NEW! A sky full of stars is a magnificent showing of our universe. On such evenings, adults and children marvel at the constellations. The stories on this recordings will open eyes, ears and hearts and make star-watching all the more fascinating and magical.
Honor
Once Upon a Fairytale
Beloved storyteller Jim Weiss weaves an enchanting spell with four classic tales of magic, bravery, and kindness.
Napoleon and the French Revolution
NEW! Follow the story of the people, ideas, and struggles of the French Revolution and Napoleon’s relentless march of conquest. From the burning desert sands of Egypt and the frozen plains of Russia to the lush jungles of Haiti and the sweeping prairies of North America. Jim Weiss guides listeners through a tumultuous worldwide struggle for liberty.
Aesop’s Fables
Master storyteller Jim Weiss brings these classic stories to a new generation. From the greedy dog to the hardworking ants, from a contest between sun and wind to a boy who cried wolf, each tale will entertain the whole family while also teaching a gentle lesson about wise living.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
New! If your only experience with The Wizard of Oz is the movie, you will be astounded and delighted to find that L. Frank Baum’s book is full of adventures, characters, and charm far beyond the wonder that the big-screen version conveyed.
When a tornado whisks young Dorothy away from Kansas with her faithful dog Toto, she finds herself in the mysterious Land of Oz, where unknown dangers and strange creatures await her. Can she find a way back home? Can her new friends the Cowardly Lion, the Scarecrow, and the Tin Man find courage, brains, and a heart? Searching for answers from the mysterious Wizard of Oz, and pursued by the forces of the Wicked Witch of the West, Dorothy and her companions must work together to complete their dangerous quest.
Jim Weiss’s fresh performance of this American classic introduces a new generation of listeners to the magic, wonder, and adventure of the Land of Oz.
The Adventurous Life of Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt boldly led the United States and much of the world into our Modern Age, farsightedly shaping today’s issues a century ago. From the Wild West to the White House, he led a life of non-stop, exhilarating adventures and public service he called “the life of action… striving to do deeds in a worthy cause.” His astonishing life shows how much one determined person can relish life, overcome challenges and benefit society.
GENIUS, TIMES FOUR: Scientists and Mathematicians Who Fought Diseases, Stopped Time, and Opened New Worlds
Award-winning author and storyteller Jim Weiss sets you right in the middle of the action as Marie Curie and her family triumph over poverty and personal loss to win six Nobel Prizes; as shy Isaac Newton remakes our understanding of the universe and the laws that govern it, then risks his life to destroy a criminal conspiracy that threatens a nation; as Albert Einstein builds the foundations of our modern world and then confronts the results with wisdom and humor; and as Gertrude Elion, Nobel Prize-winning, pioneering biochemist, parlays her joyous love of learning into medical breakthroughs that save thousands of lives and open professional doors for other women.
As dramatic as any great literary classic, and told in Jim Weiss’s warm, accessible style, these stories reveal the personal, professional and societal challenges these geniuses overcame, and shine a light on the nature of genius itself. And as a clear, family-friendly introduction to mathematics and science, listeners will find an inspiring, welcoming world opening up.
Swordsmen, Saints, and Scholars: Great Men & Women of the Middle Ages
When you hear the words “The Middle Ages,” do you picture a knight in armor atop a fiery steed, a stone castle fortified with drawbridge and moat, or an immense cathedral towering above a medieval town? The Middle Ages were all of these and more: a widely diverse cavalcade that lasted for nine or ten centuries, from the fall of Rome to the birth of the Renaissance, and covered many nations.
Bible Stories: Great Men and Women from Noah through Solomon
The Bible brims with stories of people who don’t seem remarkable until God chooses to work through them to further His purposes. His intentions link everyone and everything – which was a startling idea in the chaotic ancient world. A second revelation in these stories was that God cared how human beings behaved toward one another. This enormous, eye-opening change in religion remains one of the greatest gifts ever to enter the world – and one of the most challenging.
Thirty years ago, one of Jim Weiss’ first recordings was “Tales from the Old Testament.” I love the stories and the people in them, but after time and a great deal of thought, Jim says, “I have been led to a new recording-one that I could not have made all those years ago and the result is “Bible Stories: Great Men and Women from Noah to Solomon.” More than ever, I seek the lessons that Bible stories offer us… if we pay attention. Join me in this exploration of stories, some familiar and some new, that form one of the foundations of our world.”
