kids encyclopedia robot

Story Teller (magazine) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Story Teller was a magazine partwork published by Marshall Cavendish between 1982 and 1985. It was sold as Story Time in Australia and New Zealand; in Italy Story Teller 1 was sold as I Raccontastorie while Story Teller 2 as C'era una volta)

Publishing history

The original collection

The original Story Teller was released from December 1982 and throughout 1983 as a fortnightly partwork. Each magazine contained a selection of children's stories, some traditional folk tales like "Anansi the Spiderman", some children's tales such as Gobbolino, the Witch's Cat, and some contemporary works written especially for the series, like "Timbertwig". Most issues contained a poem or two, as well. The stories were accompanied by lavish colour artwork, and inside each issue was an offer to purchase custom made binders for the magazine as well as cases to hold the tapes.

Each issue of Story Teller came with a cover-mounted cassette tape containing a reading of the stories, complete with music and sound effects. What set Story Teller apart from other partworks was the stories were read by professional actors and celebrities of the time, including Richard Briers, Sheila Hancock, Derek Jacobi, and Nigel Lambert.

Two distinguishing features of the audio cassettes were the "Story Teller" jingle that introduced and ended each tape and the characteristic "ping" that sounded when the time came to turn the pages to encourage children to read along. The "Story Teller" jingle is an existing track called "Children's Carnival" by Ted Atking and Alain Feanch.

Longer stories were split over multiple issues to encourage parents to buy the next issue. These were referred to as Story Teller Serials. As one serial came to end, another would start. Many of these would be simple two-part stories, but a selection of stories (usually well-known ones such as Peter Pan and the Wizard of Oz) were spread over several issues. Pinocchio was the longest serial, with seven installments.

The original collection was 26 issues long with each tape lasting up to 45 minutes. An exception was issue 26, which was 90 minutes long because it also contained the special preview issue for Story Teller 2, which immediately followed the original series.

(The New Zealand and Australian Story Time only ran for 1 series, so the final Issue 26 was the standard 45 minutes long and did not feature the special preview for the next series. This was the sole difference between its UK counterpart; the cassettes and artwork were otherwise identical. Similarly, the cassette carry case was available in Australia. However, in New Zealand, a smaller box was provided, made out of cardboard wrapped in a red plastic with small domes at the corners joining it all together and a piece of Velcro for the flap on the top).

Storyteller 2

Story Teller 2, which was previewed in issue 26 of the original Story Teller series in the UK, continued the tradition of the original by combining traditional and contemporary children's stories. (In New Zealand and Australia, Story Time only ran for 1 series.)

Little Story Teller

When Story Teller 2 ended, Marshall Cavendish followed it up with another 26-part series, Little Story Teller, which, as its title suggests, was aimed at a younger audience than the original series. Many of the stories in Little Story Teller featured the adventures of the inhabitants of the Magic Mountain, which included Leroy the Lion, Dotty the Dragon, and Morris and Doris the hamsters.

Christmas specials

Three Christmas specials were also published. Released annually along with each series, the Christmas Story Tellers featured festive stories and even songs. The third Christmas Story Teller included stories suited to both the original series and Little Story Teller. Of the Christmas specials only Christmas Story 2 was made available in New Zealand or Australia, under the title of Christmas Story Time.

Story Teller Song Book

Christmas Story 3 was widely assumed to be the last title from the Story Teller series but in 1986, Marshall Cavendish released the Story Teller Song Book. The 52-page publication contained 20 all-time sing-along favourites rather than stories but it still retained the Story Teller tradition of featuring colouring and activity pages as well as an accompanying cassette tape.

My Big Book of Fairy Tales

In 1987, Marshall Cavendish revisited the world of Story Teller by publishing a big hardback book called My Big Book of Fairy Tales. Although the publication lacked the Story Teller branding, it was essentially a compilation of the best stories from Story Teller; it contained 73 stories from the two series and three Christmas issues. The original text and illustrations were used, except for the story "The Frog Prince", which featured new artwork (for no apparent reason). The book was rereleased in 1989 with a different cover and again in 1994. Unlike the partwork, My Big Book of Fairy Tales was not accompanied by a cassette.

Story Teller: Members' Edition

Published online in December 2020, this was a special edition of Story Teller, created by members of the Story Teller Facebook Group and some of the original writers and artists of the original Story Teller. It is available online at stme.uk.

Availability

The partwork is now regarded as highly collectible, and issues can still be found today in secondhand and charity shops, but finding a complete set can be very difficult. Digital copies can also be found on auction sites such as eBay, but these are of dubious legality.

