
The Watkins Book of English Folktales
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed

Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Buy for $25.79
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Hannibal Hills
About this listen
With a foreword by Neil Gaiman, this comprehensive, entertaining, and authentic collection of English folktales is perfect for fans of Madeline Miller, Philip Pullman, and the Brothers Grimm.
This is a golden treasury of over one hundred English folktales captured in the form they were first collected in past centuries. Listen to these classic tales as they would have been told when storytelling was a living art—when the audience believed in boggarts and hobgoblins, local witches and will-o'-the-wisps, ghosts and giants, cunning foxes and royal frogs. Find "Jack the Giantkiller", "Tom Tit Tot", and other quintessentially English favorites, alongside interesting borrowings, such as an English version of the Grimms' "Little Snow White"—as well as bedtime frighteners, including "Captain Murderer", as told to Charles Dickens by his childhood nurse.
Neil Philip has provided a full introduction and source notes on each story that illustrate each tale's journey from mouth to book, and what has happened to them on the way. These tales rank among the finest English short stories of all time in their richness of metaphor and plot and their great verbal dash and daring.
©1992, 2002 Neil Philip; Foreword Copyright 2022 by Neil Gaiman (P)2023 TantorListeners also enjoyed...
-
Ghost Stories: Stephen Fry's Definitive Collection
- By: Stephen Fry, Washington Irving, M.R. James, and others
- Narrated by: Stephen Fry
- Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, Halloween approaches. Come, brave listener, pull up a chair, and spend some time with master storyteller Stephen Fry as he tells us some of his favourite ghost stories of all time, in truly terrifying spatial audio. From the headless horseman of Sleepy Hollow to the tortured spirits of M.R. James, from Edgar Allan Poe’s terrifying tale of a doppelganger to Charlotte Riddell’s Open Door that should definitely stay shut, join Stephen as he tells you some truly terrifying tales.
-
-
Wonderful narration. Mediocre stories.
- By Michael Fuchs on 11-07-23
By: Stephen Fry, and others
-
A Stroke of the Pen
- The Lost Stories
- By: Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman - foreword
- Narrated by: David Tennant, Claire Foy, Steffan Rhodri, and others
- Length: 4 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A delightfully funny, fantastically inventive collection of twenty unearthed short stories by Sir Terry Pratchett, the award-winning and bestselling author and creator of the phenomenally successful Discworld fantasy series. These rediscovered tales were written by Terry Pratchett under a pseudonym for British newspapers during the 1970s and 1980s. The stories have never been attributed to him until now, and might never have been found—were it not for the efforts of a few dedicated fans.
-
-
It's like a preview of the Disc World
- By K Van on 02-23-24
By: Terry Pratchett, and others
-
Twice Cursed
- An Anthology
- By: Joe Hill, Neil Gaiman, Joanne Harris, and others
- Narrated by: Melanie Crawley, Antonia Beamish, Mark Peachey
- Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Take a trip to a terrifying carnival and uncover the secrets within, solve a mysterious puzzle box and await your reward, join a travelling circus and witness the strangest ventriloquist act you've ever seen. In this follow-up to the bestselling Cursed: An Anthology, you'll unearth curses old and new. From a very different take on Snow White, to a new interpretation of The Red Shoes, the best in fantasy spin straw into gold, and invite you into the labyrinth.
-
-
Needs A Trigger Warning!!!
- By Ronda on 12-13-23
By: Joe Hill, and others
-
Stories
- All-New Tales
- By: Neil Gaiman - author/editor, Al Sarrantonio - editor, Joe Hill, and others
- Narrated by: Anne Bobby, Jonathan Davis, Katherine Kellgren, and others
- Length: 18 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The best stories pull readers in and keep them turning the pages, eager to discover more—to find the answer to the question: "And then what happened?" The true hallmark of great literature is great imagination, and as Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio prove with this outstanding collection, when it comes to great fiction, all genres are equal.
-
-
Something for Everyone
- By Nicole on 05-24-17
By: Neil Gaiman - author/editor, and others
-
Lovecraft's Monsters
- By: Neil Gaiman, Ellen Datlow - editor
- Narrated by: Bernard Clark
- Length: 15 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Prepare to meet the wicked progeny of the master of modern horror. In Lovecraft's Monsters, H. P. Lovecraft's most famous creations--Cthulhu, Shoggoths, Deep Ones, Elder Things, Yog-Sothoth, and more--appear in all their terrifying glory. Each story is a gripping new take on a classic Lovecraftian creature. Contributors include such literary luminaries as Neil Gaiman, Joe R. Lansdale, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Karl Edward Wagner, Elizabeth Bear, and Nick Mamatas.
