Dragonfly Tales

Hello and welcome to Dragonfly Tales, a story podcast with tales from around the world. This episode, we welcome back LEO! Leo has been really busy lately and has grown up a lot! He is joining us for this special two part epic. He's also sharing his favourite stories from the whole podcast - it was a hard decision, as we've done over 100 EPISODES! Leo won't be hosting on the podcast from now on, but he will be popping by now and then. But, we still have lots of exciting things coming up this seasons - including NEW GUEST TELLERS and LOTS more stories. If you would like to be a guest teller on our podcast, you can get in touch with us HERE Our story is Ragnarok - it is the final big story of the Norse gods so prepare yourselves for a huge epic battle! You might want to listen to our episode The Death of Baldur in Season 4, to remember how it was set into motion. You can lots about Norse mythology HERE. If you would like a shout out, you can email us at emilydragonflytales@gmail.com or get in touch via social media. You can follow us on: Facebook   Instagram Twitter Thanks for listening!   Theme Music by Leo Grazebrook on GarageBand Storytelling and singing by Emily Hanna-Grazebrook Produced by Andy Grazebrook Art by Light Creative Sound effects by Zapsplat

Hello and welcome to Dragonfly Tales, a story podcast with tales from around the world. This episode, we have a guest teller! Aurora, who is 6, tells us her own story 'The Girl of the Sun'. We can't wait to hear it! If you would like to be a guest teller on our podcast, you can get in touch with us HERE Emily tells a folk tale from China, about a little girl who is given a parasol for her birthday. Do you know what a parasol is? It's like an umbrella but you use it to shade you from the hot sun! You can find out more about umbrellas and parasols HERE. If you would like a shout out, you can email us at emilydragonflytales@gmail.com or get in touch via social media. You can follow us on: Facebook   Instagram Twitter Thanks for listening!   Theme Music by Leo Grazebrook on GarageBand Storytelling and singing by Emily Hanna-Grazebrook Produced by Andy Grazebrook Art by Light Creative Sound effects by Zapsplat

Hello and welcome to Dragonfly Tales, a story podcast with tales from around the world. This episode, Emily tells a folk tale from Mongolia, about two friends who have very different ideas about studying! It features an ancient boardgame - chess! Can you play chess? If you're interested to give it a try, you can learn more about this famous game HERE. If you would like a shout out, you can email us at emilydragonflytales@gmail.com or get in touch via social media. You can follow us on: Facebook   Instagram Twitter Thanks for listening!   Theme Music by Leo Grazebrook on GarageBand Storytelling and singing by Emily Hanna-Grazebrook Produced by Andy Grazebrook Art by Light Creative Sound effects by Zapsplat

Hello and welcome to Dragonfly Tales, a story podcast with tales from around the world. It is the merry month of MAY! This episode is all about witches, who love to flit through the moonlight on the eve of May day or Bealtaine. (BeeYALtinna) They have a bad reputation, but we think they're misunderstood. This story is about how people can be afraid of those who are different. We hope you like our little song, sung by Agatha, Mildred and Nancy. Here are the words: NOW the moonbeam's dance and play Cares are only made for day Spiral through the milky way Among the endless starlight   Hear the music of night’s call sigh of wood and waterfall pebbles tiny, mountains tall in the endless starlight   Bless the moon and bless the breeze Beasts of land and birds of trees we are all a part of these We are endless starlight If you would like a shout out, you can email us at emilydragonflytales@gmail.com or get in touch via social media. You can follow us on: Facebook   Instagram Twitter Thanks for listening!   Theme Music by Leo Grazebrook on GarageBand Storytelling and singing by Emily Hanna-Grazebrook Produced by Andy Grazebrook Art by Light Creative Sound effects by Zapsplat

