How & Why Stories

Winner of NAPPA Gold Award & Parents' Choice Award Did you ever look carefully at a spider's web? If their purpose is simply to catch flies, why do spiders weave such beautiful, intricate webs? Did you ever wonder what causes thunder? Why is the sea salty? How did tigers get their stripes? In this collection of delightful tales from around the world and through the ages, each story explains why an animal, plant, or natural object looks or acts the way it does.Following each story are tips for telling--especially written for children, but suitable for any age--that include suggestions for timing, intonation, gestures, and body language. There are also short modern, scientific explanations for each story subject and a map showing in what area of the world each story originated. Designed for use in primary and middle grades, this book is perfect for children to read on their own as well as those who want to learn to tell stories.It's also a wonderful resource for adults who tell stories to children, and for teachers to use in conjunction with science, language arts, or social studies curricula.

Author: Martha Hamilton, Mitch Weiss
Publisher: August House Publishers
Published: 12/15/2005
Pages: 96
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.50lbs
Size: 9.90h x 6.90w x 0.30d
ISBN: 9780874835618
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.4
Point Value: 3
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 48674 / How & Why Stories: World Tales Kids Can Read & Tell


Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 01/01/2000 pg. 146
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/1999 pg. 111 - Recommended, Satisfactory
Booklist 05/15/2000 pg. 1755
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2000 pg. 111 - Recommended, Satisfactory

About the Author
Martha Hamilton & Mitch Weiss Bio: Martha Hamilton and Mitch Weiss are a husband-and-wife writing and storytelling team known as "Beauty and the Beast Storytellers." They have traveled the world sharing their passion for the oral tradition and the art of telling great stories. They have co-authored thirteen books and two audio recordings with August House. A number of their books have won numerous awards including Irma Simonton Black and James H. Black Award for Excellence in Children's Literature (awarded by Bank Street College of Education), Parents' Choice, National Parenting Publications Awards, and Storytelling World. Mitch and Martha's story collections include world tales that they tell in a conversational manner so that children can easily comprehend and then share the stories by telling them to other students. Parents and teachers can find a wealth of information on how to get children excited about reading, telling world tales, and making up their own stories at Mitch and Martha's website.