Classics On-the-Go

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Fri, 18 Dec 2015 23:27:30 +0000

A classic Christmas poem - brought back again!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas is a classic poem by Clement C. Moore. Treasured for many generations, it is possibly the most well-known poem about Santa and his eight reindeer. Can you name all eight reindeer?

Read by Randy Erdman, former mayor of the City of Albert Lea.

Recording time: 3 min., 04 sec

Benjamin Bunny

Wed, 25 Nov 2015 15:05:38 +0000

Benjamin Bunny by Beatrix Potter is about Benjamin who goes to visit his relatives. He finds Peter and the two of them go off on an adventure and get themselves into big, BIG trouble! What naughty rabbits! This tale is read by Bev Leonard.

Recording time: 6 min., 48 sec.

Lazarus and the Dragon

Tue, 20 Oct 2015 14:37:49 +0000

Lazarus and the Dragon is about a man who tricks the dragons into thinking he is even mightier than them.

Recording time: 5 min., 58 sec.

The Quangle Wangle

Wed, 14 Oct 2015 17:00:00 +0000

The Quangle Wangle's Hat is an absurd, delightful tongue-twister of a story that will remind many listeners of Dr. Seuss. Sure to make listeners giggles as you try to imagine just what a Quangle Wangle must look like! Read by Sheri Hird.

Recording time: 2 min., 45 sec.

The Moon from a Children's Garden of Verses

Tue, 02 Jun 2015 13:56:00 +0000

The moon has a face like the clock in the hall;
She shines on thieves on the garden wall,
On streets and field and harbour quays,
And birdies asleep in the forks of the trees.

The squalling cat and the squeaking mouse,
The howling dog by the door of the house,
The bat that lies in bed at noon,
All love to be out by the light of the moon.

But all of the things that belong to the day
Cuddle to sleep to be out of her way;
And flowers and children close their eyes
Till up in the morning the sun shall arise.

The Tale of Two Bad Mice by Beatrix Potter

Tue, 26 May 2015 14:00:00 +0000

Two curious, but naughty, mice visit the dolls' house and make themselves comfortable.

Recording time: 5 min., 17 sec.

My Shadow from a Child's Garden of Verses

Thu, 26 Feb 2015 16:00:00 +0000

"My Shadow" from a Child's Garden of Verses read by Sharon Johnson.

I have a little shadow that goes in and out with me,
And what can be the use of him is more than I can see.
He is very, very like me from the heels up to the head;
And I see him jump before me, when I jump into my bed.

The funniest thing about him is the way he likes to grow--
Not at all like proper children, which is always very slow;
For he sometimes shoots up taller like an india-rubber ball,
And he sometimes goes so little that there's none of him at all.

He hasn't got a notion of how children ought to play,
And can only make a fool of me in every sort of way.
He stays so close behind me, he's a coward you can see;
I'd think shame to stick to nursie as that shadow sticks to me!

One morning, very early, before the sun was up,
I rose and found the shining dew on every buttercup;
But my lazy little shadow, like an arrant sleepy-head,
Had stayed at home behind me and was fast asleep in bed.

Twenty Little Snowflakes

Mon, 23 Feb 2015 16:23:05 +0000

Do you know what happens when snowflakes get too warm? Well, these little snowflakes didn't listen to their mother. Guess what happens...

Recording time: 1 min., 30 sec.

The Elves and the Shoemaker from The Brothers Grimm

Fri, 28 Nov 2014 15:00:00 +0000

A poor shoemaker is helped out by elves who visit his workshop every night at midnight.

King Frost

Tue, 25 Nov 2014 18:00:00 +0000

A mean stepmother orders her husband to bring his daughter out into the woods, hoping she will freeze. King Frost discovers she is a good, kind girl and gives her gifts instead.

Recording time: 4 min., 31 sec.

The Sleeping Beauty

Tue, 25 Mar 2014 14:36:35 +0000

This version of the Sleeping Beauty is a very condensed version of the story of the princess who pricks her hand on a spindle and falls asleep for 100 years.

Recording time: 1 min., 59 sec.

Paul Revere's Ride

Mon, 25 Nov 2013 15:30:00 +0000

Paul Revere's Ride by Henry W. Longfellow describe's the patriot's ride to warn the colonists that the British were coming. Rich in history this is a well-known American poem.

Recording time: 5 min., 33 sec.

Casey at the Bat

Wed, 06 Nov 2013 15:21:00 +0000

Baseball fans will enjoy this poem of the mighty Casey at the plate. Will he hit the ball for a homerun?

Recording time: 3 min., 55 sec.

The Hungry Wolf

Mon, 16 Sep 2013 15:35:36 +0000

A hungry wolf meets a ram, a horse and a pig. He attempts to eat all three but fails. How do you think the animals fool him?

Recording time: 3 min., 42 sec.

The Duck and the Kangaroo

Thu, 15 Aug 2013 10:01:00 +0000

Listen to "The Duck and the Kangaroo" by Edward Lear as read by Maria DeGennero. A fun, silly poem about a duck and a kangaroo who set out to see the world together.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Chapter 7 - A Mad Tea Party

Wed, 17 Jul 2013 05:00:00 +0000

Alice stumbles upon a mad tea party with the Mad Hatter and the Dormouse.

Recording time: 3 min., 7 sec.

