Storytelling Tips

The most important rule of choosing a book to read aloud to children, is that you should like the book and enjoy reading it.

The book must also be worth reading from a child's point of view, and must be suitable the reading aloud process.

• The illustrations and text should complement each other - for very young children, the pictures should be as simple and one dimensional as possible.

• Make sure the length and difficulty of the text are not inappropriate to your audience.

• It is important to be familiar with the story you will read aloud. Make sure you have read it a few times beforehand.

• Choose a comfortable setting for you and your audience.

• Be sure you have checked the meaning and pronunciation of any unfamiliar words before you begin reading.

• Practice makes perfect - the more you read aloud, the more comfortable you are with the experience.

• Be aware of your phrasing - do you tend to tak a pause after exactly the same syllables each time?

• Does your voice rise or drop at the end of each sentence? Remember, only a question should have a rising inflection?

• Don't bury your head in the print - look up from time to time, and try not to look at the same person each time. Practicereading with the book at the side or in front of you, so the audience can see the page.

• If the audience desires it, leave time at the end, for discussion of the story, and examination of the pictures.

• Encourage audience participation in stories that require noise effects or responses.

• Always finish the story in a clear manner, so children know and recognise that it is the end of a tale.

• Once you are familiar with your stories, don't be afraid to change them to suit your audience or yourself.

• Adapt an American word, or simplify a word that the children may not understand. If a passage in a book is just too long - leave it out, or rephrase it.

• Remember: storytellers retell in their own words.

• Children can be easily distracted - make sure you hold their attention when you tell stories.

• For very young children, it may take several sessions to establish a routine of sitting for stories.

• Try building up their patience gradually. Begin with one or two stories, rhymes or puppets, then gradually increase over time until they can sit quietly for 15 minutes.

• There will always be serial interrupters - ask them to tell you at the end of the story.

• If your audience is severely inattentive - just give up and change the activity. Try again another day.

Toddlers - 18-36 months

• Fast paced, snappy and interesting books, nursery rhymes.

• Clear, realistic visuals (photos), or bright grahpic illustrations.

• Picture board books, felt stories and puppets are all popular.

• Themes should be familiar to them - animals, family, transport, weather, colours, sounds, TV characters.

• Only simply plotted picture books should be read at this age.

May we suggest: Jez Alborough, Pamela Allen, Eric Carle, Pat Hutchins, Colin West

Preschoolers - 4-5 years

• Longer and more sophisticated books. Stories with more detailed plots.

• Fairy tales work well.

• Try introducing traditional storytelling, by using puppets and finger plays.

May we suggest: Lynley Dodd, Mem Fox, Mick Inkpen, Colin McNaughton, Bruce Whatley