Jim Weiss and his wife, Randy, founded Greathall Productions in 1989 with the intent of introducing young children to a world of masterfully-performed spoken word. Since then, the Jim Weiss Collection has grown to include well over 70 recordings, which cover great literature, history, myths and legends, stories and rhymes for young children, beloved classics like Carry On, Mr Bowditch or Men of Iron, and more.
Jim’s primary focus is classic literature, history, and science, presented in a clear, exciting way that encourages children to read the originals for themselves. Rather than reading from a set text, Jim “tells” stories in his own words, reinvigorating a timeless oral tradition. He maintains the integrity of the source material in rich language that appeals to grown-ups and children alike. While reading a book and listening to an audio recording are different forms of entertainment and learning, studies show they reinforce one another.
While Jim’s recordings are never meant to take the place of reading, for children who can’t or won’t read the classics, listening to a recording from the Jim Weiss Collection ensures comprehension, appreciation, and involvement. For avid readers, Jim’s recordings will lead them to explore the original books. At the end of most recordings, Jim says, “If you liked this story, get the book at a library or bookstore and read it for yourself.” Jim’s history collection features famous people from all around the world throughout recorded history — from Pharaohs and Queens of Ancient Egypt to I Said I Could and I Did, a collection focused on 20th Century Americans such as Grace Hopper, Langston Hughes, and Harry Truman. Courage and a Clear Mind takes young listeners through true stories of the Golden Age of Greece, while Swordsmen, Saints, and Scholars brings the Middle Ages to life. Whatever period of history your students are studying, there is a recording in the Jim Weiss Collection that will both entertain and act as a supplement to studies.
Biographies in the Jim Weiss Collection take a deeper dive into the life of a specific figure from history. Many of them focus on American presidents like Lincoln, Washington, and Jefferson. In Julius Caesar and the Story of Rome, accounts of Caesar’s real life are followed by Jim’s retelling of Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.
In addition to true history, the Jim Weiss Collection has many collections of stories, myths, and fairytales for all ages. The tales in Fairytale Favorites in Story and Song, Best Loved Stories in Song and Dance, and First Stories to Last a Lifetime will delight and entertain a young audience, while Jim’s vivid retellings of the adventures of gods and heroes in Greek Myths and Heroes in Mythology will absorb older children.
Jim’s dedication to leading kids to famous literature is showcased in his retellings of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, The Hound of the Baskervilles, The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, and more. These recordings make literature accessible for a young audience, instilling a love of classic stories.
Finally, Jim’s retellings and originals are supplemented by a number of full, unabridged Recordings: The Boxcar Children, The Wizard of Oz, My Father’s Dragon, and Carry On, Mr Bowditch are available wherever the Jim Weiss Collection is found, in addition to multiple books by English writer, G.A. Henty.
Jim’s audiobooks are available on both digital formats and CD. In December of 2025 his first Yoto card was released – Good Night, a collection of stories and music for young children to help them fall asleep. You can order recordings from the Jim Weiss Collection from Well-Trained Mind Press or wherever audiobooks are found.
Listeners say:
“The kids listen to it over and over . . . It made rush hour traffic almost bearable. We’d stop at a light and I’d look back and see their faces rapt with attention . . . priceless.”
“I wanted to let you know how wonderful your recordings are for trauma therapy. Our family is licensed for foster care and we got two new kids this week who had been in a horribly traumatic situation. From the first night I got them I’ve played your stories at bedtime and they have slept soundly all night long, don’t resist going to bed because they know they get to listen to stories, and have even started singing the songs (currently Stone Soup). Thank you for your work! My own kids have grown up with your stories. We are happy to share them with all the kids who enter our home.”
“I just wanted to let you know what a profound influence your storytelling had on my life… Even currently, I have a huge stack of (Jim Weiss) CDs that I enjoy in my office and car! Today I am a filmmaker, specializing in history as well as classic literature, mythology, folklore, and legends…Your stories, and your story telling became a large and important part of who I am.”
Find the Jim Weiss Collection at welltrainedmind.com or wherever audiobooks are sold.