Stories and readers

Story Teller 1

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

  • Narana's Strange Journey: Roy Hudd
  • Rhubarb Ted: Nigel Lambert
  • Gobbolino the Kitchen Cat: Sheila Hancock
  • Noisy Neighbours: Nigel Lambert
  • Jester Minute (Part 1): Nigel Lambert
  • The Princess & the Pea: Tina Jones
  • The Ant and the Grasshopper: Marian Hepworth
  • Santa's Early Christmas: Roy Hudd

Part 5

  • Timbertwig: George Layton
  • The Fox and the Crow: Hayley Mills
  • Drummerboy & the Gypsy: George Layton
  • Rapunzel: Hayley Mills
  • Virgil's Big Mistake: Nigel Lambert
  • Jester Minute (Part 2): Nigel Lambert
  • 'O Here It Is: Hayley Mills

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

  • Dot & the Kangaroo (Part 1: Dot Loses Her Way): Carole Boyd
  • Oliphaunt: Joss Ackland
  • The Goose that Laid the Golden Egg: Carole Boyd
  • The Selfish Giant: Joss Ackland
  • Jester Minute & the Vanishing castle (1): Nigel Lambert
  • The Creation of Man: Joss Ackland
  • Boffy & The Teacher Eater: Nigel Lambert

Part 9

Part 10

Part 11

Part 12

Part 13

Part 14

Part 15

Part 16

Part 17

Part 18

Part 19

Part 20

Part 21

  • The Bold Little Tailor: Michael Hordern
  • The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: Nigel Lambert
  • Wiser than the Czar: Michael Hordern
  • Bobbie and the Magic Go-Cart: Nigel Lambert
  • Heidi (Part 4): Denise Bryer
  • The Mighty Rabbit: Nigel Lambert

Part 22

Part 23

Part 24

  • I Wish, I Wish: Carole Boyd
  • Counting Chickens: Carole Boyd
  • A Hedgehog Learns to Fly: John Brewer, John Green and Steven Pacey
  • The Little Tin Soldier: Ian Holm
  • Kingdom of the Seals: Ian Holm
  • Aldo in Arcadia (4): Steven Pacey, Nigel Lambert, John Green & John Brewer

Part 25

Part 26

  • The Goblin Rat: Liza Goddard
  • Thumbelina: Liza Goddard
  • Where Can an Elephant Hide?: Steven Pacey
  • A Lion at School: Liza Goddard
  • Captain Bones: Dermot Crowley
  • Aldo in Arcadia (6): John Brewer, Tina Jones, Nigel Lambert & Steven Pacey

Part 26 Story Teller 2 Special Preview Issue

Story Teller 2

Part 1

  • The Wizard of Oz : Miriam Margolyes
  • The Creatures with Beautiful Eyes : Martin Shaw
  • The Circus Animal's Strike : David Tate
  • Yushkin the Watchmaker : Martin Shaw
  • Rumbles in the Jungles (1) : David Tate
  • The Dancing Fairies : Miriam Margolyes
  • There Once Was a Puffin : Martin Shaw

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

  • Shorty the Satellite and the Lost Rocket : Nigel Lambert
  • The Wizard of Oz: Quest for the Wicked Witch : Miriam Margolyes
  • Petrushka : Janet Suzman
  • The Garden : Nigel Lambert
  • Master of the Lake : Janet Suzman
  • The Lord of the Rushie River (2) : Denise Bryer
  • Riloby-rill : Janet Suzman

Part 5

  • The Snow Bear : Derek Jacobi
  • The Inn of Donkeys : Derek Jacobi
  • Shorty the Satellite and the Brigadier : Nigel Lambert
  • The Nightingale : Derek Jacobi
  • Hugo and the Man Who Stole Colours : Nigel Lambert
  • The Wizard of Oz: A Great And Terrible Humbug : Miriam Margolyes
  • Recipe : Nigel Lambert

Part 6

  • Gobbolino and the Little Wooden Horse (1) : Sheila Hancock
  • The Wizard of Oz: The Final Journey : Miriam Margolyes
  • The Farmer, the Tomt and the Troll : Carole Boyd
  • Shorty The Satellite And The Shooting Star : Nigel Lambert
  • The Fishing Stone : Carole Boyd
  • Silly Old Baboon : Nigel Lambert

Part 7

Part 8

  • The Most Beautiful House : Robin Nedwell
  • Gobbolino and the Little Wooden Horse (3) : Sheila Hancock
  • The Orchestra That Lost Its Voice : Steven Pacey
  • Stone Soup : Debbie Arnold
  • The Man Who Knew Better : Robin Nedwell
  • How the Polar Bear Became : Debbie Arnold
  • The Marrog : Steven Pacey

