Subject: Reading: Storytelling

Magic Words Series

"Highly Recommended. Viewers of all ages, and especially younger audiences, will delight in the collaborative storytelling technique of Julie Portman and Paul Reisler, whose performance magically draws you in to each story told." -National Media Review
This classic series of ageless folktales from different cultures is brought to life through the magical storytelling talents of Julie Portman, an Obie Award winner actress (Riot), and her husband and artistic partner, musician Paul Reisler, Founder and Artistic Director of Kid Pan Alley, an organization that inspires and empowers children to become creators of their own music. Produced by Julie Portman and Paul Reisler. Programs available on 2 or 5 DVDs, Digital Streaming Files or Videos. For pricing call in US: 800.876.2447/Intl. 603.434.9262 or e-mail
Also with Julie Portman:and Paul Reisler: Family Album 1: Katie Malone and Family Album 2: How Dad Created the World

List of Titles

1. The Magic Bird (An African Folktale)

Julie Portman and Paul Reisler bring to life a folktale from the continent of Africa. This is the story of a young girl from a poor village in Ghana who sets a bird free instead of killing it for food. The people of girl's village are so angry with her for not killing the bird; they decide to imprison her in a hut. Click for more

2. People That Could Fly (An African American Folktale)

Slavery was one of the darkest social injustices ever experienced in America. Finding hope for freedom had to be a nearly impossible thing for African Americans during that period of our country's history. Julie Portman and Paul Reisler collaborate on this story that reminds us of the heated emotions of those days, Click for more

Magic Words Stories 1 & 2

A combined version of 1. Magic Bird and 2. People That Could Fly, starring Julie Portman and Paul Reisler, is available.
1: The Magic Bird (An African Folktale)
Julie Portman and Paul Reisler bring to life a folktale from the continent of Africa. This is the story of a young Click for more

3. The Stonecutter (A Japanese Folktale)

Julie Portman and Paul Reisler bring to life a folktale from the country of Japan. Here we learn of Tasaku, who was a lowly stonecutter, but he was very happy in his work. Happy that is until a royal prince passed by one day in a magnificent procession. Then Tasaku wished aloud that he too might have wealth, and the Click for more

4. How the Camel Got His Hump (Modernized)

Julie Portman and Paul Reisler done their "shades" to bring us a modernized version - beat style - of one of Rudyard Kipling's most popular "Just So" stories. For you "cats" who dig Kipling, you will recall that once upon a time, when the world was so new and all, there was a lazy, lazy, camel who, when asked Click for more

5. The Pebble and the Beetle (An American Folktale)

Paul Reisler provides the music and Julie Portman the magic as we watch her change back to the little girl she once was right before our eyes; then she tells us this metaphorical story. We see how wonderful it can be to play with pebbles - some children even put them in their mouths - but, as all children eventually Click for more

Magic Words Stories 3, 4, 5

A combined version of 3. The Stonecutter; 4. How the Camel Got His Hump and 5. The Pebble and the Beetle, starring Julie Portman and Paul Reisler, is available.
3: The Stonecutter (A Japanese Folktale)
Julie Portman> and Paul Reisler bring to life a folktale from the country Click for more