Storyteller's Start-Up Book [Hardcover]

Margaret Read MacDonald (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0874833043 | ISBN-13: 978-0874833041 | Publication Date: December 19, 2005

For those who want to begin storytelling but don't know where to start, The Storyteller's Start-Up Book offers everything one could ask for. Margaret Read MacDonald, a folklorist and children's librarian who is also a touring storyteller, offers basic start-up information on finding stories, looking at them critically, starting a story bank, networking with other storytellers, and creating a storytelling event. In chapters on learning and performing folktales, MacDonald offers the reader ....

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Following her fine collection, Peace Tales (Shoe String, 1992), MacDonald here distills her extensive storytelling experience into 16 very brief, schematically organized chapters. Her advice covers the practical ground, from selection, learning (in one hour!), performance, and setting to classroom applications. Her philosophy of telling is simple: "Do it!" A confidence-building coach, MacDonald conveys the value of storytelling in an infectious manner. A dozen texts of proven success follow, with performance tips and source notes. Equally valuable are the selected and annotated bibliographies appended to every chapter. This straightforward volume would be a handy reference even for veterans. Few readers will be able to encounter MacDonald's encouraging advocacy without feeling an urge to find a story and audience of their own.
- Patricia Dooley, Univ. of Washington Lib. Sch., Seattle
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 215 pages
• Publisher: August House (December 19, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0874833043
• ISBN-13: 978-0874833041
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,227,751 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Margaret Read MacDonald travels the world telling stories....always on the lookout for more great folktales to share. She shapes these found stories into tellable tales which anyone can share with ease. Filling her folktale collections with these delightful tales, she creates perfect read alouds for you and your family. MRM wants everyone to experience the joy of a beautifully told tale. She hopes you will read them a few times...then put down the book...put down the electronic device...and just TELL the story to your children!

Some of her favorite folktales she expands into picture books...hopefully with delightfully readable language while will roll right out of your mouth. Share them with your children and then....act the tales out! Revisit the tales by TELLING them! At bedtime. While on the road. Fill your pockets with great stories to share wherever you go.

Joining her Folklore Ph.D. with her 30 plus years as a children's librarian, Margaret brings folktales to life in playful, lilting language which should delight both reader and listener.

See her performance schedule at: www.margaretreadmaconald.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for those venturing into storytelling, July 25, 2000

By 

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

This review is from: The Storyteller's Start-Up Book: Finding, Learning, Performing and Using Folktales (Paperback)

Margaret Read MacDonald has another winner in this book that is guaranteed to help the novice get up in front of a group--without book or script--and share the gift known as story. She takes the reader through the process of finding, learning and practicing a story. She shares a little background on the importance of story in history and world cultures. Best of all, she includes stories with telling instructions. Unlike many other books of this type, the stories she includes are not the well-known "beginner's stories," like "The Turnip," but interesting and fun to tell, ones you may never have heard before.

Turn off your television and open up whole new worlds by telling a story to your friends, family, students, co-workers. You will enjoy the power of a story shared with your listeners, and "The Storyteller's Start-Up" will be an excellent guide for the journey.

(Gwyn is a professional storyteller who has coached many middle school students in the telling of their first story).

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction into the world of storytelling., July 10, 2000

By 

W. Hansen (Shasta Lake, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Storyteller's Start-Up Book: Finding, Learning, Performing and Using Folktales (Paperback)

Going into the teaching field, I was looking for some tips on telling stories. I found it in MacDonald's book. She gives techniques for learning and performing stories. She also gives ideas for incorporating storytelling into the classroom.

Each chapter is followed with a valuable list of books and authors for you to expand on the art of storytelling.

MacDonald's book is a great introduction into the world and tradition of storytelling. She even includes twelve tales to get you going. If you want to become a storyteller, this is a good place to start your quest.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A new classic, August 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Storyteller's Start-Up Book: Finding, Learning, Performing and Using Folktales (Paperback)

This is an essential book on storytelling. It helps the novice with useful tips. The more experienced storyteller will still find interesting material in the selection of rich tales from different cultures. It is also a great book to read aloud for the children.