To celebrate the summer solstice I found a couple of old poems about joy and summer, and my favourite number - seven! The first poem is called "Laughing Song" ad was written by the incredible William Blake. The second poem was written by Jean Ingelow and is called Seven Times One. There are, in fact, seven poems called Seven Times by Jean Ingelow, …

Hello story fans! Sorry it's been a while. I had to go and visit my mum in England, and she is doing great. My mum would read and tell my brother and me stories all the time when we were kids. Before our dad left he would also tell stories, and when he was visiting us when our son was little and my dad was reading to my son, I realized where I get …

After realizing (thanks to a friend) that I posted the wrong episode, I have corrected that. This is in fact the correct episode featuring Fly Eagle, Fly and the two poems as promised! Yesterday was National Tea Day, in Britain, but today is Earth Day and to celebrate I am sharing some nature work - an old African story, and two poems about spring …

When I first moved to the States, my wife (then fiancée) and I moved in with my cousin Heidi and her husband Ken, just outside of Portland, Oregon. It was a lot of fun living with them for the short time we were there before finding our own place. Heidi is brilliant, and Ken loves nature and has all sorts of 'witticisms', like drool whip for whippe…

Today's episode of Lindyline opens with a walk in the woods with Moe, and meeting three crows and a bear. This is followed by a folk tale from Punjab in India. The story is about a woodcutter and a chef and how a bear comes to dinner to share in a stew, or curry called chana masala. If, afterwards, you are hungry, here is the recipe for how I make …

This episode needs a trigger warning, as it does mention that the child’s parents die at the beginning. But don’t worry, she makes it in the end. I used to tell this story quite a bit, but stopped for some reason. I really like it, so I began to revisit the story. Here it is for your benefit and enjoyment, I hope. I am sure as I tell it more and mo…

A new episode of Lindyline with a new retelling/recording of the Irish tale, One Wish! If you could have a wish, what would it be? Now be careful, with wishes there's consequences! Maybe make a list of things, steps to make that wish happen! I hope this warms you on this chilly (at least here in New London, NH) afternoon. Peace, Simon…

I have always loved good illustrations in books for kids. Whether it's Arthur Rackham, H. E. Shepard in The Wind in the Willows or Winnie-the-Pooh, ANYTHING by Trina Schart-Hyman, the work of Raymond Briggs, Li Ming, Gary Blythe, Laura Freeman, Paul Hess, Dave McKean, Uri Shulevitz, Avi, Shel Silverstein, A.G. Ford, Aaron Becker, Kadir Nelson (very…

Happy 2023! It's cold here in New Hampshire right now! -11 degrees C, which is about 10 degrees F. Moe and I took a very short walk this morning because it was so cold. The main story I am telling today was collected in Turkey by Dr. by Dr. Ignácz Kunos and first published in 1896, before my grandad was born. It's about a turban which can make peop…

The last episode of 2022, and here, after a huge snow storm, Moe and I visit the woods and build a snow person. Afterwards is a story from Wales called The Pot o' Brains about a chap who needs to find one! Thank you for being a listener, and for supporting storytelling and my craft. Happy Holidays, however you celebrate! Peace, Simon…

As you know, I love the woods, as does Moe. I have always loved walking through trees and forests and have been known to occasionally hug trees! When I first read "The Giving Tree" I was horrified. I love Shel Silverstein and couldn't believe he had written a book about a boy so selfish as the boy in that story. I wondered if I didn't get it. I kno…

Hi Everyone! It's a new Lindyline, Bedtime Tales Episode. This episode contains a couple of things I have written; one I wrote a while back when my kids were small, and the other is a poem I wrote not long ago. Fever and Speed are two rabbits I once knew and they told me this tale. And a good friend of mine, Laura Simms, sent me some poems by her n…

I tell a variation of the "Three Golden Hairs", an Austrian variant which I love. But there is something I really like about Grimm's tale 29, too. As I say on this podcast, there is some debate about the devil in Grimm's version. Some folks, myself included, tend to think the character portrayed as the devil is more ogre than devil. So in this rete…

Growing up, my Mum read to me from a very old book, that was falling apart called 'The Just So Stories' which I loved. This is one of those stories, and is followed by a couple of Lear's limericks. Try making a limerick, yourself! All the best, stay well. SimonBy smilinsimon

An original children's story, set at sea with my son and me. When a cousin lets us borrow her sail boat on the Gulf Coast, we find the unexpected on a small island. With a couple of activity suggestions at the end. (Warning - sharp teeth included in this story.) I hope you enjoy! Peace, SimonBy smilinsimon

I love silly stories, and nonsense tales. In this episode of Lindyline, you will hear Edward Lear's "The Jumblies" and a more serious folk tale from Russia about Raven and Owl. I hope you enjoy these bedtime stories. SimonBy smilinsimon

