Praise for How to Tell Stories to Children
“Readers will walk away from the book feeling empowered and capable.”
- Kirkus Reviews
*Read the full review at Kirkus Reviews
“This book will help to promote storytelling as a key education tool."
- Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute & UN Messenger of Peace
“The best stories are told by the ones who know us deeply. And if you lack confidence, then here is loads of help.”
- Steve Biddulph, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Secret of Happy Children, Raising Boys, and Raising Girls
“This book will quietly thrill you and deeply connect you with your children. It will give you the feeling I can do this.”
- Kim John Payne, Family Counselor and Bestselling Author of Simplicity Parenting
“This isn’t really a book about technique. It peels away technical concerns and takes you to the glowing heart of the matter: telling stories to children is a thoroughly natural thing for any adult to do.”
- Joe Hayes, Bilingual Storyteller and Author of A Heart Full of Turquoise
“I wish I'd read this book before my children grew up. Its simple insights and practices will make me a better storyteller.”
- Charles Eisenstein, Author of Sacred Economics and The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know is Possible
“What a great idea for a book! Humans understand the world primarily through stories, which means you can shape the world of the small people you love with just a bit of fancy and a lot of love."
- Bill McKibben, New York Times Bestselling Author of Eaarth and The End of Nature
“This book is a gem. With practical tips, science, and folk wisdom, the authors have given us a down-to-earth treasure to free the storyteller in all of us. I highly recommend this book.”
- Rivera Sun, Author of The Way Between
"After many years of men's work and retreats all over the world, I believe this kind of practical wisdom is what so many fathers and mothers need to connect with their children in a spiritual, loving, and easily effective way. Frankly, it is probably much better than just sending them to church."
- Fr. Richard Rohr, New York Times Bestselling Author and Founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation
“In this elegantly written guide, the authors – both gifted teachers of small children – reclaim the timeless tradition of storytelling, giving us practical tools for transforming the most ordinary life experiences into magical adventures to captivate and engage listeners of all ages.”
- Mirabai Starr, Author of Caravan of No Despair and Wild Mercy
“I love this book! Stories give us ways to connect and consider what we have in common with each other and to celebrate what makes us delightfully different.”
- Melanie DeMore, African-American Folk Singer & Storyteller
“The environmental challenges we face as a culture require us to change the dominant stories of the past. This book helps us do just that by putting the power of storytelling back in the hands of parents and grandparents.”
- Paul Wapner, Professor of Global Environmental Politics at American University and Author of Reimagining Climate Change
“After 40 years of teaching, training teachers, and even longer in telling stories - this is the first book I’ve seen quite like this. It’s not just about the power of telling stories but that we all innately have that ability. Silke and Joe give everyone permission to step into that world with confidence.”
- Sara Tisdel, Elementary School Teacher & Teacher Trainer
“Silke and Joe are masterful at joining children in their magical years through the vehicle of storytelling. They remind us, and teach us, about imagination, observation, and wonder through the interpersonal lens of story. In these times of relational poverty, daily stress and trauma, storytelling is an accessible modality for any parent, teacher or counselor that promotes connection, hope, healing and resiliency—and Silke and Joe provide this important gift through their original stories, ancestral tales and teachings.”
- Kara Andresen, LCSW, Child Therapist
“With every chapter, I felt inspired. I began trusting in the moment, not knowing where the story would take us.”