Go on a magical adventure with a girl named Clara as she is whisked away by a nutcracker prince to the Kingdom of Sweets. Give the gift of classical music by sharing this classic tale — and Tchaikovsky's unforgettable melodies — with your little ones this holiday season. It's the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring illustrations by acclaimed children's author Nancy Carlson!

Once upon a time, Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard to give her dog, Sam, his dinner. But when she went there, the cupboard was bare, and poor little Sam grew thinner. So she went to get some food. But you won't believe the musical surprise that awaited when she returned. Listen now to 'Old Mother Hubbard,' an episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring a variety of classical music and original illustrations by Nancy Carlson.

What happens when an old man discovers a love for singing after a magical flying boat takes him on a journey of self-discovery? See what musical surprises await in the latest YourClassical Storytime episode, Old Nasuk and the Flying Song, an Inuit folk tale that features traditional Inuit throat singing and enchanting music by Claude Debussy, with John Nasukaluk Clare as the guest storyteller and original art by Xee Reiter!

What happens when a crafty fox tries to trick a friendly stork and a wary rooster? Find out in Outfoxed, the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring narration by Valerie Kahler, music by Dmitri Kabalevsky and illustrations by Mia Jennings.

Do you know what a 'tall tale' is? Well, it's a story that's just a little bit bigger than real life. And here's part of one of the biggest, tallest tales of all time: the story of Paul Bunyan and his best buddy, Babe the Blue Ox. Paul Bunyan is the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring narration by MPR News great Gary Eichten, music by Erich Korngold and original illustrations by Nancy Carlson.

Once upon a time there was a beautiful, clever storyteller named Scheherazade. Find out how her magical tales captured the heart of a bitter king in Scheherazade, the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring narration by Jillene Khan, music by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov and illustrations by Nancy Carlson.

There are many different versions of The Snow Maiden, but this one reminds us to treasure winter as a special time of year instead of always wishing for warmer weather. Find out more in the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring storytelling by Valerie Kahler, music by Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov and illustrations by Nancy Carlson.

Fry bread takes only a few ingredients to make, and it brings a lot of people together. Find out why it has special meaning for Native Americans in Something From Nothing: The Story of Fry Bread, the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime — featuring narration and music by composer Connor Chee, and illustrations by Raul Villanueva.

What happens when an impatient young apprentice tries to cast his own magic spells for the first time? It's a water catastrophe! Find out how his adventure unfolds in The Sorcerer's Apprentice, the latest installment of YourClassical Storytime, featuring illustrations by acclaimed children's author Nancy Carlson. Along the way, we'll hear some wonderful melodies by French composer Paul Dukas.

What happens when a stranger shows up in town with a magical backpack, a small stone and a giant, black pot? It's a lesson in sharing with Stone Soup, the new episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring art by Xee Reiter and music by Francis Poulenc.

What happens when the nicest and best cow has a clumsy run-in with the Ice Fairy? Find out in Sweet Arabella, the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime — featuring narration by Valerie Kahler, illustrations by Raul Villanueva and music by Jacques Ibert.

What happens when three Billy Goats Gruff run out of food to munch on their mountainside? Will they dare go up against the evil troll, who's blocking the way to a field filled with delicious green grass and sweet clover? See what musical surprises await in the YourClassical Storytime episode The Three Billy Goats Gruff, featuring music from Bedrich Smetana and art by Nancy Carlson!

Welcome to the latest installment of YourClassical Storytime, classic stories with a classical music twist. Today we share our version of The Three Little Pigs, in which our favorite piglets venture out on their own and learn a lesson about planning and doing things well. Oh, and there's a big, bad wolf! Along the way, we'll hear some wonderful melodies by French composer Georges Bizet.

Once upon a time, there was a girl who was no bigger than a thumb – which made her just the right size to be kidnapped by a frog! Find out what happens to her in the wild adventures of Thumbelina, the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring narration by Julie Amacher, music by Maurice Ravel and illustrations by Nancy Carlson.

There once was a hare who loved to brag about his speed. The hare also loved to tease other animals, until one day, when the slowest animal in the forest challenged him to a race. Who won? Find out in The Tortoise and the Hare, the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring music by Alexander Borodin and original illustrations by Nancy Carlson.

When a charapa turtle finds a wooden flute on the Brazilian rainforest floor, she opens up a world of possibilities! But what happens when a curious stranger hears her play? Find out in The Turtle and the Flute, the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring narration by Ines Guanchez, Brazilian music by Heitor Villa-Lobos and other composers, and illustrations by E.J. Thompson.

Children have delighted in the telling of Clement Moore's classic A Visit From St. Nicholas — with its famous opening line, "'Twas the night before Christmas" — for nearly 200 years. We've produced a special version of the beloved tale with timeless classical music that's just right for a cozy story time. And this holiday season, we've added charming illustrations by Nancy Carlson.

When the river creatures face a disappearing water supply, they must turn to the land animals for help. But will the crying Crocodile be able to make peace with the Lion to find a new home? Find out in Why Crocodiles Have Tears, the latest episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring narration by Jeffrey Yelverton and music by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.

Rabbit has a problem. After working hard all year to gather vegetables for the winter, Bear comes along and eats them up! What is Rabbit to do? Find out how Rabbit gets out of this mess in the African-American folktale Why the Bear Sleeps All Winter, the new YourClassical Storytime episode — featuring Jeffrey Yelverton, with music by Scott Joplin and illustrations by Xee Reiter and Al Reiter.

Ever wonder why you never see an owl in the daytime? The answer makes for quite a story. This classic folk tale from Puerto Rico is one of misplaced feathers, a colorful coat, and a lesson about selfishness and sharing. Find out more in this episode of YourClassical Storytime, featuring storytelling by John Birge, music by Gioachino Rossini, and illustrations by Mia Jennings.