What If World - Stories for Kids

Uh-oh, Cthunkle is back on What If World! Meanwhile, Charlotte Songbird starts feeling less special when she finds out that everyone she meets can fly. Upset, she finds her way to a place where no one deals with their emotions. Could it be another one of Cthunkle’s evil schemes? This episode originally aired June 24th, 2018. Lessons include: constantly comparing yourself to others can make anyone...

Melly Victor, host and creator of the podcast Stoopkid Stories, helps Mr. Eric tell a story featuring Princess Tia, a character from the Stoopkid universe. Can Tia help the ants make their queen feel better? Lessons: Small, thoughtful acts are often more helpful than grand gestures; Grownups need help too, sometimes Thanks to Little Passports for sponsoring this week’s episode. Use the offer code...

Randall Radbot hosts this week, and we feature an original song inspired by our fans. Mr. Eric has put out about three months of new episodes, so he thought he’d give himself a little break. Turns out, making a song is a whole lot of work, too!  Join our Patreon for Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, bonus audio, a better chance of having your question answered, and more! patreon.com/whatif...

You won’t want to miss the exciting conclusion of our Alternia saga! Plus, unicorns ;)  Lessons: When people are feeling overlooked and unfairly treated, it’s important to listen to them; a fearsome lie can divide us, so we’ve got to always look out for the truth.  This episode touches on themes of injustice and prejudice. Here are a few handy links for parents who want to find out more, or make a...

M. Dorsett, author of The Lion and the Elephant, comes on to read her short story and then give it a What If World ending! Can the Lion, the Elephant, and the Queen learn to get along? Lessons: Learning to get along with different kinds of people can make you happier and more open-minded! To learn more about The Lion and the Elephant, go to chibur.info/books. Use the promo code wiw10 to get 10% of...

Pixicato and Albatross Zero are off to meet Harriknow, the most knowledgeable being in Alternia. But Harriknow and his Intreenet aren’t as helpful as you might think. Lessons include: Right or wrong, if you feed an idea, it will grow; every good learner needs to be part detective; new experiences and connections are needed to bring new understanding. Join our Patreon for Ad-Free stories, a Shout-O...

We’re going to find out where Fred the Dog ended up in Alternia, but first, we’ve got to meet Kammy, the ruler of this world! Is she the unfairest of them all?  Lessons include: The world isn’t simply good people and bad, we can be reinvented every day through our actions!  Join our Patreon for Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, bonus audio, a better chance of having your question answered,...

While Pixicato searches for Fred the Dog in the land of Alternia, we meet Albatross Zero, a would-be detective who gets paired with a mischievous partner.  Lessons:  Unfairness can spread unseen, unless we learn to look for it; treating yourself and others well is one of the best ways to restore hope in difficult times.  What If World is donating our Patreon earnings for all of April and through m...

We’re really in a mess this week. Will Pixicato be able to find Fred the Dog, or is this just the beginning of a great adventure in the land of… Alternia?  Lessons: Optimism is a wonderful thing, as long as we do not ignore the problems around us.  What If World is donating our Patreon earnings for all of April and through mid-May to lafoodbank.org. Get ad-free stories, bonus audio, and help feed...

When Mr. Eric goes missing, Ms. Karen and Fred end up telling the story. Can they handle all the questions blasted out by the What-If-Mobile?  Lessons: It’s wonderful to be giving, but giving everything we’ve got won’t leave us enough to stay happy and healthy.  What If World is donating our Patreon earnings for the entire month of April to lafoodbank.org. Join our Patreon to help feed some hungry...

It’s the interview(s) you’ve all been waiting for! Alabaster dishes on his past, JFKat interrupts (a lot), Mr. Eric starts to lose it, and that’s all before our special guest arrives! Lessons: we all want to be taken seriously sometimes, but that shouldn’t mean we always have to act serious; it’s okay to have more than one “favorite,” or even different things you love in different moments! What If...

Uh-oh, Cthunkle has captured the Story Pirates’ Lee Overtree! Will Lee be able to help Cthunkle with his reading, or will the storyteller be stuck in Cthunkle’s slimy lair forever?  Lessons: read what interests you, just don’t forget to try new things now and then; reading is not a competition, so take your time, be kind to yourself, and enjoy!   Check out Story Pirates for more great stories, and...

