A story and a song: musical stories for children
Performance storyteller Tanya Batt and musician Peter Forster share a collection of musical stories for young children from the Batt Cave. Tall tales of friendships, food and fun that are guaranteed to delight and have you singing along with their catchy refrains. Quirky, wholesome stories that fill you with hope that perseverance will be rewarded, friendship is paramount, vegetables can save your life and even great sadness passes. A story and a song - because words and music they belong!
Episodes
Helen the Wise: part three
Send us Fan MailHere it is... Part three of this exciting Eastern European Wonder Tale!Will the soldier meet his end with the executioner? Will Batt Lamb withstand the tension?? ...... Find out today.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling club at https://ko-fi.com/tanyabatt0027/tiers Or
Helen the Wise :Part two
Send us Fan MailIt's the second instalment of our exciting Wonder Tale Helen the wise... Batt Lamb is very excited!In this episode we find out what happens to the soldier who has become enamoured with Helen the Wise and has flown to her castle.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling
Helen the Wise - Part one
Send us Fan MailFresh from the Batt Cave this month comes part one of a three part 'Wonder tale' called "Helen the Wise". This is the story from Russia that begins with a soldier who is guarding a prisoner but has no idea who it is. This sets a long train of exciting events in motion.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/s
Jack and the Beanstalk
Send us Fan MailBatt Lamb does some serious helping out with this Batt Cave rendition of the classic story "Jack and the Beanstalk".... what more needs to be said!Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling club at https://ko-fi.com/tanyabatt0027/tiers Or if you are an educator for
Lazy Jack
Send us Fan MailThis month in the Batt Cave Tanya and Pete tell stories with Jack's in them... There are many stories and nursery rhymes that feature a Jack as the main character, such as Jack and Jill, or Little Jack Horner. Today the Batt Team tell the story of Lazy Jack... a young man who sets out to find some work to support his Mother and himself.Support the showYou can find our audios
Nyangara the Python
Send us Fan MailThis story comes from the Shona people of Zimbabwe and was collected by a UK storytelling friend and colleague, Helen East in her book 'The Singing Sack'. While Batt-lamb is uncertain about large snakes, this story celebrates the bravery of a group of children who have the courage to fetch Nyangara, a python with healing powers, to cure their ailing chief.Support the show
The Story of The Kūmara
Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Batt Lamb has the seasonal sniffles. There's nothing like a story to make you feel better, epecially one about the origins of delicious kai. Tanya and Pete share a a pūrākau/a traditional Māori story from Aotearoa/New Zealand, from Ngāti Kahungunu about how the kūmara, or sweet potato, came to this land.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purc
The Corn Mother; The Origin Story of Corn
Send us Fan MailBat Lamb notices an empty plate, and Tanya shares with her and the children a sharing song about their favourite foods.Then comes the Story of The Corn Mother from South America all about where the vital and delicious food Corn came from.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytel
Sun's Party!
Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Batt Cave Bat Lamb helps Tanya write a song about the changing season ... If Bat Lamb can write a song then we all can!!Then Tanya Tells a Nigerian Story about why Sun and Moon are so far away from each other .Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling
Iddlebright and The Magic Cooking Pot... A Faery Story
Send us Fan MailA gift of a magic wand led Tanya to remember a faery story that she created more than 30 years ago about a mischevious faery called Iddlebright. See how many old fairytales you can recognize in this porridgey story!Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling club at https://ko
Cap O' Rushes: A Cinderella story
Send us Fan MailCap O' Rushes is an English Cinderella variant where our heroine makes her own good fortune through hard work and cleverness! There are over 800 known versions of the Cinderella story told around the world - we hope you enjoy this one!Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave story
Molly Whuppie: a Story From Scotland
Send us Fan MailThis Bat Cave starts off with Pete singing a song from the Bat show that Tanya and Pete are touring round NewZealand at the moment.Then Tanya tells the exciting story of Molly Whuppie, a 'Jack in the Beanstalk' variant where Molly and her sisters set out to find their fortune and meet a ferocious giant along the way. As Molly sings, " Sometimes in life you have to br
The Unicorn's Wish
Send us Fan MailIn this last story celebrating the New Year of the Fire Horse; Tanya and Pete tell the story of a poor man experiencing hard times who sets out to find something to feed his family with. He meets some difficult choices along the way.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling
Lakota Horse Origin Story
Send us Fan MailContinuing the celebration of the horse for the lunar 'fire horse' year, Tanya talks about horses in mythology such as Pegasus, Sleipnir and the horse of power from Russian folktales. Tanya and Pete share a story from the First Nations Lakota people about the origin of the horse - known as Tashunka - a magical gift that was given and then taken away but returned many year
Fire Horse Year!
