61 Stories From Around the World
Kenyan storyteller John Titi tells Two Goats on the Bridge.
Note: We are reaching out to storytellers, parents, and children all over the world to collect stories that bring a little healing and levity to the coronavirus outbreak. We believe families need tools to help children (and parents) deal with the anxiety and cabin fever, not just the virus. Storytelling is a time-tested way to build safety, intimacy, and creativity in the home.
Visit the Coronavirus Storytelling Home Page
To be clear - these stories, articles, and resources are intended to help parents guide young children and ease anxiety in the household after the serious work of preparation has been done. They are not intended to make light of the illness. While this and other stories can be shared directly with children, we believe you will find the greatest comfort in crafting stories of your own with the help of your child.
Storytelling is a cognitive structure. It allows us to see the world in new ways, often much more readily than simple facts alone.
This collection of stories was not originally intended to address the coronavirus outbreak, but many of the stories speak to themes we find in the current pandemic. It is, without question, an incredible introduction to how storytelling can bring change into the world.
These tales were put together by Jenny Cargill-Strong, an award-winning storyteller and the creator of The Story Tree. She has taught storytelling to teachers, librarians, parents, children, and university students all over the world, and we’re excited to share her work here.
It will delight both parent and child to watch or listen to these stories, but we encourage you to take it a step further and use them as inspiration to tell your own. Some of the stories, like The Foolish Rabbit, may inspire you to create your own shadow puppets, or even a storytelling theater. These can be great projects for parents with children at home - because a captivating story is usually at the heart of productive play and creativity in both children and adults.
Professional storytellers are captivating in any language, but the real power of storytelling lies in the relationship that arises between speaker and listener during the story. It builds trust. Putting the power of storytelling to work within your home will open the doors of creativity and breath the fresh air of intimacy into your family.
Announcing the 2020 Coronavirus Storytelling Challenge
As politicians and journalists wrestle for control over the story of coronavirus in the media, parents are locked down in a different battle – the story forming in our children’s hearts.
Schools are closing their doors. Parents are feeling anxious. Social distancing and empty shelves have us gasping for normalcy. We need skills for handling the disease, but we also need tools for managing the anxiety that treads in its footsteps.
That’s why we created the 2020 Coronoavirus Storytelling Challenge. As the nation struggles to catch up with the disease, let’s help parents and children connect at home, and take some of the pressure off.
PS - We want stories from parents and kids at home too! Not just storytellers. Share yours!
The Storytelling Loop is a newsletter bringing you tips, science, and real-life examples of how storytelling builds the connection between parent and child. It is a joint project of Silke Rose West and Joseph Sarosy, authors of How to Tell Stories to Children. Originally published in August of 2019, a new edition is due out from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2021. You can find more from Joseph Sarosy at Fatherly. Are you involved in storytelling? Join Us.