Stories To Play With [Paperback]

Hiroko Fujita (Author), Fran Stallings (Translator)

Book Description

For storytellers who are just starting out, it seems appropriate to begin telling to young children. Yet young children present the most difficult audience a storyteller can face. So where does one begin? Simple. With some old newspaper and the story Rain Hat or Mountain Climbing, children will be enthralled at the action of the young hero as you fold and tear and create mountains, hats, fans, and boats right before their very eyes. Or, take a milk carton and make a frog puppet to tell the story ....

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

A selection of simple stories and a variety of attention-getting techniques for storytellers who are just starting out. The tales, intended for young children, are mainly drawn from Japanese or American tradition, but there are also several that are original. Fujita and Stallings have stretched their imaginations in order to describe quick and easy-to-make props ranging from milk-carton puppets to origami creations to illustrated scrolls. As with many collections, some stories are more creative and imaginative than others. Instructions for some can be confusing and require rereading and practice because the story relies on magic and illusion rather than memorization. Illustrated models and directions are in pen and ink; there are also several black-and-white photographs of Fujita telling the stories. A Japanese pronunciation guide is also included. The list of sources simply indicates the country of origin. However, the detailed notes give helpful suggestions for performing as well as adapting techniques to other tales. All in all, a welcome source for storytime fillers that will fascinate any audience.-Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA

Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: August House (December 19, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874835534
• ISBN-13: 978-0874835533
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,715,515 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great resource for librarians, teachers, parents, May 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Stories To Play With (Paperback)

I have seen Hiroko Fujita tell stories and she is amazing! Adults, teens, and small children are fascinated her stories, and intrigued with the toys and props she makes to enhance them. This book, edited for American audiences by nationally-known storyteller Fran Stallings, is a treasure trove of ideas. From milk-carton frogs to origami, the props are easy to make and extremely effective when used to tell the stories. The ideas can be easily adapted to other storis as well. Well worth the money.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!, February 4, 2001

By 

Namolaru Myriam (Haifa Israel) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stories To Play With (Paperback)

There are stories telling with the fingers, with gloves (Ms.fox), with milkboxes (A mysterious house,Doggie policeman,Wide-mouth frog, Frog cakes (they jump!)), puppets in felt (Squeak!Squeak!Squeak!) and even with tissue boxes (My mommy is gone).The origami is present too (origami mice, I wish today was my birthday!, What kind of egg is this?, Rain hat, Mountain climbing). We are learning too to make a mini-book (Crab's persimmons). There is a draw and tell story (Turkey lake) and another with handkerchiefs. The last story need 18 sheets! It's fantastic!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!, February 7, 2001

By 

Myriam Namolaru (Haifa, ISRAEL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stories To Play With (Paperback)

There are stories telling with the fingers, with gloves (Ms.fox), with milkboxes (A mysterious house,Doggie policeman,Wide-mouth frog, Frog cakes (they jump!)), puppets in felt (Squeak!Squeak!Squeak!) and even with tissue boxes (My mommy is gone).The origami is present too (origami mice, I wish today was my birthday!, What kind of egg is this?, Rain hat, Mountain climbing). We are learning too to make a mini-book (Crab's persimmons). There is a draw and tell story (Turkey lake) and another with handkerchiefs. The last story need 18 sheets! It's fantastic!