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

Feb 4, 2025 · 20 min
Encore: The Lumps of Clay
Maulik Pancholy (Phineas and Ferb, Sanjay and Craig) stars in a classic Indian story about a witty royal adviser who finds an ingenious way to bring the truth to light.
Jan 28, 2025 · 30 min
The Zodiac Twelve
Tzi Ma (Five Blind Dates, Interior Chinatown) and Jimmy Wong (Mulan, Wish Dragon) co-star in an action-packed legend about the origin of the Chinese zodiac animals.
Jan 21, 2025 · 22 min
Hot Potatoes
Arlen Escarpeta (Found, The Oath) headlines a tale from southern Africa about stolen spuds and hare-brained schemes.
Jan 14, 2025 · 30 min
The Cobbler’s Soul
John Patrick Amedori (Three Women, Dear White People) headlines an internationally-inspired story about fixing soles and saving souls.
Jan 7, 2025 · 21 min
Encore: Ariana’s Music
Mireille Enos (Hanna, The Killing) headlines this new spin on an ancient Greek legend about an instrument that captivates everyone who hears it – whether they have skin, scales, hair, hides, feathers or fur!
Dec 31, 2024 · 19 min
Encore: Three Clever Brothers
Alexandra Billings (Transparent, Paddleton) stars in a North African, Middle Eastern and central and north-central Asian folktale about the power of a keen eye and a quick mind.
Dec 24, 2024 · 18 min
Encore: Getting Skunked
Terrence Terrell (B Positive, Giants) stars in this Abenaki tale about a gentle giant who brings night and day to the world, and gives a certain striped critter its telltale scent.
Dec 17, 2024 · 27 min
The Peach of Life
Recorded live at Symphony Space, a star-studded cast brings to life this Chinese and Vietnamese legend about the healing power of a kind and honest heart.
Dec 10, 2024 · 27 min
The Wild Goose Chase
Recorded live at Symphony Space with a star-studded cast, this magical tale inspired by Ukrainian and Russian lore follows a kindly tailor as he embarks on an unforgettable chase.
Dec 3, 2024 · 24 min
Encore: The Most Fabulous Fur of All
Q'orianka Kilcher (Yellowstone, Dora and the Lost City of Gold) stars in a Cherokee tale about a clever rabbit who craftily tries pulling the wool — and fur — over everyone’s eyes.
Nov 26, 2024 · 22 min
Dancing to a Different Tune
World-renowned violinist Hilary Hahn plays a musician with a miraculous gift in this whimsical folktale from South America, North Africa, Europe and the US.
Nov 19, 2024 · 25 min
The Caged Bird
Tim Matheson (The West Wing, Virgin River) and Jonathan Tucker (Kingdom, Westworld) co-star in a Jewish and Persian tale about a parrot, a prince, and the priceless value of freedom.
Nov 12, 2024 · 20 min
A World of Music
Jon Huertas (This Is Us, Tracker) headlines an Aztec legend about how music first came to the world.
Nov 5, 2024 · 17 min
In the Wolf’s Mouth
Jennifer Hale (Stars Wars: The Clone Wars, X-Men ‘97) stars in a Portuguese tale about a big bad wolf and a sharp shrewd owl.
Oct 29, 2024 · 27 min
The All-Wish Stick
Amy Tsang (Star Wars: The Acolyte, Kung Fu) stars in a Chinese tale about a magical gift that makes wishes come true, provided you make them with an honest heart.
Oct 22, 2024 · 19 min
The Face-Off
Actor Kelly Jenrette (All American: Homecoming, The Handmaid’s Tale) and producer/actor Lamar Richardson (Appropriate, Merrily We Roll Along) co-star in a Shona legend that proves how big strength can come in little sizes.
Oct 15, 2024 · 25 min
Top Banana
Tatyana Ali (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Abbot Elementary) and Jack De Sena (Lego Monkie Kid, Avatar: The Last Airbender) headline this Filipino story about getting the upper hand by taking the lower half.
Oct 8, 2024 · 18 min
Pride and Proverbs
Real-life couple David Giuntoli (Grimm, Batman: Soul of the Dragon) and Elizabeth Tulloch (Grimm, Superman and Lois) face off as a wise farmer and proud queen in this tale with Georgian, Kazakh and Ghanaian roots.
Oct 1, 2024 · 26 min
The Hiding Place
Broadway's Aaron Bartz, Erik Christopher Peterson and Cara Ricketts (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) headline a Jewish and Egyptian story about a high-stakes game of hide and seek.
Sep 24, 2024 · 24 min
Encore: The Princess and the Bee
Duchess Sarah Ferguson of York (Storytime with Fergie) and Suzie McGrath (Star Wars Resistance, The Punies) star in this charming tale about the importance of having a sound, sensible head, and a warm, fuzzy heart.

Circle Round

Encore: The Lumps of Clay

The Zodiac Twelve

Hot Potatoes

The Cobbler’s Soul

Encore: Ariana’s Music

Encore: Three Clever Brothers

Encore: Getting Skunked

The Peach of Life

The Wild Goose Chase

Encore: The Most Fabulous Fur of All

Dancing to a Different Tune

The Caged Bird

A World of Music

In the Wolf’s Mouth

The All-Wish Stick

The Face-Off

Top Banana

Pride and Proverbs

The Hiding Place

Encore: The Princess and the Bee