Slow and Steady Wins the Race: Stor E Telling Column January February 2007

The Tortoise and the Hare
by
Arthur Rackham, 1912

If you are a member of the National Storytelling Network (and if not, why not?) and save the hard copies of their amazing Storytelling Magazine, you know it is always filled with insightful articles from talented storytellers and educators.

I have been blessed to pen the Stor E Telling column since January of 2002 and currently have 109 pages of Internet research on a wide variety of themes, holidays and subjects. Some of those sites have been categorized and used in my blog and newsletter, and I have all of the articles from 2002-2006 on the publications page of my website found here http://www.storybug.net/stor-e-telling.html; all you just have to point and click.

Eventually, I will be adding the columns from 2007 – 2012 to that page as well, but right now I am in the process of checking what link URL's have changed or disappeared into the Internet ether. Of course, it is a time consuming process so I decided I will take the “slow and steady” approach via Aesop and post the individual columns on my blog for the time being.

Beginning with this January February 2007 issue, I will post the articles on my blog, minus those sites that are no longer “live.” on a weekly basis. If you interested you may want to subscribe to the blog so you will receive them as soon as they are up. I will not be adding current columns until the following year, so if you want immediate access to the newest websites, consider becoming a member of the National Storytelling Network. Their magazine is only one of the benefits you receive as a member, then not only will you have the latest websites delivered right to your door, but access to the insight and wisdom of performers, librarians and educators around the world. The information shared in just one issue alone is worth an entire college semester studying at the feet of those who have walked the walk!

 

Directions: In the future, if you are reading a back issues of Storytelling Magazine and want to find my corresponding column, insert Slow and Steady, as I will begin each new addition with that title, OR Stor E Telling into the “Search This Blog” bar on the left side of this blog. The associated links to columns I have added will appear at the top of the page to the right. Make sure to scroll up to see the links as the most current blog article will still be displayed as well. Of course, right now only this one will appear but that will change as I continue to march merrily, and slowly, along.

And so we begin…

STOR E TELLING: JANUARY FEBRUARY 2007

“I think that I shall never see, a poem lovely as a tree...” National Arbor Day is April 27, 2007; here are three web sites to help you plan your programs around our beautiful trees.

 

Arbor Day.org
The official site with everything to help you support and share this important day.
http://www.arborday.org/

Spirit of Trees

I shared this site in 2003 but it certainly bears repeating. Cristy West’s growing website offers curricular resources, essays, organizational links, poetry and folktales from some of our leading storytellers and scholars. Rest in the cool shade of its branches and let the spirit of the trees nourish your soul.
http://www.spiritoftrees.org/

Trees for Life

“Award winning conservation charity dedicated to restoring the Caledonian Forest in the Highlands of Scotland.” From Alder to Yew, this site is offers an array of myths and folklore of the Caledonian Forest that will surely complement an Arbor Day storytelling program.
http://www.treesforlife.org.uk/forest/mythfolk/index.html

Bus Songs

We all know that sometimes our audiences need to “get the wiggles out” and what better way than to have them sing along! Your toes will be tapping and your fingers snapping as you explore this fun site full of songs that just add some extra Zip A De Doo Dah to your storytelling programs.
http://www.bussongs.com/

Cambodian Folktales

A wonderful array of tales from Cambodia featuring folktales, and stories of the mountains and temples. http://gocambodia.com/Cambodian_folktales/index.asp

St. Patrick’s Day will be here before you can say Slainte! Here are three sites to help you connect with the Celts.

Celtic Fairy Tales

http://classiclit.about.com/library/bl-etexts/fairytale/bl-collected.htm

Fairy Tales and Folktales of the Irish Peasantry

Edited by W. B. Yeats and published in 1888 the stories are here to enjoy, courtesy of Sacred Texts. Revel in tales of the Merrow, Changelings, Pookas, Fairies and Banshees, Saints, Priests, Giants and Devils, Kings, Queens, Earls and Robbers; Yeats covers them all!
http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/yeats/fip/

The Welsh Fairy Book

Eighty-four stories published in 1907 by Jenkyn Thomas, along with a page of pronunciation notes.
http://classiclit.about.com/library/bl-etexts/wjthomas/bl-wjthomas-welsh-complete.htm

Classroom Clip Art

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Free, fun animal clipart to spice up your storytelling brochures, library posters, classroom curriculum or web pages!
http://classroomclipart.com/clipart/Clipart/Animals.htm

The Golden Rod Fairy Book

“Fairyland is not on any map, and some people actually insist that there is no such country…” So begins the introduction to this delightful book, edited by Esther Singleton and published in 1903. Stories from England, France, Poland, Bohemia, Russia, India, China, Italy, Denmark, Ireland and Spain are contained between these cyber covers and include such authors as Perrault, Grimm and Anderson. In the words of Esther, “All you need is a comfortable chair and a bright fire…”
http://www.elfinspell.com/GoldenrodTitle.html

 

Karen Chace 2013 ©

This blog post was researched and compiled by Karen Chace. Permission for private use is granted. Distribution, either electronically or on paper is prohibited without my expressed written permission. For permission please contact me at storybug@aol.com. Of course, if you wish to link to my blog via your website, blog, newsletter, Facebook page or Twitter please feel free to do so; I greatly appreciate your support and personal integrity.