Blog #1 -Reading Reflection
First, we must understand what a fable is. I have included a short YouTube video defining fables. Often, people confuse fables and fairy tales. However, there are key elements in this specific type of literature that differentiate them from fairy tales. Fables are short stories that tell a moral. They also typically include personified animals and often have a common theme.
For this assignment, I read six fables written by Arnold Lobel. When I selected this book, I did not recognize the author at first. In fact, I was looking for Aesop's Fables because that was familiar. However, I was surprised to learn I have read other books by Lobel. You may also know him from his popular Frog and Toad collection!
- The Baboon's Umbrella
- The Hen and the Apple Tree
- The crocodile in the Bedroom
- The Mouse at the Seashore
- The Hippopotamus at Dinner
- The Young Rooster
These short stories brought me back to my childhood and also reminded me how great this genre is! As a kindergarten teacher, I often forget about classics like fables, but they are special selections that never go out of style! I get excited about this particular genre because I love that each story teaches a unique lesson to the reader. However, the genre can also be challenging because children may have difficulty determining the moral depending on their age. Lobel includes the moral of each fable at the end of the page. This is helpful if one is reading fables in the classroom or library to children. The morals from my selections include-
Advice from friends is like the weather, Some of it good; some of it is bad.
It is always difficult to pose as something that one is not.
Without a doubt, there is such a thing as too much order.
All the miles of hard road are worth a moment of true happiness.
Too much of anything often leaves one with a feeling of regret.
A first failure may prepare the way for later success.
As you can see, each fable has a great take away! I would absolutely use them for storytelling. They are short, meaningful, and lend themselves well to retelling. I would of course add some props to make it more appealing to the younger audience, but using this genre for storytelling is purposeful and reinforces important things like friendship, determination, kindness, and teamwork. This genre is a great choice!
Moving On.....
Our Textbook, Storytelling Art and Technique by Ellin Green and Janice M. Del Negro has had some great takeaways. As a Kindergarten teacher, I have some experience with read alouds and storytelling, but the book has helped me learn so much more about the process and audience. Here is what I found most helpful and/or interesting.
Chapter 1
"Storytelling has been called the oldest and the newest of the arts. Though its purpose and conditions change from century to century, and from culture to culture, storytelling continues to fulfill the same basic social and individual needs."
This chapter focus' on the history of storytelling which began with chants set to a rhythm. Over time, dance, sound, and language, and stories were even written down. Storytelling was a way to pass time while spinning yarn and working.
The Grimm Brothers published their collection in 1812 and 1815 bringing back interest to storytelling.
Sara Cone Bryant ( A Kindergarten Teacher!!) wrote the first storytelling text in the U.S. in 1905. Her book is How to Tell Stories to Children. I have included a video made by a public library of one of her stories being told.
The two oldest storytelling organizations in the U.S.-
1. The National Storytellers League (formally the National Story League)
2. National Storytelling Network (founded as the National Association for the Preservation and Perpetuation of Storytelling NAPPS)
All of the information in this chapter helped me realize the role storytelling has played around the world and how it has developed over time. The act of storytelling can include dance, props, rhythm, etc.. However, each story does not need all of these elements.
Chapter 2
This chapter highlights some famous storytellers in the library setting and the impact professional storytellers have made on the libraries and programs. The famous storytellers include:
- Marie Shedlock
- Anna Cogswell Tyler
- Gudrun Thorne-Thomsen
- Mary Gould Davis
- Ruth Sawyer
- Pura Belpré
- Frances Clark Sayers
- Augusta Baker
Of the mentioned storytellers, Pura Belpré was the only familiar name. In SLIS 756, I read the book, Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré. This is a remarkable biography detailing the life of this famous storyteller and the legacy she left behind. After reading it, I found myself eager to learn more and found an interview with her great nieces on the Horn Book website. The link is below if you want to check it out.
Interview with Pura Belpre's great nieces
Other key information:
- Librarians thought storytelling would help keep children stay interested in reading.
- The age for storytelling began to shift to younger children.
- Storytelling has taken place in almost all libraries.
Check your local library's webpage or social media for local story times. My local branch (The Nancy Carson Library in North Augusta, SC) has theirs on Fridays!
Chapter 3
This chapter focus' on the purpose of storytelling. What does it accomplish? As a teacher, I have seen firsthand the impacts of reading to and with children. I know it makes them excited about reading, helps them relate to characters, builds vocabulary, and allows them to experience things they may otherwise not. The benefits are endless. The text describes some of the purposes as:
- Sharing experiences
- making connections
- building vocabulary
- encourages the art of listening
- literature gives insights into the motives and patterns of human behavior
- Keeps cultural heritage alive
Research has proven there are many benefits to to the exposure of stories. The Association for Library Service to Children has a great article about why storytelling matters. I have included the link below.
Chapter 4
This chapter looks at selection. What makes a story good for telling? This chapter helps the reader look at important elements when selecting a story. The following list has elements suggested by the text to be mindful of when selecting a piece for storytelling:
- A single theme
- A well Developed Plot
- Style
- Characterization
- Faithfulness to source Material
- Dramatic Appeal
- Appropriateness for the listener
Each element plays a critical role in selection. For example, older children and teens love ghost stories. However, you wouldn't select that type of story for young children because that might frighten them and make the experience negative. This made me think deeply about selection. I personally have a great deal of experience with the younger students, however, this list will be helpful when selecting topics/books for older children.
Additionally, this chapter describes popular topics by age, popular storytelling selections, and the importance to respect the culture and source of all stories.
Chapter 5
Preparation is incredibly important when telling a story. There are different techniques one can use to prepare for the experience. The chapter explains the visual and auditory approach in this chapter. Tellers can also use cue cards or choreographed selections based on preference. As a new Storyteller, I plan to try all techniques to see what works best for me and provides the most success. To be honest, the choreographed selections look overwhelming, but I still want to give it a try to know which way works best for me.
The chapter goes on to describe speech exercises, whether adaptations should be made, and what are good qualities of good storytellers.
This left me believing if you are excited about a story and find joy in a story that will come through in your storytelling experience. This brings me back to selection and why the story you select may even be more important the actual storytelling itself. Make sure you pick a story you love!!!
Chapter 6
This chapter describes presentation and it provides answers to questions beginners may have. I found some of the of the information incredibly helpful as a new storyteller. The most important things I learned from this chapter are:
- Group size is not very important unless the storyteller is a beginner. (Which is me, so I'll start small. 😊)
- How to introduce my story and get the attention of my audience.
- I do not need to get permission to tell a story, but should give credit to the author.
- Use the Morrow approach when telling to listeners with little to no experience.
- Weave discipline into the story to help with disruptions.
- Keep the book close by. Just in case. 😁
Final Thoughts: The readings over the past few weeks have helped to prepare me for my first storytelling experience. Although I am still terrified, I feel informed about how to select a book and how to begin the process. I know it won't be easy, but I don't feel quite as overwhelmed as I did before I read these chapters.
References
Denise, A. A. (n.d.). Titi Pura: A conversation with Cristina Maduro and Lisa Fenstermacher. The Horn Book. https://www.hbook.com/?detailStory=titi-pura-a-conversation-with-cristina-maduro-and-lisa-fenstermacher.
Greene, E., & Negro, J. D. (2010). Storytelling: Art and technique (4th ed.). Libraries Unlimited.
Lobel, A. (1980) Fables Harper Collins
