Dorktales Storytime
Be the hero of your own story with Dorktales Storytime, the award-winning podcast for kids and their pop culture loving grownups. Enter their Once Upon a Time world where hosts, Jonathan Cormur and Mr. Reginald T. Hedgehog, take you on a storytelling journey of curiosity and acceptance. You’ll explore reimagined fairytales and fables with social emotional themes, discover inspiring stories of history’s hidden heroes, and experience imaginary tales of boundless possibilities.
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Reach out to us at dorktalesstorytime@gmail.com
Dorktales Storytime
Magical Minivan T.A.L.E. - Road Trip Stories for Kids
Jonathan and Redge are gearing up for their Thrilling and Astounding Lore Expedition (T.A.L.E.) tour, but first, Redge has a special surprise for Jonathan—a magical minivan equipped with everything they’ll need for their storytelling road trip adventures! Outfitted with drive mode, fly mode, teeny tiny shrink and deep sea dive modes—this van has every gizmo and gadget they’ll need to explore new places, meet magical creatures, and gather stories galore.
Go to the episode webpage: https://jonincharacter.com/magical-minivan-tale/
Color while you listen: https://bit.ly/MagicalVanColorPage
GRAB YOUR FREE PDF list of conversation questions for this episode:
https://dorktalesstorytime.aweb.page/ep104freePDF
PARENTS, TEACHERS AND HOMESCHOOLERS: This episode focuses on important lessons about preparation, flexibility, and teamwork. While Jonathan and Redge get ready for their T.A.L.E. tour, kids learn how being prepared and open to changes can make any journey more successful and enjoyable. The story emphasizes the value of appreciating the process, not just the goal, and encourages using creativity and imagination to approach challenges.
IF YOU ENJOYED THIS STORY about getting ready for a road trip in Once Upon A Time, you might like EP79: A Big City Adventure - Welcome to Litropia: https://jonincharacter.com/big-city-adventure/
CREDITS: This episode is a Jonincharacter production. It was written and produced by Molly Murphy and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Pacific Grove Soundworks.
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Now, go be the hero of your own story and we’ll see you next once-upon-a-time!
JONATHAN: Hello Dork Squad! I’m Jonathan Cormur and you’re listening to Dorktales Storytime, the podcast for kids and their pop culture loving grownups. And this is one of our anything-is-possible lore stories! Before we begin, I want to give a special shout out to Reid from Vilas (pronounced Vie-lus), North Carolina! Thank you for being a fan of our podcast and thank you to your grownups for being monthly subscribers to our show.
Now let’s get started with the first episode of Season 6.
THEME SONG: It's a beautiful day for a story, adventure and glory, new friends and old ones too. It's an excellent day to get swept away in a tail, so let us regale you.
JONATHAN: Redge, where are you taking me?
REDGE: Just a little bit further…
JONATHAN: I have a lot to do for the T.A.L.E. tour and don’t have any time to mess around!
REDGE: Yes! The Thrilling and Astounding Lore Expedition requires lots of planning!
JONATHAN: Exactly. I need to finalize our travel route, figure out all of our transportation, pack my clothes…Oh! I have to pick which books I’m bringing, I have to set up ALL of my notebooks…
REDGE: You’re bringing multiple notebooks?
JONATHAN: Of course! I need one for each land we visit! T.A.L.E. is all about collecting important lore from around Once Upon a Time. We meet new creatures and see new places! We preserve magical history! It helps us tell stories all year long! THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!
REDGE: So true, so true.
JONATHAN: So can I go back to my room and pack now?
REDGE: Nope!
JONATHAN: Redge!
REDGE: Oh come now, just a little further, almost there! I swear you will check at least one of those things off your list if you follow me.
JONATHAN: Does this have to do with our costumes again? Because I told you we don’t need costumes and you can wear whatever makes you feel best!
REDGE: It’s not about that.
JONATHAN: Ok because we don’t really have time to color coordinate everything we’re wearing.
REDGE: I swear on my favorite quills that this isn’t about the costumes. I planned out my wardrobe in detail three weeks ago anyway.
JONATHAN: So it’s about snacks.
REDGE: Jonathan! I think about more than just snacks!
JONATHAN: Redge…
REDGE: Sometimes I do!
JONATHAN: Redge.
REDGE: Come on, mate! Chin up! I promise this will be worth it.
(The sounds of tinkering on a car lightly in the background)
JONATHAN: What’s that sound?
REDGE: Ah! We’re almost there!
(The sounds of tinkering on a car get louder)
JONATHAN: What’s going on–
SAL: Look out! I’m walkin’ here!
