About Us

The Company - Kinder Klassiks™  is owned by Kristina Lankford Salvador, a professional voice over artist and dialect coach. The inspiration for the company came from her 9-year-old son. Her work as a coach often takes her away from her family in Livingston, Montana, for months at a time. She was in the middle of reading Ivanhoe when she was called to work on Fantastic Four II. “When I told my son I would have to stop, he asked me if I could put it on tape so he could listen every night. I thought about it while I was away…and Kinder Klassiks™ was born!” Working with award-winning composer and sound engineer, Dean Anderson of Ritetrack Recording, Kristina began production on their first album, which ended up becoming three CDs. Kristina knew she wanted a different kind of storytelling than what is generally produced for the public. Her son loved the different voices and acting of the stories. It really helped him to see them, so she thought this new format would be equally exciting to other children. Her background in film helped her to visualize how the stories should sound. They would be just like a movie . . . but without the picture.  

The Response -
The response to this new approach has been fantastic. Education research has shown that children are stimulated more by auditory story-telling than visual. Their imaginations are allowed to create their own pictures, and listening improves their language skills. Children interact with the CD and anyone else who is listening. Their play-time is enhanced, and children have no problem following complicated story lines. Adults enjoy them just as much as the kids; the multi-layered format makes it easier to concentrate on the story—even while driving!

Why Don't You See Stories You  Recognize?

The Grimm Brothers collected 266 folk tales! Some of the ones you may be familiar with, such as Aschenputtel (Cinderella), Briar Rose (Sleeping Beauty) or Rapunzel have frightening details that have been omitted in modern versions (think Disney). Part of the Kinder Klassiks mission is to tell the original stories . . . not a sanitized version. The reasons for this are the life lessons that the stories were meant to convey; lessons used to teach children about the world in which they live. Some lessons teach about kindness and industriousness and the reward these qualities bring; others teach harder lessons. Children will recognize qualities in these characters in the people they meet in everyday life, giving them a better understanding of how the world works . . . valuable lessons indeed!

We have selected 19 of the gentlest stories suitable for ages 3 and up. We have included the entire story in this translation. We know once you hear them, you and your children will love them and listen to them over and over!