-
-
PURPLE WARMTH
- By Jim "The Impatient" on 02-04-17
By: Neil Gaiman, and others
-
The Complete and Original Norwegian Folktales of Asbjørnsen and Moe
- By: Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, Jørgen Moe, Tiina Nunnally - translator, and others
- Narrated by: Ann Richardson
- Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Magic and myth inhabit these chapters in figures both familiar and strange. Giant trolls and talking animals are everywhere. The winds take human form. A one-eyed old woman might seem reminiscent of the Norse god Odin. We meet sly aunts, resourceful princesses, and devious robbers. These stories, set in Norway's majestic landscape of towering mountains and dense forests, are filled with humor, mischief, and sometimes surprisingly cruel twists of fate. All are rendered in the deceptively simple narrative style perfected by Asbjørnsen and Moe.
-
-
I love these stories!
- By Taylor on 12-26-21
By: Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, and others
-
Ghost Stories: Stephen Fry's Definitive Collection
- By: Stephen Fry, Washington Irving, M.R. James, and others
- Narrated by: Stephen Fry
- Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
As the days grow shorter and the temperature drops, Halloween approaches. Come, brave listener, pull up a chair, and spend some time with master storyteller Stephen Fry as he tells us some of his favourite ghost stories of all time, in truly terrifying spatial audio. From the headless horseman of Sleepy Hollow to the tortured spirits of M.R. James, from Edgar Allan Poe’s terrifying tale of a doppelganger to Charlotte Riddell’s Open Door that should definitely stay shut, join Stephen as he tells you some truly terrifying tales.
-
-
Wonderful narration. Mediocre stories.
- By Michael Fuchs on 11-07-23
By: Stephen Fry, and others
-
A Stroke of the Pen
- The Lost Stories
- By: Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman - foreword
- Narrated by: David Tennant, Claire Foy, Steffan Rhodri, and others
- Length: 4 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A delightfully funny, fantastically inventive collection of twenty unearthed short stories by Sir Terry Pratchett, the award-winning and bestselling author and creator of the phenomenally successful Discworld fantasy series. These rediscovered tales were written by Terry Pratchett under a pseudonym for British newspapers during the 1970s and 1980s. The stories have never been attributed to him until now, and might never have been found—were it not for the efforts of a few dedicated fans.
-
-
It's like a preview of the Disc World
- By K Van on 02-23-24
By: Terry Pratchett, and others
-
Twice Cursed
- An Anthology
- By: Joe Hill, Neil Gaiman, Joanne Harris, and others
- Narrated by: Melanie Crawley, Antonia Beamish, Mark Peachey
- Length: 9 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Take a trip to a terrifying carnival and uncover the secrets within, solve a mysterious puzzle box and await your reward, join a travelling circus and witness the strangest ventriloquist act you've ever seen. In this follow-up to the bestselling Cursed: An Anthology, you'll unearth curses old and new. From a very different take on Snow White, to a new interpretation of The Red Shoes, the best in fantasy spin straw into gold, and invite you into the labyrinth.
-
-
Needs A Trigger Warning!!!
- By Ronda on 12-13-23
By: Joe Hill, and others
-
Stories
- All-New Tales
- By: Neil Gaiman - author/editor, Al Sarrantonio - editor, Joe Hill, and others
- Narrated by: Anne Bobby, Jonathan Davis, Katherine Kellgren, and others
- Length: 18 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The best stories pull readers in and keep them turning the pages, eager to discover more—to find the answer to the question: "And then what happened?" The true hallmark of great literature is great imagination, and as Neil Gaiman and Al Sarrantonio prove with this outstanding collection, when it comes to great fiction, all genres are equal.
-
-
Something for Everyone
- By Nicole on 05-24-17
By: Neil Gaiman - author/editor, and others
-
Lovecraft's Monsters
- By: Neil Gaiman, Ellen Datlow - editor
- Narrated by: Bernard Clark
- Length: 15 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Prepare to meet the wicked progeny of the master of modern horror. In Lovecraft's Monsters, H. P. Lovecraft's most famous creations--Cthulhu, Shoggoths, Deep Ones, Elder Things, Yog-Sothoth, and more--appear in all their terrifying glory. Each story is a gripping new take on a classic Lovecraftian creature. Contributors include such literary luminaries as Neil Gaiman, Joe R. Lansdale, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Karl Edward Wagner, Elizabeth Bear, and Nick Mamatas.
-
-
PURPLE WARMTH
- By Jim "The Impatient" on 02-04-17
By: Neil Gaiman, and others
-
The Complete and Original Norwegian Folktales of Asbjørnsen and Moe
- By: Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, Jørgen Moe, Tiina Nunnally - translator, and others
- Narrated by: Ann Richardson
- Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Magic and myth inhabit these chapters in figures both familiar and strange. Giant trolls and talking animals are everywhere. The winds take human form. A one-eyed old woman might seem reminiscent of the Norse god Odin. We meet sly aunts, resourceful princesses, and devious robbers. These stories, set in Norway's majestic landscape of towering mountains and dense forests, are filled with humor, mischief, and sometimes surprisingly cruel twists of fate. All are rendered in the deceptively simple narrative style perfected by Asbjørnsen and Moe.
-
-
I love these stories!
