Tell the World
-- School Library Journal, 1/6/2008
Tell the World: Storytelling across Language Barriers (Libraries Unlimited, 2008).
Anyone who has wanted to learn stories to share with children has probably encountered the work of Margaret Read MacDonald. Her Twenty Tellable Tales (H. W. Wilson, 1986) and Storyteller's Start-Up Book (August House, 1993) offer lots of encouragement and loads of valuable tips for the beginner storyteller. Along with suggestions on pacing and delivery her books offer plentiful short tales featuring repetitive phrases and opportunities for audience participation (the “immediate feedback” newbies need). MacDonald’s more recent Three Minute Tales (2004) and her Five Minute Tales (2007, both August House) present stories from around the world and contain the same generous notes.
In her latest title, Tell the World: Storytelling across Language Barriers (Libraries Unlimited, 2008), the author asks readers to take another leap - to share tales with audiences that may not speak their language. Sound impossible? Not with MacDonald as a guide. She outlines 4 methods of storytelling, citing considerations and potential problems, and invites 39 practitioners to share their experiences.
Both teachers and librarians wishing to engage multilingual school and community groups will find this book offers them the impetus they need. MacDonald includes a few sample tales and numerous recommendations. Her suggestions can be adapted to activities and programs that take place in throughout the year - family nights, literacy celebrations, heritage month festivities, and holiday and local events. Topping her list of essentials for the project? A willing translator, time to practice, and, of course, a desire to reach across a language divide.
