When I was studying to become a children's librarian, storytelling was a part of the curriculum. Several of us formed a storytelling group, led by our wonderful teacher and mentor, the fabulous Jan Lieberman. We told stories at conferences and meetings, at bookstores, schools and on local radio.
Once I completed my master's degree and became a librarian, storytelling was part of the job. I would plan preschool storytime for the younger children, and storytelling would be part of my programming for school age children. These programs were well attended. When I visited school classrooms, I would tell the children a story. On Halloween, several children's librarians would get together for spooky stories program. Those stories were really great!
Most storytellers had a specialty, stories that they preferred to tell. Mine was classic fairy tales. There are so many exquisite stories, but only some which "spoke" to me, in terms of feeling I could tell them well. One story I enjoyed telling was "The Twelve Dancing Princesses", which is actually a quite intricate tale featuring a clock of invisibility, an enchanted kingdom and shoes which were danced to pieces in the night. On the scary side, one of the stories I told was "Mr. Fox". "Lady Mary was young, Lady Mary was fair. She had seven brothers and more suitors than she could count, but the one she liked the most was a certain Mr. Fox." It's quite a gothic tale which ends with a bloody severed hand - "Here's hand and ring I have to show!"
I remember what hard work it was to learn a story. I would read it over and over. Then, as Jan suggested, practice it in front of the mirror until I knew it well. This took time! I would also have to learn to tell it in my own way, speak slowly, add drama and my own interpretation.
Unfortunately, storytelling is not part of the programming at most public libraries anymore. There are so many wonderful children's books, and reading aloud to children is great fun. But it is not the same as storytelling and hearing a story told does something for the mind and imagination that is unique.
I have always wanted to attend the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee. Perhaps I finally will this year, covid permitting! I wish I had gone years ago when I could have heard storytelling master, Jackie Torrance, perform.
Here is a picture of me from long ago, telling stories to a group of children at a bookstore. I love their expressions!