An original story written and told by Simon Brooks. A sci-fi adventure for kids in six chapters, these being chapters five and six! If you have not yet heard the previous chapters, please visit the two previous episodes before listening to these two final chapters! In which farmer Caractacus and his cow Abby help the alien mice from their plight! B…

An original story written and told by Simon Brooks. A kid's sci-fi adventure in six chapters, this being chapters three and four. If you have not yet heard chapters one and two, I suggest going back to the previous episode then come back here! Caractacus the farmer and his cow Abby are given a mission by alien mice! The concluding episodes and chap…

An original story written and told by Simon Brooks! A kid's sci-fi adventure in six parts, this being parts one and two! In which a lazy farmer called Caractacus, and his cow called Abby are abducted by alien mice! Parts three and four out tomorrow!By smilinsimon

This is a story about nightmares, and how a couple of kids helped their younger brother get over them with the help of a couple of creatures called Elf and Drew! This is an original story, penned the first time prior to 2005 for a nephew who was having bad dream, nightmares, and doubts! It helped him. He is now 29 and thriving in Texas as an engine…

You may know I love walking my dog, Moe, and that I also like to take my camera on walks! It is not unusual that something will pop out at me, a set of tree roots, a flower, some sort of formation in a rock, and a story begins to seed itself in my head. I have been using some of these seeds for part of Story Story Podcast when I co-host, but I am a…

As I change the format of this podcast, I will be sharing original stories, and classic tales and rhymes. This will be a children's show for all ages. Once Upon A Handkerchief is a story which grew from the title sentence all by itself like a flower. Imagine a handkerchief with an embroidered butterfly, sitting covered in dust in an antique shop. A…

It wraps up here! Will the mythical creatures be reunited after the youngest goes missing? Will the sisters save the day? What will happen to the Land of Lindyline? Will the thoughtless and wicked King Boris and his equally devious and idiotic brother Prince Harold rule over Lindyline? It all comes together here. Episode 11, chapters 46 - 51. Lindy…

The penultimate episode of Lindyline! The Big Battle is about to take place. Will Lindyline be defeatted by the big bullies of Birchwood? Will the mythical creatures be okay? Will the king and queen of Lindyline be reunited with their daughters? Listen to episode 10, chapters 43 through 46 and find out! Lindyline, an original story written and told…

Things are really hotting up. The mists are thick and hard to see through. Although the sisters are reunited, it is only briefly, before the apple cart is upset once more. Episode Nine, chapters 39 - 42 of this original fantasy story by Simon Brooks. A fantasy story for young people, with a couple of royal sisters, a few knights, giants, a hunter t…

People gather, suspicions are raised. And where's the toilet? Lindyline, a high adventure, fantasy story about two royal sisters trying to save three mythical beasts, thought to be the last of their kind. Sharing their journey is the a hunter they're not sure they can trust, a soldier who they probably can, and a witch and wizard who might be too o…

Our heroes split up, Micklesmas gets freaked out when he hears voices in his head, and we meet some old friends of the wizard - Elves! The armies mass. Lindyline, Episode 7, chapters 30-33 A fantasy story for young people, with a couple of royal sisters, a few knights, giants, a hunter tracking down mythical creatures, skulduggery, and battles! And…

Sister rescues sister with surprise attacks, escapes and compassion. But is the Hunter duplicitous (some might say double crossing)? Lindyline, Episode 6, chapters 26-29 A fantasy story for young people, with a couple of royal sisters, a few knights, giants, a hunter tracking down mythical creatures, skulduggery, and battles! And, yes, I break the …

As the adventure of Lindyline continues, we find people fighting, or trying to fight in their pajamas, the young royals join the fight, we find a chicken that talks, flying carpets and a young lady gets her sword. Join us for Episode 5, chapters 20-25. A fantasy story for young people, with a couple of royal sisters, a few knights, giants, a hunter…

The plot thickens! Will war break out? King accuses the fay that they stole his daughter; the fay accuse the king for burning down their sacred oak and stealing the Golden Harp. A fantasy story for young people, with a couple of royal sisters, a few knights, giants, a hunter tracking down mythical creatures, skulduggery, and battles! And, yes, the …

Chapters 12-15 of Lindyline. In which a trap is set with misinformation, a royal girl goes missing, and a sword is made. A Hunter is chasing after three mythical creatures, the only ones left. Two sisters, young royals, try to save these creatures. A high adventure, fantasy with elven folk, giants, witches and wizards, plot turns and twists ideal f…

Episode 2 of Lindyline, chapters 6-11. A Hunter is chasing after three mythical creatures, the only ones left. Two sisters, young royals, try to save these creatures.A high adventure, fantasy with elven folk, giants, witches and wizards, plot turns and twists ideal for young people. In this episode, we find the Hunter heading to the city and two sp…

A Hunter is chasing after three mythical creatures, the only ones left. Two sisters, young royals, try to save these creatures. A high adventure, fantasy with elven folk, giants, witches and wizards, plot turns and twists ideal for young people.By smilinsimon