Subject
Storytelling Books
Best books
Harriott Ely Fansler
Types of Prose Narratives: A Text-Book for the Story Writer
"Types of Prose Narratives: A Text-Book for the Story Writer" by Harriott Ely Fansler is a comprehensive guide intended for aspiring writers, likely written in the early 20th century. This work focuses on the different types of prose narratives, exploring their structures, characteristics, and functions. Fansler aims to educate writers about the historical context of storytelling, helping them understand the evolution of narrative forms and providing practical tools for crafting their own stories. At the start of the textbook, the author introduces the core premise: narratives are essential to both our understanding of literature and our capacity to create. Fansler emphasizes that storytelling is not a spontaneous act but rather a craft that draws upon the collective traditions of the past. The opening lays out the intention to guide readers through various narrative types, from myths and legends to modern fiction forms, encouraging a methodical approach to writing. Fansler connects the importance of historical context to contemporary storytelling, highlighting how understanding these foundational elements can inspire new authors and boost their confidence in creating original work.
Frances Jenkins Olcott
Good Stories for Great Holidays Arranged for Story-Telling and Reading Aloud and for the Children's Own Reading
"Good Stories for Great Holidays" by Frances Jenkins Olcott is a collection of stories designed for storytelling and reading aloud, likely compiled during the early 20th century. This anthology features a variety of myths, legends, and historical tales associated with different holiday celebrations throughout the year, encouraging joy and discussion around these special occasions. The opening of the collection introduces the purpose behind the stories, emphasizing their suitability for arousing a festive spirit and teaching various moral lessons through engaging narratives. It discusses how the stories are adapted for storytelling, ensuring they are accessible for children's understanding. The introduction also highlights specific selections that will follow, which cover major holidays such as New Year's Day, Valentine's Day, and Christmas, offering a blend of themes from kindness and generosity to the excitement of festive traditions.
Marie L. Shedlock
The Art of Story-Telling
"The Art of Story-Telling" by Marie L. Shedlock is a guide on the techniques and principles of storytelling written in the early 20th century. The book addresses both the art and craft of storytelling, aimed primarily at educators and aspiring narrators who wish to captivate and educate their audiences, particularly children. Shedlock's work emphasizes the importance of engaging storytelling for effective communication and highlights various elements that contribute to a compelling narrative. The opening of the book introduces Shedlock's views on the importance of storytelling as a historical art form and its relevance in education today. She discusses the challenges story-tellers face, including the need for preparation and creativity in engaging an audience. The author also shares anecdotes from her own experiences, illustrating common pitfalls in storytelling. Shedlock stresses that successful story-telling requires not only dramatic skills but also a deep understanding of the narrative's emotional and moral undercurrents. She aims to revive the timeless art of storytelling, encouraging readers to create immersive experiences that resonate with listeners.
Katherine Dunlap Cather
Educating by story-telling : $b showing the value of story-telling as an educational tool for the use of all workers with children
"Educating by Story-Telling" by Katherine Dunlap Cather is an educational guide written in the early 20th century. This book advocates for the use of storytelling as a powerful educational tool for those working with children, emphasizing its role in enhancing learning experiences and moral development. The author presents the value of storytelling not just as entertainment, but as a means to enrich children’s lives and education across various subjects, promoting a deeper understanding of literature and life principles. The opening of the work establishes the author's extensive experience with children and outlines the intention behind the book, which seeks to provide a structured approach to effective storytelling in educational settings. The author discusses how storytelling can be a vessel for cultural heritage and moral values, illuminating children's imaginations and interests. Cather proposes that an understanding of children's developmental stages and interests is crucial for selecting stories that will resonate with them, encouraging educators to adeptly match narratives to the psychological needs of their students. Overall, the beginning sets a foundation for the exploration of storytelling’s transformative potential in both the classroom and home environments.
Mark Twain
How to Tell a Story, and Other Essays
"How to Tell a Story, and Other Essays" by Mark Twain is a collection of essays and humorous tales written in the late 19th century. This book primarily explores the intricacies of storytelling, particularly focusing on the American humorous story and its unique characteristics compared to comic and witty storytelling from other cultures. It reflects Twain's observations and insights gained from years of experience with storytelling, providing readers with a blend of humor and valuable narrative techniques. The essays within this collection delve into various storytelling styles and techniques, highlighted by Twain's signature wit. The main essay, "How to Tell a Story," discusses the art of telling humorous stories, emphasizing the importance of the teller's delivery rather than the content itself. It contrasts humorous storytelling with comic and witty tales, illustrating his points with anecdotes, such as "The Wounded Soldier" and "The Golden Arm," which showcase the effectiveness of a slow, engaging buildup leading to a punchline. Other pieces in the collection, like "The Invalid's Story," further exemplify Twain's mastery of humor through irony and situational comedy, depicting the plight of a narrator who mistakes a box of rifles for a coffin and how his imagination spirals into an absurd series of events. Overall, the collection serves as both an exploration of storytelling and a delightful showcase of Twain's literary prowess, charming readers with its humor and insight into the human experience.
William James Sly
World Stories Retold for Modern Boys and Girls One Hundred and Eighty-seven Five-minute Classic Stories for Retelling in Home, Sunday School, Children's Services, Public School Grades and "The Story-hour" in Public Libraries
"World Stories Retold for Modern Boys and Girls" by William James Sly is a collection of children's stories written in the early 20th century. This anthology features a variety of classic tales carefully adapted for contemporary young audiences, addressing the needs of parents, educators, and librarians seeking accessible and engaging stories for children. The work emphasizes the importance of storytelling as both an educational tool and a source of moral lessons, illustrating timeless values through beloved narratives. The opening of the collection introduces the purpose of the book and the significance of storytelling in child development. Sly discusses the value of stories as a medium that nurtures imagination, morality, and cultural heritage, making a compelling case for their inclusion in various educational contexts—from homes and Sunday schools to public libraries. He highlights that these stories are tailored for brief retellings, making them approachable for readers and listeners alike, and outlines practical suggestions for effective storytelling.