The Reluctant Dragon
Can a brave knight, a misunderstood dragon, and a clever boy find a way to win a fight without actually fighting? Enjoy Jim Weiss’ new unabridged audio performance of this beloved story by Kenneth Grahame (author of The Wind in the Willows) that includes a brand-new song, “The Waltz of the Dragon.”
Ten Thousand Stars: A Cornucopia of Best-Loved Poems, Vol. 2
Beloved storyteller Jim Weiss performs “thrilling, engaging poetry for listeners from middle school age through adults. Hear poems by, and learn about he lives of poets from three centuries and three continents.
I, Too, Sing America: Stories and Poems Honoring Black Lives & History
To help students explore African-American history and culture, we have assembled this downloadable audio collection of biographies and folk tales. Jim Weiss tells of Harriet Tubman’s bravery, Satchel Paige’s wisdom, Langston Hughes’s creativity, and more. Included is a downloadable PDF of Susan Wise Bauer’s Teaching Guide on Dunbar’s poem, “Sympathy”, designed to help your students better understand the poet’s work and its place in American history.
Heroes, Horses, and Harvest Moons:A Cornucopia of Best-Loved Poems, Volume I
Classic poems about nature, bravery, love, and the wild journeys of the imagination, all performed by Jim Weiss. MP3 or CD, 70 minutes.
Courage and a Clear Mind: True Adventures of the Ancient Greeks
Jim Weiss narrates thrilling episodes from the history and culture of ancient Greece, including the Olympics, the 300 Spartans, and the wisdom of Socrates.
Treasure Island
Pirates! Buried treasure! Loyal friends and treacherous villains! Here is Robert Louis Stevenson’s immortal adventure with all its vivid characters.
Celtic Treasures
Ancient stories of bards and warriors told with passion and sensitivity, enhanced with music from acclaimed pianist, Paul Machlis.
Heroes in Mythology
Three of the world’s greatest adventures, each featuring a quest for wisdom.
The Queen’s Pirate: Elizabeth I and Sir Francis Drake
From daring sea voyages to glittering throne rooms to the dreaded Tower of London, you will experience the pageantry of olde England with two of history’s most fascinating characters.
The Prince & The Pauper
The genius of Mark Twain abounds in this remarkable adventure of two young boys who exchange identities and learn the nature of true nobility.
Julius Caesar and the Story of Rome
Adventurer, conquerer, political genius, classic author – Julius Caesar lived one of history’s most amazing lives. Yet it was the story of his death that William Shakespeare turned into a dramatic masterpiece. This spirited retelling brings us Shakespeare’s cast of immortal characters with excerpts from the original dialogue told in a way that young listeners can grasp. This CD will nurture a passion for Shakespeare and an understanding of why these people and historical events still shape our world today.
Women in Blue or Gray
The passion of the American Civil War comes alive as we look at pairs of remarkable, courageous and dedicated women from both sides of the Mason-Dixon line. These are true, thrilling stories that girls, boys and parents will find exciting and inspiring.
George Washington: First in the Hearts of His Countrymen
Character shapes a nation as Jim Weiss presents the action-filled, moving story of George Washington, a man of remarkable physical strength and equally powerful emotions. By the end, you’ll understand why George Washington truly merits the title “first in the hearts of his countrymen.”
Jewish Holiday Stories
The three astonishing stories on this recording form the basis for three Jewish Holidays: Chanukah, Purim, and Passover.
The Three Musketeers / Robin Hood
Violence is downplayed and the characters in the two swashbuckling stories are portrayed as humans with thoughts and feelings.
She & He: Adventures in Mythology
Upbeat and exciting yet deeply moving, this unique collection of myths addresses the equality of the sexes and the value of love and honor.
Greek Myths
Makes Hercules, King Midas, and Perseus and Medusa understandable to children, with strong emphasis on character over violence.
Rip Van Winkle / Gulliver’s Travels
Three classics in one! The sly humor of Rip Van Winkle, Gulliver’s adventures among the tiny Lilliputians, and the wisdom of a Jewish folk tale.
King Arthur and His Knights
Brings King Arthur and his Knights to life with action and grandeur, at a level which children can really grasp.
Famously Funny: A Collection of Beloved Stories and Poems
Prepare to laugh out loud! Jim Weiss has mixed together some of the funniest stories and poems from the world’s wittiest authors for a recording that will delight the entire family.
Animal Tales
Features delightful tellings of Aesop’s Fables, plus lively tales from Grimm, Chaucer and others.