Showing results by narrator "Dan Schoeneberg" in All Categories

Smith Wilkinson was an actual 10-year-old factory worker when he started his first job at a Rhode Island cotton mill more than 200 years ago. It was common for children to work in factories during the Industrial Revolution. This is what Smith might have said about his life.

Back in the days of the first oil wells, the oilmen passed the time by spinning tall tales. One of their favorite storytellers was Gib Morgan, whose adventures became legend! Find out about the man behind his tales and hear a tale or two from the oil fields.

On a small farm in the Nebraska prairie, ten miles from the nearest town of Grand Island, a boy named John Maxwell cares for his sick father. As Papa’s condition worsens, the boy must overcome his fear and take action to save his father. Will John be able to reach a doctor in time to save Papa?

People have always liked to know what's going on in the outside world. Today we can instantly access the news through the Internet. But how did people get the news before cell phones and TV? From ancient Rome to newspapers and telegraph machines, this story takes a brief look at how people have gotten the news throughout history.

A young man with musical talents named Johann wandered the streets of Germany hoping for a chance to join the orchestra. But without a decent suit of clothes, Johann had very little hope of being heard. Thanks to the kindness of two strangers, and two fish heads, Johann got his chance! Learn more about the story of famous composer Johann Sebastian Bach.

In 1953, Boy Scouts aboard a passenger train in New Zealand face death when a bridge over a river is washed out. This true story depicts the Tangiwai disaster and how one boy’s quick thinking helps to save friends and passengers. The tragedy resulted in early warning systems on Mount Rauapehu to alert travelers to potential danger.

In the 1800s, Charley Parkhurst had a reputation in California for being one of the toughest stagecoach drivers around. He could handle horses and scare off bandits like nobody’s business! Everyone has their secrets, though, and Charley was no different. Things aren’t always what they seem!

Nsue is unhappy with his childhood name and wishes he could earn his new adult name. This African tradition requires an act of bravery, which often means hunting. Nsue can’t bring himself to hunt, though, until one day he hears the cry of the honeyguide bird! Can Nsue work together with this honey-loving bird to figure out his own way of hunting?

A long time ago in Japan, a great warrior was pestered by a large rat. He tried using traps and his sword, but the rat was too clever. Strong cats and speedy cats are no match for this clever rat. Will the samurai’s new cat be able to outsmart the rat?

Plastic was once considered the material of the future, but now it has become a nuisance that results in too much trash for the planet to handle. Learn about the durability and longevity of this 19th-century invention and hear recycling ideas from a chemist who hopes to salvage plastic's reputation.

Willie the donkey chases butterflies, eats from the flower bed, and escapes his pen to visit the animals in the neighboring farm. In this goofy story, Willie reforms his wandering ways after his farm acquires some geese for him to befriend and, most importantly, protect.

Nanabozho—part man, part spirit—is an Ojibwe trickster character, capable of great mischief. Nanabozho teaches us that beauty can sometimes come from mischief. In this story, Nanabozho "paints" the animal kingdom, giving color to each creature he can find.

Sometimes Sam could use a little help from his bunny friend Arnie. Dressing can be difficult for young ones, so Arnie provides encouragement. This is a simple story for the very young about friendship and independence.

A young boy and a tiger visit a cave filled with paintings of tigers. There's even a picture of a tiger hunting a mammoth!

Rolf is a German shepherd with a good life. He has a dream that one day, he will master catching as well as throwing the Frisbee to his owner.

Ever wonder why sports balls always seem to move in an arc when thrown or hit? Explore the physics of parabolic motion through the use of basketballs, tennis balls, and baseballs. Once you've figured out how the kinetic energy of a thrown ball is replaced by potential energy, you can use these facts to help you play sports in real life!

Benjamin Franklin was often curious about the world around him. Utilizing observation and testing of the scientific method, he was able to invent many new items that improved the world for others. These inventions include his famous bifocal glasses, lightning rod, and even a long extension arm.

A poor fisherman named Isak struggles to take care of his family. Even so, he always shares a small portion of his catch with the three black cormorants that lead him to good fishing spots. Isak's kindness is richly rewarded when the cormorants guide him to Utrøst, a lush and magical land under the sea.

Deep underground, unseen forces are at play to move the continents around our globe.

In Colonial America, many people owned two books: a bible and Poor Richard's Almanack, one of Ben Franklin's many inventions. Franklin included calendars, tidal charts, and riddles in his famous publication.