PJ Library Presents: Have I Got A Story For You!

Audiobook: Never Too Quiet

Chag Sameach, it's a Sukkot surprise! This week we're changing things up with an audiobook. If you would like more audiobooks mixed in with your Have I Got a Story For You folktales, drop us a line at gotastorypodcast.com/contact.

 

Credits:

Never Too Quiet, written by Barbara Diamond Goldin and illustrated by Amanda Hall, is published by PJ Publishing.
Audiobook narration by Kristofer Jenson
Editing by Alli Thresher

 

023: The Clever Thief

A nacho-loving piglet, a very formal rooster, and a jingle-writing lion all take center stage in this week's episode. Rita Toomey is at home enjoying a mid-afternoon snack when an unexpected visitor arrives. Piglet regales Rita, and listeners, with an updated take on a midrash that reminds us all: no one is perfect (and that's okay).

Episode Credits

Have I Got a Story For You is a production of PJ Library

Executive producers: Meredith Lewis, Alli Thresher
Director: Alli Thresher
Additional production: Craig Rossein
Website design: Christina Rizer
Audio editing, mixing and mastering: Peter Moore
Score: Peter Moore
Recorded at Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA.
Cover art: Barb Bastian
Story editor: Alan Silberberg
Written by: Petey Gibson

Cast:

Narrator, Rita Toomey: Madelaine Ripley
Piglet: Gwen D'Angelo
Rooster: Tau Zaman of the Whisper Forge
King Lion: Walter Alice Sickert
The Chickens: Deirdre Wade
Monkey: Peter Moore

Listen Again: Talking With Kids About God

Our recent episode, Carly's Cupcakes, is a story of kindness, community, and cupcakes. And it also inspired a couple of listener questions about God. This "mix" features answers to listener questions, a re-listen to Carly's Cupcakes, as well as tips from our special guest, Rabbi Avi Killip, about talking with your children about God, no matter what you believe. 

Mini Minisode 2: Why Do We Eat Pomegranates On Rosh Hashanah?

It's time for another mini minisode. Today, trusty engineer Al, is on hand to answer a listener question from Tali. Take a listen to learn more about the tradition of eating pomegranates on Rosh Hashanah. 

Check out PJ Library's free digital and print-at-home guide for the High Holidays at pjlibrary.org/highholidays.

Mini Minisode 1: Why Do We Celebrate Rosh Hashanah?

Welcome to the first mini mini-sode of Have I Got a Story For You! This week a special guest from a recent episode is here to answer a listener question. 

Eden wants to know: "Why do we celebrate Rosh Hashanah?" Listen along to learn. 
And if your family is looking for help celebrating the High Holidays at home this year, visit pjlibrary.org/HighHolidays for a free digital guide and print at home resources.

022: Carly's Cupcakes

Carly makes beautiful, delicious, inventive, cupcakes in her bakery. Carlotta keeps the synagogue running and dreams of trying one of Carly's cupcakes, but doesn't have the money to splurge on sweet treats. When the two cross paths, a sweet tale of tzedakah and community begins. 

Want to experiment with cupcake flavors and cupcake baking? Visit gotastorypodcast.com for a special "short-cut cupcake" recipe that's easy to customize.

Episode Credits

Have I Got a Story For You is a production of PJ Library

Executive producers: Meredith Lewis, Alli Thresher
Director: Alli Thresher
Additional production: Craig Rossein
Website design: Christina Rizer
Audio editing, mixing and mastering: Peter Moore
Score: Peter Moore
Recorded at Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA.
Cover art: Barb Bastian
Original story, Carly's Cupcakes by Naomi Shulman
Podcast episode written by Jan Schwaid

Cast:

Narrator, Rita Toomey: Madelaine Ripley
Carly: Gwen D'Angelo
Carlotta: Deirdre Wade
Rabbi Naomi: Jennifer Kenneally
Carlotta's Children: Danielle Geist and Payton James Osborne

020: Tali Under the Table

Have you ever felt as ornery as an ostrich? Or as prickly as a porcupine? In a very special episode, Rita Toomey reads the book Tali Under the Table, written by Tamar Weiss-Gabbay. 

