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To The Best Of Our Knowledge

TTBOOK: Fairy Tale
TTBOOK: Fairy Tale
Annie Gauger has edited an annotated version of the classic novel ”The Wind in the Willows.” Nina Paley has re-told the story from the Ramayana using animation, Indonesian shadow puppets and a ‘20s era jazz singer. Musharraf Ali Farooqi translates ancient Indian tales of sorcerers and wizards, originally written in Urdu. Maria Tatar talks about what makes fairy tales so compelling to children. Jack Zipes discusses Kurt Schwitters’ life and work, particularly his surreal fairy tales. Annie Gauger has edited a brand new annotated version of the classic novel "The Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame. She tells Steve Paulson that the characters reflect various aspects of Grahame's personality and the book began as a series of tales exchanged between Graham and his son. And we hear some of Alan Bennett's adaptation of the story for the BBC.

Nina Paley has made a film using animation, Indonesian shadow puppets and a '20s era jazz singer to re-tell the story from the Ramayana of the marriage of the Hindu god Rama and his wife, Sita. The film is called "Sita Sings the Blues." Paley tells Jim Fleming what inspired her.

Musharraf Ali Farooqi is the translator of "The Adventures of Amir Hamza" and "Hoshruba." He tells Anne Strainchamps about these ancient Indian tales of sorcerers and wizards, originally written in Urdu.

Maria Tatar is the author of"Enchanted Hunters: The Power of Stories in Childhood." She talks with Steve Paulson about what makes fairy tales so compelling to children. And we hear a bit of Christopher Walken's "Goodnight Moon" from "The Simpsons."

Kurt Schwitters was a celebrated modern artist in Europe in the twenties and thirties who both painted and wrote satirical, surrealist fantasies. His career was cut short by the Nazis. Now, a collection of his tales, called "Lucky Hans" has been translated and edited by Jack Zipes. Zipes, an expert on fairy tales, tells Anne Strainchamps about Schwitters' life and work.

To the Best of Our Knowledge is an audio magazine of ideas - two hours of smart, entertaining radio for people with curious minds.

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