Author Scott Cranfield brings the Wise Bear to What If World. Can he help Bob the Blob find his confidence, or will it take a pair of magic shoes to make the difference? Lessons include: When seen in a new light, a challenge can turn into an opportunity; confidence is always inside you, but it takes practice to learn how to find it Scott asked us to give a discount offer to our listeners. We’re no...

Author and illustrator Niki Smith helps Mr. Eric tell a story where a Purple & Green striped horse has to save her school and friend from Ragged the Dragon.  Lessons include: Wearing different colors helps us express ourselves; no one is “supposed” to be mean or nice, but we can always choose to treat other people well.  Check out Niki Smith’s “The Deep and Dark Blue”! You can get your copy at Boo...

The episode is a fun story-telling activity, and there’s even a What If Story tossed in as a demonstration.  Lessons include: we are all capable of telling each other fun stories; even the greatest treasure in the world can’t replace all of life’s simple joys.  Join our Patreon for Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, bonus audio, a better chance of having your question answered, and more! pa...

Cthunkle seems to think that “social distancing” means shutting himself away for eternity at the bottom of Squid Lake. Can Mr. Eric help him find other ways to have fun? Lessons: When people are worried, it’s more fun to be a helper than a trickster; Washing our hands and keeping them away from our face is a healthy habit year round! This episode talks about social distancing. Our What If World ch...

Barbara Bot teams up with Cleocatra to save our president from the clutches of the chocolate monsters. Could today be the day when magic comes back to What If World?  Lessons include: When there are too many problems to consider all at once, try just focusing on one at a time; Our minds are incredibly powerful, and can make falsehoods appear to be true!  If you haven’t heard episodes 138. What if...

Poppa Loo’s News reports from a speeding train where people are turning into elements from the periodic tables! Can he and Mamma Jamma find Mr. Eric and help us get What If World back on track? Lessons include: Researching a problem can help you take the right steps to fix it; in a serious situation, it’s important to keep thinking and observing in order to stay safe.  Join our Patreon for Ad-Free...

What if that knotted old tree you pass by every day was actually a grumpy talking chocolate fanatic? Meet Harrigo, a tree with a real sweet trunk, and the young candy bar who teaches him that being nice is a little harder than just not eating your friends.  This episode originally aired March 13th, 2017.  Join our Patreon for Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, bonus audio, a better chance o...

We learn a little bit about Mr. Eric today as he travels back in time. Can he stop the Time Monkey, or will he get stuck in his own past?  Lessons include: Our past helps shape who we are today, even the parts that aren’t so great; big new challenges are always scary, but they can help us learn about ourselves. Join our Patreon for Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, bonus audio, a better ch...

In his search for the Frog Queen, Fred the Dog the Frog discovers a portal to Zombie Land. Can they help Fred find his way home, or will they only be interested in his BRAINS?! Lessons include: fun opportunities are everywhere, but they’re impossible to find if you don’t leave the house! Join our Patreon for Ad-Free stories, a Shout-Out on the show, bonus audio, a better chance of having your ques...

Dracomax is sick, but he’s determined to wait until the next holiday to feel better. Trouble is, the holidays have disappeared! JFKat and Patty Pan head off to find the missing days, while Abacus and Lola Rabbit stay behind to help Dracomax feel better. Lessons: We don’t need to wait for the holidays to make us feel better; big feelings are not something to ignore or feel ashamed of Join our Patre...

Cthunkle hosts this unusual episode. Could this be the end of What If World? Not if the next president and their new cabinet have anything to do with it! Lessons include: Handling disappointment is a really important skill for kids and grown-ups to practice; it’s important to make your voice heard, even if you don’t get your way. This episode originally aired November 19th, 2018. Join our Patreon...

Alabaster Zero, Fred the Frog, and Abacus P. Grumbler are stuck in a swamp next to an erupting volcano. Can they save the people of the swamp even without magic? Lessons include: with imagination and hard work, we can accomplish almost anything; sometimes we all need to be willing to accept help from others. The dangers in our imaginary swamp were inspired by the disastrous bushfires in Australia,...

When Abacus P. Grumbler, Fred the Dog, and Alabaster Zero get turned into frogs, it’s really no big deal… until magic ceases to exist! Can they learn to get by as frogs in a world without magic? Lessons include: When you dismiss other people’s concerns, you can land yourself in hot water… or a lava swamp; even when we feel out of control, we can still make our own choices. This episode was part of...