Classics Animal Stories

With vivid characters and an hysterically funny choice of words, Rudyard Kipling’s beloved stories “explain” how camels got humps, great whales got tiny throats, elephants got trunks, and more. These time-tested classics cause us to look at accepted qualities in new and creative ways, and even better, make us laugh out loud. With his menagerie of voices and warm, witty narrative presence, Jim Weiss brings Kipling’s own words to life.

In The Adventures of Peter Cottontail, Peter Rabbit doesn't like his name and tries to find another that has more prestige. His friends think he is silly and devise a scheme to show Peter the problem with changing his name. Peter learns his mistake and changes his name back.

This classic and moving story shines light on the supernatural powers of genuine love. Margery Williams beautifully portrays the desire to be fully known and fully loved as the thing that makes one feel most real. The little toy rabbit, forgotten and aging, learns he can only truly experience life through the love of a child. After finally feeling the joys of a child’s love, the poor rabbit once again faces a hopeless future as the fear of being forgotten seems a likely fate.

This favorite children’s classic tale is about a young boy who receives a stuffed velveteen rabbit as a Christmas present. The Boy loves the rabbit, but after unwrapping the other presents, forgets about the Rabbit completely. The wise old Skin Horse comforts the Rabbit by telling him not to worry, because the fancier toys will never become “Real.” The Skin Horse explains that “Real” only happens when a child loves something for a very long, long time.

Beatrix Potter is the world-renowned author of "The Tale of Peter Rabbit", a cautionary tale told in such a charming and lively way that it soon became a nursery classic and is now one of the most widely read books of all time. Beatrix Potter's efficient and simple writing is a delight for children and grown-ups alike. This album is a compilation of her best tales, recorded by Katie Haigh.

Hugh Lofting's wonderfully whimsical story of a doctor whose love of animals allows him to learn their language and becomes a splendid "animal doctor"... with their help. And he even goes all the way to Africa to cure the sick monkeys...it's charming!

Here's an incredible collection of traditional children's stories voiced by the wonderful Brenda and Robin Markwell. Relish in 13 brilliant retellings of tales that will captivate you from start to finish; from the delightful story of 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears', to the enchanting world of 'Aladdin and His Magic Lamp', and many more. This is a collection you don't want to miss.

The Story of Ferdinand has enchanted readers since it was first published in 1936. All the other bulls would run and jump and butt their heads together. But Ferdinand would rather sit and smell the flowers. And he does just that until the day a bumblebee and some men from the Madrid bullfights give gentle Ferdinand a chance to be the most ferocious star of the corrida - and the most unexpected comic hero.

Finally, Goldilocks tasted the porridge from Baby Bear’s teeny-tiny bowl, and it was just right. In fact, it was so delicious, she ate it all up! Listen to this classic tale of a little house in the woods, a Papa, Mama, and Baby Bear, and one curious girl who is much too nosy!

Given as a Christmas gift to a young boy, the Velveteen Rabbit lives in the nursery with all the other toys, waiting for the day when the boy will choose the wisest resident of the nursery, who reveals the goal of all nursery toys: to be made "real" through the love of a human.

Roberto travels from the US to Mexico to a city known as Puerto Peñasco. Roberto quickly learns of all the wonderful parts about Peñasco, later realizing a common theme: the many puppies of Peñasco are looking for families of their own. Find out how Roberto works with his dad - who lives in the city of Peñasco - and his puppy friend, Pepe, to help the puppies of Peñasco in this exciting, classic bedtime story for kids and toddlers of all ages.

Presented by actor/author Geoffrey Giuliano, here is an exciting "listen while you learn" audio production which promises to entertain, enlighten, and enliven the listener. Icon productions offer a daring, fresh perspective on the hundreds of perennial favorite tales which have inspired generations and imbued a deep love of literature and art in millions over time.

Ted Hughes wrote a series of stories for children from the early 1960s through until 1995 about how the world, and the creatures in it, came into being. Meet the Polar Bear whose obsession with her snowy white fur is so great that she can live only in a landscape surrounded by her own reflection; the Whale, growing in God's garden beside the carrots; King Leo, who began life because God was hungry for his sausages; poor Parrot's painful defeat in the marriage song contest at the wedding of Man and Woman; and Sparrow's heroic battle against the bird-swallowing Black Hole.

A beastly collection of animal stories from the great storytellers of the world. •The Black Poodle by F. Anstey •Mrs. Packletide’s Tiger by Saki •Pickled Herring by W. W. Jacobs •Curried Cow by Ambrose Bierce •The She-Wolf by Saki •The Black Cat by Edgar Allan Poe •The Elk by Saki •The Stolen White Elephant by Mark Twain •Memoirs of a Yellow Dog by O. Henry •Sredni Vashtar by Saki •The Grey Parrot by W. W. Jacobs •The Mouse by Saki •The Talking Horse by F. Anstey •Laura by Saki

Blacky the Crow is a mischief maker. He has very sharp eyes and sees things he shouldn't. They often get him into trouble. Blacky loves eggs. One day he discovers that Hooty the Owl and Mrs. Hooty have laid eggs in a nest when there is still snow on the ground. Blacky devises a plan with his fellow crows to steal them. Later, we find out that Blacky has a good side too. As with all Thornton W. Burgess books, there are positive messages for young listeners.

Salten's most famous work is Bambi (1923), or Bambi, in the Woods, also known as Bambi: A Life in the Woods. It was translated into English in 1928 and became a Book-of-the-Month Club success, and then formed the basis of the 1942 animated Disney classic, Bambi.

The Trustees of the Pooh Properties have commissioned four authors to write in the timeless style of A.A. Milne to create a quartet of charming new adventures for Winnie-the-Pooh, Christopher Robin, and their friends. Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall: take a trip back to the Hundred Acre Wood with a collection of tales sure to delight year-round. Listeners of all ages will love rediscovering old friends and making new ones in this essential new volume of Pooh stories.

Everyone enjoys a spirited competition, but when the challenger is a big-headed braggart, it's easy to cheer for the underdog - or in this case - the under-tortoise. The colorful characters in this retelling of Aesop's beloved fable will tickle the fancy of any child. The forest animals are beyond tired of Harry Hare's boasting. So what if he is the fastest animal in the forest?

Ping’s home is on the beautiful yellow water of the Yangtze River. Hunting for fishes with his siblings one day, Ping is the last duck home. Worried about being punished by his parents, he hides to avoid punishment, but is captured instead by a young boy, and almost ends up as dinner. Finally, the boy sets Ping free, and Ping cherishes his return to family and home!

A little boy receives a toy rabbit for Christmas one year, and he and his plush plaything soon become best friends, embarking on imaginary adventures for hours at a time. When the boy and the rabbit are separated, the toy ventures out on its own to learn about this strange thing "being real". This is a heart-warming classic about the great joys of childhood and the magic of love.