Writer's Diary

  Four friends go to the Emerald City in search of answers, A stubborn spinner gets some unusual help, Two disagreeable cousins discover the magic of a secret garden. Storypoem: Oz Folktale: Ada & the Three Spinners Recommended Reading: "The Secret Garden," by Frances Hodgson Burnett   Become a Podcast Patron on Patreon

A brother’s fate depends on a tiger’s whisker,  a weaver makes an enchanted brocade,  a mischievous beggar suddenly becomes king. Storypoem: "The Two Brothers and the Tiger's Whisker," adapted from a Korean folktale. Folktale: "The Magnificent Brocade," adapted from a Chinese folktale Recommended Reading: "The First Two Lives of Lukas-Kasha" by Lloyd Alexander

A girl’s clever sewing saves her from a magician,  a groom almost misses his own wedding,  a grandmother leaves her granddaughter an unusual quest. Storypoem: The Golden Thread (a retelling of Anna Wahlenberg's "The Magician's Cape") Folk Tale: The Troll Ride (a retelling of Anna Wahlenberg's "The Troll Ride") Rec. Read: "My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry," by Frederik Backman* *this book isn't written for kids, but apart from some mild swearing and some scary moments, I think it's kid-kosher. If you're unsure, please read it yourself before sharing with the kids in your life. It's certainly no scarier than most of my beloved books by Roald Dahl!

Davinder learns why you should always listen to your Auntie -- especially when a panther is on the loose! "Auntie, Davinder, & the Bagheera" is my reimagining of the traditional Indian folktale, "The Tiger, the Brahman, & the Jackal," inspired by my year in Mussoorie, in the foothills of the Himalaya. You can see it performed as part of my Brave Girls & Wise Women program or Folktales from Around the World program. This episode’s story poem is “The Cozy, Dozy Kitten.” The recommended reading is “Just So Stories," by Rudyard Kipling.

Are you brave enough to follow Mizilca into Baba Yaga's deep dark forest to rescue her baby brother? "Mizilca & the Gray Geese" comes from Russia and is part of my Brave Girls & Wise Women program. This episode's story poem is "The Maiden, the Devil, & the Dancing Shoes." The recommended reading is "Dealing with Dragons," by Patricia C. Wrede.

Watch what you say, or your pancake might just run away! This Norwegian folktale is cousin to "The Gingerbread Man." This episode's story poem is "If You Are Lost in a Troll Wood." The reading recommendation is "Ronia the Robber's Daughter," by Astrid Lindgren.