Read by staff.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Chapter 6 - Pig & Pepper

Wed, 10 Jul 2013 14:14:16 +0000

Things become ever stranger for Alice as she comes upon and house and two footmen. She also meets a baby...who looks like a pig and finally meets the Cheshire Cat. What does he have to grin about?

Recording time: 15 min.

Read by staff.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Chapter 5 - Advice from a Caterpillar

Mon, 24 Jun 2013 16:19:00 +0000

Alice meets a caterpillar who tells how she can change her height. And he also tell her to "keep your temper."

Recording time: 6 min.

Read by staff.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Chapter 4 - The Rabbit Sends in a Little Bill

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Alice meets the White Rabbit while he is looking for his white gloves and fan. He asks her to go to his house and fetch them. While there, she drinks from a bottle in his dressing room. What do you think happens?

Recording time: 7 min., 7 sec.

Read by staff.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Chapter 3 - A Caucus-Race and a Long Tale

Wed, 12 Jun 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Alice, the Mouse and other creatures swim to shore. They find themselves all wet and try to get dry by having a "caucus-race."

Recording time:

Read by staff.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Chapter 2 - The Pool of Tears

Mon, 20 May 2013 14:30:00 +0000

Alice is trapped in a little room and can't figure out how to get into the garden. What will she do?

Recording time: 6 min., 13 sec. Read by staff.

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Chapter 1 by Lewis Carroll

Wed, 08 May 2013 14:41:00 +0000

Alice decides to follow the white rabbit and falls down the rabbit hole. She lands in a room filled with doors but she is too large to fit through the small door that she is able to open with a small key. What will she do?

Recording time: 7 min., 52 sec.

The Tale of Tom Kitten by Beatrix Potter

Mon, 15 Apr 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Tom and his sisters are dressed up before company comes. But, they find all sorts of trouble to get into before the company arrives.

Recording time: 4 min., 34 sec. Read by staff.

Good Dobbin by Mother Goose

Mon, 01 Apr 2013 14:00:00 +0000

The rhyme "Good Dobbin" is about a horse who has brought her rider safely home in the rain.

Recording time: 59 sec.

Three Rhymes by Mother Goose

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 14:30:00 +0000

Hear three poems by Mother Goose. The first rhyme in the series of three is "I Had a Little Hen" and then the well-loved classic "Jack and Jill." Last is "When the Wind is in the East."

Recording time: 1 min., 23 sec.

Block City from A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 14:00:00 +0000

    What are you able to build with your blocks?
    Castles and palaces, temples and docks.
    Rain may keep raining, and others go roam,
    But I can be happy and building at home.

    Let the sofa be mountains, the carpet be sea,
    There I'll establish a city for me:
    A kirk and a mill and a palace beside,
    And a harbour as well where my vessels may ride.

    Great is the palace with pillar and wall,
    A sort of a tower on the top of it all,
    And steps coming down in an orderly way
    To where my toy vessels lie safe in the bay.

    This one is sailing and that one is moored:
    Hark to the song of the sailors on board!
    And see, on the steps of my palace, the kings
    Coming and going with presents and things!

    Now I have done with it, down let it go!
    All in a moment the town is laid low.
    Block upon block lying scattered and free,
    What is there left of my town by the sea?

    Yet as I saw it, I see it again,
    The kirk and the palace, the ships and the men,
    And as long as I live and where'er I may be,
    I'll always remember my town by the sea.

I Saw a Ship a-Sailing from The Real Mother Goose

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 14:00:00 +0000

I saw a ship a-sailing,
A-sailing on the sea;
And, oh! it was all laden
With pretty things for thee!

There were comfits in the cabin,
And apples in the hold;
The sails were made of silk,
And the masts were made of gold.

The four-and-twenty sailors
That stood between the decks,
Were four-and-twenty white mice
With chains about their necks.

The captain was a duck,
With a packet on his back;
And when the ship began to move,
The captain said, "Quack! Quack!"

Travels

Mon, 04 Mar 2013 15:00:00 +0000

I should like to rise and go
    Where the golden apples grow;--
    Where below another sky
    Parrot Islands anchored lie,
    And, watched by cockatoos and goats,
    Lonely Crusoes building boats;--
    Where in sunshine reaching out
    Eastern cities, miles about,
    Are with mosque and minaret
    Among sandy gardens set,
    And the rich goods from near and far
    Hang for sale in the bazaar;--
    Where the Great Wall round China goes,
    And on one side the desert blows,
    And with bell and voice and drum,
    Cities on the other hum;--
    Where are forests, hot as fire,
    Wide as England, tall as a spire,
    Full of apes and cocoa-nuts
    And the negro hunters' huts;--
    Where the knotty crocodile
    Lies and blinks in the Nile,
    And the red flamingo flies
    Hunting fish before his eyes;--
    Where in jungles, near and far,
    Man-devouring tigers are,
    Lying close and giving ear
    Lest the hunt be drawing near,
    Or a comer-by be seen
    Swinging in a palanquin;--
    Where among the desert sands
    Some deserted city stands,
    All its children, sweep and prince,
    Grown to manhood ages since,
    Not a foot in street or house,
    Not a stir of child or mouse,
    And when kindly falls the night,
    In all the town no spark of light.
    There I'll come when I'm a man
    With a camel caravan;
    Light a fire in the gloom
    Of some dusty dining room;
    See the pictures on the walls,
    Heroes, fights and festivals
    And in a corner find the toys
    Of the old Egyptian boys.

