đ§ââď¸ Past and Pen Podcast: Episode Four â Whispers Through Time
- Rosie Talley
- Apr 22
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 22
The History of Folktales for Kids (Ages 8â12)
Explore folktales from around the world, discover their ancient origins, and spark young imaginations with a fun writing activity!
đ§ A storytelling podcast for curious kids, homeschoolers, and young writers
âď¸ Includes a creative writing prompt + kid-friendly reading list
Meet Your Host:
Hosted by:Â Rosie Talley, Author of Linus the Troll
Produced by:Â Sweet Meadowlark Stories
đ Author Website
đ§ Email: pastandpen@gmail.com
đĽ Watch Episode Four:
đď¸ Episode Summary:
In this episode of Past and Pen, weâre traveling back in time to explore the magical world of folktales for kids. These powerful stories have been passed down for thousands of yearsâfrom ancient oral traditions to bedtime favorites around the globe.
What Youâll Learn:
â What makes a folktale a folktale?
â The oldest known folktalesâsome over 4,000 years old!
â How stories evolved from ancient myths to modern retellings
â A creative writing prompt that turns kids into young storytellers!
Whether you're a parent, homeschooler, or educator, this episode is packed with inspiration and educational value for middle-grade learners (ages 8â12).
Are you ready to dive into the past to write a new story?

âď¸ Writing Prompt:
No need to wish upon a starâyour imagination is all you need for todayâs writing prompt. Create your very own folktale!
 Imagine you live thousands of years agoâbefore science could explain thunderstorms, the stars, or earthquakes. Create a short folktale to explain a natural event!
Is thunder just the sound of a giantâs belly rumbling after too many bean burritos?
Is the fog just a lazy cloud looking to take a nap?
Is the wind just created by invisible dragons beating their wings as they soar through the sky?
đŠ Send your story to pastandpen@gmail.com for a chance to be featured in a future episode!
đ Reading List:
This post contains Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.
Ready to turn the page on happily ever after? Check out these books!
đ Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin â A beautifully written fantasy inspired by Chinese folklore, following a girlâs journey to change her familyâs fortune.
đ The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill â A Newbery Medal-winning fantasy with a folktale feel, featuring a magical girl, a tiny dragon, and an ancient witch.
đ Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff â A humorous and clever retelling of Rumpelstiltskin from the misunderstood characterâs perspective.
đ The Jumbies by Tracey Baptiste â A Caribbean folklore-inspired adventure featuring mythical creatures and a brave girl facing dark magic. This book includes some spooky moments which might be a little scary for sensitive readers.
đ Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia â Blends African American folktales and West African mythology in an action-packed adventure.This book deals with themes of grief and loss, as the main character struggles with the death of a friend. Itâs handled well for middle-grade readers, but itâs something to be aware of.
đ The Serpentâs Secret (Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond)Â by Sayantani DasGupta â A fast-paced fantasy rooted in Bengali folklore, following a girl who learns sheâs a princess from another dimension.
đ Treasury of Magical Tales from Around the World by Donna Jo Napoli â A gorgeously illustrated collection of folktales from different cultures, perfect for young readers.
đ Best-Loved Folktales of the World by Joanna Cole â A classic collection of folktales from around the world, with simple and engaging storytelling.
đ DâAulairesâ Book of Norse Myths by Ingri & Edgar Parin dâAulaire â A beautifully illustrated introduction to Norse mythology, perfect for middle-grade readers.
đ More Episodes You Might Like:
Join the Fun!
â Subscribe to Past and Pen for more historical deep dives and creative prompts. â Leave a review on your favorite podcast platformâit really helps!
â Support the podcast on Patreon for exclusive perks.
â Fuel the Folktales on Ko-fi
Thanks for listening! Stay curious and keep writing your story.
đ Sources & Further Reading:
An ancient Egyptian story dating back to the 19th Dynasty, preserved on the Papyrus D'Orbiney.
A prominent figure in West African folklore, Anansi is a trickster god often depicted as a spider.
Ye Xian â The Chinese Cinderella:
One of the earliest known variants of the Cinderella story, first recorded during the Tang dynasty.
Rhodopis â The Egyptian Cinderella:
An ancient tale about a Greek slave girl who marries the king of Egypt, considered the earliest known variant of the "Cinderella" story.
In Norse mythology, Thor is a hammer-wielding god associated with thunder, storms, and strength.
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