Classic Nature

This classic story by Margery Williams, published in 1922, imparts the timeless message that toys need not be expensive or modern to be appreciated and loved. Through giving and receiving love, even a commonplace stuffed animal can become real in the eyes of a child, and millions of them do every day. Love is the magic ingredient of course, and it works on all of us.

Exquisite watercolors enhance this charming tale of two friends who are different in many ways yet alike in their devotion to each other. It's Toot's birthday and Puddle is having some trouble picking out a gift. Will he be able to find the perfect present?

In Bullerbü zu leben ist das Allerschönste auf der Welt, findet Lisa. Im ganzen Dorf gibt es nur drei Höfe, und Lisa, Lasse, Bosse, Inga, Britta und Ole spielen von früh bis spät. Die besten Tage sind natürlich, wenn Weihnachten ist und man Geburtstag hat. Aber auch sonst ist immer was los. Auf dem Heuboden schlafen, sich verkleiden, Großvater vorlesen und Hütten bauen macht in Bullerbü riesigen Spaß.

Can a toy really come to life? Based upon Margery Williams' original story, this is a perfect bedtime story you can really snuggle up to with its soothing narration, fascinating characters, and soft, beautiful music. This story is a lovely audio production enjoyed by a wide variety of ages as the deeper questions of love and aging are pondered.

In this hilarious southern folktale, mean old Boss Lion threatens the peaceful folk of Brer Village, and Brer Rabbit is forced to teach the carnivorous trouble-maker a lesson he'll never forget. Brer Rabbit outsmarts the baddest fella in the forest, then saunters back to town as the local hero. Actor Danny Glover narrates this witty, playful adaptation, perfectly complemented by gritty bayou blues by Dr. John. It is just the kind of fun your family will enjoy again and again.

An affectionate and quick-thinking boa constrictor saves the day during a burglary and receives a medal.

Runaway Bunny, The Story of Babar: The Little Elephant, and Goodnight Moon are national treasures and many of us remember them from our childhoods. Catherine Zeta-Jones narrates The Runaway Bunny in a new piano-trio version composed by GPR Records artistic director and four-time Emmy Award Winner, Glen Roven. This piece premiered at Carnegie Hall with the American Symphony. Runaway Bunny was written in 1942 and has been published continuously since that time - it's a wonderful timeless story of free thinking and creativity.

In the nursery, only the toys that are old and wise truly understand what it means to be Real. The Velveteen Rabbit, a newcomer to the nursery, asks one of the most knowledgeable toys, the Skin Horse, what being real means. "Real isn't how you’re made," says the Skin Horse. "It’s a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but really loves you, then you become real. It doesn't happen all at once."

This beloved fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen about a lonely outcast duckling who is transformed into a beautiful swan offers a magical glimpse into the realm of human nature. Cher narrates this charming and entertaining rendition, which represents storytelling at its best. Musical accompaniment by Patrick Ball enhances the narration. Ages four and up.

Once upon a time there was an old cat called Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit, who was an anxious parent. She used to lose her kittens continually, and whenever they were lost they were always in mischief! On baking day she determined to shut them up in a cupboard. She caught Moppet and Mittens, but she could not find Tom. Read in English, unabridged.

Black Beauty is a novel by English author Anna Sewell written around 1877. The story is told in the first person and is a fictional autobiographical memoir told from the perspective of a horse named Black Beauty. The story follows this horse's life, from his young days on an English farm with his mother, to the more dreadful years of pulling cabs in London, and ending with his happy retirement in the country.

From its first publication in 1877, Black Beauty has been one of the best-loved animal stories ever written. The dramatic and heartwarming tale is told by the magnificent black horse himself, from his idyllic days on a country squire’s estate to his harsh fate as a London cab horse and his merciful rescue by two kindly old ladies. Filled with vivid anecdotes about animal intelligence, the novel derives a special magic from the love of all creatures, great and small, apparent on every page.

A spirited thoroughbred horse tells of his experiences with a series of different masters. Through the eyes of this beautiful animal we see the best and the worst of the human condition.

When an ugly duckling flies away from home to escape from teasing words, she begins the adventure of a lifetime. But when she returns to central park in Spring, she discovers she has transformed into a beautiful swan.

Kipling’s classic tale taken from the Just So Stories. The young elephant has an unfortunate encounter with a crocodile, which results in his nose being stretched, which is how he got his trunk.

A cat, smart and cunning, clever and mischievous but very helpful: he is just the sort of friend we'd all like by our sides. The youngest of three orphan brothers is left destitute after his parents' death. But such an apparently sad situation takes a quite unexpected turn for the better when he inherits what appears at first to be a small, quite ordinary cat. But it turns out to be the greatest inheritance of all! Our cat is not only clever and brave, but he is also a talking cat!

Life is good for Buck in Santa Clara Valley, where he spends his days eating and sleeping in the golden sunshine. But one day a treacherous act of betrayal leads to his kidnap, and he is forced into a life of toil and danger. Dragged away to be a sledge dog in the harsh and freezing cold Yukon, Buck must fight for his survival. Can he rise above his enemies and become the master of his realm once again?

Six brothers have been turned into swans by their evil stepmother. They can only take their human forms for 15 minutes every evening. In order to free them, their sister must make six shirts out of starwort for her brothers, and neither speak nor laugh for six years.

The most powerful force in creation has been stolen from the Tree of Life. Nurgal, Lord of Decay, is convinced the golden seed he possesses will help him end man's time on earth. The last thing he expects is for a little red hen to try and stop him.

Beautifully narrated by Glenn Hascall, this classic by Beatrix Potter will entertain youngsters, and also provide an object lesson.