Showing results by narrator "Richard Stibbard" in All Categories

When a proud beetle takes offense at the Emperor’s horse receiving golden shoes, he sets off into the world convinced that he, too, deserves recognition, luxury, and admiration. What follows is a series of encounters—comic, frustrating, and revealing—in which the beetle repeatedly misunderstands the world around him, mistaking misfortune for persecution and coincidence for destiny.

When pawnbroker Jabez Wilson, with his fiery red hair, joins an exclusive “league” offering generous pay for copying out encyclopedias, the opportunity seems too good to be true. But when the League suddenly vanishes without explanation, Wilson turns to Holmes and Watson for help. What begins as a bizarre curiosity soon unravels into a clever scheme with much higher stakes lurking beneath the streets of London.

The Christmas Mystery by William J. Locke is a heartwarming and enchanting tale that captures the magic of the holiday season with a touch of intrigue. Set in a quaint English village blanketed in snow, the story weaves together themes of love, kindness, and redemption against the backdrop of Christmas festivities. It begins with the unexpected arrival of a mysterious stranger in the village, whose presence sparks curiosity and speculation among the villagers.

Nature by Ralph Waldo Emerson, narrated by Richard Stibbard, is a foundational work of transcendentalist philosophy that explores the profound connection between humanity and the natural world. In this timeless essay, Emerson encourages readers to look beyond the superficial and appreciate the deeper spiritual and philosophical lessons that nature offers. By finding unity and harmony with nature, Emerson suggests, individuals can achieve greater self-awareness, insight, and enlightenment.

A simple kitchen mishap sends three unlikely companions into the world together: a straw spared from the fire, a coal that leapt from the hearth, and a lone bean that escaped the pot. Each has survived by chance, and each believes fortune has finally turned in their favor.

Lynn Venable’s Time Enough at Last is a chilling and ironic tale about the fragility of dreams and the unpredictable nature of fate. The story follows Henry Bemis, a man who loves books but is constantly denied the time to read. When a catastrophic event leaves him as the sole survivor in a desolate, post-apocalyptic world, he finds solace in the realization that he now has all the time he ever wanted—to read without interruption. However, fate has one final, cruel twist in store.

When an aging donkey is cast aside by his master, he decides to seek a new life as a musician in the great city. Along the road, he is joined by a weary dog, a clever cat, and a proud rooster—each fleeing a similar fate. Though none are young or strong anymore, together they form an unexpected fellowship bound by hope and determination.

Beyond just a paranormal guide, Haunted Golf Courses is a homage to the beautiful game of golf itself. If you're a golf lover, this book offers a new lens to view and appreciate the courses you love. For the non-golfers too, this book promises a thrilling journey into social history, human stories, and communities that have grown around these golf courses.

Morgan Robertson’s The Battle of the Monsters is a thrilling tale of nature’s raw power and the clash of titanic creatures beneath the waves. In this gripping short story, two colossal sea beasts engage in a ferocious struggle for dominance in the depths of the ocean, their battle shaking the waters with an intensity that leaves human witnesses awestruck. As a lone ship drifts dangerously close to the epic confrontation, those aboard can only watch in horror and fascination as nature’s most fearsome predators fight to the death.

Humpty Doo…the enchanted city on rails where nature has the upper hand and nothing stands still, not even the buildings. A place where toys are part of the population, storytellers can be summoned to amuse you, and flying jelly babies guide you through the ever-changing streets. When the heart of the city, the Imperial Carousel, is damaged, Humpty Doo grinds to a halt and nature starts to take over. Can Jinx and her new Humpty Dooish friends restore the Carousel before the bush rises up and consumes them?

In this clever and gently mischievous origin story, Kipling introduces listeners to a greedy Whale, a resourceful mariner armed with nothing but a raft, a cooking-stove, and a truly clever plan, and the beginning of a rule that all whales have followed ever since.

Ella Evie becomes friends with Mr. Snowflake, and her adventure begins! A beautiful and enchanting story for any child.

You will discover the story of Marshall Mouse and the adventure he goes on after deciding to go shopping at Parker Pigeon's store before making his lunch.

Tristan learns how to overcome her fears of trying new things and becoming brave. This story teaches your child that they are not expected to be good at something they try for the first time. And in fact, becoming good at something new usually involves making lots of mistakes, getting lots of help, and working really hard.

In book two, Jinx Valentine is reunited with her Humpty Dooish friends. The children are holidaying at the prized swimming spot, Coolabah Gully, and babysitting Mona the elephant at the same time. Their holiday is upset when Mona starts trespassing, stealing people's rubbish, and swimming 'til all hours. When Mona follows a roaming pony into the bush, the children run after her. Navigating the bush without supplies or guidance puts them to the test. But the real drama is lurking back at the Gully, or rather, under it. What unfolds will change the children forever.

In one of Edgar Allan Poe’s most brilliant detective tales, C. Auguste Dupin faces a crime that is as much about intellect as it is about cunning. When a highly sensitive letter is stolen from the royal apartments by a shrewd and unscrupulous minister, the police search tirelessly—yet fail to find it. Called upon for help, Dupin applies his unparalleled powers of observation and deduction, proving that the best hiding place may be in plain sight.

The Mysterious Mansion by Honoré de Balzac is a gothic mystery set in the quiet French town of Vendôme, where a crumbling manor known as La Grande Bretêche hides a chilling secret. Told through the eyes of a curious traveler and an enigmatic innkeeper, the story slowly unravels a tale of betrayal, confinement, and a deadly silence that has haunted the abandoned estate for over a decade.

Step into a whimsical world where philosophy meets imagination in The Greats Abridged: A Voyage to the Moon—a 17th-century satirical masterpiece by Cyrano de Bergerac. Narrated with charm and clarity by Richard Stibbard, this early science fiction tale follows the bold and eccentric Cyrano as he devises bizarre methods to travel to the Moon. Once there, he discovers a strange lunar civilization and engages in witty philosophical debates that challenge earthly norms.

The Greats Abridged: Great Expectations brings Charles Dickens' iconic coming-of-age tale to life in a concise, compelling format ideal for modern listeners. This expertly abridged version preserves the heart and drama of Pip’s journey—from humble beginnings as an orphaned blacksmith’s apprentice to the glittering illusions of gentlemanly life in London.

Set in a quiet English village during the 19th century, The Bonfire by Francis E. Paget is a heartfelt Victorian moral tale that weaves tradition, community, and repentance into one deeply moving narrative. When a group of young boys mistreats the reclusive Jasper Crabbe and accidentally sets off a fire during the annual Guy Fawkes Night celebration, the resulting blaze destroys the winter hay supply of a poor widow, Dinah Marjoram.