Rebecca Sheir

West Stockbridge

Host, Circle Round at WBUR-FM (Boston, MA)

Host of @WBUR's @ComeCircleRound folktales podcast + Author of the new Circle Round picture books from @storeypub. https://t.co/X6cOu5UjVW…

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Articles

The Donkey’s Tail | Ep. 285

1 week ago | wbur.org | Rebecca Sheir

An old Persian proverb says: “Thinking well is wise. Planning well, wiser. But doing well is the wisest and best of all.”In other words: thinking, planning, and coming up with ideas is smart. But smartest of all is putting our ideas into action.
One Good Turn | Ep. 284

2 weeks ago | wbur.org | Rebecca Sheir

Ever heard the old saying, “One good turn deserves another”? What it means is: if someone helps you out, then you should find a way to help them out.
In the Willow Tree | Ep. 283

3 weeks ago | wbur.org | Rebecca Sheir

Think about a time you returned a favor: a time when someone did something kind for you, so you turned around and did something kind for them. In today’s tale, when a tiny critter has the chance to return a favor, she finds a colossal way to give back!Our story is called “In the Willow Tree.” Versions of this tale come from the East Asian country of Taiwan. Voices in this episode include Stephanie Koenig and Patrick Luwis.
Miss Tilda | Ep. 282

4 weeks ago | wbur.org | Rebecca Sheir

Imagine you have a friend who’s struggling in some way. How far would you go to help them out? How big would your kindness and generosity stretch?
Crocus-Pocus | Ep. 281

1 month ago | wbur.org | Rebecca Sheir

Have you ever had a bad day? When we’re having a bad day, it can be helpful if we talk about it, and share how we’re feeling with someone we trust. We’re about to meet a character who isn’t just having a bad day; he’s having a bad summer. And when he talks about it with a complete stranger, things go from tragic… to magic!Our story is called “Crocus-Pocus.” You’ll find versions of this tale from the southern Italian island of Sicily: the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Flame Keeper | Ep. 280

1 month ago | wbur.org | Rebecca Sheir

Have you ever given up something you value so that someone else can benefit? It’s what we call a “sacrifice.” Sometimes we make sacrifices to benefit people we know, like when we let a friend step ahead of us in line. Sometimes we make sacrifices to benefit people we don’t know, like when we donate our possessions or free time to a charity. We’re about to meet a character who makes her own sacrifice.
Maushop and the Shark | Ep. 279

1 month ago | wbur.org | Rebecca Sheir

Think about one of your strengths. Do you have an ear for music? A flair for telling jokes? Perhaps you have a special talent for writing or sports or baking the most delicious cookies ever. We all have special strengths.
Diamonds in the Sky | Ep. 278

1 month ago | wbur.org | Rebecca Sheir

Have you ever had a tough time getting along with someone? It happens to all of us. We have that sibling or friend or classmate we always seem to be bumping heads with.
The Salmon Famine | Ep. 277

2 months ago | wbur.org | Rebecca Sheir

Think about a time you shared with someone. Maybe you shared a toy or some food. Maybe you shared some time. Sharing with others can make everyone feel good. But in today’s story, we’ll meet three giants who refuse to share, until a clever coyote does his share to teach them a giant lesson!Our story is called “The Salmon Famine.” It comes from Indigenous tribes of the present-day Canadian and American Pacific Northwest.
The Zodiac Twelve | Ep. 275

2 months ago | wbur.org | Rebecca Sheir

According to the Chinese calendar, this week marks the start of a new year:The Chinese calendar works in a repeating cycle of twelve years known as the “zodiac.” Each year is represented by a different animal. And it's believed that if you’re born in a given year, you’ll have the personality traits of that year's animal. So if you’re born in the Year of the Snake, for instance, you’re said to be especially intelligent and mysterious!But how did the Chinese zodiac come about?