Part 9

  • Diggersaurs (1) : Steven Pacey
  • Molly Whuppie : Eve Karpf
  • Young Kate : Eve Karpf
  • Upside-Down Willie (1) : Steven Pacey
  • Gobbolino and the Little Wooden Horse (4) : Sheila Hancock
  • Meeting : Eve Karpf

Part 10

  • Toad of Toad Hall (1) : Richard Briers
  • Simeom the Sorcerer's Son (1) : George Layton
  • Anansi and the Python : Ysanne Churchman
  • Stone Drum : Ysanne Churchman
  • Upside-Down Willie (2) : Steven Pacey
  • Gobbolino and the Little Wooden Horse (5) : Sheila Hancock
  • Hannibal : George Layton

Part 11

  • Grogre the Golden Ogre (1) : Nigel Lambert
  • Anya's Garden : Carole Boyd
  • Miss Priscilla's Secret : Carole Boyd
  • Simeom the Sorcerer's Son (2) : George Layton
  • The Tortoises' Picnic : David Adams
  • Toad of Toad Hall (2) : Richard Briers
  • Big Gumbo : Carole Boyd

Part 12

  • Box of Robbers : Patricia Hodge
  • The Challenging Bull : Nigel Lambert
  • Barney's Winter Present : Antonia Swinson
  • Toad of Toad Hall (3) : Richard Briers
  • Minnie the Floating Witch : Patricia Hodge
  • Grogre the Golden Ogre (2) : Nigel Lambert
  • An Eskimo Baby : Patricia Hodge

Part 13

Part 14

Part 15

Part 16

Part 17

  • Longtooth's Tale (1) : Steven Pacey
  • Shubiki's Hat : Eva Haddon
  • Big Red Head (1) : Ruth Madoc
  • The Tree that Sang : Steven Pacey
  • Too Many Buns for Rosie : Eva Haddon
  • Peter Pan (4) : Derek Jacobi
  • The Moon : Eva Haddon

Part 18

  • Longtooth's Tale (2) : Steven Pacey
  • Galldora and the Woods-Beyond : Eve Karpf
  • Big Red Head (2) : Ruth Madoc
  • At the Forge : James Bryce
  • Mouse in the Snow : Eve Karpf
  • Peter Pan (5) : Derek Jacobi
  • I Had a Little Nut-Tree : James Bryce

Part 19

  • Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1) : Patricia Hodge
  • Wonder Wellies : Nigel Lambert
  • Peter and the Mountainy Men : Carole Boyd
  • The Treachery of Morgan : Mick Ford
  • Pat's Piano : Carole Boyd
  • Danger in the Reeds : Nigel Lambert
  • My Uncle Paul of Pimlico : Nigel Lambert

Part 20

  • Arthur Gives Back His Sword : Mick Ford
  • Butterflies on the Moon : Geoffrey Matthews
  • Ginger's Secret Weapons : Cass Allen
  • Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (2) : Patricia Hodge
  • A Great Escape : Cass Allen
  • The Miller and His Donkey : Geoffrey Matthews
  • Sheep-Dog : Geoffrey Matthews

Part 21

  • Never Tangle With aA Tengu : Christopher Timothy
  • Diggersaurs (2) : Steven Pacey
  • Nothing Like a Bath : Denise Bryer
  • Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (3) : Patricia Hodge
  • The Neat and Tidy Kitchen : Denise Bryer
  • Tommy's Shadow : Steven Pacey
  • My Mother Said : Denise Bryer

Part 22

  • Quest of the Brave : Martin Jarvis
  • The Captain's Horse : Martin Jarvis
  • Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (4) : Patricia Hodge
  • The City of Lost Submarines (1) : David Tate
  • Nogbad Comes Back : Oliver Postgate
  • Ostriches Can't Fly : Joanna Wake
  • The Cottage : Joanna Wake

Part 23

  • Cyril Snorkel - The Performing Beast : Denise Bryer
  • Dorrie and the Witch's Visit : Denise Bryer
  • What the Smoke Said : George Layton
  • Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (5) : Patricia Hodge
  • The City of Lost Submarines (2) : David Tate
  • Simon Rhymon : George Layton
  • The Sunlight Falls Upon the Grass : Denise Bryer