Send us Fan MailIt's the first Batt Cave of the New Year and the Batt Cave Team are Celebrating the coming Chinese New Year of The Fire Horse, beginning on Feb 17th. Batt Lamb is very excited!They also sing two songs. The first is a song to welcome a new ancestor building that Tanya and Pete have moved to their land. The second song is a well known Horse song fitting for the Fire Horse Year.S
Part 2 of The Golden apple story
Send us Fan MailFresh from the Batt Cave comes the second and final part of the Hungarian Wonder Tale about the Three Brothers and the Golden Apples.... It's a long one... so Buckle up for adventure!!Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling club at https://ko-fi.com/tanyabatt0027/tier
Batt Lamb's Twelve Days of Christmas
Send us Fan MailIt's nearly New Year 2026.... and to celebrate the past twelve months, we've adapted the Twelve Days of Christmas, Batt Lamb - style, (with some help from Tanya and Pete) to sing about all the great stories (and songs) we've shared from around the world in the Batt cave during the year.Thanks for tuning into the Batt Cave and Happy New Year from the Batt Cave!!!!!Su
Two Golden Apple Stories!
Send us Fan MailFor a treat today the Batt Cave has two stories to share about Golden Apples.First Tanya tells Batt Lamb all about the Ancient Greek story of Paris and the Golden Apple... of Gods and choices and all that great mythical stuff.Then Tanya tells the first part of a long Wonder Tale from Bulgaria about three brothers and a golden apple tree. Follow this exciting tale and then join us
King Midas and the Golden Touch
Send us Fan MailTanya tells Batt lamb the classic story of King Midas who's dreams come true when the Gods grant him one wishSupport the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling club at https://ko-fi.com/tanyabatt0027/tiers Or if you are an educator for children 0 - 8 years subscribe to 'Bat
The Leprechaun's Pot of Gold
Send us Fan MailPete has reached a golden milestone in November, turning 65! To celebrate, we've put together a collection of 'golden stories' to share. The first one is is from Ireland, and is aboutt a Leprechaun and his legendary pot of gold. Batt-lamb wonders about the rights and wrongs of taking things that don't belong to you but stealing a Leprechaun's treasure prove
The Pumpkin Wife
Send us Fan MailThis traditional story comes from the Lotha Naga people who originate from North East India. A gentle but lonley farmer finds an exceptionally large pumpkin growing in his garden. While the other villagers are suspicious, the farmer lavishes attention on this pumpkin, resulting in its magical transformation. But not everyone is happy with the harvest.Support the showYou can find o
A Talking Vine, a Smiling Apple and a Singing Ringing Pear
Send us Fan MailContinuing with the theme of springtime in the Garden; Tanya and the Batt Crew tell a delightful musical story of a King who wants to give a gift to his three Daughters. The youngest asks for a Talking vine, a Smiling Apple and a Singing Ringing Pear... What a strange request?Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr j
Pollinator Power Action Song
Send us Fan MailIt's Halloween again and here in New Zealand it's springtime and that means lots of busy bees and other pollinators out and about pollinating all the flowers and plants in the garden.Tanya has lots of pumpkin seedlings to give away and we thought we'd celebrate with "Pollinator Power"... A song/action story the children can move too, all about the industrio
The Three Billy Goats Gruff
Send us Fan MailContinuing The epic European adventure Our Heroes briefly pass through Norway on their way to Shetland.This is a re-telling of the Classic Norwegian story : The Three Billygoats Gruff...told with verve and panache by BattLamb and Tanya....While Pete joins in pluckin' on the Banjo.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story
The Seals/Selkies of the Vee Skerries & Papa Stour
Send us Fan MailDuring their big adventure, Tanya, Pete and Batt lamb were lucky enough to visit Papa Stour, one of the most westerly isles of the Shetland Islands.One of the old stories connected to Papa Stour is about a fisherman who gets stranded on the Vee Skerries and the bargin he makes that saves with a seal/selkie that saves his life.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to pu
Cuckoo Song and The Crow Who Stole the Seeds
Send us Fan MailAt long last, Pete, Tanya and Batt Lamb are back from their epic adventure, with new stories and songs to share - this month the stories are from Thailand, Shetland and Norway.In celebration of spring, this episode begings with a Cuckoo song. Then Tanya shares a traditional Thai story all about planting seeds.Kasem is given some special seeds by his Grandfather, with instructions t
Hare brings Light - a midwinter story from Siberia
Send us Fan MailIn the second half of the Batt-Cave from Sweden where the days are long and full of light, Tanya, Pete and Batt-lamb share a story from Siberia about how hare brought light to a very dark world - a story for those experiencing the southern mid winter. Pete also shares a small refrain from a Swedish 70's classic all about summer and picking smöltron (wild strawberries) that wa
Salt on a Magpie's Tail - a special podcast from Sweden
Send us Fan MailTanya, Pete and Batt-lamb continue on their world storytelling adventure and are joined in Sweden by Greger (and Lena) who are long time fans of the Batt- Cave. This story is musical remake of a traditional Swedish folktale about making your wishes come true. Greger's wish comes true on this podcast - he and Batt-lamb sing a duet 'Baa, baa vita lamb' - the swedish ve
