The Velveteen Rabbit

When a young boy gets a beautiful velveteen rabbit for a gift, he plays with his new toy for a while, but in all the excitement of opening presents, he forgets about it. But only temporarily. How the rabbit comes to be loved by the boy and finally comes to life is a classic story that has been read and cherished by many generations of children and their parents.

ISBN: 0312377509

PlainTales Comments: Michael Hague provides a wonderfully illustrated complement to the PlainTales unabridged recording of The Velveteen Rabbit.

Jack and the Beanstalk

Join young Jack as he climbs a giant beanstalk to a magic castle in the clouds. Meet a hen that lays golden eggs and a harp that sings by itself. And don’t forget the ogre. A classic fairy tale with a vigorous look that will leave you chanting “Fee-fi-fo-fum!”

ISBN: 0688152813

PlainTales Comments: This wonderfully illustrated version of Jack and the Beanstalk makes a great complement to the PlainTales title Jack and the Beanstalk and Other Classic Fairy Tales.

Hansel and Gretel

The first Grimm tale illustrated by 1998 Caldecott medalist Paul O. Zelinsky is once again available in hardcover. Originally published in 1984, Zelinsky’s paintings for Hansel and Gretel are as compelling as his later work and will captivate readers with their mysterious beauty, emotional power, and brilliant originality. Each spread brings to life a world as rich and real as our own—detailed, colorful, sensual—yet filled with the unearthly shadowed magic of the Hansel and Gretel folktale. Whether portraying the fear and anguish of children abandoned by their parents, the delicious sumptuousness of a candy house, or the joy of being reunited with one’s family, the artist captures the subtle nuances of emotion and the tactile quality of the physical world with exquisite accuracy and elegance. The hauntingly spare retelling of this perennial favorite by the poet Rika Lesser perfectly complements the vivid storytelling of Zelinsky’s artwork. Once again this gifted artist gives us a unique interpretation of a beloved fairy tale, allowing us to both see it anew and rediscover its eternal truths.

ISBN: 0525461523

PlainTales Comments: Fans of the PlainTales title Hansel and Gretel and Other Tales by the Brothers Grimm will enjoy the wonderful illustrations and thoughtful retelling in this version of Hansel and Gretel.

The McElderry Book of Greek Myths

Walk among the gods and goddesses, men and monsters, in this enchanting volume of classic Greek myths! Here are twelve of the most beloved legends of Greek mythology, from Pandora and her dreaded box to Icarus with his wings of wax, and, of course, that greedy, gold-fingered King Midas. Vibrant art adds a fresh twist to this collection, giving today’s readers their own version of these timeless tales.

Eric A. Kimmel brings these adventures to life with language that is colloquial and easy to read. Pep Monserrat breathes beautiful modern colors and style into his paintings, even as he reinvents images from classical antiquity. Together they’ve created a masterpiece of mythology, perfect for young readers.

ISBN: 1416915346

PlainTales Comments: Getting the Greek myths right for younger children can be a challenge. We’ve found that it’s hard to strike the right balance between simplifying them too much and leaving in too much of the often very adult themes and violence found in the original stories. This collection does an excellent job in striking the right balance. PlainTales will be releasing our retold audio collection of Greek myths in the near future.

Aesop’s Fables

Now available in a sleek paperback format, this acclaimed collection of gloriously illustrated retellings brings ancient Greece back to life. Saviour Pirotta lends his warm and lively style to a mixture of familiar and lesser-known fables that are perfect for reading aloud to young children. Aesop himself narrates, providing context for the eight selected tales. Full of engaging text, lively artwork, and reliable morals, this collection of timeless stories will remain relevant for a new generation of readers.

ISBN: 0753461331

PlainTales Comments: The tales in this version of Aesop’s Fables are a little longer than typical which can be a good thing for younger readers because it gives them more opportunity to get into the story, this is particularly true with audio recordings of these stories. Look for PlainTales to release our own retold Aesop’s Fables in the near future.

PlainTales Launches New Lines of Storytelling CDs for Kids

Where to Find Great Storytelling? It’s “Plain” to See as PlainTales Launches Two New Lines of Entertaining, Enthralling, Thrilling Stories on CD

PlainTales First Tales and PlainTales Explorers Available on CD March 10, 2009

DES MOINES, IA–(Marketwire – February 12, 2009) – With families always on the go go go, time for sharing stories with your children is going, going, almost gone! But the experience doesn’t have to be lost, thanks to the PlainTales series, which offers classic stories on CDs that can be played on any player, any time (goodbye long, boring trips this spring break!). The series is now expanding with the release of new collections, PlainTales First Tales and PlainTales Explorers, available on CD March 10, 2009.

PlainTales, created by writer, entrepreneur and father Brian Keairns, was started with the mission of providing great audio stories for children and their parents, believing that hearing the world’s best stories read aloud is a great way for youngsters to develop language and thinking skills, all while being thoroughly entertained. Fables, fairy tales and original stories inspire, educate and encourage creative thinking, and the ones featured in the PlainTales series are chosen for their rich language, cultural significance and pure enjoyment, allowing families to share something special, together.

The PlainTales First Tales collection includes:
– “The Gingerbread Boy and Other First Tales” — Perfect for the
littlest listener. R/T: 48 minutes.
– “Paul Bunyan and Other American Tall Tales” — Three rib-tickling
stories. R/T: 60 min.

The PlainTales Explorers collection includes:
– “Animal Tales: Raccoon, Bear and Coyote” — These stories about
fictional friends are rich with detail about real animal behaviors. R/T: 48
minutes
– “Johnny Appleseed and Other American Legends” — Fascinating stories
of national treasures. R/T: 67 minutes

Previous releases in the PlainTales collection of celebrated storytelling CDs include PlainTales Classics, Fantasy Classics, Literary Classics and Adventure Classics. PlainTales storytelling CDs are recommended for ages 4-10 and are available for $12.95 each. To order, visit www.plaintales.com.

Contact:
Andrea Blain
Andrea Blain Public Relations
Email Contact
847-933-9884

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