As homage to those classic writers whose stories live on from generation to generation, permit me a walk back in time - memories of my childhood and the earliest influences on my desire to become an author.

When I was a child, my godfather used to send vinyl records. Among my favorites was one recorded by Danny Kaye, "Stories from Faraway Places." I stumbled on the link to this album (translated into MP3s) along with a host of other "Golden Book" records that some of the Baby Boomers might appreciate. Click here for Children's Vinyl Record Series

The Danny Kaye album stands out in my memory most because when I was recovering from a tonsilectomy, with little else to do, I listened to that album over and over and over and over until my sisters and I could all recite every story by heart. Recently, I told my sisters I had found the MP3s and they all (to a one) replied "oo-wunga-layma" (I'm not sure how that's actually SUPPOSED to be spelled, but that, my friends, is the name of the tree).

Another of my favorites was Victor Borge reading Hans Christian Andersen (Decca Records). I understand there is also a version recorded on VHS (but have seen horrible reviews of the video). These files were recorded from an LP, to cassette tape before they were translated to MP3s, so my apologies for 1. not starting at the VERY beginning, and 2. the skips in The Princess and the Pea. You can click hear to listen.Victor Borge reads Hans Christian Andersen

Other favorites were recordings of Peter and the Wolf and a "greatest hits" of songs from musicals. Readers Digest put out a wide variety of educational/entertaining vinyl, and continues to do so in other, more modern media today. The selections are different with the passage of a generation, but they still have a marvelous selection. Readers Digest - American Legends

Do you have folk tales that stay with you through the passage of time? I'd love to hear from you . . . Share them with me by emailing me at FolkTales@karlabrandenburg.com