Happy Just Where They Are - a story with Xanthe Gresham Knight
Send us Fan MailThis episode was recorded in Sutri, Italy with the wonderful UK storyteller Xanthe Gresham - Knight. (Tanya and Xanthe were on their way to FEST - the Federation of European Storytellers Conference).Batt-lamb is thrilled to help Xanthe tell a story with a sheep in it, and three other animals who set out to seek a holy man to help with their coughs. Turns out that companionship is a
Stories from Singapore Part 2
Send us Fan MailThis is the second part of our podcast from Singapore with Singaporian storyteller Mindy Neo. Tanya shares the story of the Hindu elephant headed god Ganesha after a visit to a local Hindu temple in Joo Chiat, the 2nd oldest in Singapore.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytel
Stories from Singapore Part 1
Send us Fan MailTanya, Pete and Batt- lamb are out in the world having an adventure and their first stop was Singapore where we met some of the local storytellers who are part of the Storytelling Association of Singapore. Mindy Neo is a member of the association and joined us to share a local story about the island Palau Ubin but not before we got into a bit of singing songs from Singapore and Wai
A Taiwanese folktale about the mountain Ban Pi Shan
Send us Fan MailThis Taiwanese story tells why the mountain called Ban Pin Shan – the half faced mountain is the shape it is. It all starts with an old man who arrives selling delicious dumplings but the dumplings prove to be more than a yummy treat.As usual Tanya weaves her story magic (in a slightly forgetful way!)Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-
Two Stories!! 'Oni Wa Soto' & 'The Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly'.
Send us Fan MailIn this big double bill episode, Tanya, with a lot of help from Batt Lamb (and Pete), tells a story that centres around the Japanese celebration, Setsubun - the Japanese bean throwing festival. In early February, in anticipation of Spring, people drive out bad luck and the oni (demons) associated with it, to welcome in the new. This version of the story comes from storyteller Cath
Grandma Bear and the two rainbows
Send us Fan MailThis story is an adaptation of a Chinese story about Grandma Bear, who is not feeling well and has taken to her bed. All her friends: Fox, Pig and Uncle Frog come to help her and she share her dream of a healing rainbow.Then Tanya and Pete finish off by singing a lullaby in te reo Māori called 'Moe Moe Pēpē'.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at
Building bridges
Send us Fan MailIn Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand we have just had the ANZAC day commemerations (25th April). In the spirit of peace we're sharing a story and a song all about 'building bridges' where two 'waring' brothers find help to reconcile their differences from an unlikely source.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-w
The Pedlar of Swaffham
Send us Fan MailStaying on the bridge theme, Tanya and Pete share the old English nursery rhyme, 'London Bridge in Falling down' with all it's verses, documenting the many different faces of this famous bridge.Then they tell the story of a Pedlar (poor seller of second hand things) who has a recurring dream that if he travels to London Bridge great riches will be his. A story about
The Rainbow Bridge Story
Send us Fan MailJoin Tanya, Pete and Bat Lamb for stories and songs about rainbows. The story today is from the First Nations, Chumash people who are the original people of the Californian coastal area. It tells of a magical Rainbow bridge created by the earth goddess Hutash that once stretched between the island of Limuw/Santa Cruz (where the Chumash originated from) and mainland California. Sup
The story telling stone
Send us Fan MailTonight Tanya and Pete tell a story from The Seneca Native American Nation. It's the story of how in the beginning there were no stories... until stories began to be told from an unusual source.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling club at https://ko-fi.com/tanyabat
The Welsh Dragon
Send us Fan MailIt's St David's Day and the Batt Cave are celebrating with a dragon story from Wales about a mean Ruler and a Father-less boy. Dragons will be involved for sure!Also Tanya is celebrating the release of her new book Seasonal storytelling, with a hat song from one of the many songs and stories in the book...Enjoy!!Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchas
Baby Snake and Baby Mouse
Send us Fan MailContinuing the Snake theme it being the year of the snake... Tanya and Pete start off by introducing Samuel the Snake, and they sing a snake song with some rhyming questions. Then Tanya tells a cute story about a baby snake and a baby mouse who meet by surprise.... What will Happen??Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-s
A Story Sack from Korea
Send us Fan MailIt's the first Batt Cave of the New Year, in fact it's two New Year Celebrations... The Gregorian and the Chinese New Year as well.As it is the Chinese year of the Snake, Tanya and Pete share a story that has snakes in it from Korea about a man who has a sack full of stories but is reluctant to share them... I think the Stories have other ideas!Support the showYou can fin
The most beautiful sound
Send us Fan MailIt's New Year in the Batt Cave and Tanya, Pete and Batt lamb start off with a Thankyou song to remember all the things we are grateful for.... then members of the Batt Cave share what they are grateful for over the past year. Tanya then tells a lovely story about a king who decides to hold a competition to find the most beautiful sound there is.... there are many contenders...