When Jenny Wren Was Young from Mother Goose

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 15:42:00 +0000

'Twas once upon a time, when Jenny Wren was young,
So daintily she danced and so prettily she sung,
Robin Redbreast lost his heart, for he was a gallant bird.
So he doffed his hat to Jenny Wren, requesting to be heard.

"Oh, dearest Jenny Wren, if you will but be mine,
You shall feed on cherry pie and drink new currant wine,
I'll dress you like a goldfinch or any peacock gay,
So, dearest Jen, if you'll be mine, let us appoint the day."

Jenny blushed behind her fan and thus declared her mind:
"Since, dearest Bob, I love you well, I'll take your offer kind.
Cherry pie is very nice and so is currant wine,
But I must wear my plain brown gown and never go too fine."

Recording time: 46 sec.

Read by Staff

The Sun's Travels from a Children's Garden of Verses

Mon, 18 Feb 2013 15:00:00 +0000

The sun is not a-bed, when I
At night upon my pillow lie;
Still round the earth his way he takes,
And morning after morning makes.

While here at home, in shining day,
We round the sunny garden play,
Each little Indian sleepy-head
Is being kissed and put to bed.

And when at eve I rise from tea,
Day dawns beyond the Atlantic Sea;
And all the children in the West
Are getting up and being dressed.

A Good Play from A Child's Garden of Verses

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 15:00:00 +0000

We built a ship upon the stairs
All made of the back-bedroom chairs,
And filled it full of sofa pillows
To go a-sailing on the billows.

We took a saw and several nails,
And water in the nursery pails;
And Tom said, "Let us also take
An apple and a slice of cake;"—
Which was enough for Tom and me
To go a-sailing on, till tea.

We sailed along for days and days
And had the very best of plays;
But Tom fell out and hurt his knee,
So there was no one left but me.

Recording time: 40 sec.

The Bear

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:42:00 +0000

A lonely princess leaves her castle in the magic disguise of a bear and meets a prince.

Recording time: 9 min., 4 sec. Read by staff.

The Unseen Playmate

Mon, 04 Feb 2013 15:00:00 +0000

When children are playing alone on the green,
In comes the playmate that never was seen.
When children are happy and lonely and good,
The Friend of the Children comes out of the wood.

Nobody heard him and nobody saw,
His is a picture you never could draw,
But he's sure to be present, abroad or at home,
When children are happy and playing alone.

He lies in the laurels, he runs on the grass,
He sings when you tinkle the musical glass;
Whene'er you are happy and cannot tell why,
The Friend of the Children is sure to be by!

He loves to be little, he hates to be big,
'Tis he that inhabits the caves that you dig;
'Tis he when you play with your soldiers of tin

That sides with the Frenchmen and never can win.

'Tis he, when at night you go off to your bed,
Bids you go to your sleep and not trouble your head;
For wherever they're lying, in cupboard or shelf,
'Tis he will take care of your playthings himself!

My Kingdom from A Children's Garden of Verses

Mon, 28 Jan 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Down by a shining water well
I found a very little dell,
No higher than my head.
The heather and the gorse about
In summer bloom were coming out,
Some yellow and some red.

I called the little pool a sea;
The little hills were big to me;
For I am very small.
I made a boat, I made a town,
I searched the caverns up and down,
And named them one and all.

And all about was mine, I said,
The little sparrows overhead,
The little minnows too.
This was the world and I was king;
For me the bees came by to sing,
For me the swallows flew.

I played there were no deeper seas,
Nor any wider plains than these,
Nor other kings than me.
At last I heard my mother call
Out from the house at evenfall,
To call me home to tea.

And I must rise and leave my dell,
And leave my dimpled water well,
And leave my heather blooms.
Alas! and as my home I neared,
How very big my nurse appeared.
How great and cool the rooms!

Recording time: 1 min., 13 sec.

Our Cow from A Book for Kids by C. J. Dennis

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Down by the sliprails stands our cow

Chewing, chewing, chewing,

She does not care what folks out there

In the great, big world are doing.

She sees the small cloud-shadows pass

And green grass shining under.

If she does think, what does she think

About it all, I wonder?

She sees the swallows skimming by

Above the sweet young clover,

The light reeds swaying in the wind

And tall trees bending over.

Far down the track she hears

the crack of bullock-whips, and raving

Of angry men where,

in the sun, Her fellow-beasts are slaving.

Girls, we are told, can scratch and scold,

And boys will fight and wrangle,

And big, grown men, just now and then,

Fret o'er some fingle-fangle,

Vexing the earth with grief or mirth,

Longing, rejoicing, rueing--

But by the sliprails stands our cow,

Chewing.

The Wind from A Child's Garden of Verses

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 14:00:00 +0000

I saw you toss the kites on high
And blow the birds about the sky;
And all around I heard you pass,
Like ladies' skirts across the grass—
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!

I saw the different things you did,
But always you yourself you hid.
I felt you push, I heard you call,
I could not see yourself at all—
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!

O you that are so strong and cold,
O blower, are you young or old?
Are you a beast of field and tree,
Or just a stronger child than me?
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!

