Circle Round

WBUR

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.

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456 episodes
Updated Tuesday

Episodes456

Newest first

May 23, 2018 · 1 hr 3 min
One Hour Road Trip Reel: 'Playing By Ear'
Buckle your seat belt for a spectacular ride! This road trip reel features an hour of your favorite Circle Round stories about music including "The Drum," "Sadko and the Sea," and "The Piper and the Pooka."
May 22, 2018 · 12 min
Encore: 'The Lion's Whisker' | feat. Marsai Martin and Miles Brown
Marsai Martin ("Black-ish"), Miles Brown ("Black-ish"), and NPR's own Ofeibia Quist-Arcton star in this story about a brother and a sister who are prepared to do just about anything in order to get along.
May 15, 2018 · 20 min
Encore: 'The Shepherd's Disguise' | feat. Tony Hale
Tony Hale ("Veep," "Arrested Development") stars in a German folktale about a royal advisor whose dishonesty gets him into a royal mess.
May 8, 2018 · 17 min
Encore: 'Stella And The Dragon' | feat. Kathryn Hahn
Kathryn Hahn ("Bad Moms") stars in the encore presentation of a Romanian folktale where a clever mother does her best to outwit a powerful dragon.
May 1, 2018 · 14 min
Encore: 'Why The Ocean Is Salty' | feat. Lou Diamond Phillips, Jon Jon Briones
Lou Diamond Phillips ("Longmire," "33") and Jon Jon Briones ("The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story") star in the classic Filipino folktale "Why The Ocean is Salty."
Apr 24, 2018 · 20 min
'The Lamb With The Golden Fleece' | feat. Kathleen Chalfant
In our season finale, Tony-nominated actor Kathleen Chalfant ("The Affair," "House of Cards") stars in an Iraqi tale about three friends whose love of storytelling changes their entire future.
Apr 17, 2018 · 19 min
'The Piper And The Pooka' | feat. Damian McGinty
Damian McGinty ("Glee," "Celtic Thunder") tells the story of a musician with a serious case of butterflies until he finds himself performing for a very special -- and magical -- audience.
Apr 10, 2018 · 23 min
'Ashes for Sale' | feat. Cheyenne Jackson, Patch Darragh
Cheyenne Jackson ("American Horror Story," "Glee") and Patch Darragh ("Everything Sucks") star in a folktale about two friends, generosity, and the power of a pile of ashes.
Apr 3, 2018 · 17 min
Encore: 'The Barber's Secret' | feat. Noah Schnapp
Noah Schnapp ("Stranger Things") stars in a story about a prince, a barber, and a secret that was impossible to keep.
Mar 27, 2018 · 17 min
'Maushop And Grandfather Sun' | feat. Wes Studi
Wes Studi ("Penny Dreadful," "Dances With Wolves") stars as the Wampanoag mythical figure 'Maushop,' a kind, gentle giant who tries to convince the sun to come back home.
Mar 20, 2018 · 26 min
'The Hat, The Horn, And The Purse' | feat. Bobby Moynihan
Bobby Moynihan ("Duck Tales," "SNL") stars in an Italian folktale about a father who gives seemingly simple gifts to his three sons. But there's more to these family heirlooms than meets the eye.
Mar 13, 2018 · 17 min
'Three Wishes' | feat. Patrick and Mandy Fabian
Patrick Fabian ("Better Call Saul") and Mandy Fabian ("Dropping The Soap") star in a story about a husband and wife whose generosity leads them to an unexpected challenge.
Mar 6, 2018 · 16 min
'Share and Share Alike' | feat. Tiffany Boone and Glynn Washington
Tiffany Boone ("The Chi") and Glynn Washington (NPR's "Snap Judgment") star in a classic folktale about a lazy bear who isn't big on sharing--until he meets a clever rabbit who teaches him a thing or two.
Feb 27, 2018 · 17 min
'The Drum' | feat. Shankar Vedantam
Shankar Vedantam (NPR's "Hidden Brain") retells an Indian folktale about a young girl whose generous heart takes her on a surprising adventure.
Feb 13, 2018 · 22 min
'The Magic Cloth' | feat. Kelly Hu and Albert Tsai
Kelly Hu ("Dietland") and Albert Tsai ("Dr Ken," "9JKL") star in a Chinese folktale about a mother, her three sons, and a very special magic cloth.
Feb 6, 2018 · 13 min
'What Am I Hearing?' | feat. Composer Eric Shimelonis
Ever wonder what instrument you're hearing during your favorite 'Circle Round' story? Well, you're about to find out! This episode features the music and mind of Eric Shimelonis, resident sound designer and composer.
Jan 30, 2018 · 24 min
Sadko And The Sea | feat. Max Greenfield
Max Greenfield ("The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story") stars in this Russian folktale about the power of music.
Jan 23, 2018 · 14 min
'The Goat in the Garden' | feat. 'Car Talk's' Ray Magliozzi
Ray Magliozzi ("Car Talk") reminds us that heroes come in all shapes--and sizes.
Jan 16, 2018 · 20 min
"The Forbidden Knot" | feat. Mel Rodriguez
Adapted from the original Estonian folktale, Mel Rodriguez ("Last Man On Earth" "Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams") stars in a story about a fisherman who learns how important it is to keep your word.
Jan 2, 2018 · 18 min
'Latchkey Stew' | feat. Jurnee Smollett-Bell
Jurnee Smollett-Bell ("Underground," "Friday Night Lights,") stars in this classic tale about a young girl who teaches a group of neighbors what it means to really share.

Circle Round

One Hour Road Trip Reel: 'Playing By Ear'

Encore: 'The Lion's Whisker' | feat. Marsai Martin and Miles Brown

Encore: 'The Shepherd's Disguise' | feat. Tony Hale

Encore: 'Stella And The Dragon' | feat. Kathryn Hahn

Encore: 'Why The Ocean Is Salty' | feat. Lou Diamond Phillips, Jon Jon Briones

'The Lamb With The Golden Fleece' | feat. Kathleen Chalfant

'The Piper And The Pooka' | feat. Damian McGinty

'Ashes for Sale' | feat. Cheyenne Jackson, Patch Darragh

Encore: 'The Barber's Secret' | feat. Noah Schnapp

'Maushop And Grandfather Sun' | feat. Wes Studi

'The Hat, The Horn, And The Purse' | feat. Bobby Moynihan

'Three Wishes' | feat. Patrick and Mandy Fabian

'Share and Share Alike' | feat. Tiffany Boone and Glynn Washington

'The Drum' | feat. Shankar Vedantam

'The Magic Cloth' | feat. Kelly Hu and Albert Tsai

'What Am I Hearing?' | feat. Composer Eric Shimelonis

Sadko And The Sea | feat. Max Greenfield

'The Goat in the Garden' | feat. 'Car Talk's' Ray Magliozzi

"The Forbidden Knot" | feat. Mel Rodriguez

'Latchkey Stew' | feat. Jurnee Smollett-Bell