- By Taylor on 12-26-21
By: Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, and others
-
Third Eye
- By: Felicia Day
- Narrated by: Sean Astin, Felicia Day, Neil Gaiman, and others
- Length: 6 hrs and 56 mins
- Original Recording
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Once upon a time, in the magical land of San Francisco, there lived a not-so-ordinary girl named Laurel Pettigrew. She was supposed to be the Chosen One. The plan was simple: She would vanquish the great evil Tybus in an epic battle. But destiny had other ideas, and Laurel's performance in the whole heroics department was a colossal flop. Now, instead of being a legendary hero, Laurel's the resident pariah of the magic realm. And what’s worse, the dark wizard Tybus swooped in, took over the realm, and forced all supernatural creatures to live under his tyrannical rule.
-
-
This has to be good, right?! Right?? Right......?
- By S. Apple on 10-11-23
By: Felicia Day
-
Winters in the World
- A Journey Through the Anglo-Saxon Year
- By: Eleanor Parker
- Narrated by: Jennifer M. Dixon
- Length: 8 hrs and 18 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Winters in the World is a beautifully observed journey through the cycle of the year in Anglo-Saxon England, exploring the festivals, customs, and traditions linked to the different seasons. Drawing on a wide variety of source material, including poetry, histories, and religious literature, Eleanor Parker investigates how Anglo-Saxons felt about the annual passing of the seasons and the profound relationship they saw between human life and the rhythms of nature.
By: Eleanor Parker
-
Weavers, Scribes, and Kings
- A New History of the Ancient Near East
- By: Amanda H. Podany
- Narrated by: Amanda H. Podany
- Length: 18 hrs and 26 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this sweeping history of the ancient Near East, Amanda Podany takes listeners on a gripping journey from the creation of the world's first cities to the conquests of Alexander the Great. The book is built around the life stories of many ancient men and women, from kings, priestesses, and merchants to brickmakers, musicians, and weavers. Their habits of daily life, beliefs, triumphs, and crises, and the changes that people faced over time are explored through their own written words and the buildings, cities, and empires in which they lived.
-
-
word of advice
- By Jim Davis on 08-04-23
By: Amanda H. Podany
-
Fairy Tales
- By: George MacDonald
- Narrated by: Georgina Sutton, David Timson
- Length: 14 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
George MacDonald, described by W.H. Auden as "one of the most remarkable writers of the 19th century", was valued in his own time as an original thinker and spiritual guide. Of all his writing, it is the fairy tales that have retained their fascination, and this collection includes all 11 stories. The fairy tales feature the stock characters of traditional tales—fairies both good and bad, and children undertaking precarious journeys. Often adopting paradox and nonsense as Lewis Carroll did, the stories invite adults to deploy the same open-mindedness as children.
-
-
The greatest author OAT
- By M. Mules on 12-21-23
By: George MacDonald
-
The Once and Future King
- By: T. H. White
- Narrated by: Neville Jason
- Length: 33 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The complete "box set" of T. H. White's epic fantasy novel of the Arthurian legend. The novel is made up of five parts: "The Sword in the Stone", "The Witch in the Wood", "The Ill-Made Knight", "The Candle in the Wind", and "The Book of Merlyn".
-
-
My favorite book this year.
- By Robert on 12-13-12
By: T. H. White
-
M.R. James: The Complete Ghost Stories Collection
- By: M. R. James
- Narrated by: Jonathan Keeble
- Length: 18 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For the first time, the complete works of M. R. James are available to download in one collection. This unabridged collection of all M.R. James' ghost stories includes tales from Ghost Stories of an Antiquary, More Ghost Stories, A Thin Ghost and Others, and A Warning to the Curious and Other Ghost Stories. It is expertly read by award-winning narrator Jonathan Keeble.
-
-
The Master
- By Mardou Fox on 08-09-22
By: M. R. James
-
Scottish Myths and Legends
- Celtic Myths & Legends Retold, Book 1
- By: Daniel Allison
- Narrated by: Angus King
- Length: 7 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The blue-skinned old woman who made the mountains. Finfolk, selkies, and the Makers of Dreams. Within these sections are the little-known stories of Scotland, collected and retold by an oral storyteller who performs them throughout the world. From folk-tales and local legends to ancient epics, these stories will astonish and delight listeners everywhere. Daniel Allison is a USA Today best-selling author and acclaimed oral storyteller who performs everywhere from schools and prisons to global festivals.
-
-
A Great Listen
- By Stephen R Pendry on 12-23-21
By: Daniel Allison
-
Grimm's Fairy Stories
- By: The Brothers Grimm, Margaret Hunt - translator
- Narrated by: Joanna Daniel
- Length: 5 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A collection of classic Brothers Grimm fairy tales, pulled from Margaret Hunt's 1884 translation. Including: The Little Brother and Little Sister", "Hansel and Gretel", "Oh, If I Could but Shiver!", "Dummling and the Three Feathers", "Little Snow-White", "Frederick and Catherine", "The Valiant Little Tailor", "Little Red-Cap", "The Golden Goose", "Bearskin", "Cinderella", "Faithful John", "The Water of Life", "Thumbling", "Briar Rose", and "The Six Swans," among others.