The Legend of La Befana - the Italian Christmas witch and the three magi.
Send us Fan MailThe festive stories continue. In Italy, January the 6th is when La Befana, the Christmas witch appears, Batt lamb has plenty of questions about La Befana and her meeting with the three wise men/Kings as they travelled over 'field and fountain, moor and mountain' through Italy, following the Christmas star.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at ht
The Gingerbread Man
Send us Fan MailWith Christmas nearly upon us we in the Batt Cave bring you a New Zealand take on the Classic Gingerbread Man story... of course Bat-lamb manages to get a starring role! It's a rocking and rolling story to move along to.Then we finish off with a Christmas song we wrote last Christmas "Waiting for this day to begin".Merry Christmas!!! Tanya, Pete and Bat-LambSupport t
A Christmas decoration story to dance to
Send us Fan MailWe're on the countdown to Christmas and Tanya, Batt Lamb and Pete start off the Batt Cave with presents of the imaginary kind - a fun musical game for everyone.Then Tanya tells a story about magic decorations on the Christmas tree that come to life when no one is looking. It's an upbeat musical story that the children will have fun dancing to that is featured in Tanya&apo
Bedtime for Lulu
Send us Fan MailFresh from the Batt Cave comes the fun story of Lulu who is visiting her Grandmother and is having difficulty getting to sleep... so Grandmother has some very interesting ideas to help her sleep. Batt Lamb plays a cameo role in the story!Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytel
Cuckoo... A Mexican Folk Tale
Send us Fan MailTanya and Pete, along with children on Waiheke, have just been celebrating the arrival of Migratory birds on our shores. These include the Bar-Tailed Godwit/Kuaka which has made the loooong journey from western Alaska to New Zealand for a summer holiday and the Shining Cuckoo called the Pīpīwharauroa, which has flown from Indonesia/Bismarck Archipelago to have it's young. Like
The hat seller and the monkeys
Send us Fan MailTanya and Pete have been celebrating Mad Hatters Day at a friends Birthday party, and decided to tell the Popular Indian story about a hat seller and his meeting with a group of very mischievous monkeys.They brought along a selection of colourful hats ... and a song to go with the story too.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net
The Firebird: Episode 2 of 2
Send us Fan MailHere it is.. the second and final part of the Firebird story: a Wonder tale from Russia ....Enjoy!!Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling club at https://ko-fi.com/tanyabatt0027/tiers Or if you are an educator for children 0 - 8 years subscribe to 'Batt on the Mat&ap
The Firebird : part 1 of 2
Send us Fan MailThis week in the Bat Cave Tanya , Pete and Bat lamb present part 1 of a Russian story about an Old man who discovers a magical feather. He has a great friend in his horse and together they face many challenges the Tsar (who is not a very nice bloke!) puts to them.Be sure to tune in next week for the exciting conclusion to this Wonder Tale!!Support the showYou can find our audios a
A Butterfly story and song
Send us Fan MailTanya bought some felt butterflies in Australia and got inspired to sing this butterfly song and tell the story of the magical transformation butterflies undergo.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling club at https://ko-fi.com/tanyabatt0027/tiers Or if you are an educator
Soup from a stone
Send us Fan MailOn the teams epic recent trip to Australia Tanya and Pete were invited to Mintara in South Australia to tell stories for a grown up audience on the theme of community and the links we all share with those around us. This was one of the stories told... a well known traditional story called Soup from a stone, about a traveller who comes to a town and proceeds to cook soup with a ston
Only Me.... Beth and the Faery
Send us Fan MailTanya, Pete and Batt lamb have just got back from a month touring and performing in Australia. They start off with a spring song to celebrate spring arriving here in New Zealand, and then tell an old English story about a girl Beth who stays up one night and meets a Faery.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join
Mikku and the Trees
Send us Fan MailIt's the middle of winter in New Zealand and it's the best time to plants trees... Tanya and Pete have just planted thirty plus trees and wanted to celebrate the wonder of trees in the Batt Cave this week. They start off with a song about trees in the garden, then they sing a traditional English tune used to Wassail (Celebrate) the apple trees that comes from the West Cou
Matariki Star songs and the story of Tāwhirimātea
