The original Story Teller was released from December 1982 and throughout 1983 as a fortnightly partwork. Each magazine contained a selection of children's stories, some traditional folk tales like "Anansi the Spiderman", some classic children's tales such as Gobbolino, the Witch's Cat, and some contemporary works written especially for the series, like "Timbertwig". Most issues contained a poem or two, as well. The stories were accompanied by lavish colour artwork, and inside each issue was an offer to purchase custom made binders for the magazine as well as cases to hold the tapes. Each issue of Story Teller came with a cover-mounted cassette tape containing a reading of the stories, complete with music and sound effects. What set Story Teller apart from other partworks was the stories were read by professional actors and celebrities of the time, including Richard Briers, Sheila Hancock, Derek Jacobi, and Nigel Lambert.
Two distinguishing features of the audio cassettes were the "Story Teller" jingle that introduced and ended each tape and the characteristic "ping" that sounded when the time came to turn the pages to encourage children to read along. The "Story Teller" jingle is an existing track called "Children's Carnival" by Ted Atking and Alain Feanch.
Longer stories were split over multiple issues to encourage parents to buy the next issue. These were referred to as Story Teller Serials. As one serial came to end, another would start. Many of these would be simple two-part stories, but a selection of stories (usually classics such as Peter Pan and the Wizard of Oz) were spread over several issues. Pinocchio was the longest serial, with seven installments.
The original collection was 26 issues long with each tape lasting up to 45 minutes. An exception was issue 26, which was 90 minutes long because it also contained the special preview issue for Story Teller 2, which immediately followed the original series.
(The New Zealand and Australian Story Time only ran for 1 series, so the final Issue 26 was the standard 45 minutes long and did not feature the special preview for the next series. This was the sole difference between its UK counterpart; the cassettes and artwork were otherwise identical. Similarly, the cassette carry case was available in Australia. However, in New Zealand, a smaller box was provided, made out of cardboard wrapped in a red plastic with small domes at the corners joining it all together and a piece of Velcro for the flap on the top).
Story Teller 2, which was previewed in issue 26 of the original Story Teller series in the UK, continued the tradition of the original by combining traditional, classic, and contemporary children's stories. (In New Zealand and Australia, Story Time only ran for 1 series.)
When Story Teller 2 ended, Marshall Cavendish followed it up with another 26-part series, Little Story Teller, which, as its title suggests, was aimed at a younger audience than the original series. Many of the stories in Little Story Teller featured the adventures of the inhabitants of the Magic Mountain, which included Leroy the Lion, Dotty the Dragon, and Morris and Doris the hamsters.
Three Christmas specials were also published. Released annually along with each series, the Christmas Story Tellers featured festive stories and even songs. The third Christmas Story Teller included stories suited to both the original series and Little Story Teller. Of the Christmas specials only Christmas Story 2 was made available in New Zealand or Australia, under the title of Christmas Story Time.
Christmas Story 3 was widely assumed to be the last title from the Story Teller series but in 1986, Marshall Cavendish released the Story Teller Song Book. The 52-page publication contained 20 all-time sing-along favourites rather than stories but it still retained the Story Teller tradition of featuring colouring and activity pages as well as an accompanying cassette tape.
This controversial misstep from Marshall Cavendish was intended for release in 1987. It was to have included more adult stories, such as "The Story of O" and "Fanny Hill". The first issue was released, but outrage ensued as many parents had not anticipated this was not intended for children. As a result, the series was pulled after just one issue and led to the banning of all magazines in Tumbridge Wells.
In 1987, Marshall Cavendish revisited the world of Story Teller by publishing a big hardback book called My Big Book of Fairy Tales. Although the publication lacked the Story Teller branding, it was essentially a compilation of the best stories from Story Teller; it contained 73 stories from the two series and three Christmas issues. The original text and illustrations were used, except for the story "The Frog Prince", which featured new artwork (for no apparent reason). The book was rereleased in 1989 with a different cover and again in 1994. Unlike the partwork, My Big Book of Fairy Tales was not accompanied by a cassette.
The partwork is now regarded as highly collectible, and issues can still be found today in secondhand and charity shops, but finding a complete set can be very difficult. Digital copies can also be found on auction sites such as eBay, but these are of dubious legality.
