The Goody-Naughty Book - audiobook Sarah Cory RIPPEY ( - ) The Goody-Naughty Book was originally published as two books back to back. Opening the book from one end, the reader experiences "The Goody Side" where the children are polite and thoughtful. However, turning the book over and beginning from the other side, one reads "The Naughty Side" where the children are lazy and irritable. These short, moral stories teach children the proper way to behave and that there are consequences if they don't. To Read more [...]
The Junior Classics audiobook by William Patten (1868-1946) The purpose of The Junior Classics is to provide, in ten volumes containing about five thousand pages, a classified collection of tales, stories, and poems, both ancient and modern, suitable for boys and girls of from six to sixteen years of age. (summary from book introduction) This collection consists of Volume 1 of The Junior Classics, and it contains many well known stories in their original forms. Among stories from other authors, Read more [...]
American Fairy Tales by L. Frank Baum (1856-1919) This collection of fantasy stories was originally serialized in regional newspapers, prior to being published as a complete volume. The stories, as critics have noted, lack the high-fantasy aspect of the best of Baum's work, in Oz or out. With ironic or nonsensical morals attached to their ends, their tone is more satirical, glib, and tongue-in-cheek than is usual in children's stories; the serialization in newspapers for adult readers was appropriate Read more [...]
Zanzibar Tales by George W. Bateman If you have read any accounts of adventure in Africa, you will know that travelers never mention animals of any kind that are gifted with the faculty of speech, or gazelles that are overseers for native princes, or hares that eat flesh. No, indeed; only the native-born know of these; and, judging by the immense and rapid strides civilization is making in those parts, it will not be long before such wonderful specimens of zo?logy will be as extinct as the ichthyosaurus, Read more [...]
Stories from Pentamerone by Giambattista Basile (1566 or 1575 -- 1632) This is one of the oldest written collections of fairy tales. Although the names are different, listeners should recognise many of the stories as the basis of modern fairy tales. Be warned however, that these stories are a lot more violent and gruesome then the Disney versions you may be familiar with. Parents should listen to the files to gauge their suitability before allowing children to listen to them.     Read more [...]
Sleepy-Time Tales by Arthur Scott Bailey Mr. Bailey centered all his plots in the animal, bird and insect worlds, weaving natural history into the stories in a way that won educator's approval without arousing the suspicions of his young readers. He made it a habit to never 'write down' to children and frequently used words beyond the average juvenile vocabulary, believing that youngsters respond to the stimulus of the unfamiliar." (Summary -- Wikipedia )   Read more [...]
The Arabian Nights (FULL Audio Book) by Anonymous -- translated by Dr. Jonathan Scott (1754-1829) The main frame story concerns a king and his new bride. The king, Shahryar, upon discovering his ex-wife's infidelity executes her and then declares all women to be unfaithful. He begins to marry a succession of virgins only to execute each one the next morning. Scheherazade agrees to marry him and each night, beginning on the night of their marriage, she tells the king a tale but does not end it Read more [...]
Hans Christian Andersen Fairy Tale Collection (FULL Audio Book) by Hans Christian Andersen (1805-1875) These are 25 fairy tales written by Hans Christian Andersen -- A collection of something for everyone -- the very popular stories, the less well-known stories and favorites, that both children and grownups can enjoy. (Summary by Neeru Iyer)   Read more [...]
Stories of Great Composers for Children by Thomas Tapper This is a collection of ten short, entertaining, informative picture-book biographies of famous composers. Each book tells about the childhood and great achievements of a composer, and includes a short musical example. Here are links to the online texts so you can read along and look at the pictures:   Bach: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/34568 Mozart: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/34582 Beethoven:http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/34737 Haydn: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/34550 Schubert:http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/35070 Handel: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/35157 Chopin: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/35013 Verdi: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/35158 Wagner: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/35128 Grieg: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/35097         Read more [...]