 

When Tali is angry and refuses to join everyone seated at the table for lunch at Grandma’s, her cousin Shira knows exactly what to do: she joins Tali under the table, and slowly leads her back to the family gathering in this story inspired by Rabbi Nachman of Breslov’s, The Turkey Prince.

 

Tali Under the Table, a Sifriyat Pijama selection, was written by Tamar Weiss-Gabay and translated in to English by Shira Atik. Learn more at gotastorypodcast.com.

 

Cast:

Narrator, Rita Toomey: Madelaine Ripley
Tali: Wednesday Alice
Shira: Danielle Geist
Savta, Ima: Deirdre Wade
Saba, Cousin: Rich Wentworth
David, Abba: Walter Sickert 

021: Og Goes Rogue

Meet Og the Giant! He's a former king of Bashan, obsessed with bagels, and on a mission to rescue some animals--with the help of his new friend Dr. Noa and Rita Toomey. 

Grab your fanny pack, a box of egg matzah, and some comfy sandals as the Have I Got a Story For You team does a mitzvah -- saving animals!

Learn more at gotastorypodcast.com.

Episode Notes

Episode Credits

Have I Got a Story For You is a production of PJ Library

Executive producers: Meredith Lewis, Alli Thresher
Director: Alli Thresher
Additional production: Craig Rossein
Website design: Christina Rizer
Audio editing, mixing and mastering: Peter Moore
Score: Peter Moore
Recorded at Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA.
Cover art: Barb Bastian
Original story by: Joshua Chefitz
Story editor: Alan Silberberg

Cast:

Narrator, Rita Toomey: Madelaine Ripley
Dr. Noa: Gwen D'Angelo
Og: Walter Sickert
Shari (Kid caller): Audrey Wentworth
Larry (grown up caller); Dad Tourist; Boat Captain: Rich Wentworth
Special thanks to our "Kids on Liberty Island Ensemble:" Audrey, Henry, Wednesday, and Bowie. 

019: The Sweetest Sound

What is the sweetest sound in the world? A perfectly tuned harp? A 25 piece klezmer band? A local scream-grind sensation? Join Rita and world famous rockers Kreplach Riot, as they search for the perfect opening act. Will they find it? Or will picky front-man Mendelsohn and a small bout of "hanger" break up the band?

 

Episode Credits

Have I Got a Story For You is a production of PJ Library

Executive producers: Meredith Lewis, Alli Thresher
Additional production: Craig Rossein
Website design: Christina Rizer
Audio editing, mixing and mastering: Peter Moore
Score: Peter Moore
Recorded remotely
Mixed at Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA.
Cover art: Barb Bastian
Story editor: Alan Silberberg
This episode was written by Jan Schwaid

Cast:

Narrator, Rita Toomey: Madelaine Ripley
Mendelsohn: Tau Zaman of The Whisper Forge
Loretta: Jen Kenneally
Max: Kristofer Jenson
Kazoo Player, Klezmaniac Magee Front-person: Payton James
Minyan Makers Band leader, Harpist, Haverton Symphony Conductor: Rich Wentworth
The Pizza Guy: Peter Moore

018: The People Vs The Wind

The residents of Haverton are furious -- the wind is messing up all of their plans and ruining everyone's day! From lost balloons to spoiled cakes to popped kick balls, the townspeople want justice, and that's where Rita Toomey and Judge Solomon come in.

This episode is based on a King Solomon story -- learn more at gotastorypodcast.com.

Episode Credits

Have I Got a Story For You is a production of PJ Library

Executive producers: Meredith Lewis, Alli Thresher
Director: Alli Thresher
Additional production: Craig Rossein
Website design: Christina Rizer
Audio editing, mixing and mastering: Peter Moore
Score: Peter Moore
Recorded at Palace of Purpose Studios in Malden, MA.
Cover art: Barb Bastian
Story editor: Alan Silberberg
This episode was written by Jan Schwaid

Cast:

Narrator, Rita Toomey: Madelaine Ripley
Judge Solomon: Tau Zaman of The Whisper Forge
Justine Hazelworth: Jen Kenneally
Michael: Payton James
Little Leah: Wednesday Alice
Arlo Sumpkin: Rich Wentworth
Peter Grossbaum: Kristofer Jenson
The Sailor: Walter Alice Sickert