Children in particular are spellbound by stories told aloud or read to them.

How many times have you told your child a story again and again - maybe the story of when they were born, or when they hurt themselves, and watched them enjoy the tale.

Maybe you have in your home a tattered but much-loved picture book, which has been read ad nauseum to your children, until they were old enough to tell the story by heart.

The love of stories is universal, especially tales told by a gifted storyteller, and it is an entertainment that has come to us from many thousands of years of oral tradition. Stories have been told over campfires and written on cave walls since the inception of speech and civilisation. It is really only during the past few hundred years that printed stories have overtaken the spoken story.

History records the use of Bards as storytellers in Wales and the Dark Ages. In Ireland storytellers were called Seanachies who were expected to know at least 200 tales to last the period from Samhain (November) to Beltane (May).

In Norman times, minstrels were popular guests throughout the countryside of England and France, and storytelling was an accepted part of daily life as lords, servants and knights whiled away the long winter's nights.

In fact, visitors to castles were expected to repay their host's hospitality with one or more stories of their travels.

In many countries around the world, where education is not readily available, storytelling is still a living tradition.

In Morocco, market places are the venue for storytellers, while in Nigeria, journeyman storytellers move from village to village recounting tribal customs.

In the western world, the traditional role of storytelling is not dead either.

Storytelling Guilds are flourishing worldwide, and in Australia each state has its own guild, where talented storytellers gather monthly to share stories and techniques.

To many people, storytelling is picking up a book and reading a story to someone. The true professional will shake their head and disagree.

To them, storytelling is a way to connect with an audience, and share an experience through their tale.

And in that fine tradition, Bundaberg Library invites children and adults alike to attend a pot of stories during Children's Book Week.

On Tuesday, August 20, from 3.45pm, storyteller Peter Dargin will present Tucker Tales for children, using costume, puppets and props to enthrall and amuse.

The session is free and open to anyone. It will be held in the children's section of the Bundaberg Library.

In addition, Mr Dargin will present a workshop on storytelling tips for adults on Wednesday, August 21, from 6pm at the Library.

Mr Dargin is the President ofthe NSW Storyteller's Guild, and has been a storyteller for more years than he likes to remember. He has tales, tips on storytelling, and props to share with his audience.

Anyone interested in learning how to tell stories should telephone Sue Gammon, at the Library, on 4153 9253 to book a place, as there are limited numbers for the workshop.