Storytelling Tips, Techniques, and Tools

Award-winning author, recording artist, storyteller, and early childhood educator Mary Jo Huff offers straightforward advice here on various aspects of storytelling, ranging from the use of gestures to creating a designated corner in a school classroom or daycare center. Sections on mascots, musical instruments, puppets and props (made from easily available items like wooden spoons and mop heads), and creating a story file, among other topics, are interspersed with Huff actually telling stories (perhaps the best of which is the background tale of the Eensy Weensy Spider). An amiable storyteller with a versatile voice, Huff makes good use of her “Peeper” puppets, which are crafted from gloves, googly eyes, and scrunchies. As she puts it, “Even the shyest child will talk to a puppet.” A solid instructional program for teachers, librarians, and other caregivers for children, this is recommended. Aud: K, C, P. (G.A. DeCandido)