Denzel Washington reads this larger-than-life tale about the African-American hero who was born with a hammer in his hand. Join John Henry on a scenic journey from cotton country to the wilderness, where he finds men of all colors working together to build a great railroad. In no time, John Henry becomes king of the railroad camps by driving more steel than any man alive. And, in an exciting contest that pits man against machine, he single-handedly out-performs a new-fangled steam drill.

Read by actor Michael Caine with original music by Ellis Marsalis and featuring cellist Yo-Yo Ma. One day, King Midas sees a beautiful butterfly illuminated by the golden light of the afternoon sun. He is so taken with it that he wishes for the power to turn all things he touches into gold. But when a strange messenger arrives in a chariot and grants him this desire, King Midas soon comes to realize that there are some things in life more precious than gold.

In this comic retelling, young Jack foolishly sells his family's cow for a handful of magical beans. Overnight, they grow into a beanstalk that reaches up beyond the blue sky itself, leading Jack into a hilarious series of misadventures with a dimwitted ogre and his extra-large spouse.

Big as a mountain and stronger than a grizzly bear, Paul Bunyan was the greatest lumberjack ever to swagger through the North American forests. All the larger-than-life characters in Paul's supporting cast are here, including Babe the Blue Ox, eating her ton of grain a day, and Hotbiscuit Sally, with her acre-and-a-half griddle. The outrageous adventures of this quintessential American hero represent the very best in the proud tradition of American storytelling.

Long ago in Russia, a proclamation went out through all the land that whosoever could build a flying ship would win the hand of the Tsar's daughter. But when a country bumpkin and his oddball crew of extraordinary friends show up to claim her, the Tsar quickly has second thoughts. Robin Williams is hilarious as he narrates this retelling of a fantastical Russian folktale.

Actress Emma Thompson narrates this story, which is based on an 18th-century French fairy tale. In this magically romantic book, a young prince befriends an enchanted cat-queen. She provides him with the rarities requested by his father, in a series of increasingly difficult challenges to win his kingdom. Their affection for each other blossoms into love, and the prince helps break the spell that an evil gnome has cast over the white cat. Musical accompaniment is by Joe Jackson.

Hop on board the biggest ship ever built and hold on tight for the story of Captain Stormalong, the saltiest sailor to sail the seven seas. Actor John Candy narrates the tallest fish tale any landlubber has ever heard, and your family will be hooked on this hilarious tribute to American's Golden Age of Sail. An original score by NRBQ compliments this hilarious telling. Ages four and up. Part of the award-winning Rabbit Ears series, American Heroes and Legends.

Deep in the rain forests of the Amazon jungle, a village of very lazy people wishes to do nothing but lie in their hammocks and think great thoughts. One day, a mysterious man arrives who is able to create monkeys that do absolutely everything for them. Soon, the monkeys multiply and take on every human activity - including complaining.

In this hilarious southern folktale, mean old Boss Lion threatens the peaceful folk of Brer Village, and Brer Rabbit is forced to teach the carnivorous trouble-maker a lesson he'll never forget. Brer Rabbit outsmarts the baddest fella in the forest, then saunters back to town as the local hero. Actor Danny Glover narrates this witty, playful adaptation, perfectly complemented by gritty bayou blues by Dr. John. It is just the kind of fun your family will enjoy again and again.

In ancient Japan, a peasant couple discovers a little boy inside a giant peach. Momotaro, the Peachboy, grows up to become a courageous hero who vanquishes forever the evil band of ogres who have been tormenting his people. In this wonderful tale, narrated by actress Sigourney Weaver, good triumphs over evil, life overcomes death, and nature flourishes in the face of destruction.

In this Italian children's classic, a lonely toymaker named Gepetto creates a small wooden puppet who magically comes to life. In a series of mischievous adventures, Pinocchio thinks he can get by on a variety of clever lies and tricks. There is one problem: his nose grows every time he tells a lie. One way or another, the truth always comes out, and Pinocchio finds out that lying does not pay.

Claude, the youngest son of a miller, feels short-changed when his dearly departed father leaves him nothing more than a retired tomcat. However, when Claude decides to do away with his feline inheritance, the cat devises a clever plan to save his own skin by promising to transform his dim-witted owner into a noble prince.

Discover the moving, true story of the Native American named Squanto, who is captured from his beloved Pawtuxet tribe, taken to Spain, and sold into slavery. Years later, Squanto regains his freedom and embarks on a miraculous journey back to his homeland where he teaches the Pilgrims how to survive the difficult early years in the Plymouth colony - culminating in the first Thanksgiving celebration.

Anjelica Huston narrates this haunting early American tale from Washington Irving following the likable but lazy Rip Van Winkle into the mysterious Catskill Mountains. There he meets a band of odd fellows playing a game of ninepins. After sharing a flagon of strange brew, Rip falls into a deep sleep for 20 years. When he wakes up, he finds that his home is a very different place indeed. This story is a wonderful reminder about making the most of your life.

Crockett is the ultimate American backwoods legend. Actor Nicolas Cage narrates this lively tale, which follows the original ring-tailed roarer of the western woods through a series of outlandish adventures, including his campaign for Congress and the Battle of the Alamo, where he literally brags himself into American history.

It seems animals are like people in many ways--they just can’t get along with one another. And Brer Rabbit has the most trouble of all. Maybe it’s his mischievous ways, or maybe it’s because adventures always come looking for him. There was the frightening day that Brer Rabbit found himself attached to a baby made of sticky tar. Brer Fox would have had a tasty barbecue that evening if Brer Rabbit hadn’t been such a quick thinker. Then there was the time Mr. Man finally caught Brer Rabbit in the garden.