Fanny E. (Fanny Eliza) Coe
The Book of Stories for the Story-teller
"The Book of Stories for the Story-teller" by Fanny E. Coe is a collection of children's stories likely written in the early 20th century. The compilation features a variety of tales, including folk tales, modern fairy tales, and myths from different cultures, all focusing on moral lessons. The stories are designed to enrich storytelling sessions for parents and teachers, facilitating engaging and educational experiences for young audiences. At the start of the book, the preface emphasizes the significance of storytelling in education and home life, highlighting the need for fresh material to captivate children's imaginations. Coe outlines the principles behind the choice of stories, each chosen for its moral value, such as truthfulness, kindness, and perseverance. The introduction sets the stage for a diverse array of narratives, which include the clever fox outsmarting foes, whimsical tales of nature, and underlying themes of familial love and duty. Overall, the opening portion serves to establish the book as a comprehensive resource for nurturing the art of storytelling.
Sara Cone Bryant
How to Tell Stories to Children, and Some Stories to Tell
"How to Tell Stories to Children, and Some Stories to Tell" by Sara Cone Bryant is a guidebook on the art of storytelling intended for educators and parents, written in the late 19th century. This work explores effective storytelling techniques suited to children's educational and emotional development and offers a collection of stories that can be told in engaging ways. The author aims to highlight how storytelling can facilitate children's understanding, joy, and moral growth. At the start of the book, Bryant reflects on the powerful impact that storytelling has on both children and adults, drawing from her experiences as a lecturer. She emphasizes the difference between reading a story and telling it, stating that storytelling allows for more connection and spontaneity with the audience. Bryant sets the tone for the rest of the book by outlining the purpose of storytelling in educational settings, emphasizing that stories are meant to entertain and spark joy in children while subtly imparting valuable life lessons. She introduces the idea that good stories often contain action, familiar yet imaginative themes, and elements of repetition that appeal to young listeners.
Carolyn Sherwin Bailey
For the Story Teller: Story Telling and Stories to Tell
"For the Story Teller: Story Telling and Stories to Tell" by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey is a collection of essays and stories aimed at educators and parents, written in the early 20th century. This work discusses the art of story-telling, emphasizing its psychological impact on children and its importance in their education and moral development. The book not only explores effective storytelling techniques but also provides a selection of engaging tales that can be shared with children. The opening of the book introduces the concept of "apperception," explaining how children interpret new ideas based on their existing knowledge. Bailey illustrates this with anecdotes from her experiences as a storyteller, highlighting the importance of choosing stories that resonate with children's life experiences. Through examples like "The Three Bears" and "The Cap That Mother Made," she demonstrates how familiar concepts can make stories more relatable, thereby enhancing children's understanding and enjoyment. The text establishes a framework for understanding how stories can be tailored to meet the developmental needs of children, while also stressing the significance of stories in shaping young minds.
Unknown
Lists of Stories and Programs for Story Hours
"Lists of Stories and Programs for Story Hours" by Effie Power is a collection of guidelines and curated narratives designed for storytelling sessions aimed at children, written in the early 20th century. This revised edition compiles material originally published by the St. Louis Public Library, focusing primarily on engaging young audiences with a variety of stories ranging from classic fairy tales to noteworthy literary selections. The book serves as a practical resource for librarians, educators, and parents, offering structured outlines and themed story suggestions for different age groups. The opening of this work provides essential context through a foreword, explaining its purpose and background. Effie Power outlines the contents and organization of the text, emphasizing that it is not a comprehensive handbook but rather a collection of story lists intended to inspire and support storytelling practices in libraries. The initial section categorizes stories for very young children, presenting well-known nursery rhymes and simplified tales, and underscores the importance of brevity and engagement during story sessions with little ones.
Sara Cone Bryant
Stories to Tell to Children
"Stories to Tell to Children" by Sara Cone Bryant is a collection of narrative tales aimed at young readers and story-tellers, likely written during the early 20th century. The work serves as a comprehensive resource for those looking to engage children through storytelling, offering a variety of classic tales and practical advice for effective narration. The opening portion of the book introduces the context of storytelling, where the author provides foundational techniques and tips for telling stories to children. It includes anecdotes that emphasize the importance of taking stories seriously, pacing, and mastering presentation to capture children's attention. Bryant also shares specific tales that are intended for storytelling, such as "The Little Red Hen" and "The Gingerbread Man," along with playful interactions between storytellers and myths about engaging audiences, underscoring the blend of entertainment and education in the art of story-telling. This establishes a foundation in children’s literature, focusing on the joy and importance of storytelling in youth development.
Angela M. (Angela Mary) Keyes
Stories and Story-telling
"Stories and Story-telling" by Angela M. Keyes is a collection of instructional essays and tales that appears to have been written in the early 20th century. This work focuses on the significance of storytelling in education, particularly for children, advocating for its integration into the teaching process to enhance creativity, imagination, and moral understanding among young learners. At the start of the book, Keyes emphasizes the importance of storytelling as an art form and a pedagogical tool, addressing its historical decline among adults but asserting its vital role for children. She outlines how stories can delight, enlighten, and cultivate emotional intelligence, suggesting that storytelling serves both as a way to nurture the imagination and as a bridge to more serious literary pursuits. Alongside theoretical discussions, the opening portion provides a glimpse of various stories to be presented, such as a tale about a blacksmith and an elf, illustrating the essence of engaging narratives that foster a child's growth and learning.
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