JONATHAN: Woah!
VAL: Sharp tools! Comin’ through with sharp tools!
JONATHAN: Ack!
REDGE: Be careful, Jonathan! There are two salamanders at work!
JONATHAN: At work on…what? There’s a big tarp covering that half of the room!
REDGE: All in good time, Jonathan! Come on, it looks like Sal is taking a break. I’ll introduce you!
Hello there, Sal! This is my friend, Jonathan. Jonathan, this is Sal! My cousin Rodge and I met him when I took that fantastic trip to the city of Litropia!
SAL: That’s me! Sal A. Mander. Cab driver extraordinaire! I’ll get you where you’re going lickety-split, before you’ve had a chance to sit!
REDGE: Oh! The motto Rodge and I helped you with! Jonathan, didn’t it sound marvelous?
JONATHAN: It did! And it’s nice to meet you!
SAL: This is my sister Val Mander! She’s the real mechanic of the two of us.
VAL: Hey there!
JONATHAN: Hi, Val!
VAL: Wrench, please.
JONATHAN: Oh I uh..don’t have one.
SAL: Don’t worry pal, she means me. Back to work I go then.
VAL: And grab the spare Mechanical Snatcher 3000 while you’re at it, Sal.
SAL: Will do, Val.
VAL: And the Levitating Lift Lever.
SAL: I gotcha.
VAL: Oh and the hammer!
SAL: The regular one or the ‘Magic Aim Never Miss’ hammer?
VAL: Do you even need to ask?
SAL: Magical hammer, coming up!
JONATHAN: Redge what is going on?
REDGE: Isn’t it obvious?
JONATHAN: Uh…no.
REDGE: Sal and Val are creating the most spectacular, wonderful, incredible T.A.L.E. trip surprise!
JONATHAN: Which is…
REDGE: Sal, Val, are you ready for the big reveal?
VAL: Just one second… I think…we’ve…got it!
SAL: Alright! Ready to unveil!
REDGE: On three!
VAL: One!
SAL: Two!
REDGE: Three!
(A magical sound)
VAL/SAL/REDGE: TA DA!!!
JONATHAN: Oh…my…goodness!! WOW! It’s…it’s…
REDGE: The Magical Minivan!! Look at this excellent vehicle!
JONATHAN: There are so many gadgets and gizmos on this thing. I…I don’t know what to say!
REDGE: Then say nothing at all! Let us walk you through the magic!
VAL: This van’s got everything!
SAL: And when she says everything, she means everything!
VAL: It’s going to take you everywhere!
SAL: And when she says everywhere, she means everywhere!
VAL: We’ve got regular drive mode…
(The sound of the engine starting)
SAL: There is “Go Up, Up, and Away!” mode.
REDGE: Weee!
JONATHAN: Wait…does that mean…it can fly?
VAL: Oh. This van can fly alright. Just pull on this lever here spin this rainbow pinwheel counter-clockwise and press this big button with a bird on it!
JONATHAN: Omg! Wings just popped out!
VAL: These ain’t just wings, my friend. These are top of the line Hover Hawk Wings, deluxe issue, first generation. (Gets teary) They are beautiful.
JONATHAN: Are those feathers painted on there?
SAL: You know it! Our brother, Hal, is an amazing artist.
VAL: His work is all over this beauty.
REDGE: Oooo, what does this button do? With the little fishy?
SAL: That’s my favorite part.
VAL: Here, blow into this bubble maker and wait until the bubbles pop. And now we hit the button with the fish and…
SAL: Deep Dive Submarine mode!
(The sound of the ocean and seagulls)
JONATHAN: Awesome!
REDGE: Imagine the new stories we’ll collect from the depths of the Fantasea and the Biograsea!!
JONATHAN: More than we’ve ever gathered before!
VAL: This baby also has Teeny Tiny Shrink mode–
JONATHAN: So we can go back to the tiny town of Scribbleton!
SAL: And Super Fast Getaway mode!
REDGE: Good for… the Foreshadow! (Scary organ sound)
VAL: You can also go into camouflage mode, make the Minivan look just like a horse drawn carriage!
JONATHAN: Oh! For Mythdom! (The sound of heralding horns) Where all of the storybook kingdoms reside!
VAL: You know it!
SAL: I will be your chauffeur for this adventure and I’ve already been briefed on all the features. I can make this van the vehicle you need and I will get you where you’re going with speed!
REDGE: Sal! You’re getting so much better with your catchphrases!
SAL: Thanks Redge! I learned from the best!