Hello and welcome to Dragonfly Tales, a story podcast with tales from around the world. This episode is brought to you from Ireland! Leo and I explored the capital city of Dublin, learned about an unsolved crime, did some sight-seeing and had some super Irish grub! Leo tells a brilliant TRUE story about Dublin Castle. We then headed west to the beautiful County Mayo, and the mysterious Lough Mask. There are many legends about Loughs in Scotland and Ireland, and Emily's story features a malevolent creature that lurks in the dark waters. If you would like a shout out, you can email us at emilydragonflytales@gmail.com or get in touch via social media. You can follow us on: Facebook   Instagram Twitter Thanks for listening!   Theme Music by Leo Grazebrook on GarageBand Storytelling and singing by Emily Hanna-Grazebrook Produced by Andy Grazebrook Art by Light Creative Sound effects by Zapsplat

Hello and welcome to Dragonfly Tales, a story podcast with tales from around the world. This episode, we feature guest teller Aaron Oliver and the story The Floating Heads. Aaron is a Prop Maker and Storyteller based in London, passionate about creating stories, whether on the stage or behind the scenes! Aaron performs for a variety of audiences at venues such as libraries, theaters, community centers and cabarets, telling folk tales and myths alongside original stories. Aaron also co-runs Elephant Tales, a monthly storytelling for adults (16+) in Elephant and Castle, London. If you'd like to find out more about Aaron, you can do so here! Our story is an old tale from the Shona Tribe of Southern Africa. Huge elephant thinks he's the greatest and doesn't need to show respect to anyone. Squirrel has other ideas. If you would like a shout out, you can email us at emilydragonflytales@gmail.com or get in touch via social media. You can follow us on: Facebook   Instagram Twitter Thanks for listening!   Theme Music by Leo Grazebrook on GarageBand Storytelling and singing by Emily Hanna-Grazebrook Produced by Andy Grazebrook Art by Light Creative Sound effects by Zapsplat Harp Music by Lumiere Tales

Hello and welcome to Dragonfly Tales a story podcast with Emily and Leo. We've been away for a while but we're back with the final part of Hans Christian Anderson's Snow Queen! In part 3, Gerda must finally face her fears to save Kai.  Will she succeed?Or is it too late?If you would like a shout out, you can email us at emilydragonflytales@gmail.com or get in touch via social media. You can follow us on:Facebook  InstagramTwitterThanks for listening! Theme Music by Leo Grazebrook on GarageBandStorytelling and singing by Emily Hanna-GrazebrookProduced by Andy GrazebrookArt by Light CreativeSound effects by Zapsplat

Hello and welcome to Dragonfly Tales a story podcast with Emily and Leo. Spring is coming!  Here in the Northern Hemisphere, it mat feel cold and windy, but underneath the ground the seeds are stirring for Imbolc - the coming of Spring.  We love to celebrate St Brigid's day by feeding the birds, lighting candles to scare away the dark, or perhaps by making a Brigid's Cross!  We found a little video to show you how to make one from paper HERE, or you can try the traditional way and make them from rushes HERE.Our story - Part 2 of the Snow Queen - continues Gerda's quest to find her best friend Kai.  She is getting closer, but what dangers lie in her way?  If you would like a shout out, you can email us at emilydragonflytales@gmail.com or get in touch via social media. You can follow us on:Facebook  InstagramTwitterThanks for listening! Theme Music by Leo Grazebrook on GarageBandStorytelling and singing by Emily Hanna-GrazebrookProduced by Andy GrazebrookArt by Light CreativeSound effects by Zapsplat

