recently died in a tragic car accident. Now, the press is swarming his house in Bayport to get the scoop on the novel he completed just before his untimely death. When Joe hears that Nathan’s wife is having a giant estate sale, he drags Frank with him. Who could pass up the opportunity to see inside their favorite author’s home? Nathan’s wife says she wants to get away as quickly as possible. She’s sure the house is haunted. But Nathan’s assistant, Adam, is not so willing to blame it all on the supernatural.

Aesop, an ancient Greek poet who was sold into slavery in the early sixth century B.C, relied on animal stories to convey his key points to his masters in court. Aesop's Fables are now classic, memorable morality plays in which amusing animal characters drive home thought-provoking morals to generations of listeners and modern day readers. They illustrate what was fundamental to Greek culture yet their appeal lies in logic we still understand.

Braving the dusty trails of the Wild West, cowgirl Dorothy and her horse, Toto, are riding to see the wonderful Wiz Kid of Oz! The legendary entertainer is auditioning new acts for his Emerald Circus, and Dorothy and her friends Tinny, Crow, and Leo, hope they can impress him with their talents. But when Dorothy's lucky silver spurs are stolen by a wicked rival, will Dorothy be able to believe in her own grit and still perform her best? With Far Out Classic Stories, experience The Wonderful Wizard of Oz like never before in this twisted retelling for kids.

When Mary Lennox's parents die from cholera in India, the spoiled orphan is transplanted to her uncle's 600-year-old gloomy and secretive estate in England. She is certain that she is destined for misery at Misselthwaite Manor. However, she soon discovers an arched doorway into an overgrown garden, locked shut since the death of her aunt 10 years earlier.

Curious to see if people on the other side of the globe walk upside down, Robert, Anthea, Cyril, Jane, and their baby brother start digging a hole to Australia. They don’t get too far, however, before they dig up a furry brown creature with bat’s ears. It is a Psammead, an ancient sand-fairy. The Sammyadd, as the children call it, grumpily tells them that he is obliged to grant their wishes, because making people’s wishes come true is what Sandfairies do. However, there is one catch: The wishes come undone at sunset.

Teaching children to trust themselves builds their self-confidence and self-esteem, and is the best way to protect them from gaslighting, manipulation, and peer pressure. There are situations that can come up throughout our lives where our inner strength is challenged, and we are pressured to ignore our feelings or what we know to be true. The Sky is Red paints an age appropriate clear picture as to why it is so important and rewarding to trust yourself.

L.M. Montgomery's Rainbow Valley is the continuation of the beloved classics Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea. Anne and Gilbert Blythe are married and have six mischievous children. Always seeking out new adventures and trying to help others, they're a rambunctious lot.

Anne's children were almost grown up, except for pretty, high-spirited Rilla. No one could resist her bright hazel eyes and dazzling smile. Rilla, almost fifteen, can't think any further ahead than going to her very first dance at the Four Winds lighthouse and getting her first kiss from handsome Kenneth Ford. But undreamed-of challenges await the irrepressible Rilla when the world of Ingleside becomes endangered by a far-off war.

"Travels and Adventures of Little Baron Trump and His Wonderful Dog Bulger" by Ingersoll Lockwood is a charming children's book from 1889. The story revolves around the young adventurer, Little Baron Trump, and his faithful companion, Bulger. Together, they embark on whimsical journeys across fantastical landscapes, capturing the essence of childhood wonder and exploration.

Andrew Lang (1844 - 1912) was a Scottish poet, novelist, and literary critic. His 12 collections of fairy tales are known as Andrew Lang's Coloured Fairy Books or Andrew Lang's Fairy Books of Many Colors. The third in the series, the Green Fairy Book, contains tales from around the world, from Grimm (“The White Snake” and “Spindle, Shuttle, and Needle”), France de Caylus, Fenelon, Kletke, and D'Aulnoy. The stories include "The Crystal Coffin", "The Three Snake-Leaves", "The Riddle", "Jack My Hedgehog", "The Golden Lads", and many more.

Filled with the power of love and the beauty of nature, Heidi is a lyrical tale about a little girl sent to live in the mountains of the Swiss Alps with her grandfather. A grumpy recluse, her grandfather has isolated himself from his fellow townspeople and his church. In very little time, Heidi warms his heart; and she quickly charms the whole town and makes new friends, including young Peter, the goatherd. But when Heidi is sent away again to care for a young girl her own age, she must grow wise beyond her years.

The idealized childhood of this fictional hero, based on Mark Twain's own early life along the banks of the Mississippi, is filled with robust good humor and high-spirited adventures. Yet there is also an in-depth experience of the central South of the 1840s—its dialects, superstitions, and social values. While romping through fun-filled fantasy, Tom Sawyer shows how morally complicated real life can be. In his unabridged reading of the American classic, actor Patrick Fraley crafts 36 authentic "voices" to represent the wide range of Twain's delightful characters.

The magic unfolds from the first lines of Water Rat's soliloquy about messing about in boats in this captivating version of Kenneth Grahame's classic. Although it's generally considered a children's book, get a copy for yourself as well as the child in your life, as you won't want to give this away. Ralph Cosham's performance is a study in characterization without over-dramatization. His Ratty is breezy and lighthearted, his Mole shy and considerate. His Badger sounds just like that gruff old man you once knew who had a heart of gold. And Toad - well, Toad is perfectly insufferable.

Huck Finn can no longer stand his life at home, so he fakes his own death. While camping, he discovers the runaway slave, Jim. Together, Huck and Jim travel down the mighty Mississippi River in a series of adventures with a cast of unforgettable characters.

Ten-year-old Jerry Pye wants a dog more than anything. He has a puppy picked out, but someone else wants him, too. Jerry and his sister must hurry to earn enough money to buy him. When they get Ginger home, strange things start to happen. A sneaky stranger in a yellow hat starts following them everywhere. When their precious Ginger disappears on Thanksgiving Day, they start looking for the man in the yellow hat. If they find him, they'll probably find their pup.

With winter coming, orphaned bear cub Glee is looking for a place to nap. He finally finds a cozy corner in an empty railroad car. Glee is rudely awakened and discovers that he has taken a ride on a traveling circus train! The performers who find him adore him and try to find an act for him. That is the only way the ringleader will let him stay. Will Glee be able to find his talent in time, or will he end up back out in the cold?

The Adventures of Pinocchio also simply known as Pinocchio, is a novel for children by Italian author Carlo Collodi, written in Pescia. It is about the mischievous adventures of an animated marionette named Pinocchio and his father, a poor woodcarver named Geppetto.It was originally published in a serial form as The Story of a Puppet (Italian: La storia di un burattino) in the Giornale per i bambini, one of the earliest Italian weekly magazines for children, starting from 7 July 1881.

The indomitable 10-year-old Rebecca has been sent away from her home at Sunnybrook Farm to live with her two spinster aunts in the quiet town of Riverboro in order to be brought up as a proper little lady.

Beatrix Potter (1866 - 1943) was an English writer, illustrator, natural scientist, and conservationist. Her children's stories are loved all around the world. Born into an upper-middle-class household, Potter was educated by governesses and grew up isolated from other children. She had numerous pets and spent holidays in Scotland and the Lake District, developing a love of landscape, flora, and fauna, all of which she closely observed and painted. Enjoy a collection of her stories, recorded in high quality audio.