Customer Reviews

Tell Me A Story 2: Animal Magic

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is another delightful collection of seven folktales from around the world, which can be enjoyed by all ages. Written by Amy Friedman, and directed by Lori Ada Jaroslow, the music was composed by Laura Hall of "Who's Line is it Anyway?" The beautiful and colorful illustrations on the CD jacket are by Jillian Gilliland.


1. The Tortoise & the Magic Drum
Narrated by Glenna Forster-Jones (Sierra Leone): Broadcaster, Performer, Actress
Setting: Nigeria

[The secret of a magic drum
Makes a tortoise rather glum]


2. The Poet & the Dragon
Narrated by Peter James Smith: Actor (Ed, from The West Wing)
Setting: China

[Poems soothe a noble beast
In this fine story from the East]


3. Kerplunk
Narrated by Gideon Emery: Actor, Voice credits on games including Final Fantasy XII
Setting: Australia

[Just like the Chicken Little tale
You should let common sense prevail]


4. The Elephant's Reward
Narrated by Meera Simhan: Actress
Setting: India

[Even though you may be small
You may be useful after all]


5. The Talking Cat
Narrated by Len Cariou: Performer, Actor, Academy Award winning Narrator
Setting: Canada (French)

[A woman living with her cat
Is startled when it starts to chat]


6. Coyote's Gift
Narrated by Arigon Starr: Award winning singer, songwriter, musician, actor, artist and playwright
Setting: Native American

[Stolen fire from the sun
Has animals working as one]


7. The Cricket's Song
Narrated by Giselle Achecar: Actress
Setting: Guatemala

[The little yellow cricket's songs
Show her where her heart belongs]




Also of note is the use of musical instruments from the countries of origin of the stories. Listen for the African xylophone (balafon), ganjukoi bells, bongos, gamelon, koto, Tibetan bowl, penny whistle, dulcimer, sruuti box, tabla, melodica, marimba, maracas, flute and shaker.

Very interesting stories narrated by a talented group of performers, this would be another age appropriate gift for that budding storyteller on your list.




Amanda Richards, August 1, 2008

This is a good CD. My son is very sensitive to "conflict" in stories. He's only three and not ready for the content. It's creative listening for older children.

We absolutely love this cd. Our kids LOVE it too. So inventive and fun to listen to the amazingly told stories. Great voices and a wonderful alternative to watching TV or movies for sure. Our kids want to go to bed listening to the CD and it is working wonders to get them settled and happy in the evening. We listen to it in the car too and the kids alwasy ask for it. A must have!

When I first popped this CD into my trusty and somewhat worn CD player, I had no idea the treat that was in store for me. I was familiar with the work of Amy Friedman through her first offering, the wonderful Tell Me a Story: Timeless Folktales from Around the World, but I had doubts if she could pull it off again. Well folks, I had nothing to fear. This offering, Tell Me a Story 2 is another pure class act! As with her first work, it is a delight to the ear and the imagination. I am not sure how she does it, but I can assure you that this is one talented lady!

With this collection of folk tales Ms. Friedman has dealt primarily with the animal world. Now don't get the impression that we are dealing with a done to death collection of Aesop's Tales here...no, no, my goodness no! Now some of them do have elements of the Aesop tradition in them, but to be quite frank, Friedman has out Aesoped, Aesop! This is a collection to stories that have the listener flitting around the world in a whirl of cultures and countries from out of our past. There are seven stories here, each performed by very talented actors with wonderful reading voices. We have here a perfect match of reader and story. Each tale has almost a hypnotic effect on the listener. This is all enhanced with the perfect musical sound tract, which fits the mood, time and place of the story perfectly. The accents used by the various story tellers, their syntax and accents are absolutely perfect!

The seven stories begin with an episode taken from Nigeria that explores what happens to a rather greedy turtle and the long lasting effects on the world due to his greed. We are taken to china for a haunting tale of a Poet and a River Dragon which teach the listener a very valuable lesson. Then it is off to Australia where we receive the words of very wise Kangaroo and roll our eyes at the words of a very silly little opossum. Suddenly, zip, we are in India for some hard but gently told lessons in friendship and helping. I loved being tugged into French Canada and learning the unique use of a cat by a very smart Frenchman and how a little old lady benefited from both the cat and the tricky woodsman. A cricket in Guatemala learns much of her role in the world and then we are treated to a Native American tale and learn how the wily coyote gave man the gift of fire...with plenty of help from his friends.