Welcome to Dragonfly Tales, a story podcast for children of all ages.Happy New Year!  It's 2024 and we have so many fabulous new stories and tellers coming your way this year.We have a big treat for you - a three part story!The Snow Queen is a wonderful fairytale by the Danish writer Hans Christian Anderson.  Anderson wrote many of the famous stories we have grown up with - The Little Mermaid, The Emperor's New clothes, The Ugly Duckling and many more.You can find out more about Hans Christian Anderson and his wonderful tales HERE and buy them HERE. If you would like a SHOUT OUT, or to tell a tale on the podcast, the best thing to do is join the Dragonfly Tales story chat on Facebook.  However, if you don't use Facebook, you can email us at emilydragonflytales@gmail.com and we will try our best to give you a shout out. And If you would like to donate a little something towards our podcast, we would be so grateful.  You can donate to Dragonfly Tales Podcast by clicking here: DONATEYou can follow us on:Facebook  InstagramTwitterThanks for listening! Theme Music by Leo Grazebrook on GarageBandStorytelling, songs and music by Dragonfly TalesSound effects by ZapSplatProduced by Andy GrazebrookArt by Light Creative

Welcome to Dragonfly Tales, a story podcast for children of all ages.Thank you all so so much for your patience - we've had a bit of family illness but we're all feeling much better now!Our story is a sinister tale from Germany, and some believe it really happened!  Hamelin is actually a real town and you can find out about it HERE.If you would like a SHOUT OUT, or to tell a tale on the podcast, the best thing to do is join the Dragonfly Tales story chat on Facebook.  However, if you don't use Facebook, you can email us at emilydragonflytales@gmail.com and we will try our best to give you a shout out. And If you would like to donate a little something towards our podcast, we would be so grateful.  You can donate to Dragonfly Tales Podcast by clicking here: DONATEYou can follow us on:Facebook  InstagramTwitterThanks for listening! Theme Music by Leo Grazebrook on GarageBandStorytelling, songs and music by Dragonfly TalesSound effects by ZapSplat Produced by Andy GrazebrookArt by Light Creative

Welcome to Dragonfly Tales, a story podcast for children of all ages.This episode we decided to let Leo tell his own folk tale, The Wolf and the Nurse.  It's a beautiful tale of healing and compassion.  Well done, Leo! Our story is a very old folktale from Slavic folklore about a very famous witch BABA YAGA! She is a bit scary, but she is also quite a complicated character.  You can learn more about her HERE.If you would like a SHOUT OUT, or to tell a tale on the podcast, the best thing to do is join the Dragonfly Tales story chat on Facebook.  However, if you don't use Facebook, you can email us at emilydragonflytales@gmail.com and we will try our best to give you a shout out. And If you would like to donate a little something towards our podcast, we would be so grateful.  You can donate to Dragonfly Tales Podcast by clicking here: DONATEYou can follow us on:Facebook  InstagramTwitterThanks for listening! Theme Music by Leo Grazebrook on GarageBandStorytelling, songs and music by Dragonfly TalesProduced by Andy GrazebrookArt by Light Creative

Welcome to Season 5 of Dragonfly Tales, a story podcast for children (and grown ups) of all ages.It’s our Halloween Special!!!!!!   Wooooooo!   You know we LOVE this time of year! As with our previous Halloween shows, Leo and Emily will do something that’s not too scary.  And then Emily will tell one that is a bit more scary We also have the return of LISTENERS SPOOKY JOKES!  Check out how freakishly funny these folks are!!!! Leo came up with the idea of something witchy - and you can't get more witchy than the three weird sisters from William Shakespeare's play 'Macbeth'.  In the 16th and 17th century, people really believed in evil witches who could curse you and control your fate.  If you'd like to know more about the play and the weird sisters you can do so HERE.  Emily's  story is from Brittany in France.  Its based on an old tale about the supernatural creature - the Werewolf, but we've changed it somewhat and given it a Feminine twist.  You can find out more about werewolves  HERE. If you would like a SHOUT OUT, or to tell a tale on the podcast, the best thing to do is join the Dragonfly Tales story chat on Facebook.  However, if you don't use Facebook, you can email us at emilydragonflytales@gmail.com and we will try our best to give you a shout out. And If you would like to donate a little something towards our podcast, we would be so grateful.  You can donate to Dragonfly Tales Podcast by clicking here: DONATEYou can follow us on:Facebook  InstagramTwitterThanks for listening! Theme Music by Leo Grazebrook on GarageBandStorytelling, songs and music by Dragonfly Tales'Double Double' from Macbeth by William ShakespeareProduced by Andy GrazebrookArt by Light Creative

