Interactive Storytelling Blog Post 3

Interactive Storytelling

[Image by Rigmanyi, dreamstime.com]

[Image by Sergey Novikov, dreamstimes.com]

This week’s storytelling process was exciting and again terrifying. Terrifying because trying to find the “right” book to ensure you can tell a good story but engage your audience is difficult, I found. I went to the on-post library to work with the lovely woman in charge of the children’s program. I’d worked with her as a volunteer and helped out with the different aspects of the program, and thought she could let me know if I was heading in the right direction. Also terrifying, because I don’t have children or any family close by, so I borrowed two adult friends and her baby of 11 months to help be my audience. But I was also excited to find a book that I thought would engage the audience and get them to respond back to me and hopefully enjoy the story.

The book I chose was My Hand by Satoshi Kitamura. The other I considered was Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow. After reading through both aloud several times, I found myself stumbling over where to emphasize and where to be excited with the Five Little Monkeys’ story and found I flowed and had a rhythm with My Hand. Then I had to decide how I wanted to engage the audience and where I wanted to bring them in. I discussed this with them off-camera, but realized after watching other classmates, that it would have been a part of storytime, to get their agreement of participation when I arrived at certain points in the book, and could have done that on camera. It was amazing to go through this story without all the stumbling and fumbling I experienced trying to get the first recording done. Somehow, having real people in front of me, made the story go smoother. I was able to laugh a little and enjoy the story and the interaction.

Since I wasn’t bringing anyone up to be on camera, I decided I wanted to have a couple of items kids would be familiar with to demonstrate examples of the hand movements from the story. I brought a teddy bear to tickle and a small car to show push and pull movements. I also drew a quick sketch of how I’d learned to draw a house and a tree. One of my classmates (Driskell, K.) also indicated that I could have extended the story by expounding on other things the children could do with their hands, like pat their heads, rub their tummies, or draw their hands on paper at the end of the storytime, which I think would be a great idea.

Reading List

I had difficulty with this week’s reading selection because some books (publishers and authors) have made their myths into parables and labeled some myths as fables or legends. I used my library's online resources to access Novelist K-8 Plus to help give me a better idea of the category some of the titles fit into.

Novelist K-8 Plus (EBSCO)

Myths

I tried to choose myths from multiple nationalities, and I learned some interesting details about other cultures I didn’t know, which was great. I think I have a good range and hope you think so too.

A Bucket of Blessings by Kabir Sehgal & Surishtha Sehgal

Do Not Open!: The Story of Pandora’s Box by Joan Holub

Goddess of Thunder! (Marvel Thor) (Little Golden Book) by Courtney Carbone

How Raven Got His Crooked Nose: An Alaskan Dena’ina Fable by Barbara Atwater

Persephone & the Unicorn’s Ruby: Little Goddess Girls by Joan Holub & Suzanne Williams

Hi’iaka and Pana’ewa: A Hawaiian Graphic Legend by Gabrielle Ahuli’i

Explore Norse Myths by Anita Yasuda

Parables

Parables were a little harder because I’ve always associated them with a religious theme. And although I did find several of those, I was reminded that there were other stories that could teach a truth or spiritual or moral lesson. We teach our children, sometimes through stories, how to be a friend, how to overcome obstacles, to never give up, or how to face fears, amongst others. I think these are important lessons even without an associated bible verse. And for those having trouble with words, Belinda the Unbeatable is told all in pictures!

Belinda the Unbeatable by Lee Nordling (Game for Adventure)

Genie Meanie (Orca Echoe) by Mahtab Narsimhan

Too Many Cooks: A Passover Parable by Edie Stoltz Zolkower

Mini Myths: Be Careful, Icarus! by Joan Holub

Keep Trying with Abby: A Book About Persistence (Sesame Street Character Guides) by Jill Colella

The Proudest Blue: A Story of Hijab and Family by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Being Brave (Growing God’s Kids): A Book About Being Afraid by Carolyn Larsen

Tall Tales

I think we all remember the tales of Daniel Boone, Johnny Appleseed, or John Henry from our childhoods. I wanted to find some newer stories that still told awesome tales. Tell me what you think.

Reggie, My Rhinoceros: A Gentle Children’s Book on Grief by Werner Holzwarth