Parents' Choice Foundation: Reviewing Children's Media Since 1978



Parents' Choice Awards : Audio : Storytelling
More Second-Hand Tales

More Second-Hand Tales

Fall 2009 Storytelling
Ages: 5 & Up
CD Price: $14.97
Review:
Simon Brooks has applied his own unique polish and plot adaptations to four popular tales that are loved by all ages. Provocative contrasts occur in both the deliveries and story themes, such as "telling the truth" when the monkey breaks his promise to bring his heart to the dragon (The Dragon and the Monkey's Heart), but the heroine keeps her promise to return with her sword to rescue the princess (Shape-Shifting Girl). A dominant theme throughout the CD is the power of the "little guy." In Goat from the Hills and Mountains, several strong creatures failed in their attempts to help protect a family from a menacing goat, but a tiny ant is the one who comes to the rescue. The final story (One Wish) encourages clever thinking when someone is faced with a major dilemma.

Brooks' savvy sound effects and distinctive British dialect add to the story interest. Although many versions of these stories exist, listeners will applaud Brooks' transformations of these timeless and relevant tales.

Dr. Flora Joy   ©2009 Parents' Choice
Flora has been described as a “founder” in the world of storytelling. The following are a few examples of programs or events that she began: (1) Storytelling World, an international journal for which Flora has continued to serve as editor since its first issue in the 1980s. This journal is currently part of NSN’s Storytelling Magazine. (2) The Annual Storytelling Resource Awards Program, (3) The National Storytelling Youth Olympics, and (4) The Master’s Degree Program in Storytelling at ETSU (where she taught for 41 years and is currently a Professor Emeritus). She has won many prestigious awards, including NSN’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
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