From tall tales, trickster tales, and noodlehead stories to hoaxes, urban legends, riddles and songs-here are more than 70 stories from around the world and across the centuries that you can pull out of your story bag at a moment's notice-to read aloud or re-tell before, between and after daily activities; or integrate into lessons and learning opportunities. Most take just minutes to read. The country or culture of origin is noted for each story, and there is a detailed bibliography, introductory notes on humor and folklore, and a discussion of the healing power of humor.
Norma J. Livo, Professor Emerita, University of Colorado, Denver is the author and co-author of numerous books, many of them award-winners, including
Storytelling: Process & Practice(Libraries Unlimited, 1986),
Folk Stories of the Hmong(Libraries Unlimited, 1991), and
Bringing Out Their Best(Libraries Unlimited, 2003). She served on the board of the National Storytelling Association, and is Founder of the Rocky Mountain Storytelling Conference. She has a national following as a storyteller and received NSN's 2002 ORACLE Award for Lifetime Achievement in storytelling.Livo's insistence on the importance of oral culture to childhood teaching and learning led her to a life-long interest in storytelling, about which she has written a textbook. Here, for teachers, other professionals, and just plain folks who want to entertain friends, she presents humorous tales, most a page or two long, from cultures around the world and through time. She identifies the country and sometimes region of origin for each.
Reference & Research Book NewsPreface by Pat Mendoza
Introduction
Why Everyone Should Be Able to Tell a Story (Scotland)
The Foolish, the Clever, and the Wise: Stories from Folklore
Noodleheads and Simpletons
Tricksters
Tall Tales
Family Stories, Local Legends, and Urban Myths
Riddles, Verses, Rhymes, and Songs
Bibliography
Appreciation