Part 1
Gobbolino, the Witch's Cat: Sheila HancockThe Hare and the Tortoise: Bernard CribbinsThe Shoe Tree: Sheila HancockThe Emperor's New Clothes: Bernard CribbinsThe Red Nightcaps: Marise HepworthAldo in Arcadia (1): Nigel Lambert & John BrewerThe Forest Troll: Nigel LambertPart 2
The Elves & the Shoemaker: Brian BlessedMaster Tiger: Nigel LambertAldo in Arcadia (2): Nigel Lambert, John Brewer & John GreenThe Last Slice of Rainbow: Sheila HancockGobbolino the Ship's Cat: Sheila HancockThe Greedy Fox: Brian BlessedSinbad & the Valley of Diamonds: Brian BlessedBring on the Clowns: Nigel LambertPart 3
The Great Big Hairy Boggart: Dermot CrowleyThe Owl and the Pussycat: Susannah YorkGobbolino the Knight's Cat: Sheila HancockThe Lion & the Mouse: Dermot CrowleySimon's Canal: Susannah YorkHansel and Gretel: Susannah YorkAldo in Arcadia (3): Robert Powell, Susannah York, Nigel Lambert & John BrewerChild of the Sun: Dermot CrowleyPart 4
Narana's Strange Journey: Roy HuddRhubarb Ted: Nigel LambertGobbolino the Kitchen Cat: Sheila HancockNoisy Neighbours: Nigel LambertJester Minute (Part 1): Nigel LambertThe Princess & the Pea: Tina JonesThe Ant and the Grasshopper: Marian HepworthSanta's Early Christmas: Roy HuddPart 5
Timbertwig: George LaytonThe Fox and the Crow: Hayley MillsDrummerboy & the Gypsy: George LaytonRapunzel: Hayley MillsVirgil's Big Mistake: Nigel LambertJester Minute (Part 2): Nigel Lambert'O Here It Is: Hayley MillsPart 6
Beauty and the Beast: Hywel BennettDodo & the Pot of Gold: Patricia BrakeTimbertwig & the Caravan of Surprises: George LaytonThe Flying Piggy-Bank: Patricia BrakeThe Land of the Bumbley Boo: Patricia BrakeThe Moon and the Millpond: Dick VosburghThe Friendly Bear: Hywel BennettPart 7
The Billy Goats Gruff: Nigel PegramThe Snow Queen: Liza GoddardA Pocketful of Trouble: Nigel PegramLittle Spook of Spook Hall: Liza GoddardThe Silly Tortoise: Nigel PegramTimbertwig Gets a New Hat: George LaytonFaster than Fairies: Liza GoddardPart 8
Dot & the Kangaroo (Part 1: Dot Loses Her Way): Carole BoydOliphaunt: Joss AcklandThe Goose that Laid the Golden Egg: Carole BoydThe Selfish Giant: Joss AcklandJester Minute & the Vanishing castle (1): Nigel LambertThe Creation of Man: Joss AcklandBoffy & The Teacher Eater: Nigel LambertPart 9
Abdulla and the Genie: Nigel LambertDot & the Kangaroo (Part 2): Carole BoydJester Minute and the Vanishing Castle (2): Nigel LambertThe Boy Who Cried Wolf: Robert PowellNeville Toogood: Carole BoydThe Pied Piper of Hamelin: Robert PowellPart 10
Gulliver's Travels (Part 1): Joanna LumleyDot & the Kangaroo (Part 3): Carole BoydMike's Bike (Part 1): Mick FordThe Three Wishes: Carole BoydDavid and Goliath: Mick FordThe Enchanted Horse: Joanna LumleyMr. Tom Narrow: Carole BoydPart 11
Gulliver's Travels (Part 2): Joanna LumleyPinocchio (Part 1): Ian LavenderThe Dog and the Bone: David GreshamSleeping Beauty: Joanna LumleyWalter Spaggot: Nigel LambertGrowling at Tigers: David GreshamMike's Bike (Part 2): Mick FordPart 12
The Mighty Prince: Una StubbsFord's Toy Cars (Part 1): George LaytonDrummerboy Races for his Life: George LaytonFirst Flight: Ian LavenderThe Town Mouse & the Country Mouse: Una StubbsPinocchio (Part 2): Ian LavenderThe Gingerbread Man: Una StubbsPart 13
