Album Notes

Once upon a time, animals spoke to children. Fables showed them the wisest way to navigate through life. From Barkface to Big Fish, Jonathan Kruk enlivens his characters with character. He is a master of many voices. The Barkface & Rootnose CD is an enchanting collection of Jonathan’s sprightly fables for young children.

Barkfgace and Rootnose, the title tale, tells of two trees trying to fight their way to the top. Helped by some clouds and a little lightning, two skunky - sock tasting saplings show how to grow to be your best by becoming friends. Big Fish, Small Pond is an old saying, but the story comes from Caribbean sources. It's a bubbly, "there and back again" fable featuring the restless Big Fish. The adventure leads children to appreciate being wherever they are. Jonathan’s performances of Fox & Crow, Rabbit & Turtle, and Squeak & Roar breathe new, leaping life into these Aesop classics. Each animal has a kid-captivating personality. The Tailor’s Tale, a German/Yiddish fable, closes the CD, magically showing how there is always something to turn into a tale. Storyteller Jonathan Kruk draws inspiration from Master fabulists Aesop and Jean La Fontaine to create this recording. The subtle music and gentle effects of composer/sound engineer Matt Noble enrich and enhance the messages in these fables.

“I'll always treasure images, especially the seeds of Barkface & Rootnose carried in a dance of breezy fingers.”
Melissa Heckler, Children’s Librarian & Storyteller.

"Jonathan, you are the funniest fable and faerie taler!"
Olivia, age five.

Performing over 300 shows each year, Jonathan Kruk was selected Best Storyteller in the Hudson Valley in 2008 by Hudson Valley Magazine. Since 1981 he's lead an annual Magic Tour in Tales of Elfin Lands in Pound Ridge, NY. Kruk has performed for the History Channel, the NYS Reading Teacher's Conference, Pete Seeger's Great Clearwater Revival, The California Center for the Arts & the New York Historical Society. In 2008 he received a NAPPA Honors award for his CD "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow". Kruk is the featured storyteller in "Parables of Jesus" a Silver Burnett Ginn Religious CD series. His CD with Rich Bala Revolution on the River" won the "Best of the Hudson Valley" award.