-
-
Perfect in every sense!
- By Izzy Talavera on 03-18-16
By: The Brothers Grimm, and others
-
The Enchanted Castle
- By: Edith Nesbit
- Narrated by: Johanna Ward
- Length: 7 hrs and 33 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jimmy, Gerald, and Cathy discover an enchanted garden and wake a beautiful princess from a hundred-year-sleep - only to have her immediately made invisible by a magic ring. The quest to rescue her from her own magic proves difficult, humorous, and at times very frightening.
-
-
Wonderful!
- By Molly on 02-06-12
By: Edith Nesbit
-
Botanical Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland
- By: Lisa Schneidau
- Narrated by: Joan Walker
- Length: 4 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The islands of Britain and Ireland hold a rich heritage of plant folklore and wisdom, from the magical yew tree to the bad-tempered dandelion. Here are traditional tales about the trees and plants that shape our landscapes and our lives through the seasons. They explore the complex relationship between people and plants, in lowlands and uplands, fields, bogs, moors, woodlands and towns.
-
-
Wee Folk, Giants and Witches. Oh, My!
- By Amazon Customer on 07-14-21
By: Lisa Schneidau
-
The King of Ireland's Son
- By: Padraic Colum
- Narrated by: Gerard Doyle
- Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Celebrated Irish author Padraic Colum dazzled audiences with his retellings of old Gaelic myths. In The King of Ireland's Son, he imbues seven favorite tales from the Emerald Isle with sly humor, whimsy, and imagination.
-
-
👍🏾❣❤️💛💚💙💜💓💞💝💕💘💖💗💟
- By GRamsey-Ray on 08-10-16
By: Padraic Colum
-
My Name Is Resolute
- By: Nancy E. Turner
- Narrated by: Mhairi Morrison
- Length: 25 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The year is 1729, and Resolute Talbot and her siblings are captured by pirates, taken from their family in Jamaica and brought to the New World. Resolute and her sister are sold into slavery in colonial New England and taught the trade of spinning and weaving. When Resolute finds herself alone in Lexington, Massachusetts, she struggles to find her way in a society that is quick to judge a young woman without a family. As the seeds of rebellion against England grow, Resolute is torn between following the rules and breaking free.
-
-
A life well lived!
- By Anonymous User on 06-20-23
By: Nancy E. Turner
Related to this topic
-
The Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales
- By: Brothers Grimm
- Narrated by: Andrea Giordani
- Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales by Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm, first published in 1812, is a collection of 62 classic folk stories including "Rumplestiltskin", "Little Red Riding Hood", "Hansel and Gretel", "Snow White and Rose Red", "Iron Hans", "The Golden Goose", "Clever Hans", "The Frog Prince", and many more. These classic tales will keep you entertained for hours to come!
By: Brothers Grimm
-
Nordic Tales
- Folktales from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark
- By: Chronicle Books
- Narrated by: Allan Corduner, Juha Sorola
- Length: 4 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Trolls haunt the snowy forests, and terrifying monsters roam the open sea. A young woman journeys to the end of the world, and a boy proves he knows no fear. This collection of 16 traditional tales transports readers to the enchanting world of Nordic folklore. Translated and transcribed by folklorists in the 19th century, and presented here unabridged, the stories are by turns magical, hilarious, cozy, and chilling. They offer a fascinating view into Nordic culture and a comforting wintertime listen.
-
-
Really fun
- By Olivia on 10-14-19
By: Chronicle Books
-
Old Peter's Russian Tales
- By: Arthur Ransome
- Narrated by: Greg Wagland
- Length: 7 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Arthur Ransome (1884-1967) wrote Old Peter's Russian Tales while he was in Russia during the First World War, prior to becoming a war correspondent for The Manchester Guardian. There are 22 stories in all and are told by Old Peter at the behest of his grandchildren, Ivan and Maroosia, in a cozy log cabin in the middle of the forest. These are delightful re-tellings in Ransome's own words of Russian folk tales, and include stories such as "The Little Snow Girl", "Baba Yaga", "Frost", and "Salt".
-
-
Discover these wonderful new stories!
- By CC on 01-04-25
By: Arthur Ransome
-
Botanical Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland
- By: Lisa Schneidau
- Narrated by: Joan Walker
- Length: 4 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The islands of Britain and Ireland hold a rich heritage of plant folklore and wisdom, from the magical yew tree to the bad-tempered dandelion. Here are traditional tales about the trees and plants that shape our landscapes and our lives through the seasons. They explore the complex relationship between people and plants, in lowlands and uplands, fields, bogs, moors, woodlands and towns.
-
-
Wee Folk, Giants and Witches. Oh, My!