The Tinder Box: Siân PhillipsFord's Toy Cars (Part 2): George LaytonWarrior Girl: Floella BenjaminPinocchio (Part 3): Ian LavenderThree Bald Spots: Carole BoydThe Ugly Duckling: Siân PhillipsPart 14
The Monster in the Labyrinth: Dermot CrowleyWho's Stronger?: Diana RiggPinocchio (Part 4): Ian LavenderThe Old Man of Torbay: Diana RiggScarlet Braces: Dermot CrowleyGrogre the Ogre (Part 1): Nigel LambertCinderella: Diana RiggPart 15
Pandora's Box: Morag HoodA Fishy Tale: Morag HoodPinocchio (Part 5): Ian LavenderGrogre the Ogre (Part 2): Nigel LambertThe Parasol: Kay ParksThe Flying Jacket: Lionel JeffriesThe Three Little Pigs: Lionel JeffriesPart 16
Sam's Big Break: Tommy EylieThe Mango-Seller: Judy GeesonHen-Hustler Kluk: Tommy EyliePuss in Boots: Judy GeesonGrogre the Ogre (Part 3): Nigel LambertPinocchio (Part 6): Ian LavenderPart 17
William Tell: Tom BakerI Saw a Ship a-Sailing: Carole BoydPinocchio (Part 7): Ian LavenderAnansi and the Fancy Dress Party: Tom BakerJojo's Jigsaw Puzzle: Carole BoydCan You Keep a Secret?: Carole BoydThe Lion and the Peacock: Tom BakerPart 18
Heidi (Part 1): Denise BryerFather William: Steven PaceyGeorge and the Dragon: Steven PaceyThe Frog Prince: Gemma CravenBubble and Squeek: Steven PaceyNo Mules: Gemma CravenPart 19
Jack & the Beanstalk: Brian BlessedWhy the Giraffe Can't Speak: Carole BoydSinbad and the Amazing Islands: Brian BlessedThe Book of Beasts (Part 1): John BaddeleyCar Attack: Carole BoydHeidi (Part 2): Denise BryerHedge's Problem Tree: Carole BoydPart 20
Rumpelstiltskin: Hayley MillsHeidi (Part 3): Denise BryerThe Green Maiden of the Lake: Hayley MillsThe Book of Beasts (Part 2): John BaddeleyIt Makes a Change: Denise BryerLutra the Otter: Michael Tudor BarnesPart 21
The Bold Little Tailor: Michael HordernThe Wolf in Sheep's Clothing: Nigel LambertWiser than the Czar: Michael HordernBobbie and the Magic Go-Cart: Nigel LambertHeidi (Part 4): Denise BryerThe Mighty Rabbit: Nigel LambertPart 22
Waldorf's Fantastic Trip (Part 1): Gay SoperThe Midas Touch: Joanna LumleyA Meal with a Magician: George LaytonEleven Wild Swans: Joanna LumleyTimbertwig Catches a Marrow: George LaytonThe Human Fly from Bendigo: Joanna LumleyPart 23
Timbertwig's Birthday: George LaytonWaldorf's Fantastic Trip (Part 2): Gay SoperGoldilocks: Annette CrosbieDad and the Cat and the Tree: David AshfordThe Faery Flag: Annette CrosbieThe Runaway Piano: David AshfordThe Little Red Hen: Annette CrosbiePart 24
I Wish, I Wish: Carole BoydCounting Chickens: Carole BoydA Hedgehog Learns to Fly: John Brewer, John Green and Steven PaceyThe Little Tin Soldier: Ian HolmKingdom of the Seals: Ian HolmAldo in Arcadia (4): Steven Pacey, Nigel Lambert, John Green & John BrewerPart 25
Little Red Riding Hood: Denise BryerThe Happy Prince: Tim CurryAldo in Arcadia (5): John Brewer, Tina Jones, Nigel Lambert & Steven PaceyMr Miacca: Denise BryerThe Great Pie Contest: Steven PaceyStolen Thunder: Tim CurryPart 26
The Goblin Rat: Liza GoddardThumbelina: Liza GoddardWhere Can an Elephant Hide?: Steven PaceyA Lion at School: Liza GoddardCaptain Bones: Dermot CrowleyAldo in Arcadia (6): John Brewer, Tina Jones, Nigel Lambert & Steven PaceyPart 26 Story Teller 2 Special Preview Issue
