| Storytelling Resources
by Steve Schuch "Remember only this one thing," said Badger. The stories people tell have a way of taking care of them. If stories come to you, care for them. And learn to give them away where they are needed. Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive. That is why we put these stories in each other's memory." - from Crow and Weasel by Barry Lopez |
"Remember only this one thing," said
Badger. "The stories people tell have a way of taking care of them. If stories come to you, care for them. And learn to give them away where they are needed. Sometimes a person needs a story more than food to stay alive.
That is why we put these stories in each other's memory."
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Personal Favorites of Steve's |
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Symphony of Whales by Steve Schuch© 1999, Harcourt Brace. (order by mail | order on-line) In the winter of 1984-1985, nearly 3,000 whales were found trapped in the Senyavina Straight of Siberia. This inspiring story tells of their dramatic rescue, as seen through the eyes of a young Eskimo girl. Winner of five national book awards. |
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Gift of the Wee Folk by Steve Schuch© 1998, Night Heron Music. (order by mail | order on-line) This magical story takes the reader back two hundred years to the west coast of Ireland. Perfect for All Hallow's Eve, the Celtic New Year, and St. Patrick's Day. |
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 Collected
Stories by Richard Kennedy©1987, Harper & Row. These original stories make wonderful reading out loud, and many work very well for the beginning storyteller. "Come Again in the Spring" is a favorite of many New England storytellers. |
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 AbiyoyoAfrican folk tale popularized by Pete Seeger, told and recorded by many others since. This is a good bet for trying one's hand at combining music with storytelling. (Click book to see it on amazon.com, for your convenience). |
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Promise is a Promise by Robert Munsch©1988, D.W. Friesen & Sons. (Click book to see it on barnesandnoble.com, for your convenience). |
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 Amusing
Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman©1985, Penguin Books. A powerful examination of some of the unforeseen effects of television, the loss of imagination, and the demise of public discourse. Postman's ideas add tremendous motivation for reviving the vanishing arts of storytelling, public speech, listening, and visualizing actively for ourselves as opposed to passively soaking up whatever the TV tube offers. |
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Some Basic How-to's:
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 Handbook
for Storytellers by Caroline Bauer©1977, American Library Association. A good selection of stories, some how-to's, and a fine section on creative drama and acting and stories. Caroline also has a new book for storytellers, published in 1997, 20 years later. (Click book to see it on amazon.com, for your convenience). |
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 Creative
Storytelling by Jack MaguireYellow Moon Press, PO Box 1316, Cambridge, MA 02238. More how-to's, different types of stories and suggestions for adapting stories to suit the teller and audience. (Click book to see it on barnesandnoble.com, for your convenience). |
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| Stories with Accompanying Activities | ||
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For an extensive listing of Joseph Bruchac's other books and tapes, as well as those of many other Native Americans, write to the Native American Authors Project, The Greenfield Press Review, 2 Middle Grove Rd, PO Box 308, Greenfield Center, NY 12833. If you're thinking of retelling some of these stories, ask for a copy of Bruchac's article "Storytelling and the Sacred; On the Uses of Native American Stories." In it he explores various things to consider before starting to tell someone else's sacred stories. (Click book to see it on amazon.com, for your convenience). |
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| Steve Schuch's articles
"Reflections on the Arts & Nature
of Education" Contains additional resources and suggestions. Available from Night Heron Music. |
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| A Few Helpful Suggestions | ||
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• Join or start a storytelling/song sharing potluck circle once a month to try out new material with a supportive group and to listen to new stories and styles of telling. • Consider creating a special space or opening ritual for your storytelling. Good atmosphere lends magic (think of stories you've heard around a campfire). • If you're telling a story that you've learned from another storyteller, it is common courtesy to ask permission (and give source credit) of the teller from whom it was learned (see Bruchac's article). • Work with stories that speak to your heart, not necessarily just those somebody else thinks are "good." • Allow yourself to find your own voice, your own style for a story, the way you see it and feel it in your own mind and heart. That is where the power and magic begin. If you'd like more suggestions, a performance or workshop in your area, or have updates for this page (or a story to swap), please call or e-mail me. Good luck, and
have fun with the tellings! |
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Heron Music • 72 Meeting Hill Road, Hillsborough, NH 03244 • USA • ph (603) 464-4321 • e-mail info@nightheron.com Performances
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