Fantasy, Fairy Tales, & Myths

Fantasy

Frank Baum is famous for writing the Wizard of Oz series. Children who enjoy these somewhat wacky fantasies can listen to the first 11 books in order, all skillfully narrated in their entirety by Librivox’s Phil Chenevert.

 

  • The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (#1 in series) by Frank Baum

https://librivox.org/the-wonderful-wizard-of-oz-solo-version-2-by-l-frank-baum/

  • The Marvelous Land of Oz (#2 in series) by Frank Baum

https://librivox.org/the-marvelous-land-of-oz-version-3-by-l-frank-baum/

  • Ozma of Oz (#3 in series) by Frank Baum

https://librivox.org/ozma-of-oz-by-l-frank-baum-2/

https://librivox.org/dorothy-and-the-wizard-in-oz-by-l-frank-baum-2/

 

  • The Road to Oz (#5 in series) by Frank Baum

https://librivox.org/the-road-to-oz-by-l-frank-baum-2/

 

  • The Emerald City of Oz (#6 in series) by Frank Baum

https://librivox.org/the-emerald-city-of-oz-by-l-frank-baum-2/

 

  • The Patchwork Girl of Oz (#7 in series) by Frank Baum

https://librivox.org/the-patchwork-girl-of-oz-by-l-frank-baum-2/

 

  • Tik-Tok of Oz (#8 in series) by Frank Baum

https://librivox.org/tik-tok-of-oz-version-2-by-l-frank-baum/

 

  • The Scarecrow of Oz (# 9 in series) by Frank Baum

https://librivox.org/the-scarecrow-of-oz-by-l-frank-baum/

 

  • Rinkitink in Oz (# 10 in series) by Frank Baum

https://librivox.org/rinkitink-in-oz-by-l-frank-baum-2/

 

  • The Lost Princess of Oz (#11 in series) by Frank Baum

https://librivox.org/the-lost-princess-of-oz-by-l-frank-baum-2/

 

 

The Narnia Series by C.S. Lewis

The four Pevensie children experience adventure in the mythological land of Narnia in this series that has been a favorite of children and adults throughout the last 60 years. All six titles in the series are available here:

http://www.ancientfaith.com/podcasts/series/the_chronicles_of_narnia

  • To download: click on the chapter heading in blue, which will take you to a new page. Then right click on the “direct link” button at the bottom center of the page and choose the option “save link as.” Download into whatever system you use for audio books.

The Princess and the Goblin by George MacDonald.

Character comes shining through in this delightful fantasy story of a young princess and her adventures. The combo of a wonderful narrator, Andy Minter, and a great storyline makes this a favorite title in all of Librivox. C.S Lewis said that George MacDonald’s fantasy stories were the major inspiration for his own fantasy stories. So if your family enjoys the Narnia series, be sure to listen to this title, which is recommended for mid elementary through adult.

https://librivox.org/the-princess-and-the-goblin-by-george-macdonald-version-2/

The Five Children and It E Nesbit (Psammead Series Book1)

Set in the English Countryside, five English siblings, who have recently moved from the city, encounter a sand-fairy that grants the children wishes. The story is filled with humor and adventures as the children learn that wishes can turn out to have results very different from what was intended.

https://librivox.org/five-children-and-it-by-edith-nesbit/

The Phoenix and the Carpet E. Nesbit (Psammead Series Book 2)

The same five English siblings meet a mythical Phoenix, who has hatched from egg in their nursery carpet. Their adventures involve both the Phoenix and the carpet itself, which transforms into the flying variety.

https://librivox.org/the-phoenix-and-the-carpet-by-e-nesbit/

The Story of the Amulet E. Nesbit (Psammead Series Book 3)

In this conclusion to the series, the children once again meet the sand-fairy, who role has changed to that of an advisor rather than wish-granter. This volume involves time travel to both ancient civilizations and the future.

https://librivox.org/the-story-of-the-amulet-by-e-nesbit/

Fairy Tales

Grimm’s Fairy Tales by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm.

Subtitled “Children’s and Household Tales,” this collection comes alive with Bob Neufleld’s excellent narrator skills. Most selections are 8-20 minutes in length and Mr. Neufeld’s lively voice takes the listener through all 63 chapters of these classic tales.

https://librivox.org/grimms-fairy-tales-version-2-by-jacob-wilhelm-grimm/


Fairy Tales from Flowerland by Hartwell James.

Filled with sweet tales of how various flowers came to be, this gentle volume would be a good audio to pair with the online text available at Gutenberg in order to view the many illustrations and line drawings.

https://librivox.org/the-enchanted-castle-by-hartwell-james/

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27952 (text in html, Kindle, or EPUB)

The King of the Golden River by John Ruskin.

Like most fairy tales, The King of the Golden River was originally a folk tale passed down orally from generation to generation and put into written form by John Ruskin in the early 1900’s. This is an engaging story of three brothers, the power of greed, and overcoming adversity. It captures the interest of even very young listeners.

http://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/91/the-king-of-the-golden-river/

Myths

A Wonder Book for Boys and Girls by Nathaniel Hawthorne

A children’s classic version of Greek myths, A Wonder Book for Boys and Girls is used in many Classical and Charlotte Mason curriculums. It is a selection in Ambleside Online’s year 2 program, and would be a great intro to mythology for any elementary student. The myths are told in the midst of a gathering of cousins listening to a storyteller. Clive Catterall does an amazing job as the book’s narrator.

https://librivox.org/a-wonder-book-for-girls-and-boys-by-nathaniel-hawthorne/

Myths Every Child Should Know edited by Hamilton Wright

Mabie is a classic collection of mostly Greek and a few Norse myths, written for a children’s audience. This recording is a collaborative effort with several narrators but the listening quality is good.

https://librivox.org/myths-every-child-should-know-by-hamilton-wright-mabie/