Once Upon a Time: Using Storytelling, Creative Drama, and Reader's Theater with Children in Grades PreK-6 [Paperback]

Judy Freeman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 30, 2007 | ISBN-10: 1591586631 | ISBN-13: 978-1591586630 | Edition: annotated edition

Judy Freeman, author of the Books Kids Will Sit Still For series, gives practical how-to tips on how to tell a story, and write and stage a Reader's Theater script that gets children involved with creative drama. Reader's theater teaches children how to become better listeners, enriches their thinking skills, and encourages their response to literature. Included are ideas on using folk and fairy tales, songs, chants and nonsense rhymes, and a reader's theater script. Also included in this handbook are 400 plus annotated children's books every storyteller should know, 100 great titles for creative drama and reader's theatre and professional books and Web sites for storytelling, creative drama and reader's theater. Grades PreK-6.

Judy Freeman, author of the Books Kids Will Sit Still For series, gives personal and practical how-to tips on how to learn and tell a story, how to act out a story using creative drama, and how to write and stage a Reader's Theater script. All are guaranteed to get your children listening, thinking, reading, loving, and living stories with comprehension, fluency, expression, and joy.

Once Upon a Time pulls together a wealth of ideas, activities, and strategies for using folk and fairy tales, songs, chants, and nonsense rhymes. Also included in this handbook are the texts of 10 of Judy's favorite stories you can read today and tell tomorrow; a songbook of songs, chants, and nonsense rhymes; and a Reader's Theater script. You'll also find annotated bibliographies: 400+ children's books every storyteller should know; 100+ great children's books to use for creative drama and Reader's Theater; professional books and Web sites for storytelling, creative drama, and Reader's Theater; and a title and author index.

Chapters include:

; Getting Started with Storytelling

; Judy Freeman's Songbook: Including Songs, Chants, Riddles, and Plenty of Nonsense

; Judy Freeman's Storybook: Tales You can Hear Today and Tell Tomorrow

; 400+ Children's Books Every Storyteller Should Know

; Getting Started with Creative Drama and Reader's Theater

; 100+ Children's Books Just Right for Creative Drama and/or Reader's Theater

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Judy Freeman has more ideas for using children's literature than almost anyone we know. In this volume, she packs songs, readers theater, great-book lists, best professional books, good web sites, and more to attract librarian and teacher to make reading fun, exciting, creative, and beneficial to the literacy program of the school….Bottom line: Highly recommended for teachers and teacher-librarians who are on a quest to move beyond just deadly skills."

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Teacher Librarian

"We all agree on the importance of story in the lives of children, but many of us stop at reading aloud. Don't. Freeman's advice and ready-to-use scripts, tales, chants, songs, accompanied by notes and tips, offer enough support, inspiration, and encouragement to get the most timid among us on our feet, sharing stories."

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Curriculum Connections

"What began as a handbook to accompany a series of storytelling workshops has become a compilation of tried-and-true stories, ideas, and activities for librarians working with children….Even librarians who have Freeman's earlier books will want this one. While new librarians will find the confidence to begin telling stories, those who are more experienced will be able to polish their skills, expand their repertoires, and incorporate reader's theater and creative drama into their programs."

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School Library Journal

"Librarians who are looking for information to improve their library programs need look no further than Judy Freeman's book….In a straightforward, concise manner Freeman provides an excellent introduction to using all of these techniques. She tells media specialists how to prepare, practice, and perform a successful storytelling event….Her extensive diverse bibliographies provide additional guidance….Take the plunge and try something different at your library; using this book will guarantee librarians are prepared and supported in their efforts. Recommended."

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Library Media Connection

"The ideas presented are very useful and based on materials written, presented, and taught by Judy Freeman. An author/title index enables the user to quickly find a section on the author or title they wish to present on, while the work itself enables easy browsing if one is unsure of what to present next."

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ARBA

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited; annotated edition edition (October 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591586631
• ISBN-13: 978-1591586630
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #309,903 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Have title for all Elementary Teachers and Librarians, September 20, 2008

By 

Toni Buzzeo (Maine) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Once Upon a Time: Using Storytelling, Creative Drama, and Reader's Theater with Children in Grades PreK-6 (Paperback)

Anyone who has ever attended a daylong workshop by Judy Freeman knows that she has more creative energy than a class full of Kindergartners on Halloween morning. Judy puts that creative energy to use in her workshops by telling stories, singing songs, and leading reader's theater performances in which her audience participates. Now, even if you're not in a workshop, you can benefit from Judy's vast store house of IDEAS in this volume designed for the elementary school librarian and teachers (Yes! Teachers will love it too).

The book opens with a refresher course on storytelling (don't worry--if you haven't done it before, it serves as an introductory course too). Judy teaches a summer graduate class in storytelling at New York's Pratt Institute, so you are in able and experienced hands here (and throughout). With a look at folk and fairy tales (and a close examination of Cinderella) Judy inspires confidence in the reader to tell a story or two, and, better yet, to encourage your students to do the same.

The second section of the book is about songs and singing. If you know Judy, you know that she travels with her little guitar and sings at every workshop she does. You can too! She offers lyrics and chord notations for several songs, including a group favorite, George Washington Bridge, along with storyteller's notes to give you suggestions for how or when to use the song or which book might be the perfect accompaniment to the song.

The third section is a generous offering of stories you can learn quickly, including stories to draw and to fold as well as audience participation stories.

Because Judy is a librarian, every book that she publishes offers a compendium of titles and one of the gems of this book is the section entitled: "400+ Children's Books Every Storyteller Should Know." With brief annotations and a categorical reference, this bibliography will serve as a collection development tool as well as a source for stories to tell. An added resource is this same list of titles resorted in short bibliographic form by category of tale.

Finally, the fifth section of the book focuses on Reader's Theater (a passion of mine!). She examines types of stories that work well, gives hints on using creative drama with kids in the classroom or library, and even instructs you in how to write your own scripts. A list of books perfect for reader's theater adaptation, of course, is also included.

It's hard to imagine a more comprehensive book of literary performance of all types in the library and classroom! Add this one to your order today!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another great resource from Judy!, December 8, 2007

By 

Nancy Dickinson "children's librarian" (Manchester, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Once Upon a Time: Using Storytelling, Creative Drama, and Reader's Theater with Children in Grades PreK-6 (Paperback)

Judy has given storytellers and librarians another great resource in this book. Keep it handy for those moments when you can't think of what story you want to tell to the kids next. And this book is fantastic for those of us who help teach folk tales and the variations therof. Plus there are tips for readers' theater and a list of good books to dramatize or adapt for readers theater scripts. I could go on! Judy has done it again!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Resource!, November 24, 2007

By 

Anonymous (Tucson, Az) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Once Upon a Time: Using Storytelling, Creative Drama, and Reader's Theater with Children in Grades PreK-6 (Paperback)

Judy Freeman's book is a wonderful resource for librarians, teachers, and parents. Judy's tips, ideas, suggestions, and book lists are a unique and practical way to introduce kids to stories and adults to storytelling. A must have book for every library and classroom.