Welcome to Dragonfly Tales, a story podcast for children of all ages.This episode we welcome young guest teller Magda, who is 11, from Forest Gate London.  Magda shares her brilliant story of a very skillful pussycat and her circus tricks!  We absolutely love it!  We also share details of Chewing-gum artist Ben Wilson.  Ben has been bringing magic to the streets and landmarks of London for over 10 years and now is lovely art is in peril of disappearing.  Please sign his petition HERE and find out more about him HERE.Our story is a very old folktale that has several versions across the globe - Ethopia, Korea, Japan and China.  It is about trust, patience and tenderness - the Tiger's Whisker.   You can find a version of it HERE.If you would like a SHOUT OUT, or to tell a tale on the podcast, the best thing to do is join the Dragonfly Tales story chat on Facebook.  However, if you don't use Facebook, you can email us at emilydragonflytales@gmail.com and we will try our best to give you a shout out. And If you would like to donate a little something towards our podcast, we would be so grateful.  You can donate to Dragonfly Tales Podcast by clicking here: DONATEYou can follow us on:Facebook  InstagramTwitterThanks for listening! Theme Music by Leo Grazebrook on GarageBandStorytelling, songs and music by Dragonfly TalesProduced by Andy GrazebrookArt by Light Creative

Welcome to Dragonfly Tales, a story podcast for children of all ages. It's Season 5 - season of mists and mellow fruitfulness!!And stories!  We're back and we can't wait to share our next season with you.We are joined by an amazing storyteller and author Daniel Morden.Leo does his first interview EVER, learns some amazing things about storytelling and story writing, and gets to be one of the first to read Daniel's amazing new book:STRANGE  TALES!  We've read it and it's fantastic!  You can buy Daniel's book (and we hope you do) by clicking HERE. Our story takes us back to one of our favourite places - the greenwood! We love tales of past heroes, who cared for the needy and understood that the world was often cruel and unfair.  You can learn more about him HERE.If you would like a SHOUT OUT, or to tell a tale on the podcast, the best thing to do is join the Dragonfly Tales story chat on Facebook.  However, if you don't use Facebook, you can email us at emilydragonflytales@gmail.com and we will try our best to give you a shout out. And If you would like to donate a little something towards our podcast, we would be so grateful.  You can donate to Dragonfly Tales Podcast by clicking here: DONATEYou can follow us on:Facebook  InstagramTwitterThanks for listening! Theme Music by Leo Grazebrook on GarageBandStorytelling, songs and music by Dragonfly TalesChord structure for ‘Green Wood’ from ‘Greensleeves’Produced by Andy GrazebrookArt by Light Creative

Welcome to Dragonfly Tales, a story podcast for children of all ages. Season 5 is coming very very soon and we have lots of wonderful things to share with you.So this bonus episode is a musical journey through our favourite stories, revisiting our songs and music.Leo and I love singing and making ORIGINAL songs that go with our episodes, often accompanied on guitar by me or by professional guitarist Andy (Daddy producer).We hope that the songs will remind you of your favourite tales so you can listen to them again!If you would like a SHOUT OUT, or to tell a tale on the podcast, the best thing to do is join the Dragonfly Tales story chat on Facebook.  However, if you don't use Facebook, you can email us at emilydragonflytales@gmail.com and we will try our best to give you a shout out. And If you would like to donate a little something towards our podcast, we would be so grateful.  You can donate to Dragonfly Tales Podcast by clicking here: DONATEYou can follow us on:Facebook  InstagramTwitterThanks for listening! Theme Music by Leo Grazebrook on GarageBandStorytelling, songs and music by Dragonfly TalesProduced by Andy GrazebrookArt by Light Creative