Part 24

  • Harlequin and Columbine (1) : Leonard Rossiter
  • The City of Lost Submarines (3) : David Tate
  • The Kind Scarecrow : Maureen O'Brien
  • Seadna and The Devil : Anthony Jackson
  • The Birthday Candle : Maureen O'Brien
  • Superbabe : Anthony Jackson
  • Upon My Golden Backbone : Maureen O'Brien

Part 25

  • It Takes Time to Teach a King : Dermot Crowley
  • Harlequin And Columbine (2) : Leonard Rossiter
  • Cabbage and the Foxes : Carole Boyd
  • The Donkey Who Fetched the Sea : Dermot Crowley
  • Give It to Zico! (1) : Ian Lavender
  • The Electric Imps : Carole Boyd
  • If You Should Meet a Crocodile : Carole Boyd

Part 26

  • The Mermaid Who Couldn't Swim : Maureen O'Brien
  • Give It to Zico! (2) : Ian Lavender
  • Mandy and the Space Race : Maureen O'Brien
  • Somewhere Safe : Maureen O'Brien
  • Noggin and the Money : Oliver Postgate
  • Harlequin and Columbine (3) : Leonard Rossiter

Christmas Story Teller

Part 1

  • Bertie's Escapade : Bernard Cribbins
  • The Chocolate Soldier : Carole Boyd
  • Timbertwig's Christmas Tree : George Layton
  • King John's Christmas : Nigel Lambert
  • Snow White and the seven Dwarfs : Liza Goddard
  • Boo Ho Ho! : Bernard Cribbins
  • What Wanda Wanted : Carole Boyd
  • Aladdin and his Magic Lamp : George Layton
  • The Great Sleigh Robbery : Nigel Lambert
  • The First Christmas : Liza Goddard

Part 2

Part 3

Readers and singers: Derek Griffiths, Carole Boyd, Denise Bryer, Nigel Lambert, Steven Pacey, Claire Hamill, Tom Newman.

  • Jingle Bells
  • A Carol for Gobbolino
  • Leroy Learns to Skate
  • Snow
  • Snow Song
  • Mother Goose
  • Christmas Fun
  • Rudolph to the Rescue
  • Away in a Manger
  • I Saw Three Ships Come Sailing By
  • Dotty and the Teddy Bears
  • Clara and the Nutcracker Doll
  • O Little Town of Bethlehem
  • The Surprise Christmas
  • The Forgotten Toys
  • Minnie's Dinner Spell
  • Morris's Christmas Stocking
  • Hurray for Christmas!

Story Teller: Members' Edition

  • Timbertwig and the Dancing Dress: Peet Ellison
  • The Peacock and the Magpie: Caroline Usasz
  • Pip the Water Drop: Jo Huysamen
  • The Cloud Cook: Rebecca Harrison
  • How Night Came: Fiona Botham
  • The Twelve Dancing Princesses: Michael Sharmon
  • Bubble & Squeek: Deborah Breen
  • Zebra or Giraffe?: Chris Signore
  • Friendship in the Park: Jo Huysamen
  • The Battle of the Crabs: Antonio Pineda
  • Odysseus: Nicola Ni Craith
  • Lawton the Lion: Kathy Schmidt-Trajkovski

In other languages

  • Dutch "Luister Sprookjes en Vertellingen"
  • German "Erzähl mir was"
  • French "Raconte-moi des histoires"
  • Italian "I Racconta Storie" and "C'era una volta" (re-edited with CDs instead of cassette tapes)
  • Greek "Άμπρα Κατάμπρα" (Abracadabra) (re-edited 2007 with CDs instead of cassette tapes)
  • Spanish "Cuenta Cuentos"
  • Afrikaans "Storieman"

Similar partworks

Story Teller became such a huge success in the 80s that other publishers released similar partworks, including Fabbri's Once Upon a Time collection and Disney's Storytime series. In addition to "clones" of the Story Teller series, several paperback books containing selections from the actual Story Teller series were released (with accompanying cassettes) in the US, under the title "Look, Listen and Read". These compilations contained stories or themes that related to each other, either by author or content. Examples include The Best of Aesop, The Legend of King Arthur, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel.

Disney's Storytime

The main differentiator between Story Teller and Disney's Storytime was the fact that the latter featured only Disney characters. Storytime hit newsagents' shelves soon after Story Teller proved to be a bestseller. It was published in 24 parts and customised binders and cassette boxes were produced to house the collection (just like Story Teller). Disney movies, such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and Sleeping Beauty (1959), were serialised. (Note: the Australian and New Zealand versions of Story Teller were published as Story Time - not to be confused with Disney's Storytime series.)