Now before I go on, do realize one thing; this CD is meant for children, but goodness me, I fear that the adult in the family or classroom will be "borrowing" this little treasure often, and I do hope that the wee ones have a chance to listen to it. This is one of those sneaky CDs. It teaches wonderful lessons to both young and old without that preachy tone that make a child's eyes roll to the back of their head and drive an adult to distraction! Adults will love this CD as much as any child will. This is absolutely the ideal CD to take along on a trip for the entire family, and I promise you, not only will the children be asking for replays, but so will the older members riding in the car.

My daughter who has been teaching for twenty years now, is teaching a special summer school course to her children, a group of kids ages 7 through 9...a literary jaded and picky group, by all accounts. The course is "Fairy Tales, Folk Tales and Fables." I received this CD in time for her to work it into her course and it has been an absolute hit. When she plays this one and its predecessor, Tell Me a Story, it is the one time during her day that there is complete and absolute silence in her classroom. The kids are enthralled...of course as is she.

This would be a wonderful addition to your child's audio library and a wonderful addition to a classroom, of any age group. Its universal appeal to both the very young and the very old make it an ideal teaching tool, and let's be honest, some top quality cheap entertainment...so very, very much better than the mindless brain pap we are being fed on a daily basis via our T.V.s.

To receive entertainment, knowledge, intellectual stimulation and at the same time have your imagination shaken out of its doldrums is a rare thing. This CD will do all these for you. You really cannot ask much more when you think about it. It will be obvious after listening to this thing the first time that a tremendous amount of talent and creative energy went into its making. I cannot recommend this work highly enough. Wish I could give it many more stars.

Tell Me a Story: Timeless Folktales from Around the World

Don Blankenship
The Ozarks

Tell Me a Story 2 provides a smorgasbord of storytelling fun, music and sound. This charming collection features seven tales from Australia, Nigeria, Canada, Native America, Guatemala, East India and China. Flawlessly written, Friedman's tales feature vivid imagery, sparking the imagination and allowing listeners to visualize the colorful scenes as the stories unfold. The actors and actresses, who serve as readers complement the scripts, harmonizing perfectly with the tales they tell. Delivery is clear, enunciation perfect. Len Cariou who presents "The Talking Cat" renders the voices of a Frenchman, an old woman and a cat, all with equal ease. Giselle Achecar of the "Cricket's Song" portrays the diminutive size and voice of her tiny character delightfully. The little yellow cricket, who orchestrates village life by announcing planting seasons, predicting storms, droughts, and the cold winds of autumn, sets off seeking fame at the seaside, only to discover home is best after all. Gideon Emery's Australian accent sets the perfect stage for "Kerplunk," (a variation on the old favorite, "Henny Penny") where a little possum creates panic because she hears a gum nut fall into a pool. Laura Hall's accompanying music adds creative excitement to each segment. Her daughters, Ruthie and Eva, lend enchantment to the collection announcing titles with their childish voices. Inside the CD case, a full color illustration for each tale is included. A perfect addition for any setting, this CD deserves a place in every home and library, endearing the oral tradition of storytelling to a whole new generation!

A tortoise in Nigeria covets a magic drum and gets possession of it, but after he enjoys its lavish gifts for a while, accidentally destroys its "juju" and is left with nothing.

A Chinese poet is banished to a land of dragons for speaking truth to power. His heart full of poetry, he gazes at a dragon and sees a beautiful goddess. His example softens the fear and enmity of the people of the land.

In the Australian bush, a timid possum incites the other native animals to hysteria until a wise kangaroo saves the day; little possum, next time SIT AND THINK a while before you jump!

From India, mice ask the mighty elephants to protect them, and in a manifestation of mutual respect, the mice are able to return the favor and save the elephants.

