For storytellers who are just starting out, it seems appropriate to begin telling to young children. Yet young children present the most difficult audience a storyteller can face. So where does one begin? Simple. With some old newspaper and the story Rain Hat or Mountain Climbing, children will be enthralled at the action of the young hero as you fold and tear and create mountains, hats, fans, and boats right before their very eyes. Or, take a milk carton and make a frog puppet to tell the story.
For storytellers who are just starting out, it seems appropriate to begin telling to young children. Yet young children can present the most difficult audience a storyteller can face. So where does one begin? Simple. With some old newspaper and the story "Rain Hat" or "Mountain Climbing," children will be enthralled at the action of the kid-hero as you fold and tear and create mountains, hats, fans, and boats right before their very eyes. Or take a milk carton, and shape it into a frog puppet to tell the story of "Wide-Mouth Frog." Stories to Play With is written and designed for storytellers, parents, teachers, and activity leaders who work with young children. The stories are fun and useful, put forth in a playful, informal family style of telling. The materials used for puppets and visual props can be found in your kitchen or supply closet. Translated and adapted from the original Japanese, these stories have been tested extensively in front of American audiences and are sure to be a hit with young children and those who work with them.
