Len Cabral's Storytelling Book [Paperback]

Len Cabral (Author), Mia Manduca (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1555702538 | ISBN-13: 978-1555702533 | Publication Date: May 1, 1997 | Edition: 1

Become an utterly irresistible storyteller using this practical guide that includes stories that will introduce young readers to different cultures, races, family situations, and human values. There's a telling guide (voices to use, pauses, when to ask questions) and a "teaching guide" to help you expand stories into discussion-based lessons, along with an overview of techniques and props.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Teachers and librarians who want to add storytelling to their professional skills will find this a useful book, despite its flaws. Cabral begins with a brief, helpful introduction outlining how to learn and perform stories, though it lacks any mention of vocal techniques. The bulk of the book contains the stories themselves, accompanied by "Telling Guides," columns that run alongside the text of each story giving stage directions that the teller can use. These directions are especially helpful for beginners, who may not know what to do with their hands or may not feel confident in mime, movement, or other actions that help expand a story. Most of the 23 stories are also followed by a one-page teaching guide that suggests questions to ask listeners. But the book falls short in the area of sourcing, providing no sources for the stories included, only countries of origin. Even these references are limited and, in some cases, misleading. For example, the Yiddish folktale "Too Much Noise" is attributed to Israel, but it is more correctly cited as of Eastern European, Yiddish origin. Another story, "The Little Girl and the Gunnywolf," is set in Germany, though many folklorists set it in India. Elsewhere, the book includes a useful bibliography that lists folklore collections, books and articles on storytelling, and picture books, songs, and poetry books. ?Penny Peck, San Leandro Public Library, CA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

Teachers and librarians who want to add storytelling to their professional skills will find this a useful books. --School Library Journal

Any teacher who has wanted to start storytelling but has been wary of taking the first step will find Len Cabral a reassuring guide --The Second Story Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 275 pages
• Publisher: Neal-Schuman Publishers; 1 edition (May 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1555702538
• ISBN-13: 978-1555702533
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,756,099 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful variety of stories, with telling tips included, November 28, 2000

By 

Gwyneth Calvetti (West Salem, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Len Cabral's Storytelling Book (Paperback)

Len Cabral is well-known in the storytelling world for his spirited performances of world folktales. Imagine my delight as a teller and coach of teen tellers to discover this collection of stories, along with tips for telling them.

The first section includes stories with scripted telling tips; when to soften your voice, expressions to make, audience cues to give. The stories are from a variety of world cultures, making this a wonderful resource for classroom units on multiculturalism as well.

The next section presents even more stories, with less cueing of tips, designed for tellers who have gained some sense of their own voice. This is a great collection for seasoned tellers as well as those venturing to tell for the first time.