The Wind in the Willows: Michael JaystonJack-in-the-Box: Steven PaceyCampbell the Travelling Cat: Una StubbsArthur the Lazy Ant: Steven PaceyDragon Child: Una StubbsThe Magic Porridge Pot: Steven PaceyThe Lobster Quadrille: Una StubbsPart 1
The Wizard of Oz : Miriam MargolyesThe Creatures with Beautiful Eyes : Martin ShawThe Circus Animal's Strike : David TateYushkin the Watchmaker : Martin ShawRumbles in the Jungles (1) : David TateThe Dancing Fairies : Miriam MargolyesThere Once Was a Puffin : Martin ShawPart 2
The Magic of Funky Monkey : Gemma CravenThe Snake and the Rose : Gemma CravenRumbles in the Jungles (2) : David TateThe Wizard of Oz: In The Forest : Miriam MargolyesThe Wind in the Willows: The Wild Wood : Michael JaystonThe Troll : Gemma CravenPart 3
The Musicians Of Bremen : Nigel HawthorneLittle Joe and the Sea Dragon : Dermot CrowleyThe Lord of the Rushie River (1) : Denise BryerThe Wizard of Oz: The Ernerald City : Miriam MargolyesParty in the Sky : Nigel HawthorneKebeg : Denise BryerThe Song of the Engine : Nigel HawthornePart 4
Shorty the Statellite and the Lost Rocket : Nigel LambertThe Wizard of Oz: Quest for the Wicked Witch : Miriam MargolyesPetrushka : Janet SuzmanThe Garden : Nigel LambertMaster of the Lake : Janet SuzmanThe Lord of the Rushie River (2) : Denise BryerRiloby-rill : Janet SuzmanPart 5
The Snow Bear : Derek JacobiThe Inn of Donkeys : Derek JacobiShorty the Statellite and the Brigadier : Nigel LambertThe Nightingale : Derek JacobiHugo and the Man Who Stole Colours : Nigel LambertThe Wizard of Oz: A Great And Terrible Humbug : Miriam MargolyesRecipe : Nigel LambertPart 6
Gobbolino and the Little Wooden Horse (1) : Sheila HancockThe Wizard of Oz: The Final Journey : Miriam MargolyesThe Farmer, the Tomt and the Troll : Carole BoydShorty The Statellite And The Shooting Star : Nigel LambertThe Fishing Stone : Carole BoydSilly Old Baboon : Nigel LambertPart 7
Traveller Ned : Morag HoodGobbolino and the Little Wooden Horse (2) : Sheila HancockLittle Bear And The Beaver : Ian LavenderThe Ju-Ju Man : Floella BenjaminA Song for Slug : Ian LavenderLarkspur Gets Her Wings : Morag HoodWindy Nights : Ian LavenderPart 8
The Most Beautiful House : Robin NedwellGobbolino and the Little Wooden Horse (3) : Sheila HancockThe Orchestra That Lost Its Voice : Steven PaceyStone Soup : Debbie ArnoldThe Man Who Knew Better : Robin NedwellHow the Polar Bear Became : Debbie ArnoldThe Marrog : Steven PaceyPart 9
Diggersaurs (1) : Steven PaceyMolly Whuppie : Eve KarpfYoung Kate : Eve KarpfUpside-Down Willie (1) : Steven PaceyGobbolino and the Little Wooden Horse (4) : Sheila HancockMeeting : Eve KarpfPart 10
Toad of Toad Hall (1) : Richard BriersSimeom the Sorcerer's Son (1) : George LaytonAnansi and the Python : Ysanne ChurchmanStone Drum : Ysanne ChurchmanUpside-Down Willie (2) : Steven PaceyGobbolino and the Little Wooden Horse (5) : Sheila HancockHannibal : George LaytonPart 11
Grogre the Golden Ogre (1) : Nigel LambertAnya's Garden : Carole BoydMiss Priscilla's Secret : Carole BoydSimeom the Sorcerer's Son (2) : George LaytonThe Tortoises' Picnic : David AdamsToad of Toad Hall (2) : Richard BriersBig Gumbo : Carole BoydPart 12
Box of Robbers : Patricia HodgeThe Challenging Bull : Nigel LambertBarney's Winter Present : Antonia SwinsonToad of Toad Hall (3) : Richard BriersMinnie the Floating Witch : Patricia HodgeGrogre the Golden Ogre (2) : Nigel LambertAn Eskimo Baby : Patricia HodgePart 13
