The Golden Axe and Other Folk Tales of Compassion and Greed [Paperback]

Ruth Stotter (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1998

The Golden Axe contains fifty-six versions of a folktale collected in thirty countries and three American Indian nations. Together with puppet and play scripts, charts, a classroom game, story notes, and bibliographies of additional scripts and children's books based on this tale, the Golden Axe is designed for teachers and older children interested in how a story adapts to different worlkdviews.

Editorial Reviews

Review

What a wonderful book! I'm making it the basis of an arts grant project with some of my best "alternative students." We are also making a story quilt of images from your variety of versions of this story. This is just great! -- Mary Jo Maichack

When I started reading this clear and well written book, I found I could hardly put it down because the stories are fascinating and not always easy to find in the usual sources.

Each story is analyzed, the motifs listed, and the book itself is finely crafted. An introductory chapter provides tips on how to tell stories. This book gives the reader a wealth of insight and useful analysis that will help in both understanding and telling stories. Carolyn Power, reviewer -- Storyline - Spring 2000, (volume 16, No. 1)

About the Author

Ruth Stotter is former Director of the Dominican College Storytelling Program and has served as chairperson of the American Folklore Society's Aesop committee, which selects the best children's books based on Folklore. She is a professional storyteller.

Product Details

• Paperback: 183 pages
• Publisher: Stotter Pr; 1st edition (March 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0943565162
• ISBN-13: 978-0943565163
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.3 x 0.6 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: #2,475,268 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a storyteller's dream of motifs & information., February 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Golden Axe and Other Folk Tales of Compassion and Greed (Paperback)

All storytellers‹whether beginner or pro‹need this book. When I started reading this clear and well written book, I found I could hardly put it down because the stories are fascinating and not always easy to find in the usual sources. Each tale type is well analyzed, the motifs are clearly stated and the book itself finely crafted. Each chapter is a gem explaining what the story means and how it relates to other stories of it's type. Clever quotes wrap up each chapter and the writer keeps earlier stories fresh in the reader's mind by continuing to compare and contrast meaning and motif in a layered tapestry of insight. Solid sources are given for each story and additional information and books are included. An introductory chapter sites tips on how to tell stories while later chapters explain how to use word games, scripts and puppet plays based on these stories. Every serious storyteller should own this book; it is a wealth of insight and useful analysis that will help in both understanding and telling stories.

5.0 out of 5 stars A fabulous resource and a great read, July 8, 2002

By 

"folklorio" (Oakland, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Golden Axe and Other Folk Tales of Compassion and Greed (Paperback)

I love this collection of stories, notes about the stories, and activities. Perfect for nearly any age child or adult, and a great introduction to the ways tales change and vary from culture to culture.