*** LATEST UPDATE ***
Microsoft Edge can read aloud the stories to you. Select and hold (right-click) anywhere on the page and choose Read aloud icon
on the right of the web address bar.
Alternatively you may use the following keyboard shortcut (Ctrl + Shift + U) to start of stop Read aloud.
For Chrome: Add the Read Aloud extension to your browser to read aloud the stories to you.
Microsoft Edge can read aloud the stories to you. Select and hold (right-click) anywhere on the page and choose Read aloud icon
on the right of the web address bar.
Alternatively you may use the following keyboard shortcut (Ctrl + Shift + U) to start of stop Read aloud. For Chrome: Add the Read Aloud extension to your browser to read aloud the stories to you.
*** SUPERSEDED *** This page uses Microsoft Agent technology for both sections READ ALONG and READ ALOUD (see below). This technology features 3D animated characters and text-to-speech engines. Should you decide not to install the required components, you are still able to enjoy the stories and rhymes ... you just have to read them yourself ... but there will be no jokes (see below).
Don't worry, the downloads are safe ... see Web Safety Ratings.
If you want to see and hear the 3D talking animated characters, then you need the following:
- Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows NT 4.0 (x86), Windows 2000 or Windows XP operating system
Windows 7 does not come pre-installed with the Microsoft Agent technology. There is, however, a HOTFIX available from Microsoft to install this feature. - Internet Explorer version 5.0 or later
- A Pentium 100 MHz PC (or faster) with at least 16 MB of RAM
- A Windows-compatible sound card and a set of speakers
- Microsoft Agent
core components - 395 KB
Note, you do NOT need to install these core components if you are using one of these operating systems: Windows XP, Windows 2000 or Windows Me. The Microsoft Agent core components are already installed on your computer. - Lernout & Hauspie® TruVoice
Text-To-Speech engine (English) - 1 MB
- SAPI 4.0 runtime support if you are using Windows XP
| Next, download ... | Then, go to ... |
 Genie - your humble and powerful servant of the lamp (1.6 MB)
Astrerik codes
Jokes (at random) available ... ** on the first page ** on the second page Hope they bring a smile to your face! Colour codes • with link to colouring pages • with link to flash version of story |
READ ALONG with Genie
Create your own spelling lists and have children type each word in the box and listen to the word read aloud to them; ideal for speakers of other languages. READ ALOUD by Genie :: Fables and Fairy Tales Highlight a SHORT paragraph at a time and click on the "Read" button • The Ant and the Grasshopper • The Hare and the Tortoise • The Singing, Soaring Lark • Jack and the Beanstalk* • • Adventures of Aladdin** • Hansel and Gretel • • Sleeping Beauty • • The Elves • • Rapunzel • Nursery Rhymes • Jack and Jill • Jack Be Nimble • Hey Diddle Diddle • Old Mother Hubbard • Ring Around the Roses • Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater |
 Merlin - the wise and magical wizard (1.8 MB) |
READ ALONG with Merlin
READ ALOUD by Merlin :: Fables and Fairy Tales • The Dog in the Manager* • The Lion and the Mouse • • The Princess and the Pea • • Beauty and the Beast • The Little Mermaid (extracts) • The Three Bears* • • The Frog Prince • • Puss-in-Boots • Cinderella • (with discussion questions) Nursery Rhymes • Little Boy Blue • Wee Willie Winkie • Three Little Kittens • Hickory Dickory Dock • Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star |
 Peedy - your Personal Digital Parrot (3.3 MB) |
READ ALONG with Peedy
READ ALOUD by Peedy :: Fables and Fairy Tales • The Goose with the Golden Eggs • The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing • The Fox and the Grapes • The Crow and the Fox • Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs • • The Three Little Pigs** • • The Golden Bird* • Rumpelstiltskin •• Nursery Rhymes • Little Bo Beep • Humpty Dumpty • Three Blind Mice • Little Miss Muffet • Little Jack Horner • Mary Had A Little Lamb |
