Noel's Booknook

Lyman Frank Baum (1856 - 1919) is most famous for "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" and its sequels, a total of 14 novels in the Oz series. He also wrote this, published in 1902, a "biography" about Santa Claus - where he grew up, who raised him, how he became immortal, and (probably the biggest discovery of all) how he's able to deliver all those presents in just one night. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/noel-macneal/support

William Sydney Porter, (1862 - 1910) is known by his author name, "O.Henry." He was an American short-story writer whose tales romanticized everyday life — in particular the life of ordinary people in New York City. This story was published in 1905, and, according to legend, in Pete's Tavern on Irving Place, in Manhattan, some say moved by romance in his own life, others think witnessing a stolen glance from one fellow to his beau, he sat and penned one of the most enduring love stories of Christmas. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/noel-macneal/support

Mary Botham Howitt (March 12, 1799 – January 30, 1888) was an English poet, and became interested in Scandinavian literature during the 1840s and, having learned Swedish and Danish, she translated many of Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tales for the delight of English children. She may have been influenced by the dark side of some of his stories when she wrote her most famous piece, "The Spider and the Fly." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/noel-macneal/support

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley (August 30, 1797 – February 1, 1851) edited and promoted the works of her husband, the Romantic poet and philosopher Percy Bysshe Shelley. She created this story on a rainy afternoon in 1816 in Geneva, where she was staying with her husband and their friends. The group, stuck indoors by the inclement weather, passed the time telling and writing ghost stories. This is considered the earliest form of science fiction and the most famous "gothic novel" of all time. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/noel-macneal/support

Robert Lewis Balfour Stevenson (November 13, 1850 – December 3, 1894) was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer , whose most famous works of literature are "Treasure Island," "Kidnapped," "A Child's Garden of Verses," and "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/noel-macneal/support

Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (1832 - 1896), is better known by his pen name of Lewis Carroll. He was an English writer of children's fiction but, is most famous for writing "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and its sequel, "Alice Through the Looking-Glass." His talent at word play, logic, and fantasy and has been loved for generations, and is still enjoyed, today. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/noel-macneal/support

Hans Christian Andersen wrote many fairy tales but this, by far, is his most famous. "The Little Mermaid" follows the journey of a young mermaid who is willing to give up her life in the sea to gain a human soul. The tale was first published in 1837 as part of a collection of fairy tales for children and has since been adapted, many times, for movies, television, and live theater. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/noel-macneal/support

Lyman Frank Baum (1856 - 1919) was an American author who wrote 41 novels, 83 short stories, over 200 poems, and at least 42 scripts. He is most famous for his children's books, particularly "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" and its sequels, a total of 14 novels in the Oz series. This is the introduction and the first two chapters of the first book, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/noel-macneal/support

Hans Christian Andersen (1805 - 1875) was a Danish author, a prolific writer of plays, travelogues, novels, and poems. But, he is best remembered for his fairy tales, which are not limited to children; his stories express themes that transcend age and nationality, to this day. These are two such examples - "The Princess & the Pea" and "The Emperor's New Suit." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/noel-macneal/support

Helen Beatrix Potter (1866 - 1943) wrote and illustrated many books for children featuring animals who acted like people. This is two stories she wrote; one about a naughty kitten and the other about two bad mice. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/noel-macneal/support

Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde (1854 – 1900) wrote in many different forms throughout the 1880s, when in the early 1890s he became one of the most popular playwrights in London. He wrote a collection of stories for children first published in May 1888. It contains five stories: "The Happy Prince," "The Nightingale and the Rose," "The Selfish Giant," "The Devoted Friend," and "The Remarkable Rocket." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/noel-macneal/support

I love poems and these are two of my favorites that I would read to my son for bedtime. The authors are Edward Lear (1812 - 1888) and Eugene Field (1850 -1895) whose poems take you away on two magical journeys. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/noel-macneal/support

Kenneth Grahame (1859 - 1932) was a Scottish writer, whose most famous book is the now children's literature classic "The Wind in the Willows." I've always loved this book and these characters, whose friendship is so strong. This is a chapter from the book when Rat, Mole, and Badger try to help their friend, Toad, stay out of trouble. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/noel-macneal/support

This is another tale from Beatrix Potter. It's about a duck named Jemima who, while trying to find the perfect place to make a nest and lay her eggs, meets a "bushy tailed gentleman" who's more than happy to help- a fox! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/noel-macneal/support

Hugh Lofting (1886 - 1947) wrote three books about Dr John Dolittle, a man who learns to talk directly to animals in their own language and became the most famous animal doctor in the world. This is the chapter from the first book, "The Story of Doctor Dolittle," that explains how it happened. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/noel-macneal/support

Beatrix Potter wrote many children's stories about animals and her most famous is "THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT." But did you know that THIS is the "sequel." Listen and find out what else happened to Peter. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/noel-macneal/support

This is a very special "toy story" written by Margery Williams (1881 - 1944). It's a unique "toy story" all about how toys become "real." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/noel-macneal/support

Hello! Helen Beatrix Potter (1866 - 1943) was an English author, illustrator, natural scientist, and conservationist who wrote and illustrated many children's books featuring animals. This is her most famous one - "THE TALE OF PETER RABBIT." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/noel-macneal/support

--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/noel-macneal/support

My new WEEKLY podcast “Noel's Booknook” will premiere NEXT TUESDAY MAY 19th! I hope you'll join for the fun of hearing a good story. “See ya soon!” --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/noel-macneal/support