The Way of the Storyteller

A Great Storyteller Shares Her Rich Experience and Joy in Her Art and Tells Eleven of Her Best-Loved Stories

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Paperback
$24.00 US
| $32.00 CAN
On sale Jan 27, 1977 | 352 Pages | 9780140044362
Grades 9-12 + AP/IB
As interest in the art of storytelling continues to grow, many books have appeared on the subject but none have matched the scope and charm of The Way of the Storyteller. First published in 1942, this classic work is unique in its blend of literary history, criticism, analysis, personal anecdote, and how-to instructions. Sawyer examines storytelling as a folk art and a still-living art, tracing its evolution from the earliest narrative impulses that developed as stories were written down. With simple suggestions, she instructs the reader in the art of storytelling and freeing the creative imagination by disciplining the mind. Sawyer's guide also includes an engaging selection of international stories sure to enchant both children and adults. The Way of the Storyteller also is an invaluable resource with a comprehensive reading and story list.
Ruth Sawyer (1880-1970) traveled through America, Ireland, and Spain collecting tales. Her retellings were authentic, backed by scholarly research. A frequent and much admired speaker in the United States, Sawyer collaborated on the Caldecott Honor book, Journey Cake, Ho! with her son-in-law, and noted children's book author, Robert McCloskey. View titles by Ruth Sawyer
Chapters
An Introduction
Storytelling—A Folk-Art
The Antiquity of It
Pattern for the Past
Experience
The Building of Background
The Power of Creative Imagination
A Technique to Abolish Technique
The Art of Selection
Storytelling as an Approach to Children's Books and Reading
Shall We Have Poetry in the Story Hour?
A Postscript to the Revised Edition
Stories
Wee Meg Barnileg and the Fairies
The Magic Box
Señora, Will You Snip? Señora, Will You Sew?
The Peddler of Ballaghadereen
Where One Is Fed a Hundred Can Dine
A Matter of Brogues
The Juggler of Notre Dame
The Deserted Mine
The Bird Who Spoke Three Times
The Legend of Saint Elizabeth
The Princess and the Vagabone
A Reading List
A Story List
Index

About

As interest in the art of storytelling continues to grow, many books have appeared on the subject but none have matched the scope and charm of The Way of the Storyteller. First published in 1942, this classic work is unique in its blend of literary history, criticism, analysis, personal anecdote, and how-to instructions. Sawyer examines storytelling as a folk art and a still-living art, tracing its evolution from the earliest narrative impulses that developed as stories were written down. With simple suggestions, she instructs the reader in the art of storytelling and freeing the creative imagination by disciplining the mind. Sawyer's guide also includes an engaging selection of international stories sure to enchant both children and adults. The Way of the Storyteller also is an invaluable resource with a comprehensive reading and story list.

Author

Ruth Sawyer (1880-1970) traveled through America, Ireland, and Spain collecting tales. Her retellings were authentic, backed by scholarly research. A frequent and much admired speaker in the United States, Sawyer collaborated on the Caldecott Honor book, Journey Cake, Ho! with her son-in-law, and noted children's book author, Robert McCloskey. View titles by Ruth Sawyer

Table of Contents

Chapters
An Introduction
Storytelling—A Folk-Art
The Antiquity of It
Pattern for the Past
Experience
The Building of Background
The Power of Creative Imagination
A Technique to Abolish Technique
The Art of Selection
Storytelling as an Approach to Children's Books and Reading
Shall We Have Poetry in the Story Hour?
A Postscript to the Revised Edition
Stories
Wee Meg Barnileg and the Fairies
The Magic Box
Señora, Will You Snip? Señora, Will You Sew?
The Peddler of Ballaghadereen
Where One Is Fed a Hundred Can Dine
A Matter of Brogues
The Juggler of Notre Dame
The Deserted Mine
The Bird Who Spoke Three Times
The Legend of Saint Elizabeth
The Princess and the Vagabone
A Reading List
A Story List
Index