Dragonfly Tales – Details, episodes & analysis

We go way back to old Japan in this famous story of a poor young man who saves a fish. Japan is surrounded by water, so much of their folklore comes from the sea. Japanese mermaids are called Ningyo, and they are not like European mermaids at all! Thankfully, our hero catches the Dragon king's daughter and sets her free. That's got to be worth a reward, right? You can find out lots more about Japanese folklore in this wonderful book HERE. If you would like to be a guest teller on our podcast, you can get in touch with us 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 Music royalty free via YOUTUBE

This episode we travel to Ireland to learn about a famous Irish fairy - the Leprechaun. Young Bridget decides it's easier to catch a leprechaun and get his gold than working hard for what you want. But fooling a fairy is not that easy! Leprechauns have existed in Irish mythology for hundreds, maybe thousands of years! Many believe they are descended from the old Irish gods, or are types of Fae or fairy. They can grant wishes. bring you luck and even make you very rich! But catching a Leprechaun is very hard - they are full of trickery and have the power to disappear if you take your eye off them. You can learn more about Leprechauns in this wonderful book HERE. If you would like to be a guest teller on our podcast, you can get in touch with us 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 Music royalty free via YOUTUBE

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

Episode 6 – The Monkeys and the Bell Welcome to the next episode of Dragonfly Tales, a story podcast for children of all ages.     This episode is a classic tale from India – there are many different versions of this story, but our favourite is in this lovely Usbourne book of Indian tales.  Here is a great link to Leo’s activity: Mango and Banana Smoothie. Remember to ask a grown up for help with chopping and whizzing! Please please leave us a lovely review and keep posting your pics and drawings in our Dragonfly Tales Podcast Group. 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 TalesProduced by Andy GrazebrookArt by Light CreativeSound effects and Sitar by Zapsplat and on Public Domain

Episode 5 – The Faerie Thorn Welcome to the next episode of Dragonfly Tales, a story podcast for children of all ages.   This episode is a tale from Northern Ireland about the mystical and magical Faerie Thorn tree.  I first heard the wonderful Liz Weir MBE tell a version of this at the Glens of Antrim Story Festival.Here is an extract from Jane Talbot’s wonderfully dark collection of fairy tales, The Faerie Thorn: ‘Now, if you don’t know about faerie thorns, you should. The Big People call these trees hawthorns, and in May you can see them scattering snow-blossoms in every direction. The Big People know that the Little People live in the roots of these trees, so the wisest Big People make sure that the faerie thorns are left well alone.    Here are the instructions for making Leo’s fairy tree: You will need: ·        A big sheet of blank paper  and a pencil ·        Some prittstick or gloopy glue ·        Some twigs and branches ·        Lots of different sized leaves ·        Some little gems or shiny buttons ·        And some glitter First, draw an outline of a tree in winter on your paper.  Try to make your branches nice and big and do lots of them. Next, using your glue, stick your twigs down over your outline so you have a winter tree. Next turn your tree into a summer tree by sticking on your leaves.  The more leaves you add the fuller your tree will look. You can also add little flowers to your tree too – to make it more spring like. Finally, to make it a fairy tree, stick some gems or buttons onto your tree and then shake over some glitter.         And now you have a magical fairy tree! You can find photos of Leo's tree and the REAL Faerie Thorn in our Dragonfly Tales Podcast Group.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 songs by Dragonfly TalesFiddle Music by Slainte on Free Music ArchiveProduced by Andy GrazebrookArt by Light CreativeSound effects by Zapsplat               

Welcome to the next episode of Dragonfly Tales, a new story podcast for children of all ages.    This episode is a tale from old Japan and features the Oni – they are Japanese trolls who live underground!  There are lots of different versions of this story, but our favourite version is by Arlene Mosel.  Here is the link to Leo's Sudoku puzzles. We'd love to see some of your own, along with any drawings of the story. You can post them in our new Dragonfly Tales Podcast Group. 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 TalesProduced by Andy GrazebrookArt by Light CreativeSound effects by Zapsplat

Welcome to the 3rd episode of Dragonfly Tales, a new story podcast for children of all ages. This episode is a tale from Australia!  It's a beginning story, or a 'pourquoi' story. These stories explain why something is the way it is - do you think the story is true?You can find more lovely stories from the Australian Bush in the gorgeous book: Stories from the BillabongHere is the link to Leo's Eardrum Experiment. We'd love to see some videos of your model eardrum in action! Post them in our new Dragonfly Tales Podcast Group.And here is the link to the incredibly talented LYRE BIRD!And remember to like, follow, subscribe and download.  We would love to see some of your pictures on our new Dragonfly Tales Podcast Group on Facebook.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 TalesProduced by Andy GrazebrookArt by Light CreativeSound effects by Zapsplat

Welcome to the 2nd episode of Dragonfly Tales, a new story podcast for children of all ages.  This episode is a tale from Turkey!  We first came across this story told by the incredible storyteller Margaret Read MacDonald  in Little Rooster's Diamond Button but we've put our own spin on it.Here is the link to Leo's bird feeder activity - It's good to get an adult to help with scissors!  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 TalesProduced by Andy GrazebrookArt by Light CreativeSound effects by Zapsplat

Welcome to the 1st episode of Dragonfly Tales, a new story podcast for children of all ages.  Join professional storyteller Emily, and her son Leo, for stories from all around the world.  Then try out a fun activity to do at home which links to the story! This episode is about the famous natural wonder, The Giant's Causeway in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.  You can read the story of Fionn Mac Cumhaill in the O'Brien Book of Irish Fairytales and Legends And remember to have a go at baking Leo's delicious Scottish Oat Cakes! is the link to the recipe for Leo's baking activity: Gluten-Free Oat Cakes!Music by Leo on GaragebandArt by Light Creative

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