Haven’t we all at some point wished snowmen could come alive? They’d play into our snowball fights, or sing like Frosty… a girl can dream. Well, today’s the day, folks! That’s exactly what happens in this Russian holiday tale. We’ll meet an elderly couple and their darling Snegurochka, or Snow Maiden: she’s a miraculous child born from snow. Tethered to wintry days, she’s forever pale, and snow cold… Snegurochka longs for warmth, for love, for affection. Just what lengths will she go to obtain it? The answer, as always, lies in the story – listen in to find out. And С Новым Годом to all! WEBSI ..read more

Frost? Ded Moroz? Morozko? Which is it? Could it be… all of them, all at once? Yes! Dive into this classic Russian Christmas tale and meet Father Frost, the omnipresent Russian Winter figure, the famed Slavic Santa Claus. Which of the story’s stepdaughters will win Frost’s winter favor? (Or flavor, if you please!) Will they all make it out alive? And don’t even get me started on that evil stepmother. Can Frost put her in her place? You bet… listen in to find out how. WEBSITE ILLUSTRATION DESCRIPTION: An beautiful illustration of Father Frost. Drawn by Ivan Bilibin, one of the most famous Russi ..read more

There are some things that we humans go to any lengths to protect. Family? Definitely. Reputation? Yup. A wealthy and extensive Tsardom? Of cour– wait, what?! Okay, fine. Most of us don’t carry the fate of an entire Tsardom on our shoulders. Tsar Dadon, on the other hand? Yeah, I don’t envy that guy. In this hilarious Pushkin tale, Tsar Dadon is so desperate to protect his Tsardom that he actually goes so far as to buy a magic golden cockerel from a sketchy eunuch. Highly recommend against this, folks. Yes, the cockerel might (keyword: might) be able to protect the Tsardom, but at what cost? W ..read more

Ok, raise your hand if you know (and love!) Cinderella. All right, all right, I can’t see your hands, but regardless, I bet you’re going to love this classic Russian twist on the story. For once, it’s not the prince chasing his princess, but rather, the other way around – so refreshing. Not to mention, there’s falcons, feathers, and Finists in the midst! Two last notes before you get started: pay attention to the things that come in threes in this tale (spoiler alert: there’s a lot of them!). And, always remember: the morning is wiser than the evening. Confused? Listen in, and I promise, it wi ..read more

Don’t remember the Pied Piper of Hamilton? Just listen into this classic Romanian tale, and I promise you – the memories will come flooding back. Meet Mogarzea, a kind, unbothered giant man who, oh, just happened to have his soul stolen away from him. But fear not, for his son comes with in clutch with the… what? “What’s the saving grace?!” you ask. The answer? Oh, it’s just one play button away. WEBSITE ILLUSTRATION DESCRIPTION: A beautiful depiction of Mogarzea’s son piping to the elves, drawn by English illustrator Henry Justice Ford.WEBSITE ILLUSTRATION DESCRIPTION 2: An incredibly detaile ..read more

False brides? Magic apples? Wait until you hear what this treasured Albanian tale has in store. Meet the Stirrup Moor, the ultimate, all-powerful shape-shifter, both beautiful and terrible. How will he (or she? Hmm…) help the son of the king of the humans pursue his treasured fair maiden, the daughter of the king of the jinns, and resolve their Romeo and Juliet type plight? Dive into this story to find out. Oh, and? Don’t be surprised if you find yourself drifting into the supernatural realm along the way ..read more

James and the Giant Peach? Jack and the Beanstalk? The giant from this classic Croatian fairy tale rivals them all – perhaps not in wits, but most definitely in heart. Meet Reygoch, the charming giant of Frosten City, who loves unconditionally, protects fiercely, and lives contently. Despite his desire for a quiet life in his beloved hometown, Reygoch finds himself in the most wonderful of lands, and in the most difficult of plights. How will he use his strengths to protect his dear, beautiful fairy friend, Curlylocks, from harm? How will she, in turn, use her cleverness and magic to save him ..read more

Dive into this classic Hungarian folk tale and meet the valiant King Csörsz, beloved by his people and willing to do anything to be with his dear Délibáb, the fairest maiden of the land. However, Délibáb’s evil father, King Rád, states that King Csörsz may only have her hand after carrying her, by water, across the pure land between the Danube and Tisza rivers. Can King Csörsz solve this paradox? How far will he go in the pursuit of true love, and will he prevail against King Rád’s thwarts? Incidentally, the answer is not what you might think. Listen into this iconic tale and observe how love ..read more

One of the most famous Russian fairy tales of all time, Vasilisa the Beautiful offers the story of a classic heroine. Dive right in and hear all about how Vasilisa swindles the notorious Baba Yaga with the help of her trusty doll, which possesses some extraordinary powers. Admire and sympathize with dear Vasilisa as she copes with her mother’s death and, with patience and perseverance, emerges for the better, and even finds that which is most sought after by all – love. How does Vasilisa, the fairest, humblest maiden in all of the land, manage to do it – and not to mention, win the Tsar’s hand ..read more

Dive into this iconic Polish story and meet the Wonder Maiden, whose beauty is known across all seas and in all lands, and Prince Hero, the valiant savior who rescues her from Kosciey (literally, “Boney”), the evil king of the Underground realm. How does Prince Hero pull it off? And, how does an old woman named Jandza come into this, not to mention a fierce, twelve-headed dragon?! Listen in to find out. WEBSITE ILLUSTRATION DESCRIPTION: A beautiful depiction by Cecile Walton, who illustrated the collection from which this story yields, of Kosciey’s twelve-headed dragon, who guards the palace i ..read more