Parents' Guide to Storytelling: How to Make Up New Stories and Retell Old Favorites
Kids of all ages love listening to stories—but many grown‑ups freeze when a child says, “Tell me one!” instead of choosing a book. And when little listeners start to wiggle or drift away, it can feel even trickier. That’s where Margaret Read MacDonald steps in with a treasure chest of simple, practical tips to help anyone become a confident storyteller.
She shares easy ways to use your voice—when to get loud, when to whisper—and fun refrains kids can join in on. There are playful dramatic tricks, fingerplays, and attention‑grabbers that make stories come alive.
Each chapter focuses on a different kind of storytelling: tales for the very youngest listeners, cozy bedtime stories, expandable stories you can stretch or shrink, spooky-but-safe stories, make‑it‑up‑as‑you‑go ideas, and ways to share your own family folklore. To help beginners feel ready, MacDonald includes dozens of traditional tales written in a clear, follow‑along format. A helpful bibliography at the end points readers to classic favorites and exciting new collections, organized by topic so families and teachers can easily find what they need.