- By Amazon Customer on 07-14-21
By: Lisa Schneidau
-
The Celtic Twilight
- By: William Butler Yeats
- Narrated by: Jack Chekijian
- Length: 4 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One of the best-known collections of W. B. Yeats' prose, The Celtic Twilight explores the old connection between the Irish people and the magical world of fairies. Yeats, by traveling the land in the early 20th century and talking to the common people about their experiences with the creatures, yielded a colorful overview of Celtic fairy folklore.
-
-
A compilation of Irish folklore in prose
- By MolllyT on 07-26-16
-
Lark Rise
- By: Flora Thompson
- Narrated by: Karen Cass
- Length: 9 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lark Rise is Flora Thompson's childhood memories of a north Oxfordshire village, the people who lived and worked in it, and a way of life that has totally disappeared. The story is built around Laura and her brother Edmund, through whose eyes are seen 'old Sally', whose grandfather built the house she lived in before the enclosure of the heathland, children's games, the interaction of village and gentry, and the way in which the seasons governed life.
-
-
A glimpse...
- By Shananiganians on 05-31-20
By: Flora Thompson
-
The Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales
- By: Brothers Grimm
- Narrated by: Andrea Giordani
- Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales by Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm, first published in 1812, is a collection of 62 classic folk stories including "Rumplestiltskin", "Little Red Riding Hood", "Hansel and Gretel", "Snow White and Rose Red", "Iron Hans", "The Golden Goose", "Clever Hans", "The Frog Prince", and many more. These classic tales will keep you entertained for hours to come!
By: Brothers Grimm
-
Nordic Tales
- Folktales from Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark
- By: Chronicle Books
- Narrated by: Allan Corduner, Juha Sorola
- Length: 4 hrs and 57 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Trolls haunt the snowy forests, and terrifying monsters roam the open sea. A young woman journeys to the end of the world, and a boy proves he knows no fear. This collection of 16 traditional tales transports readers to the enchanting world of Nordic folklore. Translated and transcribed by folklorists in the 19th century, and presented here unabridged, the stories are by turns magical, hilarious, cozy, and chilling. They offer a fascinating view into Nordic culture and a comforting wintertime listen.
-
-
Really fun
- By Olivia on 10-14-19
By: Chronicle Books
-
Old Peter's Russian Tales
- By: Arthur Ransome
- Narrated by: Greg Wagland
- Length: 7 hrs and 8 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Arthur Ransome (1884-1967) wrote Old Peter's Russian Tales while he was in Russia during the First World War, prior to becoming a war correspondent for The Manchester Guardian. There are 22 stories in all and are told by Old Peter at the behest of his grandchildren, Ivan and Maroosia, in a cozy log cabin in the middle of the forest. These are delightful re-tellings in Ransome's own words of Russian folk tales, and include stories such as "The Little Snow Girl", "Baba Yaga", "Frost", and "Salt".
-
-
Discover these wonderful new stories!
- By CC on 01-04-25
By: Arthur Ransome
-
Botanical Folk Tales of Britain and Ireland
- By: Lisa Schneidau
- Narrated by: Joan Walker
- Length: 4 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The islands of Britain and Ireland hold a rich heritage of plant folklore and wisdom, from the magical yew tree to the bad-tempered dandelion. Here are traditional tales about the trees and plants that shape our landscapes and our lives through the seasons. They explore the complex relationship between people and plants, in lowlands and uplands, fields, bogs, moors, woodlands and towns.
-
-
Wee Folk, Giants and Witches. Oh, My!
- By Amazon Customer on 07-14-21
By: Lisa Schneidau
-
The Celtic Twilight
- By: William Butler Yeats
- Narrated by: Jack Chekijian
- Length: 4 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
One of the best-known collections of W. B. Yeats' prose, The Celtic Twilight explores the old connection between the Irish people and the magical world of fairies. Yeats, by traveling the land in the early 20th century and talking to the common people about their experiences with the creatures, yielded a colorful overview of Celtic fairy folklore.
-
-
A compilation of Irish folklore in prose
- By MolllyT on 07-26-16
-
Lark Rise
- By: Flora Thompson
- Narrated by: Karen Cass
- Length: 9 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Lark Rise is Flora Thompson's childhood memories of a north Oxfordshire village, the people who lived and worked in it, and a way of life that has totally disappeared. The story is built around Laura and her brother Edmund, through whose eyes are seen 'old Sally', whose grandfather built the house she lived in before the enclosure of the heathland, children's games, the interaction of village and gentry, and the way in which the seasons governed life.
-
-
A glimpse...
- By Shananiganians on 05-31-20
By: Flora Thompson
-
Household Tales
- By: The Brothers Grimm
- Narrated by: Kelly Lintz
- Length: 26 hrs and 36 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A collection of German fairy tales first published in 1812 by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, the famous Brothers Grimm. Their most famous tales are instantly recognizeable: "Rumpelstiltskin", "Snow White", "Rapunzel", "Cinderella", "Hansel and Gretel", and "The Frog Prince." The collection is often known today as "Grimms' Fairy Tales".
