Books in American Storytelling series

Christopher Columbus was not the first to discover the Americas, but his voyages led to European exploration of the New World. Rich in resources and natural beauty, the Americas were irresistible to gold-hungry conquistadors. The newcomers gave little thought to those who had called the lands their home, and exploration soon came to signify conquest. The New World -- and the lives of its inhabitants -- would be changed forever.

With accurate historical information, this easy-to-understand book tells why and how the Constitution of the United States was created. A More Perfect Union includes a map and back matter with a table of dates and a summary of the Articles of the Constitution. "A simple, attractive, informative book about a milestone in American history. The simplest and most accessible history of the Constitution to date."—School Library JournalSupports the Common Core State Standards

Winner of Anne Izard Storytellers' Choice Award & Selected as Outstanding by the Parent CouncilNationally acclaimed storyteller J.J. Reneaux grew up Cajun for true, surrounded by the stories, music, food, and culture of rural communities in southeastern Texas and southern Louisiana. Cajun Folktales serves up a spicy gumbo of more than twenty traditional Cajun animal stories, fairy tales, ghost stories, and humorous tales. A traditional storyteller who collects by word-of-mouth, Reneaux has developed her repertoire over years of collecting―on front porches, school playgrounds, and her beloved fishing trips. She has refined her work in performances nationwide, including the National Storytelling Festival, where she has appeared numerous times. These stories of Cajun treasure and lost jewels will teach readers the importance of resourcefulness, courage and responsibility. Publishers Weekly wrote, "While the tales of African Americans and Native Americans have been much anthologized, the vibrant oral folk tradition of the Cajun has been more or less neglected by American publishers. This excellent anthology by Reneaux helps plug that inexplicable gap. Reneaux, a noted storyteller and a Cajun herself, retells 27 tales she heard in childhood from relatives or has heard since from fellow Cajuns. Their folklore is as spicy and interesting as their famed food and reflects a variety of flavors and influences."

It began in Boston, with angry colonists objecting to the tyranny of a king who ruled from an ocean away.It was voiced by patriots such as Sam Adams and Patrick Henry and echoed by citizens from New England all the way to the Carolinas.It was fought by many -- colonists and patriots, Loyalists and slaves, Frontiersmen and Indians, British and French soldiers.Over more than ten years, sides were taken, guns drawn, lives lost. But through it all, one man -- a general from Virginia named George Washington -- held the young colonies together and led them to victory, beating almost impossible odds.History lovers Betsy and Giulio Maestro tell this true story of extraordinary times, incredible drama, and the birth of a new nation.

The late Jackie Torrence, known to audiences nationwide simply as The Story Lady, had a way with words. These lively, engaging stories feature characters from folklore (Br'er Rabbit and Tar Baby) and from the Bible (Hosea and Gomer, the Lost Son), with a few of her family stories that have proven to be crowd pleasers ( Pa's Trip from Town: A Ghost Story, and The Strawberry Pie). The title essay encourages African-American youth to learn and preserve the stories of their people as a source of ....

This collection of 18 stories serves as both a historical teaching tool and a method for exploring slavery.From African roots to the present day, scholar and storyteller Rex Ellis animates the African-American experience, weaving the strands of African folklore, early American history, and contemporary interpretations into a rich quilt. His stories spin a thread from the Windward Coast of West Africa to the shores of Jamestown and beyond. He uses storytelling as both a historical teaching tool and a method for dealing with controversial subjects. Ellis's unique style of storytelling educates, informs, and inspires courage and trust.

When a story shares a universal message, it finds its way into that pantheon of tales that is shared with many diverse cultures.People just can't live together without telling stories. We tell stories that are funny, ironic, insightful, or just simply pleasing to the tongue and ear. Stories just seem to happen. When a story happens with the force of universality, it finds its way into that pantheon of tales that is the common denominator of cultural exchange. Here are thirty-three such tales, collected from Brazil, China, Korea, Russia, Tibet, Africa, from America's native peoples, and other lands, and chosen for the universality of their message. Each story is presented in concise "retellable" form, suitable for all ages.Kirkus Review wrote, "Presented in easy-to-learn versions enlivened with unforced humor and clear, fluent language; most would take ten minutes or less to tell. Their readers will bring away a stronger impression of human culture's unity than its diversity."

Winner of the Anne Izard Storytellers' Choice AwardThe hills and hamlets of western North Carolina in the 1950's provide the setting for this nostalgic tour de force by Donald Davis, who has appeared in live performance at the World's Fair, the Smithsonian Institution, the National Storytelling Festival, and on National Public Radio. He relates his youth in a cycle of growing-up stories, beginning before he enters school and culminating with the loss of friends to the Vietnam War. The characters are memorable: Miss Daisy―one of the six Boring sisters, teachers every one; Daff-Knee Garlic, owner of the Sulpher Springs Big-Screen Drive-In Theater; and Aunt Laura, who knows to listen for the crack of dawn. Developed in oral performance, Davis's stories resonate in the experiences of his listeners and readers. These stories will teach readers the importance of caring, fairness and respect.

American Library Association Notable Children's Book & International Reading Association Young Adults' ChoiceHigh John the Conqueror, sometimes called simply High John or John, was a slave trickster who always outwit Old Master. Much like Greek slaves and Aesop's animal characters, High John was the subject of a series of subversive narratives, whose mission was to outsmart his oppressors. Tall tales of High John's exploits flourished during slavery, but after emancipation they fell out of circulation and his antics were all but forgotten. Sanfield's skillful storytelling combined with simple black and white illustrations will transport readers to a different time. Sanfield weaves in historical context with this folktale about resourcefulness and courage. Steve Sanfield is an award-winning author, poet and storyteller, as well as the founder of the Sierra Storytelling Festival. One of the pioneers of the American storytelling renaissance, he has been honored with the first leadership award from the National Storytelling Association, a Circle of Excellence Award from the National Storytelling Network, and a lifetime Achievement Award from the Storytelling Association of California.

From the crossing of the Bering Land Bridge over 20,000 years ago to the arrival of the Europeans, this classic picture book paints the early discoveries of America in grand strokes. The text is useful for both the classroom and at home as it combines beautiful landscape illustrations with factual features: maps, timelines, chronological tables, and easy-to-use appendixes. "The dazzlingly clean and accurate prose and the exhilarating beauty of the pictures combine for an extraordinary achievement in both history and art."—School Library Journal"The Maestros do a real service here in presenting the more familiar explorers in the context of all the migrations that have populated the Western Hemisphere.... An outstanding introduction."—Kirkus ReviewsSupports the Common Core State Standards

A glowing collection of stories gathered from many sources and invites readers to share in a storytelling culture teeming with French and Canadian traditions. -Midwest Book ReviewBubbling with beautiful princesses, dragon-slaying underdogs, and crafty tricksters, these Franco-American stories explore a heritage that has become known as "a quiet presence". Co-authors, Parent and Olivier recount the lutin's tricks on farmers, the Jack-like adventures of Ti-Jean, Pierre and his modern-day chainsaw, a beautiful princess conquering an evil witch, and family stories passed down from generation to generation. Meet Michael's grandfather, Honoré Fournier, who spoiled his grandchildren with kindly generosity, and Alexis Lacasse, Julien's grandfather, who didn't let a prank stop him from arriving to dinner on time. Life in Franco-American families revolved around two entities: family and church. The authors address these two important aspects and how they have influenced their stories. Olivier and Parent inherited their families' love of stories and continue that legacy by sharing their ancestry and heritage in this charming book. These medieval stories teach readers the importance of courage, resourcefulness and respect.