Leo wins our hearts and gains self-confidence in his struggle to make his very own light. Read by Gwen.

Leo the Lightning Bug by Eric Drachman. Illustrations by James Muscarello. Copyright 2001. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Kidwick Books. Please note: this book comes with a dramatic audio CD read by the author and a cast of voice actors. You can see and hear a sample of the book on the Kidwick site.

Listen to the author and illustrator Yuyi Morales tell you this fun and clever story about how Grandma Beetle outsmarts Señor Calavera.

Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book by Yuyi Morales. Copyright 2003, Chronicle Books, San Francisco, CA. Reproduced by permission of the the author.

As he watches a man in an overcoat walk down a road, the Sun challenges the bragging Wind to a contest of strength. Read by Emily W.

The Contest Between the Sun and the Wind: An Aesop's Fable retold by Heather Forest. Illustrations by Susan Gaber. Copyright 2008. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, August House, Inc.

Red Fox caught the Baby Bunnies, but can Dan Dog save the day? Read by Emily W.

Red Fox and the Baby Bunnies. Copyright 1996 by Alan Baron. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA, on behalf of Walker Books Ltd., London

A twisted retelling of the classic Frog Prince Story. Read by Emily W.

Frog, selected story from Tales From the Brothers Grimm and Sisters Weird, copyright 1995 by Vivian Vande Velde, recorded and broadcast by permission of Harcourt, Inc. This material may not be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Duckling is curious and excited about the new egg that Mommy laid. When the quacking begins, the egg cracks open to reveal their new baby duck. Read by Jeff.

It's Quaking Time. Text copyright 2005 by Martin Waddell. Illustrations copyright 2005 by Jill Barton. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA, on behalf of Walker Books Ltd., London.

A girl leaves Small Bear, her teddy bear, on the train, but he manages to find his way home after a number of adventures. Read by Libélula.

Small Bear Lost. Text copyright 2005 by Martin Waddell. Illustrations copyright 2005 by Barbara Firth. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA, on behalf of Walker Books Ltd., London

Baby Brains sure is smart right from the beginning of life, but he soon learns that sometimes everyone needs their mommy. Read by Miss Lydia.

Baby Brains. Copyright 2004 by Simon James. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA, on behalf of Walker Books Ltd., London

Baby Duck doesn't like the rain, but grandpa has just the thing to change her mind. Read by Ella.

In the Rain With Baby Duck. Copyright 1995 by Amy Hest. Illustrations copyright 1995 by Jill Barton. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA, on behalf of Walker Books Ltd., London.

A cheeky lobster thinks it's hilarious to tell his undersea neighbors that they are being followed by a shark. But, of course, the joke is on him when a self-satisfied shark really does show up. Read by Annie.

"Only Joking!" Laughed the Lobster. Copyright 1995 by Colin West. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA, on behalf of Walker Books Ltd., London.

There is an old saying that “good things come in small packages.� In this story from Italy, storytellers Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss show us that good things also come in “furry� packages. When a merchant finds himself in a land that is overrun by rats, he realizes that he has the most “priceless gift� in this country, namely his ship’s cats. In this classic tale, we learn that one man’s cats are another man’s treasure and vice versa. Read by Miss Lydia.

Priceless Gifts by Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss. Illustrations by John Kanzler. Copyright 2007. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, August House, Inc.

When the dollmaker creates Zigzag from scraps, she promises him, "Some child will love you." This gives the strange-looking doll hope. But the other dolls and stuffed animals in the shop don't want such an ugly toy around. They force Zigzag to leave. Clinging to the promise that a child will someday love him, little Zigzag sets out to find a home. Read by Miss Lydia.

The Denver Public Library would like to thank August House for joining our podcasting family. Look for more enchanting stories from this publisher in the future.

Zigzag by Robert D. San Souci. Illustrations by Stefan Czernecki. Copyright 2005. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, August House, Inc.

A monster from outer space is soooooooo hungry, but can't find anything to eat until he meets a little girl. Will the girl be his next meal or does she have something up her sleeve? Read by Mary Palmer.

The Hungry Monster. Copyright 1996 by Phyllis Root. Illustrations copyright 1996 by Sue Heap. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA, on behalf of Walker Books Ltd., London.