-
-
Wonderfully read, but most tales not for kids
- By 208 Garner on 08-06-12
-
Grimm's Fairy Tales
- By: Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm
- Narrated by: Charlton Griffin
- Length: 13 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Since their first publication in 1812, Grimm's Fairy Tales have proven to be an enduring feature of Western literature. The stories have been translated into over 100 languages worldwide, and their influence has cast its spell on many film makers, as well. The stories were collected from traditional storytellers from around Germany, usually women, and the motivation to collect them grew out of the wave of romantic nationalism of the early 19th century.
-
-
loved it
- By Frank J. Zaccagnini, Jr. on 09-14-17
By: Jacob Grimm, and others
-
The King of Ireland's Son
- By: Padraic Colum
- Narrated by: Gerard Doyle
- Length: 6 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Celebrated Irish author Padraic Colum dazzled audiences with his retellings of old Gaelic myths. In The King of Ireland's Son, he imbues seven favorite tales from the Emerald Isle with sly humor, whimsy, and imagination.
-
-
👍🏾❣❤️💛💚💙💜💓💞💝💕💘💖💗💟
- By GRamsey-Ray on 08-10-16
By: Padraic Colum
-
Meeting the Other Crowd
- The Fairy Stories of Hidden Ireland
- By: Eddie Lenihan, Carolyn Eve Green
- Narrated by: Roger Clark
- Length: 8 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
"The Other Crowd", "The Good People", "The Wee Folk", and "Them" are a few of the names given to the fairies by the people of Ireland. Honored for their gifts and feared for their wrath, the fairies remind us to respect the world we live in and the forces we cannot see. In these tales of fairy forts, fairy trees, ancient histories, and modern true-life encounters with the Other Crowd, Eddie Lenihan opens our eyes to this invisible world with the passion and bluntness of a seanchai, a true Irish storyteller.
-
-
Fantastic storytelling but.....
- By H.A.G. on 03-30-22
By: Eddie Lenihan, and others
-
The Story of the Treasure Seekers
- By: E. Nesbit
- Narrated by: Simon Prebble
- Length: 5 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
All six Bastable children - Dora, Oswald, Dicky, Alice, Noel and Horace Octavius - are ambitious adventurers, digging detectives and intrepid treasure seekers by nature. Unfortunately, the Bastable family is currently facing an uncertain financial future. When father takes ill, and his business partners abandon him, the six children team up in an effort to restore their family’s wealth. Although they devise some ingenious escapades, their efforts usually end up unprofitable but fun - and sometimes their digging gets downright dangerous.
-
-
Fun and Engaging Book
- By KF on 06-28-17
By: E. Nesbit
-
Gimpel the Fool and Other Stories
- By: Isaac Bashevis Singer
- Narrated by: Theodore Bikel
- Length: 2 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
These 4 stories are infused with the wit and imagination, the humor and wisdom, that characterizes all of Isaac Bashevis Singer's work. Theodore Bikel reads these wise and funny tales in classic Yiddish storyteller cadence, injecting special warmth and resonance. The tales include "Gimpel the Fool," "Esther Kreindel the Second," "The Spinoza of Market Street," and "The Black Wedding."
-
-
Incredible narration
- By Frances on 01-10-19
-
Beasts and Beauty
- Dangerous Tales
- By: Soman Chainani
- Narrated by: Polly Lee
- Length: 6 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Twelve tales, 12 dangerous tales of mystery, magic, and rebellious hearts. Each twists like a spindle to reveal truths full of warning and triumph, truths that free hearts long kept tame, truths that explore life...and death.
-
-
The Book & the Narrator
- By Johnny Morris on 08-19-22
By: Soman Chainani
-
Beautiful Joe
- By: Margaret Marshall Saunders
- Narrated by: John Michaels
- Length: 8 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
First published in 1893 as a children's book to encourage the humane treatment of animals, Beautiful Joe has taken it's place along with Black Beauty, becoming a favorite of several generations of youngsters. Beautiful Joe narrates the story of his mutilation at the hands of a cruel master and the love he finds in the home of a caring family full of kids and animals.
-
-
My Appeeciation
- By Linda Niebanck on 04-28-17
-
My Name Is Resolute
- By: Nancy E. Turner
- Narrated by: Mhairi Morrison
- Length: 25 hrs and 55 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The year is 1729, and Resolute Talbot and her siblings are captured by pirates, taken from their family in Jamaica and brought to the New World. Resolute and her sister are sold into slavery in colonial New England and taught the trade of spinning and weaving. When Resolute finds herself alone in Lexington, Massachusetts, she struggles to find her way in a society that is quick to judge a young woman without a family. As the seeds of rebellion against England grow, Resolute is torn between following the rules and breaking free.
-
-
A life well lived!