Brer Rabbit and the Tar-Baby : Dick VosburghGeordie's Mermaid : Susan JamesonGrogre the Golden Ogre (3) : Nigel LambertGatecrashers : Susan JamesonToad of Toad Hall (4) : Richard BriersThe Princess Who Met the North Wind : Susan JamesonPart 14
Peter Pan (1) : Derek JacobiThe Scrubs and the Dubs (1) : Windsor DaviesHorace's Vanishing Trick : Gay SoperThe Tumbledown Boy : Gay SoperThe Horn Flute : John ShrapnelKing Ferdinand's Fancy Socks : Gay SoperThe Flower Seller : John ShrapnelPart 15
Peter Pan (2) : Derek JacobiCath's Cradle : Una StubbsThe Scrubs and the Dubs (2) : Windsor DaviesWillow Pattern : Anthony JacksonGary the Greatest : Anthony JacksonCampbell Finds a Castle : Una StubbsA Child's Thought : Una StubbsPart 16
The Thin King and the Fat Cook : Patricia BrakePeter Pan (3) : Derek JacobiBored Brenda : Patricia BrakeThe Swords of King Arthur : Mick FordTouching Silver : Patricia BrakeNoggin and the Birds : Oliver PostgateGoblin Market : Mick FordPart 17
Longtooth's Tale (1) : Steven PaceyShubiki's Hat : Eva HaddonBig Red Head (1) : Ruth MadocThe Tree that Sang : Steven PaceyToo Many Buns for Rosie : Eva HaddonPeter Pan (4) : Derek JacobiThe Moon : Eva HaddonPart 18
Longtooth's Tale (2) : Steven PaceyGalldora and the Woods-Beyond : Eve KarpfBig Red Head (2) : Ruth MadocAt the Forge : James BryceMouse in the Snow : Eve KarpfPeter Pan (5) : Derek JacobiI Had a Little Nut-Tree : James BrycePart 19
Alice's Adventures in Wonderland (1) : Patricia HodgeWonder Wellies : Nigel LambertPeter and the Mountainy Men : Carole BoydThe Treachery of Morgan : Mick FordPat's Piano : Carole BoydDanger in the Reeds : Nigel LambertMy Uncle Paul of Pimlico : Nigel LambertPart 20
Arthur Gives Back His Sword : Mick FordButterflies on the Moon : Geoffrey MatthewsGinger's Secret Weapons : Cass AllenAlice's Adventures in Wonderland (2) : Patricia HodgeA Great Escape : Cass AllenThe Miller and His Donkey : Geoffrey MatthewsSleep-Dog : Geoffrey MatthewsPart 21
Never Tangle With aA Tengu : Christopher TimothyDiggersaurs (2) : Steven PaceyNothing Like a Bath : Denise BryerAlice's Adventures in Wonderland (3) : Patricia HodgeThe Neat and Tidy Kitchen : Denise BryerTommy's Shadow : Steven PaceyMy Mother Said : Denise BryerPart 22
Quest of the Brave : Martin JarvisThe Captain's Horse : Martin JarvisAlice's Adventures in Wonderland (4) : Patricia HodgeThe City of Lost Submarines (1) : David TateNogbad Comes Back : Oliver PostgateOstriches Can't Fly : Joanna WakeThe Cottage : Joanna WakePart 23
Cyril Snorkel - The Performing Beast : Denise BryerDorrie and the Witch's Visit : Denise BryerWhat the Smoke Said : George LaytonAlice's Adventures in Wonderland (5) : Patricia HodgeThe City of Lost Submarines (2) : David TateSimon Rhymon : George LaytonThe Sunlight Falls Upon the Grass : Denise BryerPart 24
Harlequin and Columbine (1) : Leonard RossiterThe City of Lost Submarines (3) : David TateThe Kind Scarecrow : Maureen O'BrienSeadna and The Devil : Anthony JacksonThe Birthday Candle : Maureen O'BrienSuperbabe : Anthony JacksonUpon My Golden Backbone : Maureen O'BrienPart 25
