The Wolf's Story

You all know the story of Little Red Riding Hood, but you haven’t heard the wolf’s side of the story. Until now. Learn what the wolf has to say as Sara reads The Wolf’s Story: What Really Happened to Little Red Riding Hood by Toby Forward.

The Wolf’s Story: What Really Happened to Little Red Riding Hood
written by Toby Forward, illustrated by Izhar Cohen
published by Candlewick, copyright 2005

THE WOLF’S STORY. Text copyright © 2005 Toby Forward. Illustrations copyright © 2005 Izhar Cohen. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc. Cambridge, MA.

Direct link: wolf.mp3
Total time: 5:08 minutes

Five Little Piggies

You all know the rhyme about the five little piggies. But do you know why one went to market? Why one stayed home? Why one had roast beef? Why one had none? And, why one cried “wee, wee, wee”? Find out in David Martin’s Five Little Piggies, read by Sara.

Five Little Piggies
written by David Martin, illustrated by Susan Meddaugh
published by Candlewick, copyright 1998

FIVE LITTLE PIGGIES. Text copyright © 1998 David Martin. Illustration copyright © 1998 Susan Meddaugh. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA.

Direct link: piggies.mp3
Total time: 5:33 minutes

The House That Jack Built

The classic cumulative rhyme is brought to life as Sara reads The House That Jack Built.

The House That Jack Built

Anonymous

Direct link: jack.mp3
Total time: 1:53 minutes

Big Momma Makes the World

Big Momma is busy with all her work. She’s making a world, but she’s also got to care for her baby and get to all that laundry that’s piled up. So, what’s Big Momma to do? Sara reads Big Momma Makes the World by Phyllis Root.

Big Momma Makes the World
written by Phyllis Root, illustrated by Helen Oxenbury
published by Candlewick Press, copyright 2002

BIG MOMMA MAKES THE WORLD. Text copyright © 2002 by Phyllis Root. Illustrations copyright © 2002 by Helen Oxenbury. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA.

Direct link: momma.mp3
Total time: 6:07 minutes

ETA: Link to mp3 recording removed per agreement with publisher.

The Librarian of Basra

Alia Muhammad Baker is a librarian in the city of Basra in southern Iraq. In this true story, Alia does whatever she can to protect the books in her library before war comes to her city. Will she be able to save all the books? Sara reads The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq by Jeanette Winter.

The Librarian of Basra: A True Story from Iraq
written & illustrated by Jeanette Winter
published by Harcourt, copyright 2005

THE LIBRARIAN OF BASRA: A TRUE STORY FROM IRAQ, copyright © 2005 by Jeanette Winter, reproduced by permission of Harcourt, Inc. This material may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Direct link: librarian.mp3
Total time: 3:21 minutes

ETA: Link to mp3 recording removed per agreement with publisher. Please see our list of other titles featuring libraries.

Ruby's Wish

Ruby's loves to attend classes in her grandfather's home in China. Her greatest wish is to go to college, but her family expects her to marry. Will her wish ever come true? Sara reads Ruby's Wish by Shirin Yim Bridges.

Ruby's Wish
written by Shirin Yim Bridges, illustrated by Sophie Blackall
published by Chronicle Books, copyright 2002

RUBY'S WISH: text © 2002 by Shirin Yim Bridges; illustrations © by Sophie Blackall. Used with permission of Chronicle Books LLC, San Francisco. Visit ChronicleBooks.com.

Direct link: ruby.mp3
Total time: 6:37 minutes

ETA: Link to mp3 recording removed per agreement with publisher. Please see our list of other titles featuring Asian or Asian American characters.

Brothers In Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan (excerpt)

Garang, an eight-year-old Sudanese boy, loses his family to war. He finds himself walking with hundreds of other boys to safety in Ethiopia. But war follows them there, too. Will Garang ever be safe? Sara reads an excerpt from Brothers In Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan by Mary Williams, a story inspired by true events.

Brothers In Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan
written by Mary Williams, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
published by Lee & Low Books, copyright 2005
visit the Brothers In Hope website

Direct link: brothers.mp3

Total time: 3:22 minutes