- By Anonymous User on 06-20-23
By: Nancy E. Turner
-
Lorna Doone
- By: R. D. Blackmore
- Narrated by: Tim Gerard Reynolds
- Length: 29 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
First published in 1869, Lorna Doone is the story of John Ridd, a farmer who finds love amid the religious and social turmoil of 17th-century England. He is just a boy when his father is slain by the Doones, a lawless clan inhabiting wild Exmoor on the border of Somerset and Devon. Seized by curiosity and a sense of adventure, he makes his way to the valley of the Doones, where he is discovered by the beautiful Lorna.
-
-
LORNA DOONE
- By Lisa on 02-07-19
By: R. D. Blackmore
-
Growth of the Soil
- By: Knut Hamsun, Sverre Lyngstad - translator, Brad Leithauser - introduction
- Narrated by: BJ Harrison
- Length: 15 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Growth of the Soil, Hamsun's Nobel Prize winning novel, is a classic of Scandinavian literature. The farmer Isak scarcely acknowledges the values of modern living. Illiterate but capable of carrying out the business of running a farm, he has physical strength and works with his hands. Although initially amazed by Isak's prowess - his wife Inger, who came into contact with modern society when imprisoned for killing her infant due to its birth defect, return to the home much less impressed by the country life.
-
-
Top of my all time favorites list
- By Pete on 05-17-21
By: Knut Hamsun, and others
-
The Original Folk and Fairy Tales of the Brothers Grimm
- The Complete First Edition
- By: Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm, Jack Zipes - translator/editor
- Narrated by: Joel Richards, Cassandra Campbell
- Length: 19 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm published their Children's and Household Tales in 1812, followed by a second volume in 1815, they had no idea that such stories as "Rapunzel", "Hansel and Gretel", and "Cinderella" would become the most celebrated in the world. Yet few people today are familiar with the majority of tales from the two early volumes, since in the next four decades the Grimms would publish six other editions, each extensively revised in content and style.
-
-
Very good. Here is a tracklist.
- By Elnath Alpheratz on 10-26-19
By: Jacob Grimm, and others
People who viewed this also viewed...
-
A Fine and Private Place
- By: Peter S. Beagle, Neil Gaiman
- Narrated by: Matthew Hendrickson
- Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For nineteen years, Jonathan Rebeck has hidden from the world within the confines of a Bronx’s cemetery, making an abandoned mausoleum his secret home. He speaks with the newly dead as they pass from life to wherever spirits finally go, providing them with comfort, an understanding ear, and even the occasional game of chess. But Mr. Rebeck’s reclusive life is disrupted. An impossible love has blossomed between two ghosts at Yorkchester Cemetery.
-
-
A fine and private place
- By Deedra on 10-18-24
By: Peter S. Beagle, and others
-
Irish Fairy Tales and Folklore
- By: W. B. Yeats
- Narrated by: Ailish Jeffers
- Length: 14 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dive into the enchanting world of Irish folklore in this captivating compendium of fairy tales, songs, and poems compiled and co-written by Nobel Prize-winning Irish wordsmith W. B. Yeats.
By: W. B. Yeats
-
Korean Mythology Collection
- The Stories, Folklore, Fairy Tales, Folktales, and History of Korea
- By: William Elliot Griffis, Im Bang, Yi Ryuk, and others
- Narrated by: James Francis Markert
- Length: 13 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Whether you're a lover of mythology, a student of Korean culture, or simply in search of a mesmerizing listen, this collection offers a treasure trove of stories that have withstood the test of time. Delve into this book and let the magic of Korean mythology enchant you.
-
-
Entertaining and informative
- By S A Smith on 11-14-23
By: William Elliot Griffis, and others
-
Frightful Folklore of North America
- Folk Horror from Greenland to the Panama Canal
- By: Mike Bass
- Narrated by: Oliver Lidert
- Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Tapping into the resurgence of interest in horror and folklore, this contemporary, cool and highly desirable collection of scary North American legends has standout appeal. Discover the original folk horror of North America: over 100 of the most terrifying legends and gruesome folklore that emerged over the centuries in response to this wild continent’s harsh and awesome landscapes and often tragic history.
-
-
Review of The Most Terrifying Legends and Folklore
- By Nik Bear Brown on 02-17-25
By: Mike Bass
-
A Stroke of the Pen
- The Lost Stories
- By: Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman - foreword
- Narrated by: David Tennant, Claire Foy, Steffan Rhodri, and others
- Length: 4 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A delightfully funny, fantastically inventive collection of twenty unearthed short stories by Sir Terry Pratchett, the award-winning and bestselling author and creator of the phenomenally successful Discworld fantasy series. These rediscovered tales were written by Terry Pratchett under a pseudonym for British newspapers during the 1970s and 1980s. The stories have never been attributed to him until now, and might never have been found—were it not for the efforts of a few dedicated fans.
