Circle Round

WBUR
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Created and produced by parents of young children, 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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419 episodes

Encore: Mangoes in the Middle

Utkarsh Ambudkar (Ghosts, We Are Freestyle Love Supreme) stars in an Indian tale about an ingenious royal advisor who cunningly proves the true owner of a fruitful treasure.

19m
Jul 01
Encore: Hungry Hippo

Scott Lawrence (Star Wars Resistance, Vader Immortal) stars in this African legend about how the hippopotamus came to be the decidedly distinctive creature it is today.

23m
Jun 24
Encore: Strong Mind and Kind Heart

Christopher Sean (Star Wars Resistance, Gotham Knights) stars in this Vietnamese tale about two friends, one dream, and the infinite value of a true heart.

27m
Jun 17
Encore: Counting Crocodiles

In this playful tale from Indonesia, Japan and Malaysia, Tiya Sircar (Star Wars Rebels, The Good Place) plays a cunning mouse deer who teaches a cantankerous crocodile a lesson.

19m
Jun 10
Encore: The Rooster in the Sky

In this adventure story with roots in Russia, Hungary and the Middle East, a magical rooster rewards Rachel Matthews (Frozen 2) for her fearless persistence and precious friendship. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

21m
Jun 03
Out of Time

Brittany Ishibashi (Marvel’s Runaways, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) stars in a Japanese tale about the power of stories, and the value of reading -- and listening -- between the lines. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

25m
May 27
The Fruits of Labor

Jeffrey Donovan (Burn Notice, Fargo) stars in an ancient Jewish tale about how working to benefit the future can bring sweet rewards in the present. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

23m
May 20
The Big Green Bag

Tim Bagley (Somebody Somewhere, Hacks) and Rebecca Mader (Lost, Once Upon a Time) co-star in a Rumanian and British tale about the high-flying differences between wants and needs. Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

17m
May 13
Call of the Cuckoo

Stephen Hanna and Bret Shuford (Broadway Husbands, Husbands 2 Dads) headline a European and Asian tale about outlawing anger, forbidding frustration, and making the feathers fly! Take our listener survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/crpod

29m
May 06
Encore: Friends in High Places

Mario Cantone (And Just Like That, Surf's Up) and Denise Crosby (Star Trek: The Next Generation) star in this folktale about how the giraffe got its long neck, and how the rhino got an unexpected ally!

23m
Apr 29
At First Light

Natalie Dormer (Audrey's Children, Game of Thrones) headlines a legend from Aboriginal Australia about a bright, bold bird and the illuminating power of teamwork.

20m
Apr 22
The Donkey’s Tail

Rapper/poet Omar Offendum (Little Syria) stars in a Persian and North African tale about righting wrongs and sniffing out a thief.

20m
Apr 15
One Good Turn

Alan Goffinski, Ana González and Lulu Miller (Terrestrials) star in a very international story about returning favors and being stuck between a rock and a hard place.

18m
Apr 08
In the Willow Tree

Stephanie Koenig (Lessons in Chemistry, The English Teacher) and Patrick Luwis (Cobra Kai) star in a Taiwanese tale about a tiny ant, a boastful pigeon, and unexpected favors.

16m
Apr 01
Crocus-Pocus

Jacob Laval (The Unbreakable Boy, John Mulaney and the Sack Lunch Bunch) and Amanda Warren (The Night Agent, East New York) headline a Sicilian tale about sowing the seeds of kindness, compassion and crocuses.

20m
Mar 18
The Flame Keeper

Joy Ofodu (Dating Unsettled, Heart of Sunshine) and Camron Jones (Panic, Shameless) co-star in a Huichol story from Mexico about stolen fire and bald tails.

17m
Mar 11
Maushop and the Shark

Román Zaragoza (Ghosts) stars in a Wampanoag tale about a gentle giant, a hungry shark, and the power of fun and games.

20m
Mar 04
Diamonds in the Sky

Kyriana Kratter (Star Wars: Skeleton Crew) and Mila Harris (Mary, World-Breaker) headline an out-of-this-world Filipino tale about how the sun and moon came to be.

20m
Feb 25
The Salmon Famine

Recorded live at Symphony Hall with Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians and a star-studded cast, this indigenous Pacific Northwest tale follows a wily coyote on a daring rescue.

23m
Feb 18
The Well of Honor

Recorded live at Symphony Hall with Boston Symphony Orchestra musicians and a star-studded cast, this Egyptian, Iraqi, Palestinian, Sudanese and Tunisian tale shows the importance of never biting off more than you can chew.

23m
Feb 11
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.

20m
Feb 04
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.

30m
Jan 28
Hot Potatoes

Arlen Escarpeta (Found, The Oath) headlines a tale from southern Africa about stolen spuds and hare-brained schemes.

22m
Jan 21
The Cobbler’s Soul

John Patrick Amedori (Three Women, Dear White People) headlines an internationally-inspired story about fixing soles and saving souls.

30m
Jan 14
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!

21m
Jan 07
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.

19m
Dec 31, 2024
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.

18m
Dec 24, 2024
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.

27m
Dec 17, 2024
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.

27m
Dec 10, 2024
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.

24m
Dec 03, 2024