Ready-to-Tell Tales

Ready-To-Tell Tales
Editor: David Holt
Author: Bill Mooney

Product Code: 3817
ISBN: 0-87483-381-7
Size: 11" Inches x 8.5"
Pages: 224
Binding: Paperback
Guided Reading Level: O

Anyone who has watched a master storyteller mesmerize an audience without benefit of set, props, or musical score, has wondered: “How do they do that?” The trick, this anthology tells us, is in the material. And the 40 contributors should know. They are some of America's most popular storytellers, each of them sharing a story guaranteed to work in front of the most demanding audience.

In addition to a delightful story, each teller has included tips for unlocking the story and telling it in performance. This multicultural collection includes stories from Africa, India, ancient Greece, Egypt, Japan, the British Isles, Mexico, Thailand, as well as African-American, Cajun, Appalachian, Jewish, and Native American oral traditions.

AWARDS
Pennsylvania School Library Association "YA Best of the Best" Award
Selected for The Elementary School Library Collection
Storytelling World Award

REVIEWS
School Library Journal — Linda Zoppa
"This is an extraordinary collection of over 40 stories from tellers such as Laura Simms, Jackie Torrence, and Jay O'Callahan. Written for both the amateur and seasoned teller, the collection contains stories that are among the easiest and the most difficult to tell. There is a broad selection of short and long stories that are, indeed, ready-to-tell. Stories are told in conversational style allowing the book to be used as a read-aloud resource for all grade levels or to teach storytelling. Each tale includes a few tips on how readers can tell it successfully. A bibliography of primary sources used by each teller and background notes about the origin of many of the stories are also included. Where applicable, musical notation is provided so that accompanying songs can be sung to further enhance the performance. This volume is highly recommended for public, school, and professional collections; it deserves a place on the shelf beside other storytelling classics."

Booklist — Janice Del Negro
"The subtitle tells it all. This collection of 42 tales is a surefire asset for storytelling librarians and teachers. Forty of the 42 tales are based on traditional variants from a wide assortment of cultures, including India, northern Ireland, China, Antigua, Appalachia, and Africa. The roster of authors reads like a who's who of the American storytelling revival: Carol Birch, Len Cabral, David Holt, Diane Ferlatte, Jackie Torrence, Penninah Schram, Jay O'Callaghan, Diane Wolkstein, and many others. Some tales will be familiar--"Fox's Sack," "Urashima Taro," "Trouble!" All are ready and waiting to be told. Highly recommended for school and public libraries as well as comparative folktale collections. Source notes and tips for telling are included. "

KLIATT — Donna Scanlon
"Over the past few years storytelling has enjoyed a revival, finding its way into classrooms of students of all ages. More and more people are listening to stories and learning to tell them. One of the hardest parts of storytelling, especially for beginners, is finding just the right story to tell. Holt and Mooney present 41 short, mostly easy to learn stories (a few are for more experienced tellers) from 34 different storytellers, complete with tips for telling the stories, sources, and background information on each storyteller. The themes, types, and roots of the stories cover a wide range from tall tales to Native American stories to tales from Africa and Asia. Yas may recognize some of the stories, such as Carol Birch's adaptation of Judith Gorog's "Those Three Wishes" or Beth Horner's version of a campfire story, "The Mischievous Girl and the Hideous Creature." The large format and clear type make this an appealing read from pleasure, as well as an excellent source for fledgling or experienced storytellers. While this title is particularly useful for school libraries where multiculturalism and storytelling are part of the curriculum, it also has a place in larger public library collections."

Come-All-Ye — Robert Rodriquez
"The tales in this collection amply succeed by reading easily on the printed page, they are easy to learn, and are easy to tell for beginning storytellers. Both editors are successful storytellers and folk musicians and have assembled 40 of America's finest raconteurs in the current revival, ranging from those who tell creation tales, ghost stories, tall tales to classic folk and fairy tales.

They come from Appalachia, Native Americans, Jewish traditions, and from Celtic, African, and Far Eastern cultures. Each tale is accompanied by a brief biography of its teller, and helpful tips on how others tell the story. The tellers are a veritable "who's who" of America's best storytellers: Bill Harley, Carol Birch, Heather Forest, David Novak, Lenn Cabral, Susan Klein, and others. This collection merits being included in any storyteller's library."

Madison County Journal — Margaret DeBolt
"It used to be that if one mentioned storytelling, the assumption was that it was for those too young to read for themselves. But of course that has now changed, with such events as the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee, which attracts thousands of dedicated listeners every year. Every local Halloween program and Old Time Week seems to boast storytelling, and libraries and schools are always looking for new material.

The best book we have seen on the subject is Ready-to-Tell Tales: Sure-Fire Stories from America's Favorite Storytellers, co-edited by Bill Mooney and David Holt. Holt is an award-winning musician and storyteller who has appeared on the Nashville Network and Public Radio. Mooney played Paul Martin in the ABC drama "All My Children," and later toured with a one-man show.