Send us Fan MailTanya and Pete share more Matariki songs about some of the stars in the Matariki Cluster and then tell a very poignant story from the Māori tradition about Tāwhirimātea, the God of te hau/ the wind and how Matariki came to be in the sky.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytell
Matariki...Celebrating with a song and a story
Send us Fan MailMānawatia a Matariki. In the Batt cave today we are celebrating Matariki, the Māori new year. We start by sharing a fantastic Matariki waiata by our friends Loopy Tunes in Ōtautahi/Christchurch. The star cluster, Matariki is important to many different cultures all over the world and has many names. In English it's called the Pleiades, in Japan Subaru and in China Mao. We sha
When babies were dug for - an Inuit Tale.
Send us Fan MailFor the third in our trio of fox stories ... this story comes from the Inuit and is about a woman who longs for and digs deep to find herself a child. A fox helps realise her dream.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling club at https://ko-fi.com/tanyabatt0027/tiers Or if
Chicken Licken
Send us Fan MailTanya tells an energetic and fun version of this popular tale, about Chicken Licken who gets hit on the head by a falling acorn and thinks the sky is falling... then sets off to tell the KingSupport the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling club at https://ko-fi.com/tanyabatt0027/ti
Mr Fox's sack
Send us Fan MailTanya and Pete have dressed up to go to a party, and as Tanya is dressed as a fox , they have decided to tell a traditional English story about a certain Mr Fox and his sack.... I wonder what is in the sack??Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling club at https://ko-fi.com
Anansi the Spider
Send us Fan MailThis story (and catchy song) from the Batt Cave is from West Africa and is all about Anansi....the trickster spider man. Anansi was a very smart but troublesome god who was changed into a spider by his father Nyame for not giving up his mischievous ways, and there are many traditional stories about Anansi - this is one of them.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to p
Gluscabi and the Wind Eagle
Send us Fan MailThe Batt Cave kicks off tonight with a song about air and then Tanya and Pete share a Gluscabi story that comes from the Abenaki first nations of America people. In this story Gluscabi's curiosity and frustration with the wind lead him to meet Wouchowsen, the mighty wind eagle where he learns that what often frustrates us, can also make us strong.Support the showYou can find
The Giant Turnip
Send us Fan MailAnother of the Batt Caves's harvest stories: Tanya tells a story from Russia about a farmer and his struggles to harvest a Giant Turnip from his land. Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling club at https://ko-fi.com/tanyabatt0027/tiers Or if you are an educator for c
The Farmer and the Boggart
Send us Fan MailStill on the theme of Harvest time: Tanya tells an English story about a Farmer and his dealings with the boggart... an old mischievous spirit set on causing trouble.Then they follow up with another old harvest song... Oats, peas, beans and barley grow... except Tanya substitutes produce thats ready to harvest in our garden... Apples, Feijoas and Kumara.Support the showYou can find
Easter Harvest Time
Send us Fan MailIts Easter in the Batt Cave and in New Zealand that means Harvest time in the garden.Tanya, Batt Lamb and Pete have fun with the Batt cave participants identifying produce fresh from the garden and singing a Harvest song... Hip Hip Hip the harvest home!!Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Ba
The Singing Sack
Send us Fan MailTanya tells this story from Andalusia in Spain to the Batt Cave about a young girl who looses her necklace.Be warned that it is a bit of a scary story with a mean Ogre with a bad attitude in it!!Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling club at https://ko-fi.com/tanyabatt002
The ant and the grasshopper
Send us Fan MailAesop is credited with several hundred fables: hot from the Batt Cave comes this tale of the ant who is industrious and hard working, and the grasshopper who takes a more laid back approach. In a first for Pete he not only plays the music but also plays the part of the grasshopper! Tanya takes on the role of the ant with her usual mastery of unusual voices.A twist to the story is i
Cicada plays his drum
Send us Fan MailIts still hot and summery here in NewZealand and the Cicadas are in full song.Here is a story from the Andaman Islands about the Cicada who loves to play his drum; and how this affects the whole balance of nature!Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling club at https://ko-f