REDGE: So….what else can this do?
VAL: Well we’ve got individualized sleep compartments. We asked one of the Folktale Forest’s top enchanters, also known as Hesper the Fairy of the Evening Star–
REDGE: We know Hesper!
VAL: Aw you do? Love her.
REDGE: She helped us defeat The Night Mare!
VAL: Wow!
REDGE: I know!
VAL: Well, we asked Hesper to come in here and create a pocket dimension. In that pocket dimension, you can enjoy a realm of sleep and relaxation. It is a realm so comfortable and so spacious that you will forget you’re even in a van!
SAL: What she’s trying to say is this place is bigger on the inside than the outside.
REDGE: I say! This is like an entire hovel!
SAL: We each have our own bunk!
REDGE: That we can decorate to our own likes and specifications?!
VAL: Of course! Jonathan, we made sure to install the bookshelf near your bed.
JONATHAN: This thing is tall! I can pack even more books now!
VAL: There’s a big pantry over by Redge’s bunk.
REDGE: I can pack even more snacks!
JONATHAN: I love this little kitchen.
REDGE: Is that a fireplace?
SAL: Make sure to bring the hot chocolate!
REDGE: I’m writing that on my list right now.
JONATHAN: Wow look, Redge, a telescope on the roof!
REDGE: And a periscope! For when we’re underwater!
JONATHAN: We can look around in the sea like real submarine captains!
REDGE: And we can have stargazing nights!
SAL: There are also binoculars in cubbies next to each of your beds.
JONATHAN/REDGE: For birdwatching!
VAL: I have to show you my all time favorite feature….
REDGE: We haven’t even seen your favorite yet?!
VAL: Nope. Come up to the front!
JONATHAN: This is a nice spot you have here, Sal!
SAL: (Now Sal is getting teary) I know. Ain’t it great? I’m going to enjoy driving this ‘ol thing.
VAL: Alright Jonathan, click this button here.
JONATHAN: Ooo! It looks like a disco ball! Allow me to just give it a little click…
REDGE: ALRIGHT!
JONATHAN: No roadtrip is complete without music!
VAL: That’s what I’m saying!!
REDGE: (Dancing) Alright! Gotta boogie! Dancing on the dashboard! Woo! Do the shopping cart! Do the sprinkler! Oh yeah!
SAL: Hey you gotta teach me those moves when we’re on the road!
REDGE: You know it, Sal!
JONATHAN: This is so exciting! Thank you all for your hard work and magic!
VAL: No problem! You take care of this one, will you?
REDGE: I pinky promise cross my heart and pledge on all my quills that we will take wonderful care of this most magical minivan! Hedgehog’s honor!
JONATHAN: Uh…same here! I pinky promise, cross my heart, and all the other things he said!
VAL: Alright, tour’s all done. We have a few more bells and whistles to add to this thing.
SAL: And some ACTUAL bells and whistles.
VAL: It’ll be ready in no time, you will see!
SAL: That’s a Mander Siblings’ Guarantee!
REDGE: Marvelous!! Goodbye for now!
JONATHAN: See you soon!
(Car tinkering sounds start up again for a moment and then fade)
JONATHAN: Our Thrilling and Astounding Lore Expedition is going to be so successful this year!
REDGE: Our most successful yet!
JONATHAN: We will be able to collect magical stories and history from all over the land of Once Upon a Time!
REDGE: We will put new places on the map! Are you ready to come along with us, dear listeners?
JONATHAN: Wait! Before we break the fourth wall and start talking to listeners I better get home and finish packing! I’m going to bring a notebook for notes on every place, but also a second note book for the people we meet! Oh! Maybe a third notebook just for story ideas!
REDGE: I have to think about my snack categories…of course we have salty, sweet, sour. But within salty we have chips, pretzels, popcorn…so much to consider!
JONATHAN: This has been a Jonincharacter production. This story was written and produced by Molly Murphy, and performed by Jonathan Cormur. Sound recording and production by Jermaine Hamilton at Pacific Grove Soundworks. We love hearing from you! Contact us at dorktalesstorytime@gmail.com or try our one-way text feature as a safe way to reach out. You can find even more ways to reach us in the show notes.
Now, go be the hero of your own story and we’ll see you next once-upon-a-time!
THEME SONG: So gather your squad for all to see. It's a universe that we've imagined. There's twists and turns and lessons learned. This is where the unexpected happens. Join our humble hosts and hit the trails of the wonderful, wacky, wild world of Dorktales.
© Dorktales Storytime 2025