-
-
It's like a preview of the Disc World
- By K Van on 02-23-24
By: Terry Pratchett, and others
-
Lovecraft's Monsters
- By: Neil Gaiman, Ellen Datlow - editor
- Narrated by: Bernard Clark
- Length: 15 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Prepare to meet the wicked progeny of the master of modern horror. In Lovecraft's Monsters, H. P. Lovecraft's most famous creations--Cthulhu, Shoggoths, Deep Ones, Elder Things, Yog-Sothoth, and more--appear in all their terrifying glory. Each story is a gripping new take on a classic Lovecraftian creature. Contributors include such literary luminaries as Neil Gaiman, Joe R. Lansdale, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Karl Edward Wagner, Elizabeth Bear, and Nick Mamatas.
-
-
PURPLE WARMTH
- By Jim "The Impatient" on 02-04-17
By: Neil Gaiman, and others
-
A Fine and Private Place
- By: Peter S. Beagle, Neil Gaiman
- Narrated by: Matthew Hendrickson
- Length: 10 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
For nineteen years, Jonathan Rebeck has hidden from the world within the confines of a Bronx’s cemetery, making an abandoned mausoleum his secret home. He speaks with the newly dead as they pass from life to wherever spirits finally go, providing them with comfort, an understanding ear, and even the occasional game of chess. But Mr. Rebeck’s reclusive life is disrupted. An impossible love has blossomed between two ghosts at Yorkchester Cemetery.
-
-
A fine and private place
- By Deedra on 10-18-24
By: Peter S. Beagle, and others
-
Irish Fairy Tales and Folklore
- By: W. B. Yeats
- Narrated by: Ailish Jeffers
- Length: 14 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dive into the enchanting world of Irish folklore in this captivating compendium of fairy tales, songs, and poems compiled and co-written by Nobel Prize-winning Irish wordsmith W. B. Yeats.
By: W. B. Yeats
-
Korean Mythology Collection
- The Stories, Folklore, Fairy Tales, Folktales, and History of Korea
- By: William Elliot Griffis, Im Bang, Yi Ryuk, and others
- Narrated by: James Francis Markert
- Length: 13 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Whether you're a lover of mythology, a student of Korean culture, or simply in search of a mesmerizing listen, this collection offers a treasure trove of stories that have withstood the test of time. Delve into this book and let the magic of Korean mythology enchant you.
-
-
Entertaining and informative
- By S A Smith on 11-14-23
By: William Elliot Griffis, and others
-
Frightful Folklore of North America
- Folk Horror from Greenland to the Panama Canal
- By: Mike Bass
- Narrated by: Oliver Lidert
- Length: 6 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Tapping into the resurgence of interest in horror and folklore, this contemporary, cool and highly desirable collection of scary North American legends has standout appeal. Discover the original folk horror of North America: over 100 of the most terrifying legends and gruesome folklore that emerged over the centuries in response to this wild continent’s harsh and awesome landscapes and often tragic history.
-
-
Review of The Most Terrifying Legends and Folklore
- By Nik Bear Brown on 02-17-25
By: Mike Bass
-
A Stroke of the Pen
- The Lost Stories
- By: Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman - foreword
- Narrated by: David Tennant, Claire Foy, Steffan Rhodri, and others
- Length: 4 hrs and 35 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A delightfully funny, fantastically inventive collection of twenty unearthed short stories by Sir Terry Pratchett, the award-winning and bestselling author and creator of the phenomenally successful Discworld fantasy series. These rediscovered tales were written by Terry Pratchett under a pseudonym for British newspapers during the 1970s and 1980s. The stories have never been attributed to him until now, and might never have been found—were it not for the efforts of a few dedicated fans.
-
-
It's like a preview of the Disc World
- By K Van on 02-23-24
By: Terry Pratchett, and others
-
Lovecraft's Monsters
- By: Neil Gaiman, Ellen Datlow - editor
- Narrated by: Bernard Clark
- Length: 15 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Prepare to meet the wicked progeny of the master of modern horror. In Lovecraft's Monsters, H. P. Lovecraft's most famous creations--Cthulhu, Shoggoths, Deep Ones, Elder Things, Yog-Sothoth, and more--appear in all their terrifying glory. Each story is a gripping new take on a classic Lovecraftian creature. Contributors include such literary luminaries as Neil Gaiman, Joe R. Lansdale, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Karl Edward Wagner, Elizabeth Bear, and Nick Mamatas.
-
-
PURPLE WARMTH
- By Jim "The Impatient" on 02-04-17
By: Neil Gaiman, and others
What listeners say about The Watkins Book of English Folktales
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Christina
- 12-27-23
Some of the tales are very interesting.
Some of the tales are really interesting, some are utter nonsense. the research bits are... well, dull. I'm glad I read this, but would hesitate to do so again.
and skip the introduction of you do. I thought it might get better. it did not.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Del R.
- 06-16-24
Difficult to Differentiate Characters
There was too much emphasis on characterizing the different narrators that provided the stories in the collection that it was nearly impossible to tell the characters apart within the tales themselves.
I can see the value as a collection of stories, but it was possibly the worst audiobook I have listened to. Stick to the text version if you're able to.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!