The Storyteller Series: The Enchanted Rock; The Storyteller Series: Why The Coyote Howls

Storyteller Finley Stewart is the performer of each of these folk tales, given before a small group of children. In Why the Coyote Howls, Stewart uses a credible range of voices to depict the story of how the animal constellations came into the night sky, and why this event caused coyote to howl at the moon through time. The Enchanted Rock, a much darker tale, is set on an isolated mesa in Texas, where newlyweds Ross and Anna spend a tragic wedding night in their brand new house built over a mysterious hole in the ground. Although a good storyteller, Stewart is not nearly as polished as some of our great modern storytellers, and the relatively poor production values don't help his presentation. In addition to the fact that the camera moves way too much (and shots of the audience are inserted--automatically breaking the spell of the story), there is an annoying sound of wind chimes tinkling in the background (the productions appear to be taped at someone's house). There are much better and much less expensive productions on the market. Not a necessary purchase. There are six other titles in the "Storyteller" series, all performed by Stewart: Clara, The Little Man, Serena of the River, The Sunflower Princess, The Star Stealer, and Why Turtles Don't Talk. (Available from: Chip Taylor Communications, 15 Spollett Drive, Derry, NH 03038; 1-800-876-CHIP.)