Some
of my most memorable moments with my four children occurred
during our weekly "puppet show time." During these
shows, I would set up a tent using a chair with a blanket,
sit behind this tent and act out familiar tales and made-up
stories using sock puppets on my hands. My children loved
these dramatizations; but more importantly they learned
stories and valuable life lessons that impacted their lives
for years to come. These sessions were exciting, stimulating,
and fun. My children enjoyed them and I became motivated
to pursue storytelling as a professional endeavor.
Today,
as a folklorist, professional developer, and CLI trainer,
I share with other children the joys of telling stories
and reading a good book. The smiles and expression of wonder
that I see on children's faces remind me of my own children
when they were young. The books included on this list are
stories that can be read aloud, told, or acted out. Most
of them are descriptive, exciting, and full of valuable
lessons that children will enjoy and learn from whether
they are dramatized in a puppet show, acted out, or just
read aloud.
Have fun reading!
~
