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.

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.

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.

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.

This is the touching story of the benevolent naturalist who roamed the Ohio valley in the early 1800s, planting apple orchards, making friends, and spreading goodwill along his way. Known to early settlers as a gentle soul with a reverence for all life, Johnny never missed a chance to save an abandoned animal or to savor a delicious apple pie. Garrison Keillor's narration is accompanied by original music by Mark O'Connor. Ages five and up.

Finn McCoul is the greatest champion in all of Ireland, but when he discovers that the brutish giant Cucullin is after him, even the great Finn gets a wee bit nervous. But with some ingenious culinary magic on the part of his clever wife, Finn manages to get out of the scrape with his dignity intact. Well, most of it! This rollicking version of a beloved Celtic legend, read by actress Catherine O'Hara, with music by Boys of the Lough, will light up your ears.

Keith Carradine adopts the colorful persona of Will Rogers to tell the true story of Annie Oakley. She was an angel in buckskin on a big, spotted horse. With two six guns blazin', Annie Oakley was the star of Buffalo Bill Cody's famous Wild West show for almost 20 years. Your entire family will enjoy this spirited tale of a talented frontier woman whose sharp-shooting exploits brought her international fame. The rollicking musical score by Los Lobos provides a decidedly frontier flavor.

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.

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.

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.

Tiny Tom, no larger than his father's thumb, embarks on a series of fantastical adventures that lead him to King Arthur's court. After saving King Arthur from the clutches of an evil sorcerer, he becomes a member of the Knights of the Round Table, and the darling of Queen Guinevere.

Sassy, sassier, sassiest! That Brer Rabbit was the back-sassiest critter in 10 counties and it got so Brer Fox just couldn't bear it another second. So he stirred himself up a sticky, gooey Tar Baby and left it on a log for Brer Rabbit to run smack into.

This playful tale is one of the best known of Rudyard Kipling’s Just So stories. In this one, pride and arrogance prove to be the downfall of a lazy camel.

Rudyard Kipling's story of how the elephant got its trunk has always delighted children with its playful use of language and sense of high adventure. Never has there been a more satisfying rendering of Kipling's most beloved "Just So" story, which explains what the world was like "in the beginning of years when the world was new and all..." Ages five and up. Narrated by Jack Nicholson with musical accompaniment by Bobby McFerrin.

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.