A frugal French Canadian housewife doesn't inquire too closely when her cat starts talking; she loosens her purse strings and everyone lives happily ever after in great comfort.

Long ago when the earth was young, according to a Native American tale, the Coyote led the animals in securing the gift of fire for humans--and to this day we understand the interdependence of species.

In Guatemala, a cricket with a beautiful voice, loved and respected by her village, almost throws it all away in the search for more admiration. Just in time, she understands the importance of love and duty.

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These gentle fables are charming in themselves, but the CD presentation of Tell Me A Story 2: Animal Magic (Unabridged) is embellished with music and classy narration--performance, really--by an international cast. Drawn from author Amy Friedman's syndicated "Tell Me A Story" newspaper feature, the tales from around the world are set off with original music by Laura Hall and illustrated by Jillian Gilliland. What a treat for the family!

The drama of the narration may be a bit too intense for the very youngest children, but this series is wonderful family entertainment that will leave you wanting more. This charming CD is going straight to my eight-year-old granddaughter in Australia, a wise little possum who ALWAYS thinks before she jumps.

Linda Bulger, 2009

My two favorites on this CD Tell Me A Story 2: Animal Magic are Kerplunk and The Talking Cat. Each is a wonderful story with of course a moral. It reminds me of the stories I read as a child and those my father read to me. When I listened to these stories, as an adult, I was transported back to a time that now seems so simple. A time full of discoveries as I learned the joy of language and stories. The other enjoyable aspect of these stories is their range and diversity, as they come from around the world and from very different time periods. Yet as I discovered these stories help illustrate how lessons from different places and times are often very similar.

So listen to the CD and treat yourself to a trip back to childhood. Alternatively, buy them for your young children. Listen with them and share their discovery and joy, and rediscover yours.

As professional adults who love high-quality short stories and storytelling, my spouse and I are taking this CD on our next long drive. Even though the CD is only a little longer than an hour, and not as long as some audio books, I know (because I've enjoyed it before!) that it will be an hour of fine entertainment, and that it will spark at least another hour of chatting about characters and plots and techniques.

The first time I listened to this CD, I expected the music to be of minimal quality because I didn't think that this was a big budget project. I was pleasantly surprised when the music far exceeded my expectations. It leaves nothing to be desired. It is lovely, tasteful, fitting for the culture and mood of each story, and so it enhances listening pleasure.

I love how the selection of only 7 tales takes listeners all over the world. I love getting the flavor of each culture. My favorite is The Talking Cat because it's clever in a child-like way.

Beginning when I was around 7 years old, hearing or reading stories from all over the world marked me for life with a sense of familiarity, a fondness, and an appreciation for their respective cultures, so this CD is a great gift for kids ages 7-10 and for world peace.

Family car rides, even to the grocery store, can be filled with an onslaught of loud voices, bickering siblings, or yet another bout with an annoying kids music CD. THIS CD will be a great and refreshing change for the whole family. The Tell Me a Story series is magical. It's a choice everyone can agree on.

We went on a road trip recently and I brought along a couple of tales on CDs for my five-and-a-half year old daughter to listen to. This title appeared interesting and we listened to it as a family. It was a wonderful and engaging listening experience. There are seven stories on one CD:
The Tortoise and the Magic Drum 5:38 (a Nigerian tale, read by Glenna Forster-Jones)

The Poet and the Dragon 9:15 9 (a Chinese tale, read by Peter James Smith)

Kerplunk 8:07 (an Australian tale, read by Gideon Emery)

The Elephant's Reward 7:52 (an East Indian tale, read by Meera Simhan)

The Talking Cat 10:36 (a French Canadian tale, read by Len Carion)

Coyote's Gift 8:52 (a Native American tale, read by Arigon Starr)

The Cricket's Song 11:28 (a Guatemalan tale, read by Giselle Achecar)


This is a perfect audio CD to introduce children to multicultural stories from around the world. This compilation is especially unique because of the various traditional musical instruments used to accompany the narration of the stories, e.g. sampled gamelon, balafon (African xylophone), tablas, etc. We own a couple of the Tell Me a Story series of audio CDs and love them all!