Part 1

  • Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Part 1) : Penelope Keith
  • Donald Duck Goes Climbing : John Alderton
  • The Three Little Pigs : John Alderton
  • Pooh and Piglet Have an Adventure : Paul Daneman
  • Old King Cole : John Alderton

Part 2

  • The Grasshopper and the Ants : Ray Brooks
  • Christopher Robin and His Friends Go for a Picnic : Paul Daneman
  • Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Part 2) : Penelope Keith
  • Pluto on the Trail : Ray Brooks
  • Toad's Hot Air Balloon : Ruth Madoc
  • Little Boy Blue : Ray Brooks

Part 3

  • The Murky, Misty Day : Paul Daneman
  • The Country Cousin : Ruth Madoc
  • King of the Jungle : Paul Daneman
  • Donald Duck's Picnic : Ray Brooks
  • Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Part 3) : Penelope Keith
  • Old Mother Hubbard : Ruth Madoc

Part 4

  • The Wise Little Hen : Ruth Madoc
  • Piglet's Honey Expedition : Paul Daneman
  • Dumbo Plays Cricket : Richard Briers
  • Mickey Mouse Goes Camping : Julia McKenzie
  • Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Part 4) : Penelope Keith
  • There Was a Crooked Man : Julia McKenzie

Part 5

  • Christopher Robin Plans a Surprise : Paul Daneman
  • The Aristocats : Julia McKenzie
  • The Rabbit with Big Feet : Paul Daneman
  • Donald in Trouble : Julia McKenzie
  • Robin Hood (Part 1) : Richard Briers
  • There Was an Old Woman : Julia McKenzie

Part 6

  • Bambi Grows Up : Una Stubbs
  • Pooh Has a Surprise : Paul Daneman
  • Robin Hood (Part 2) : Richard Briers
  • Pluto Plays Guard Dog : Wendy Craig
  • Paintbrush Tails : Julia McKenzie
  • Three Blind Mice : Julia McKenzie

Part 7

  • Robin Hood (Part 3) : Richard Briers
  • Merlin's Magic : Julia McKenzie
  • Donald's Dream Cottage : Julia McKenzie
  • The Ugly Duckling : Julia McKenzie
  • Pooh Knits a Jumper : Paul Daneman
  • I Had a Little Nut Tree : Julia McKenzie

Part 8

  • Mowgli Meets Baloo : Freddie Jones
  • Roo Paints His Masterpiece : Paul Daneman
  • Uncle Scrooge and His Hedgehog Brooms : Julia McKenzie
  • Policeman Goofy : Julia McKenzie
  • Robin Hood (Part 4) : Richard Briers
  • Pat-a-Cake Pat-a-Cake : Adele Spencer

Part 9

  • The Fox and the Hound : Wendy Craig
  • Custard or Mustard? : Anton Rodgers
  • Donald's Disastrous Day : Anton Rodgers
  • Dumbo the Elephant (Part 1) : Una Stubbs
  • Pancakes Can Be Dangerous Things : Paul Daneman
  • Hey Diddle Diddle : Adele Spencer

Part 10

Part 11

Part 12

Part 13

Part 14

Part 15

  • Cinderella and the Ugly Sisters : Penelope Keith
  • Piglet Gets Bigger : Paul Daneman
  • Bambi, King of the Forest : Una Stubbs
  • Donald and the Drummer Boys : Paul Daneman
  • The Christmas Tree : Penelope Keith
  • Little Miss Muffet : June Whitfield

Part 16

Part 17

Part 18

Part 19

  • Pooh Keeps Fit : Paul Daneman
  • 101 Dalmatians Escape : Angela Thorne
  • The Grand Sale : Angela Thorne
  • Donald's Wet Afternoon : Angela Thorne
  • Merlin and Madam Mim : Bernard Cribbins
  • One, Two, Three, Four, Five : June Whitfield

Part 20

Part 21

Part 22

Part 23

Part 24

  • Peter Pan Against the Pirates : Martin Jarvis
  • Mickey's Circus : Nerys Hughes
  • Pinocchio Makes a House : Andrew Sachs
  • Pooh and Piglet Go Camping : Paul Daneman
  • The Magical Mary Poppins : Nerys Hughes
  • Girls and Boys Come Out to Play : Nerys Hughes

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Cuenta cuentos para niños

Black History Month on Kiddle
Influential African-American Artists:
James Van Der Zee
Alma Thomas
Ellis Wilson
Margaret Taylor-Burroughs
kids search engine
All content from Kiddle encyclopedia articles (including the article images and facts) can be freely used under Attribution-ShareAlike license, unless stated otherwise. Cite this article:
Story Teller (magazine) Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.