Hello and welcome to the season finale of Dragonfly Tales, a story podcast with Emily and Leo.We have been nominated in the Kids Category of The British Podcast Awards 2023!!!!A big thank you to all our listeners for their continued support and for inspiring us to get this far - we are honoured and very proud!Please check out the other kids Podcasts nominated, including our buddies at Super Great Kids Stories!You can still vote for us in 'The Listeners Choice Category ' Here is the link and THANK YOU SO MUCH!  https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/votingOur story comes from the Louisiana Bayou.  It's a Cajun story, and you can learn more about Louisiana and the rich Cajun culture HERE.The little song we sing is a French Cajun ditty.  The lyrics are quite horrid but also funny:Cajun FrenchLes maringouins l'ont mangé ma belle. ils'ont resté de ses gros orteils c’est Pour me faire des bouchons de liège,c’est Pour boucher mes demi-bouteilles. Et mon papa s'en alle mulet, Et Ma maman s'en allait 'léphant, Et Mon p'tit frer' sur un ouaouaron,Et ma p'tit' soeur, sur un coin d'mon coeur.EnglishThe mosquitoes have eaten my sweetheart. They only left her big toes To use as corks now I supposeAnd seal up my wine bottles And my papa he went on a mule, And my mama on an elephant, My little brother he went on a toad, my little sis on a piece of my heart.  If you would like a shout out, the best thing to do is join the Dragonfly Tales story chat on Facebook.  However, if you don't use Facebook, you can email us at emilydragonflytales@gmail.com and we will try our best to give you a shout out.You can follow us on:Facebook  InstagramTwitterThanks for listening! Theme Music by Leo Grazebrook on GarageBandStorytelling and music by Dragonfly Tales Produced by Andy GrazebrookArt by Light CreativeSound effects by Zapsplat

Hello and welcome to Dragonfly Tales a story podcast with Emily and Leo.We're off to festivals to hear more stories!A big thank you to all our listeners for their continued support.  We have entered the British Podcast Awards 2023!There is a special category called 'The Listeners Choice Vote' and we be absolutely THRILLED if you could take the time to vote for us.Here is the link and THANK YOU SO MUCH!  https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting Our story is about a magical gift - a pumpkin!  It's an old Turkish tale and definitely reminds of stories like the Magic Porridge Pot.   If you would like a shout out, the best thing to do is join the Dragonfly Tales story chat on Facebook.  However, if you don't use Facebook, you can email us at emilydragonflytales@gmail.com and we will try our best to give you a shout out. You can follow us on:Facebook  InstagramTwitterThanks for listening! Theme Music by Leo Grazebrook on GarageBandStorytelling and singing by Emily Hanna-GrazebrookProduced by Andy GrazebrookArt by Light CreativeSound effects by Zapsplat

Hello and welcome to Dragonfly Tales a story podcast with Emily and Leo.A big thank you to all our listeners for their continued support.  We have entered the British Podcast Awards 2023!There is a special category called 'The Listeners Choice Vote' and we be absolutely THRILLED if you could take the time to vote for us.Here is the link and THANK YOU SO MUCH!  https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting Our story is about one of the most mystical of all beasts - the UNICORN!  We hope you enjoyed our interesting facts about unicorns, and the nursery rhyme we told:The lion and the unicornWere fighting for the crownThe unicorn beat the lionAll around the town.Some gave them white bread,And some gave them brown;Some gave them plum cakeand drummed them out of town.When Emily was younger, she read a beautiful book by Marianna Mayer, which drew on the ancient myths of the Unicorn and Serpent story.  You find a link to this lovely text HERE. If you would like a shout out, the best thing to do is join the Dragonfly Tales story chat on Facebook.  However, if you don't use Facebook, you can email us at emilydragonflytales@gmail.com and we will try our best to give you a shout out. You can follow us on:Facebook  InstagramTwitterThanks for listening! Theme Music by Leo Grazebrook on GarageBandStorytelling and singing by Emily Hanna-GrazebrookHarp Music  - royalty free music by Giorgio Di Campofreesoundmusic.euyoutube.com/freesoundmusicProduced by Andy GrazebrookArt by Light CreativeSound effects by Zapsplat

