Storytelling: Art & Technique

by Ellin Greene, Janice M. Del Negro

Thoroughly revised and updated, the fourth edition of the classic Storytelling: Art and Technique is an essential guide for beginning and experienced storytellers alike. Ten years ago, Book Report called the third edition of Storytelling: Art and Technique , "invaluable … a volume no librarian will want to be without." This fourth edition of the classic storytelling "how to" is even better―with 30 percent new material, additional chapters, new stories, and updated bibliographies. This edition provides both a history of storytelling in libraries and accessible instruction for bringing storytelling to contemporary listeners. It details the selection, preparation, and presentation of stories, as well as planning and administration of a storytelling program. Full texts of 13 stories for various ages and occasions are included, as is an extensive list of resources. Bonus essays offer a fascinating international perspective through a survey of storytelling in Ireland and the British Isles and a look at storytelling in contemporary China. Complete with everything one needs to know to launch a successful storytelling program, this is the perfect book for librarians, teachers, parents―and professional storytellers, too.

Genres: Nonfiction, Professional Development, Read For School, Library Science, Adult

484 pages, Hardcover

First published January 30, 1996

Reviews

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn't normally include textbooks in my list of stuff I've read, but this was a great resource (and I read it exhaustively, unlike every other textbook I've ever encountered).

[The Book Dragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very analytical approach to explaining why storytelling is important and giving examples of how to do it right. It was my textbook for a Masters in Library Science class.

It’s twelve chapters long and it’s honestly one of the only textbooks I’ve actually finished. Page 185 begins an example of a storytelling event called A(ugusta) Baker’s Dozen, complete with 13 written stories. At page 257 there’s Appendix: Sources for the Storyteller. There’s a glossary of terms on page 319-321. And finally the index starting on page 323.

Overall, it’s a fairly specialized book. If you’re not looking for instruction on storytelling or using it as a textbook, I don’t see many people picking it up.

But, who knows. Maybe you’re curious or just like learning. Either way, it’s not a bad read. Solid 3/5.

[Michelle Eisele · Rating 5 out of 5]

For anyone wanting to improve their art of storytelling, this is a fantastic resource!

[Widad Aulia]

for my references

[September Michaud · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is divided into four parts.

Part one was the most helpful to me. It offers an overview of the history of storytelling and how to cater storytelling to particular age groups. I learned about the "Ready to Read @ Your Library" program and how to implement it. I learned that a huge part of a good story time (and of a children's librarian's job) is to educate parents and caregivers about how to aid their children's learning.

Part one also gave me an overview and format options for baby story time or "lap time," toddler story time, and preschool story time, and it offered advice about creating story times for older kids. It also contained information about planning story times, creating a personal, professional library, and contacting other community members who have a similar goal towards children's literacy (teachers, day-care directors, etc.).

Part two is titled "An International Perspective" and includes information about various worldwide opinions and traditions in storytelling. This was interesting but not really helpful to me in the immediate planning of my story time.

Part three is a section full of various suggested songs and tales for storytellers.

Part four includes resources to various other tales and suggested read-alouds.

So I found the first part to be the most helpful, but I'm looking to supplement it with other resources that are going to help me with the hands-on day-to-day planning and enacting of my story times. I am open to suggestions.

[Kristen Callihan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really good resource if you are new to storytelling. I had to read this books for a class, and I have found it very helpful in introducing me to the art of storytelling, and how to have an effective and fun storytelling event. It even talks about how and what stories to present stories to different age groups, students with disabilities, and provides numerous resources for you to look through for your next storytelling event. I rather enjoyed how this books walked us through the process of storytelling, and the suggested stories (and examples) that this books uses. It is a great resource for parents wanting to assist their child's linguistic acquisition, librarian, or anyone who is interested in becoming a storyteller.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I once read that if you want to be successful, surround yourself with successful people. Since many of us may not know such people, reading great books by successful people is an excellent option. This is such a book.

Nancy Lamb distills more than 30-years of experience and 43 books into this easy to read and excellent resource. In particular, her Twenty-five Rules For Good Writing toward the end of the book are worth the price of admission. She claims it took her 15-years to learn these rules.

This book is at the top of my list of resources on writing. It should be at the top of yours as well.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

GOLD for educators, care-givers, librarians, and storytellers. This book is an incredible resource. Immense bibliographies list in-print stories and reference sources, as well as professional organizations and web resources. Literacy nerds, like myself, need only to review the table of contents to commence salivation.

[Margaux · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of good ideas and techniques (as the title suggests), and it has a smattering of useful stories for each age group. I'd use this if you're a beginning storyteller because it also gives you a history of the tradition you're about to become a part of. It's also illustrated with anecdotes from the authors' own experiences.

[Shannan Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the required textbook for a storytelling class of mine. I am a library school student. I will be keeping this one and referring to it. Easy to read and will surve as a great reference for me professionally.

[Tracy Miller]

For my summer class on storytelling.

[createitlibrarian (Amanda) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the easiest text book I've ever had to read because I actually enjoyed it.

[Sirena McKinley]

Very good reference book.

[Renee Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well-rounded textbook. Excellent bibliographies.