The list of contributors to Ready-to-Tell Tales is an elite register of the profession. It includes such authors as Donald Davis, Jackie Torrence, Jim May, J.J. Reneaux, Pleasant DeSpain, and many more. The tales represent the world, from Greece to Native American, African, Jewish, Appalachian, Cajun, and more. They may also be quietly read alone.

Best of all, the book includes a picture and short biography of each contributor, as well as suggestions for telling the story and the source. A full bibliography is at the end.

The authors write that while the tales represent many cultures, the collection reflects all of humanity. "Stories," they say, "tell us of our similarities and differences, our strengths and weaknesses our hopes and dreams. They have the power to teach us understanding and tolerance." All this with a live speaker, friends arounds us, and no commercials. No wonder storytelling, that most ancient and honored art, is enjoying a new popularity."

Parenting in Arkansas
"Editors David Holt & Bill Mooney have collected an imagination full of surefire stories from America's favorite storytellers. Tales include "The Twelve Labors of Hercules" (Greece) and "How Turtle Cracked His Shell" (Cherokee); "The Old Giant" (England) and "The King's Child" (Jewish); "The Dead Mule" (American Midwest) and "Jack and the Haunted House" (Appalachian), among many others. The stories tell of human similarities and differences, strengths, and weaknesses. "

Library Talk
"Ready-to-Tell Tales: Surefire Stories from America's Favorite Storytellers is a multicultural collection assembled by David Holt and Bill Mooney. There are over 40 tales by such popular storytellers as Jay O'Callahan, Ed Stivender, Jackie Torrence, and others. Folk tales from Africa, India, and other foreign countries are included, as well as American tales from Appalachian, Native American, African American, Cajun, and other regional oral traditions. Accompanying each story is a brief biography describing the background of the teller, the origin of the story, and tips for delivery techniques."

— Larry McGehee
"Ready-to-Tell Tales is an oversized anthology of some of the best stories from many cultures as told by some of the more renowned storytellers: Jim May, Donald Davis, Robin Moore, and three dozen others. English, East African, Irish, Jewish, Native American, Mexican, and Appalachian stories make this a cornucopia of tales."

The Pilot — Faye Dasen
"Storytellers Holt and Mooney got together and asked some of the best storytellers in the country if they would contribute a story to this book. Many obliged, including Jay O'Callahan, Donald Davis, and Ed Stivender. Along with each story are tips for telling the story and the origins of the story. Storytelling is multicultural. You'll hear the same story told in many different ways, depending on who's telling it. This book will be particularly helpful for new storytellers or teachers.

David Holt, a native of Garland, Texas, has lived in the western part of North Carolina for the past 20 years. He has been seen as the host of "Folkways," a PBS series and American Public Radio's "Riverwalk." Bill Mooney will look familiar to some from his years on the soap opera "All My Children" as Paul Martin. He has done a one-man show of funny frontier stories called "Half Horse, Half Alligator" which was recorded by RCA. He currently lives in East Brunswick, NJ."

The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star — Bill Ruehlmann
"Storytelling--the oral, face-to-face kind--has compelled the collective human race at least since the first campfire. Abraham Lincoln once confided to his Cabinet that a good story has the same effect on me that I suppose a good drink has on an old toper; it puts new life in me." And even in our subsequent switched-on, prerecorded, video-bombarded era, effective live yarn-spinning still teaches and entertains us with enormous power.

It's not just for kids, as the ongoing adult renaissance of storytelling festivals nationwide keeps proving.

Now top American practitioners of the art form afford us a primer, Ready-to-Tell Tales, edited by professional raconteurs David Holt and Bill Mooney.

What I like even more than the great yarns collected here is that this volume manages to be politically correct and genuinely subversive of the status quo at the same time.

Because these international folk tales demonstrate forcefully that human folly is, and alway has been, multicultural.

The evidence lies in anthologized efforts of such famous spellbinders as Donald Davis (from Ocracoke), Jackie Torrence, Jay O'Callahan, and Heather Forest, among many others. They provide performance-tested tales from all over the world guaranteed to have sure-fire effect, and they even append helpful how-to hints on the manner of telling. Everything from sound effects to seating is touched upon.

There are ancient tales such as "The Twelve Labors of Hercules" (Greece) and "How the Turtle Cracked His Shell" (Cherokee); traditional Old World tales such as "The Old Giant" (England) and "The King's Child" (Jewish); and home-grown tales such as "The Dead Mule" and "Jack and the Haunted House" (Appalachia).

So this is certifiably a good book, and budding fabulists would be well-advised to buy it."

Northwest Arkansas Times — Michelle Parks
"Compiled by two weathered storytellers themselves, this book provides folk stories and many other tales. Edited by Bill Mooney and David Holt, the book provides a wide range of story topics and themes, with the telling of the stories, and the exact presentation, left up to the book's reader. The format of this book is intriguing and alone makes it worth the money.