It Takes Time to Teach a King : Dermot CrowleyHarlequin And Columbine (2) : Leonard RossiterCabbage and the Foxes : Carole BoydThe Donkey Who Fetched the Sea : Dermot CrowleyGive It to Zico! (1) : Ian LavenderThe Electric Imps : Carole BoydIf You Should Meet a Crocodile : Carole BoydPart 26
The Mermaid Who Couldn't Swim : Maureen O'BrienGive It to Zico! (2) : Ian LavenderMandy and the Space Race : Maureen O'BrienSomewhere Safe : Maureen O'BrienNoggin and the Money : Oliver PostgateHarlequin and Columbine (3) : Leonard RossiterPart 1
Bertie's Escapade : Bernard CribbinsThe Chocolate Soldier : Carole BoydTimbertwig's Christmas Tree : George LaytonKing John's Christmas : Nigel LambertSnow White and the seven Dwarfs : Liza GoddardBoo Ho Ho! : Bernard CribbinsWhat Wanda Wanted : Carole BoydAladdin and his Magic Lamp : George LaytonThe Great Sleigh Robbery : Nigel LambertThe First Christmas : Liza GoddardPart 2
Gobbolino's Christmas Adventure : Sheila HancockShorty and the Starship : Nigel LambertMole's Winter Welcome : Richard BriersSanta's Sunny Christmas : Miriam MargolyesGood King Wenceslas : Sheila HancockDick Whittington and His Cat : Richard BriersThe Tale of the Little Pine Tree : Miriam MargolyesThe Fairies' Cake : Miriam MargolyesGrogre and the Giant Nasher : Nigel LambertA Christmas Carol : Joss AcklandPart 3
Readers and singers: Derek Griffiths, Carole Boyd, Denise Bryer, Nigel Lambert, Steven Pacey, Claire Hamill, Tom Newman.
Jingle BellsA Carol for GobbolinoLeroy Learns to SkateSnow WhiteSnow SongMother GooseChristmas FunRudolph to the RescueAway in a MangerI Saw Three Ships Come Sailing ByDotty and the Teddy BearsClara and the Nutcracker DollO Little Town of BethlehemThe Surprise ChristmasThe Forgotten ToysMinnie's Dinner SpellMorris's Christmas StockingHurray for Christmas!Dutch "Luister Sprookjes en Vertellingen"German "Erzähl mir was"French "Raconte-moi des histoires"Italian "I Racconta Storie" and "C'era una volta" (re-edited with CDs instead of cassette tapes)Greek "Άμπρα Κατάμπρα" (Abracadabra) (re-edited 2008 with CDs instead of cassette tapes)Spanish "Cuenta Cuentos"Afrikaans "Storieman"Story Teller became such a huge success in the 80s that other publishers released similar partworks, including Fabbri's Once Upon a Time collection and Disney's Storytime series. In addition to "clones" of the Story Teller series, several paperback books containing selections from the actual Story Teller series were released (with accompanying cassettes) in the US, under the title "Look, Listen and Read". These compilations contained stories or themes that related to each other, either by author or content. Examples include The Best of Aesop, The Legend of King Arthur, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel.
The main differentiator between Story Teller and Disney's Storytime was the fact that the latter featured only Disney characters. Storytime hit newsagents' shelves soon after Story Teller proved to be a bestseller. It was published in 24 parts and customised binders and cassette boxes were produced to house the collection (just like Story Teller). Classic Disney movies, such as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) and Sleeping Beauty (1959), were serialised. (Note: the Australian and New Zealand versions of Story Teller were published as Story Time - not to be confused with Disney's Storytime series.)