
Big Emotions by Kids Listen - Belonging and Independence (Bonus)
01/1/2026 | 23 mins.
Send us a textHappy New Year! Today we’re sharing our participation in the Big Emotions: Kids Listen Mashups About Feelings. This episode focuses on Belonging and Independence, two emotions that may seem opposite but often work together as children explore who they are and where they fit. You’ll be guided through stories about friendship, self-discovery, and finding one’s place while finding one’s voice by Abbe Opher and Kelly MacBride from Koala Kids. You’ll also hear familiar voices from Dorktales Storytime alongside our friends from Culture Kids and Stoopkid Stories.This theme closely reflects the heart of Dorktales Storytime, which centers on helping young listeners feel valued, supported, and encouraged as they grow into their unique selves.Download a worksheet for this episode: https://dorktale.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/Ep+4+-+Belonging+and+Independence+-+Human+Bingo.pdfBig Emotions: Kids Listen Mashups About Feelings is a seven-part audio series created to help kids and grownups better understand, name, and talk about their feelings together. Each episode explores two connected emotions through imaginative stories contributed by children’s podcasters from around the world. Discover the complete series on Big Emotions: https://pod.link/1502915722 Learn more about Kids Listen: https://kidslisten.org/What’s Coming Soon: A brand-new year brings exciting things ahead, including T.A.L.E. Tour Rewinds, a new season, and exclusive fan surprises. Grownups, sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop as details are announced: https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/SignUpSupport the showREACH OUT! Send us a TEXT: if your young listener has a question. Pls include their first name in the text. Your name/number is hidden so it's a safe way to reach out. Send us an email: [email protected] DM us on IG @dorktalesstorytime Library of Resources: https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/Dorktales-Library-Card One time donation: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dorktales Our Pod's Songs on Bandcamp: https://dorktalesstorytime.bandcamp.com/music Now, go be the hero of your own story and we’ll see you next once-upon-a-time!

The Jolly Holly Herald - A Festive Holiday Story for Kids
18/12/2025 | 12 mins.
Send us a textIt’s Jolly Holly season, and everyone in town is brimming with holiday cheer. The Society of Bards and Balladeers has come together to build the festive set for their annual event. There’s just one tiny problem: Redge has no idea what this year’s show should be! From classic Quilliam Shakespeare plays, to poetry readings and ballets, to comedy jests and holiday whodunnits, they've already done it all. Just when Redge thinks the show won't go on, Jonathan has a brilliant idea. So cue the lights, sparkle the snowflakes, and raise the curtain for this ode to our friends in Once Upon a Time and a heart-full tribute to our listeners (that’s YOU) who are the magic that makes our adventures so extraordinary.Jolly Holly Hedgehog Holiday, our original song is featured in this episode! The full song with lyrics is available on Bandcamp: https://dorktalesstorytime.bandcamp.com/album/jolly-holly-hedgehog-holiday Go to the episode webpage: https://jonincharacter.com/the-jolly-holly-herald/ GIFT FOR OUR FANS: Redge has a special video message for all of our listeners and you can download it here: https://bit.ly/2025RedgeHolidayMessageDOWNLOAD JOLLY HOLLY WORKSHEET: https://bit.ly/dorktalesEP125worksheet IF YOU ENJOYED THIS STORY about Jolly Holly, you may also enjoy EP102: Pinocchio’s Jolly Holly Jumble: https://jonincharacter.com/pinocchios-jolly-holly-jumble/ CREDITS: This episode is a Jonincharacter production. It was written and produced by Molly Murphy and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Pacific Grove Soundworks.What’s Coming Soon: A brand-new year brings exciting things ahead, including T.A.L.E. Tour Rewinds, a new season, and exclusive fan surprises. Grownups, sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop as details are announced: https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/SignUpSupport the showREACH OUT! Send us a TEXT: if your young listener has a question. Pls include their first name in the text. Your name/number is hidden so it's a safe way to reach out. Send us an email: [email protected] DM us on IG @dorktalesstorytime Library of Resources: https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/Dorktales-Library-Card One time donation: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dorktales Our Pod's Songs on Bandcamp: https://dorktalesstorytime.bandcamp.com/music Now, go be the hero of your own story and we’ll see you next once-upon-a-time!

Pixie Dust Fuss - Tinkerbell Fairy Story for Kids
04/12/2025 | 17 mins.
Send us a textJonathan and Redge come home in the middle of the day to find that the Folktale Forest folk are fast asleep and no one can wake them up! The mystery leads to Tinkerbell, who’s created a pixie dust harvesting mix-up of magical proportions. In an attempt to fix things, she borrowed a bit of stardust and accidentally sent all of Once Upon a Time into a super-deep slumber. Determined to make things right, she and her friends put their clever tinkering skills to work, turning the season’s first snowfall into an enchanted wake-up call.Go to the episode webpage: https://jonincharacter.com/pixie-dust-fuss/ GRAB YOUR FREE PDF list of conversation questions for this episode: https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/ep124freePDF PARENTS, TEACHERS AND HOMESCHOOLERS: In Pixie Dust Fuss, Tinkerbell’s earnest intentions to fix a problem goes awry puts the entire land into a deep slumber. Through her journey to set things right kids learn about responsibility, problem-solving, and the importance of asking for help when things go wrong. The story highlights how mistakes can become meaningful learning moments when approached with openness and honesty.IF YOU ENJOYED THIS STORY about a fairy, you’ll also enjoy this story about Hesper, the Fairy of the Evening Star, in episode 75: Once Upon a Lullaby: https://jonincharacter.com/once-upon-a-lullaby/ CREDITS: This episode is a Jonincharacter production. It was written by Monique Hafen Adams, edited, directed and produced by Molly Murphy. Monique Hafen Adams voiced Tinkerbell and all other characters were performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Pacific Grove Soundworks.What’s Coming Soon: A brand-new year brings exciting things ahead, including T.A.L.E. Tour Rewinds, a new season, and exclusive fan surprises. Grownups, sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop as details are announced: https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/SignUpSupport the showREACH OUT! Send us a TEXT: if your young listener has a question. Pls include their first name in the text. Your name/number is hidden so it's a safe way to reach out. Send us an email: [email protected] DM us on IG @dorktalesstorytime Library of Resources: https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/Dorktales-Library-Card One time donation: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dorktales Our Pod's Songs on Bandcamp: https://dorktalesstorytime.bandcamp.com/music Now, go be the hero of your own story and we’ll see you next once-upon-a-time!