In this hilarious southern folktale, mean old Boss Lion threatens the peaceful folk of Brer Village, and Brer Rabbit is forced to teach the carnivorous trouble-maker a lesson he'll never forget. Brer Rabbit outsmarts the baddest fella in the forest, then saunters back to town as the local hero. Actor Danny Glover narrates this witty, playful adaptation, perfectly complemented by gritty bayou blues by Dr. John. It is just the kind of fun your family will enjoy again and again.

Your entire family will enjoy the inspiring story of David, a young shepherd boy armed only with a slingshot - and the power of faith - who miraculously saves his people from the Philistine giant Goliath. The Philistine champion is unlike anything the Israelite soldiers have ever seen. When David sees the Israelites' fearfulness, he is angered. "Who is that Philistine that he dare defy the armies of the Lord God?" he asks the trembling soldiers.

Big as a mountain and stronger than a grizzly bear, Paul Bunyan was the greatest lumberjack ever to swagger through the North American forests. All the larger-than-life characters in Paul's supporting cast are here, including Babe the Blue Ox, eating her ton of grain a day, and Hotbiscuit Sally, with her acre-and-a-half griddle. The outrageous adventures of this quintessential American hero represent the very best in the proud tradition of American storytelling.

Discover the moving, true story of the Native American named Squanto, who is captured from his beloved Pawtuxet tribe, taken to Spain, and sold into slavery. Years later, Squanto regains his freedom and embarks on a miraculous journey back to his homeland where he teaches the Pilgrims how to survive the difficult early years in the Plymouth colony - culminating in the first Thanksgiving celebration.

Working at a plantation in his youth, Joel Chandler Harris found that much of his shyness disappeared in the slave QTLYters, and his background as the illegitimate son of an Irish immigrant helped fuse a close bond with the slaves. The language of his new friends and the African-American animal tales they shared later became the inspiration for Joel’s beloved Uncle Remus stories.

Actress Emma Thompson narrates this story, which is based on an 18th-century French fairy tale. In this magically romantic book, a young prince befriends an enchanted cat-queen. She provides him with the rarities requested by his father, in a series of increasingly difficult challenges to win his kingdom. Their affection for each other blossoms into love, and the prince helps break the spell that an evil gnome has cast over the white cat. Musical accompaniment is by Joe Jackson.

Take a rollicking ride through the Wild, Wild West with the original cowboy, Pecos Bill. Raised by coyotes to brave the great frontier, Pecos rides his wild mustang Widow-Maker and invents the first rough-and-tumble cattle drive. Then he mounts a runaway cyclone like a buckin' bronco to create the Great Salt Lake.

Long ago in Russia, a proclamation went out through all the land that whosoever could build a flying ship would win the hand of the Tsar's daughter. But when a country bumpkin and his oddball crew of extraordinary friends show up to claim her, the Tsar quickly has second thoughts. Robin Williams is hilarious as he narrates this retelling of a fantastical Russian folktale.

Actress Glenn Close narrates this story, accompanied by original music by Mark Isham. The Emperor and his court in ancient China discover a little grey bird with an enchanting song. But when the Emperor is presented with a jewel-encrusted, artificial singing bird, he banishes the nightingale from his court. Years later, he realizes that the song of the real nightingale is the true treasure.

Actress Jodie Foster narrates this classic from the Brothers Grimm. One day, a poor fisherman catches and then frees an enchanted flounder who is able to grant any wish imaginable. A simple man without pretensions, the fisherman would rather leave well enough alone. But his wife's greed forces the fisherman to return to the flounder time after time until it is too late.

Read by actor Michael Caine with original music by Ellis Marsalis and featuring cellist Yo-Yo Ma. One day, King Midas sees a beautiful butterfly illuminated by the golden light of the afternoon sun. He is so taken with it that he wishes for the power to turn all things he touches into gold. But when a strange messenger arrives in a chariot and grants him this desire, King Midas soon comes to realize that there are some things in life more precious than gold.

"Nights with Uncle Remus" by Joel Chandler Harris is a collection of 71 Afro-American tales, featuring the cunning fox and the more cunning rabbit. "Nights with Uncle Remus" is a storybook dearly loved by children. Besides that, it is an important contribution to the study of Afro-American folklore, and through many years of popularity it has carried a long and learned Introduction, of great interest to students but rather forbidding in aspect to youthful readers.

In ancient Japan, a peasant couple discovers a little boy inside a giant peach. Momotaro, the Peachboy, grows up to become a courageous hero who vanquishes forever the evil band of ogres who have been tormenting his people. In this wonderful tale, narrated by actress Sigourney Weaver, good triumphs over evil, life overcomes death, and nature flourishes in the face of destruction.

Uncle Remus, that genial old storyteller, knows how to spin these wonderful tales about the 'critters' that the little 6-year-old boy (and many of us adults!) love to listen to. Yet the Brer Rabbit, Brer Fox and the others sound a lot like the people all around us. They tell stories about personalities and faults and virtues in a way that is unique to Uncle Remus. As the shadows grow longer outside, draw up a rocking chair next to the little boy, settle back and listen to the wise old man tell the story of when Brer Rabbit gets tangled up with the Tar Baby and almost ends up as rabbit stew.