The version of tales about rabbits, possums, lions, turtles, and many fabled children included in the book are all told by various professional storytellers. They all have a bit of history behind the actual story, biographical information about the person or persons telling it. Also included after each story are issues to remember and methods to use when telling it, as well as the age group the story is mostly geared towards. The book makes a superb gift for the whole family, these stories range in appeal for different age groups and have stood the test of time."

Pennsylvania School Library Association
"A wonderful multicultural collection of short, easy to learn tales with "telling tips" from famous tellers."

The Story Bag
"Well, folks, I've heard it all. In fact, I've heard most of the tellers in this book in person or on tape tell these stories or others. I explain this so you'll understand how surprised I was when I decided to read one or two of these tales and found myself instead reading all 42 in one sitting. You will be just as surprised and just as delighted if you buy this book, for you will probably do the same. There are notes on sources and tips for telling for each story. Stories include "Lazy Jack," "The Freedom Bird," "Panther & Rabbit," and "The Talking Skull."

Off the Toom — Marie Winger
"David Holt and Bill Mooney are veteran storytellers who have solicited stories from over forty of their storyteller friends and colleagues, assembled them into this collection, and present tried and true, guaranteed winners. Each is accompanied by a personal introduction from the teller explaining the story's significance to him or her. Each tale is related in an easy-to-tell format and is followed by tips for successful telling and sources for this or additional versions. The book's introduction encourages tellers to explore additional versions and create their own unique telling. This collection will be very helpful to the beginning storyteller, especially if he doesn't have contact with other tellers. More experienced tellers looking for some "sure-fire" stories will certainly find them here. An immensely useful volume. But the single most impressive and valuable contribution of this book comes on page 11, "A Word About Fair Use." This is not a discussion of copyright, but the clearest, most respectful delineation of the ethics involved in telling another teller's version of a story I have seen anywhere. I'd like to see this included in every collection, on every tape, and in every program of every concert. Many in the storytelling world have forgotten this basic courtesy of acknowledgement of and requesting permission from their fellow tellers. Kudos to August House and Mooney and Holt for the "Word About Fair Use."

North Carolina Curriculum
"A great resource for storytelling by media coordinators and classroom teachers, this collection of multicultural tales introduces readers to a host of master tellers (e.g. Rafe Martin, Jackie Torrence, Donald Davis) and some of their favorite narratives. Each 2- to 8-page story is complemented by professional "telling tips" and background information "about the story." North Carolina educators will especially appreciate the ones from Appalachian, American Southern, and Cherokee traditions. Black-and-white photographs."

Texas Child Care
"New at storytelling? Try this collection of well-honed stories if you are looking for tales that tell of our differences and similarities, strengths, and weaknesses, and hopes and dreams. This anthology, a collection of 40 stories contributed by master storytellers, guides anyone who wants to mesmerize groups of children without the benefit of props, music, or written words.

Ready-to-Tell Tales includes ancient stories like "The Twelve Labors of Hercules" (Greece), traditional European tales like "Lazy Jack" (England), stories from the Far East like "The Magic Pot" (China) and "The Magic Mortar" (Japan), and stories from Africa like "Strength" (West Africa) and "Panther and Rabbit' (Cameroon). Tales from the Americas include "How Turtle Cracked His Shell" (Native American), "The Magic Gifts" (Cajun), "Hack and the Haunted House" (Appalachian), and "La Muerta: Godmother Death" (Mexican).

While the stories can be read to groups of children, their greatest impact is made through traditional storytelling. Each story in the collection includes a picture and short biography of the storyteller and an overview of the story. Each contributor to Ready-to-Tell Tales shares tips for unlocking the story and telling it in performance."

Carolina Country
"Master storytellers mesmerize audiences without beneft of set, props, or musical score. How? It's the material! In Ready-to-Tell Tales: Sure-Fire Stories from America's Favorite Storytellers David Holt and Bill Mooney have collected 40 multicultural tales from some of America's most experienced and popular storytellers, including several well-known North Carolinians.

In addition to the delightful stories, the authors included tips for unlocking the yarn for audiences and telling it in performance. The collection will inspire all who enjoy good stories to go out and share theses tales from Africa, India, ancient Greece, Egypt, Appalachia, and from Jewish and native American folklore.

David Holt,a North Carolina mountains resident, is an award-winning musician with numerous storytelling and music recordings. Bill Mooney, author and for many years a daytime serial actor, also is the star of a long-running one-man show of humorous frontier stories."

The Advocate — Terri Dunham
"This is a great new collection of international stories told by renowned storytellers such as J.J. Reneaux and Joseph Bruchac. Each story has a moral and is excellent to read to children, though adults can glean a bit of wisdom from them as well.

My favorite tale is "Little Burnt Face" by Millie Burch, the story of a beautiful Indian girl who was abused by her jealous older sisters. The hateful siblings cut off her hair, then burnt her face with hot coals. In the end, Little Burnt Face's heart was so gentle and true that the most sought-after warrior in the village chose her over the beautiful sisters and all the other lovelies. Such is the stuff the storytellers' tales are made of."