Why does the Rooster crow at the sun? 🐓 In this legend of the Chinese Zodiac, discover how a bald Dragon and a sneaky Centipede tricked the Rooster out of his magnificent golden antlers. Join Auntie Sandy for a tale of pride, promises, and the race to create the Jade Emperor’s calendar! 🐉✨ PLUS: Visit our Linktree in the show notes to join the Explorer’s Guild and download your FREE 4-page Dragon Activity Kit! 🧭 🧧 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/auntie-sandys-storyland/exclusive-content

👑✨ The Girl, the Fish, and the Crown is a shimmering Spanish folktale about courage, kindness, and transformation. On a dangerous quest that forces her to take the form of wild animals, a once-selfish young girl discovers the true power of compassion, generosity, and inner strength. 🐦🐾 Guided by magical creatures and unexpected challenges, her journey shows that greatness isn’t found in crowns or wishes—but in the heart that learns to care for others. 🌙 A beautiful, meaningful tale perfect for bedtime, classroom listening, or family storytime. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/auntie-sandys-storyland/exclusive-content

❄️ Step into snowy forests, talking animals, enchanted huts, and magical adventures in Old Peter’s Russian Tales. These classic Russian folktales—told by a wise grandfather to his curious grandchildren—blend imagination, courage, and timeless wisdom. 📚✨ Written by Arthur Ransome, this collection introduces children to beloved characters like Baba Yaga and the Flying Ship while celebrating the charm of old-world storytelling. 🌙 Perfect for bedtime, family listening, or quiet storytime moments, these tales bring folklore to life for a new generation of young dreamers. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/auntie-sandys-storyland/exclusive-content

🗡️✨ Discover fourteen powerful folktales from around the world that show true heroism comes from wisdom, courage, and compassion—not brute strength. In this inspiring collection, Jane Yolen shares stories of clever sons, brave brothers, noble kings, and unlikely heroes who use their hearts and minds to overcome challenges. 🌍 Perfect for young listeners, these tales celebrate character, kindness, and the idea that being “mighty” means choosing what’s right. A thoughtful and adventurous listen for bedtime, story time, or family moments together. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/auntie-sandys-storyland/exclusive-content

✨ Step into a collection of timeless stories that build character, courage, kindness, and wisdom. Drawn from the Bible, fairy tales, classic literature, myths, and American history, The Book of Virtues brings powerful lessons to life for young listeners and families. 🎧 Each tale explores big ideas—right and wrong, bravery, honesty, friendship, and caring for others—through engaging storytelling that sparks imagination and heart. 🌙 Perfect for bedtime, car rides, or family storytime, this episode includes: Kindness to Animals, Little Sunshine, A Child’s Prayer, Diamonds and Toads, and Old Mr. Rabbit’s Thanksgiving Dinner. A warm and inspiring way to help kids grow into their best selves—one story at a time. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/auntie-sandys-storyland/exclusive-content

🍜 The Kang Brothers and the Invention of Noodles 🍜 Learn how the three fun-loving Kang brothers created noodles, one of China's most famous inventions! 🇨🇳✨ This colorfully redesigned edition also includes a bilingual Chinese translation. 🈶️ The three creative Kang brothers (Ting, Pan, and Kùai) discover many of China’s famous inventions in the series Amazing Chinese Inventions. 📚✨ Mama Kang needs her sons’ help to make her famous dumplings for the annual cooking contest. 🥟👩‍🍳 But this year, the Kang brothers play with the dough, and before long, long strips of dough fly everywhere! 🍝🚀 With no time left, the family brings only the strings of boiled flour. 🍲🥢 The village always expects Mama's delicious dish to win. Will this new recipe wow the judges, or will the three boys find themselves in hot water? 🏆😅 The story includes an author’s note on the history of noodles and a delicious noodle recipe, perfect for eating with chopsticks! 🥢🍜 This fanciful blend of fact and imagination brings Asian culture to life for young readers. 🌏💫 Children will love the bright, bold artwork, created in the traditional Chinese style of hand-cut, colored paper. 🎨📜 Parents will enjoy the ingenuity of the Kang brothers, who teach a thing or two about inventiveness. 🤔💡 Teachers and librarians will appreciate the historical references and the bilingual translation in simplified Chinese, ideal for language classes, programs, and schools. 🏫📖 “Compestine’s almost tongue-in-cheek tale is a nearly unbeatable combination of slapstick humor, fast pace, and food.” 😄🍜🍽️ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/auntie-sandys-storyland/exclusive-content

🌍 Anansi the Trickster 🕷️✨ Award-winning author Taiye Selasi reimagines the much-loved West African trickster tale for a new generation. 🌟 "Allow me to introduce myself." But he needed no introduction. "Anansi the spider!" said Anansi the boy. "The tales were true!" 🕷️💫 "Traditional tales are always true," the spider answered, laughing. "Nothing lasts so long as truth, nor travels quite so far." 📜🌍 Kweku has grown up hearing stories of the mischievous spider Anansi. 🧑‍🦱🕷️ Nicknamed "Anansi" by his father for his cheeky ways, Kweku embarks on a holiday to visit his beloved Grandma in Ghana. 🇬🇭🌴 There, Anansi the spider and Anansi the boy meet and discover a magical pot that can be filled with anything they wish. 🍲✨ Anansi fills it again and again with his favorite red-red stew, eating so much he feels sick. 😷 Will he learn the importance of sharing this wonderful gift? 🤔🍽️ This charming retelling teaches children about the dangers of greed and the power of kindness. ❤️ Tinuke Fagborun's colorful illustrations bring the magic and wonder of the tale to life! 🎨🌟 At the end, readers can learn more about the origins of Anansi folktales. 📚🌍 This beautiful storybook will be a treasure for young readers. 🧸💖 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/auntie-sandys-storyland/exclusive-content

🌟 The Magic Gourd 🌟 Coretta Scott King Honor author/artist presents a magical tale from Mali about a gourd that can fill itself with whatever its owner desires—and a powerful lesson about generosity. 🍲💧 In a land suffering from drought and famine, Rabbit rescues Brother Chameleon from a thorny bush. 🐰🌿 Grateful for the help, Chameleon rewards Rabbit with a magical gourd that always stays full of food and water. 🍎💦 But soon, a greedy king steals the gourd, hoping to use it to make gold and gather food for himself. 👑💰🐍 Using his cleverness, Rabbit recovers the gourd but leaves plenty behind for the King. 🐰✨ Surprised by Rabbit's kind act, the king begins to understand the true value of generosity and friendship. 🤝💖 The story’s exciting illustrations in bright ceramic plates, bowls, and sculpture practically dance off the pages! 🎨🖼️ Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/auntie-sandys-storyland/exclusive-content

🐷 The (Ahem—Four!) Little Pigs 🏠 Meet the three (ahem—four!) little pigs as they convince the narrator to tell their story just a bit differently! 🙋‍♂️ First up, there’s Alan, the pig who’s actually a builder. He’s got a BIG problem with the idea of building a home out of flimsy straw! 🏗️🚧 Next, meet Alfred, the pig who dreams of being an actor and wouldn’t dream of getting his hooves dirty. 🎭✨ Then, there’s Alvin, whose dream is to be...a pumpkin! 🎃 Yes, you read that right! And finally, we have Alison, the fourth pig who’s ready to add some flair to this story. If only she can get the narrator to agree to a few changes... 💃🎤 But wait—what about that pesky wolf? 🐺 Get ready for a rollicking retelling of the classic tale, with jetpacks, laughter, and plenty of surprises! 🚀🌟 Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/auntie-sandys-storyland/exclusive-content