Lazarus and the Dragon

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 15:28:00 +0000

Lazarus and the Dragon is about a man who tricks the dragons into thinking he is even mightier than them.

Recording time: 5 min., 58 sec.

Snow-white

Mon, 03 Dec 2012 15:18:00 +0000

This is the classic Grimm Brothers fairy tale of the princess Snow-white. Snow-white is so beautiful that her jealous, wicked stepmother cannot stand for Snow-white to live. Snow-white runs away but is poisoned by her stepmother three times before she is saved by the prince (but quite by accident).

Recording time: 18 min, 18 sec.

Read by staff.

Hansel and Gretel

Mon, 19 Nov 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Hansel and Gretel are lost in the woods. While trying to find their home, they find a house made of candy and are trapped by a witch. What do you think will happen?

Recording time: Approx. 15 min.

Read by staff.

Complete Version of Three Blind Mice by John W. Ivimey

Wed, 07 Nov 2012 15:17:00 +0000

Everyone knows the song of the Three Blind Mice, but did you know the whole story? Listen to the Complete Version of the Three Blind Mice and hear about what really happened to these mice.

Recording time: 3 min., 28 sec. Recorded by staff.

Pinocchio - Chapter 7

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 14:24:00 +0000

Gepetto eturns home to find Pinocchio hungry and with his feet missing. Pinocchio learns a lesson about not taking food for granted.

Recording time: 4 min., 45 sec. Recorded by staff.

Raggedy Ann and the Painter by Johnny Gruelle

Wed, 24 Oct 2012 14:36:00 +0000

When Raggedy Ann's mistress's room is painted, Raggedy ends up covered in paint, head to toe! What will become of her now that she is soggy with paint?

Recording time: 7 min., 15 sec. Read by staff.

Tom Thumb

Tue, 19 Jun 2012 17:00:00 +0000

A man and wife long to have a child and are granted their wish by Merlin the wizard. But, their son is just the size of their thumb!

Recording time: 7 min., 9 sec.

Night and Day from a Child's Garden of Verses

Tue, 05 Jun 2012 17:33:00 +0000

    When the golden day is done,
      Through the closing portal,
    Child and garden, flower and sun,
      Vanish all things mortal.

    As the blinding shadows fall,
      As the rays diminish,
    Under evening's cloak, they all
      Roll away and vanish.

    Garden darkened, daisy shut,
      Child in bed, they slumber--
    Glow-worm in the highway rut,
      Mice among the lumber.

    In the darkness houses shine,
      Parents move with candles;
    Till on all, the night divine
      Turns the bedroom handles.

    Till at last the day begins
      In the east a-breaking,
    In the hedges and the whins
      Sleeping birds a-waking.

    In the darkness shapes of things,
      Houses, trees, and hedges,
    Clearer grow; and sparrow's wings
      Beat on window ledges.

    These shall wake the yawning maid;
      She the door shall open--
    Finding dew on garden glade
      And the morning broken.

    There my garden grows again
      Green and rosy painted,
    As at eve behind the pane
      From my eyes it fainted.

    Just as it was shut away,
      Toy-like, in the even,
    Here I see it glow with day
      Under glowing heaven.

    Every path and every plot,
      Every bush of roses,
    Every blue forget-me-not
      Where the dew reposes,

    'Up!' they cry, 'the day is come
      On the smiling valleys;
    We have beat the morning drum;
      Playmate, join your allies!'

Recording time; 1 min., 54 sec.

Picture-Books in Winter from a Child's Garden of Verses

Mon, 28 May 2012 14:00:00 +0000

PICTURE-BOOKS IN WINTER

Summer fading, winter comes—
Frosty mornings, tingling thumbs,
Window robins, winter rooks,
And the picture story-books.

Water now is turned to stone
Nurse and I can walk upon;
Still we find the flowing brooks
In the picture story-books.

All the pretty things put by,
Wait upon the children's eye,
Sheep and shepherds, trees and crooks,
In the picture story-books.

We may see how all things are,
Seas and cities, near and far,
And the flying fairies' looks
In the picture story-books.

How am I to sing your praise,
Happy chimney-corner days,
Sitting safe in nursery nooks,
Reading picture story-books?

From a Rail Way Carriage from a Child's Garden of Verses

Mon, 21 May 2012 17:57:00 +0000

Faster than fairies, faster than witches,
Bridges and houses, hedges and ditches;
And charging along like troops in a battle
All through the meadows the horses and cattle:
All of the sights of the hill and the plain
Fly as thick as driving rain;
And ever again, in the wink of an eye,
Painted stations whistle by.
Here is a child who clambers and scrambles,
All by himself and gathering brambles;
Here is a tramp who stands and gazes;
And there is the green for stringing the daisies
Here is a cart run away in the road
Lumping along with man and load;
And here is a mill, and there is a river:
Each a glimpse and gone for ever!

Recording time: 57 sec.

The Flowers from a Child's Garden of Verse

Mon, 14 May 2012 16:00:00 +0000

All the names I know from nurse:
Gardener's garters, Shepherd's purse,
Bachelor's buttons, Lady's smock,
And the Lady Hollyhock.

Fairy places, fairy things,
Fairy woods where the wild bee wings,
Tiny trees for tiny dames—
These must all be fairy names!

