Children -- Books and reading; Children's literature -- Bibliography; Children's stories -- Bibliography; Storytelling
The method I should recommend in the introduction of both poets
occasionally into the story-hour would be threefold. First, to choose
passages which appeal for beauty of sound or beauty of mental vision
called up by those sounds; such as "Tell me where is Fancy bred,"
"Titania's Lullaby," "How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank."
Secondly, passages for sheer interest of content, such as the Trial
Scene from "The Merchant of Venice," or the Forest Scene in "As You
Like It." Thirdly, for dramatic and historical interest, such as,
"Men at some time are masters of their fates," the whole of Mark
Antony's speech, and the scene with Imogen and her foster brothers in
the Forest.
It may not be wholly out of place to add here that the children
learned and repeated these passages themselves, and that I offered
them the same advice as I do to all story-tellers. I discussed quite
openly with them the method I considered best, trying to make them see
that simplicity of delivery was not only the most beautiful but the
most effective means to use and, by the end of a few months, when they
had been allowed to experiment and express themselves, they began to
see that mere ranting was not force and that a sense of reserve power
is infinitely more impressive and inspiring than mere external
presentation.
I encouraged them to criticize each other for the common good, and
sometimes I read a few lines with overemphasis and too much gesture,
which they were at liberty to point out that they might avoid the
same error.
Excellent collections of poems for this purpose of narrative are:
Mrs. P. A. Barnett's series of "Song and Story," published by Adam
Black, and "The Posy Ring," chosen and classified by Kate Douglas
Wiggin and Nora Archibald Smith, published by Doubleday. For older
children, "The Call of the Homeland," selected and arranged by Dr. R.
P. Scott and Katharine T. Wallas, published by Houghton, Mifflin, and
"Golden Numbers," chosen and classified by Kate Douglas Wiggin and
Nora Archibald Smith, published by Doubleday.
I think it is well to have a goodly number of stories illustrating the
importance of common-sense and resourcefulness.
For this reason, I consider the stories treating of the ultimate
success of the youngest son[23] very admirable for the purpose,
because the youngest child who begins by being considered inferior
to the older ones triumphs in the end, either from resourcefulness
or from common-sense or from some higher quality, such as kindness
to animals, courage in overcoming difficulties, etc.[24]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account