American Storytelling Series, Vol. 1

Superb storytelling and excellent musical accompaniment characterize the first volume in Wilson's eight-part American Storytelling Series. After a quick introduction by noted storyteller David Holt, the program launches into Jackson Gillman's spirited and expressive rendition of Rudyard Kipling's "How the Whale Got His Throat." This amiable story of what happens when a shipwrecked mariner is swallowed by an ornery whale benefits from Gillman's range in using different voices and his relentlessly kinetic performance. Second, is Gayle Ross's spooky telling of an old Cree Indian tale, "Mosquitoes". The pointed percussion set against Ross's rhythmic description of how the 'windigo', a monster from the north woods, thrives on a local village--make this a hair-raising experience. Last is Irish-born storyteller Maggi Peirce's loving tale of "Why the Dog Has a Cold, Wet Nose." Mixing the Noah story with elements from the Little Dutch Boy legend, Peirce weaves an affecting story of a dog on board the ark who uses his nose to stop a leak. Highly recommended for public and school libraries. (Available from the H. W. Wilson Co., 950 University Avenue, Bronx, NY 10542; or call 1-800-367-6770).