Tiny woods below whose boughs
Shady fairies weave a house;
Tiny tree-tops, rose or thyme,
Where the braver fairies climb!

Fair are grown-up people's trees,
But the fairest woods are these;
Where if I were not so tall,
I should live for good and all.

Nest Eggs from Child's Garden of Verse

Mon, 07 May 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Birds all the sunny day
Flutter and quarrel
Here in the arbour-like
Tent of the laurel.

Here in the fork
The brown nest is seated;
Four little blue eggs
The mother keeps heated.

While we stand watching her,
Staring like gabies,
Safe in each egg are the
Bird's little babies.

Soon the frail eggs they shall
Chip, and upspringing
Make all the April woods
Merry with singing.

Younger than we are,
O children, and frailer,
Soon in blue air they'll be,
Singer and sailor.

We, so much older,
Taller and stronger,
We shall look down on the
Birdies no longer.

They shall go flying
With musical speeches
High overhead in the
Tops of the beeches.

In spite of our wisdom
And sensible talking,
We on our feet must go

Plodding and walking.

Pinocchio - Chapter 6

Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Pinocchio goes in search of food and finds none. Hungry and cold, he returns to his home to warm up and accidentally burns his feet.

Recording time: Approx. 4 min.

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter

Wed, 28 Mar 2012 14:30:00 +0000

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter tell the story of a mischievous squirrel. Every fall the squirrels go to Owl Island to collect nuts. When they go they always bring treats for Old Brown, the owl, so that he'll let them harvest fallen nuts. But Squirrel Nutkin disrespects Old Brown and he learns a tough lesson!

Recording time: 7 min., 40 sec.

Pinocchio - Chapter 5

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:08:00 +0000

Pinocchio is now all alone at home. Gone are Gepetto and the talking cricket. He is so hungry! What will he do for food?

Recording time: 4 min., 15 sec.

Pinocchio - Chapter 4

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:43:00 +0000

Pinocchio meets the talking cricket, who warns him that his naughty ways will turn him into a donkey!

Recording time: 3 min., 51 sec.

Pinocchio - Chapter 3

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Pinocchio is wild and adventurous and wants to become free of Geppetto. Pinocchio runs away and Geppetto is grief-stricken because he did not have a chance to teach him how to be better behaved.

Recording time: 5 min., 40 sec.

The Adventures of Pinocchio - Chapter 2

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 20:00:00 +0000

As Master Cherry lays on the floor, his friend Master Gepetto, the carpenter comes to him to ask for a piece of wood. He wants to make a puppet so he can earn his money as a puppeteer.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 14

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 19:22:00 +0000

Dorothy and her friends are reunited and have begun their trip back to the Emerald City but get lost. Dorothy asks for help from the field mice and they tell her that she has a magic cap and that the Flying Monkeys will help her if she says the magic spell.

Recording time: 10 min., 50 sec.

Pinocchio - The Little Wooden Boy

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:18:00 +0000

Have you ever heard the story of the little puppet made of wood who wanted to become a real boy? Pinicchio's story was first published in 1893 by Carlo Collodi as The Adventures of Pinocchio.

Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 13

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 17:37:00 +0000

In chapter 13, The Rescue, Dorothy and the Lion free the Winkies and in return the Winkies search for the Tin Woodman and the Scarecrow in hopes of rescuing her friends.

Recording time: 6 min., 46 sec.

Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 12

Wed, 26 Oct 2011 14:00:00 +0000

In chapter 12, The Search for the Wicked Witch, Dorothy and her friends go off in search of the wicked witch but end up being captured or out-smarted. Dorothy despairs and wonders how will she ever get away from the witch and help her friends.

Recording time: 19 min., 25 sec.

Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 11

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:46:00 +0000

In Chapter 11, The Emerald City of Oz, Dorothy and her friends are granted permission to meet the wizard and ask him their wish. However, the great and powerful Wizard of Oz asks them to do a dangerous and terrifying thing. How ever will they accomplish this horrible task?

Recording time: 21 min., 22 sec.

Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 10

Wed, 05 Oct 2011 19:30:00 +0000

In Chapter 10, Guardian of the Gate, Dorothy and her friends will finally reach the green gates of the Emerald City to meet the wizard of Oz. But first they must pass the approval of the Guardian of the Gate if they are to see the wonderful and terrible wizard of Oz!

Recording time: 10 min., 53 sec.

Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 9

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 14:30:00 +0000

In Chapter 9, Queen of the Field Mice, Poor Lion has fallen asleep and been left behind in the poppy field. But the Tin Man makes a friend when he saves the life of the Queen of the Field Mice. Do you think she can help?

Recording time: 9 min.

Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 8

Thu, 08 Sep 2011 05:00:00 +0000

Dorothy and her friends continue on their journey and come to a magical and deadly field of poppies that will make them fall asleep. How ever will they get through the field?

Recording time: 11 min., 4 sec.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 7

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Dorothy, the Tinman, Lion, and Scarecrow spend the night in the woods. The next day they have to find out how to cross a deep ditch and then a fast moving river - all the while avoiding and escaping from the wild and deadly Kalidahs!

Recording time:11 min., 16 sec.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 6

Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:32:00 +0000

Dorothy, Scarecrow and the Tin Man meet their last traveling companion - The Cowardly Lion - in Chapter 6 of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The Cowardly Lion decides to join them so he can ask the Wizard fo Oz for some courage.

