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The Story Stables — Kids & Family
The Story Stables

Meet Man-Man! He’s a horse who loves to read. Man-Man and his best friend Caitlin invite kids like you into The Story Stables to share a book with them, and learn a little bit about life on the farm for horses and people.

About The Show

The Story Stables is a podcast created for early readers by North Carolina Public Radio. The show celebrates words and stories, bringing books to life with the help of sounds, music and the voices of children who read to Man-Man the miniature horse.

About Man-Man

Man-Man is a miniature horse who can’t resist a good story. Every day he finds a friend to read a book with him, and teaches them a little bit about what it’s like to live on a farm. In addition to books, Man-Man loves carrots and horsing around with his bestie Caitlin. He does not love when people confuse him for a pony.

About Caitlin

Caitlin Gooch is the human host of The Story Stables. Caitlin is a cowgirl, mother, writer and the founder of Saddle Up And Read, a nonprofit program committed to encouraging youth literacy based in Wendell, NC. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology from East Carolina University, where she was able to put academic context to the social cycle of systemic racial inequality. While working with youth in her community, Caitlin was exposed to the educational disparities plaguing communities of color and decided to take action, starting with the literacy gap. Leading with equestrian culture, her first passion, Caitlin uses her horses to incentivize reading, making it more fun!

Production Credits

Caitlin Gooch, host
Lindsay Foster Thomas, executive producer
Stacia Brown, producer
Charlie Shelton-Ormond, producer
Jenni Lawson, technical engineer
Sean Roux, recording engineer
Rissi Palmer, theme music composer
Charnel Hunter, logo artist

Thanks to G Yamazawa, Nnenna Freelon, The Gooch Family, our community of kid readers and all of the incredible authors who allow us to share their work with young readers and listeners.

Interested in having your child or book be a part of The Story Stables? Email podcasts@wunc.org.

Latest Episodes:

What kind of beans can't grow in a garden? Aug 12, 2022

Show notes

Our hair helps us stay warm in the winter, but when it gets hot, hair can be a lot! Caitlin shows us what she does to maintain Man Man’s mane in a way that will keep him cool in the sun and in the shade. Then our friends Isaiah and Taj stop back by to share a book called “A Beard Like My Dad.”

Want to read along with the story featured in this episode? “A Beard Like My Dad” by Michael A. Warren, illustrated by Melvin Nesbitt, Jr. is available here.

We also encourage you to check your local, independent bookstore or library to see if this book is a part of their collection.

What's black and white and eats like a horse? Aug 05, 2022

Show notes

Man Man is not the kind of horse that is afraid of storms. In fact, he happily helps Caitlin with clean-up duty after a big one blows through the farm. Plus, our friend Ariel comes by to read the book “Rock On With Your Afro Puffs!”

Want to read along with the story featured in this episode? “Rock On With Your Afro Puffs!” by Sherrita Berry-Pettus, illustrated by Nikkey Creative is available here.

We also encourage you to check your local, independent bookstore or library to see if this book is a part of their collection.

What's a farmer's favorite candy? Jul 29, 2022

Show notes

Horses like Man Man love to nibble on grass, but so much of it grows on the farm that a little extra help is needed to keep it low. Mowing is a big job, but Caitlin makes sure that the reward includes some shade from the sun and a good story when the hard work is done. Good thing our friend Halleigh is nearby with a book called “Flying Free.”

Want to read along with the story featured in this episode? “Flying Free: How Bessie Coleman’s Dreams Took Flight” by Karyn Parsons, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie is available here.

We also encourage you to check your local, independent bookstore or library to see if this book is a part of their collection.

What day do potatoes hate the most? Jul 22, 2022

Show notes

Caitlin’s farm is home to a lot of bugs, but one she won’t tolerate is a litter bug! Trash can be harmful to horses if it’s left lying around, so she and Man Man get right to their daily cleanup chores. Their hard work is rewarded when our friend Taj stops by with the book “Smile Bright Chocolate Prince.”

Want to read along with the story featured in this episode? “Smile Bright Chocolate Prince” by Sherrita Berry-Pettus is available here. We also encourage you to check your local, independent bookstore or library to see if this book is a part of their collection.

Check out the music video for our theme song by Rissi Palmer at storystables.com.

Which side of a horse has the most hair? Jul 15, 2022

Show notes

Hoof-cleaning is a very necessary part of Man Man’s beauty regiment. Caitlin demonstrates how she uses a special tool to remove all kinds of stuff from the farm that can get trapped in her bestie’s hooves. Plus, our friend Zora drops by with the book “Your Own Kind of Beautiful!”

Want to read along with the story featured in this episode? “Your Own Kind of Beautiful!” by Tamara Pray Frazier, illustrated by J’Aaron Merchant is available here. We also encourage you to check your local, independent bookstore or library to see if this book is a part of their collection.

See photos of Man Man and Caitlin on the farm and check out the music video for our theme song by Rissi Palmer at storystables.com.

What do you call a horse that lives next door? Jun 03, 2022

Show notes

Just like there are lots of different kinds of people, there are lots of different kinds of horses. Caitlin talks about the many animals found on the farm and our friend Isaiah reads from the book “André The Best Big Brother.”

Want to read along with the book featured in this episode? “André The Best Big Brother” by Mikaela Wilson, illustrated by Pardeep Mehra is available here.

We also encourage you to check your local, independent bookstore or library to see if this book is a part of their collection.

Where do horses shop? Jun 03, 2022

Show notes

Horses have four legs – and they need to stretch them every day! Take a walk with Caitlin and Man Man and listen as our friend Grace reads from the book “Indigo Blume and the Garden City.”

Want to read along with the book featured in this episode? “Indigo Blume and the Garden City” by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by JahSun is available here.

We also encourage you to check your local, independent bookstore or library to see if this book is a part of their collection.

Why did the horse cross the road? Jun 03, 2022

Show notes

There are so many things that have to be done on a farm. Caitlin explains how the work can be fun…and sometimes a little funky. Then, our friend Noah reads from the book “Saving The Day: Garrett Morgan’s Life-Changing Invention of the Traffic Signal.”

Want to read along with the book featured in this episode? “Saving The Day: Garrett Morgan’s Life-Changing Invention of the Traffic Signal” by Karyn Parsons, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie is available here.

We also encourage you to check your local, independent bookstore or library to see if this book is a part of their collection.

Visit storystables.com for more information about this podcast.

What kind of bread do horses eat? Jun 03, 2022

Show notes

Man Man’s mane is kept tangle-free thanks to a farm-approved maintenance routine. Caitlin demonstrates horse hair care and our friend Story (yes, that’s her real name!) reads from the book “Grandma’s Purse.”

Want to read along with the book featured in this episode? “Grandma’s Purse” written and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton is available here.

We also encourage you to check your local, independent bookstore or library to see if this book is a part of their collection.

Visit storystables.com for more information about this podcast.

Why couldn’t the pony sing the song? Jun 03, 2022

Show notes

There are two things Man Man the miniature horse needs every day: fresh water and a good story. Caitlin cleans a bucket for drinking and our friend Faith reads from the book “More Than A Princess.”

Want to read along with the book featured in this episode? “More Than A Princess” by Delanda Coleman and Terrence Coleman, illustrated by Beatriz Mello is available here.

We also encourage you to check your local, independent bookstore or library to see if this book is a part of their collection.

Visit storystables.com for more information about this podcast.

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