Showing titles in Animals

"...there is nothing - absolutely nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats." So says Rat, as he welcomes the lonely Mole to the community of the River. Whether messing about in boats, touring in Toad's motorcar, or simply relaxing at home, Mole, Rat, Otter, Toad, and Badger demonstrate the honorable human characteristics of kindness, patience, and tolerance toward all that have made this classic tale beloved by generations since it was first published in 1908.

In this first book in the series, Doctor Dolittle discovers that he can talk to the animals - Jip the dog, Dab Dab the duck, and Polynesia the parrot.

In Frosty, Harriet Weaver, the only female ranger in California’s Big Basin Redwood Park, finds orphan Frosty and adopts the baby raccoon. She soon finds that Frosty is not only intelligent, he’s mischievous, too. But his antics bring new joy to Harriet’s life, which makes it all worthwhile.

Join Old Stripe the Badger, Potter-the-Otter, Woo Owl, and Digger Mole in this first installment in Elleston Trevor's Woodlander series. Though they were written over 40 years ago, today's children still love to hear these classic children's stories about the colorful creatures of Deep Wood.

If you were big and ugly, had a ton of sharp teeth, and a truly enormous appetite, you wouldn't need the "magic word" either! These stories for kids, from acclaimed storytelling songster Bill Harley, center around the theme of being small.

In 1897 Buck, a shepherd dog, is kidnapped and shipped to the Klondike gold fields. Pressed into service as a sled dog, Buck is abused by humans and tormented by the other dogs - until he learns "the law of club and fang." Along with the skills Buck needs to survive - how to keep warm in the frozen land, the ability to scent dangerous weather changes, and how to fight ferociously - he learns the song of the wolves and the powerful attraction it exerts.

Young Arthur doesn't understand why pulling a sword from a stone qualifies him for kingship. Old Merlin tells him a story of his childhood, when he first learned to trust in himself: a story about fighting dragons, clashing armies, and a young boy's prophetic dreams. Merlin's story inspires young Arthur with the confidence he will need to become a great king.

Masterfully narrated by film star Kevin Kline.

When shy Mole ventures from his new home on the River Bank, he meets friendly Rat, gruff Badger and rich, crazy Toad. The 4 soon become friends and embark on rollicking adventures, from lazy picnics to wild motor-car rides to war with the Weasels. The Wind in the Willows began as a bedtime story that its author, Kenneth Grahame, told to his 4-year-old son. The tale quickly became one of the best-loved children's stories of all time.

Set in faraway India and the Aleutians, the animals and humans who inhabit Kipling's Jungle Books have been children's favorites for generations. Book I introduces the black panther Bagheera, the lame and evil tiger Shere Khan, the rock python Kaa, the brown bear Baloo who teaches the wolf cubs the Law of the Jungle, the man cub Mowgli who lives with the wolves, Toomai of the elephants, and many others.

An amazingly fast and strong but gentle thoroughbred, Black Beauty peacefully gallops across open meadows, carrying adoring children through the English countryside. But then a tragic accident forces his owner to sell him, and Black Beauty enters a world where horses are treated with bitter violence. Longing for his joyful youth on his original master's farm, Black Beauty faces horrible, demeaning abuse but never loses his spirit - or his great hope that he'll find happiness again.

Originally written as a protest against cruelty and ill treatment of horses, this compassionate tale has captured the imagination of generations of children. The saga begins with Black Beauty as a young thoroughbred in a stable with his beloved Squire Gordon, who is forced to sell the horse, beginning a tragic but exciting journey. The sweet-tempered horse must deal with broken knees, narrow escapes from disaster, and the drudgery of pulling a London cab for a cruel owner.

Five tales which range from the jungles of India to the frozen emptiness of the North... In all of them, Kipling's extraordinary powers of description and ability to identify with human aspiration and animal survival are vividly shown. Rikki-Tikki-Tavi must battle with Nag, the cobra, in his territory; Toomai has a unique glimpse of the elephant world, Kotick, the White Seal, searches for sanctuary, while Kotuko has to find food for his starving Eskimo village. Above all, Kipling's love of life in all its variety shines through.

Kiplings' tales of Mowgli and his exciting life in the Indian jungle have been loved by children and adults alike ever since their publication in 1895. Mowgli the 'man-cub' must learn to fend for himself against terrible foes like Shere Khan the tiger, but he can always call upon his friends Baloo the Bear, Bagheera the Black Panther, and Kaa the Rock Python from whom he learns the Law of the jungle.

Judd Travers is physically on the mend from the truck accident that nearly took his life in Shiloh Season. But is he healing inside too? Can Marty Preston, his family, and the community trust that Judd will not return to his evil ways? Marty's parents tell him that every person deserves a second chance. Most people in the surrounding community, however, are quick to assume the opposite and find ways to place Judd at the center of any trouble - even murder.

After Marty Preston worked so hard to earn the dog Shiloh, he had hoped that his troubles with Judd Travers were over. He could not rescue all the dogs that Judd mistreated, but since Shiloh was the one who ran away and came with him, Shiloh was the one he loved. Judd, however, has other problems. Anyone who cheats, swears, lies, and kicks his dogs has troubles inside himself, and when the man starts drinking, Marty realizes that Shiloh is in danger once again.

Traditional values abound in these hilarious stories from Appalachia: friendship, family, orderliness, humor, and delight in an especially inventive practical joke. In "Rainy Weather", a hound dog with more heart than sense wins everyone's admiration. "Uncle Frank Learns to Speak Polish" finds Davis' famous Uncle Frank making the most of a little foreign language. And, in "Uncle Frank Clean Up the Post Office", cleanliness is next to godliness, and it's also next to hilarity.

Slow but steady Turtle exhibits wisdom, perseverance, and cunning in these world folktales. Full of adventure that's sure to captivate young listeners, these tales hold meaning for all ages. Turtle is alive with possibilities. Living on land and in the water and breathing air, Turtle joins these three elements of creation, becoming symbolic of the earth itself. Always clever, always wise, and ever patient, Turtle never fails to find humor in any situation.

Heather Forest, a 20-year veteran professional storyteller, says,"I became a storyteller as a direct extension of singing old folk ballads which contained tales." Early in her career, she began to create contemporary versions of traditional folktales from around the world. Forest created The Animals Could Talk for family audiences.

Did you ever look carefully at a spider's webs? Did you ever wonder what causes thunder and lighting? Why do dogs chase cats? Why does it look like there's a man in the moon? In this delightful recording of tales from around the world, each story explains why an animal, plant, or natural object looks or acts the way it does.

Paul Fleischman's Poems for Two Voices make for irresistable listening. Whether funny, sad, boisterous or serene, each poem is a virtuoso performance - skillfully illuminating a unique personality from the natural world.