The legend of the first dragon from China
Send us Fan MailAnother story from the Batt Cave celebrating the Chinese New Year. This is the story of a boy called Chi Yu and how he uses a magic bead he finds to help out his village during a drought. His kindness is punished by a greedy farmer and Chi Yu finds himself transformed.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the
A story about the Chinese Zodiac Animals
Send us Fan MailIt's the time of the Chinese New Year , so Tanya and Pete share a story about the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac and how decided the order they appear in.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling club at https://ko-fi.com/tanyabatt0027/tiers Or if you are an educa
Tiddalik the frog
Send us Fan MailWith the start of a new year and it being Australia Day Tanya tells a story from the indigenous Peoples of South East Australia about Tiddalik the frog who is a very thirsty frog indeed!Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling club at https://ko-fi.com/tanyabatt0027/tiers O
The Kings seed
Send us Fan MailTanya and Pete share a story about a king who is looking for a successor to rule his kingdom and comes up with a novel way of selecting the new King.Of course there is a boy called.... (What else!) Jack who thinks he will throw his hat in the ring.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cav
A Mermaid's treasure
Send us Fan MailMembers of the Batt Cave audience take part in the telling of this story about two children who discover a mermaid on the beach. Treasure is involved, so sit back and enjoy this fun tale told by Tanya and Pete.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling club at https://ko-fi.c
A Christmas and New Year special from the Batt Cave
Send us Fan MailIt's that special time of year again!! Tanya, Pete and Batt lamb are here with two new Christmas songs they have written to celebrate the Southern Hemisphere Christmas and New Year in New Zealand with all that means... Hot summer days, fresh plums and strawberries, swimming at the beach.It's also a time for family, remembering those we love and those who have passed and a
Peter; The boy who cried wolf!!
Send us Fan MailTo celebrate Pete's Birthday, Tanya and Bat Lamb decide to tell a 'Peter ' story, of which there are many to choose from. They settle on the classic tale of the boy who cried wolf, with Peter in the main role.Of course Bat lamb uses her super hero powers to deal with the wolf!Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.ne
The time of your life
Send us Fan MailThe time of your life is a story by Tanya Batt and it is her latest picture book published.It tells the story of a boy and his curiosity about the nature of time... can his new watch help him save up time?Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling club at https://ko-fi.com/ta
Issun-bōshi- the brave Japanese Tom Thumb
Send us Fan MailIt's a new Batt Cave session, and it's a new year for Pete.... It's his Birthday!!Tanya , Bat Lamb and Pete celebrate with the story of Issun-bōshi : A boy who is only the small size of a thumb, but he has very big courage as he journeys out into the world to pursue his dream of becoming a Samurai Warrior.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase
The Kings four Daughters
Send us Fan MailRounding off the Bat Cave's stories this month; Tanya with enthusiastic help from Bat Lamb tell a story from India about a king and his four daughters. The king decides to give a gift to each daughter as the story begins.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling club at
The Tortoise and Racy Rabbit
Send us Fan MailTanya and Pete share this fun version of the classic Aesop's Fable; The Tortoise and the Hare.Tortoise challenges Racy Rabbit to a race.... I wonder who will win?Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling club at https://ko-fi.com/tanyabatt0027/tiers Or if you are an edu
Why mosquitos buzzzzzzz
Send us Fan MailThis delightfull story from Africa has been a part of Tanya's story telling since very early in her career as a full time weaver of magical tales. It tells of how mosquitos ended up with that annoying whine we sometimes hear in the night.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave st
Lulu and bedtime at Grandma's house
Send us Fan MailA fun story about Lulu who is staying at Grandma's house and is having trouble getting to sleep... A familiar problem to parents! Grandma comes up with some creative ideas to help her sleep.Support the showYou can find our audios and books to purchase at https://imagined-worlds.net/story-shopOr join the live monthly Batt Cave storytelling club at https://ko-fi.com/tanyabatt00