Recording time: 8 min., 9 sec.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 5

Mon, 01 Aug 2011 21:15:00 +0000

The Rescue of the Tin Woodman introduces Dorothy and the Scarecrow to the poor tin man who rusted in the woods when he forgot his oil can.

Learn how the Tin Woodman became...tin!

Recording time: 11 min.. 17 sec.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 4

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 05:00:00 +0000

In Chapter 4, The Road Through the Forest, Dorothy and Scarecrow continue on their journey down the yellow brick road.

Recording time: 7 min., 52 sec.

Read by Staff.

The Mock Turtle's Song

Thu, 07 Jul 2011 13:00:00 +0000

From The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll - The Mock Turtle's Song. The Mock Turtle sings of a fish who asks a snail to dance.

Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 3

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 05:30:00 +0000

In Chapter 3, How Dorothy Saved the Scarecrow, Dorothy meets the first of her friends who will travel with her on the yellow brick road.

Recording time: 10 min, 57 sec.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 2

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 15:00:00 +0000

In Chapter 2 of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Council with the Munchkins, Dorothy has just arrived in the land of Oz. It is here that she meets the little people of Oz, the Munchkins. Everything here is bright and colorful - a big change from the gray landscape of dull Kansas.

Recording time: 11 min., 47 sec.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Mon, 20 Jun 2011 13:00:00 +0000

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum was first published in 1900. In 1902, it became a play. It wasn't until 1939 that the film version, The Wizard of Oz, with Judy Garland was released.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz begins with Chapter 1: The Cyclone. Dorothy tells us about her life in Kansas and how gray and dreary it is. One day, she gets swept up into a tornado . . .

Recording time: 7 min.

Read by staff.

Rapunzel

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 18:21:00 +0000

The classic telling of the fairy tale of Rapunzel. A witch steals Rapunzel from her parents when she is a baby. Years later, while she is locked in in the tower, a prince hears her singing and falls in love with her. The witch sets out to destroy them both and their love. But, they do find their happily ever after.

Read by staff.

Recording time: 8 min., 10 sec.

Little Red Riding Hood

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 14:16:00 +0000

Little Red Riding Hood goes to visit her sick grandmother. But she is tricked by the wolf...and gets eaten up. In this version, the woodcutter never comes to rescue anyone. So sorry, Grandmother and Little Red Riding Hood!

The Princess on the Pea

Wed, 06 Apr 2011 13:47:00 +0000

A prince wanted to marry a real princess. But, how would he be able to tell if she was really, a real princess? That might be a hard thing to do. BUt his mother, the queen, helped him find his princess.

Goose Girl

Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:17:00 +0000

The Goose Girl is about a girl who is travelling to another kingdom to meet and marry her prince. But, along the way her maid-in-waiting takes her place through trickery. Will the princess, who is now made to be a goose girl, ever marry her prince?

Recording time: Approx. 13 min.

The Three Bears

Wed, 16 Mar 2011 14:00:00 +0000

A new version of of the classic fairy tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears read by staff of the Albert Lea Public Library.

Recording time: 8 min.

Little Bo Peep

Wed, 09 Mar 2011 21:45:00 +0000

Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep and doesn't know where to find them! And they've....lost their tails? It's another classic Mother Goose rhyme - read as it was originally written.

Read by Brittany Quinn.

Recording time: Approx. 1 min.

The Spider and the Fly

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 06:00:00 +0000

The spider is trying so hard to lure the pretty fly into his web. You do know what spiders do to flies, don't you? Uh-oh!!

Recording time: X min., X sec.

"WILL you walk into my parlor?" said the spider to the fly;

"'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy.

The way into my parlor is up a winding stair;

And I have many curious things to show you when you're there."

"Oh, no, no," said the little fly; "to ask me is in vain;

For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."

"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;

Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the spider to the fly.

"There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin;

And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in!"

"Oh, no, no," said the little fly; "for I've often heard it said,

They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"

Said the cunning spider to the fly,—

"Dear friend, what can I do

To prove the warm affection I've always felt for you?"

"I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you're pleased to say,

And bidding you good-morning now, I'll call another day."

The spider turned him round about, and went into his den,

For well he knew the silly fly would soon come back again;

So he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly,

And set his table ready, to dine upon the fly.

Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,—

"Come hither, hither, pretty fly, with the pearl and silver wing;

Your robes are green and purple, there's a crest upon your head!

Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!"

Alas! alas! how very soon this silly little fly,

Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by.

With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,

Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, her green and purple hue,—

Thinking only of her crested head—poor foolish thing! At last,

Up jumped the cunning spider, and fiercely held her fast!

He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,

Within his little parlor,—but she ne'er came out again!

And now, dear little children, who may this story read,

To idle, silly, flattering words, I pray you ne'er give heed;

Unto an evil counselor close heart and ear and eye,

And take a lesson from this tale of the Spider and the Fly.

How the Bruin Lost His Tail

Wed, 19 Jan 2011 15:00:00 +0000

How the Bruin Lost His Tail is a folk tale about a bear and a fox. Reynard Fox catches a lot of fish - but he tells Bruin he caught them - on his tail while icefishing. So, Bruin tries it out - and catches no fish. And, he loses his tail! Sometimes it's smarter to not do what other people tell us - especially when they are known to be tricky like Reynard Fox.

