Why tell stories?	The Rule of Five	The Three 3s
Tales Worth Telling	Storytelling Programs	Storytelling Links

Why Tell Stories

There are many reasons to tell stories.

Telling stories builds a unique relationship between the teller and the listener. The act creates a special bond because both the teller and the listener have to employ skills that call on their inner selves: listening, paying attention, following the lead of another person, being still in body and spirit, and using imagination.

Telling stories creates a special time for people of all ages, especially for children. We live in an age that is not very kind to children. The exclusive attention of an adult given to a child, or at most to a few children, in a setting where the most important goal is to entertain or engage the imagination, is an incredible gift.

Telling stories is a part of every culture in every generation. It is the way history was born for people around the world. There is an innate need for us to create and share stories so that those around us and those who follow us will understand what we thought and what we felt.

Telling stories tells us who we were, who we are, and who we will become.

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The Rule of Five

I consider these the five basic rules for storytelling.

1. Only tell stories you like. Storytelling is an art where your feelings are clearly apparent. Your audience will know if you are not interested in your story. Children particularly cannot be fooled.

2. Know the story through and through. Read it and tell it and read it and tell it until you have all the parts in your head and in your heart. Memorize the first and last lines so you have clearly defined ways to begin and end your story.

3. Warm up your voice before you begin telling stories. Recite poetry, practice your stories, sing -- do something to have your throat warm and your blood flowing so that your voice and breath do not disappear during a performance.

4. Dress and look your best to honor those who come to hear you. Wear bright colors. Consider wearing cologne -- children are alive and experience fully every one of their senses. Bright colors and good smells will enhance the storytelling experience for them.

5. Be ready to adjust your storytelling program to the attention and needs of your audience. Always be prepared with more materials than you need. Sometimes a story just doesn't work. Sometimes you look at our audience and realize one or two of the stories on the program just aren't for them.

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The Three 3s

Everyone should know how to tell, and how to help children retell, these stories.

Tales Worth Telling, Beyond the Three Bears

Here are a few of my favorite storytelling books.

Aardema, Verna. When Mosquitos Buzz in People's Ears.

Brett, Jan. The Mitten.

Carle, Eric. The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Fox, Mem. Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge.

Ho, Minfong. Hush!

Spinelli, Eileen. When Mama Comes Home Tonight.

Waddell, Martin. Can't You Sleep Little Bear.

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Examples of Storytelling Programs

African Adventure -- A Program for Children 5 to 7

Story / Book-- Anansi the Spider, a Tale from the Ashanti.......by McDermott. Told as a story.

Poem / Book --Bringing the Rain to Kapiti Plain, a Nandi Tale.....by Aardema. Read as a poem with drawings on a scroll of banner paper that is unfolded as the poem is read.

Story / Book -- Why Mosquitose Buzz in People's Ears, a West African Tale ... by Aardema. Read as a book showing children the illustrations.

Hand Clapping Activity -- Going on a Lion Hunt.

Book / Flannel Board Story -- How the Rhinoceros Got His Skin ... Kipling. Read as a book with a partner doing a flannel boardpatterned after the illustrations.

Take home -- Give the children who attended a wild life bookmark or help them make a bookmark by drawing their favorite African animal on a pre-cut piece of heavy paper.

Babies and Mothers --A Program for Children from 3 to 4

Story / Book -- Are You My Mother ... by Steig. Read as a book showing children the illustrations.

Hand Clapping Activity / Song -- Mama's going to buy me a diamond ring.

Story / Book -- When Mamma Comes Home Tonight ... by Spinelli. Read as a book, showing the children the illustrations.

Story / Flannel Board -- Runaway Bunny ... by Brown. Tell as a flannel board story.

Activity -- Have the children draw and color a picture of their mother to take home. Be sure to write the child's name and the date on the drawing (in case mother wants to keep it).

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Links to Storytelling on the World Wide Web
 
  A Handbook for Storytellers

Story Arts Online

Tales of Wonder: Folk and Fairy Tales from Around The World

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This page was developed by Dr. Susan Walsh.  You can email  her at  walsh.s@mccd.edu

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Last updated June 16, 2006 .