Read and Tell Stories: For parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other loving adults

Rosie Cutrer graduated from Washburn University with degrees in Theater and Education and taught primary students in Topeka, Kansas for twenty-three years before becoming a professional storyteller in 2000. Since then, she has performed for all ages at public libraries, schools, museums and festivals. She has performed at venues in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Ireland. Mrs. Cutrer is a member of the National Storytelling Network (U.S.A.), River and Prairie Storytellers Guild based in Kansas City, and has been on The Kansas Arts Commission’s Roster of Touring Artists for the past eight years. Cutrer accompanies herself on claw-hammer banjo and she sings her own compositions. Mrs. Cutrer resides in Topeka, Kansas with her husband of thirty years.
 

"In the stories I’ve added some prompts that you should use to help bring the story alive. For instance, in the first story of The Three Billy Goats Gruff, I’ve included directions for the adult to tap their fingers on their legs or the leg of the listener as each goat goes across the bridge. Use these prompts along with making up funny voices and faces for the characters in the stories. In other words, let yourself go and just have fun playing."

Introduction  
Section One: Stories to Read and Tell  
Stories for Younger Listeners  
            The Three Billy Goats Gruff     
            The Tailor's Jacket…
            Mr. Wiggle and Mr. Waggle  .
            The Goat in the Chile Patch…..
            The Boy Who Hid Himself in a Peanut…..
            The Little Red Hen………….
            The Great Big Enormous Turnip………
            In a Dark Wood…….
            I’m Coming Up the Stairs…
            How The Turtle Cracked His Shell……………
 
Stories for Older Listeners……………
            The Stone Cutter……………
            The Sled…………………
            The King Has Horse's Ears …………….
            The Wish………………….
            A Chinese Ghost Stories………….
            Raw Head and Bloody Bones…………
            The Graveyard Voice…………
Section Two: Gathering the Clan Together………
            When and Where to Start………..
            Storytelling in the Car or While Waiting……..
            Family Game and Story Night……….
            Photograph Party ………….
            Story Party …….
            Storytelling on a Walk……….
            Oral History Holiday Video…………..
            Bedtime and Naptime Stories………..
 
Section Three: Public Speaking Makes My Hands Sweat
            This Isn't Broadway; It's Your Family……………………………...
            Suggestions on How to Learn and Tell Stories…
 
Section Four: For Those Who Want to Go Deeper……….
            Personal Stories: Choosing Which One to Tell…….
            Personal Stories Through the Written Word………..
            Personal Stories Orally…………
            Folktales and Traditional Stories…….
Appendix: Possible Questions for Oral Histories……
About the Stories in This Book…….
Bibliography…………..
 

Cutrer, a professional storyteller and former schoolteacher, has assembled tips and suggested "sure to succeed" stories for family storytellers and teachers in many venues. The author's three decades of trial-and-error have resulted in helpful ideas for the novice storyteller who works with children of pre-K and elementary ages.