Barefoot Books Podcast

Hike through the rainforest, scale a mountain, swim across the ocean, and still make it home for dinner. Rhyme and repetition make learning fun in this selection that teaches actions, animal sounds and exotic settings around the world. Sung by Fred Penner. From the book and CD, Walking through the Jungle, written by Stella Blackstone, illustrated by Debbie Harter.

Sing and dance along with a young boy who introduces different members of his family along with a new farmyard animal and animal baby in every verse of this rollicking song, inspired by a Chilean folk tale. The toe-tapping story offers a playful way to practice counting skills. Sung by Bob King. From the book and CD, The Farmyard Jamboree, written by Margaret Read MacDonald, illustrated by Sophie Fatus.

Should the little red hen share her bread with her lazy companions, even if they have not helped her to plant, cut, thresh or mill the wheat, nor make the flour or bake the bread? Find out in this funny but poignant tale, read by author Hugh Lupton. From the book and CD, The Story Tree: Tales to Read Aloud, illustrated by Sophie Fatus.

Watch what happens as a misfit duckling tries to find his place in the world. Will he ever figure out where he fits in? Read by actor Jim Broadbent. From the book and CD, Storytime: First Tales for Sharing, written by Stella Blackstone, illustrated by Anne Wilson.

A playful hide-and-seek game with a dragon, a crocodile, a gorilla and all sorts of weird and wonderful creatures. The rhyming lyrics explore familiar rooms of the house, and encourages imaginative play. From the book and CD, Dragon on the Doorstep, written by Stella Blackstone, illustrated by Debbie Harter, sung by Fred Penner.

Clap your hands and sing along to this fresh take on a traditional singalong. The multicultural version of this early learner encourages action and imagination. Sung by Susan Reed. From the book and CD, If You're Happy and You Know It!, adapted by Anna McQuinn, illustrated by Sophie Fatus.

Enter the Land of Icy Darkness and the Land of the Flaming Sun and discover how their people learn to share the Earth, and how the rotating seasons of winter and summer are born. This imaginative story demonstrates the importance of balance, community and sharing. Read by Ellen Verenieks. From the book and CD, Winter King, Summer Queen, written by Mary Lister, illustrated by Diana Mayo.

Travel into the dark and snowy night to meet the big brown wolf, who has a very special recipe. This clever story about the power of community is read by actor Jim Broadbent. From the book and CD, Storytime: First Tales for Sharing, written by Stella Blackstone, illustrated by Anne Wilson.

Find out how four children from Mali, Europe, India and China go through their morning routines. The catchy song encourages creative movement and imagination, while focusing on familiar habits. Sung by Fred Penner. From the book and CD, Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush, illustrated by Sophie Fatus.

Find out all about the house that Jack built in this traditional story that uses repetition and rhyme to make for a great read aloud that gathers pace and complexity as it tumbles across the page. Narrated by Ellen Verenieks. From the book and CD, The House that Jack Built, illustrated by Diana Mayo.

Catch him if you can! The gingerbread man is on the run in this quirky tale read by actor Jim Broadbent; he may be fast, but he is also about to learn an important lesson about taunting. From the book and CD, Storytime: First Tales for Sharing, written by Stella Blackstone, illustrated by Anne Wilson.

Hop in the yellow car and look out for all the other forms of transportation on the way home from Grandpa's. This singalong features cars, trucks, diggers and more, and introduces colors as well. Sung by Fred Penner. From the book and CD, The Journey Home from Grandpa's, written by Jemima Lumley, illustrated by Sophie Fatus.

Join the three billy goats gruff in a lively romp as they trip-trap over a rickety bridge, take on a hungry troll, and journey to where the grass is greener. The repetitive text in this simple story imparts the all-in-it-together message. Narrated by Ellen Verenieks. From the book and CD, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, written by Mary Finch, illustrated by Roberta Arenson.

Did you know that what a monkey sees, a monkey does? In this humorous tale, a hat seller finds out just that when he pushed his cart through the Indian jungle one day, and came across a tree-full of monkeys who very much liked his hats! Read by author Hugh Lupton. From the book and CD The Story Tree: Tales to Read Aloud, illustrated by Sophie Fatus.

Follow Goldilocks as she ventures to the house of the three bears, and learns an important lesson about respecting the property of others. Narrated by actor Jim Broadbent, this story uses humor, drama and repetition to keep readers entertained. From the book and CD collection, Storytime: First Tales for Sharing, written by Stella Blackstone, illustrated by Anne Wilson.