Hello and welcome to Dragonfly Tales a story podcast with Emily and Leo.We hope you like lullabys, as we've made another one.  The words come from the wonderful poem by W.B.Yeats called Stolen Child.Where dips the rocky highlandOf Sleuth Wood in the lake,There lies a leafy islandWhere flapping herons wakeThe drowsy water rats;There we've hid our faery vats,Full of berrysAnd of reddest stolen cherries.Come away, O human child!To the waters and the wildWith a faery, hand in hand,For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand. Where the wave of moonlight glossesThe dim gray sands with light,Far off by furthest RossesWe foot it all the night,Weaving olden dancesMingling hands and mingling glancesTill the moon has taken flight;To and fro we leapAnd chase the frothy bubbles,While the world is full of troublesAnd anxious in its sleep.Come away, O human child!To the waters and the wildWith a faery, hand in hand,For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand. Where the wandering water gushesFrom the hills above Glen-Car,In pools among the rushesThat scarce could bathe a star,We seek for slumbering troutAnd whispering in their earsGive them unquiet dreams;Leaning softly outFrom ferns that drop their tearsOver the young streams.Come away, O human child!To the waters and the wildWith a faery, hand in hand,For the world's more full of weeping than you can understand. Away with us he's going,The solemn-eyed:He'll hear no more the lowingOf the calves on the warm hillsideOr the kettle on the hobSing peace into his breast,Or see the brown mice bobRound and round the oatmeal chest.For he comes, the human child,To the waters and the wildWith a faery, hand in hand,For the world's more full of weeping than he can understand. Our story is an old fairytale from Ireland about a 'changeling'.  Changelings feature in lots of folklore and you can find out more about them HERE. If you would like a shout out, the best thing to do is join the Dragonfly Tales story chat on Facebook.  However, if you don't use Facebook, you can email us at emilydragonflytales@gmail.com and we will try our best to give you a shout out. You can follow us on:Facebook  InstagramTwitterThanks for listening! Theme Music by Leo Grazebrook on GarageBandStorytelling and singing by Emily Hanna-GrazebrookLullaby lyrics from  the poem 'Stolen Child' by W.B.YeatsProduced by Andy GrazebrookArt by Light CreativeSound effects by Zapsplat

Hello and welcome to Dragonfly Tales a story podcast with Emily and Leo.This episode is brought to you from Zest Fest, an exhilarating new festival at Westenhanger Castle near Hythe in Kent, UK  We enjoyed everything from daring circus skills and performing arts to exploring how to nourish the mind, body and soul through yoga, breathwork, meditation, music, dance, mindful walks and much more. We love telling stories to live audiences; there's nothing like the sparkling, rippling energy of interaction between people.    And festivals are a great place for storytelling and magic making.With lots of things happening at the same time, you can hear music and singing in the background of our story session. We hope it doesn't distract too much - most people in the word tent didn't seem to notice.  That's the sign of a good story!With special thanks to Kerry Ryan and her creative writing workshop, and the incredible events team at Otterpool Park. If you would like a shout out, the best thing to do is join the Dragonfly Tales story chat on Facebook.  However, if you don't use Facebook, you can email us at emilydragonflytales@gmail.com and we will try our best to give you a shout out. You can follow us on:Facebook  InstagramTwitterThanks for listening! Theme Music by Leo Grazebrook on GarageBandStorytelling and singing by Emily Hanna-GrazebrookProduced by Andy GrazebrookArt by Light CreativeSound effects by Zapsplat