This story was read by volunteer Tristyn.

Recording time: 5 min., 2 sec.

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 15:00:00 +0000

Just what IS that wonderful, shining light in the sky at night? Why, it's one of the little stars, twinkling so bright!

Recording time: Approx 2 min. Read by Jadyn and Tristyn, who are sisters (with the giggles).

TWINKLE, twinkle, little star,
How I wonder what you are!
Up above the world so high,
Like a diamond in the sky.
When the blazing sun is gone,
When he nothing shines upon,
Then you show your little light,
Twinkle, twinkle, all the night.
When the traveller in the dark
Thanks you for your tiny spark:
How could he see where to go
If you did not twinkle so?
In the dark blue sky you keep,
Often through my curtains peep,
For you never shut your eye,
Till the sun is in the sky.
As your bright and tiny spark
Lights the traveller in the dark,
Though I know not what you are,
Twinkle, twinkle, little star.

A Great Lady from The Jingle Book by Carolyn Wells

Wed, 05 Jan 2011 15:00:00 +0000

A Great Lady
This is the Queen of Nonsense Land,
She wears her bonnet on her hand;
She carpets her ceilings and frescos her floors,
She eats on her windows and sleeps on her doors.
Oh, ho! Oh, ho! to think there could be
A lady so silly-down-dilly as she!

She goes for a walk on an ocean wave,
She fishes for cats in a coral cave;
She drinks from an empty glass of milk,
And lines her potato trees with silk.
I’m sure that fornever and never was seen
So foolish a thing as the Nonsense Queen!

She ordered a wig for a blue bottle fly,
And she wrote a note to a pumpkin pie;
She makes all the oysters wear emerald rings,
And does dozens of other nonsensible things.
Oh! the scatterbrained, shatterbrained lady so grand,
Her Royal Skyhighness of Nonsense Land!

Red Herrings & Strawberries

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 23:30:00 +0000

A very short, funny riddle - what do you say when someone asks you a silly question? Why, you give them a silly answer of course!

Mother Goose's If All Seas Were One Sea

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 06:00:00 +0000

From the collection of Mother Goose is If All Seas Were One Sea. If All Seas Were One Sea stretches the imagination as the listener tries to imagine what it would be like if all seas were one great sea, if all men were one great man...

Recording time: 45 sec.

Wise Old Owl

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:45:00 +0000

A short poem - about listening instead of talking. How do you think the owl became so wise?

3 Poems from Peter Patter's Book of Nursery Rhymes

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 19:48:00 +0000

Hear three poems from Peter Patter's Book of Nursery Rhymes by LeRoy F. Jackson. Silly and fun!

Recording time: 3 min.

Mary Had a Little Lamb

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 13:30:00 +0000

Doesn't everyone wish they had a lamb that followed them around? Mary Had a Little Lamb has to one of the move loved and well-known children's poems of all time.

Recording time: 39 seconds

The Three Little Pigs (Version 2)

Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:00:00 +0000

The Three Little Pigs each build a house....one of mud, one of cabbages and the other of bricks. Who do you think will stay safe from the sly, crafty fox who wants to EAT them?

Cinderella

Sun, 19 Sep 2010 21:26:00 +0000

Enjoy this classic children's fairy tale about Cinderella. Cinderella gets bullied by her stepsisters and gets left out. But, her fairy godmother has some tricks up her sleeve.

Do you think Cinderella will ever be able to go to the ball and meet the prince?

The New Vestments

Mon, 13 Sep 2010 13:16:00 +0000

The New Vestments by Edward Lear is an poem about a man who dresses himself in absurd, ridiculous clothing! Very funny. Sure to have boys laughing.

Recording time: 2 min., 40 sec.

The Quangle Wangle

Wed, 08 Sep 2010 17:20:00 +0000

Recording time: 2 min., 45 sec.

Raggedy Ann Learns a Lesson

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:21:00 +0000

Raggedy Ann Learns a Lesson by Johnny Gruelle was read by Staci Waltman. Raggedy and the other dolls decide to go on an adventure but get themselves into trouble! What do you think they'll learn?

Recording time: 8 min., 53 sec.

Benjamin Bunny

Wed, 30 Jun 2010 14:51:00 +0000

Recording time: 6 min., 48 sec.

The Jabberwocky

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:40:00 +0000

Did you like Alice in Wonderland? If so, then you'll enjy "Jabberwocky". "Jabberwocky" is a classic poem by Lewis Carroll read by volunteer Richard Mammel. Enjoy the absurd words. What do you think they mean?

Willie Mouse Goes on a Journey to Find the Moon

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:02:00 +0000

Willie Mouse sets off to find the moon. Do you know? Because! It's made of green cheese! He meets many other woodland animals on his journey. . .but be careful, Willie! Will he make it to the moon? And how do you think he'll get back home? Read by Jamie and Darrel Hauer.

Recording time: 4 min., 32 sec.

Christmas Eve by Charlotte Druitt Cole

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:34:00 +0000

The stars just seem to shine brightest on Christmas Eve. Read by library staff.

Recording time: 54 sec.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 21:56:00 +0000

Read by Randy Erdman, Former Mayor of the City of Albert Lea.

Recording time: 3 min., 04 sec.