Lair of the Rat King - Train Story for Kids
20/11/2025 | 16 mins.
Send us a textRedge takes Jonathan on a wild ride through the city of Litropia, heading straight through a brick wall into the hidden tunnels of a secret lair. Deep beneath the streets, they meet Rat King Cam M. Bert, a cheese-loving, pun-tastic ruler who keeps Once Upon a Time’s magical trains running on schedule. From the buzzing Bee-Train to the groovy Bandstand Train and the twinkling Jolly Holly Express, every ride is full of surprises. But when a jolly jam threatens to derail the fun, Jonathan and Redge join the Rat King to keep the tunnels full of holiday cheer.Go to the episode webpage: https://jonincharacter.com/lair-of-the-rat-king/ DOWNLOAD COLOR PAGE: https://bit.ly/dorktalesEP123colorpage GRAB YOUR FREE PDF list of conversation questions for this episode: https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/ep123freePDF PARENTS, TEACHERS AND HOMESCHOOLERS: “Lair of the Rat King” celebrates curiosity, teamwork, and joyful problem-solving. When Jonathan and Redge drive into the secret tunnels of Litropia, they meet the Rat King, who proudly oversees a bustling network of magical trains. Together, they discover the importance of working cooperatively to solve problems, think creatively under pressure, and spread kindness to keep the holiday cheer on track. The story highlights how humor, gratitude, and collaboration can make tricky situations turn into times of connection and fun.IF YOU ENJOYED THIS STORY about the Rat King, you may also enjoy EP79 A Big City Adventure where Redge visits Once Upon a Time’s city of Litropia and first hears about the Rat King: https://jonincharacter.com/big-city-adventure/ CREDITS: This episode is a Jonincharacter production. It was written and produced by Molly Murphy and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Special shout out to Owen Sullivan for voicing Ronnie the Rat. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Pacific Grove Soundworks.What’s Coming Soon: A brand-new year brings exciting things ahead, including T.A.L.E. Tour Rewinds, a new season, and exclusive fan surprises. Grownups, sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop as details are announced: https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/SignUpSupport the showREACH OUT! Send us a TEXT: if your young listener has a question. Pls include their first name in the text. Your name/number is hidden so it's a safe way to reach out. Send us an email: [email protected] DM us on IG @dorktalesstorytime Library of Resources: https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/Dorktales-Library-Card One time donation: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dorktales Our Pod's Songs on Bandcamp: https://dorktalesstorytime.bandcamp.com/music Now, go be the hero of your own story and we’ll see you next once-upon-a-time!

Maiasaura and the Moon - A Dinosaur Story for Kids
06/11/2025 | 18 mins.
Send us a textCast off on another T.A.L.E. (Thrilling and Astounding Lore Expedition) Tour and take an unexpected turn, straight through a waterfall and into the Quotatious Period! It’s a dino-tastic world of plesiosaurs, pterosaurs, and prehistoric parties. But one young Maiasaura isn’t in the mood to celebrate. He’s being teased because no one believes his theory about the power of the moon’s pull. But when his auntie’s nest suddenly disappears, his scientific curiosity and careful lunar observations just might be the key to saving the day.Go to the episode webpage: https://jonincharacter.com/maiasaura-and-the-moon/ DOWNLOAD COLOR PAGE: https://bit.ly/dorktalesEP122activity GRAB YOUR FREE PDF list of conversation questions for this episode: https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/ep122freePDF PARENTS, TEACHERS AND HOMESCHOOLERS: In “Maiasaura and the Moon,” young listeners join Jonathan and Redge on a prehistoric adventure where curiosity and science key themes. Through Minh, a thoughtful young dinosaur who studies the moon and tides, kids see how observation, persistence, and self-confidence can lead to problem-solving and understanding. The story encourages scientific thinking, celebrates the value of staying true to one’s ideas, and models empathy and cooperation when helping others.IF YOU ENJOYED THIS STORY about a special place on the T.A.L.E. Tour, you may also enjoy the time when the tour took Jonathan and Redge to the Cliffhanger mountains in EP108 The Color Pillars: https://jonincharacter.com/the-color-pillars/ CREDITS: This episode is a Jonincharacter production. It was written by Monique Hafen Adams, edited and produced by Molly Murphy and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Pacific Grove Soundworks.What’s Coming Soon: A brand-new year brings exciting things ahead, including T.A.L.E. Tour Rewinds, a new season, and exclusive fan surprises. Grownups, sign up for our newsletter to stay in the loop as details are announced: https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/SignUpSupport the showREACH OUT! Send us a TEXT: if your young listener has a question. Pls include their first name in the text. Your name/number is hidden so it's a safe way to reach out. Send us an email: [email protected] DM us on IG @dorktalesstorytime Library of Resources: https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/Dorktales-Library-Card One time donation: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dorktales Our Pod's Songs on Bandcamp: https://dorktalesstorytime.bandcamp.com/music Now, go be the hero of your own story and we’ll see you next once-upon-a-time!



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