Oliver the owl stays up so late one night that he sees the sun come up, but when he goes to share the sight with his nighttime friends, they are all asleep. Read by Ella.

Oliver's Wood. Copyright 1996 by Sue Hendra. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA, on behalf of Walker Books Ltd., London.

A very silly rhyming story read by Lee.

Silly Sally Copyright 1992 by Audrey Wood. Reproduced by permission of the author.

Francis is an easily frightened little kitty, but his devoted friend Ben may be in trouble and Francis has to summon the strength to climb a tree and confront a monster to help his friend. Read by Mary Palmer.

Francis the Scaredy Cat Copyright 2002 by Ed Boxall. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA, on behalf of Walker Books Ltd., London.

Little Bear can't fall asleep since he's afraid of the dark. Fortunately, Big Bear comes to the rescue with some creative ways to help Little Bear get more comfortable at bedtime. Read by Miss Lydia.

Can't You Sleep, Little Bear? Copyright 1988 by Martin Waddell. Illustrations copyright 1988 by Barbara Firth. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA, on behalf of Walker Books Ltd., London.

Three little mice see if they can get past their fear and make it to the dark at the top of the stairs. Read by Ella.

The Dark at the Top of the Stairs. Text copyright 1996 by Sam McBratney. Illustrations copyright 1996 by Ivan Bates. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA, on behalf of Walker Books Ltd., London.

Little Bear wants to have his own bear cave, but soon realizes he misses the company of Big Bear. Read by Ella.

Sleep Tight, Little Bear. Copyright 1996 by Colin West. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA, on behalf of Walker Books Ltd., London.

Beatrice doesn't want to go to the library with Henry and is a pest until she finds something there that she can enjoy. Another tale on how there truly is something for everyone at your local library! Read by Mary Palmer.

Beatrice Doesn't Want To. Text copyright 1981, 2004 by Laura Numeroff. Illustrations copyright 2004 by Lynn Munsinger. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA.

Persistent Bumblebee buzzes around until he finds the perfect friend. Read by Lee.

"Buzz, Buzz, Buzz," Went Bumblebee. Copyright 1996 by Colin West. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA, on behalf of Walker Books Ltd., London.

Mother Bear helped Sam bake cakes for all his friends, but can he deliver them all by himself? Read by Ella.

You Can Do It, Sam. Text copyright 2003 by Amy Hest. Illustrations copyright 2003 by Anita Jeram. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA.

You don't have to be a big dog to have a big brain, and Bertie proves this to be the case when confronted with a big problem! Read by Mary Palmer.

Bertie Was A Watchdog. Text copyright 2002 by Rick Walton. Illustrations copyright 2002 by Arthur Robins. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA.

It's a dark and stormy night on Plum Street and Sam needs to go to bed, but he's waiting for something special before he can drift off to sleep. Read by Ella.

Kiss Good Night. Text copyright 2001 by Amy Hest. Illustrations copyright 2001 by Anita Jeram. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA.

Go on an adventure with Cowboy Baby as he searches for his pals Texas Ted, Denver Dog and Hank the Horse. Will they make it back safely before bedtime? Read by Kristi.

Cowboy Baby. Copyright 1998 by Sue Heap. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA., on behalf of Walker Books Ltd., London.

Oliver Finds His Way by Phyllis Root tells how sometimes it can be scary and sad when your parents aren't around. Read by Cricket.

Oliver Finds His Way. Text copyright 2002 by Phyllis Root. Illustrations copyright 2002 by Christopher Denise. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA.

Owl Babies by Martin Waddell tells the story of three little owls anxiously waiting for their mother to return. Read by Emily.

Owl Babies. Text copyright 1992 by Martin Waddell. Illustrations copyright 1992 by Patrick Benson. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA., on behalf of Walker Books Ltd., London.

Don't You Feel Well, Sam? by Amy Hest is the story of poor little Sam, who is sick with a cough. Fortunately for Sam, his mother knows just what to do. Read by Ella.

Don't You Feel Well, Sam? Text copyright 2002 by Amy Hest. Illustrations copyright 2002 by Anita Jeram. Reproduced by permission of the publisher, Candlewick Press, Inc., Cambridge, MA.