How to Tell Stories to Children

by Sara Cone Bryant

The stories which are given in the following pages are for the most part those which I have found to be best liked by the children to whom I have told these and others.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1905

Reviews

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this as a good overview of storytelling. It wasn't overly detailed or complicated, which is exactly what I was looking for. The author's tips, ideals, and personal stories are plenty of inspiration to work on for awhile, I think. (I only skimmed the stories included at the end but I'm sure they are good, too.)

[Sarra Tebib · Rating 4 out of 5]

That was really cool to read. Gave me a lot more insight into the function of storytelling and tales in teaching and learning. It was also a big bowl of nostalgia, my mom used to read the tales in this book for me when I was little.

[Beth Chambas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was on my grandmother's shelf, having belonged to my great-grandfather, a lifelong educator. As I plan for homeschooling my own children, I think this book will be an invaluable guide.

Sara Cone Bryant gives five chapters of guidance in why and how to tell (rather than just read) stories, how to choose a good story for telling, and how to adapt material from books. She then spends the second half of the book offering a sampling of good stories adapted and ready for telling. I found her advice very practical and well-considered. Storytelling is not a common art form these days, but, as Ms. Bryant reminds us, nothing creates a bond between teller and audience like oral storytelling. Already I have found this to be true telling stories to my 2-year-old son. My repertoire of stories is small right now, but I look forward to building it in the years to come.

In terms of her story selection, many of them are classics--some familiar, some forgotten. They are told a little differently than I remember them, and the perspective is certainly dated--though it makes for a really interesting study of the American perspective before the World Wars (her commentary on the value of patriotic stories, and encouraging "hero-worship" of patriotic figures is foreign and bizarre to my mind).

[Cindy]

DNF. An odd book. The writing style is surprisingly dry and academic for a book about storytelling.The recommended examples I read are the much older and darker versions of familiar stories. A few good pointers about starting nonsense tales and connecting with an audience.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been reading and telling her stories since I was a child. She was wonderful.