Stories To Play With
A selection of simple stories and a variety of attention-getting techniques for storytellers who are just starting out. The tales, intended for young children, are mainly drawn from Japanese or American tradition, but there are also several that are original. Fujita and Stallings have stretched their imaginations in order to describe quick and easy-to-make props ranging from milk-carton puppets to origami creations to illustrated scrolls. As with many collections, some stories are more creative and imaginative than others. Instructions for some can be confusing and require rereading and practice because the story relies on magic and illusion rather than memorization. Illustrated models and directions are in pen and ink; there are also several black-and-white photographs of Fujita telling the stories. A Japanese pronunciation guide is also included. The list of sources simply indicates the country of origin. However, the detailed notes give helpful suggestions for performing as well as adapting techniques to other tales. All in all, a welcome source for storytime fillers that will fascinate any audience.-Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VACopyright 2000 Cahners Business Information, Inc.