Listen Up: Telling Tales

Hi Friends!

TGIF, amiright?

Bookkitty & her friend Mousie read from How & Why Stories: World Tales Kids Can Read & Tell, by Martha Hamilton & Mitch Weiss:

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/b0e66b_37d7b79036cd44598369cb40cb22de86/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

1. The first story tells Why Dogs Chase Cats. The fable anthromorphosizes Dog & Cat. We find out that a great way to make an enemy is to gobble up the ham. Or rather, to be the kind of person who does not share with a friend. What do you think about the second story, Why Frog & Snake Never Play Together? Bookkitty feels like the end of the story is rather sad. Why do you think the mothers behaved so strongly? What kind of advice could you give them (or the children)?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uK1IBTBmTBc

2.Today's stories featured two fables. You might remember this quote, from Aesop's fables "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." (The Lion & the Mouse) These stories have a moral or lesson to teach. Watch this lovely puppet show retelling of the fable, the Sun & Wind. What do you think we can learn from this story? Do you think storytelling is an effective way to encourage people to think? What kind of lesson would you like to teach with a story?

3. One of the things I really love about this book is after each tale, there are tidbits of information about the story & tips for storytelling. Humans have a wonderful tradition of storytelling---to share culture, tradition, history, life lessons, entertain & connect with others. Some traditions include origin stories, folktales, legends & myths while others are more like history lessons. Do you have a favorite story you like to hear told again & again, perhaps "tell me about the day I was born" or "how did grandma & grandpa meet." Grab a pencil & paper. Take a few minutes to write down a special story in your own life. Maybe about the first time you lost a tooth or an important lesson you learned about friendship.

4. Here are some of the storytelling tips you could find in the book:

• Pick a story you really enjoy but consider who your audience will be

• Learn the story by telling it lots of times, but make it your own (you don't have to memoriez it word-for-word)

• Take your time but don't go on too long

• Be expressive with your face, body & voice but don't be afraid of silence

• Look at your listeners & invite audience participation when possible

• Pass the stories on---tell & retell---to share with the world

Try this fun little game with one friend or a large group: take turns telling one sentence to build a story. Start out with a classic "Once Upon a Time" or "Long Ago in a Galaxy Far Away" or "In the Year 3030..." See if you can make it silly or scary or even teach a lesson!

Toodleloo, Kangaroos!

Today's book was How & Why Stories: World Tales Kids Can Read & Tell, by Martha Hamilton & Mitch Weiss. You can visit the author's website for fun storytelling games, author talks & more! You can find out why Koala Has a Stumpy Tale & check out many more resources from the National Storytelling Network

Thinking about cooking has made me hungry! You can learn how to make creme brulee (without scortching your curtains!), with a blowtorch or for those of you who might be intimidated by fire, without. Find out more about cooking schools here.

Thanks to Pexels contributers for providing awesome video clips.