African Legends, Myths, and Folktales for Readers Theatre [Paperback]

Anthony D. Fredericks (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 159158633X | ISBN-13: 978-1591586333 | Publication Date: April 30, 2008

Teachers are continually looking for materials that will enhance their studies of cultures around the world. With this new book, author, Tony Fredericks and illustrator, Bongaman, present readers theatre scripts based on traditional African folklore. Plays are organized by area and identified by country. Included are tales from Algeria to Zambia and all areas in between. This title contains background information for teachers on each African country included as well as instruction and presentation suggestions. The rationale and role of readers theatre in literacy instruction is discussed and additional resources for extending studies of African folklore are included. Grades 4-8.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

This collection of scripts begins with an introduction that defines readers theatre as "a storytelling device that stimulates the imagination and promotes all of the language arts." The four pages of presentation suggestions that follow include script preparation, starting out, staging, props, delivery and post-presentation. Brief notes on the 20 African countries from which the 22 folktales are taken, as well as a map of Africa, serve as a good backdrop for the scripts. The plays themselves are grouped by region. Many of them, based on traditional folklore, are pourquoi stories, trickster tales, and stories that have a moral. Each one includes a drawing of the stage indicating where the characters and narrators are positioned, as well as any movements on stage. The selections range from 3 to 6 pages in length, with 4 to 10 performers. For the most part, the stories, some simpler than others, are short, lively, and often humorous. The volume ends with source notes for each legend; a listing of readers theatre books; contact information for the Institute for Readers Theatre, and a list of additional resources for teachers and librarians. A valuable volume for teachers working with students in grades 4–8.—Mary N. Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH
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Review

"Designed for older elementary and middle school classes, this volume contains 22 scripts, adaptations of African folktales, that students can read alound. Although most of the tales cross national borders, as do the language and cultural groups from which they arise, Fredericks assigns them by country and provides a source note for each adaptation in an appendix. The book begins with an introduction to readers theatre and how it contributes across the curriculum, suggestions for staging and follow-up activities, and a brief (two-paragraph) overview of each country from which a tale originates....The book concludes with an annotated list of resources and an index."-MultiCultural Review

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Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited (April 30, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 159158633X
• ISBN-13: 978-1591586333
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,184,805 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Tony ([e-mail])is an award-winning children's author well known for his energetic, humorous, and highly informative school visits throughout North America. His dynamic presentations have captivated thousands of students in Canada, Mexico, and across the United States ' all with rave reviews!
Tony is a former elementary teacher and reading specialist. He is the author of more than 100 books, including more than three-dozen children's books. His children's titles include Under One Rock (2002 Nature and Ecology Award); Slugs (2000 Outstanding Science Trade Book), Bloodsucking Creatures, Around One Cactus (2004 Teacher's Choice Award), Near One Cattail (2006 Green Earth Book Award), and The Tsunami Quilt: Grandfather's Story among others. Forthcoming titles include A is for Anaconda: A Rainforest Alphabet and Dinosaur Droppings.
Fredericks is also the author of several teacher resource books including the perennial favorite Frantic Frogs and Other Frankly Fractured Folktales for Readers Theatre.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A solid choice for any educator looking to expand their student's horizons, December 9, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: African Legends, Myths, and Folktales for Readers Theatre (Paperback)

Africa has its own unique history and culture, and many folk tales have their origin on the continent. "African Legends, Myths, and Folktales for Readers Theatre" is a collection of African folk tales and stories for reading aloud between many different students in a classroom setting. Aimed at children nearing the end of elementary through middle school, the folk tales will give young readers an appreciation for African culture and literature. "African Legends, Myths, and Readers Theatre" is a solid choice for any educator looking to expand their student's horizons.

5.0 out of 5 stars Storytelling to Wake Up a Sleeping Lion, January 19, 2009

By 

grasshopper4 (Arkansas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: African Legends, Myths, and Folktales for Readers Theatre (Paperback)

This book provides a fine sample of narratives from across the African continent. Anthony Fredericks compiled and assembled a great variety of really good stories. He used important collections made by good scholars to present a volume of stories that will definitely appeal to young readers. Fredericks organized this book into presentations for use as "Readers Theater." This is a teaching technique that can be used in classroom, libraries, clubs, and other social settings to engage students' interest in stories. The tales are structured so that they are best read-aloud by children. The arrangement of the texts make the plots easy to understand without talking down to kids. It's likely that these stories will help students appreciate the beauty of storytelling. It's possible that this appreciation could even turn into a love of reading. At least, that's the theory behind it all.