Jolly Old St. Nicholas

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 16:32:00 +0000

Jolly Old St. Nicholas is a favorite Christmas carol of many. What do you hope to get from Santa when he visits?

Recording time: 1 min.

Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:01:00 +0000

Yes, Virginia, There is a Santa Claus is the reply letter printed in The New York Sun to Virginia, who had written a letter to the editor asking if Santa Claus really exists.

Listen to Tristyn and her grandmother Terry Olson read the real-life letters of Virginia O'Hanlon and Francis P. Church published in 1897.

Ready by Tristyn and her grandmother, Terry Olson.

Recording time: 3 min., 38 sec.

The Velveteen Rabbit

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 15:49:00 +0000

The Velveteen Rabbit, Or, How Toys Become Real by Margery Williams is about a Velveteen Rabbit who is given to a boy for a Christmas present. The rabbit learns that if he is loved enough by the boy he will become a real rabbit.

The Velveteen Rabbit is an award-winning beloved classic children's story.

Read by Bev Leonard.

Recording time: 22 min., 06 sec.

Jack and the Beanstalk

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 06:01:00 +0000

Enjoy listening to the classic fairytale Jack and the Beanstalk. Jack and his mother are so poor they must sell their cow at market. But Jack is fooled into buying magic beans. But what luck! The beans are really magic! What do you think will happen next?

This story is read by Merissa Kittleson.

Recording time: 12 min., 7 sec.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:10:00 +0000

The Three Billy Goats Gruff want to cross the bridge to eat the sweet, spring grass. But first they must get by the horrible troll who guards the bridge!

Recording time: 3 min., 44 sec.

Classics On-the-Go

Twas the Night Before Christmas

Benjamin Bunny

Lazarus and the Dragon

The Quangle Wangle

The Moon from a Children's Garden of Verses

The Tale of Two Bad Mice by Beatrix Potter

My Shadow from a Child's Garden of Verses

Twenty Little Snowflakes

The Elves and the Shoemaker from The Brothers Grimm

King Frost

The Sleeping Beauty

Paul Revere's Ride

Casey at the Bat

The Hungry Wolf

The Duck and the Kangaroo

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Chapter 7 - A Mad Tea Party

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Chapter 6 - Pig & Pepper

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Chapter 5 - Advice from a Caterpillar

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Chapter 4 - The Rabbit Sends in a Little Bill

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Chapter 3 - A Caucus-Race and a Long Tale

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Chapter 2 - The Pool of Tears

Alice's Adventures in Wonderland - Chapter 1 by Lewis Carroll

The Tale of Tom Kitten by Beatrix Potter

Good Dobbin by Mother Goose

Three Rhymes by Mother Goose

Block City from A Child's Garden of Verses by Robert Louis Stevenson

I Saw a Ship a-Sailing from The Real Mother Goose

Travels

When Jenny Wren Was Young from Mother Goose

The Sun's Travels from a Children's Garden of Verses

The sun is not a-bed, when IAt night upon my pillow lie;Still round the earth his way he takes,And morning after morning makes.

A Good Play from A Child's Garden of Verses

We built a ship upon the stairsAll made of the back-bedroom chairs,And filled it full of sofa pillowsTo go a-sailing on the billows.

We took a saw and several nails,And water in the nursery pails;And Tom said, "Let us also takeAn apple and a slice of cake;"—Which was enough for Tom and meTo go a-sailing on, till tea.

We sailed along for days and daysAnd had the very best of plays;But Tom fell out and hurt his knee,So there was no one left but me.

Recording time: 40 sec.

The Bear

The Unseen Playmate

My Kingdom from A Children's Garden of Verses

Our Cow from A Book for Kids by C. J. Dennis

The Wind from A Child's Garden of Verses

Lazarus and the Dragon

Snow-white

Hansel and Gretel

Complete Version of Three Blind Mice by John W. Ivimey

Pinocchio - Chapter 7

Raggedy Ann and the Painter by Johnny Gruelle

Tom Thumb

Night and Day from a Child's Garden of Verses

Picture-Books in Winter from a Child's Garden of Verses

PICTURE-BOOKS IN WINTER

From a Rail Way Carriage from a Child's Garden of Verses

The Flowers from a Child's Garden of Verse

Nest Eggs from Child's Garden of Verse

Pinocchio - Chapter 6

The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter

Pinocchio - Chapter 5

Pinocchio - Chapter 4

Pinocchio - Chapter 3

The Adventures of Pinocchio - Chapter 2

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 14

Pinocchio - The Little Wooden Boy

Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 13

Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 12

Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 11

Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 10

Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 9

Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 8

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 7

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 6

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 5

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 4

The Mock Turtle's Song

Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 3

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz - Chapter 2

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum

Rapunzel

Little Red Riding Hood

The Princess on the Pea

The sun is not a-bed, when I
At night upon my pillow lie;
Still round the earth his way he takes,
And morning after morning makes.

We built a ship upon the stairs
All made of the back-bedroom chairs,
And filled it full of sofa pillows
To go a-sailing on the billows.

We took a saw and several nails,
And water in the nursery pails;
And Tom said, "Let us also take
An apple and a slice of cake;"—
Which was enough for Tom and me
To go a-sailing on, till tea.

We sailed along for days and days
And had the very best of plays;
But Tom fell out and hurt his knee,
So there was no one left but me.