Heather Forest's voice entwines us in her stories on Tales Around the Hearth, which mixes narrative songs, audio stories, and story/song combinations with ease. Many of these fables I heard as a child, some were new to me, but the way they are presented is totally unique. As you listen to this CD you do have the feeling of sitting around the hearth on a cold winter’s day, telling and retelling these favorites. Heather Forest is a singer, a minstrel and a poet. Her intonation is full of emotion and warmth.

This review is surprisingly hard to write because I love this CD so much. I want to effectively convey the beauty of Heather Forest’s voice, the originality of the retelling of old fables, and the beautiful images this CD evokes. Z and I have logged many a mile singing these songs and discussing their meaning. Standout tracks include "The Boy Who Cried Wolf," which is one of those lessons kids really can't learn early enough. In the end, perhaps I love this CD because Z loves it so much. She is truly captivated by it.

You can purchase Tales Around the Hearth on Amazon.com, as well as another Heather Forest story/music CD, Sing Me A Story. - Karen